Database Users

Checking for updates (way I do it)

I thought it was common sense, but my buddy with a G1 was like "I didn't know you could do that!?"
OK... so... Go to MarketPlace, Menu key--My Downloads.... if it says installed, you're all good. If it says Install and is a program you HAVE installed? Click it. Will overwrite the old version automatically.

That is one way.... but a new app on the market it makes it one step easier. Install aTrackDog... I used the way you described before this came out... it makes your life soo much easier.

neoobs said:
That is one way.... but a new app on the market it makes it one step easier. Install aTrackDog... I used the way you described before this came out... it makes your life soo much easier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, have heard it doesn't update that fast?

There are some reasons not to use aTrack Dog. I'm manually updating my apps for now. Maybe Google will refine the Market app with an update feature later.

jashsu said:
There are some reasons not to use aTrack Dog. I'm manually updating my apps for now. Maybe Google will refine the Market app with an update feature later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh wow.. thanks! That's even worse!

Some apps (Twitdroid is a good example) alerts you if there's a new update; and most apps have contact details for the developer, so maybe drop them an email and ask for some auto update code to be added into your favourite apps? Bummer though, you still have to go into the market to update them.

jashsu said:
There are some reasons not to use aTrack Dog. I'm manually updating my apps for now. Maybe Google will refine the Market app with an update feature later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point but then again... I personally want to know about others beta's, I think aTrackDog should do something thou... make it so all apps are defaulted to not update.
Either way I don't see any real reasons to not use it except that you should know it may show a beta version. The updates are fast usually everytime I open it there is at least one program on there.

neoobs said:
Either way I don't see any real reasons to not use it except that you should know it may show a beta version. The updates are fast usually everytime I open it there is at least one program on there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, I suppose it is a matter of personal preference. Since I only have a half dozen apps installed on my G1, it's rather trivial to just check the download list. I balance that against having yet another app installed, not to mention having my app installation habits data-mined by aTrackdog.

neoobs said:
Good point but then again... I personally want to know about others beta's, I think aTrackDog should do something thou... make it so all apps are defaulted to not update.
Either way I don't see any real reasons to not use it except that you should know it may show a beta version. The updates are fast usually everytime I open it there is at least one program on there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not a developer but can see a potential for an exploit on this maybe? Sending out info isn't ever really a good idea. Even if it's set to only send out this and that data, I have seen exploits take advantage of less.

Both valid points, but then again look at the stuff I can't uninstall LOL that can send out just as much info. Everything is a risk, and honestly maybe application mining my G1 is a good thing, might lead to more big name developers wasting money to make quality apps for cheap/free. Never know might make MS want to make an office suite... or better yet... openoffice doing it.

neoobs said:
Both valid points, but then again look at the stuff I can't uninstall LOL that can send out just as much info. Everything is a risk, and honestly maybe application mining my G1 is a good thing, might lead to more big name developers wasting money to make quality apps for cheap/free. Never know might make MS want to make an office suite... or better yet... openoffice doing it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I wouldn't really hold my breath on OpenOffice for Android. Aside from the fact that most desktop apps have to be completely retooled to function in a mobile context, i'm sure Sun isn't too happy about Google brewing up Dalvik based on Java (which quite directly competes with J2ME). Dataviz is already working on an Android version of DocsToGo.
Of course if Google were to put more of their engineers on Android/mobile development, maybe we could see Google Docs for Android. Let's hope those Christmas Bonus Dreams lead to more apps Googlers make in their 20%.

