Android TV Box - CloudGate Circle - firmware flashing (RK3188)

I purchased an Android TV Box from Takealot.co.za a while ago. This would be the second Android TV Box I own. However I was unimpressed by the initial firmware that was installed on the unit. Let me summarize the issue as follows:

Issues:

• No IR Remote support
• Slow performance (even when just browsing websites)
• Bad Resolution handling in both 1080p and 720p
• Power Adapter did not supply enough power resulting in eventual No-Boot or endless boot cycles

I tried contacting Cloudgate about the issues, however I never received a response, and I also got no responses from their servers when running their pre-installed Cloudgate software.

After some digging I discovered that the board used was from a company called Netxeon, the board code was Netxeon x5ii_V3.1.

Then I did some googling for a firmware that was compatible and found a forum that released a compatible firmware for that board and chip RK3188.

I downloaded and installed the new firmware for my Cloudgate Circle Android TV Box. I then tested the performace by running XBMC and playing a few videos. I was not dissapointed. At first the performance was definitely smoother and snappier, a far cry from the original slow firmware.

Then I tested an IR Remote, Worked flawlessly!

I will now list the steps that I followed to install the new firmware.

1. Power up the android device with an alternate (and stable) 2A 5V PSU
2. Connect the device to your Windows PC and install the ABD Driver using DriverAssist
3. Download the new firmware from the forum
4. Extract the Zip and Use the supplied Flash tool 1.37 to "Reboot into Flash Mode"
5. Then choose "Erase NAND" and wait for it to complete
6. Then choose "Flash ROM"
7. This will start the flashing process by uploading the Image files and rebooting the device (may take a few minutes, the console in the FlashTool will show progress)
8. When it is done and the Android Device reboots with a new Boot screen you will be presented with the Setup wizard. You're done!

Note: read up from the forum or google if you struggle with any of the steps.

Update: I later tested the original power supply, It now worked too as the combined power consumption is less using the updated custom firmware!

First Play Store Game Release - PixelTap

Today I would like to announce that my first game was published on the Google Play Store!

I have been working towards this moment for several years, with several failed starts and given up on too many works in progress. I can proudly say that i officially have a Game on the Play Store, woohoo!

The game started with a simple concept, just tap a pixel on the screen! With that concept, I gave it a deadline of initially three weeks. So I had to be careful of the scope for which to develop the game around.

With the help of willing testers and the MakeGamesSA.com forum members, who I employed to feedback on the initial alpha versions, I managed to gain some insight of obvious features that needed to be added to the game.

Getting time to work on the project was certainly not easy, but I managed to consistently progress and finish it within four weeks.

It is by no means the final version, but from a gameplay perspective, it contains all the minimum features one would expect considering the time that it was produced in.

I hereby give you, free, PixelTap!

Download the game from the PlayStore: PixelTap