diff --git a/libs/surfaceflinger/Layer.cpp b/libs/surfaceflinger/Layer.cpp
index 8c0b40d..d1142cc 100644
--- a/libs/surfaceflinger/Layer.cpp
+++ b/libs/surfaceflinger/Layer.cpp
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@
     drawWithOpenGL(clip, mTextures[index]);
 }
 
-sp<SurfaceBuffer> Layer::peekBuffer(int usage)
+sp<SurfaceBuffer> Layer::peekBuffer()
 {
     /*
      * This is called from the client's Surface::lock(), after it locked
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@
     }
     
     LayerBitmap& layerBitmap(mBuffers[backBufferIndex]);
-    sp<SurfaceBuffer> buffer = layerBitmap.allocate(usage);
+    sp<SurfaceBuffer> buffer = layerBitmap.allocate();
     
     LOGD_IF(DEBUG_RESIZE,
             "Layer::getBuffer(this=%p), index=%d, (%d,%d), (%d,%d)",
@@ -649,12 +649,12 @@
 {
 }
 
-sp<SurfaceBuffer> Layer::SurfaceLayer::getBuffer(int usage)
+sp<SurfaceBuffer> Layer::SurfaceLayer::getBuffer()
 {
     sp<SurfaceBuffer> buffer = 0;
     sp<Layer> owner(getOwner());
     if (owner != 0) {
-        buffer = owner->peekBuffer(usage);
+        buffer = owner->peekBuffer();
     }
     return buffer;
 }
diff --git a/libs/surfaceflinger/Layer.h b/libs/surfaceflinger/Layer.h
index add5d50..4c13d6e 100644
--- a/libs/surfaceflinger/Layer.h
+++ b/libs/surfaceflinger/Layer.h
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@
 
     status_t resize(int32_t index, uint32_t w, uint32_t h, const char* what);
     Region post(uint32_t* oldState, bool& recomputeVisibleRegions);
-    sp<SurfaceBuffer> peekBuffer(int usage);
+    sp<SurfaceBuffer> peekBuffer();
     void destroy();
     void scheduleBroadcast();
 
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@
                 ~SurfaceLayer();
 
     private:
-        virtual sp<SurfaceBuffer> getBuffer(int usage);
+        virtual sp<SurfaceBuffer> getBuffer();
 
         sp<Layer> getOwner() const {
             return static_cast<Layer*>(Surface::getOwner().get());
diff --git a/libs/surfaceflinger/LayerBase.cpp b/libs/surfaceflinger/LayerBase.cpp
index 419574c..fbce73dd 100644
--- a/libs/surfaceflinger/LayerBase.cpp
+++ b/libs/surfaceflinger/LayerBase.cpp
@@ -759,7 +759,7 @@
     return BnSurface::onTransact(code, data, reply, flags);
 }
 
-sp<SurfaceBuffer> LayerBaseClient::Surface::getBuffer(int) 
+sp<SurfaceBuffer> LayerBaseClient::Surface::getBuffer() 
 {
     return NULL; 
 }
diff --git a/libs/surfaceflinger/LayerBase.h b/libs/surfaceflinger/LayerBase.h
index 65bf55b..6fb1d1c 100644
--- a/libs/surfaceflinger/LayerBase.h
+++ b/libs/surfaceflinger/LayerBase.h
@@ -335,7 +335,7 @@
         sp<LayerBaseClient> getOwner() const;
 
     private:
-        virtual sp<SurfaceBuffer> getBuffer(int usage);
+        virtual sp<SurfaceBuffer> getBuffer();
         virtual status_t registerBuffers(const ISurface::BufferHeap& buffers); 
         virtual void postBuffer(ssize_t offset);
         virtual void unregisterBuffers();
diff --git a/libs/surfaceflinger/LayerBitmap.cpp b/libs/surfaceflinger/LayerBitmap.cpp
index 5e74451..5221fed 100644
--- a/libs/surfaceflinger/LayerBitmap.cpp
+++ b/libs/surfaceflinger/LayerBitmap.cpp
@@ -38,14 +38,13 @@
 // Buffer and implementation of android_native_buffer_t
 // ===========================================================================
 
