android_news

How To Backup protected and paid Android applications for root users

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:50:21 +0100

Now, you can use AppManager to backup most apps, but protected apps are not included in this because they are stored in a different directory. With a rooted phone, you can access this directory and copy the apps to your SD card or to your computer.

First method, copy with your phone to SD card:

Install and open a Terminal Emulator on your phone.
Enter su to be superuser (root).
Enter cd /data/app-private/ to enter the protected application directory.
Use ls to view the apps in the directory.
Enter cp filename.apk /sdcard to copy a single app to your SD card.
(Or to backup all the protected apps: cp * /sdcard)
If you want to backup all your apps, they can be found in /data/app/

Second method is to use Android Debug Bridge with your PC:

Install the Android SDK on your PC
Connect your phone to your computer via USB cable, and make sure USB debugging is enabled on your phone (Settings > Applications > Development)
Enter adb shell to fire up Debug Bridge and enter shell mode
Enter su to become superuser
Enter cat /data/app-private/filename.apk > /sdcard/filename.apk to copy the file to the SD card.
exit
exit
And finally adb pull /sdcard/filename.apk filename.apk pulls the .apk file from your SD card to your computer.

Success? Problems? Moral issues with copying software? Let us know in the comments.

How To Root the Sprint HTC Hero and Samsung Behold 2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:44:03 +0100

HTC Hero

First you need to download the Android SDK. It may sound confusing but it's not. There are tools in here that we need. You can get it from http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html. This is a modular SDK and all the tools we need are in this download. Once downloaded you just need to extract it in a directory of choice.

The next thing you need to download is asroot2. This is a script that was developed that runs an exploit in Android's linux that allows your to run root. The link for that is here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/atta...2&d=1257621154. Unzip that file and place it in a directory of your choice. Also download http://www.androidspin.com/downloads...roc-v1.2.3.img and place that into the same directory you extracted asroot2.

You have to first install the driver for the phone. When Windows asks you for the drivers, direct Windows to the directory you extracted the SDK into. You should see a folder called usb_driver. If you are running the 32 bit version of Windows select the x86 folder. If you are using a 64 bit version then select the x64 folder. Then select the android_usb.inf file. This should install the drivers.

If running XP or lower you will need to go to the start menu and click run, then you enter cmd and press enter. If Vista or higher you will press the start button and type cmd and press enter. When you are at the command prompt you cd to the directory you extracted the sdk into. Then cd into the tools directory. Then execute the following commands:

adb push /directory_you_placed_asroot2/asroot2 /data/local/
adb shell
chmod 0755 /data/local/asroot2
/data/local/asroot2 /system/bin/sh
mount -o remount,rw -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock3 /system
cd /system/bin
cat sh > su
chmod 4755 su

Now your phone is officially rooted! We arent done yet though. Now you need to flash the recovery image. If you are still in adb shell type in exit until you are out. You should be in the directory where you extracted the recovery image. If not go there. Type in the following:

adb push recovery-RA-heroc-v1.2.3.img /sdcard/

Once that is done, type in adb shell (or sudo ./adb shell in ubuntu). If your command prompt is a dollar sign then type in su and press enter. If it is a pound sign you are good. Then type in the following:

adb shell flash_image recovery recovery-RA-heroc-v1.2.3.img

Once that is finished you are done!

Samsung Behold 2

As with the Hero, the first thing you need to do is download the Android SDK. It may seem a confusing but it's not. There are tools in here that we need. You can get it from http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html. This is a modular SDK and all the tools we need are in this download. Once downloaded you just need to extract it in a directory of choice.

Download this file: http://www.4shared.com/file/148564303/bf9be869/try3.html

Press Windows+R, type in cmd.
Then do:
cd <Directory where try3 is>
adb push try3 /data/local
adb shell chmod 0755 /data/local/try3
adb shell
./data/local/try3 /system/bin/sh
mount -o rw,remount /dev/st9 /system
cat /system/bin/sh > /system/bin/su
chmod 04755 /system/bin/su
exit
exit

And thats all! Hooray

Verizon says Tethering is Coming to Motorola DROID Early 2010

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:22:06 +0100

For those who will soon get their hands on the Verizon DROID by Motorola, the Big Red has a nice surprise waiting to happen. Verizon has confirmed that in early 2010 the DROID will have access to the Verizon Broadband Access Connect plan.

As we all know, the Motorola DROID will launch this next Friday, November 6th at $199.99 after a mail-in rebate, and of course, new two-year agreement. And for those who are planning to get tethering with their DROID, well, it will likely be priced at the usual $15 per month on top of your regular data contract.

