Polaroid PMID4311 Hacking

Well, I was recently thinking about the Polaroid 4.3" Tablets and what other things that I could do to them. They come with Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0.4) already preinstalled and are semi-rooted. However, I considered the fact that since these devices were going to be given to my nieces (little girls), there is always the chance for little fingers to get busy and mess up the device. Therefore, having a Recovery option would be ideal as well as a few additional tools like BusyBox, Android Terminal, and Adaway. So, I then did some research and set out to find information on what hacking is available to this little device.

In this post, you'll see how to use LiveSuit/LiveSuite, root the device, install a functioning version of Clockwork Mod, and install Google Market.

LiveSuit / LiveSuite

The "Official" flashing tool used by this device (as well as other AllWinner A1x devices) is a free product called LiveSuit or LiveSuite (inconsistently used so I will just abbreviate it as "LS"). Because it doesn't have really any real English documentation, we must consult either the "Official Instructions" or find basic instructions elsewhere. For this and other reasons, some people just really don't like this Chinese flashing tool but we will be using it anyway for our purposes due to its convenience. Make sure you do not connect the device to the computer until you have installed the drivers!

Just an aside, the included documentation (opened by pressing the 'help' button) will just open the "LiveSuitEN.chm" file - which looks like this:

Installing LS

(Edit: I found a newer 1.11 version with text!)

• Extract to your chosen "installation" directory
• Run "LiveSuitPack_version_1.07_2011026.exe"

• Install Driver Anyway

LS is now installed!

Flashing a ROM using LS (Stock or Custom)

• Download and extract the Official Firmware if you don't already have it
• Run "LiveSuit.exe"

• Press "No"
• In the UI, press the cube button to select your firmware.

• Hold back while connecting cable to PC
• Driver will install on first use

• Release back button

• Press "Yes"

• Press "Yes"
• Wait for process to complete

• Press "OK"
• Disconnect
• Restart Tab

To exit program,  use this icon

because just pressing (X) button merely minimizes program

Installing Google Market (Optional)

• Download Zip File
• Extract to some location
• Copy to SD card
• On tablet, open directory in File Manager
• Install OneTimeInitializer-signed.apk
• Install SetupWizard.apk
• Install vending-3.1.3-signed.apk
• Press the "Home" button
• Check the "open always with"
• Select Launcher
• Reboot

Rooting

• Install a Market
• 1MobileMarket
• GetJar
• Google Market
• Open Market
• Install SuperSU or SuperUser
• Run application
• Device should be now rooted

Installing Clockwork Mod

• Root device
• install Android Terminal from Market
• download install-recovery.sh
• download recovery.img
• Copy both to /sdcard
• Open terminal
• cd /sdcard
• su
• sh install-recovery.sh
• exit
• exit

Clockwork Mod 5.5.0.4 beta 15 is installed

How to enter Clockwork Mod

• Shutdown tablet
• press and hold Vol+
• hold Power a few seconds
• release power
• release Vol+ when "Polaroid" appears on screen

Vol+ down, Vol- up, Power selects

Note: There is another way to install CWM via KK RomKit 9. This way, though simpler, installs a "Touch" version of CWM 5.5.0.4 that has issues: the touch doesn't work, the backup generated errors, and could not properly access the external sd card. The CWM beta 15 version installed above looks terrible but is completely functional.

CyanogenMod 10

There is a version of CyanogenMod 10 in progress by dolorespark,  though I believe it is not yet ready for daily use. If you want to try it out, you can download and install the LS image then just reinstall the official firmware mentioned earlier to go back to stock. This will install Clockwork Mod 6.0.1.2, CyanogenMod 10, and Google Play. However, I have encountered several problems with its current version (4311-cm10-dopa-20121204.zip). 

The screen constantly needs resizing for everything. This is first seen during the initial setup.

Normal

Resized

Again, it appears most prominently on the apps screen.

Normal

Resized

I also had some problems getting into particular parts of the system, and the CyanogenMod 6.0.1.2 works for the most part, but the 5.5.0.4 b15 is still superior in functionality. Bottom line, it is a good start, but not yet ready for prime time.