-Buffer::Buffer(uint32_t w, uint32_t h, PixelFormat format,
-        uint32_t reqUsage, uint32_t flags)
+Buffer::Buffer(uint32_t w, uint32_t h, PixelFormat format, uint32_t flags)
     : SurfaceBuffer(), mInitCheck(NO_INIT), mFlags(flags), 
     mVStride(0)
 {
     this->format = format;
     if (w>0 && h>0) {
-        mInitCheck = initSize(w, h, reqUsage);
+        mInitCheck = initSize(w, h);
     }
 }
 
@@ -66,7 +65,7 @@
     return static_cast<android_native_buffer_t*>(const_cast<Buffer*>(this));
 }
 
-status_t Buffer::initSize(uint32_t w, uint32_t h, uint32_t reqUsage)
+status_t Buffer::initSize(uint32_t w, uint32_t h)
 {
     status_t err = NO_ERROR;
 
@@ -89,9 +88,16 @@
         usage = BufferAllocator::USAGE_SW_READ_OFTEN | 
                 BufferAllocator::USAGE_SW_WRITE_OFTEN;
     } else {
-        // it's allowed to modify the usage flags here, but generally
-        // the requested flags should be honored.
-        usage = reqUsage | BufferAllocator::USAGE_HW_TEXTURE;
+        if (mFlags & Buffer::GPU) {
+            // the client wants to do GL rendering
+            usage = BufferAllocator::USAGE_HW_RENDER |
+                    BufferAllocator::USAGE_HW_TEXTURE;
+        } else {
+            // software rendering-client, h/w composition
+            usage = BufferAllocator::USAGE_SW_READ_OFTEN | 
+                    BufferAllocator::USAGE_SW_WRITE_OFTEN |
+                    BufferAllocator::USAGE_HW_TEXTURE;
+        }
     }
 
     err = allocator.alloc(w, h, format, usage, &handle, &stride);
@@ -168,12 +174,12 @@
     return NO_ERROR;
 }
 
-sp<Buffer> LayerBitmap::allocate(uint32_t reqUsage)
+sp<Buffer> LayerBitmap::allocate()
 {
     Mutex::Autolock _l(mLock);
     surface_info_t* info = mInfo;
     mBuffer.clear(); // free buffer before allocating a new one
-    sp<Buffer> buffer = new Buffer(mWidth, mHeight, mFormat, reqUsage, mFlags);
+    sp<Buffer> buffer = new Buffer(mWidth, mHeight, mFormat, mFlags);
     status_t err = buffer->initCheck();
     if (LIKELY(err == NO_ERROR)) {
         info->flags  = surface_info_t::eBufferDirty;
diff --git a/libs/surfaceflinger/LayerBitmap.h b/libs/surfaceflinger/LayerBitmap.h
index 48ee553..22525ce 100644
--- a/libs/surfaceflinger/LayerBitmap.h
+++ b/libs/surfaceflinger/LayerBitmap.h
@@ -58,8 +58,7 @@
     };
 
     // creates w * h buffer
-    Buffer(uint32_t w, uint32_t h, PixelFormat format,
-            uint32_t reqUsage, uint32_t flags = 0);
+    Buffer(uint32_t w, uint32_t h, PixelFormat format, uint32_t flags = 0);
 
     // return status
     status_t initCheck() const;
@@ -82,7 +81,7 @@
     Buffer& operator = (const Buffer& rhs);
     const Buffer& operator = (const Buffer& rhs) const;
 
-    status_t initSize(uint32_t w, uint32_t h, uint32_t reqUsage);
+    status_t initSize(uint32_t w, uint32_t h);
 
     ssize_t                 mInitCheck;
     uint32_t                mFlags;
@@ -109,7 +108,7 @@
 
     status_t setSize(uint32_t w, uint32_t h);
 
