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Kindle Fire gets rooted with 'one click,' paves the way for Amazonian adventures
Yesterday, we saw the Kindle Fire get ripped apart. Today, it's been rooted. The solution comes courtesy of a user lovingly known as "death2all11o," who posted the "1-click' recipe to Android Forums earlier today. The procedure seems relatively straightforward, requiring only a copy of SuperOneClick 2.2, an Android SDK, and a bit of hacktastic know-how. For a more detailed guide, hit up the source links below. [Thanks, Blake]
Motorola Droid RAZR rooted -- watch out for rough edges
First it was the Kevlar-coated hardware, and now Android enthusiasts have cracked open the software edges of Motorola's latest Android baby. Yes, that dual-core slice of smartphone that is the Droid RAZR can now be rooted, but there is a catch. The Windows-only program won't let you reverse the deal once you've taken the hack-friendly plunge, even if you're unfortunate enough to hit a soft brick wall. You can check out the directions in the source link below, but we're wagging our finger of caution right now -- you've been warned.
Galaxy Nexus gets rooted, forums burst into applause
To root or not to root -- that's never really been a question for Nexus owners. Google's purebred Android phones are by nature developer-friendly and ship with a painless ability to unlock their bootloaders. So, it comes as no great surprise that well-known modder Modaco has achieved this very feat on the Galaxy Nexus, although it is nice to this Ice Cream Sandwich flagship upholding tradition. Whatever your personal computing OS choice, the superboot image file provided at the source will work for you, pushing the superuser APK to your handset and granting you administrator privileges. Retail versions of the phone will likely come locked, so be prepared to wipe your data if you choose to go down this route (pun definitely intended). As always, tinkering with high-end mobile toys comes with the usual associated risks, so proceed with caution. And remember the cardinal rule -- friends don't let friends root their phones.
IRL: AirPort Express, Jabra Freeway and rooting the Nook Color
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. Now that we've gotten all the dirty details on the new iPhone, we Engadget editors have a few precious days to kick back, unwind and futz around on our aging gadgets before Google and Samsung team up to announce a certain something something next week. Until then, Darren's traveling from Japan to San Francisco and back -- most likely with his AirPort Express in tow, Joseph is rooting the snot out of his Nook Color and Brad's just trying to keep up on podcasts while driving the kiddies around.
Netflix patch arrives for rooted Asus Transformers, it's okay to be happy
If you've seen this handsome screen on your Asus Transformer, it means you've finally managed to root it. Congratulations. And yet, it's all so... anticlimactic. What was the point of it? In fact, what's the point of anything? Hey, don't go down that road. Install Netflix instead, courtesy of a new patch from XDA Developers at the source link below. Then watch Kung Fu Panda one more time and the sense of order in your life will magically return. Like the wise Oogway said: "You may wish for an apple or an orange, but you will get a peach." [Thanks everyone who sent this in]
Native screencaps coming to CyanogenMod 7.1
Taking screenshots on Android devices is by and large a sore spot for pretty much anyone whose needed to perform the deed. Unless your phone is one of the few that supports the functionality, you must first root your handset and install third-party software -- or grab the Android SDK and access your device in USB-debugging mode from ddms. Regardless of how you get there, neither option is ideal. Now, the creators of CyanogenMod think they can do better. While rooting your phone is still a prerequisite, the operating system will bring native support for screen captures via a long-press on the power button. You can expect to receive this delightful new feature in the upcoming CyanogenMod 7.1, which is currently in Release Candidate status -- or, just check the nightly repository -- if you dare!
Thunderbolt gets Sense 3.0 through the back door
Before HTC announced that the Thunderbolt wouldn't receive Sense 3.0, perhaps it should have consulted the dev community. That's because a determined group of modders have successfully massaged HTC's latest skin onto the popular Das BAMF Gingerbread ROM. The current iteration has some bugs, including a glitchy front-facing camera (that you can remedy by switching from widescreen to 4:3 capture), but it's now at release candidate status and awaiting a final coat of gloss. If you've got to have it now -- and have no interest in HTC's upcoming Android 2.3.4 build -- you'll need a rooted phone, S-Off status, and Clockwork Recovery to load the flashable ROM, along with the MR2 radio (preferably). Love what you see? Consider donating to the devs so they can show their neglected significant others a night on the town -- after cranking out the final version, of course. [Thanks, AJFTL]
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 retail version gets rooted
The limited edition Galaxy Tab 10.1 handed out at Google I/O was rooted in no time, and it looks like owners of the more widely available retail version can now thank XDA member shep211 for opening up some new possibilities on their iteration of the tablet as well. As usual, you should proceed with some caution if you decide to take the plunge, but the root can been unrooted if you wind up having second thoughts -- all the details you need are at the source link below.
