Lollipop launcher

If you are looking for another launcher that falls into the category of "everything thing me" launcher, you will certainly like " lollipop launcher"
I prefer " lollipop launcher " to everything me" because the former one has got an option to hide apps. Also it is only 1 mb

Sound improvement in Lenovo a7000 and other devices

You can increase the sound of any android if you can get into engineering mode.
If you're using gravity box ,the option has been given to the bottom of the UI.
You can also use apps like "mobile uncle tools", "engineering mode app" etc to go into engineering mode.
Instructions:
1) Open engineering mode.
2)Scroll to left and come to "hardware testing".( in gravity box)
3) Open "audio"
   Now you will see different audio settings under "audio". You have to modify the first four categories for all-round audio improvement.
a) Normal mode.
b) Headset mode.
c) Loudspeaker mode.
d) Headset_loudspeaker mode

Open each one of them and set the max value to 160.
See the screenshot

How to spice up boot and shut videos in Lenovo a7000

Your browser doesn't support the video tag

How to spice up your boot and shut videos in Lenovo a7000 using Viva Vedio Pro

Root Required.
Instructions:
1)Copy the boot and shut videos from system/ media
2) Open with Viva Video Pro.
3) Apply sticker effects to your liking.
4) Replace the modified vedios with the original.
Don't try theme or other effects that change the original video dimensions. It might result in boot loop.

How to remove keyboard lag and freezing on Lenovo a7000

If you are using more than one keyboard (ie: Google Hindi input along with Google keyboard) convert both of them into system apps. This will really get your keyboard flying .
Don't forget to update your Google keyboard to the latest version.

Lightning browser

Lightning browser is a no-nonsense light weight launcher(1.35 mb) with no ads and lags

How to remove lags and speed up internet on Lenovo a7000 and other devices

How to remove lags and speed up internet on Lenovo a7000 and other devices by 20-30 percent.

Original post link
http://androidforums.com/threads/boost-mobile-build-prop-speed-tweaks-updated-mar-12th.504850/

Status: Tested on my Lenovo a7000.
Verdict: Impressed.
Possible risks:
After giving reboot I waited for about half an hour for the device to come on but it remained stuck on boot logo.
I pulled the battery out and powered on and the device came on normally( No further reboot issues followed. It was a one time affair)
NB: Try this tweak only if you have had your rom back up.

Instructions:
1)Go to device/system
2) Locate the build-prop file.
3)Open the build-prop file in es file explorer or any other root file manger and add the below- given lines exactly as they are after the last line in the file.
4) Reboot

ro.config.hwfeature_wakeupkey=0
windowsmgr.max_events_per_sec=150
pm.sleep_mode=1
ro.ril.disable.power.collapse=0
persist.adb.notify=1
debug.performance.tuning=1
video.accelerate.he=1
ro.media.enc.hprof.vid.bps =8000000
ro.media.capture.maxees=8m
ro.media.capture.fast.fps =4
ro.media.capture.slow.fps=120
ro.media.capture.flashMinV=33000000
ro.media. capture.torchIntensity=40
ro.media.capture.torchIntensity=70
ro.media.panorama.defres=3264x1840
ro.media.capture.panorama.frameres=1280x720
ro.camcorder.videoModes=true
ro.ril.disable.power.collapse=1
pm.sleep_mode=1
windowsmgr.max_events_per_sec=180
ro.media.enc.jpeg.quality=90
[FONT=&quot]ro.media.dec.jpeg.memcap=8000000
ro.media.enc.hprof.vid.bps=8000000[/FONT]
media.stagefright.enable-player=true
media.stagefright.enable-meta=true
media.stagefright.enable-scan=true
media.stagefright.enable-http=true
ro.lge.proximity.delay=150
mot.proximity.delay=150

Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary

5) Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary ( modded, no license check).
You will have to download additional files of 1.29 gb and paste them in external sd/Android/data/com.slovoed.oald/files.
It is a hefty download but it is worth it.
Files to be downloaded.
1)5ffc.sdc(431.21 mb)
2)5fff.sdc(432.19 mb)
3)524c.sdc(455.44 mb)
4) 4001.prc(293.25 KB)
You can search the files by their file names on the net and download them

Link for the apk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_RnOWVq6YXfT0V2R2dYUU85VGc/edit?usp=docslist_api

Viva video Pro

4) viva video pro

Spice up the boot and shut animation videos in Lenovo a7000.
Caution:
Don't use anything that alters the video length and width ratio. It might result in boot loop.
Use sticker effect only.