-    sp<Buffer> allocate(uint32_t reqUsage);
+    sp<Buffer> allocate();
     status_t free();
     
     sp<const Buffer>  getBuffer() const { return mBuffer; }
diff --git a/libs/surfaceflinger/LayerBuffer.cpp b/libs/surfaceflinger/LayerBuffer.cpp
index e1f4bea..90e7f50 100644
--- a/libs/surfaceflinger/LayerBuffer.cpp
+++ b/libs/surfaceflinger/LayerBuffer.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@
 
 #include <hardware/copybit.h>
 
-#include "BufferAllocator.h"
 #include "LayerBuffer.h"
 #include "SurfaceFlinger.h"
 #include "DisplayHardware/DisplayHardware.h"
@@ -465,10 +464,7 @@
                         mTempBitmap->getWidth() < tmp_w || 
                         mTempBitmap->getHeight() < tmp_h) {
                     mTempBitmap.clear();
-                    mTempBitmap = new android::Buffer(
-                            tmp_w, tmp_h, src.img.format,
-                            BufferAllocator::USAGE_HW_TEXTURE |
-                            BufferAllocator::USAGE_HW_2D);
+                    mTempBitmap = new android::Buffer(tmp_w, tmp_h, src.img.format);
                     err = mTempBitmap->initCheck();
                 }
 
diff --git a/libs/surfaceflinger/LayerDim.cpp b/libs/surfaceflinger/LayerDim.cpp
index 6ebb49f..8e9df9c 100644
--- a/libs/surfaceflinger/LayerDim.cpp
+++ b/libs/surfaceflinger/LayerDim.cpp
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@
 #include <utils/Errors.h>
 #include <utils/Log.h>
 
-#include "BufferAllocator.h"
 #include "LayerDim.h"
 #include "SurfaceFlinger.h"
 #include "DisplayHardware/DisplayHardware.h"
@@ -69,11 +68,7 @@
 
     if (LIKELY(flags & DisplayHardware::DIRECT_TEXTURE)) {
         // TODO: api to pass the usage flags
-        sp<Buffer> buffer = new Buffer(w, h, PIXEL_FORMAT_RGB_565,
-                 BufferAllocator::USAGE_SW_WRITE_OFTEN |
-                 BufferAllocator::USAGE_HW_TEXTURE |
-                 BufferAllocator::USAGE_HW_2D);
-        
+        sp<Buffer> buffer = new Buffer(w, h, PIXEL_FORMAT_RGB_565);
         android_native_buffer_t* clientBuf = buffer->getNativeBuffer();
 
         glGenTextures(1, &sTexId);
diff --git a/libs/ui/FramebufferNativeWindow.cpp b/libs/ui/FramebufferNativeWindow.cpp
index 90b5163..f6c666d 100644
--- a/libs/ui/FramebufferNativeWindow.cpp
+++ b/libs/ui/FramebufferNativeWindow.cpp
@@ -132,7 +132,6 @@
     android_native_window_t::lockBuffer = lockBuffer;
     android_native_window_t::queueBuffer = queueBuffer;
     android_native_window_t::query = query;
-    android_native_window_t::perform = perform;
 }
 
 FramebufferNativeWindow::~FramebufferNativeWindow() 
@@ -236,18 +235,6 @@
     return BAD_VALUE;
 }
 
-int FramebufferNativeWindow::perform(android_native_window_t* window,
-        int operation, ...)
-{
-    switch (operation) {
-        case NATIVE_WINDOW_SET_USAGE:
-            break;
-        default:
-            return NAME_NOT_FOUND;
-    }
-    return NO_ERROR;
-}
-
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 }; // namespace android
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/libs/ui/ISurface.cpp b/libs/ui/ISurface.cpp
index b78e8b5..9fbae1e 100644
--- a/libs/ui/ISurface.cpp
+++ b/libs/ui/ISurface.cpp
@@ -71,11 +71,10 @@
     {
     }
 
