Xda-developers
Encyclopedia
xda-developers is a community of over 4 million users worldwide, started in 2003. The site's main purpose is discussion of Windows Phone
, Android, and WebOS phones. They are also one of the first places that Windows Mobile and Android users come for general information of the device, ROM
upgrades and technical support, Q&A, and reviews of applications and accessories for the device. Separate forums
exist for each model of phones manufactured by HTC, Samsung
, LG
, and Motorola
. Forums are also available for tablets and many other devices.
In February 2007, Microsoft
asked xda-developers to remove all ROMs created by OEM
s. In response, a petition was raised and signed by over 10,000 xda-developers members. The petition was, however, put aside when Microsoft did not pursue the removal of the customised images. Microsoft felt that using custom images based on the ROMs originally provided by Microsoft was acceptable as the ROMs work only on specific models and are not portable to devices for which the original ROM was not designed. Windows Mobile does not have a serial key anti-piracy
system and all phones that are Windows Mobile-based work using the same operating system, thus making piracy impossible.
CNET
Asia suggested that xda-developers is a potential solution to problems with many Windows-based mobile devices. In other mobile phone
reviews, testers at CNET preferred using xda-developer's ROMs when carrying out detailed reviews.
Windows Phone
Windows Phone is a mobile operating system developed by Microsoft, and is the successor to its Windows Mobile platform, although incompatible with it. Unlike its predecessor, it is primarily aimed at the consumer market rather than the enterprise market...
, Android, and WebOS phones. They are also one of the first places that Windows Mobile and Android users come for general information of the device, ROM
Rom
ROM, Rom, or rom is an abbreviation and name that may refer to:-In computers and mathematics:* Read-only memory, a type of storage media which is used in computers and other electronic devices....
upgrades and technical support, Q&A, and reviews of applications and accessories for the device. Separate forums
Internet forum
An Internet forum, or message board, is an online discussion site where people can hold conversations in the form of posted messages. They differ from chat rooms in that messages are at least temporarily archived...
exist for each model of phones manufactured by HTC, Samsung
Samsung
The Samsung Group is a South Korean multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Samsung Town, Seoul, South Korea...
, LG
LG
LG may refer to:*LG Corp., a South Korean electronics and petrochemicals conglomerate*LG Electronics, an affiliate of the South Korean LG Group which produces electronic products* Lawrence Graham, a London headquartered firm of business lawyers...
, and Motorola
Motorola
Motorola, Inc. was an American multinational telecommunications company based in Schaumburg, Illinois, which was eventually divided into two independent public companies, Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions on January 4, 2011, after losing $4.3 billion from 2007 to 2009...
. Forums are also available for tablets and many other devices.
In February 2007, Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
asked xda-developers to remove all ROMs created by OEM
Original Equipment Manufacturer
An original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, manufactures products or components that are purchased by a company and retailed under that purchasing company's brand name. OEM refers to the company that originally manufactured the product. When referring to automotive parts, OEM designates a...
s. In response, a petition was raised and signed by over 10,000 xda-developers members. The petition was, however, put aside when Microsoft did not pursue the removal of the customised images. Microsoft felt that using custom images based on the ROMs originally provided by Microsoft was acceptable as the ROMs work only on specific models and are not portable to devices for which the original ROM was not designed. Windows Mobile does not have a serial key anti-piracy
Anti-piracy
Anti-piracy is a term used to describe countermeasures against maritime piracy but moreoften by some to describe the attempt to prevent copyright infringement, counterfeiting, and other violations of intellectual-property rights....
system and all phones that are Windows Mobile-based work using the same operating system, thus making piracy impossible.
CNET
CNET
CNET is a tech media website that publishes news articles, blogs, and podcasts on technology and consumer electronics. Originally founded in 1994 by Halsey Minor and Shelby Bonnie, it was the flagship brand of CNET Networks and became a brand of CBS Interactive through CNET Networks' acquisition...
Asia suggested that xda-developers is a potential solution to problems with many Windows-based mobile devices. In other mobile phone
Mobile phone
A mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
reviews, testers at CNET preferred using xda-developer's ROMs when carrying out detailed reviews.