Web Excursions 2021-08-25
How to sneak the Windows 95 credits screen into the build without anybody noticing; Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3's camera breaks after unlocking the bootloader.
How to sneak the Windows 95 credits screen into the build without anybody noticing
The code for the Windows 95 credits was snuck into shell32.dll, in part by writing it in an obscure language nobody understood -- C++
At the time, C was the well-tested, well-supported language, having been de facto standardized since 1978 (K&R) and formally standardized since 1989.
The C++ language wouldn’t become standardized until 1998.
C++ was the language to use if you wanted to live dangerously on the bleeding edge.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3's camera breaks after unlocking the bootloader
the final confirmation screen during the bootloader unlock process on the Galaxy Z Fold 3 mentions that the operation will cause the camera to be disabled.
Upon booting up with an unlocked bootloader, the stock camera app indeed fails to operate, and all camera-related functions cease to function, meaning that you can’t use facial recognition either.
Anything that uses any of the cameras will time out after a while and give errors or just remain dark, including third-party camera apps.
Re-locking the bootloader does make the camera work again,
which indicates that it’s more of a software-level obstacle.
With root access, it could be possible to detect and modify the responsible parameters sent by the bootloader to the OS to bypass this restriction.
Samsung kills the cameras on the Galaxy Z Fold 3 if you unlock the bootloader
PragmaticPulp:
I can almost guarantee this is due to licensing issues with the camera firmware.
Modern cameras aren't just hardware any more.
They're a mix of hardware and advanced processing algorithms that really do make a huge difference in the final output.
Those algorithms are often licensed from 3rd parties with specific licensing requirements.
vbezhenar:
AFAIK similar thing happens with Sony smartphones. They claim to officially support AOSP. But:
Sony’s repair network will likely have to replace key components before it can properly test, repair and verify your device
Consequently, charge you a significant service fee for the additional costs caused by your modification of the software.
For devices running recent software versions, for instance Xperia Z3, the removal of DRM security keys may affect advanced camera functionality.
noise reduction algorithms might be removed, and
performance when taking photos in low-light conditions might be affected.