Android: Phone News and Discussion Thread
07-26-2010, 09:35 PM
#401
Apple peeps are free to open source now... Kinda... long live the devs!!!
iPhone jailbreaking (and all cell phone unlocking) made legal
Owners of iPhones and other smartphones are one step closer towards taking complete control of their gadgets, thanks to a new government ruling Monday on the practice of "jailbreaking."
This weekend has seen a flurry of activity about digital rights, but the biggest news dropped Monday morning, when the FCC announced that it had made the controversial practice of “jailbreaking” your iPhone — or any other cell phone — legal.
Jailbreaking — the practice of unlocking a phone (and particularly an iPhone) so it can be used on another network and/or run other applications than those approved by Apple — has technically been illegal for years. Most jailbroken phones are used on the U.S. T-Mobile network or on overseas carriers, or are used to run applications that Apple refuses to sell, such as Safari ad-blocking apps, alternate keyboard layouts, or programs that change the interface to the iPhone's SMS system and the way its icons are laid out.
While technically illegal, no one has been sued or prosecuted for the practice. (Apple does seriously frown on the practice, and jailbreaking your phone will still void your warranty.) It’s estimated that more than a million iPhone owners have jailbroken their handsets.
Apple fought hard against the legalization, arguing that jailbreaking was a form of copyright violation. The FCC disagreed, saying that jailbreaking merely enhanced the inter-operability of the phone, and was thus legitimate under fair-use rules.
The upshot is that now anyone can jailbreak or otherwise unlock any cell phone without fear of legal penalties, whether you want to install unsupported applications or switch to another cellular carrier. Cell phone companies are of course still free to make it difficult for you to do this — and your warranty will probably still be voided if you do — but at least you won’t be fined or imprisoned if you jailbreak a handset.
In addition to the jailbreaking exemption, the FCC announced a few oth er rules that have less sweeping applicability but are still significant:
• Professors, students and documentary filmmakers are now allowed, for “noncommercial” purposes, to break the copy protection measures on DVDs to be used in classroom or other not-for-profit environments. This doesn’t quite go so far as to grant you and me the right to copy a DVD so we can watch it in two rooms of the house, but it’s now only one step away.
• As was the topic in the GE ruling I wrote about, the FCC allows computer owners to bypass dongles (hardware devices used in conjunction with software to guarantee the correct owner is behind the keyboard) if they are no longer in operation and can’t be replaced. Dongles are rarities in consumer technology products now, but industrial users are probably thrilled about this, as many go missing and are now impossible to obtain.
• Finally, people are now free to circumvent protection measures on video games — but, strangely, only to investigate and correct security flaws in those games. (Another oddity: Other computer software is not part of this ruling, just video games.)
iPhone jailbreaking (and all cell phone unlocking) made legal
Owners of iPhones and other smartphones are one step closer towards taking complete control of their gadgets, thanks to a new government ruling Monday on the practice of "jailbreaking."
This weekend has seen a flurry of activity about digital rights, but the biggest news dropped Monday morning, when the FCC announced that it had made the controversial practice of “jailbreaking” your iPhone — or any other cell phone — legal.
Jailbreaking — the practice of unlocking a phone (and particularly an iPhone) so it can be used on another network and/or run other applications than those approved by Apple — has technically been illegal for years. Most jailbroken phones are used on the U.S. T-Mobile network or on overseas carriers, or are used to run applications that Apple refuses to sell, such as Safari ad-blocking apps, alternate keyboard layouts, or programs that change the interface to the iPhone's SMS system and the way its icons are laid out.
While technically illegal, no one has been sued or prosecuted for the practice. (Apple does seriously frown on the practice, and jailbreaking your phone will still void your warranty.) It’s estimated that more than a million iPhone owners have jailbroken their handsets.
Apple fought hard against the legalization, arguing that jailbreaking was a form of copyright violation. The FCC disagreed, saying that jailbreaking merely enhanced the inter-operability of the phone, and was thus legitimate under fair-use rules.