aTrackDog work nice

jashsu said:
Yeah I wouldn't really hold my breath on OpenOffice for Android. Aside from the fact that most desktop apps have to be completely retooled to function in a mobile context, i'm sure Sun isn't too happy about Google brewing up Dalvik based on Java (which quite directly competes with J2ME). Dataviz is already working on an Android version of DocsToGo.
Of course if Google were to put more of their engineers on Android/mobile development, maybe we could see Google Docs for Android. Let's hope those Christmas Bonus Dreams lead to more apps Googlers make in their 20%.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't openoffice made publically? (not the source but the actual development is by the general public) wouldn't that mean if enough got an android they could do it? LOL
And I bust up over the G1 for all Google employees. But then again that article made it sound like every employee normally gets 20,000 for Christmas *cough*bull*cough* I bet only the high ups got anywhere close to that and probably the lowers got 100 dollars and maybe some free software or something.

neoobs said:
Isn't openoffice made publically? (not the source but the actual development is by the general public) wouldn't that mean if enough got an android they could do it? LOL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually it is an open source project. However project leaders have very broad discretion to guide the direction a project takes. A good example would be the Android Open Source Project.
And I bust up over the G1 for all Google employees. But then again that article made it sound like every employee normally gets 20,000 for Christmas *cough*bull*cough* I bet only the high ups got anywhere close to that and probably the lowers got 100 dollars and maybe some free software or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah the average Googler received a $1000 holiday bonus last year.

wow 1000 dollar bonus... that is really good... but I understand why that is cut in half this year especially with the way the economy is.

The android market is going to HELL

Hi guys,
Have you noticed a huge increase in spam apps in the market lately? Apps from developers like Michael Quach, Virtualtechs or Simpaddico, which literally count in the hundreds even though they really are the same app: a list of facts or quotes, with next / back buttons.
Apparently they also batch upload new versions of their apps regularly, just to get them to the top again. I'm getting sick of missing actual, useful apps because every time I check the market I only see these apps. Isn't there something we users can do to get rid of market spammers?

Proabably
There should be a "REPORT" button, right now its not a whole bunch of chronic spammer devies, they can get rid of them right away. BUNCH OF them are just scammers tryin' to make a quick buck.
frandavid100 said:
Hi guys,
Have you noticed a huge increase in spam apps in the market lately? Apps from developers like Michael Quach, Virtualtechs or Simpaddico, which literally count in the hundreds even though they really are the same app: a list of facts or quotes, with next / back buttons.
Apparently they also batch upload new versions of their apps regularly, just to get them to the top again. I'm getting sick of missing actual, useful apps because every time I check the market I only see these apps. Isn't there something we users can do to get rid of market spammers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

ehBrY said:
There should be a "REPORT" button, right now its not a whole bunch of chronic spammer devies, they can get rid of them right away. BUNCH OF them are just scammers tryin' to make a quick buck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is, taken independently those apps are not reportable. There is nothing wrong with a facts app, but there is with a developer releasing 100 of them. Yet I cannot report the developer, I can only report the app.

the biggest problem for me is the lack of search options in the market - unbelievable that google could leave it like that - there seems to be no intelligent search, no search by category or dev etc etc etc

Sorting options
czm said:
the biggest problem for me is the lack of search options in the market - unbelievable that google could leave it like that - there seems to be no intelligent search, no search by category or dev etc etc etc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is DEFINATELY missing sorting options like sort by rating!

Spam their email like they do our market

There does need to be some method whereby Google get notified if one developer uploads more than, say, 5 apps or they upload several at the same time and then someone at google has to physically examine them before they go up. That way these spam apps would be identifed as such and not turn up there.
I guess ultimately this is the price we pay for having an unrestricted market. At the moment it is still worth it to get the kinds of app that Apple would never allow but I think SOME control is needed.

This is where Apple's "managed" Store has it's benefits.

I would love to see a market proxy for rooted phones, allowing various developers and app categories to be removed from view. Regex pattern matching ...
I don't know if it's possible, but it would rock.

