Pro¹ X – state of production and delivery

[Name_not_avail 68]

21 hours ago, suicidal_orange said:

I haven't read anyone saying it gets worse (if that's even possible?) so it's probably worth trying? 

You have a point there.

Is 2.1.5 available for downloading anywhere obvious, or do I have to get an invitation to a Telegram group, or some other similar quasi-secret source?

[suicidal_orange 103]

1 hour ago, Name_not_avail said:

Is 2.1.5 available for downloading anywhere obvious, or do I have to get an invitation to a Telegram group, or some other similar quasi-secret source?

Obvious no, but it is available - see the guide from Casey with a link.

[Name_not_avail 68]

21 hours ago, suicidal_orange said:

Obvious no, but it is available - see the guide from Casey with a link.

So I followed that guide, and flashed the phone with Pro1-X_Stock_Android_OS_GMS-less_v2.15.

But now the phone shows a storage space of only 8 GB.

It physically has 256 GB.

Any help here?  

WTF?

[MonCon 129]

@Name_not_avail

 

[Name_not_avail 68]

I was just in the process of the factory reset when you posted.

Score, it's reading normal again.

If I could hit "Thanks" 10 times for the speed of your reply, I would do so.

Thanks again!

[Name_not_avail 68]

@EskeRahn please move this post if appropriate, I know there has been thread drift in the last 6 posts but I didn't find another thread where it seemed to fit, and I have what I think is useful info to share. 

I have now updated to build 2.1.5, but because I am still roaming on Canadian GSM service, I won't be able to say whether LTE reception has been improved for a couple of weeks.  The most noticeable improvement of this build is that touching the fingerprint reader does not cause wild scrolling behaviour the way it did in build 2.1.2, so that is a much appreciated improvement.

Because 2.1.5 is GMS-less, I missed having some basic Google services (Gmail, contacts, messages, calendar) with this build. The build has AOSP apps for calendar, messages and contacts, but no email app.  I tried a couple of open-source alternatives to Gmail, but found them disappointing by comparison. 

I looked into flashing various Gapps, but all of them seemed to require flashing with TWRP first, and as far as I know, there is no TWRP or other custom recovery available for the Pro 1x, so that seemed like a non-starter.

So in the end, I rooted with Magisk according to instructions by @Casey here: https://community.fxtec.com/topic/3690-pro1-x-rooting-with-magisk

Then I enabled Zygisk in the Magisk settings.

Then I downloaded version 1.0 of this awesome Magisk module by @wacko1805, and installed it with Magisk: https://sourceforge.net/projects/magiskgapps/files/r/Core/

Version 1.0 of the module is for Android 11, and I think the newer versions are for 12 and 13.  Version 1.0 worked great for my Pro 1x on build 2.1.5.

That puts the Play Store and Google Services Framework on the Pro 1x as a removeable Magisk module.  From there, it was possible to start the Play Store, sign into my Google account, and download Gmail, Contacts, Messages, and Calendar.  It took some fiddling with the permissions to get everything syncing, and some restarts, but now the phone and those four apps seem stable.  I have no idea if other Gapps work with this method, so someone else can test if they like.  

I don't know what other people are doing for Gapps in build 2.1.5, but that solution suits me fine for now.

 

[PoongZY 15]

On 12/2/2022 at 4:57 PM, MonCon said:

@PoongZY

No probs here on data connection.  I'm on 2.1.5.  Out and about it works well, standalone or as a hotspot.  Not sure about LTE, a quick peek at the status bar shows me as on 3G.  I've got my 'Preferred network type' set at 'GSM/WCDMA auto'. 

Good for you, but my country already phased out 3G, I can either on 4G or 2G

[PoongZY 15]

5 hours ago, Name_not_avail said:

@EskeRahn please move this post if appropriate, I know there has been thread drift in the last 6 posts but I didn't find another thread where it seemed to fit, and I have what I think is useful info to share. 

I have now updated to build 2.1.5, but because I am still roaming on Canadian GSM service, I won't be able to say whether LTE reception has been improved for a couple of weeks.  The most noticeable improvement of this build is that touching the fingerprint reader does not cause wild scrolling behaviour the way it did in build 2.1.2, so that is a much appreciated improvement.

Because 2.1.5 is GMS-less, I missed having some basic Google services (Gmail, contacts, messages, calendar) with this build. The build has AOSP apps for calendar, messages and contacts, but no email app.  I tried a couple of open-source alternatives to Gmail, but found them disappointing by comparison. 

