Why I contribute in developing WALTON firmware (and you should too)

June 1, 2014 · 2 min read

Lately I have been involved in trying to created updated Android firmware for WALTON Primo phones. And for those who are not into Android platform development, it really isn’t the world’s easiest thing to be done. Let me explain my work here, say your phone runs Android 4.2.2, I try to compile a working version of upgraded Android 4.3.1 or 4.4.2.

I got asked a lot of times,

Are you an engineer at WALTON? Does WALTON pay you? Why are you doing this? How are you benefited from this? Are you benefited at all?

Answers:

No, I am not an employee of WALTON Corporation.

No, I don’t have any financial agreements with WALTON Corporation.

When I am working on developing custom / upgraded firmware for WALTON devices, two things play in my mind.

First is of course learning to deal with embedded Linux and the Android platform. I love to work with Linux, especially on embedded devices, with Android running. It helps me build up my eLinux skills, and to prepare me for my future career and current startup, KrossWare.
The second reason is kind of related to the fact that, I want to do it for my motherland. I am expecting a burst of laughter, “Okay, right so your are gonna help Bangladesh rise up by developing ROMs? Seriously?” Well, the fact is, I want to help the local brands to establish their image among local customers and abroad. Upgrades throughout the lifetime of the device and beyond is certainly a point for consumers to choose a phone.
I get lots of love from people benefited from my work, and often donations too ^_^

This pretty basically wraps up everything. I love to do it, I am helping out my country’s economy through doing what I love to do, and finally, I get some benefits as well. However, sometimes I here people bragging,

“Oh look by doing this you are increasing the commercial value of WALTON devices, for free!”

And, I basically don’t give a shit to it, because I am getting what I wanted from my work, I am learning, I am enjoying my time. If anyone else gets benefited along the way, that’s wonderful!