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HTC G1 auditions CyanogenMod 10, runs Jelly Bean at a snail's pace (video)
Putting Google's latest candy-coated OS update on the very first Android phone? We've got a guy for that. Jcarrz1, the same wizard from XDA-Developers who ported Ice Cream Sandwich to the HTC G1, has managed to port a buggy build of CyanogenMod 10 to the handset -- which puts Jelly Bean on the oldest hardware possible. Sadly, the old handset isn't up to Project Butter's 60FPS interface, but brave tweakers can still use the device's touchscreen for apps, CM10 features and a partially functional Google Now. WiFi is also up and running, but cellular data is MIA. Check out the video above to see the pre-alpha build in action, or try it out for yourself at the source link below.
HTC G1 gets a taste of Ice Cream Sandwich (video)
Even though Ice Cream Sandwich is popping up everywhere since its source code was released to the public, we've got to give a shout out now that its been squeezed onto the original Google phone, HTC's G1. The G1 was last seen sporting an unofficial Honeycomb port, and now jcarrz1 from XDA-Developers is showing off his device running Android 4.0 in this video. So far the touchscreen is (slowly) working, along with all apps and "ICS goodies", though WiFi, Bluetooth and rotation are still out. That's a nice effort for a device that some said wouldn't see any versions past 1.5, so press play and witness the unholy fusion of Android's past and present working all at once, or hit the source link below to grab the alpha release for yourself.
Android 2.1 moves down food chain, ROM now ported to G1 (update: hoax)
Future, meet your past. The fine lads at xda-developers forums have ported the Android 2.1 ROM -- you know, the updated OS from Nexus One that everyone's been talking about lately -- all the way to the original G1. Right now it's being dubbed version 0.9999 since it's still lacking A2SD, CompCache, and SWAP... and if you're feeling confused by the terminology, it might be best to not try this at home just yet. Creator Teh Dust has also removed a few things for the sake of making it more lightweight, including Car Home, Live Boot, and high resolution wallpapers / apps that don't jive with the G1 anyway. Willing, curious, and wanting to impress your Droid-carrying friends? File's hiding in plain sight, waiting for you. Update: Quoth the raven, 'twas a hoax and nothing more. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
T-Mobile G1 won't see any Android updates beyond 1.5 (update: maybe it will)
Pioneering T-Mobile G1 owners have been enjoying the spoils of Android 1.5 (or Cupcake, as it's known 'round these parts) for months now, but it looks as if that very treat will be the last taste of confectionery goodness that the smartphone gets. According to Android software engineer Dave Sparks, a time is soon coming when devs "wont be able to fit the latest [Android] release on the G1's internal flash," and yet another engineer has chimed in via Twitter to say that he "can't promise" that any update after 1.5 will fit. For whatever reason, HTC gifted the G1 with an incredibly meager amount of internal flash, and considering that no Android phone will support app storage / loading from a microSD card, there's no way to free up room for Donut, Eclair or Flan. You've been a real champ, G1, but without 2.0+, we just can't give you the love and devotion you truly need. Go on, call us fickle -- we deserve it. [Via Electronista and jkOnTheRun] Update: We've received a statement directly from T-Mobile on the matter, saying "We plan to continue working with Google to introduce future software updates to the T-Mobile G1. Reports to the contrary are inaccurate." It's unclear whether those are just going to be security and stability updates to 1.5 or whether we'll see wholesale new versions like Donut and beyond, but for the sake of G1 owners everywhere, we're hoping it's the latter.
Zeemote JS1 wireless controller syncs up with the G1 for game time fun
We've already seen the Zeemote JS1 bring wireless nunchuck gaming action (and its vaguely copyright-infringing name) to Sony Ericsson and Nokia handsets. Now it seems the device is leaving those corporate ventures behind, going open source and syncing up with HTC's G1 as shown in the video below. The game the demonstrator is playing doesn't look like much fun (surely some sort of abstract re-imagining of Cosmic Ark), but more entertaining games will likely be showing up in the Android Market soon -- assuming they don't do anything with tethering.
X11 on G1 hack is for those who like a little extra OS in their OS
Android may be doing its best to exterminate Linux on the mobile platform, but a dedicated group of fans is doing its best to keep it alive and on the move. One of those is a G1 user by the handle ghostwalker who managed to get a full X-Windows environment running on his handset. Building on the already working Debian version for the G1, he installs LXDE (the Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment) on top and then connects to that using the Android VNC viewer. The process sounds straightforward (as far as these things go) and is fully detailed at the read link, but as always don't blame us if you break your poor Android's shell -- and heart.[Via Hack A Day, thanks Neerhaj]
Seidio's oversized G1 battery is bursting with juice and joy
We're not particularly fond of over-sized battery covers in general; your average smartphone is chubby enough. That said, some handsets need more help than others in the longevity department and, given that we found the G1's battery life to be about a third that of the iPhone's in our review, it certainly falls in the "more help" camp. Seidio's Innocell 2600mAh replacement does the trick, offering more than twice the oomph of the stock 1150mAh cell, but it also resulting in a considerable bump in the chubbiness of a phone that wasn't particularly slender to begin with. Suffice it to say if you're still bummed about the G1's chin rubbing you the wrong way in your pocket this won't be the upgrade for you, but if your little Android stays constantly tethered to your laptop just to keep kicking, this might be $55 well spent. [Via CrunchGear]
G1 multi-touch a reality, integrated headphone jack still just a dream
When reviewing the G1 we found a lot to like, but a lot to dislike too. We knew that some of its shortcomings, like the missing headphone jack, were sadly permanent (free adapters notwithstanding), but hoped that it would just be a matter of time before some enterprising soul (with an enterprising compiler) would take care of another complaint: the lack of multi-touch. Lo and behold now is that time and Ryan Gardner is that coder, author of a little app that proves the inability of the G1 to accept a two-finger salute is not a hardware limitation. You can see for yourself in a video after the break, and once Ryan is done cleaning up his code he pledges to post that, too (don't forget those comments, man). Okay, so being able to cover your screen with red and yellow splotches isn't going to convert any spoiled iPhoners, but we're thinking the rest of you developers out there should be able to pick up this ball and run with it. So make with the running, already.
HTC goes Asia-Pacific; G1 in China by July?
While the iPhone has an on-again off-again relationship with the Chinese market, seemingly unable to commit to that most populous of nations, unlocked HTC G1s are said to be selling like gangbusters there, a tidbit that surely didn't escape HTC's notice. By the sound of it the company is ready to make its feelings official, pledging its undying love (and Android handsets) to arrive in Asia-Pac markets in the first half of 2009. Additionally, the Touch 3G should be on sale in Taiwan as of now, with the Touch HD hitting there before the end of the year. While China isn't specifically mentioned in the report, it's certainly the major market in that region. If HTC could beat Apple to the streets of Shanghai that would be a coup of epic proportions, setting the stage for a global battle of smartphone dominance. Place your bets, folks.
T-Mobile plans to be serving 21 markets with 3G by middle of next month
How convenient, T-mobile. That $199, Android-flaunting, 3G HTC G1, to be officially unveiled next week, is supposed to start selling on October 17th, just when the carrier plans to flip the HSDPA switch on eight new markets: Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Orlando, Philadelphia, Sacramento, San Francisco and Seattle. T-Mobile plans to follow those up with Birmingham, Denver, Detroit, Kansas City, Memphis and Tampa by the end of the year, covering about two-thirds of its customers with 3G before 2009 rolls around. It's been a rough few years for the T-Mobile faithful, but it looks an end is in sight -- at least for the urban among us.
