Android Discussion

**MacLean** · 03-25-10, 12:35 PM

To all - this thread started in a private area but we moved it out here in case anyone wanted to join in.

MacLean

**Five-0** · 03-25-10, 01:17 PM

Ah so you rooted your Droid. I have heard of this, but it is over my head.

**MacLean** · 03-25-10, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by Five-0

Ah so you rooted your Droid. I have heard of this, but it is over my head.

Less than you suspect - the process is somewhat automated if you use one of the available rootkits.

So easy a script kiddie can do it!

The real work begins when you start using the super user access to do things like overclock, etc.

**Five-0** · 03-25-10, 01:37 PM

Any drawbacks to doing that, such as overworking the hardware?

**MacLean** · 03-25-10, 04:04 PM

Originally Posted by Five-0

Any drawbacks to doing that, such as overworking the hardware?

Yeah, several....

1. It's reversible, but you can't take it in to Verizon rooted or they won't support it or warranty it.

2. There is a potential that if you run a mod written by an idiot that you will not receive support for OTA updates. In other words, when you turn your phone on Verizon sometimes likes to push the latest version of the OS onto it - and if you run a rooted phone the new OS version might brick your phone or just not work with the mods.

3. You could damage the equipment, but usually processors just shut down when they get to that point. Again, sort of problematic if you want your phone to work. I personally have not seen a small device do that, but it is possible.

4. You *can* fuck up the process if you interrupt it, which would brick the phone.

I reversed mine to stock for the moment until Verizon pushes the new 2.1 OS. Then I'll root it again.

BTW, stay away from the ERIS for your wife. My wife is having battery life issues. I have been able to resolve a lot of them by programming, but you should not have to do that out of the box.

So far I can't stand the fact that HTC insists on using their UI on all their phones, which is why I stayed with the Droid. The Droid also has a separate GPU and the HTC phones share processor time.

**Five-0** · 03-25-10, 06:49 PM

That's why I pay you the big bucks Mac. I'm wanting the wife to just get the Droid since it would be free.

**MacLean** · 03-25-10, 07:38 PM

Xiphos is the genius on this stuff, he will likely have a lot to offer you info wise.

**Xiphos** · 03-25-10, 08:38 PM

Mac's hit on the major issues. Stick with the CyanogenMod and you'll be fine. Mac, when 2.1 comes out he'll integrate it into his mod. I've got a lot of bits and pieces of 2.1 on my 1.6 MyTouch3G because he integrates them in his mods. He's got mods out for the G1/MT3g and the Nexus One/Droid. Running his mods is the best reason for rooting your phone.

Keep your eyes open with Verizon, they will be announcing the Nexus One and the Incredible soon. Both are high powered phones and some say the Incredible is the Nexus One "done right." Neither have a keyboard which seems to be the chief complaint of the Droid. Even folks who like the hard keyboards complain Motorola screwed it up on the Droid. So if that's not your cup of tea the Nexus One and Incredible will be the way to go. The Incredible will come with HTC's Sense which the interface they park on the Android OS. If the modders get into the Incredible (very likely with Cyanogen) you won't have to worry about Sense.

Stay away from the Eris. Mac's right, it has issues. It was recently rooted but a friend at work bricked his and it's turning out to be a sketchy process that may not work right. Verizon's selling out their stock and that'll be it for the Eris.

Absolutely Android 5 Reasons to switch to CyanogenMod 5.0.5

CyanogenMod | Android Community Rom based on Donut tree.

CyanogenMod Forum -> Motorola Droid

**MacLean** · 03-25-10, 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by Xiphos

Keep your eyes open with Verizon, they will be announcing the Nexus One and the Incredible soon. Both are high powered phones and some say the Incredible is the Nexus One "done right." Neither have a keyboard which seems to be the chief complaint of the Droid. Even folks who like the hard keyboards complain Motorola screwed it up on the Droid.

I like the keyboard - it took a day to get used to.

The Nexus One has a faster processor, but it shares time for the GPU.

The Droid runs a separate GPU, and you can clock the proc to match the Nexus.

I know nothing about the Incredible, but it sounds neat!

**Five-0** · 03-25-10, 10:41 PM

Well the buy one get one free ends on the 31st. This will be the first smart phone I have ever had so the it will blow my mind regardless I'm sure. Something tells me the Incredible will not be buy one get one free.

**MacLean** · 03-25-10, 10:49 PM

Also something to consider, but Verizon uses CDMA - this limits you to the United States, Canada, and a few other countries.

That said, CDMA is *light years* more secure as far as digital formats go.

**Five-0** · 03-25-10, 10:53 PM

My international traveling days are over until the house is paid off, so no issue. How is battery life on your phone Mac, and how much are you using during the day. A dead phone in patrol car is useless to me.

**MacLean** · 03-25-10, 10:58 PM

The Droid has been lasting my whole day without issue, even with heavy use.

It's a lithium ion battery (almost all the new phones are so equipped) so it doesn't develop a memory.

You *do* want to make sure you turn off the wi-fi and blue-tooth when you aren't using them, and when I have wi-fi on I turn off the 3G.

**Five-0** · 03-25-10, 11:03 PM

I don't use bluetooth unless I was transferring pics or something to my PC. I guessing I would only need the 3G for web surfing and other heavy data trasnfer?

**MacLean** · 03-25-10, 11:06 PM

Originally Posted by Five-0

I don't use bluetooth unless I was transferring pics or something to my PC. I guessing I would only need the 3G for web surfing and other heavy data trasnfer?

Correct, it's the "network" part of the phone system.

You can still take and make calls and texts with it off.

PR377'/ 500|\| j00Z \/\/1LL |-|4\/3 /\/\4D p|-|0|\|3 |-|4><0R1|\|9 5|<1LL5!

**Five-0** · 03-25-10, 11:09 PM

If you had to do it over would you wait for one of these new HTC phones. My feeling is this is the time to get a Droid. The bugs have had time to get worked out and it will soon be the second best phone aka the best buy price wise. I really don't think I would root mine just because I don't want to screw anything up. Not to mention you have one and can share your tips and what not with me.

**MacLean** · 03-25-10, 11:14 PM

Originally Posted by Five-0

If you had to do it over would you wait for one of these new HTC phones. My feeling is this is the time to get a Droid. The bugs have had time to get worked out and it will soon be the second best phone aka the best buy price wise. I really don't think I would root mine just because I don't want to screw anything up.

I never play that game.

Anything you ever buy tech wise is going to be eclipsed by the next best thing.

I like my Droid, even in stock form.

I was not impressed with the HTC Eris, although my wife likes hers.

Women are often impressed with shape and feel over performance, nothing new there.

I felt the Droid was the right choice, and I'm happy with it and have no buyers remorse.

If you are the guy who always needs to be bleeding edge, then wait. I used to be that guy with everything tech, but now I have a mortgage and two boys and an expensive shooting habit.

**MacLean** · 03-25-10, 11:17 PM

Xiphos, thanks for the info on that mod - that looks worth doing.

**Five-0** · 03-25-10, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by maclean

If you are the guy who always needs to be bleeding edge, then wait. I used to be that guy with everything tech, but now I have a mortgage and two boys and an expensive shooting habit.

Not a cutting edge guy, but I am very similar to the second guy you mentioned. I think that just about sums it up. This weekend I will probably be a new Verizon customer if things play out right. An extra $50 a month is starting to look like it is worth all the extra capability.