MINIX NEO Z64 - Could Minix stop giving support and Firmware Updates to their X8-H Units?

[Finless]

@Bob so do you see boxes such as M8 all eventually being ran mainly as linux based rom in future for xbmc stability coming from a dev mindset?

Sent from my Minix Neo X8-H using Tapatalk.

No sorry I do not. Only from "geeks" that are wanting that.
The average consumer wants Android for the other things it brings. They would be "deer in the headlights" if it booted into Linux and not something like XBMC.

Why do I say that? Because recently I gave away several 3066 and 3188 devices to friends. They were like HOLY SH*T... This is so cool! You made my TV awesome. Now understand these people BARLY use the most from their phone when it comes to Android to begin with! But guys... realize the "average consumer" out there... They are not nerds like us and don't go to forums to talk about doing sh*t most people have no freakin clue what your talking about....

My point..... Most people here on FreakTab or any other forum talking about ROMs and capabilities are probably less than .1 percent of consumers of gadgets like this.... That's my point!

BUT with that said... we .1 percent are DRIVING the capabilities and features that many "may" want IF they know and want them
If it was not for us FEW, these boxes would still be basic SH*T......
YET... a lot of people would still buy them!

Bob

[tampametal]

Sorry I meant for ones wanted more stability and boot straight into xbmc without Android bells and whistles.

Certainly did not mean a full linux os.

Thanks for your response.

Sent from my Minix Neo X8-H using Tapatalk.

[toymanedk]

How is Beta 9?

Deleted

[Finless]

Hi Bob:
I bet you are still using your own unique "ROM" on the X8 versus relying on a Minix version. Why is that?

Correct.... Why? Because it's rooted and many other reasons I make custom ROMs. Manufacturers DON'T want you to be able to do things my ROM's provide... OH and get this..... Back to what I was saying.... They don't want the "average consumer" to be able to do that! Why? Because you can seriously screw up your box and without good knowledge, be able to fix it! They don't want the returns and the cost to support things like my ROM provides.... My ROM is for the nerds and geeks that want more! CERTAINLY NOT the average consumer of this box. I think I was trying to be clear on this fact?

I can also imagine you have "insider" information as to the status of Beta 9....correct?

Nope... I do not believe it or not! Ken usually gives me things like this but I have had not one single convo about BETA 9 nor has he sent me a link to try it! So I have absolutely NO knowledge of BETA 9.
AND let me just say, it does not bother me I do not! Ken may have his own reasons for not giving it to me. Might be business, might be other reasons. To be honest, it does not bother me nor does it effect my relationship with him. This site is not all about Minix and if you were running that business, would you?
Bottom line, if he wants me to poke at it, I am willing..... If not.... I am not going to be upset! Plenty of other boxes to work on

Why doesn't Minix just hire experts such as yourself to get the job done right the first time if they don't have the resources? Heck...you even had someone provide you with a modified enclosure because of inherent flaws in the Minix design.

Minix has already used MANY of my mods... TCPIP buffers come to mind and ready for this? AML sources even have my MODs now in the sources!
BUT.... I am not for hire! Well, not full time
This is a hobby for me and the last freakin think I want to do is get paid (full time) to do something I like to do.... This website is my love.... It may make me a dime or nothing... Doesn't matter...

So I am glad you are satisfied with your X-8..and feel you got your moneys worth. I will be I hope when I get a chance to try the new Beta 9 for myself. I get more enjoyment out of flashing new firmware and tinkering than watching XBMC....most of the time..lol.

See your the .01 percent..... Most consumers that buy would not be thinking of flashing the next ROM not would they even spend the time to learn HOW!!!!! That's why OTA is the latest thing for companies! No trouble updates WHEN THEY ARE READY!

My motto is "continuous improvement"....I hope that is the Minix motto as well.

Me too.... that's why I spend the time

Looking forward to your next enhancements for the X-8 series.

Thanks, Cant wait to work on them! Remember what I said above.... It's a hobby!

Bob

[Finless]

Well this is off topic but since I am throwing all the goods out there.....

So you guys think this site makes a lot of money?

Paying for the ROM download bandwidth costs a lot!

I got in the last 6 months all of $300 income from this site!

China advertisers will just not pay much and we have to CHASE them down all the time for not paying!!!! Geek buying is the exception. These cheap SOB's will stop paying and finally we have to shut down the advertising! Ready for this... they get the first 6 months free! Most take it and drop.... Unbelievable!

So..... there you have it.... Where is my love? It is not in making bucks here!
It's giving to users and MAYBE..... JUST MAYBE... long term making something worth while... Not just for me but also for the Dev's that commit to this site and help make it a special place.... I have gone out of pocket many times to get them hardware!

A year ago we were in the RED and paying bandwidth out of pocket......

You now know where my truths lay.......

While Minix and I have a good relationship.... I will support any manufacturer that is willing to work with us.... The Dev's here love the fact that I (or we) work this way..... I don't sell out to the "latest game in town".... It's the best we can do right now but I think it is a good formula for the future.....

