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Textathon at Desert Ridge November 3rd 2012

October 26, 2012 in Android Blog


ATTENTION: Android Mobile is looking for the fastest thumbs in the WEST!
The Android Mobile TEXTATHON messaging battle is a text-messaging tournament taking place on November 3rd,10th,17th , Finals are on 24th, 2012 to determine which contestants can accurately text various selected words or phrases on a mobile handset in the fastest time. If you think you have the fastest thumbs show up at Desert Ridge Shopping Center!

 

ANDROID MOBILE TEXTATHON CHAMPIONSHIP PRIZES:  There will be one (1) first, (2) second, whose eligibility must be verified by ANDROID MOBILE.  The TEXTAHON champion will receive a brand new KYOCERA RISE.  The second place winner will receive a brand new KYOCERA RISE. Handsets provided will be handsets used in contest. Winners will both receive one moth free service with Virgin Mobile $35 Plan that includes 300 min unlimited text and web.  If you think your thumbs can text faster than anyone please click here to enroll.

Cricket Wireless ZTE Engage

October 16, 2012 in Android Blog

Advanced Android Phones on prepaid carriers.  Finally Android Phones are affordable without signing a contract? Does Cricket Wireless intrigue you? Then have I got the news of the century for you. Meet the ZTE Engage. It’s not particularly exciting. It’s not particularly cheap. But it’s… a phone. And it runs Android 4.0. So there’s that.

56761-V8000-ZTE-FF-HR-lg

56761-V8000-ZTE-Lying-HR-lg 56761-V8000-ZTE-LFa2-HR-lg

The ZTE Engage does other things, too. Like music. And apps. Here are some specifications that describe it:

  • 4.0” WVGA TFT capacitive touchscreen
  • Qualcomm MSM8655T Scorpion – 1.4GHz
  • Dual-Facing Cameras: Rear (8.0MP) w/LED Flash & Front (VGA)
  • MUVE Music Ready with 4GB Muve Music SD Card included
  • Removable MicroSD Memory Card (up to 32GB)
  • Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
  • Lithium Ion 1900 mAh battery

If those don’t get you pumped up, well, you’re probably a person of pretty reasonable expectations. So, how much can you expect to pay for this mundane, rectangular, vaguely DROID Bionic-esque device? $250, starting October 2nd. That’s… actually not very impressive at all. A Galaxy Nexus will cost you $350, and it comes with Jelly Bean. And isn’t a ZTE.

Anyway, if you want to know more about the Engage, engage yourself with the source link below.

Android Mobile | 20811 N Cave Creek Rd | Phoenix AZ  85050 | 602.354.5755

 

Ultra Mobile – Unlimited Plans Starting at $29.99

October 15, 2012 in Android Blog

UltraMobile is ready to launch their monster! An MVNO service using  T-Mobile USA’s network high  that will offer prepaid unlimited talk and text and 1 GB of high-speed data for just $49.99 per month. The launch would put UltraMobile in an increasingly crowded market for MVNOs that includes TracFone, Ting, Jolt Mobile, Solavei and others. If your not wanting to pay the $49.99 UltraMobile is also offering their Unlimited Talk and global text for only $29.99.
According to a source familiar with the company’s plans, UltraMobile has been working to hire dealers for its service, and plans to launch in Phoenix, Az October 15th 2012. The company will sell SIM cards to customers who bring their own phones to the service.

According to a website for UltraMobile, the company’s plans range from $29.99 per month for unlimited talk and text to $49.99 for unlimited talking and texting and 1 GB of data at “4G speeds.” Presumably customers’ data speeds would be slowed after they pass the 1 GB threshold.
A representative for UltraMobile did not immediately return requests for comment.
UltraMobile’s pricing puts it in line with similar offerings from other prepaid MVNOs and service providers, many of which offer unlimited talking and texting and a data allotment for around $50 per month.
If it does launch, UltraMobile will be one of a number of new T-Mobile MVNOs. Solavei, a T-Mobile MVNO headed by former Motricity CEO Ryan Wuerch, is testing an offer of $49 per month for unlimited voice, text and data. T-Mobile itself said it signed agreements with two new MVNOs in the second quarter.
Perhaps the most well-known T-Mobile MVNO was Simple Mobile, which was acquired by América Móvil’s U.S. MVNO, TracFone, in May. At the time of the acquisition, Simple Mobile counted 1 million customers. Simple Mobile offered a SIM-only approach to the market, offering inexpensive prepaid service to customers who brought their own phones to the service.

