We’ve covered MeanROM for the HTC EVO 4G LTE before when it was still in its EVO 4G LTE infancy at version 0.9. Since then MeanROM has been the most consistently updated EVO 4G LTE ROM around with 25 new versions over the past 55 days adding a variety of features and options that have made the ROM a new, more powerful, wonderful thing.
Since we last left it, MeanROM 3.4 now runs on the EvilZ kernel and allows for overclocking for slightly improved performance over the stock kernel. Changing a config file allows you to choose whether MeanROM performs in performance or battery saving mode.
Google Now has been added to the ROM allowing you to have the personal assistant you never knew you needed. Yesterday before an interview I got a notification telling me that it was time to leave the house so I could arrive for the interview on time, and although it’s a bit naive about the time it takes finding parking, it was close enough.
Swype Beta installer is included so you can get an incredibly good new beta keyboard. If you haven’t checked it out recently, it’s smooth, works significantly better with voice recognition, and doesn’t seem to mess up swiped recognition nearly as much.
Neat new features include the ability to wake the phone by pressing the camera button or voice search by half pressing it, screen on with incoming SMS, improved multitasking, a really neat circular battery indicator, a fixed build of Google Wallet that doesn’t report that it’s an unsupported device because the phone is rooted, 4×5 Rosie, power saving mode, an OTA updater to keep you up to date with the most modified 4G LTE ROM out there, HTC Notes (which I’m uncertain if it came with stock or not), and MMS compression off.
It took a lot to woo me away from Viper4G, let me tell you, and MeanROM managed to do that again. The HTML message format available in Exchange email has been one of the reasons I keep coming back to MeanROM – and keep being disappointed in other ROMs.
I’m not terribly impressed with the EvilZ kernel they shipped with it, as it does not like my phone all that much. It’s worth noting that MeanROM gives you a wide selection of kernels you can install from the SD Card including lesser-overclocked versions of EvilZ’s kernel which work much better for me.
MeanROM is a constantly-evolving piece of work – sometimes so much so that you start to wonder if the changes are driven by the popularity gained by having a new version number, or if they’re just the inevitable results of a perfectionist attempting to stay right on top of everything. Whatever the case, it’s a solidly built ROM with a feature set that can be best described at the moment as “all of them.”
…AAAnnd that indicated that there won’t be anymore updates for the Evo 3D version and it will be perpetually stuck at v2.6 *Sigh*
He never updated MeanROM on the 3D as often as on the 4G LTE… there’s just not as much development to incorporate in the 3D world due to all the drama.
Unless he’s stated that it’s discontinued, I’d imagine it’s still a work in progress… it’s only been 3 weeks since his last update, not a lot has come out ICS-wise in that time on the 3D
Am I reading the OP correctly that there’s a kind of workaround to get S-Off by using an earlier version of Mean Rom to utilize Lazy Panda? My interpretation is to flash Meanrom 1.3, do the lazy panda thing and then flash a later version.
No… lazy panda can be used on old firmware, not old meanroms. If you’re S-ON and have accepted an update there’s no S-OFF exploit for you.
You can, however htcunlock moving forward.
Yeah, already dev unlocked and running Stock w.Goodies… just thought I saw an opportunity.
When the opportunity comes up again, I’ll post it immediately unless John beats me to it.
you forgot to mention the sick ota updater to easily update the rom. that’s one of my favorite features.
look for the word “updater” – it’s in the “neat new features” paragraph. I also took a picture and used it as the only picture in the article of the main updater screen.
-I promise, no editing trickery here.
Lol.
Getting ready to flash. Which kernel did you end up going with?
And Thanks for the timely review!
I went back to stock for now. EvilZ kernels based off the last OTA and my new upgraded firmware don’t work quite as well on my phone as the stock from the last OTA.
They like locking up, necessitating a 3-finger salute to reboot..
if you’re on firmware released before yesterday, you’re probably fine going default though. EvilZ is darn cool what it can do, I just had to have the phone in 100% working for work today so I’m being ultraconservative. Probably flash a lower-overclocking EvilZ tonight.
