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How To Root The Droid X – Custom ROMs Still Unavailable

July 24, 2010 By NotLost Leave a Comment

It took all of 6 days for the supposedly “unrootable” Droid X to be rooted.

However, only root access has been gained.  It’s still not possible to install your own ROM or remove MOTOBLUR from the phone.  The locked down bootloader looks like it’s going to take some time to hack, but in the meantime you can enjoy all the other benefits of having a rooted phone.

However, the Droid X root does permit you to do the following:

  • Remove all bloatware and unnecessary programs from the Droid X like CityID, MyVerizon, Amazon MP3, and Blockbuster (if you want to keep them, just don’t delete them) – just remember not to remove any MOTOBLUR files (most have BLUR as part of the file name)
  • You can install Android Market apps that require root access like Screen Shot Apps, Titanium Backup, and Root Explorer.
  • You can do wireless tethering without waiting for the Android 2.2 Froyo update or paying the $20/month fee that Verizon would like to gouge you for.

Want to root your Droid X?  Visit this site for the instructions and be sure to read these warnings or you could potentially brick your phone which will turn your beautiful Droid X into a $600 paperweight.

Motorola Droid X

Filed Under: Android Tagged With: Android, droid x, droid x root, how to root droid x, motorola droid x, rooted droid x, verizon

Motorola i1 Review – Ruggedized Android Phone

July 19, 2010 By NotLost Leave a Comment

For those who’ve been waiting for an Android powered smartphone a little sturdier than the likes of the EVO 4G or Droid X, Motorola has released the Motorola i1 for the Sprint network.

While most of the features and specs are rather pedestrian at this point (for example, it sadly only has Android 1.5), the major selling point here is that it features Nextel Direct Connect (push to talk) and it meets Military 810F Standards for ruggedness.  That means it’s built to take some abuse so if your job requires you to be out in the field all day on construction sites or the like, this thing is built to take it.

It’s also the first Android powered smartphone to support iDEN.

The price – $149.99 with 2yr contract or $399 if you’d rather not sign a contract.

Specs:

  • Android 1.5
  • 600 MHz Processor  (Freescale ARM11)
  • 3.5 hrs talk time / 96 hrs standby  (1400mAh battery)
  • 230MB internal memory for user storage (for apps, contacts, etc)
  • 3.1″ Screen – 480 x 320 Resolution (TFT Display)
  • Ruggedized – Mil-Spec 810F for dust, shock, vibration, blowing rain
  • 2GB microSD storage (included) – support for up to 32GB
  • 5MP Camera with LED flash
  • Push To Talk (iDEN)
  • 4.63 oz (131 grams)
  • 4.65″ x 2.28″ x .5″ (118 x 58 x 12.8 mm)

Motorola i1 - Ruggedized Android Phone - iDEN

Filed Under: Android Tagged With: 810f, Android, iden, motorola i1, nextel direct connect, rugged, ruggedized, Smartphone, sprint

Samsung Galaxy Beam Review – I8520 – An Android Smartphone With Projector

July 17, 2010 By NotLost Leave a Comment

If you thought that the title for best smartphone was between Apple, HTC, and Motorola (sorry RIM), Samsung would like you to hold off on crowning a king.

And with the release of the Samsung Galaxy Beam I8520 (currently only available in Singapore -- U.S. and U.K. release date unknown), they’ve certainly caught our attention.

In many ways it’s a pretty standard Android powered smartphone.  It currently runs Android 2.1 with a 2.2 Froyo update expected, its a slightly underpowered with a 800MHZ TI OMAP processor, and has what has become the new standard size camera (8MP and 720p video camera) and 16GB of storage space and of course has an AGPS chip

Samsung Galaxy Beam With Built in Projector.

However, Samsung didn’t stop adding features there and in fact if they could have made it fit, they probably would have included a kitchen sink.

It sports a Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 800 x 480 (a very worth competitor to Apple’s retina display, some would say it’s even better), an FM tuner, Bluetooth 3.0, and an 802.11 B/G/N antenna.  Yes, 802.11 N!