GMD gesture control

3)GMD gesture control

Link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_RnOWVq6YXfUDBnU3NpMU5OY0U/edit?usp=docslist_api

Pie Pro

2)Pie pro ( better and much richer than the pie feature in gravity box)



Link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_RnOWVq6YXfN2JkemZCdFhMbk0/edit?usp=docslist_api

Everything me Launcher

Here are a list of some useful apps to make your cellife (my coinage) easier.
1)Everything Me launcher
   ( if you want a locked or frozen desk top for smooth gesture navigation.
It has an option to to freeze the desktop.

If you want to make the app drawer icon invisible ( It is still there in its usual place immediately above the home button. The launcher doesn't offer an option to hide the app drawer icon ( 360 launcher does) you will have to edit two png files in the launcher. For this.
1)Copy the apk to your pc.
2)Unzip the apk using 7zip.
3) copy the res folder out and delete the rest.
4)open the res folder and go to the sub folder' drawable_xhdpi.v4'
5) open the folder and open the .png files ' ic_allapps_pressed.png ' and ' ic_allapps.png ' in Photoshop and delete the icon pics and save.
6)open the launcher apk using 7zip in open archive mode.
7) drag the modified res folder into the apk archive and replace the original res folder.
8) install.
You can change the icons of any app using this method provided the png dimensions are kept unchanged.

xposed framework for Lenovo a7000

For rooted Lenovo a7000.
I tried this on s_133, and if your device has been updated I don't know if it will end up in a boot loop so proceed at your own risk.
(Special thanks to prasant@gt-s 5302 for clearing my doubts up as to a possible boot loop)
1) download the zip file from the link at the bottom.
2) unzip it and you will see another zip file(xposed installer).
3) flash the xposed installer.zip through cwm or TWRP.
4) after reboot, install the xposed installer. apk and give a normal Reboot.
After installation of the exposed apk, it will look like the installation was unsuccessful but actually it is installed. You can proceed to download your favorite modules and activate them in xposed framework. But then again you will have to give a normal reboot to make the modules take effect. Reboot from xposed won't work.
See the screenshots.

Link4xposed:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_RnOWVq6YXfeW82VlVYTW9HbXc/edit?usp=docslist_api

How to revert to / go back to stock recovery on Lenovo a7000

(Recommended) Sp flash tool v5.1444.
For those who want to be back on stock recovery on Lenovo a7000.
1)Download the stock recovery with boot.img and scatter file.
2) Load scatter
3) Select boot.img and recovery. Img only.
4) Select ' download only' and ' download' on Sp flash tool.
5) Power off your device
6) Connect.
7) On seeing OK , unplug and reboot your device.
Link for stock recovery+ boot+ scatter
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_RnOWVq6YXfUDVxSFhGMXFTTUU/edit?usp=docslist_api.
All the credit goes to pechupichu and his friends of the XDA thread " Lenovo a7000 development "

How to root Lenovo a7000

You have to flash CWM or TWRP in advance in order to root Lenovo a7000.
Before flashing cwm or twrp to root your Lenovo a7000,you have to update the device drivers of your computer.( The recommended OS for Lenovo devices is windows XP so windows XP users should be able to get the device drivers installed automatically )

Driver folder link for windows7 is given below. (For windows8 , visit the xda thread " Lenovo a7000 development ")

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_RnOWVq6YXfYk15eWwtakZyY3M/edit?usp=docslist_api

Instructions for windows 7:
[[For win 8, you have to go to advances system start up options and 'disable driver check' -just google ' how to disable driver check in windows 8'. You will get ample tutorial]]

1) keep the driver folder for win7 unzipped on your desktop.

2) right click on the computer icon on the desk top( It is 'this pc' in win 8).

3)select properties-advanced system settings-harware-device istallation settings.

4)once there tick 'no let me choose what to do' and 'never install driver software from windows update'

5) again right click on the computer icon and select properties-device manager.
now under 'monitors' button and under 'other devices' button you will see the already installed drivers. Just  count how many drivers are there already installed and which ones they are;
Now ;
 6) power off your phone.

