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Leaked G1 firmware lets you revert to RC29
Did you accidentally flip the switch on that OTA update to RC30 on your G1 and currently find yourself stuck with a non-root lifestyle? Well thanks to forum member chavonbravo over at xda-developers, things are about to get awesome for you. You can now revert back to RC29 with ease by snagging the uploaded image, renaming, copying to your microSD card, and running through standard procedure for re-flashing the phone. We can attest that the hack does indeed work, so feel free to proceed. Word to the wise, though: getting up to a modded RC30 isn't as easy as some might have you believe, so set aside a little time to walk through the steps (check out ModMyGPhone's guide page for clear instructions).[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
T-Mobile G1 gets RC 8 update in the UK
While Americans have been enjoying the spoils of the RC29 and RC30 updates for a matter of hours now, folks in the UK have finally been treated to an update of their own. The RC8 update, which was recently delivered to Brits over the air, looks to be a single update that mashes together the fixes found in both the RC29 and RC30 updates available in the US. Initial reports suggest that the phone now runs a touch cooler, though it's being debated whether or not battery life has improved or worsened. Have any of you across the pond been able to test it out and see what's new?[Via TalkAndroid]
RC29, RC30 G1 Android updates get explained
We'd already gotten a general idea about what Google's RC29 and RC30 Android updates for the G1 did, but if you're curious about all the little details, you'll no doubt be pleased to know that the Google Android Security Team has now finally come out and explained the updates themselves. As we had heard, the RC29 update fixed a vulnerability that could potentially let malicious sites take over your browser, but it apparently also fixed two other software bugs, including a universal cross-site scripting problem that could also give someone control of the browser, and an exploit that let folks bypass Android's locking mechanism by booting the phone into safe mode. As for RC30, it apparently not only fixed that little root access issue, but two other bugs related to WebKit, which could, again, let someone take over your browser, and access to the G1's memory to, for instance, read stored cookies and gain online privileges. Google has also clarified that it intends to wait until all users have access to updates before it discloses the full details about them, so it looks like this cycle of confusion is going to be a regular occurrence for G1 owners.[Via Talk Android]
Epic Android bug interprets your typing as system commands
The philosophy goes something like this: the great thing about Linux is that it's secure, and the great thing about open-source software is that it's thoroughly and constantly vetted for robustness. So to that end, Android should be pretty rock solid, right? Perhaps, but the overwhelming enormity of this particular bug definitely gives us pause. It turns out that G1 firmware revisions RC29 and earlier literally interpret everything you type as command-line operations, so if you happen across a legit command, it's going to get executed -- with superuser permissions, no less. No, seriously. Just go to the messaging app, the browser, or anywhere else a text box is convenient, type "reboot," press the enter key, and watch magic happen. We've tested this on two G1s, both with RC29 firmware, and have gotten this to consistently work on one of the two, so your mileage may vary -- but either way, this needed to get patched on the double. Fortunately, Google's been quick about it, rolling a fix into the RC30 build that's being rapidly pushed to users as we speak, but man... how did that get through?
Google patches up Android jailbreak with RC30 update
As you may have noticed, Google doesn't exactly seem to be hesitant about pushing out Android updates, and it looks like it's now at it again, letting the new RC30 update slip out just days after folks finally figured out what the mysterious RC29 update actually did. This particular update is decidedly less mysterious, however, with Google saying up front that it had been notified of the jailbreaking issue with Android and has developed a "fix," adding that it is "currently working with our partners to push the fix out and updating the open source code base to reflect these changes." No word on any other changes included in the update, but it's supposedly on an "accelerated release" and should be in everyone's hands within the next the three or four days.[Via Talk Android]