Thanks for the heads up.
good grief – his new beta ROM based on the new OTA is up: http://www.androidfilehost.com/main/EVO_3D_Developers/mikeyxda/live%20betas/
no idea on it as I have to have stability today… supposedly quadrants near 6K with the new HTC base not overclocked.
Wait, New mean Rom?? Lol I literally just flashed this Rom .
yup. I posted, he released a beta 40 minutes after I posted… it’s not up to meanrom snuff yet, give it about 8 hours there’ll probably be more…
so yes i have it downloaded, your saying I probably should not flash??
wait.. there is that sweat OTA feature right. just check that in a day or two?
NOTE: file is easily 100mb smaller than 8/28 v34 is that why you be inclined to think its not “fully loaded” yet?
Paul,
Is it okay to update your profile or prl while rooted? I I know u have to stay away from otas but how bout these others?
I asked Paul same question a lil while back. if I’m correct updating those two will not harm you what so ever. In fact is usually done on its own if necessary. (maybe if in totally different part of the country or something) ..idk I tried it when visiting Maine -from st. Louis and maybe just fooling myself but it may have helped pick up better signal..but i doubt it.
no issues whatsoever updating profile and prl. PRL just is a list of towers, profile is the basic instructions from the carrier for your phone.
Only thing I’ve ever had happen is I needed to reboot once after updating a profile – that was once… I think it was on the 3D…
I check for PRL about once a week hoping to get something new LTE-wise…
Article topic: Love this rom. Probably my favorite so far for the Evo LTE.
PRL topic: PRL is a CDMA standard for roaming. GSM does not have PRL Since it is only for CDMA and only when you are roaming it will not affect LTE or when you are on Sprint’s network. All the PRL does is say which carriers/towers you are allowed to roam on. This is why the Evo LTE cannot roam on Verizon 3G but only 1x (unless you are on a corporate account and not a consumer account). The Evo LTE will roam 3G on other carriers like Cricket.
tl;dr PRL will not affect LTE connections.
ok so I’m about to attempt a custom rom for the 1st time on my LTE. I’ve did this several times on my OG EVO. Is their anything I should do, check or be aware of before I flash. I’ve read about this new Mean Rom and it sounds like the business, so why not! Also do you guys prefer CWM or TWRP? Currently i’m running CWM as I was on my OG. I also couldn’t receive the latest OTA from sprint. I tried yesterday and it went to CWM recovery but prompted an error before it installed.?!!?!!?! Also I saw a #1 and 2 MeanRom, what’s the difference?
You absolutely need twrp. You also can’t take an ota if you have a custom recovery.
Love mean rom on my evo 3d
Ohhh yea I didn’t now that. Hummm ok so can you run TWRP and CWM. If not how do I get rid of one in favor of the other. If I can do this i’ll flash MeanRom today? Thanks for your response(s) in advance.
Paul,
I did the lazy panda thing a while back but never flashed a custom rom. From the description it says lazy panda won’t work unless you go to version 1.3 and then move forward. Am I reading it wrong or those that only apply if you hadn’t done the lazy panda S-off? Since I have S-Off can I go straight to the latest MEAN ROM?
If your S-off.. Then? Yes start flashing away. If you have flashed roms before than follow those same steps. If not I highly recommend reading a “how to” guide. Is pretty easy just got to follow directions and be patient. There are plenty of guides on this Site, including a how to section and glossary for everything you may need to know. (Top of the Web Page under good and evo tab)
And use TWRP for all recovery activities
Running the latest MEAN ROM and loving it. It doesn’t look much different but it’s does little differences that really make it great!
I’ve been running Team Venom’s Viper rom on my LtEvo and really like all the built in features/tweaks. It runs pretty smoothly except for sense FC’ing pretty regularly. I also get freezes ever now and again requiring the walk of shame three finger restart.
I will give Mean another chance. I liked it on the 3D, just made Mik ICS my daily driver becasue it had the LeeDroid tweaks (or similar, like Venom tweaks in Viper rom) which is a must for any rooted rom in my opinion.
i had been running this rom since about the day that you all posted on here about it.. i loved it!! it was probably the best rom i’ve had so far on my lte. was being the keyword. about a week ago the rom would just start randomly restarting. i still havent figured out why it has started doing that but if you know let me know, otherwise i’ll come post what i find.