Rooted Nook WiFi loaded with Angry Birds, soars then stalls (video)
That was fast. The Nook WiFi just hit the streets and already it's been rooted for less reading and more gaming -- with Angry Birds, no less. YouTuber JFreke has posted the results of loading a custom ROM on the Android 2.1 e-book reader, and it isn't exactly glamorous (read: playable) as-is. The refresh rate on the device may be quick for page turns, but the mid-sling freezing doesn't quite make a case for after school utility. Still, it probably won't stop some users from wanting to join in on this Android exploiting pastime; if you dare, J says the code will be released shortly, but for now you'll find the footage by breezing past the break. Update: If you're still feeling brave enough, you'll find the root guide by hitting the Nook Devs link below. [Thanks, Linus]
LG Revolution root method promises to silence Bing's chime
If you're looking to banish Bing from your LG Revolution, then roll up those sleeves because root access is now possible on Verizon's latest LTE-equipped wunderphone. The process is relatively straightforward (provided you know what you're doing), and uses the rageagainstthecage method to unlock your handset's full potential. This crack comes one day following the phone's release, which suggests LG didn't expend much effort locking this one down. There's just two caveats here. First, you must install and configure the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which puts the rage into your Revolution. Second, there's currently no option for recovery images -- which must be addressed for custom ROMs to be of any value. Still, if you're undeterred (or really want to eliminate bloatware), just follow the source for this superuser solution. [Thanks, Andy]
Workaround brings Netflix to more (rooted) Android users
We've already had some success getting Netflix for Android up and running on an officially unsupported phone (a Droid X), but those not able to get it to work simply by transferring and installing the .APK now have another option. As some folks on XDA and Reddit have discovered, you can apparently just edit a few system settings to make your phone (or Nook Color, for that matter) think it's actually an HTC G2, which is apparently all it takes to satisfy the Netflix app. It doesn't work with every phone, of course, but quite a few seem to have had success with it. Unfortunately for some, you'll also need to first root your phone in order to make those changes, but the steps are fairly simple once you've done that. Hit up the links below for all the details, and let us know how it worked out for you in the comments below. Just remember: when in doubt, back up.
Cydia 1.1 unleashed, performance improvements abound
Owners of jailbroken iPhones were greeted with a welcome tweet recently, as Cydia -- Steve Jobs' least favorite app store -- announced its version 1.1 debut. Despite third-party repositories getting hammered early on, and a now resolved 'hash sum mismatch' snafu, the update continues to roll, and hacked iOS devices are gobbling it up. Indie app seekers will notice a snappier interface, better search results (thanks to refined algorithms), and the ability to resume downloads. Saurik's efforts to streamline code have reduced its memory footprint as well, bringing increased stability to the marketplace that continues to rock the App Store's boat. 130,000 downloads were noted in the first three hours -- was yours among them?
StreakDroid 1.9.0 takes Dell Streak Own3rs to the frontier
Fans of rooting the Dell Streak are likely familiar with the efforts DJ_Steve, a tenacious phone enthusiast with a penchant for keeping the tablet at its bleeding edge. To the uninitiated, this five-inch smartphone is enjoying an underground renaissance, thanks in large part to the hacked ROMs known as StreakDroid. Even while Froyo has been available officially from Dell for some time now, the aforementioned spinner got it there first. Releasing a tireless flurry of updates since then, StreakDroid now sits at version 1.9.0. Dubbed 'The Final Frontier,' DJ_Steve's latest release brings Android version 2.2.2 to the Streak, along with a more polished, heretofore unreleased version of Dell's Stage UI. Additionally, users are now given the option to select a default launcher before installation, with LauncherPro, Stage UI, and Gingerbread's launcher available for the choosing. Issues of a flaky accelerometer are documented in the release notes, though initial user reactions have been overwhelmingly positive. Streak hackers, get your download on in the source below, and let us know how this particular mix resonates with you.
HTC Thunderbolt rooted for real, locked files nearly soured the deal
They thought it would be easy, but they were wrong -- AndIRC developers reportedly spent the last 72 hours readying the new HTC Thunderbolt for custom ROMs. Today, they emerge victorious, but that victory is bittersweet, because it may signify the end of a generally hacker-friendly era from the folks at HTC. While devices from the Taiwanese manufacturer have traditionally been easy to modify, the hacker community found Verizon's LTE flagship fully locked down, with a signed kernel, signed recovery image and a signed bootloader. FOF. Of course, if you're just looking for a way to overclock your Thunderbolt, you probably don't care about all that. You'll find all the (exceptionally lengthy) instructions you need at Android Police. Just be careful out there! [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Motorola will upgrade your Xoom to 4G LTE -- even if you've rooted it
Happy news for Android tinkerers everywhere -- Motorola has officially confirmed it will attempt to perform its 4G upgrade on all Verizon Wireless-riding Xoom tablets it receives from users, whether they've been rooted, repainted, or accessorized with fluffy dice. Naturally, the company can't guarantee successful software updates on devices that have had their OS tweaked, so it asks users to be kind and rewind to the original firmware state. For those unwilling to stretch that far back, Moto will still give it a shot and says that it'll install the 4G LTE modem at a minimum. What a refreshingly open-minded attitude. Now if Moto could give us an open-minded bootloader on its phones as well, we'd be all set.
