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Should I cover unsupported Android mods, like rooting?

Should I cover unsupported Android mods, like rooting?
Posted Thursday, April 02, 2009 by John Walton     
Views: 98114
I've finally rooted my G1, and will write a post about it tonight. But I'll probably just lay out the reasons I did it and give a brief overview of the more obvious changes it brings to Android, rather than get into the technical end of things.

I have to admit that playing with a rooted version has reinvigorated my geek passion and I would have a lot of fun covering this stuff. I'd like to know if you all are interested. I'm not going to provide detailed tutorials. I would probably link to the forums where I get the instructions and recommend that you ask people there - who have done all of the hacks dozens of times - for technical support, rather than asking me.

I could do some quick walk-throughs on video though; replacing the splash screen or tethering a laptop to my G1 - stuff like that. Would you like to see me back up and restore everything on my phone? Maybe I'll just make a quick vid to show off multi-touch in my browser. Or, perhaps I'll just continue reviewing apps that work for everyone on a stock G1. It's up to you. (No flooding, nerds.)

EDIT: The addition of hack/mod content would not affect my standard app reviews!


All about: G1, Android, HTC G1
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John Walton
John Walton - Cell phone editor
John Walton is a student and writer who spends most of his free time fingerpicking an acoustic guitar and authoring biographical snippets in the third-person. He lives with his wife and their cat,...

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Comments on this Article

Profile image icon for Onodream
Onodream @ Apr 3 1:58 PM
First, I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed all your test app videos & news about Android
I voted for the last option, because it's always interesting to discover things that we can't find on "classic" phone news website.
The 2nd option sounds good to me too, since you don't have to be too technical, you can just show what you can do, and link the xda forums&co for those who wants more information.
But still, I prefer the last option x)

(sorry if my english is not correct, french inside)
Profile image icon for gbcrush
gbcrush @ Apr 3 8:45 AM
I voted for the middle option as a compromise (instead of voting for each option :D). Of course that might open you up to the previously mentioned hassles...but...

I'd love to see a site like this cover some of the "extra" possibilities of the G1 (and forthcoming phones). To me, it's as much a gateway-geek destination as it is a news/purchase-generation site.

On the other hand, as someone in a position of company responsibility, and as a duly designated representative of the City, County and State of New York, I totally understand not wanting putting anything down that would call marshmallow men in suits down upon the site.

I guess I kind of like the idea of you finding what you consider the best (and the not worth-it) hacks and apps out there, telling us why you think its worth the attention, and then linking off site if readers want to do more?
Profile image icon for edrompa
edrompa @ Apr 2 11:59 PM
I am all for you doing it. I am for modding your phones cause its your phone and I think people need to know what can be done with it. as the first comment said. you might get some basic questions so if you are going to do it maybe a good disclaimer would be appropriate in each post dealing with modded features/content. Also maybe if you could find a legit person who does modding for people if they send them their phone or something.
Profile image icon for PDXMatt
PDXMatt @ Apr 2 11:22 PM
You might be opening a huge can of worms with "What is root?", "How do I root?", "Is rooting safe?" type of questions.
Profile image icon for John Walton
John Walton @ Apr 3 12:29 AM
I've been advised by someone who's been down that road that it's not worth it - that no disclaimer is sufficient enough to save me the hassle that goes along with this stuff. Why do I need to learn everything the hard way?

So far, it looks like people want to see it. I thought I caught a flooder, but they voted once for each option. :0)

I'm leaning pretty hard here - mixing business with pleasure.

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