Officially Unlock the Transformer Prime Bootloader

Brandon Orndorff
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Asus Transformer Prime

Many users of the Transformer Prime have complained about the locked bootloader on the device and Asus has announced they will release a tool to unlock it. The official statement came from Asus stating that the bootloader was locked due to provider requirements for DRM client devices to be secure.

While not the first time a tool has been released officially by a manufacturer to unlock its devices bootloader, it is nice to see Asus join the club. They have said that the tool is in the works and that an unlock solution will be available soon. This unlock tool when available will however stop a user from being able to use apps like Google Video and other applications that require the security feature

The official statement is as follows:

Regarding the bootloader, the reason we chose to lock it is due to content providers’ requirement for DRM client devices to be as secure as possible. ASUS supports Google DRM in order to provide users with a high quality video rental experience. Also, based on our experience, users who choose to root their devices risk breaking the system completely. However, we know there is demand in the modding community to have an unlocked bootloader. Therefore, ASUS is developing an unlock tool for that community. Please do note that if you choose to unlock your device, the ASUS warranty will be void, and Google video rental will also be unavailable because the device will be no longer protected by security mechanism.

Archos DECT-Enabled 35 Android Home Phone

Brandon Orndorff
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Archos DECT-Enabled 35 Android Home Phone

Archos Android Home Phone DECT 35
Archos was one of the first names in Android, giving people on a budget the ability to own and Android tablet. Archos has now released their new home phones that run Android 2.2 called the DECT phone.  This will allow those of you that want Android based home phones the ability to do so.  Even though most of us have completely gotten rid of our land lines in favor of our smartphones this is a pretty cool concept.

Archos DECT Android Home Phone Features:

  • 1GHz processor
  • 3.5 inch display
  • Wifi built in
  • downloadable games
  • browse the web
  • front facing camera
  • 8GB internal storage
  • microSD slot

The Archos 35 Smart Home Phone will allow you to change the ringtone the same way you do on your mobile device by putting an mp3 on the device as its ringtone.  Also there is the ability to upload your contacts and share them with other devices.  This will let the caller id also show the image of the caller assuming you have the image in your contacts.  As you can imagine with the front camera you can do video calls on your landline phone, you can check your email, and even surf the web.

Those of you who have been waiting for a home phone running Android now have options. This device looks to be a great addition to the tech enabled home and should prove to be an industry leader in this line of innovation.   From what we have seen the release date is some time this September and the price point will be at around $159.  We would be interested in hearing when you get your hands on an Archos 35 Smart Home Phone and any thoughts you have on these new home phones after using them.

Root the Amazon Kindle Fire After 6.2.1 Update

Brandon Orndorff
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Amazon updated the Kindle Fire to version 6.2.1 in an effort to stop users from rooting the device but root access is back. This update to 6.2.1 took root access away from user along with blocking the ability to re-root the way it was done previously. Root access is again available for the Kindle Fire now on version 6.2.1.

NOTE: This method requires ADB on your PC

How to Root the Amazon Kindle Fire 6.2.1:

  1. Connect your Kindle Fire to your PC via USB
  2. Run BurritoRoot on your Kindle Fire (Download Link)
  3. Click “Root” and set the Kindle Fire Aside
  4. Download and unzip Superuser (Download Link)
  5. Open a Command Prompt on your PC
  6. Navigate to the location of your ADB Installation
  7. Type “adb root”, press enter
  8. Type “adb remount”, press enter
  9. Type “adb push su /system/xbin/su”, press enter
  10. Type “adb shell chown 0.0 /system/xbin/su”, press enter
  11. Type “adb shell chmod 06755 /system/xbin/su”, press enter
  12. Type “adb install com.noshufu.android.su-1.apk”, press enter
  13. Type “adb reboot”, press enter

Congrats your Kindle Fire is now rooted running version 6.2.1 and below. If you run into any issues drop us a line and there is also more information at Rootzwiki. The people that get the credit for the above method are … Justin Case (case), Vashypooh, Trevor Eckhart, IOMoster , AndroidPolice.com, RootzWiki.com, and ChainsDD.

Sony Ericsson Devices Getting Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich

Brandon Orndorff
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0

Sony Ericsson promised a while ago that they would bring Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich to their 2011 devices and now heres the list. They have detailed the list of phones that will get the update along with when the updates will start rolling out. The following devices will get Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich between late March and early April.