Bob

[tampametal]

Thanks for sharing Bob....

I don't sell, I just love xbmc and the community and I have no problem buying developers a beer when I can and from time to time will drop a fine bottle of wine in there.

Sent from my Minix Neo X8-H using Tapatalk.

[Finless]

Just to add how CHEAP these manufacturers can be...... And I am not pointing at Minix or anyone else.... It's just this thread I am posting these facts....

I HAD TO BEG for hardware for Dev's here recently..... AND I MEAN BEG!

I wish I could share the convo for the latest round of asking for ONE BOX for a Dev here from a manufacturer! It's begging and we had to explain ourselves as to why....

If they wont give, then I or Neomode would just pay out of pocket to get them one.....

So that is the landscape of FreakTab.... TRUTH.....


Bob

[clarkss12]

I would like to add my 2 cents.
I got my first android box a couple of years ago, and I was dumb as a rock about them. They were horrible, always crashed or rebooted. Bob would come along and saved the day. For awhile the bar I had set for them was stability, I was excited if I got a new box that did not reboot. I am on my eighth box and they are about 90% of being perfect for my needs. My bar is pretty high now. I have been searching for that elusive "holy grail" and these boxes are almost there. I do about 85% on these boxes that I used to do on my power hungry desk top computer. My boxee box is collecting dust in the closet. I use a roof mounted antenna for live TV, and I use these boxes as my DVR. Granted, a couple of my other boxes are so bad, I won't even give them away because I would feel guilty. I have given three boxes to my grown kids and they love them.

[frederick_99]

@Bob,

I just want to say that I think that you have hit the nail on the head in all your comments and I would like to thank you for everything you do.

I am a newcomer to android and very happily using your Finless 1.0 ROM on my Minix-8-H and thoroughly satisfied with its performance, primarily for xbmc.

I get no reboots, video stuttering , freezes etc etc......just works great

I paid about £100 for the minix and when i compare its performance and capability to the first 386 PC I bought for "home " use which cost around £1000, there is no comparison !

[Gh0st]

Ok some of you here may recognize me, I'm the nazi warlord who warns against people posting for ETAs at the official Minix forum.
Just in case some of you dont read up there. Yes we have formed a beta team (whose credentials we did check before recruiting them) It has proven to be (as I long knew it would) a lot more productive than public betas.
The latest beta is pretty much perfect & as Ken has stated, they are just waiting on one more fix for the 4K player and there will be an OTA update. There are Chinese holidays until the 8th so it will not be until after that.
I can tell you that with the latest beta and Minix XBMC video playing is far more superior to my HTPC.
Auto framerate switching is superb, the box itself is fast and as smooth as a babies bum. No lockups, no reboots. I have had it on since I installed the last beta playing videos non stop, local, USB, NAS, online streaming. All perfect!

Yes there were promised ETAs and that should be reviewed in the future because if it was in Minixs hands it would have made it by then. Because of AML & RK being closed source, ALL these box manufacturers rely on them for fixes. They give an ETA to Minix, Minix gives an ETA to customers, AML dont deliver on time, Minix CANT deliver on time.
You also get the OCD people who just like to flash their hardware, I've dealt with it in the PSP hacking scene, the PS3 hacking scene etc.
I take a tough stance against it because it just spreads negativity through my forum, I will also delete religious debate because it does the same thing. Myself and my friends made that forum, we decide the rules.

I bought a Mad Catz M.O.J.O nearly a year ago for about $300AUD, Everyone should know Mad Catz, theyre a multi million dollar company with a rich history spanning about 25 years. It has a tegra 4 so I thought it was going to be the next big thing. I was very much mistaken! We have received 1 update in that time. It didn't even fix the basic issues to make the box somewhat functional. I'm talking about stuff that didnt even need fixing in some of these $20 bargain bin Droid boxes that dont even receive 1 update.
So yeah I take a harsh stance against people begging, whining and threatening Minix.

Please be patient, this update is worth the wait & is not too far away

[no_spam_for_me]

Ok some of you here may recognize me, I'm the nazi warlord who warns against people posting for ETAs at the official Minix forum.
Just in case some of you dont read up there. Yes we have formed a beta team (whose credentials we did check before recruiting them) It has proven to be (as I long knew it would) a lot more productive than public betas.
The latest beta is pretty much perfect & as Ken has stated, they are just waiting on one more fix for the 4K player and there will be an OTA update. There are Chinese holidays until the 8th so it will not be until after that.
I can tell you that with the latest beta and Minix XBMC video playing is far more superior to my HTPC.
Auto framerate switching is superb, the box itself is fast and as smooth as a babies bum. No lockups, no reboots. I have had it on since I installed the last beta playing videos non stop, local, USB, NAS, online streaming. All perfect!