Since a standalone data card from Verizon gets you a 5GB per month limit, we believe that would be the same with the DROID. But, as we mentioned before, you will have to wait until “early 2010″ to be able to use your laptop on-the-go paired with your new Android phone by Motorola.

Sony Ericsson’s Rachel UI gets leaked [video]

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:18:11 +0100

It would seem as if November is the Android month, with the new MotorolaDroid coming to Verizon on November 6th. And the rumors pointing towards November 3rd to the date that Sony Ericsson will be launching a new Android device.

I have to say this, when I watched this video the first time, I couldn’t help to feel the anxiety of getting this Sony smartphone. And I’m willing to bet, that most of you will feel the same way. I don’t have anything against Android, but lets be honest, media playback on an Android phone just doesn’t cut it, until now it would seem.

Sony Ericsson’s new device is expected to be named either the Xperia X3 or X10. And this new UI demo focuses on Rachael’s new media playback interface, with far improved album management, photo browsing and video playback than any other Android phone, in my opinion. It also seems to borrowed from the Zune HD, check the homescreen, which has a layout very similar to the Zune HD’s QuickPlay menu.

Well, I won’t go into more details, just check the video below and judge for yourself. But I tell you this, when this New Sony device comes out, I will be tempted to either drop my current phone, or get the Sony and carry two smartphones with me all the time, although some people already do that, so I might end up doing just that.

Android 2.0 gets Google Maps Navigation Beta [Video]

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:04:40 +0100

Google Maps Navigation Beta is an update to the company’s free GPS app, initially exclusive to Android 2.0 devices such as the Verizon DROID by Motorola, adding in turn-by-turn directions, vocal prompts, speech-recognition and more.

The software – which is likely to strike fear into the hearts of standalone PND manufacturers and GPS software providers – has Google search is built in; you can tap in – or, by holding down the search button, search by voice – an address, landmark or business and get a list of results. Points of interest (such as gas stations) along the route are also given priority in searches, while both satellite mapping and Street View imagery is shown.

You can place shortcuts to commonly-accessed destinations on the Android 2.0 homescreen, and of course there’ll be integration from the Contacts. There’s also a new UI more suited for in-car use, which has larger icons and a predominantly voice-controlled menu system.

Google out Android 2.0 Eclair [Video]

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:53:16 +0100

Google has announced Android 2.0 Eclair, and anyone with any doubts about the platform’s prowess should take a look at the changelist to see just how serious the search giant is. OS 2.0 brings with it support for multiple simultaneous Google and Exchange accounts, together with quick contact menus for speedier access to different methods of communication. There’s also a unified email inbox and SMS/MMS search.

The camera now has native flash and digital zoom support, together with white balance, color effects and macro focus. HTML5 support has been added to the browser, together with double-tap-to-zoom, and there are now thumbnails in the bookmarks pane.

It’s possible to set the SMS/MMS inbox to automatically delete old messages once it reaches a preset size, and there’s support for Bluetooth 2.1 and the OPP and PBAP profiles. We’re expecting to see Android 2.0 appear with a flourish on the Verizon Droid by Motorola tomorrow.

Android Adoption about to Explode, According to different Sources

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:18:19 +0100

We all know Microsoft was the biggest player in the mobile OS arena for a long time, not because WinMo was the best, but because it was a lonely business in the past. With more and more cellphone makers turning to the free Android OS from Google, all that is changing. The New York Times and FT.com, had each an interesting article on that matter.

With about a dozen Android phones announced this year along, and maybe dozens more coming next year, Google, it would seem, is about to get so far ahead of Microsoft. We know that Motorola has dropped WinMo from its entire line to switch to Android. And even Palm – a long time WinMo supporter – has dumped the Redmond OS in favor of their new webOS.

Add to the mix the poor satisfaction rating among the WinMo customers, and it doesn’t look good at all for the Redmond giant. With 32 carriers in 26 countries, Android is becoming a big player in the cellphone arena, and it has been out in the market only for a year, so the future for the relatively young OS looks bright.

Lets not forget though, that the Microsoft OS still has many corporate fans, so I would not say WinMo is dead, but with the rest of the players updating their systems faster and more efficiently, Microsoft needs to watch out. What do you think about this situation? Don’t forget to let us know in the comments area.

Barnes & Noble Nook may run Android applications

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:10:37 +0100

Barnes & Noble officially unveiled its slick Nook eBook reader last week that will be powered by Android. The cool reader has an e-Ink display for reading and a secondary color display for viewing other content. At the time the device was announced Barnes and Noble was not clear on how much Android would play a roll in the device.