JTHM said:
This is where Apple's "managed" Store has it's benefits.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After using the Nexus one for a month, there are many aspect of iphone i think is superior to Android in general. There are some flaws on the iphone, but when compared to the N1 (or any android phone), it feel so much more polished.

joshyth1012 said:
After using the Nexus one for a month, there are many aspect of iphone i think is superior to Android in general. There are some flaws on the iphone, but when compared to the N1 (or any android phone), it feel so much more polished.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and that's "polish" comes at the cost of locking you away with everything u should have access for in the first place

Actually, I think these scammers/spammers/out-for-the-money people are NOT the problem...And in fact, they're actually a show of proof of just how open-ended the Android Market is.
The problem is that Google (The Internet Search Superpower) has crappy searching/filtering for their Android Market.
Ironic.

Could you guys please contribute to this petition?
http://www.google.com/support/forum...87&hl=en&fid=0514f909d7c71c8700047ff77f3d84e4
Let's see if we can at least get an answer.

Namuna said:
Actually, I think these scammers/spammers/out-for-the-money people are NOT the problem...And in fact, they're actually a show of proof of just how open-ended the Android Market is.
The problem is that Google (The Internet Search Superpower) has crappy searching/filtering for their Android Market.
Ironic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
qft. all they need to do is add filters like ratings, downloads, etc. Then these apps wouldn't be a problem.

sctx said:
qft. all they need to do is add filters like ratings, downloads, etc. Then these apps wouldn't be a problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. The 'legit' devs should be pushing for this as well as it would make it easier for end users to find and buy quality product.

This is the exact reason why my Nexus One sat in its box for a week after receiving it. This is my first Android phone and coming from an Apple OS and a regulated app platform since the 2g was introduced, the marketplace had a very bad first impression with me. My N1 was bone stock and I experienced force closes on stock apps..I felt as if I was beta testing a device that was released too early. It was packed and ready to ship back. Then I decided to take another look and while 95% of the marketplace apps are pure garbage, IMO, the phone itself has its advantages which is why I choose the N1 as choice device as opposed to my 3gs in which I basically use as an ipod "with benefits."
Final thought. If the android market app regulation doesnt improve, it will fall..and it will fall hard.

ehBrY said:
It is DEFINATELY missing sorting options like sort by rating!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 def would like to see this

This is a problem, and I do think Google should priorities this A.S.A.P. As this will discourage most Iphone to Android users. I don't even look in the new tab any more.

its not like google knows a thing or two about how searching should be done....

Do what I do...only download apps you know about. Get recommendations from sites like this one.

Your thoughts on Android App Inventor?

I recently found out (thanks to Cyanogen's Twitter) about Google's Android App Inventor and wanted to see what everyone thought about it? I think it's great in that more apps would theoretically be released, though of questionable quality. But also I'm wondering about the value of development using code, would this become more valuable as a result of laziness on the part of some developers? Or would its value decrease since it's easier to make an application now? I haven't actually used the program yet since I want to gain a firm grasp on actual coding but these questions were in the back of my mind since the invention of things other WYSIWYG eg Web Development.

I'm thinking this is a good thing, you can make apps on the go, for practically anything. It will continually get better, unless it crashes and burns because it floods the market and similar with ultra-****ty programs.
Later on Google will probably release some sort of testing program to run it through the hoops to see if it's good enough, or something like that.
Remember, it's still in beta

great great great, it means idiots like me will be able to solve some of our own niche needs*, that have as yet not be done.
*a special farty sound.

I'm disappointed it's not available for download now. I was all excited reading about it and then realised it's not even out yet.
It can only be a good thing and the app market can easily be changed to filter out the inevitable rubbish it will partly create. However a lot of useful and ingenious apps will also be created that wouldn't have been (like the one I will make).

I'm looking forward to it, there's a few things I want to make that aren't in the marketplace. Just wondering what sort of functionality we will be allowed, if I can make my own task manager/battery monitor widgets for example.

I like the idea too.
Hopefully this doesn't lead to a glutton of bad apps on the market!

Depending on how functional it is, we might never need the market ever again. Half an hour making your own app vs half an hour searching the market and trying half a dozen bloated ad-ridden apps.