However, the real kicker is that this camera is the first smartphone to feature a built in 50″ projector.  Now you can do impromptu Powerpoint presentations to your heart’s content.   As a business owner who has to do a lot of on location presentations, I can tell you I’m chomping at the bit and crossing my fingers to get one of these puppies.

Again, no U.S. carrier has been announced for this phone and we don’t know when or even if it will be available here, but it’s another worthy contender for title of best smartphone.

You can see the projector in action in this video:

Filed Under: Android Tagged With: Android, android 2.1, built in projector, droid, galaxy beam review, i8520, pico projector, samsung galaxy beam, Smartphone

The White iPhone 4 Will Finally Start Shipping… Just Not Yet

July 16, 2010 By NotLost Leave a Comment

If you’ve been waiting with baited breath for the release of the elusive white iPhone 4, then your wait is almost over.  Steve Jobs announced today that the white iPhone 4 will start shipping at the end of July.

Update 7/23: The white iPhone 4 is proving to be a bit of unicorn (i.e. it doesn’t exist) – Apple is now saying that it has been delayed again although now they’re being quite vague about when it will ship saying only that it will ship sometime later this year.   While speculation is running rampant as to why with folks claiming that they’re having production issues and others saying that they want to fix the antenna issue before shipping them.  No matter the reason though, it’s a disappointing day for those anxiously awaiting the mythical white iPhone 4.

White iPhone 4

Filed Under: iPhone Tagged With: apple, shipping date, white iphone 4

How To Get Your Free iPhone 4 Case

July 16, 2010 By NotLost Leave a Comment

In response to complaints about the iPhone 4 having antenna issues when you hold it a certain way, Steve Jobs has announced that anybody who buys an iPhone 4 until September 30th will get a free iPhone 4 bumper case to go along with it.    For those who purchased a case from Apple already, they’ll get a refund automatically.

That should fix most peoples’ antenna issues.

If you already purchased the bumper case from Apple, they’re automatically giving refunds and you should see the credit post soon.

If you don’t already have a case, here’s how you get one:

Visit the official iPhone 4 Bumper case program page from Apple or download the iPhone 4 Case Program App from the App store.  Then just follow the on screen instructions and your case will be sent to you free or charge.

Note:   For those who already purchased an iPhone 4 case from a third party or on eBay, you unfortunately don’t qualify for a refund from Apple.

What do you think -- is this a satisfying solution for you or should Apple be doing more?

Filed Under: iPhone Tagged With: antenna, bumper, dropped calls, free case, iphone 4, reception, steve jobs

Motorola Droid X vs HTC Evo 4G

July 15, 2010 By NotLost Leave a Comment

With the official release of the Droid X on Verizon today, I thought it’d be a good time to do a comparison on the Droid X vs the HTC Evo 4G.   Both are top of the line, flagship smartphones running Android OS (2.1 currently, but both expect 2.2 Froyo updates soon) on their respective carriers but let’s jump into the nitty gritty specs to see if we can find a winner between the two.

Processor

Both phones sport blazing fast 1GHZ processors, though not the same one.  The Droid X has a new TI OMAP 1GHZ processor while the HTC Evo 4G has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 1GHZ processor.  The new TI processor is the faster of the two, though both pack plenty of processing power.

Display

Both of these phones discriminate against those with small hands as both feature 4.3″ displays.  The Droid X has an every so slight advantage in resolution  with 854 x 480 display while the Evo 4g has an 800 x 480 resolution though in practice you won’t notice a difference (the Droid X does have more natural looking colors on its display though).

Memory

It’s a draw here as well with both phones having 512MB of RAM.

Storage

The Droid X comes with an impressive 24GB of storage (8GB built in, 16GB Micro SD card included) while the HTC Evo 4G has a mere 8GB.  If you have a lot of music or videos you’d like to watch on that big display, then the Droid X is the clear winner here.

Carrier

As has become the norm for premium smartphones, each phone is carrier exclusive.  The Droid X is a Verizon Wireless exclusive phone and the HTC Evo 4G is a Sprint Exclusive.  In my experience both carriers are quite good and I can’t say I’ve had problems with either.    The one advantage that you’ll get with Sprint is 4G coverage though it’s only available in a handful of major cities at this point.  However, if you live in one of those areas, Sprint is probably a no brainer at this point.  If Verizon ever gets the iPhone, I’ll probably start recommending people get Sprint since there will be considerably more strain on Verizon’s data network.