 7) pressing volume up button connect it to the computer by your usb[keep the vol up button pressed]
  You will see the screen jumbing and the phone driver will appear. Now you can release the vol up button[ while doing this you will see some Chinese words on your phone -just ignore them]

 8) when the new driver appears right click and give update drivers.

 9) a window will appear . select the unzipped folder and update.
   you will see the message ' mediatek vcom drivers successfully installed ' on the task bar now or after restat.

 10) restart your computer.

  11) after restarting, open sp fash tool folder and open flash tool as user or administrator.
 
  12) select scatter loading file (link is at the bottom of this post) by clicking the scatter loading folder button on the flash tool( if it does not load automatically)

  13) once the scatter is loaded click on the recovery tab under location ( number 4} and select recovery file (see the link)from the folder( it should also automatically load)

  14) go to options tab on the flash tool( between file and window tabs) and click download and tick 'DA DL all checksum'.

  15) now close that window and come back to the main window.

  16) select 'download only' and 'download'.

  17) swich off your phone and connect to the usb. Flashing will be with ok signal in the end.
  (if flashing takes time just reattach your phone with the usb without pressing the stop button on flash tool)

18) after flashing, go into recovery by pressing vol up and down button and power button all together.

19) Once the 'Lenovo' logo appears, release power button but keep the other buttons pressed till the recovery window comes on.

20)Now select update zip and flash SuperSU zip.

21) Reboot
**************
 
  ALL THE CREDIT GOES TO  PECHUPICHU  and his friends ON XDA
  VISIT HIS THREAD ' LENOVO A7000 DEVELOPMENT ' FOR MORE DETAILS.

  To get your doubts cleared up on how to install the drivers, google the xda thread 'comprehensive tutorial of installing unsigned drivers'
NB: when downloading sp flash tool, download v5.1444( it worked fine with me)
.
a) driver link for win7:


https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_RnOWVq6YXfYk15eWwtakZyY3M/edit?usp=docslist_api

b) scatter only link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_RnOWVq6YXfdEpHa3dyanBTSzQ/edit?usp=docslist_api

c) cwm link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_RnOWVq6YXfV2FVUGpzQ3ZlUVk/edit?usp=docslist_api

d) twrp + scatter link:


https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_RnOWVq6YXfTUIzbnFDWWJjUmM/edit?usp=docslist_api

e) stock recovery + scatter link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_RnOWVq6YXfUDVxSFhGMXFTTUU/edit?usp=docslist_api

How to restore imei on Lenovo a7000 and other mtk devices

For rooted mtk devices only.
If you have lost imei of your Lenovo a7000 or any other mtk devices, download the latest " chamelephon" apk from plastore and rewrite your imei.
You can see your imei numbers when you remove the battery

How to remove guest and user accounts from Lenovo a7000

How to remove the guest and user accounts from lenovo a7000 and other devices.(  Reversible- You can reverse the steps if you want the accounts back on your device)
Status: self-tried successfully on my Lenovo a7000.
***************
First things first:
1)Root your phone( for instructions head over to the xda thread " Lenovo a7000 development "
2) Back up your rom to external as card using Clock Work Mod(CWM) or Team Win Recovery Project (TWRP)

Steps to remove guest and user accounts:

1) go to device-system and locate the .txt file build- prop.
2)  copy the build-prop file to your sd card in case you need to get rid of the changes(you are going to make) by simply replacing it with the modified one.
3) going back to system folder open and edit the build- prop file using es file explorer (or any root file explorer) and add the below given line exactly as it is as the last line (so that you can easily navigate to the line and remove it if you want to)

fw.max_users=1

4)Save the file and close the file manager.
5) install "SqLite editor" app and opening it navigate to  files/data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/ settings.db folder.
6)Open the settings.db folder and go to "global” tab and locate the entry ‘guest_user_enabled’( entry no:45)
7) click on "guest_user_enabled" and change its value to zero by clicking the pencil sign above.
8)Once done, save and exit the SQLite editor app.
Reboot your phone.
Guest and Multi-User accounts feature will be gone from your phone good.
If you want the deleted accounts back on your device, just reverse the process.
Footnote
***********
I am not the original author of this valuable piece of information. The original post link is given below.
http://www.theandroidsoul.com/how-to-disable-guest-multi-user-accounts-on-android-lollipop-76142/