I looked into flashing various Gapps, but all of them seemed to require flashing with TWRP first, and as far as I know, there is no TWRP or other custom recovery available for the Pro 1x, so that seemed like a non-starter.

So in the end, I rooted with Magisk according to instructions by @Casey here: https://community.fxtec.com/topic/3690-pro1-x-rooting-with-magisk

Then I enabled Zygisk in the Magisk settings.

Then I downloaded version 1.0 of this awesome Magisk module by @wacko1805, and installed it with Magisk: https://sourceforge.net/projects/magiskgapps/files/r/Core/

Version 1.0 of the module is for Android 11, and I think the newer versions are for 12 and 13.  Version 1.0 worked great for my Pro 1x on build 2.1.5.

That puts the Play Store and Google Services Framework on the Pro 1x as a removeable Magisk module.  From there, it was possible to start the Play Store, sign into my Google account, and download Gmail, Contacts, Messages, and Calendar.  It took some fiddling with the permissions to get everything syncing, and some restarts, but now the phone and those four apps seem stable.  I have no idea if other Gapps work with this method, so someone else can test if they like.  

I don't know what other people are doing for Gapps in build 2.1.5, but that solution suits me fine for now.

 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mkpE8d2bYbUvmR6HDqgEArBYjGKopCSJ
there are GMS and GMS-less build

[Casey 321]

8 hours ago, Name_not_avail said:

Because 2.1.5 is GMS-less, I missed having some basic Google services (Gmail, contacts, messages, calendar) with this build

As @PoongZY said above, there a two 2.1.5 builds, one has GMS and the other don't. The one that has GMS can only be found via the beta testing scheme, which you'll need to join to get.

[zundappchef 100]

taking bets on the delivery date now 
i put 800$ on december next year 🤣
but if anyone is willing to bet on sooner ill pay great odds against it

[SchattengestaIt 563]

What is the reason they haven't updated via e-mail anymore? Are only the indigogo supporters supposed to get their devices?

Last update was on July saying that all shipping would be completed by August (both indigogo and website).

[Rob. S. 1,667]

57 minutes ago, SchattengestaIt said:

What is the reason they haven't updated via e-mail anymore? Are only the indigogo supporters supposed to get their devices?

Last update was on July saying that all shipping would be completed by August (both indigogo and website).

I haven't received updates for my 2019 website order lately, either, but they confirmed to me earlier that the phone would definitely be delivered, too. They seem to have forgotten about keeping their non-Indiegogo orderers informed...

[Hook 3,208]

3 hours ago, Rob. S. said:

I haven't received updates for my 2019 website order lately, either, but they confirmed to me earlier that the phone would definitely be delivered, too. They seem to have forgotten about keeping their non-Indiegogo orderers informed...

I am an IGG supporter and I don't get the emails anymore. I suspect something broke at IGG. Maybe IGG has a time limit on emails going out. I just go to IGG and check the updates while ignoring the comments. 😉

[Name_not_avail 68]

On 12/5/2022 at 8:32 PM, Name_not_avail said:

 I have now updated to build 2.1.5, but because I am still roaming on Canadian GSM service, I won't be able to say whether LTE reception has been improved for a couple of weeks.

So I brought one Pro1x with 2.1.5 GMS-less, and one stock 2.1.2 Pro 1x, to the Cayman Islands, using a new Flow sim card in each one. Flow operates both LTE and GSM network service.

After extensive trial and error, I am sorry to have to confirm that the only way to get voice service with these phones on Flow is to lock out LTE and select "GSM only".

Allowing the phones to connect via LTE showed good signal strength, and SMS and data worked, but voice calls were unable to connect about 90% of the time. On the odd time that LTE would connect, the quality of the voice call was much better than "GSM only", which mostly connected via Edge on Flow. But it was mostly impossible to place a voice call on LTE, with "mobile service unavailable" messages 90%+ of the time.

There was no discernable difference in ability to connect with 2.1.2 vs. 2.1.5 firmware. I had both phones side by side, while testing.

So that makes these phones complete bricks in the USA in terms of voice calls, I am sorry to say.

I hope @Caseycan tell us that FX Tec is working on this problem with new firmware. GSM voice calls work ok, though with reduced quality.

In the USA, there is no more GSM, so I am sorry to recommend that no potential American customers should buy this phone until proof of LTE improvement.