The upshot is that now anyone can jailbreak or otherwise unlock any cell phone without fear of legal penalties, whether you want to install unsupported applications or switch to another cellular carrier. Cell phone companies are of course still free to make it difficult for you to do this — and your warranty will probably still be voided if you do — but at least you won’t be fined or imprisoned if you jailbreak a handset.
In addition to the jailbreaking exemption, the FCC announced a few oth er rules that have less sweeping applicability but are still significant:
• Professors, students and documentary filmmakers are now allowed, for “noncommercial” purposes, to break the copy protection measures on DVDs to be used in classroom or other not-for-profit environments. This doesn’t quite go so far as to grant you and me the right to copy a DVD so we can watch it in two rooms of the house, but it’s now only one step away.
• As was the topic in the GE ruling I wrote about, the FCC allows computer owners to bypass dongles (hardware devices used in conjunction with software to guarantee the correct owner is behind the keyboard) if they are no longer in operation and can’t be replaced. Dongles are rarities in consumer technology products now, but industrial users are probably thrilled about this, as many go missing and are now impossible to obtain.
• Finally, people are now free to circumvent protection measures on video games — but, strangely, only to investigate and correct security flaws in those games. (Another oddity: Other computer software is not part of this ruling, just video games.)
Last edited by DarkSithCL; 07-26-2010 at 09:37 PM.
07-26-2010, 10:24 PM
#402
Safety Car
Yeah this is great news. But I don't know if AT&T and Apple will change their policies. They'll probably figure a way out to circumvent them and blame the user any way. lol. The good thing is, for the most part, you don't really need to root in Android. You can run the majority of apps without root so root isn't as necessary as a jailbreak is. Here's a good article on what root is for Android:
http://www.androidcentral.com/rooting-it-me-some-qa
http://www.androidcentral.com/rooting-it-me-some-qa
07-27-2010, 07:16 AM
#403
Team Owner
Did you guys see the Android tablet being sold at KMart for $150? Wifi, 2GB memory, 256 MB RAM, access to the Google store and runs 2.1 Android.
http://www.geekwithlaptop.com/augen-...-kmart-for-150
http://www.geekwithlaptop.com/augen-...-kmart-for-150
07-27-2010, 09:26 AM
#404
Did you guys see the Android tablet being sold at KMart for $150? Wifi, 2GB memory, 256 MB RAM, access to the Google store and runs 2.1 Android.
http://www.geekwithlaptop.com/augen-...-kmart-for-150
http://www.geekwithlaptop.com/augen-...-kmart-for-150
07-27-2010, 09:29 AM
#405
Safety Car
Did you guys see the Android tablet being sold at KMart for $150? Wifi, 2GB memory, 256 MB RAM, access to the Google store and runs 2.1 Android.
http://www.geekwithlaptop.com/augen-...-kmart-for-150
http://www.geekwithlaptop.com/augen-...-kmart-for-150
07-27-2010, 09:44 AM
#407
Safety Car
I wouldn't say its impossible. I guess it depends. The source code for the device needs to be laid out, especially the drivers. Anyone using Android is required to share their source code under the GPL requirements. If those are all given along with the drivers intact then its an easy porting.
Now, should they not share the drivers, it would be more difficult and time consuming and most devs don't have the time or incapable of disassembling the drivers especially without documentation of the hardware. They could do trial and error with other drivers but its not always going to be successful. Hopefully, this company will give out all details and all a dev has to do is port Froyo over.
HTC uses the same parts in different phones which allowed devs to do trial and error when HTC didn't provide the drivers. This is one reason why the devs prefer HTC over the other phones. If HTC decided to not upgrade an old phone, they can just grab the drivers from the new phone and it would probably work for the most part with a few changes. Compared to Motorola or Samsung, their parts are usually not the same per phone so trial and error with drivers is less successful and harder to upgrade when they don't include their drivers into the source.