Morghus said:
I'm thinking this is a good thing, you can make apps on the go, for practically anything. It will continually get better, unless it crashes and burns because it floods the market and similar with ultra-****ty programs.
Later on Google will probably release some sort of testing program to run it through the hoops to see if it's good enough, or something like that.
Remember, it's still in beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But its already pretty powerful... and bound to get better.
jimlad said:
great great great, it means idiots like me will be able to solve some of our own niche needs*, that have as yet not be done.
*a special farty sound.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah... But who knows, Maybe that TINY niche need is something else that someone might want to use and then that ends up bing a profitable app. Not because It makes a ton of dough, but because it was so quick and easy to make.
Biffy said:
I'm disappointed it's not available for download now. I was all excited reading about it and then realised it's not even out yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im using it right now.If you read the actual website... there are links to all the tools and how to use them.
saj222 said:
I like the idea too.
Hopefully this doesn't lead to a glutton of bad apps on the market!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is always a potential. With ease of programming comes more apps, and with more apps comes more Bad apps. But if this helps one person make one useful app, its done its job.
I really hope to get good with this, and maybe have alot of community support here... this could very wellbe a powerful tool for noob developers.

IDK though, I wouldn't think anything could ever replace actually typing out code as opposed to using blocks which is what it seems like App Inventor does.

rawdikrik said:
Im using it right now.If you read the actual website... there are links to all the tools and how to use them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you be a bit more specific on how you got the final 'my projects' section working?
i have installed everything.. and the final stage it requests my details (which i had previously filled in)

rawdikrik said:
Im using it right now.If you read the actual website... there are links to all the tools and how to use them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I login I get: "We will be granting access to App Inventor for Android over the coming weeks. Fill out this form (only your Gmail address is required) and we’ll have you building apps soon! While you are waiting feel free to read more about App Inventor and learn how it works."
Have been all over the http://appinventor.googlelabs.com/about/ website and can't find any links to download or use tools. Am in the UK so maybe that is the problem.

Same here with me. Maybe they need to verify our info and then give us the links to download

Biffy said:
When I login I get: "We will be granting access to App Inventor for Android over the coming weeks. Fill out this form (only your Gmail address is required) and we’ll have you building apps soon! While you are waiting feel free to read more about App Inventor and learn how it works."
Have been all over the http://appinventor.googlelabs.com/about/ website and can't find any links to download or use tools. Am in the UK so maybe that is the problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its in beta right now, so like most great Google things in their infancy it is invite only.
App inventor looks wicked, reminds me of Visual Basic only useful since it works on platforms besides Windows >

I think this is a progressive idea!
But hope the market stays as clean as possible with QA Apps!

I made a simple app (send an SMS).
- Made it using the app inventor : Apk file takes 1MB and once installed, the apps takes 3.5MB of space!!! (whitch cannot be moved to SD, even with Froyo)
- I made the same app "the normal way" with the android sdk and eclipse : the apk file takes 13KB and the installed app takes 20KB

I heard that when its released, all the apps will not be put on the market right away... in the future... maybe, but that'll prob be after Google makes a filter as to which apps can be put on the market. Not to mention, the Google $25 market upload fee will still apply, so even if Google doesn't filter, it won't completely flood the market.
Sent from my Eris using XDA App

djeanhimself said:
I made a simple app (send an SMS).
- Made it using the app inventor : Apk file takes 1MB and once installed, the apps takes 3.5MB of space!!! (whitch cannot be moved to SD, even with Froyo)
- I made the same app "the normal way" with the android sdk and eclipse : the apk file takes 13KB and the installed app takes 20KB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suppose it's to be expected. As with all tools of this type, you get ease and speed when developing but you also get a huge runtime when compiling.
Dragos

Aint normal IMO...
The compiler knows which objects it has to take in account when building the package.
I mean it's not a big deal to include only what is necessary...
Anyway, that size problem (added to some interface bugs i encountered) makes me believe that this project is far from being usable.
By now, the only use I'd make would be prototyping views on it.