Camera

HTC Evo 4G Vs Motorola Droid X - Android Powered Smartphones

Both phones sport 8MP dual LED flash cameras.  However, the EVO 4G has a 1.3 MP front facing camera for video conferencing (using QIK).  We’ll give the edge to the EVO 4G on this one.

And the winner is…

If you can find one (and there have been plenty of shortages much to the dismay of Sprint), the HTC Evo 4G gets a slight edge over the Droid X but unless you really want video conferencing and live in an area with 4G coverage, you’ll probably be quite pleased with a Droid X as well.

Filed Under: Android Tagged With: 1ghz, Android, droid x, droid x vs htc evo 4g, froyo, htc evo 4g, motorola, sprint, verizon

List of 4G Phones, Devices, and Smartphones Available

July 13, 2010 By NotLost Leave a Comment

Thought I’d get started on making a list of 4G phones available for each cell phone carrier (U.S. carriers only).

4G is also called LTE or WiMax depending on who you talk to but they all refer to the same thing.

Right now it’s a short list which makes this easy for me.

Sprint 4G Phones (coverage area)

HTC EVO 4G – The one and only 4G phone on the market in the U.S. as I’m writing this.   Coverage is still pretty limited but if you’re in an area with 4G coverage, then get this phone! (It still works on 3G networks of course, it’s just not as fast).   Sprint is having a hard time keeping these phones in stock, but if you want a 4G phone, go down to your local Sprint store or Best Buy (they have the white one) and they’ll hook you up.

Samsung Epic 4G – This phone is scheduled to launch later this year and is slated to become the second 4G phone in Sprint’s lineup.   A specific date and pricing have yet to be released – as far as specs go, so far we know it will have a 4 inch screen, Android, a physical slide out keyboard, a VGA front facing camera,  a 5MP rear camera, and 16GB of storage space

Verizon 4G  Phones (Verizon’s 4G network is called LTE – “Long Term Evolution”)

None – No, not even the ballyhooed Droid X has a 4G/LTE antenna.   Verizon is launching their LTE network in November 2010, expect 4G phones to follow shortly after.

AT&T 4G Phones (AT&T Also uses LTE Technology for 4G)

None – AT&T is planning on launching their LTE network in 2011/2012.  Expect the next iPhone (the real iPhone 4g?) to have an these antennas next June.

T-Mobile 4G Phones

None – Not sure when to expect an LTE network from T-Mobile as they’re lagging behind in this area or if they’ll survive long enough as a phone carrier in the U.S. to even build one.

As you can see, despite a lot of talk about 4G and LTE networks, they’re still a long way from being ubiquitous and widespread and only one carrier in the United States even has 4G technology commercially available.

Expect to see a lot of updates to this list around Christmas 2010 and into 2011, but for now if you want a 4G phone, the HTC EVO 4G Phone is your only choice.

Filed Under: Smartphones Tagged With: 3g, 4g phones, at&t, htc evo 4g, list of 4g phones, long term evolution, lte, samsung epic 4g, sprint, T Mobile, verizon, wimax

Yoda Voice For TomTom Devices Now Available

July 13, 2010 By NotLost Leave a Comment

Worried that your GPS will guide you to the dark side?  Fear  not TomTom users, now you can get an official Yoda voice for your TomTom GPS in addition to the Darth Vader, and C-3PO voices already available for $12.95.  Compatible with TomTom version 5.0 and higher.

Learn all about it here -- and here’s a video to watch:

Filed Under: Gps Tagged With: Gps Navigation, pnd, star wars, Tomtom, tomtom voices, yoda voice

How To Jailbreak The iPhone 4 – Guide – Tutorial

July 13, 2010 By NotLost Leave a Comment

The latest iteration of Apple’s iPhone 4 has proven to be the most difficult of the iPhones to jailbreak yet.