Now, should they not share the drivers, it would be more difficult and time consuming and most devs don't have the time or incapable of disassembling the drivers especially without documentation of the hardware. They could do trial and error with other drivers but its not always going to be successful. Hopefully, this company will give out all details and all a dev has to do is port Froyo over.
HTC uses the same parts in different phones which allowed devs to do trial and error when HTC didn't provide the drivers. This is one reason why the devs prefer HTC over the other phones. If HTC decided to not upgrade an old phone, they can just grab the drivers from the new phone and it would probably work for the most part with a few changes. Compared to Motorola or Samsung, their parts are usually not the same per phone so trial and error with drivers is less successful and harder to upgrade when they don't include their drivers into the source.
Last edited by CGFebTSX04; 07-27-2010 at 09:50 AM.
07-27-2010, 10:04 AM
#408
Safety Car
Howardforums just did a comparison of the new Sony Super LCDs that are replacing the HTC Desire, Google Nexus One and HTC Droid Incredible that were using AMOLED before to ease up HTC's screen shortage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY6qp...layer_embedded
Source: http://www.howardforums.com/content....-Super-AMOLED?
So it went like this Super AMOLED > Super LCD > AMOLED > LCD. Whats with all the "Super" nomenclature?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY6qp...layer_embedded
Source: http://www.howardforums.com/content....-Super-AMOLED?
To save you some reading I thought all the displays were really good, they all had decent colour and respectable viewing angles. The super AMOLED was noticeably less reflective than the others and was blacker with the best viewing angles. Super LCD had similar detail in the rock face video and had a superior horizontal viewing angle compared to a regular AMOLED display. The AMOLED had slightly better blacks (you can't tell from the video - sorry) and slightly better vertical viewing angles. Both Super LCD and AMOLED were very reflective.
Last edited by CGFebTSX04; 07-27-2010 at 10:14 AM.
07-27-2010, 02:13 PM
#410
Suzuka Master
07-28-2010, 11:06 AM
#413
Safety Car
Looks like most of the Froyo builds are coming out August. The rumor is that the Droid Incredible, X, and original Droid on Verizon are supposed to be getting Froyo starting August 6 onwards.
http://androidspin.com/2010/07/26/fr...ces-next-week/
There's already an official Froyo build out there on XDA for the Incredible which adds the 720p video recording on the phone and a few other new features:
http://www.androidcentral.com/froyo-...oid-incredible
Finally, an early Froyo build just got leaked for the European Samsung Galaxy S:
http://www.samsung-firmware.webs.com/
It looks like its Froyo but its not tweaked yet. So this means the Captivate and the Vibrant should be getting an update shortly after the official build drops.
If not, I'm sure the devs can rip this one apart and make it for the Captivate and Vibrant.
07-28-2010, 01:32 PM
#415
i been running the cm6 froyo for the past 3 days and all i can say is the phone is so much more faster in every aspect. Im able to get 45 mflops 
there are a few items that need to be worked out like 4g but since most places dont have 4g yet its not high on his list. I cant wait for a full release. I just need to get my fps up which im currently at 30.
there are a few items that need to be worked out like 4g but since most places dont have 4g yet its not high on his list. I cant wait for a full release. I just need to get my fps up which im currently at 30.
07-28-2010, 01:56 PM
#416
Safety Car
i been running the cm6 froyo for the past 3 days and all i can say is the phone is so much more faster in every aspect. Im able to get 45 mflops there are a few items that need to be worked out like 4g but since most places dont have 4g yet its not high on his list. I cant wait for a full release. I just need to get my fps up which im currently at 30.
there are a few items that need to be worked out like 4g but since most places dont have 4g yet its not high on his list. I cant wait for a full release. I just need to get my fps up which im currently at 30.So apparently, another Froyo test build for the Samsung just got leaked a few hours ago correcting some of the problems that the first leak had. Flash is now fully working but it looks like it still has room for optimizations:
New firmware test build:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HY2AsoVRywk
Earlier firmware test build:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2oWELcd-lI
The TouchWiz UI doesn't look all that bad. I like how you can turn off wifi, bluetooth, gps, and lock the rotate screen by just pulling down the notification window instead of having a separate widget. The colors in the menu settings are a nice touch too. Although, that could easily be done with some theming in other ROMs.
