Android Dose

Yes we all know by now that the Droid X has been rooted but what does it really mean? Well you can use Apps that require Super User priveledges such as Titanium Backup or Dropcap, as well as the other Root requiring apps. Probably the most important thing you can do with root is remove the “bloatware” Motorola and Verizon chose to add to the device, such as Skype, Amazon MP3 or the utterly useless Blockbuster App… (Never been a fan of Blockbuster and they are 2 feet in the grave and shoveling dirt on themselves as a company).

photo credit: intomobile.com

Continue reading “So the Droid X has been rooted… Still no Custom ROMs in sight” »

With all the bad press that the Droid X has gotten in the media about its lack of support for enthusiasts and hacking it seems there is more bad news for the Droid X, While this isn’t a major security flaw it is disheartening for the standard users out there that don’t think about doing a factory reset. With the Droid X if you do not do a factory reset deleted contacts and text messages may remain available in the “Contact History” section of the contacts list. Droid X MotoBlur FTL!

Well it couldn’t remain invulnerable forever! While nothing close to the EVO’s little secret, Droid X users have discovered that just deleting a text message or call log will not prevent it from showing up on the phone. Apparently, even after deletion these items can be found in the contact app under Contact History. Luckily, these are all deleted after a system wipe so this isn’t nearly as bad as some other issues on other devices. This can be disconcerting for some, though. When Verizon was asked about it, they said that it was an issue tied in with the MotoBlur software installed, not Verizon’s and can be found in other Motorola handsets as well.
Continue reading “Droid X is cozy with your personal info, It likes to hoard it!” »

Motorola has acknowledged the encrypted/locked bootloader on the Droid X. Basically its the same story they gave us in Feb with the Milestone… Take it for what its worth read the full release @ Moto

We know there has been continued interest in the topic of bootloaders on Motorola’s Android devices as well as how we make use of the eFuse technology on DROID X and other handsets.  We’ve recently released a company statement with additional information which you can find below.

Regards,

Lori

via Statement on recent bootloader and eFuse questions – MOTODEV Discussion Boards.

I found a disappointing article over at AndroidGuys this evening and I’m just getting around to posting it. I had seen a few tweets about it as well… Looks like its pretty much confirmed that Motorola has locked the bootloader on the Droid X what a bummer. There has also been a bit of a stir in the Android community to call for Motorola to be ousted from the Open Handset Alliance a similar movement grew when the milestone bootloader was confirmed locked down. Unfortunately this means that while the hacking community may be able to root the device it may not be a permanent root and there is a very likely chance that we wont be seeing custom ROMs for the Droid X… These new details coming to light are probably going to be putting the power user group of Android users off the device. Still it will be popular I’m sure. Check out the link below for the full story.

One of of the best Droid developers in the game, Stephen Bird, recently  had a chance to dig into the Droid X system dump and confirmed what many of us had feared.  Yes, that’s right, the Droid X is locked down Motorola Milestone style, locked bootloader and all.  In fact, it is the same encryption that is locking the Droid X bootloader that is locking the Motorola Milestone bootloader.

via Droid X Bootloader Encrypted, Custom ROMs Probably Not Happening | AndroidGuys.

I had a pretty busy day yesterday and wasn’t able to post as much as I wanted, So I’m making up for it today! Plus there has been some interesting developments around the world.

Android gets a mobile payment system curtosy of Google Checkout… It sounds a little hackish at this point but will certainly help people out there start taking credit card payments that couldn’t before (I’m thinking the SF Bay Area Technology Flea Market and mobile vendors). This is one of those products to watch out of the Google stable! Read more via AndroidCentral

Take the Paid App Pledge… What does that mean? It seems us Android users are getting a bad wrap for not buying apps? Our friends over at AndroidGuy.com came up with a great idea! A pledge drive! While AndroidGuys is saying take the plunge for $5 a week (which admittedly isn’t steep and I and joining up for $5 a week) I would like to add if you can’t realistically afford $5 a week do everyone a favor and pledge to purchase at least 1 app a week (and most are in the $1-3 range so this shouldn’t hurt too bad) skip that SuperSize or wave the desert for a meal and you’ve paid for an app, which will certainly help the community at large! Read More about this Awesome Twitter Campaign at AndroidGuys.com

Adobe’s AIR platform is making headway towards becoming a via app platform on Android! A pre-release version has made its way out into the wild via Droid-Life, They have also included some apps that run on the framework. Check it out let us know what you think so far, Just keep in mind its not a released product yet so it may still be buggy. via Droid-Life

A couple of days ago MIT shook up optometry with an Android app and a little hardware device, It looks to help make eye exams more accurate there by making our prescriptions more accurate! Read all about it at AndroidAndMe

Best Buy has opened up Droid X pre-orders again yay! I’m underwhelmed (Since I can’t afford one) For those that were looking to save themselves from the $100 Mail in Rebate its great news though… via AndroidSpin

Verizon locks up another exclusive “Christopher Nolan’s Inception” is a new game for Android. It seems this upcoming Sci-Fi action flick has been given the top down maze treatment a-la pac-man (at least thats what I picture) I’ll be doing a little bit more in depth review on the game today or tomorrow hopefully Check out AndroidGuys for more on the story

2 Tablets were announced on Friday, These are always my favorite bits. I’m itching to get my hands on a tablet! Witstech and German ISP (yes ISP) 1&1 have released tablets! Check out Witstech’s A81-E at Pocketables and the German 1&1 “SmartPad” as its being dubbed at TalkAndroid I think I may try and get my grubby mitts on that Witstech deal! I’d love to see that in action! 2.1 is the clincher for me, I have almost no desire to see 1.6 on these tablets and there are so few viable options for 2.1 at this point I’m going to see what I can’t do to get one!