Pipo M9 Pro RileyROM 2.6 KitKat

[rrileypm]

OK, everybody....I've updated the kernel.img branding graphic to show 4.4.2, instead of 4.2.2.

I'm starting to upload revision "A".

If you are getting ready to download...hold off a few more minutes and I will change the link in post #1 for the new kit.

If you have already flashed this ROM, just download the new kit and uncheck all items in the Flash Tool except kernel.img and flash (without erasing IDB). On boot, you will see the new logo.

That's the ONLY change.

[rrileypm]

OK, the link has been updated. You may download the new kit.

[Starcopy]

OK, the link has been updated. You may download the new kit.

Just did, thanks. But it still say's M7pro with modelnumber.

[rrileypm]

You can edit that in the build.prop.

I've already fixed it. Uploading again. Revision B, this time.

[rrileypm]

Now we are on revision B.

I fixed the build.prop line to show M9 Pro in the About screen....details, details, details.... You guys crack me up!!!!!!

[jy_p]

Great work! Thanks.
Can someone confirm if it's possible to mount a network folder using CIFS with this ROM?

[rrileypm]

I have the cifs module loaded. You need to download a cifs manager to set it up.

[Dutchoak]

Just fine

I've been testing. Graphics are good ( no more artefacts when scrolling),cursor is back when entering Android entryfields, gps not tested (it's there but no fix), Antutu 18187 ( Not bad)

Thanks Randy

Update 1: auto brightness works too!

[jy_p]

I know :-)
But even with the module loaded, I only get errors when trying to mount my NAS folder on M9 kitkat roms. I can mount the same folder on my other Android devices using the same app with same settings.

[rrileypm]

GPS is supposed to work. That was the report I got, which led me to put together this ROM in the first place.

[samr]

3G

can I use 3g normally in this Rom?

[amhonra]

PM

GPS is supposed to work. That was the report I got, which led me to put together this ROM in the first place.

Hey sir, can I send you a PM ???

[Starcopy]

Gps is working. I've tested it on the home cook edition (m7 soft and kernel m9), R2.6, and R2.6a. And they all give af fix.

[ismaelmatoso]

no gps nor wifi display

GPS is supposed to work. That was the report I got, which led me to put together this ROM in the first place.

Hi Riley,
I've been using your ROMs since I received my PIPO M9 PRO 3G till now, but since I've updated from stock ROM (about 5months) I never again had GPS, I went from stock to Riley 1.7a to your first KitKat and to the 2.6a now, and no GPS what so ever, I know my GPS came working because I tested it upon arrival.

Another issue I have is that, I've bought a WifiDisplay HDMI PEN and when I synched the pen with PIPO, since the devices appeared on PIPOs WifiDisplay Settings panel, it tries to connect and on my TV it displays that the connection has been made and quick after that the device reboots, every time I try to synch my PIPO with the WifiDisplay pen it reboots, any help?

[rrileypm]

That's strange because I thought someone reported that GPS was working with this combination of ROM components (M7 Pro ROM with M9 Pro kernel). Some do, some don't...I guess. It's the whole reason behind me spending the time to make this ROM in the first place.

That being said...much of what is changed in a firmware release is in the kernel. We are using the original KitKat kernel.img file specifically for the M9 Pro in this ROM. It was well published that the original beta KitKat Pipo ROM's did not support GPS, and the Wifi Display App was non-existent in KitKat ROM's. There were plenty of other things missing.

While it is safe to say we do appreciate an improvement in performance and some other pro's of just updating the system...ultimately, until we stumble on an updated Pipo KitKat kernel specifically for the M9 Pro tablet, I'm afraid we can't expect EVERYTHING to work. Without the specific sources for the M9 Pro's hardware configuration, we can't compile our own kernel at the moment.

My dilemma is that KitKat updates aren't coming straight from Pipo...they are coming as links that users are submitting to me from tech support, or Pipo testers who are sharing them. I don't have a consistent source for M9 Pro updates. So please...if anyone happens to obtain a link to a more recent version of KitKat for the M9 Pro with an updated kernel, I will be happy to make a new ROM from that firmware. Until then, this is the best we can do. At least it is better than the 2.5 versions in a lot of ways. I don't think we are experiencing a placebo effect by just trying something different. I wouldn't know, because I don't actually own an M9 Pro. My M7 Pro serves as my test device for the M9 Pro ROM's. This firmware rocks on my M7 Pro...GPS included.

Within the same two week period, I received tips on updates for the M6 Pro, M7 Pro, U8 and M8HD....but NOT the M9 Pro. It would be a logical guess that there might just be an update floating around that hasn't made it to us. So may I suggest someone ask tech support for a link to their most recent KitKat update and see what we get? Or through any other sources...like the Chinese forums.

Oh, and whatever happened to the KitKat version for the M8 Pro. Pipo actually published it on their site for about an hour before they took it down. The link is still there, but as of now, they have never addressed whether a KitKat version would ever come for that tablet. They won't even share that firmware to me or anyone else....or explain why it was so bad that they had to drop it.

Just another thought. Pipo has NEVER said they would totally support KitKat on these tablets, they have said the whole time that it is for testing purposes only, and not recommended for everyday use. While I think the KitKat firmware improves upon the user experience enough to run it on all of my tablets in everyday use, Pipo is still publishing updates to their Jellybean firmware for the mainstream users. That doesn't show me much commitment to the KitKat project. Their new tablet models are all coming out with Jellybean. There is a whole lot that I just don't understand about Pipo's (and other Chinese tech companies) business decisions. I'm to the point now that I've quit trying to speculate. About the time you expect something to happen...the exact opposite happens.

Perhaps they didn't want to deal with the hassles of making sure users don't brick their devices by going back and forth between KitKat and Jellybean. I'll bet they weren't prepared to provide technical support for that headache...believe me, no matter how often and plain my message is about following the instructions, someone bricks a tablet every other day...that could be one factor. But I believe that KitKat is enough of an improvement over Jellybean that I run it every day, and I continue to make ROM's with KitKat. I personally don't care about some of these missing features right now...I just hope that eventually Pipo will make them work for us before they totally give up on KitKat for their legacy tablets.

As I've said before, I'm allowed a good rant every now and then....so thank you for listening......