07-28-2010, 11:10 PM
#417
This was the Sprint Tech / Rep's answer from sprintusers.com... he has always told me the best info, even if I didnt like it... LOL
"Great news for those who have the SERO plans on Sprint and have been hesitant to switch to the ERP or anytime 450 plans and up, Sprint will now allow smartphones to be put on the SERO plans starting on Oct 1st, I just confirmed the information with a employee account representative on the phone. The gimmick or what now is that if you have a $30 SERO plan, you will be charged $10 for the premium data or 4G, plus a $10 charge for Sprint TV ect. so a total of $50, which is $20 or $30 less than what you would pay by switching to the newer plans, so it is pretty fair, and a pretty good day for those who waited and kept the SERO plan. I just switched off my SERO almost a month ago, I still have 30 days to return my phone, But the rep said there is a note on my account that they will switch me back to the SERO plan on Oct 1st. If you are within your 30 days, and had a SERO plan, i would call and make sure you are able to get back on it to save some money, sorry if this post was in the wrong place, but i know there are several SERO plan holders who would like to know about this. "
Not true. The sero plans are dead and the only way to activate an Android phone, Blackberry or Pre or Instinct on a sero plan is if it is the new sero plans. Which are now called the everything plus referral plans. So no you will never be able to put (everything phones) on old sero plans.
So, I guess yo just have to get a "new" style sero plan... and let the old one go... good for a couple phones or so... which is cool.. depends on your needs...
"Great news for those who have the SERO plans on Sprint and have been hesitant to switch to the ERP or anytime 450 plans and up, Sprint will now allow smartphones to be put on the SERO plans starting on Oct 1st, I just confirmed the information with a employee account representative on the phone. The gimmick or what now is that if you have a $30 SERO plan, you will be charged $10 for the premium data or 4G, plus a $10 charge for Sprint TV ect. so a total of $50, which is $20 or $30 less than what you would pay by switching to the newer plans, so it is pretty fair, and a pretty good day for those who waited and kept the SERO plan. I just switched off my SERO almost a month ago, I still have 30 days to return my phone, But the rep said there is a note on my account that they will switch me back to the SERO plan on Oct 1st. If you are within your 30 days, and had a SERO plan, i would call and make sure you are able to get back on it to save some money, sorry if this post was in the wrong place, but i know there are several SERO plan holders who would like to know about this. "
Not true. The sero plans are dead and the only way to activate an Android phone, Blackberry or Pre or Instinct on a sero plan is if it is the new sero plans. Which are now called the everything plus referral plans. So no you will never be able to put (everything phones) on old sero plans.
So, I guess yo just have to get a "new" style sero plan... and let the old one go... good for a couple phones or so... which is cool.. depends on your needs...
http://www.phonenews.com/sprint-roll...ber-1st-11868/
http://www.androidpolice.com/2010/07...int-sero-plans
second link has multiple people who have verified it along with me by speaking with employee care.
07-29-2010, 08:51 AM
#418
I don't know why this guy hasn't got the update, but the SERO plan will be able to add the smart phones starting on Oct 1st. i even verified it with a employee rep and have a note in my account. I will be able to go back to my SERO plan. The thing is its the $30 plan, plus the $10 for premium data or Sprints bogus 4G tack on as well as $10 for Sprint tv add on ...so all in all $50 for EVO or $40 for smart phones. here are a couple links as well to read on...
http://www.phonenews.com/sprint-roll...ber-1st-11868/
http://www.androidpolice.com/2010/07...int-sero-plans
second link has multiple people who have verified it along with me by speaking with employee care.
http://www.phonenews.com/sprint-roll...ber-1st-11868/
http://www.androidpolice.com/2010/07...int-sero-plans
second link has multiple people who have verified it along with me by speaking with employee care.