[dicer 36]

On 12/11/2022 at 3:47 PM, Hook said:

I am an IGG supporter and I don't get the emails anymore. I suspect something broke at IGG. Maybe IGG has a time limit on emails going out. I just go to IGG and check the updates while ignoring the comments. 😉

Same here. Maybe we should make a (pinned) thread in this forum were people copy the news messages into? Then we can have notifications again. I don't want to follow this topic

[Hook 3,208]

10 minutes ago, dicer said:

Same here. Maybe we should make a (pinned) thread in this forum were people copy the news messages into? Then we can have notifications again. I don't want to follow this topic

Seems simple enough to just use this link to check rather than asking someone else to maintain an update thread:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/pro1-x-smartphone-functionality-choice-control/x/17980121#/updates/all

[Jadran 1]

I just read that someone was complaining about the fact that although F-rec ensured us there weren't going to any additional shipping costs due to Brexit, they're going to charge VAT anyway. That would mean I'll have to pay 20% extra for a phone I already paid good money for almost 2 years ago. Can they do this legally?? I'd much rather have my money back.

[VaZso 1,999]

This is their latest update came today here:

Quote

by FX Technology

Dec 16, 2022 • 4:50AM

4 hours ago

Pro1-X Update - Novemeber

Dear Pro1-X backers, 

Here are the latest shipping updates.

We aim to start shipping in small batches before Christmas, so some Pro1-X’s will arrive before the New Year!

Due to ongoing logistical issues affecting mass shipments in China and Hong Kong, we are dispatching units in small numbers,  but plan to gradually scale up as things move back to normal in January. It is unlikely that all orders will ship before Christmas, but we will keep everyone posted on our shipping progress once orders have been sent out.

We’d like to mention, that given the nature of Indiegogo being a crowdfunding platform, we understand that there may be concerns associated with backing and even receiving new and upcoming products. Despite these delays, we can guarantee the shipping and delivery of each and every perk that has been backed through Indiegogo. We appreciate all your support throughout and will continue to work towards getting your devices to you!

OS Developments:

Our team is preparing for the final sprint toward fixing stock OS bugs. We have a number of high-priority issues affecting UX that is being investigated. Thank you again to our beta testers and active community on Forums/Discord that have contributed greatly to identifying bugs in our current stock OS. We understand some users are experiencing poor cellular signals and occasional call drops, our team is looking into this with an effort to produce an OTA within the next month or two. Other corner cases revolving around NFC detection, sensitive microphone, and GPS lock are also in our backlog. We apologise for the inconvenience these issues have caused. 

LineageOS and Ubuntu Touch OS development are still in the works to produce a stable build soon. Please be aware this is a community-driven project and the progress is heavily dependent on their time. In the meantime, we will be working closely with the developers to provide any support they need.

Feel free to reach us at info at fxtec.com for any additional questions related to your order, shipping, delivery, or technical support.

Thank you for your support and patience! 

Team Fxtec 🙂

 

[claude0001 1,405]

OK ... this does not seem to go well.

According to the past updates, almost all units should have been sitting at "their" warehouse (really Expansys', I understand) already for four (4) months. Given that Expansys are obviously able to ship their own Pro1-X's without any problems, I think F(x)tec should stop blaming "logistical issues" in "China and Hong Kong" for everything ... they must have at least some part in this mess and I think people would appreciate if they admitted that.

However, the most disappointing part about the last few updates is how alternative OS development is increasingly being framed as "not our problem ... community thing ... ask somewhere else". Guess what? We are asking "the community" and get responses like "we do not know that device, ask at F(x)tec". Seems like everyone is pointing at everyone else. Is anyone actively working on a LOS port for Pro1-X? If one remembers that the Pro1-X was once branded as the "XDA phone", it is quite saddening that alternative OS development is seemingly no longer given any priority at F(x)tec ...

Sorry for the outburst. Had to vent. Please proceed, nothing to see here ... 🙂

Edited December 16, 2022 by claude0001

[suicidal_orange 103]

2 hours ago, claude0001 said:

the most disappointing part about the last few updates is how alternative OS development is increasingly being framed as "not our problem ... community thing ... ask somewhere else". Guess what? We are asking "the community" and get responses like "we do not know that device, ask at F(x)tec". Seems like everyone is pointing at everyone else. Is anyone actively working on a LOS port for Pro1-X?