It's in BETA for a reason.

Just bought a Samsung Vibrant questions.

Well, I don't have it yet bought it off Tmo online because I was offered the $165 deal. I am new to the whole android thing and never owned an android phone before. Been browsing this site for over an hour and had to make an account there is so much to learn.
I learned a lot and the tips and tricks told me a lot.
Though I would like to hear from you guys.
I don't plan on rooting it just yet but I don't like touchwiz so I will be using Launcher Pro.
What apps and tips do you recommend for me? I am very excited and cannot wait for my new phone. Will be hanging out here a lot!
So thanks in advance and awesome forum you guys have here.
~George

Congratulations, you will love it.
As soon as you get it, I'd recommend going to the market and browsing through all of the most popular applications. Remember that you can always uninstall apps you don't like. Even if you buy one, you have a significant window of time to uninstall it for a refund.

Chalup said:
Congratulations, you will love it.
As soon as you get it, I'd recommend going to the market and browsing through all of the most popular applications. Remember that you can always uninstall apps you don't like. Even if you buy one, you have a significant window of time to uninstall it for a refund.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In addition to what I bolded above. The phone comes pre-installed with a lot of "bloatware" applications such as Kindle, MobiTV and all these other things. They cannot be uninstalled so technically you can't "uninstall apps that you don't like." The workaround is to root the phone and search the forum for removing stock apps and it'll be in there.
I would suggest trying out ADW Launcher rather than already deciding with Launcher Pro. Both has its advantages and its a matter of preference, both are great. I prefer ADW Launcher for more customization but it really depends on the user.
I would also lower the brightness all the way to the left simply because the phone is bright enough and it isn't necessary. This is a good way to have more hours on your battery. It might also be a good idea for when you get the phone, don't start off charging it right away. Let the battery drain to 0%.. keep turning the phone on until its unable to turn on, THEN start charging.. this way it will maximize the amount of hours on your battery. You might have to do this a couple of times to get the hand of it. The battery isn't a problem though, its pretty good compared to my previous phone, G1.

Chalup said:
Congratulations, you will love it.
As soon as you get it, I'd recommend going to the market and browsing through all of the most popular applications. Remember that you can always uninstall apps you don't like. Even if you buy one, you have a significant window of time to uninstall it for a refund.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome I am planning on using the GPS but all the GPS problems I am seeing is making me reluctant a bit. Let's hope I do not regret it.
Secondly refunds and apps sounds awesome *curses*Apple app store*curses*
Also when you buy an app does it charge your bill or a credit card?
I am a bit of a music freak and love having my music organized and I was told a program called "doubletwist" works great for android devices. I am looking for an alternative to itunes and zune software which have been great to me in organizing my music on my device.

zephiK said:
In addition to what I bolded above. The phone comes pre-installed with a lot of "bloatware" applications such as Kindle, MobiTV and all these other things. They cannot be uninstalled so technically you can't "uninstall apps that you don't like." The workaround is to root the phone and search the forum for removing stock apps and it'll be in there.
I would suggest trying out ADW Launcher rather than already deciding with Launcher Pro. Both has its advantages and its a matter of preference, both are great. I prefer ADW Launcher for more customization but it really depends on the user.
I would also lower the brightness all the way to the left simply because the phone is bright enough and it isn't necessary. This is a good way to have more hours on your battery. It might also be a good idea for when you get the phone, don't start off charging it right away. Let the battery drain to 0%.. keep turning the phone on until its unable to turn on, THEN start charging.. this way it will maximize the amount of hours on your battery. You might have to do this a couple of times to get the hand of it. The battery isn't a problem though, its pretty good compared to my previous phone, G1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yah, I forgot to ask about that. I was wondering if I could remove the mobi tv app I will never use it. (avatar I want to see, I will definitely be using kindle and sims 3 is pretty cool I don't mind it at all)
Thanks for the suggestion about ADW Launcher I did already check it out and it's pretty awesome but I like the look of LP a bit more. I will certainly try both out though.
I will eventually root the phone however if samsung does not continue giving us support.
I did play with the phone for some time at the Tmobile store and I have to say I am super impressed with it. Hopefully it all works out for me.