... kinda like the Airwaves... some peeps got free ones with free service and some had to pay full price and pay for the service too...just depends on a dice throw in retentions department... 
I am super glad you were able to work this out in your favor, hoping that lots of others can too!
Thanks for the update and the links!!!!
Please Keep us posted on this subject!
07-29-2010, 09:54 AM
#421
one of my co-workers got a white EVO....I worked with her yesterday... looks better than I thought it would... she had it skinned at BB when she 1st got it, so it had a nice feel to it... less likely to slide around on surfaces or slide out of your hands... the edges were still alil slick, but thats like whatevah... anyhoo, hers is not modded at all... super fast... and the screen is HUGE compared to my Pre... she has been charging once a day, even with heavy use... I forgot to see which screen she had installed.... she said that BB had gotten in 13 white and 11 black and all were spoken for... there was a line just to pick up a reserved unit...LOL
07-29-2010, 02:48 PM
#422
just saw this over at xda. Froyo for the Evo should be out 8/1 with a few earlier releases.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/29/e...omorrow-loads/
http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/29/e...omorrow-loads/
07-29-2010, 07:05 PM
#423
Safety Car
Looks like Froyo officially drops for the EVO next Tuesday :
http://twitter.com/sprint/status/19864826140
:
Sprint is the first wireless carrier to bring Android 2.2 to customers using the HTC EVO™ 4G beginning Tues, Aug. 3 - http://bit.ly/9E8Mye
07-29-2010, 07:15 PM
#424
just saw this over at xda. Froyo for the Evo should be out 8/1 with a few earlier releases.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/29/e...omorrow-loads/
http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/29/e...omorrow-loads/
unofficial Download tomorrow afternoon...
Last edited by DarkSithCL; 07-29-2010 at 07:20 PM.
07-29-2010, 07:20 PM
#426
Looks like Froyo officially drops for the EVO next Tuesday :
http://twitter.com/sprint/status/19864826140
:http://twitter.com/sprint/status/19864826140
07-29-2010, 08:29 PM
#428
there are still some things missing and i get force closes every once in a while but nothing i cant deal with. But once froyo is released i cant wait for all the cooked roms that will be coming out. The main thing i wanna try is fring with the forward facing camera and the better 4g reception.
07-29-2010, 09:42 PM
#429
Suzuka Master
Ok not an Android phone, but did anyone see the Nokia N8 ( I know meh symbian...but the phone looks capable)? This would be a nice addition for them once it hits stateside. I'm really beginning to like sprint these days, just hope they can turn their sales trends around.
Last edited by mcflyguy24; 07-29-2010 at 09:44 PM.
07-30-2010, 10:41 AM
#432
http://europe.nokia.com/find-products/devices/nokia-n8
N8 looks pretty sweet! sick colors and we know Nokia is known for phones that last fo-evah!
N8 looks pretty sweet! sick colors and we know Nokia is known for phones that last fo-evah!
07-30-2010, 10:46 AM
#433
there are still some things missing and i get force closes every once in a while but nothing i cant deal with. But once froyo is released i cant wait for all the cooked roms that will be coming out. The main thing i wanna try is fring with the forward facing camera and the better 4g reception.
07-30-2010, 06:10 PM
#434
Safety Car
Official Froyo update for HTC Evo is live!
http://www.androidpolice.com/2010/07...vo4g-download/
Link to Froyo: http://liveimage.htc.com/OTA_Superso...2e98n4o6xn.zip
You probably want to downgrade back to stock if you do this. You will also lose root with this update and I don't think root is available yet. Looks like a nice upgrade list there especially that share an application. Wonder how that works.