If you want a community to work on something you need to give them the hardware.  The few who did get their IGG perk delivered were not the most enthusiastic "Early Bird" orderers or those with the "Secret Community Perk" available through XDA they were seemingly chosen at random so that can't have helped.  Then (if you believe the updates) anyone who was working on it was told to stop until they had a stable stock image, which as of today's update they're still "working on".  Sounds like they've had three months and got nowhere - it must be really broken!

[Acurus 17]

I assume for most who haven't gotten their device yet the money is lost. Irretrievable. The same applies to those who bought the device through the indiegogo campaign. Fxtec is no longer able to even begin to implement its own announcements. At the moment it seems to me that we are being lied to. Too many promises have been made for more than two years now and then broken.

[suicidal_orange 103]

2 hours ago, Acurus said:

I assume for most who haven't gotten their device yet the money is lost. Irretrievable. The same applies to those who bought the device through the indiegogo campaign.

The way I look at it is that if I'd bought a different phone two years ago instead of backing the Pro1x it may well be broken and need replacing by now.  Instead I've continued to use the phone that was already annoyingly half broken so in terms of money per year it has kinda paid for itself.  I'm still expecting it to arrive sometime and even if it only works as a pocket computer (maybe with an external wi-fi antenna) it should still be useful alongside the small phone I'm now resigned to buying.

Edited December 16, 2022 by suicidal_orange
Fixed quote

[Hook 3,208]

5 hours ago, claude0001 said:

However, the most disappointing part about the last few updates is how alternative OS development is increasingly being framed as "not our problem ... community thing ... ask somewhere else".

I think  this really does misrepresent what they said.  They said the alternative OSs are community run projects by volunteers and progress depends on their time (true), but that they are working closely with those volunteers to provide as much support as possible.  There was no comment about ask the devs.  Only the continuing "if you have questions ask at fxtec."

I do understand the frustration.  Must be even greater for those who, who unlike you and me, are waiting without a Pro 1 in their hands. And, honestly, I bet FxTec are pretty frustrated too.

I don't know the reason, but FxTec has only ever been able to ship in small batches (and Expansys has been their logistiics contractor since 2019).  They may have tried to change that this time and may even been part of the reason for the contract problems.  I think, whatever they re-negotiated, they are back to small batch shipping.

The one other thing, which they have made clear before, is that final development on alternate OSs seems to be awaiting a new firmware update.  That might be more Lineage than UT, I don't know. I assume it has to do with a mutually reached decision that, to the degree that alternate OSs incorporate firmware blobs, they don't want to waste effort on something that is going to change.

 

[claude0001 1,405]

3 hours ago, Hook said:

I think  this really does misrepresent what they said.  They said the alternative OSs are community run projects by volunteers and progress depends on their time (true), but that they are working closely with those volunteers to provide as much support as possible.  There was no comment about ask the devs.

OK, ok, I was probably overshooting a bit. Sorry. 🙂

However, my point was not about something specific they wrote in this latest update. It's more that I dislike the overall trend: One year ago, F(x)tec had an in-house developer actively working on Pro1/X kernel mainlining and alternate OS porting. At that point they seemed pretty serious about delivering a phone with official, out-of-the box LineageOS and UbuntuTouch support. As I wrote previously, this was a very important aspect of the initial Pro1-X concept.

During this year, they first abandoned the "out-of-the-box" part (by shipping all phones with Android), then - slowly but steadily - walked away from the "official" aspect (by admitting that the porting was essentially done by independent community devs after all).

I am ready to believe that, even when not driving the effort themselves, they still want to support community devs -- but they are obviously quite inefficient even at that. I find it worrying that today's most advanced alternative OS's for the Pro1-X (SailfishOS and Droidian) are precisely NOT the ones F(x)tec initially wanted the Pro1-X to ship with (LineageOS and UbuntuTouch). How does that fit? The pessimistic explanation would be that they have alienated their community ... I hope that is not the case.

[Hook 3,208]

Your points are well-taken, even in your first post.  I don't know what has been happening.  I suspect they don't have a lot of money to play with, which might be why they couldn't hang onto that in-house person.

I guess I just appreciate their doggedness to get us hardware in our hands that then may be able to become what we want.  They crowdfunded a phone they had already designed and built with only more memory and Lineage and UT ready to go.  Suddenly, they lost the SOC they had paid for and found themselves having to design a new phone in a pandemic remotely in China.  I don't know much about UT, but as I mentioned above, I think Lineage is awaiting the firmware update.  The fact that Droidian ans Sailfish are advancing, I think, shows that  the community is interested in this phone. That's a good sign.