PathogenX said:
Yah, I forgot to ask about that. I was wondering if I could remove the mobi tv app I will never use it. (avatar I want to see, I will definitely be using kindle and sims 3 is pretty cool I don't mind it at all)
Thanks for the suggestion about ADW Launcher I did already check it out and it's pretty awesome but I like the look of LP a bit more. I will certainly try both out though.
I will eventually root the phone however if samsung does not continue giving us support.
I did play with the phone for some time at the Tmobile store and I have to say I am super impressed with it. Hopefully it all works out for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can ONLY remove it when you root your phone, basically the stock apps cannot be removed because they're located in /system/apps/ and you'll get Permission Denied. The root process takes less than a minute and theres a "One click" root floating around the dev forum. On the stickied thread theres instructions on how to un-root, which is fairly simple as well.
I'm pretty sure Samsung will continue supporting the phone, its one of their significant releases. I prefer having custom ROMs since they add more features to the phone that wouldn't normally come along with the stock ROM.

zephiK said:
You can ONLY remove it when you root your phone, basically the stock apps cannot be removed because they're located in /system/apps/ and you'll get Permission Denied. The root process takes less than a minute and theres a "One click" root floating around the dev forum. On the stickied thread theres instructions on how to un-root, which is fairly simple as well.
I'm pretty sure Samsung will continue supporting the phone, its one of their significant releases. I prefer having custom ROMs since they add more features to the phone that wouldn't normally come along with the stock ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not going to bull**** anyone but I have no knowledge of rooting and have only been browsing this site for a 2 hours and I am kinda weary about it. But that one click makes it sound easy and harmless. Maybe you can guide me.
Also I went ahead and downloaded Double twist and fell in love with it. It uses AmazonMP3 which is something I have invested some money into and it has the appstore right there. I know for a fact that I will DEFINITELY enjoy my time with android now.
I am liking this more and more.Also thanks for the help I appreciate it! ^_^

PathogenX said:
I am not going to bull**** anyone but I have no knowledge of rooting and have only been browsing this site for a 2 hours and I am kinda weary about it. But that one click makes it sound easy and harmless. Maybe you can guide me.
Also I went ahead and downloaded Double twist and fell in love with it. It uses AmazonMP3 which is something I have invested some money into and it has the appstore right there. I know for a fact that I will DEFINITELY enjoy my time with android now.
I am liking this more and more.Also thanks for the help I appreciate it! ^_^
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought you read the stickied post? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=732458 its all there rooting is like one of the first things discussed in that thread.

zephiK said:
I thought you read the stickied post? its all there rooting is like one of the first things discussed in that thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't read it in detail I just browsed through it but now I am
I will certainly post once I get the phone in and express my first impressions.

Just bought an Atrix.

This is my first Android phone. I've previously owned the iPhone and a BlackBerry. I've sense ditched both for this Atrix. It's about a week old now.
I was heavy into jailbreaking my iPhone and modding it to how I wanted it to be, but this Android stuff is confusing the hell out of me. I just don't get it. I need the most remedial breakdown anyone can give me. I've been searching the web for days in and out trying to find something.
People have some really great information, though! That's how I came across this site. I hope to find more answers, although my mind almost exploded when I read through this thread.
Anyway, how do you like your Atrix? Any tips on making this device my own? I still feel like I should be back with an iPhone for whatever reason. LOL. It feels I'm too late to step into the Android world. I should have jumped on with the G1.
Oh, and any remedial breakdowns of rooting is welcomed! LOL!