Motorola Xoom rooted in two hours flat, sinister transforming exoskeleton jetpack returns in Verizon ad
What's the first thing you're going to do with your Motorola Xoom? If you're Koush, the answer's clear -- install your very own ClockworkMod recovery image and ROM Manager, and grant the latter superuser permissions. That's right, on the very day of release, the Motorola Xoom's all but ready for custom builds of Android and all the joy they bring. Meanwhile, Verizon's decided to bring us the latter half of the abruptly cut Xoom TV ad, which actually differs significantly depending on whether or not Spanish is your primary language. Either way, it's a fairly sordid affair, with no Iron Man feats of stratospheric skill to be found, merely a short demonstration of gaming with the accelerometer and a few quick swipes through Honeycomb. You'll still watch it if we tell you it's after the break though, won't you?
HTC Thunderbolt exclusively hits Best Buy for $250 at launch, rooted prototype provides hope for easy unlock
Though hard facts on the HTC Thunderbolt's availability were hard to come by, conflicting rumors were flying fast and strong -- now, a Best Buy ad seems to clear most everything up. Like we'd originally heard, the 4.3-inch LTE smartphone will launch for $250 on a two-year contract -- or a wallet-crushing $750 without -- but the key ingredients here are three words at the very top. The Thunderbolt is apparently a "national retail exclusive" for Best Buy, which explains how the device could simultaneously face Verizon delays and yet come in for a Valentine's Day landing at the big box store. You'll also note that the ad mentions Skype video and 4G mobile hotspot functionality, so we'd be surprised if the phone came without, though it's also possible that the whole kit and kaboodle has been delayed to match -- Droid-Life says this ad comes from a February 20th circular, so we might not see anything until then. In case you needed an additional reason to be excited about the Thunderbolt, the developers at AndIRC have some related news -- they've already rooted a prototype version (which just so happens to have the familiar codename Mecha) and believe the same technique will work on retail devices. Wouldn't it be nice to have root on day one... whenever that is? [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Samsung Fascinate gets leaked EB01 Android 2.2 build, yours if you want it
So much for Verizon being the carrier of choice when it comes to accelerated Android updates, eh? Those who selected Big Red for their Galaxy S have been waiting on a Froyo build for what feels like an eternity, with our brethren to the north already enjoying the spoils -- things like Flash support and an integrated mobile hotspot. Of course, Samsung once promised that all Galaxy S phones (yeah, including the Fascinate) would receive Android 2.2 at some point in time, and while an official release is still eluding us, it looks as if the day is drawing ever closer. The fine folks over at Android Central simply couldn't wait any longer, and they're taken it upon themselves to wrap up the TouchWiz-infused EB01 build for all to enjoy. Naturally, you'll need to do a fair amount of hacking to get this up and running without anyone's consent, but all the details you're craving await you there in the source. Still unsure if it's worth the drive? Head on past the break for a quick video.
Nook Color meet Ubuntu, Ubuntu meet Nook Color
Although you won't hear this through official channels, Barnes and Noble's Nook has been plenty of fun for hacksters. And what spells fun better than U-b-u-n-t-u? Certainly nothing that we can mention in mixed company, that's for sure! If you pop over to the always lively XDA Developers Forum, you'll see a crazy little post wherein the author took inspiration from a Nexus One hack and decided to port Ubuntu to the Nook Color. And by jove, it looks like it's worked... even if it is by accounts "a little laggy" and not without errors. Please feel free to hit the source link if you'd like to take in the details on what made this work... and to keep abreast of further developments, to boot.
Nexus S has been rooted, let the madness commence!
Our good friends at xda-developers haven't kept us waiting long. Root access on the Nexus S has been achieved on the phone's day of release, and full instructions for replicating it are available at the link below. The Nexus S is the proud and so far only carrier of Google's latest and greatest Android software, so you're basically getting unrestricted access to the very best Mountain View can offer. Hit that source link. Do it. [Thanks, Brad] Update: An Android team member has written in to remind us that the Nexus S, like the Nexus One before it, is designed with a user-unlockable bootloader out of the box -- it's not a magic trick. Good to know they're keeping the tradition going.
