Upgrading the Lenovo IdeaPad K1 to Jellybean (K1_JB_AOSP) Newbie Guide with Pictures

Remember when the news came out that Lenovo decided to release a Ice Cream Sandwich stock Vanilla for the Lenovo Ideapad. Everybody was happy. Then they found out that the stock ICS did not have Google Play Store! They've also advised mainstream users (and those who aren't familiar with tinkering with their Android OS) to basically stay away from it.

Coincidentally, my Lenovo IdeaPad K1 dies out on me. I have not used it for more than a month because it didn't charge nor did it indicate any signs of life. So today, I just decided to give it a try and holy cow!

Before anything else, let me explain what I have in hand and what to expect...

1. My Lenovo IdeaPad K1 had the original Honeycomb OS...Android OS 3.1

2. I didn't have a microSD card (These first two reasons are why CWM's Jellybean version was out of the question).

Note: According to my understanding, CWM will only work if you have an external micro-SD card and you have the Clockwork Mod Recovery (a package included in Krook1's Android ROM).

3. I have an IdeaPad K1 tablet that's at least 70% charge.

4. Expect that all data will be wiped out, except for the one in your microSD card.

5. Expect that the signal strength for Wi-Fi is messed up. It doesn't show any signal even when you're already connected to a network

Issues I've come across while upgrading the IdeaPad K1 tablet to Jellybean...

1. I tried running NvFlash in Windows 7 by double-clicking the flash-win.bat (and even dragging the batch file to the command window and pressing enter), but nothing seems to happens!

Note: I already disabled my anti-virus and User Account Control (UAC) was off too.

2. I thought I got stuck during the "Formatting partition 12" but I waited a bit and it got to 13. Just in case you get stuck at "Formatting partition 12", just close it and repeat the process.

This is what I meant about getting stuck at Formattiing partition 12. No worries, all you have to do is close it and repeat IF you do get stuck.

3. Although my Lenovo IdeaPad K1 does not show itself in Windows XP, this was what I used to upgrade to Jellybean or Android OS 4.1.1

Once again, the reason why I am doing this is because I hope to help newbies like me.

Nvflash version 1. Download one of the packages above and extract it to a directory  2. Power off device 3. Press and hold both the Vol + and Vol - buttons 4. While holding both Volume buttons power the tablet on 5. The screen should go black and the two front LED's should remain lit. You are now in APX mode 6. Connect your device to USB 7a) Windows: Install the APX drivers from the 'drivers' folder Double click the 'flash-windows.bat' file 7b) Linux: run 'chmod +x flash-linux.sh && sudo ./flash-linux.sh' from the extracted directory Credit goes to Khanning. These instructions were taken from the Lenovo Community Forum on the [ROM][JB][AOSP].  Just in case you run through issues not mentioned in this post, don't hesitate to visit the forum. There's 26 pages worth of discussions about the K1_JB_AOSP

Step 1. Downloading the package... The one I used was the NvFlash version since I didn't have an SD card or the Krook1's Clockwork Mod.

K1_JB_AOSP 

This is that same link used on the forum. It's approximately 198MB in size with an MD5 of f15609a8bd98d0a39f838b29f0c6df59. MD5 is an attribute (checksum) given to a file so that others will be able to verify whether it was tampered with or not.

Step 1.1: The K1_JB_AOSP.zip should be extracted out, preferably to the Desktop.

As you could see, I extracted mine in the Desktop. Ignore the red arrows for now.

Step 2. Pretty self-explanatory. Long press the power button and wait for the "Shut Down" or "Power Off" message and press OK.

Step 3 & 4. Now that it's off, press the Vol + and Vol - button. Don't let go. Press the power button and wait for the lights on your IdeaPad K1 (beside the menu button) to remain lit. Once it's on, give it 5-10 more seconds and let go of the Power Button.

Note: I made a mistake of letting the power button go so soon that it booted to start up.

Step 5: Checklist for the IdeaPad K1 to be on APX mode.

-Black Screen (Check)

-Tiny Lights on Both Sides of the Menu Button ON (Check)

Step 6. Picture Time!

This is what APX mode looks like. I already took the liberty of attaching the USB  for the next processes.

Step 7. Look for the folder where you extracted the K1_JB_AOSP.zip. Assuming you clicked on Desktop without typing in a folder for it to be extracted to, the contents of the zip will be on the desktop.

Step 7.1: Double-click on the flash-win.bat file in that folder.

Double-click the flash-win.bat file to run it.

Step 8. Sit back and relax. Let NvFlash do its job.

Installing drivers...

Done with installing the NVIDIA USB Boot-recovery driver for Mobile devices.

What you should expect to pop-out in the command window (the black window) while it is flashing your Lenovo IdeaPad K1.

This is how it will appear on your Lenovo IdeaPad K1.

Step 9: Once it is done, you should be seeing this in your screen.

A Shiny X Glowing with Rainbow Colors!

Success! The fruits of your labor has paid off!