Check out the ginger break thread for a nice break down. (really easy)
Enable swype (long press text entry)
Inquire about freezing some of the bloat with titanium backup
Start exploring the market
Download some emulators and play classic video games from the ol childhood
podcasts if your into that thing
Flash! Go to browser settings and change plug ins to (on demand) for quicker browsing and flash at your disposal!
Wait until you get uncapped upload speeds.. Oh man are you gonna love this phone!
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App

morejaylesswar said:
This is my first Android phone. I've previously owned the iPhone and a BlackBerry. I've sense ditched both for this Atrix. It's about a week old now.
I was heavy into jailbreaking my iPhone and modding it to how I wanted it to be, but this Android stuff is confusing the hell out of me. I just don't get it. I need the most remedial breakdown anyone can give me. I've been searching the web for days in and out trying to find something.
People have some really great information, though! That's how I came across this site. I hope to find more answers, although my mind almost exploded when I read through this thread.
Anyway, how do you like your Atrix? Any tips on making this device my own? I still feel like I should be back with an iPhone for whatever reason. LOL. It feels I'm too late to step into the Android world. I should have jumped on with the G1.
Oh, and any remedial breakdowns of rooting is welcomed! LOL!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First you are going to need sbfs and rsdlite in case something goes wrong.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=991072
Then you will need android sdk. Installing this takes awhile btw.
http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
you might also want to learn some basic adb and busybox commands.
http://developer.android.com/guide/developing/tools/adb.html
then you can root your phone with that thread you posted. If I think of anything else, I will post more.

ChongoDroid said:
Check out the ginger break thread for a nice break down. (really easy)
Enable swype (long press text entry)
Inquire about freezing some of the bloat with titanium backup
Start exploring the market
Download some emulators and play classic video games from the ol childhood
podcasts if your into that thing
Flash! Go to browser settings and change plug ins to (on demand) for quicker browsing and flash at your disposal!
Wait until you get uncapped upload speeds.. Oh man are you gonna love this phone!
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really want an emulator! We have one on the Xoom Tablet at my job. I play Zelda when we have a bit of down time, lol.
What are some good apps?

briggie108 said:
First you are going to need sbfs and rsdlite in case something goes wrong.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=991072
Then you will need android sdk. Installing this takes awhile btw.
http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
you might also want to learn some basic adb and busybox commands.
http://developer.android.com/guide/developing/tools/adb.html
then you can root your phone with that thread you posted. If I think of anything else, I will post more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to do this as soon as I get home! THANKS.
I appreciate you taking the time to get that stuff together for me. I hope all goes well.

ChongoDroid said:
Check out the ginger break thread for a nice break down. (really easy)
Enable swype (long press text entry)
Inquire about freezing some of the bloat with titanium backup
Start exploring the market
Download some emulators and play classic video games from the ol childhood
podcasts if your into that thing
Flash! Go to browser settings and change plug ins to (on demand) for quicker browsing and flash at your disposal!
Wait until you get uncapped upload speeds.. Oh man are you gonna love this phone!
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great tip on setting the browser to use plug-ins on demand. Probably safer in the event of exploits too.

jjwatmyself said:
Great tip on setting the browser to use plug-ins on demand. Probably safer in the event of exploits too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah plus it keeps all your flash on hand and yet no slow down. Next time an iphone 4 user compares browsing speed you'll blow em away
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App

I'm still not getting this stuff. Too many acronyms, too many... other things. I don't think it's meant for me to root this phone. LOL. I need a YouTube video or something. I have no idea what these instructions mean when they're telling to extract certain things in certain places, open certain things, install apk sbf and abc. Exaggerating, of course.
It's been over 7 hours and I haven't gotten any clarity.