We have to assume that the updates will start pushing out in March as they say although getting updates to all of their devices could take the rest of the year as we have seen in the past.  We can also state with some educated thought that some of these devices may disappear from the list over the next several months as they will likely not update them all even though they plan on it.

Sony Ericsson Phones Getting Android 4.0:

  • Xperia™ arc S
  • Xperia™ neo V
  • Xperia™ ray
  • Xperia™ arc
  • Xperia™ PLAY
  • Xperia™ neo
  • Xperia™ mini & mini pro
  • Xperia™ pro
  • Xperia™ active
  • Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman

While Sony has stated that these devices will get the update they only promise the update for non-carrier versions. Of course its up to the Carriers themselves to allow the update on their devices.  Let us know if you own one of the devices on the list and when your device gets the update pushed to it.  We would also be interested in you carrier and location to see who gets the updates and who may never be lucky enough.

Firefox 9 For Android Available

Brandon Orndorff
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Firefox 9 For Android Available

Firefox 9 for Android

Mozilla has introduced Firefox version 9 to the Android Market this morning and it looks great on tablets. The new Firefox 9 has been optimized for larger screens to increase the browsing experience with a new interface.

Whats in Firefox 9 for Android:

  • New Look for Tablets – more intuitive mobile browsing on larger screens like tabs have been optimized for tablets.
  • Full Screen Portrait Browsing – tabs are listed in the top left menu and can easily be hidden to view in full screen even when in portrait orientation.
  • Tab Optimization – tabs are in a pane on the left side of the screen allowing you to still see full websites on the right side. You can swype to the left to hide tabs as well.
  • Action Bar with Quick Access Buttons – you can now access preferences, add-ons, downloads and other menu items from the new action bar. Also the back, forward and bookmark buttons are back for easy access.
  • HTML5 Input for Camera Access – developers can build mobile websites and web apps that allow you to use your camera for scanning or whatever while still surfing the net.
  • HTML5 Form Validation – the HTML5 form validation API is now supported in Firefox 9.

Let us know what you think of Firefox 9 now that its available. We have started to mess with it but haven’t really dove into more than the main new features and will update with anything we find.

Some HTC Phones Banned in The US

Brandon Orndorff
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Apple vs HTC

Apple again has gained ground on HTC Corp. through winning a patent infringement ruling. The U.S. International Trade Commission reviewed a judges findings in July and found that HTC is violating an Apple patent over data-detection technology. The International Trade Commission has issued a limited import exclusion order that will start April 19th 2012.

Peter Toren, a patent lawyer with Shulman Rogers in Potomac, Maryland said “The battle between Apple and Android is going to continue, I’m not sure this decision, the way it is, is enough to push the parties to settlement. Apple doesn’t have the leverage of a total exclusionary order.”

This said Google representatives have had no comment on the affair and HTC says they will remove the patented technology from their devices soon.

We haven’t been made aware of a full list of devices that are being banned and can’t seem to find very much concerning the full scope of the ban.  This being said I highly doubt that HTC will have much trouble getting everything fixed and back in the US.  Apple seems to have given up on innovation in favor of litigation and we are seeing the start of a downhill slide for Apple.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see their value decrease and stocks fall quickly with all of the lawsuits they have started and lack of truly new devices.

Droid X Gets CyanogenMod 9 Ice Cream Sandwich Port

Brandon Orndorff
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0
Droid X Gets CyanogenMod 9 Ice Cream Sandwich Port

Despite the Droid X having a locked bootloader, the popular Verizon device has received a CyanogenMod ICS port. Those of you owning a Droid X will have some time to wait before you get an official Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update if ever.

Droid X Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich PortWorking on the Droid X ICS Port:

  • Radio (including 3G, calls, SMS)
  • Bluetooth
  • GPS
  • 2D (hardware accelerated!) & 3D (kinda buggy)
  • Wifi (if it doesn’t work, reboot)
  • Sensors (including rotation/accelerometer)
  • Audio (DSP force closes rarely, but still works)
  • SD Card
  • All hardware buttons
  • Charging
  • USB

Not Working on the Droid X ICS Port:

  • Camera
  • Voice Input (excluding calls)
  • MMS
  • Speakerphone (sounds + music still work through speaker)

There are many bugs still and you may not want to use it yet as your every day phone OS but a very nice start. If your interested in the Ice Cream Sandwich port for your Droid X it is available as a nightly build. Be sure to backup before you attempt the flash.