Once you've finished the prompts (about primary language and setting up your Gmail), you're good to go.

Now, both of us are enjoying our K1 in Jellybean.

Note: Good news! I was already able to upgrade my Android tablet so that the Wi-Fi signal is visible. If you're interested, please visit my Upgrading Lenovo IdeaPad K1 to CM10.

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Updating Cherry Mobile Flare with Pics (Newbie Guide)

So, we all know that the Cherry Mobile Flare came with a lot of perks...and flaws. For instance, the FM Radio app wasn't present in its initial build. And there were problems with the G-Sensor and SMS Auto-Rotate.

Some hours ago, I found out that the update to fix these Cherry Mobile Flare issues has been released. Of course, everybody who wanted it badly went through Cherry Mobile's link to Drop Box.

Which turned out to be an epic failure...

Note: I just dropped by Cherry Mobile's site and was glad to see that they finally uploaded it there and a Mirror Site (*cough* Drop Box). 

I have to admit, I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed. So even with the simplest instructions quoted below, I still had to do it twice before I got it right.

1. Save the update file to the root of the SD card. Turn off the phone.  Make sure phone is charged at least 15%. 2. Press and hold Power+volume Up for a few seconds. It will display first a green screen.

3. Release the button after the screen shows a red display to show the Android sytem revocery.

4. Select apply update from external storage' and select the update file. Use volume keys to select and power key to confirm.

5. The phone will update. After update is finish, select reboot system now. 

Source

Here's some additional information on the entire process. Hopefully, I'd be able to help others who are in the same predicament as I was.

UPDATING CHERRY MOBILE FLARE STEP 1 FAQ. Where the hell is this root?

After tethering your phone to your PC, this message should pop out.  Once you click on "Open device to view files", that folder will be the root.

Note: USB mode is expected to be on MTP.

Flare will have the label S100. This is where you're supposed to copy the file that you just downloaded from Cherry Mobile.

UPDATING CHERRY MOBILE FLARE STEP 2 WARNING. Make sure to read all the steps before doing the procedure. I let go of the buttons at step 2 reason why my phone didn't go red as mentioned in Step 3. UPDATING CHERRY MOBILE FLARE STEP 3. Once your screen turns red (mine was reddish pink than red), that's when you should let go. Now, wait for the screen shown below to appear.

Use the volume key to navigate your way to "apply update from external storage" and press the power button for confirmation

UPDATING CHERRY MOBILE FLARE STEP 4. If my memory serves me right, you'd still need to look for the msm7627a-ota-TBW59.... item (which will probably be the first choice on the next screen) and confirm.

UPDATING CHERRY MOBILE FLARE STEP 5. The phone will update.

Just like this...

Once you get the "Install from sdcard complete." message, just select  "reboot system now".

When your phone is  done rebooting, you should see something like this on your "About phone" menu.

Finally!

I hope this has helped. Please take note that I am no Android expert. Heck, it took me two tries before I got it right. Good luck!

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The Lazada (lazada.com.ph) Buying Experience

I was a little hesitant on doing my first online purchase. I've done EBAY and Sulit, but never before have I purchased from an online shop... so Lazada was a first for me.

The Lazada Shopping Experience

I browsed through Lazada with one thing in mind... the much-coveted Cherry Mobile Flare Android phone which they were selling at 3,999 php (discounted at 26% from the original price). Yesterday we came across a Cherry Mobile kiosk and much to our dismay, they were selling the Flare at 4,499 php (or was it 4,599 php). Fortunately for me, I had already done my ordering. (Product Status: Pending ^^)

I would've posted my invoice, but I forgot to do so due to the excitement.

The Lazada Shipping Experience

I ordered the CM Flare phone last Sunday, January 13, 2013 at about 9 or 10 in the evening. I received it at about 4 PM today (January 15, 2013).  Not bad for a 5-day waiting period, don't you think?

The box is sealed with a white sticker etched with the word "VOID". Once you remove that sticker, the word "VOID" will remain on box thereby giving customers the assurance that it was not opened or tampered with.

So mine was delivered at my door step and I paid upon delivery.

What's in the Cherry Mobile Flare box...

Cherry Mobile Flare at my Fingertips

I got my phone in good fully-functional condition (so far, so good). And I just love it (for its price, performance, and my online shopping experience, anyway!).

What you see is what you get! No hidden charges or issues with mishandling.

So just remember, to keep that tax invoice and consignee slip in case something "undesirable" happens (I dare not to mention!).

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Sarabia Manor Hotel Pool Side at Iloilo City, Philippines

One of my sisters just loves staying at the Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center. The location is nice and there's a convenient store at the bottom. There's also the BPI bank (with an ATM), Ocean City (seafood restaurant) and Coffeebreak (a coffee cafe) just across it.

This is the Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center's pool side

A couple of years ago, my nieces would come to Iloilo every summer to learn swimming at the pool side. They have swimming instructors available in the corner office near the restaurant/cafe area. Back then, they usually charged as low 1,000 to 5,000 php per 10 to 12 sessions (Although, I'll have to confirm this.)