Moved from iphone 3gs to my first android (Atrix) also.
I gotta tell you modding jailbroken iphones is very easy and very limited compared to Android phones. Even a stock outta-the-box android phone.
It's probably something like "want even more customizations = more work" for you with an Android.
Gold luck.

Its ok, its a lot to learn all at once. Just keep reading and asking questions and you'll get a grasp real soon. android is really educational and it took me a nexus one to figure it out.
Search for ginger break thats the easiest way so far I think. (sd card mandatory btw)
morejaylesswar said:
I'm still not getting this stuff. Too many acronyms, too many... other things. I don't think it's meant for me to root this phone. LOL. I need a YouTube video or something. I have no idea what these instructions mean when they're telling to extract certain things in certain places, open certain things, install apk sbf and abc. Exaggerating, of course.
It's been over 7 hours and I haven't gotten any clarity.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App

I'd be interested in a non AT&T branded ROM with app side loading etc. I'd guess that 2.3 will be the next big step though and wouldn't want to exclude myself from being able to upgrade...
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk

CyberPunk7t9 said:
I gotta tell you modding jailbroken iphones is very easy and very limited compared to Android phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Man, I've noticed that! I thought I knew a hell of a lot when it came to this stuff, but this Android rooting has made me realize that I'm somewhat of a novice. It's never taken me this long to grasp some computer stuff.
I also think it's because I bought my Atrix at full retail price and I don't have insurance. (I have a dealer line with AT&T. They made me provide my own phone.) I don't want to waste that much money if I brick my phone.

ChongoDroid said:
Its ok, its a lot to learn all at once. Just keep reading and asking questions and you'll get a grasp real soon. android is really educational and it took me a nexus one to figure it out.
Search for ginger break thats the easiest way so far I think. (sd card mandatory btw)
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to keep reading and reading because I was referred to gingerbreak before I registered here. That's actually how I got on this site. It seems solid, I just have to figure it out. Reading up on terminology has made it clear to me what an ADB is. I just don't know how to use it.

Question: When I open this ADB file in the SuperOneClick zip, it opens a command prompt, displays some words and junk, an then disappears.
What am I supposed to do with this?
(I'm currently browsing this thead. I just don't have enough posts to post there.)

morejaylesswar said:
Question: When I open this ADB file in the SuperOneClick zip, it opens a command prompt, displays some words and junk, an then disappears.
What am I supposed to do with this?
(I'm currently browsing this thead. I just don't have enough posts to post there.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is why I like using the adb from android sdk. Never liked doing it from oneclick even when I had a captivate. If you have android sdk, you can open a command prompt and cd to adb's folder and use the commands there. You can also make a bat file to make it easier.
If you don't know how to make a bat file, use notepad and type this
@echo off
cmd /k "cd c:\program files\android\android-sdk\platform-tools"
and save it as .bat
Note if you have 64 bit windows, it will be program files (x86)

morejaylesswar said:
I'm still not getting this stuff. Too many acronyms, too many... other things. I don't think it's meant for me to root this phone. LOL. I need a YouTube video or something. I have no idea what these instructions mean when they're telling to extract certain things in certain places, open certain things, install apk sbf and abc. Exaggerating, of course.
It's been over 7 hours and I haven't gotten any clarity.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, the learning curve is a little steep. Especially if you have never worked with linux before. This helped me a lot with my first android phone. This is for the n1, but most of the info applies to all android phones.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=619153

Return it while you can.

wirednix said:
Return it while you can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol buster...
Anyways I'm pretty sure you don't need to connect to computer for gingerbreak.
Its via an apk.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App

ChongoDroid said:
Lol buster...
Anyways I'm pretty sure you don't need to connect to computer for gingerbreak.
Its via an apk.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not correct.
Unless you already have sideloading enabled, you will need to connect the phone to a computer.
BTW, return it while you can.

I got my Atrix and the first night I spent like 3 hours installing gingerblur and a ton of apps. It was GREAT. First android phone. I can't wait for 2.3.