-    virtual sp<SurfaceBuffer> getBuffer(int usage)
+    virtual sp<SurfaceBuffer> getBuffer()
     {
         Parcel data, reply;
         data.writeInterfaceToken(ISurface::getInterfaceDescriptor());
-        data.writeInt32(usage);
         remote()->transact(GET_BUFFER, data, &reply);
         sp<SurfaceBuffer> buffer = new SurfaceBuffer(reply);
         return buffer;
@@ -136,8 +135,7 @@
     switch(code) {
         case GET_BUFFER: {
             CHECK_INTERFACE(ISurface, data, reply);
-            int usage = data.readInt32();
-            sp<SurfaceBuffer> buffer(getBuffer(usage));
+            sp<SurfaceBuffer> buffer(getBuffer());
             return SurfaceBuffer::writeToParcel(reply, buffer.get());
         }
         case REGISTER_BUFFERS: {
diff --git a/libs/ui/Surface.cpp b/libs/ui/Surface.cpp
index 2b6905f..4abb7f6 100644
--- a/libs/ui/Surface.cpp
+++ b/libs/ui/Surface.cpp
@@ -414,7 +414,6 @@
     android_native_window_t::lockBuffer       = lockBuffer;
     android_native_window_t::queueBuffer      = queueBuffer;
     android_native_window_t::query            = query;
-    android_native_window_t::perform          = perform;
     mSwapRectangle.makeInvalid();
     DisplayInfo dinfo;
     SurfaceComposerClient::getDisplayInfo(0, &dinfo);
@@ -424,8 +423,6 @@
     const_cast<int&>(android_native_window_t::minSwapInterval) = 1;
     const_cast<int&>(android_native_window_t::maxSwapInterval) = 1;
     const_cast<uint32_t&>(android_native_window_t::flags) = 0;
-    // be default we request a hardware surface
-    mUsage = GRALLOC_USAGE_HW_RENDER;
 }
 
 
@@ -515,17 +512,6 @@
     return self->query(what, value);
 }
 
-int Surface::perform(android_native_window_t* window, 
-        int operation, ...)
-{
-    va_list args;
-    va_start(args, operation);
-    Surface* self = getSelf(window);
-    int res = self->perform(operation, args);
-    va_end(args);
-    return res;
-}
-
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 status_t Surface::dequeueBuffer(sp<SurfaceBuffer>* buffer)
@@ -575,7 +561,7 @@
 
     volatile const surface_info_t* const back = lcblk->surface + backIdx;
     if (back->flags & surface_info_t::eNeedNewBuffer) {
-        err = getBufferLocked(backIdx, mUsage);
+        err = getBufferLocked(backIdx);
     }
 
     if (err == NO_ERROR) {
@@ -641,20 +627,6 @@
     return BAD_VALUE;
 }
 
-int Surface::perform(int operation, va_list args)
-{
-    int res = NO_ERROR;
-    switch (operation) {
-        case NATIVE_WINDOW_SET_USAGE:
-            mUsage = va_arg(args, int);
-            break;
-        default:
-            res = NAME_NOT_FOUND;
-            break;
-    }
-    return res;
-}
-
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 status_t Surface::lock(SurfaceInfo* info, bool blocking) {
@@ -664,9 +636,6 @@
 status_t Surface::lock(SurfaceInfo* other, Region* dirtyIn, bool blocking) 
 {
     // FIXME: needs some locking here
-
-    // we're intending to do software rendering from this point
-    mUsage = GRALLOC_USAGE_SW_READ_OFTEN | GRALLOC_USAGE_SW_WRITE_OFTEN;
     
     sp<SurfaceBuffer> backBuffer;
     status_t err = dequeueBuffer(&backBuffer);
@@ -756,10 +725,10 @@
     mSwapRectangle = r;
 }
 
-status_t Surface::getBufferLocked(int index, int usage)
+status_t Surface::getBufferLocked(int index)
 {
     status_t err = NO_MEMORY;
-    sp<SurfaceBuffer> buffer = mSurface->getBuffer(usage);
+    sp<SurfaceBuffer> buffer = mSurface->getBuffer();
     LOGE_IF(buffer==0, "ISurface::getBuffer() returned NULL");
     if (buffer != 0) {
         sp<SurfaceBuffer>& currentBuffer(mBuffers[index]);