Another one of the many views the Sarabia Manor Hotel Pool Area showcases.

And one last shot of the Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center's pool showing part of the kiddie pool.

The kiddie pool...

You can drop by and check out the place, rates and services at the Sarabia Manor Hotel website.

The Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center is located at 101 General Luna Street, Iloilo City, Philippines. You may contact them at (+6333) 335-1021 to 27 or sarabia_hotel@yahoo.com.ph

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K-Pop Stuff in CNA at Malate, Manila

It was a Christmas day and my niece had not yet received her present. We wanted to surprise her by bringing her to a shop that sold K-Pop merchandise here in Manila. Fortunately, I was able to come across CNA's well-updated Facebook page after Googling the term "K-Pop stuff".

Aside from the Korean Pop merchandise and products CNA is selling, they also  have tons and tons of cutesy stuff such as fancy rings, earrings, bracelets, clips and scrunchies.

I didn't have as many pictures to show since I was prohibited in taking them so please bear with these. Of course, that would've been probably my fault because I didn't mention how I wanted to post about them in this blog. And it's not exactly a blog when I hardly take care of it, anyway.

My niece's reaction was priceless. She was in disbelief... but we weren't able to capture it because picture taking was prohibited.

Which brings me to my next concern. Yes, I understand that the owner is just cautious to not let anyone take pictures of his products, but for bloggers it's perfectly fine. Nonetheless, it's possible that someone could come in their store, pose herself/himself as a blogger, take pictures and actually copy their marketing strategy. And besides, one simply needs to visit their Facebook page (or any blogger's page that features them) to take a look at what they're selling.

See what I mean about the sucky pictures? Of course, a true k-pop fan would probably be able to identify the faces on those notebooks/sticky notes

And another thing, since normal people cannot take pictures in the store, CNA also misses out on the opportunity of Facebook micro-advertising through tagging, don't you think?

Just another one of my sucky camera pictures. But it is evident that  CNA has a lot of  K-pop stuff to choose from. They even had phone straps for couples starring Psy.

One more concern, my sister mentioned that there was this really really "scary" young sales lady who watched her like a hawk (which is perfectly understandable) sporting a not-so-friendly face and "radiating" bad vibes (I couldn't help but laugh when she mentioned the latter). My sister talked to her and gave her a nice smile and she didn't budge at all!

Feel free to click on the photo to view its original size.
Total damage... 3000+ php.

Lastly, the time we went there, they were offering free gift wrapping for purchases above 200 php. So my sister asked whether it were alright to have the three K-Pop albums (EXO, BAP and TVXQ- U-Know + Max) costing 630, 700, 990 respectively wrapped separately. At first, the cashier lady objected but my sister told her that if that were the case, she could pay for them separately since they were worth more than 200 php anyway. She eventually agreed to the request.

Fancy earrings from CNA located in Malate, Manila, Philippines

Bottom line: There's no question that CNA sells some of the best K-Pop merchandise here in the Philippines. They have the latest K-Pop albums, K-Pop merchandise, and K-Pop poster and stickers freebies available. The prices are also reasonably cheap and affordable (equivalent to online prices based in other countries). 

In addition to their K-Pop stuff, they also have a wide range of cute women accessories (fancy earrings, rings, necklaces, wigs, clamps, scrunchies and more)  that it's quite a surprise to find out that the owner is a young Korean businessman. Heck, we were lucky that they were open in the 24th and 25th of December.

However, I couldn't help share my experience with them. Somehow, I am also bothered by the way bloggers and normal customers are treated differently.

Drop by C.N.A. at the G/F Unit D University Tower, Malate, 1004 Manila, Philippines. They also have a branch at Farmers, Cubao.

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Angry Birds Themed Birthday Party

So I decided to post this Angry Bird Themed Birthday Party which was held last June (or was it early July???). I helped my sister in preparing it for her son's 7th birthday. Let's start with the content of the Angry Bird gift bags which were distributed in the party.

Planning an Angry Birds Themed Party

• Angry Birds Message Bracelet costing 10 php ea.
• Angry Birds Snap Wrap which cost us about 50 php per 20 pcs.
• Angry Birds "LED" finger rings with projector-like function at 20 php/pack. We placed each one in small plastic bags and made use of it as part of the "pabitin" prizes.
• Angry Birds Keychain that were 50% discounted costing us 7.50 php/piece instead of its original 15 php price.
• Lastly, Angry Birds Capsule Ballpen which cost 20 php ea.

As for the game prizes... these were the emcee's picks. The ones inside the carton bags are probably Angry Birds mugs.

And what's a party without a cake...

If my memory serves me right, my sister paid the caterer 7,000 php for this Angry Birds Cake.

As mentioned above, each gift bag contained an Angry Bird snap wrap and message bracelet. It also had candies selected by the party favors provider.

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