According to sources close to the project, the Nook will be able to run Android apps. What the source was not clear on is if only apps specifically written for the Nook will be compatible or if the device will get access to the entire Android Marketplace.

If the Nook offers full access to all Android apps, it would certainly add extra to its appeal and put the Kindle in some hurt. The Nook will ship at the end of November for $259.

Google: Expect 18 Android Phones by Year’s End

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 01:35:36 +0100

By year’s end, there will be at least 18 phones on the market worldwide based on the Android operating system, Google disclosed for the first time Wednesday.

Andy Rubin, senior director for Mobile Platforms for Google and the spearhead of the Android operating system, said the number could be as high as 20. (That figure does not include devices made by manufacturers that use a basic Android system but have not apprised Google of its use). The 18 to 20 devices Google knows about will be made by eight or nine different manufacturers, Mr. Rubin said.

He declined to say which manufacturers will make said phones or for which wireless carriers. At present, there are at least two Android-centric phones — T-Mobile’s G1, available in the United States, and a phone called “Magic” made by HTC and available in Europe.

Mr. Rubin said that, in general, carriers will be slower to introduce Android phones in the United States than in Europe. The reason, he said, is that the domestic market is so competitive that carriers and handset makers want to create highly distinctive versions of the Android phone to give themselves an edge.

Indeed, the ramping-up of Android phones intensifies a battle among some of the world’s biggest software companies to create the operating system for the world’s phones (of which there are now 4 billion). Android goes up against a coming-soon new version of Microsoft’s mobile version of Windows; Apple’s proprietary iPhone system; the BlackBerry platform; a new Palm OS for its Pre, called WebOS; Symbian (mostly proffered by Nokia); and a host of Linux-based systems.

It is, in short, while the carriers and handset makers battle, a pitched and wide-open contest to control a new generation of higher-powered mobile devices.

For Google, what was important about Mr. Rubin’s disclosure was both what he said and where he said it. His comments came at a conference in San Francisco for developers of applications for Android phones. These are the behind-the-scenes folks who will help distinguish Android from Apple’s iPhone or the Palm Pre, the BlackBerry and Nokia app stores, etc.

On the question of apps, Mr. Rubin reinforced Google’s position that Android is an “open” platform, though, critically, that concept has some nuance to it. It goes like this: there are three flavors of Android. Each is free. But the versions place different requirements on the handset manufacturers and wireless carriers. The differing versions — and the way they’re being adopted — give an insight both into Google’s goals and to the way the market is receiving those goals.

1. The obligation-free option: device manufacturers can download a free version of Android, load it onto their devices and provide access to as many or as few apps as they want. But the manufacturers cannot preload popular Google applications, like Gmail or Google calendar.

2. The small strings option: Same as Option 1, except that manufacturers sign a distribution agreement to include Google applications on the phone. Of the 18 to 20 phones coming out this year, Mr. Rubin said, 12 to 14 subscribe to this option.

3. The bigger strings option or the no-censorship version: These phones Google calls “The Google Experience.” They are physically distinguishable by the “Google” logo on the phone. They include a range of Google applications that the carrier and handset maker agree not to remove from the phone. The carrier and handset maker also agree not to censor access to the Android market. Which means that if some developer comes up with an application that some people find distasteful, or that gets bad press, it must nevertheless remain available to consumers. Of the phones coming out this year, five or six belong to this category, Mr. Rubin said.

The third category provides risk and reward opportunities. The openness of the store could be a hit with consumers, but could also lead to poorly constructed applications or ones, like the baby-shaking app for the iPhone, that could give Google a taint (however temporary and press driven).

When it comes to apps, Mr. Rubin said: “We want to abide by the law, but not rule with an open fist.”

Updates on Acer, Sony Ericsson, and Panasonic Handsets

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 01:33:29 +0100

Add another name to the ever growing list of Android handset makers. Panasonic is thinking about getting in on the Android juggernaut. Speaking at a press conference on their future business strategies, Panasonic board member Keisuke Ishii said, “We are seriously considering developing an Android-based handset and entering overseas mobile phone markets in fiscal 2010.” No specific details were given beyond that.

Even though it’s been reltively quiet out of the Sony Ericsson camp, they confirmed this week that they were working to release an Android handset in the “near future.” It’s pretty tough to get through a translated page to glean much information but we did see that it is expected to be released using Android 2.0, which is currently being touted as Donut. The term ‘near’ future is subjective so don’t go thinking 2.0 is right around the corner just yet.

Acer still plans to get their first Android handset out this year. With 9 out of 10 upcoming handset running Windows Mobile, it seems that the smartest phone they’ll release in 2009 will be Android.