Yes there were promised ETAs and that should be reviewed in the future because if it was in Minixs hands it would have made it by then. Because of AML & RK being closed source, ALL these box manufacturers rely on them for fixes. They give an ETA to Minix, Minix gives an ETA to customers, AML dont deliver on time, Minix CANT deliver on time.
You also get the OCD people who just like to flash their hardware, I've dealt with it in the PSP hacking scene, the PS3 hacking scene etc.
I take a tough stance against it because it just spreads negativity through my forum, I will also delete religious debate because it does the same thing. Myself and my friends made that forum, we decide the rules.

I bought a Mad Catz M.O.J.O nearly a year ago for about $300AUD, Everyone should know Mad Catz, theyre a multi million dollar company with a rich history spanning about 25 years. It has a tegra 4 so I thought it was going to be the next big thing. I was very much mistaken! We have received 1 update in that time. It didn't even fix the basic issues to make the box somewhat functional. I'm talking about stuff that didnt even need fixing in some of these $20 bargain bin Droid boxes that dont even receive 1 update.
So yeah I take a harsh stance against people begging, whining and threatening Minix.

Please be patient, this update is worth the wait & is not too far away

I quote your post because I know that you minix guys sometimes like to delete it later.

Thank you for the cordial and warm words. This is the handle, which we are accustomed to minix.

In my eyes minix is a myth, but a bad myth (e.g. because of this bad attitudes) and that's why I thought in the past "... it's time to say goodbye ..." and I sold my x8-h and will never buy a minix again... In German we say "you also only cooking with water" but minix does so as if they were something special (e.g. I gave you a hint 1-2 weeks before you find out the problem with the M1 connect parallel to another i/o device to the box but nobody had a look at the log).

But that only my 2 cent..

[toymanedk]

Beta 9 is Worth Waiting For

Deleted...non-value added

[ulises1954]

Ok some of you here may recognize me, I'm the nazi warlord who warns against people posting for ETAs at the official Minix forum.
Just in case some of you dont read up there. Yes we have formed a beta team (whose credentials we did check before recruiting them) It has proven to be (as I long knew it would) a lot more productive than public betas.
The latest beta is pretty much perfect & as Ken has stated, they are just waiting on one more fix for the 4K player and there will be an OTA update. There are Chinese holidays until the 8th so it will not be until after that.
I can tell you that with the latest beta and Minix XBMC video playing is far more superior to my HTPC.
Auto framerate switching is superb, the box itself is fast and as smooth as a babies bum. No lockups, no reboots. I have had it on since I installed the last beta playing videos non stop, local, USB, NAS, online streaming. All perfect!

Yes there were promised ETAs and that should be reviewed in the future because if it was in Minixs hands it would have made it by then. Because of AML & RK being closed source, ALL these box manufacturers rely on them for fixes. They give an ETA to Minix, Minix gives an ETA to customers, AML dont deliver on time, Minix CANT deliver on time.
You also get the OCD people who just like to flash their hardware, I've dealt with it in the PSP hacking scene, the PS3 hacking scene etc.
I take a tough stance against it because it just spreads negativity through my forum, I will also delete religious debate because it does the same thing. Myself and my friends made that forum, we decide the rules.

I bought a Mad Catz M.O.J.O nearly a year ago for about $300AUD, Everyone should know Mad Catz, theyre a multi million dollar company with a rich history spanning about 25 years. It has a tegra 4 so I thought it was going to be the next big thing. I was very much mistaken! We have received 1 update in that time. It didn't even fix the basic issues to make the box somewhat functional. I'm talking about stuff that didnt even need fixing in some of these $20 bargain bin Droid boxes that dont even receive 1 update.
So yeah I take a harsh stance against people begging, whining and threatening Minix.

Please be patient, this update is worth the wait & is not too far away

Ghost....1000 Thank you for the information About the BETA-9 update for the MINIX H8-H!!

I just received my new MINIX X8-H and I must say it works 100 times better, faster and also more fluid than any other ANDROID device I've tried!

It is true that the firmware still needs some slight adjustments and fixes (like a Better and more Precise Airmouse/Keyboard/Gyroscope Driver for the M1 and A2), but hopefully MINIX will gradually correct all of them...

We just have to give them confidence and some time to correct and release a more finished Final Firmware for their X8-H Units!!

[ulises1954]

Ghost....thank you for the informative update...yes..BETA 9 is indeed an improvement and worth waiting for..I thank the poster who allowed me to torrent the latest BETA so I could try it myself! LOL..

Have a great day!

Toymanedk, Where can I get the Latest Beta-9 Firmware, for the MINIX X8-H?

Can you post the file name and/or torrent link?

Thanks in Advance!

[Gh0st]

Ghost....thank you for the informative update...yes..BETA 9 is indeed an improvement and worth waiting for..I thank the poster who allowed me to torrent the latest BETA so I could try it myself! LOL..

Have a great day!

Cool story bruh!!!
You'd be able to tell me the major difference with the Minix launcher then wouldnt you? Sticks out like dogs balls so you wouldnt miss it