AT&T Devices That Have Carrier IQ Installed

Brandon Orndorff
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0

AT&T says that they have around 900,000 users using phones with Carrier IQ installed. Carrier IQ is the spyware that comes preinstalled that cannot be force closed and sends usage data down to home button clicks to the carrier. While there is a list of eleven devices that AT&T has released that have this installed we have found it on other devices as well one of which being the original Atrix 4G.

Carrier IQ Removal InstructionsAT&T Devices with Carrier IQ Installed:

  • Motorola Atrix 2
  • Motorola Bravo
  • Pantech Pursuit II
  • Pantech Breeze 3
  • Pantech P5000 (Link 2)
  • Pantech Pocket
  • Sierra Wireless Shockwave
  • LG Thrill
  • ZTE Avail
  • ZTE Z331
  • SEMC Xperia Play

The following devices also have it installed but are inactive due to its interfering with the devices performance.

  • HTC Vivid
  • LG Nitro
  • Samsung Skyrocket

Also keep in mind that Carrier IQ is packaged in some applications like the free AT&T Mark the Spot application. While your AT&T device may have Carrier IQ installed there are apps available to remove it as well as the ability to install a custom ROM to remove it.

Android 4.0.3 Platform and SDK Tools Available

Brandon Orndorff
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0

Today the Android 4.0.3 Platform and updated SDK tools were released for Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. This release includes not only many optimizations but also bug fixes for phones and tablets. The API level is now 15 with a few added API’s for developers.

New API’s in Android 4.0.3 Include:

  • Social stream API in Contacts provider: Applications that use social stream data such as status updates and check-ins can now sync that data with each of the user’s contacts, providing items in a stream along with photos for each. This new API lets apps show users what the people they know are doing or saying, in addition to their photos and contact information.
  • Calendar provider enhancements. Apps can now add color to events, for easier tracking, and new attendee types and states are now available.
  • New camera capabilities. Apps can now check and manage video stabilization and use QVGA resolution profiles where needed.
  • Accessibility refinements. Improved content access for screen readers and new status and error reporting for text-to-speech engines.
  • Incremental improvements in graphics, database, spell-checking, Bluetooth, and more.

You can get the new SDK by downloading it through your Android SDK Manager or going to http://developer.android.com.

Keep in mind that the Android SDK is always improving and updating to newer more stable versions all the time.  In order to stay up to date you will need to visit the site linked above to find the new version.  Of course it will be updated periodically for ICS but an entirely new version of the SDK will be available when Android Jelly Bean is released.  Take note that when the newer versions are released the old ones will still work although newer devices may not be able to run the apps that you release.

UPDATE:  They have already updated the Android SDK since writing this article and it has only been a few weeks.  This being said the new features list would be impossible for us to keep up with so visit Android’s Developer site via the link in the middle of this article to get the latest SDK.

Install Google Wallet on Verizon’s Galaxy Nexus

Brandon Orndorff
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Install Google Wallet on Verizon’s Galaxy Nexus

Google Wallet

Verizon’s opting to not include Google Wallet on their Galaxy Nexus wont stop you from getting it on your phone anyway. Its a really simple process and allows you “pure Android” phone to be just that. Google Wallet can be installed simply by rooting your Galaxy Nexus and installing Rom Manager.

How to Install Google Wallet on the Galaxy Nexus:

  1. (REQUIRES ROOT) – Root instructions here
  2. Install ROM Manager from the Android Market
  3. Place the Google Wallet Fix on your SD Card (Download Link)
  4. Search and flash the Google Wallet Fix through ClockworkMod
  5. Congrats you have Google Wallet and a $10 signup bonus!

We aren’t sure exactly why carriers opt to not include such sought after features to their devices since it seems to be a deterrent when people are choosing a carrier after knowing the device they want.  Since Google has released a feature like NFC built into their Android platform the use of it seems to be a common want and Verizon is ignoring it.

Even with all of this being said carriers like Verizon should see that even opting out means absolutely nothing when your dealing with a community like Androids as they will find away around it.  Verizon is shooting itself in the foot when it comes to new users that aren’t interested in rooting their devices and waiting their time with those that are just going to get around it anyway.

Let us know if you follow the steps above and how everything is working for you.  We would be interested to  know if the process is as easy for some of you as it was for us.  If you do have any issues please let us know those as well so others can learn from them and we can address them as they come up.

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