EDIT: Actually it looks like there is a rooted version on XDA already. Man they work fast. lol.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=720682
Should be careful with this one because you're manually updating the radio and WiMax which may brick the phone if you don't follow the instructions in order. Just make sure you reboot after applying the radio before applying the WiMax and you should be fine.
http://www.androidpolice.com/2010/07...vo4g-download/
Link to Froyo: http://liveimage.htc.com/OTA_Superso...2e98n4o6xn.zip
3.26.651.3
7/30/2010
This update offers:
- Ability to share applications
- Display events and birthdays from Facebook on Calendar
- Use camera LED as flashlight
- New user interface for the FM radio
- Add unknown users in Facebook as friends in Friend Stream
- Photo Gallery supports Facebook comments function
- Send contact as vCard using SMS
- Addition of MMS slideshow editor
- New pre-loaded widgets including Calculator, FM radio, Message list view, Profile settings and Ringtone settings
- Camcorder can use camera flash so video can be shot at night or in low light
- Flash 10.1 support
- Numeric PIN and alpha-numeric passwords to unlock screen
- Search widget and search bar able to switch to search in different types (web, specific application, or all)
- Adjustable alarm volume
- Android Market widget allows installation of applications on SD card
7/30/2010
This update offers:
- Ability to share applications
- Display events and birthdays from Facebook on Calendar
- Use camera LED as flashlight
- New user interface for the FM radio
- Add unknown users in Facebook as friends in Friend Stream
- Photo Gallery supports Facebook comments function
- Send contact as vCard using SMS
- Addition of MMS slideshow editor
- New pre-loaded widgets including Calculator, FM radio, Message list view, Profile settings and Ringtone settings
- Camcorder can use camera flash so video can be shot at night or in low light
- Flash 10.1 support
- Numeric PIN and alpha-numeric passwords to unlock screen
- Search widget and search bar able to switch to search in different types (web, specific application, or all)
- Adjustable alarm volume
- Android Market widget allows installation of applications on SD card
EDIT: Actually it looks like there is a rooted version on XDA already. Man they work fast. lol.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=720682
Working-EVERYTHING!!!
Bt works
4G works
3G tethering works (legally of course)
Wifi works
You can now record with the camcorder.(see i promised you all i would fix it by the weekend)
Bt works
4G works
3G tethering works (legally of course)
Wifi works
You can now record with the camcorder.(see i promised you all i would fix it by the weekend)
Last edited by CGFebTSX04; 07-30-2010 at 06:19 PM.
07-30-2010, 06:34 PM
#435
Suzuka Master
Man I'm gettin jealous of all you EVO owners getting Froyo. I hope they consider the Aria for this, I know it isn't some flagship phone, but I'm sure it can run it. Albeit my camera has no flash 
07-30-2010, 06:51 PM
#437
Safety Car
Its just Google's way of being Google. Instead of boring alpha, beta, etc. codenames, they use desserts to name their builds. Build A was Android, no build B that I'm aware of, Build C was Cupcake, Build D was Donut and Build E was Eclair. Now they're on Build F for Froyo and Build G will be Gingerbread and so on and so forth. They even have sculptures of each new build on their campus. There used to be a dog sculpture too but someone stole it. I'm sure the Gingerbread sculpture will be coming soon.
http://www.pocketables.net/2010/05/n...-desserts.html
Last edited by CGFebTSX04; 07-30-2010 at 07:02 PM.
07-30-2010, 07:11 PM
#438
Safety Car
Well it looks like the leaked Froyo aren't final according to HTC.
http://twitter.com/htc/status/19949859328
http://twitter.com/htc/status/19949859328
Please be aware any update.zip floating around for EVO are not final and may cause problems. Official updates are coming OTA next week!
07-30-2010, 08:00 PM
#439
this dev was able to load a custom rom to update to froyo while still being rooted. I think by monday most of my preferred devs will have their custom roms out as well. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=720682
07-30-2010, 08:15 PM
#440
i got my HTC HD2 to run froyo 2.2 smoothly now. Everything is working, gps, internet, data, battery life aok.
i hated window mobile on the htc, now that android is operating it..it feels like i just got a whole new phone =)
to all you htc hd2 owners out there..go load android on that suckaaa!
i hated window mobile on the htc, now that android is operating it..it feels like i just got a whole new phone =)
to all you htc hd2 owners out there..go load android on that suckaaa!