Tuesday, May 8, 2012

[Tutorial] How to remove default Samsung Apps from Galaxy S2


Galaxy S2 comes with default samsung apps that are often never used.

If you are neat freaks like me when it comes to files/apps, you will be pleased to know that there is a way to remove default apps easily.

All you need is a root capable browser like Root Explorer.

In this example, I will be using MIUI file explorer which also has root capability.


1. Change the setting of your browser to allow root previlege.




2. Go to /system/app where all default system apps are located and find the file you want to delete.



3. On some browsers, you might need to change the permission of the directory from RO (read-only) to WR (writeable and readable).

4. Delete the file!




It is as simple as that!

Just remember that removing some system apps might break the OS so you have to be careful.


Here is a list of system apps that are safe to remove:

(I found the list from my hard drive. I don't remember where I got it from. If you know where the list is from, please let me know.)



SamsungWidget_WeatherClock.apk
Dlna.apk
LiveWallpapers.apk
SamsungWidget_News.apk
BluetoothOpp.apk
BuddiesNow.apk
TouchWizCalculator.apk
TouchWizCalendar.apk
TwCalendarAppWidget.apk
CalendarProvider.apk
TwWallpaperChooser.apk
Camera.apk
ChocoEUKor.apk
AnalogClock.apk
PressReader.apk
PRUI.apk
lcdtest.apk
SamsungAppsUNAService.apk
ScreenCaptureService.apk
SnsImageCache.apk
Days.apk
Bol.com_version_1.0.3.3.apk
DigitalClock.apk
DownloadProviderUi.apk
DualClock.apk
Email.apk
EmailWidget.apk
FactoryTest.apk
FmRadio.apk
Gallery3D.apk
GameHub.apk
GoogleQuickSearchBox.apk
HelvNeueLT.apk
Protips.apk
HTMLViewer.apk
SamsungIM.apk
IMEITracker.apk
Browser.apk
KiesAir.apk
kieswifi.apk
Kobo.apk
PanningTryActually.apk
Divx.apk
Memo.apk
Mms.apk
Microbesgl.apk
MiniDiary.apk
PostIt.apk
MmsProvisioning.apk
MobilePrint.apk
MobileTrackerEngineTwo.apk
MusicPlayer.apk
MusicHub_U1.apk
MyFiles.apk
GenieWidget.apk
SecretWallpaper1.apk
PhotoRetouching.apk
PicoTts.apk
PolarisOffice.apk
SamsungWidget_ProgramMonitor.apk
ReadersHub.apk
signin.apk
SamsungApps.apk
MMM_Smartphone_1.5.1_final.apk
ApplicationsProvider.apk
SetupWizard.apk
shutdown.apk
Stk.apk
SnsProvider.apk
SnsDisclaimer.apk
SnsAccountFb.apk
SnsAccountLi.apk
SnsAccountMs.apk
SnsAccountTw.apk
SocialHub.apk
SevenEngine.apk
syncmldm.apk
SoundPlayer.apk
SpeechRecorder.apk
Tasks.apk
Term.apk
TrimApp.apk
Kies.apk
UserDictionaryProvider.apk
VideoEditor.apk
VideoPlayer.apk
VoiceToGo.apk
VoiceRecorder.apk
VpnServices.apk
FTS.apk
FTM.apk
SecretWallpaper2.apk
wipereceiver.apk
WlanTest.apk
wssyncmlnps.apk
SamsungWidget_StockClock.apk
Zinio.apk

[Tutorial] Wixel Programmable Wireless Module - Part 1: Setting up the environment


I was commissioned by a private company to create a wireless system over the summer.

I was looking for an RF alternative that can minimize the cost and came across Wixel Programmable Wireless Module.

What I love about this module is that this module contains TI CC2511F32 microcontroller with built-in 2.4 Ghz Radio and 6 analog input pins with 12 bit ADC. It even has built-in USB adaptor which makes it very easy to interface with this device.




This was perfect for my application since I needed to process and transmit <1v analog signal wirelessly.

The only downside in comparison with other RF modules is that this module can cover only about 50 feet/15 meters for wireless communication.

You can get this module either from Pololu directly or from Sparkfun.

Fortunately, my local supplier Creatron carried them so I got it from them.

Setting up the development environment for this module was very easy and took only about 5 minutes following this guide.

You just need to install Driver & Software, and Development Bundle and it worked out of the box!

Wixel Windows Drivers and Software

Wixel Development Bundle for Windows


When you first connect wixel module, you will notice that both red and yellow leds on indicating that there is no program uploaded.




Once you upload the program, you can control these two leds through functions

LED_YELLOW(STATE), LED_RED(STATE)


Wixel Windows Drivers and Software will install a Wixel Configuration Utility that makes it very easy to upload a program and set parameters (blink_period_ms).




You can see that the program automatically detect connected Wixel module with unique serial ID displaced on the left panel.


If we look at the actual source code of this program, we can see that the variable blink_period_ms preceded with "param_" with default value of 500. Notice we can control the Yellow/Red LEDS by calling LED_YELLOW and LED_RED functions.






To be continued ...