Pocketables

How to manually root almost any Android device

Yesterday, we talked about rooting your Android device and all the advantages root gives you. If that made you want to root, there are a couple ways you can go about it. 

The easiest method is to use a one-click application solution like unrEVOked, but it only supports certain devices. SuperOneClick is a similar application that supports almost any device, but I cannot always get it to work with my computer.

In my experience, I have found that the most reliable root method is to simply run the commands yourself. It may be a little more difficult than the one-click solutions, but it is practically guaranteed to work.

Even so, you should still read through the directions before you begin, and if you are not comfortable with any of the steps, then you should probably not attempt to root. This is a fairly advanced tutorial, so make sure you're prepared for some bumps, even though there shouldn't be any.

Rooting gives you valuable experience with ADB, knowledge of root methods, and in general a better ability to solve problems with your device as well. Still, you do not need to do this if one-click solutions have worked for you, or if you do not feel comfortable with the process. If you do want to learn more about Android by manually rooting your device, just keep in mind that you root at your own risk, and any damage to your device is your fault. 

Amazon Unbox Videos play on HTC Thunderbolt

Many have speculated that Amazon would bring Amazon Unbox Videos to Android. And today I discovered that the portable device version of Amazon Instant Videos actually play on my HTC Thunderbolt.

First, I downloaded the Amazon Instant Video of episode 2 of Glee that I purchased last year using Amazon Unbox Video. Second, I connected my HTC Thunderbolt, set it to Media sync, watched the appropriate drivers install, and then transferred the portable version of the episode (a full version for PC playback is also downloaded) to the phone. Third, I went to the Videos app, found the episode, and clicked play . . . and it did. Playback was smooth and of good quality.

Notably, Amazon no longer lists which portable devices are compatible with Amazon Unbox. It looks like they've been holding out on us.

Offline playback of Amazon videos on Android devices is huge. Look out Apple and Google . . . here comes Amazon.

BlackBerry Playbook plays Amazon Instant Video and Hulu on the big screen

I woke up this morning in need of a new project. So I decided to attach my BlackBerry PlayBook to my 65-inch Panasonic TV and give Amazon Instant Video and Hulu a go.

First, I connected a Bluetooth mouse to the Playbook. This was painless; however, navigation was made somewhat difficult because the scroll wheel on the mouse did not work, and I was unable to exit certain applications with the mouse. Oh well, better a dysfunctional mouse, than no mouse at all.

Next, I connected the PlayBook to my TV via the PlayBook’s Micro HDMI port.

How copy and paste works in Windows Phone 7

One of the most important features that Windows Phone 7 was lacking from the beginning was copy and paste. Microsoft promised to update this soon, and they have done so with the release of the HTC Arrive.

However, it may be the most complicated feature of the operating system. Why? Find out below. 

How to install Android 2.2 (Froyo) on the Nook Color

This guest article was submitted by Aaron Orquia.

With all the buzz about what a great Android tablet the Nook Color can be, I am sure some of you are itching to try it out for yourselves.

The process of getting Froyo running on the device is still somewhat complicated, but if you can follow directions then you should be fine. Please note that the process will overwrite the internal memory, removing Barnes & Noble's software. And although nothing should happen to your device, please keep in mind that anything you do to your Nook Color is done at your own risk and that we aren't responsible for any damage.

Got a Froyo-hungry Nook Color, computer, microSD card (2GB or more), and a bit of impulsiveness? Then let's begin!

How to change LCD density on rooted Samsung Galaxy Tab

One of the main highlights of the Samsung Galaxy Tab is its 7-inch screen. Boasting a resolution of 1024 x 600, it's one of the highest resolution displays on an Android device. Due to its LCD density, however, the Tab doesn't really make the most of it.

Its default density value (240) makes icons large and text extremely readable, but the trade-off is that fewer icons and lines of text are displayed. This is why a device like the Dell Streak, with its smaller, lower-resolution screen and LCD density of 160, is able to show more content in certain apps than the Tab (as shown here).

Fortunately, if your Galaxy Tab is rooted (tutorial here), then you can adjust its LCD density quite easily. What you see in the screenshot above is my Tab with its stock density value on the left and an adjusted value of 200 on the right.

How to root the Samsung Galaxy Tab

The Samsung Galaxy Tab is a good device out of the box. Third-party apps from Android Market and elsewhere make it great, and having root access makes it even better.

Rooting the Tab opens up a world of possibilities that would otherwise be out of reach. Root access gives you complete control of the system, which means you can do much more with the device than Samsung and your carrier probably want you to do. It lets you install awesome root-only apps, uninstall apps that can't normally be removed, do complete backups (Nandroid), flash custom ROMs, apply themes, change boot animations, and more. Note: Some of this isn't possible on the Tab yet, but I have no doubt that it will be soon.

In other words, root access is something that you definitely want on your Tab . . . as long as you're comfortable with voiding your warranty. There are ways to unroot and flash the stock recovery image (if you flashed a custom one) to cover up your tracks in case you ever need to send the device in for repair, but there's no guarantee that you'll get away with it. In other words, rooting is not completely risk-free and anything you do is at your own risk.

How to use WiFi while in airplane mode on Sharp IS01

Since the Sharp IS01's phone functions don't work outside of Japan, turning off the cell radio is a good way to conserve battery life. Unfortunately, since the handheld clamshell is running Android 1.6, enabling airplane mode turns off all the radios . . . period. The option to turn on WiFi while in this mode is unavailable.

Fortunately, there is a very easy fix for this.

Just head on over to Android Market on the IS01 and grab a free app called Airplane Mode Wi-Fi Tool. It has a simple interface consisting of four buttons (Airplane Mode, WiFi On, WiFi Off, and Landed) but you really only need to use it once. In the Preferences menu, there are options to always keep WiFi on when in airplane mode or to allow it to be toggled, regardless of whether the app is being used. WiFi can actually still be toggled using the former setting, so that's what I use on my IS01.

Cell standby uses more power than always-on WiFi, so turning off the cell radio makes a big difference in how long the device can run between charges.

QR code below.

10 tips for new T-Mobile HTC HD2 users

This is a revised version of my original 10 tips for new HTC HD2 users. It has been updated specifically for the T-Mobile HD2 that was released in the US on March 24, 2010.

The T-Mobile HTC HD2 is currently the best Windows Mobile phone on the US market, but it could still be a little better out of the box.

While adventurous users often prefer to flash custom ROMs, dual boot WinMo and Android, and hack the registry to bits, others would be happy with a very simple set of tips, tweaks, and other suggestions to get the most of their new handsets. If you're part of this second group of new HD2 users, then I hope you'll find what you're looking for below.

10 tips for new HTC HD2 users

This article was written for the unlocked HTC HD2 that was released in Europe and Asia in late 2009. If you have the T-Mobile HD2, please see 10 tips for new T-Mobile HTC HD2 users.

Even though the HTC HD2 is currently the best Windows Mobile phone on the market, it could still be a little better out of the box.

While adventurous users often prefer to flash custom ROMs, dual boot WinMo and Android, and hack the registry to bits, others would be happy with a very simple set of tips, tweaks, and other suggestions to get the most of their new handsets. If you're part of this second group of HD2 users, then I hope you'll find what you're looking for below.