However, that hasn’t stopped people from trying, and persistence has paid off.  The iPhone 4 has been jailbroken.

I’m just going to give you the links on how to do it here since I don’t want to take credit for someone else’s work:

Advantages of jailbreaking the iPhone 4

If you’re not sure if jailbreaking is a good decision, here are some of the advantages (and the main disadvantage) to jailbreaking your phone.

Jailbreaking the iPhone 4 (elusive white iPhone 4 shown)

The big advantage to unlocking the phone is that you no longer are at the mercy of Apple’s App Store telling you what you can and can’t install on your phone.  In the past this has included tethering, multi-tasking, and being able to easily change settings.  The new iOS 4 has fixed some of these issues, but there are still plenty of apps out there that you won’t find in the App Store that you can install on a jailbroken iPhone, like wi-fi synching.

The main disadvantage of jailbreaking is that it voids the warranty of your phone and there is a real risk of “bricking” the phone – i.e. permanently disabling the device.   This can happen on any phone you try to unlock, not just the iPhone.

Filed Under: iPhone Tagged With: guide, ios 4 jailbreak, iphone 4, jailbreak, root, tutorial, unlock iphone 4

5 Good Reasons To Root Your Android Phone

July 12, 2010 By NotLost Leave a Comment

While Android is an open source operating system, that doesn’t mean the phone will let you do whatever the heck you want.  While it’s not nearly as locked down as the iPhone and iOS it’s not quite as open as some of us would like either.

So in this post, I’ll give you several good reasons to root your phone, one reason not to, and six tutorials for popular Android phones (the tutorials are at the bottom).

  1. Better Performance – Let’s face it, having true multi-tasking is great but sometimes the phone gets pretty bogged down.  Rooted users often find much improved memory management and performance.
  2. The Latest Updates – Even if your phone is on the fast track for the latest OS updates (Nexus One, Motorola Droid), it can still be months from the release of the newest Android OS and the time it gets pushed to your phone.  If you root your phone, you can often get the latest updates in less than a week and get all the enhancements that come with it.
  3. 3. Overclocking – In addition to getting better performance, you can also get apps that will allow you to overclock the processor on your phone which will help speed up your phone.  And the cool part is that popular overclocking apps will actually underclock your processor when it’s not being used in order to conserve the batter and then overclock it when it needs the performance boost so the result is a faster phone when you need it and a battery that lasts longer – best of both worlds.
  4. Wi-Fi Tethering – While this option will be available natively (theoretically, at least unless the carrier disables it) on 2.2 phones, this option is available now for rooted users.   That means if you’re in an area with no open Wi-Fi and don’t happen to have your USB cable with you, you can still use the internet connection on your phone.
  5. 5. More Apps – Using a rooted phone doesn’t mean you have to forgo using the Android Market for apps – you can still use all of them.   But there are some apps that are built only for rooted users and you’ll be able to download and use them.   

Rooting Your Android Phone

A good reason NOT to root your phone? It voids your phone’s warranty and there is always a small chance you could “brick” the phone (i.e. the phone won’t work at all).  I know many people who have rooted their phones without any problems whatsoever, but just keep the dangers in mind.

Here are the specific instructions for six of the most popular Android Phones (just about every Android based phone has been unlocked, though I can’t find one for Garminfone which due to low popularity and a very heavily customized version of Android has proven very difficult to unlock at this point).

How To Root The HTC EVO 4G [tutorial]

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=690762

How To Root The Motorolad Droid (the original one) [tutorial]

http://theunlockr.com/2010/06/04/how-to-root-the-motorola-droid-android-2-1/

How To Root The Droid Incredible [tutorial]

http://www.droid-life.com/2010/06/14/how-to-root-and-unroot-the-droid-incredible/

How To Root The Nexus One [tutorial]

http://androidandme.com/2010/01/hacks/video-how-to-unlock-and-root-a-nexus-one/

How To Root The Droid Eris [tutorial]

http://www.solidblogger.com/root-droid-eris-android-1-5-2-1-download-droid-eris-root-image-file/

Filed Under: Android Tagged With: Android, good reasons to root your phone, how to root your phone, root android phone, root droid, tutorial
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