 

 

Are you a dealer looking to sell UltraMobile Sign up Here

Android Mobile | 20811 N Cave Creek Rd | Phoenix AZ  85050 | 602.354.5755

Rooting Questions and Answers

October 14, 2012 in Android Blog

What, exactly, is rooting?

Rooting your Android device involves adding in a small Linux application called “su”.  It stands for SuperUser, and allows applications and commands to run with elevated permissions.  Everything that runs code, whether it’s an application or the user, has a permission level set by the operating system.

Why Linux?  Well the heart of the Android operating system is the Linux kernel.  You’ll hear a lot of nerdy geek-speak about the Linux kernel, but all you really need to know is that it’s what is interfacing Android to your hardware, and ultimately has complete control.  When you stray outside the “normal” way of using Android and start entering commands directly, the kernel is who you’re talking to.

The root user is the boss and can do anything (good or bad) on the device.  From simple things like clearing the cache from core applications, to more advanced things like wirelessly tethering a laptop or iPod touch through your phone, root can do it.  The su program is a sort of gateway that lets applications or users act as root while doing tasks.  If you’re the curious type (I know some of you are ;) ) here’s a more in-depth review of root as used in a Linux system by the Linux Information Project .

su at the command prompt in Windows

OK, so why would I want to root my phone?

Good question!  Maybe you don’t.  Everything in a Linux system is a file, or is treated as a file. Since Android runs on top of Linux, it acts the same way.  Most of the files you will need to access or change are available to you without having elevated permissions.  “Most” being the key term here.  When you want to do things that affect or change the core software of your device — like updating the version of Android on your phone, or adding a nice piece of software from another device — you’ll have to do it as root.  Dream and Magic users have been running Eclair on their phones for a good while now, and it’s because they have rooted their device.  Rooting also gives you access to some handy software that you couldn’t use otherwise.  Things like a complete system backup or ad blocking software require you to root your device.  Don’t root your phone just for the sake of rooting your phone, but if you come across something you feel you could use or would like to have, then consider it.  You’ll find that the open source community is usually pretty helpful and encouraging new people to do new things is common.  And when you get to the point where you can lend a hand to the new folks, pay it forward.

So it’s like jailbreaking?

Pretty darn close.  Jailbreaking an iPhone or iPod touch opens up things like using applications that aren’t manufacturer-approved or changing the look and feel of the device.  Android already allows this to a large extent.  The changes behind the scenes are the same way.  A lot of what you can do with a jail broken iPhone you can already do with your Android phone, but to really unlock everything you’ll need to root it.  The concept itself is identical.  You’re allowing things that usually wouldn’t have root permission to have them.

power-of-root

Is it dangerous? Will it break my phone? Will it void my warranty?

It can be, It might, and Yes.  By not allowing access to the superuser account, the manufacturer and your carrier have basically protected you from doing things that change the system and make it unusable.  All it takes is one wrong keystroke to turn your shiny new Android phone into a plastic and metal brick with no connection.  Most times this is recoverable, but not always.  You have to decide how capable you feel you are, and how well written the instructions you’ve found seem to be.  Nobody will blame you if you decide against the risk, especially your cell carrier.  All major carriers and manufacturers plainly state that altering or using unapproved software voids your warranty, and rooting falls into that category.  While that seems a bit harsh, they need to be able to support the products they sell.  For that to happen, they need to know exactly what’s running and what it’s doing.

Apps that run as root need a little further consideration.  You need to have a level of trust in the person who wrote the app first and foremost.   Does the developer have other software available?  Do the user comments (for Market apps) have anything that raises a red flag?  Do the requested permissions seem a little odd?  These are all questions you need to think about before you allow something to run as root.  For a further level of security, think about installing an application that warns you anytime something tries to run as root.  SuperUser Whitelist (Android Market link) is a great little app that does exactly that.  If you decide to go on and root, ask users with the same device as you for a link to a version of SuperUser Whitelist that works with your firmware.  Once installed, anytime something wants to run as root, the app intercepts and asks if you would like to allow it.  You’re given the choice to accept, decline, or grant the app in question full privileges each time it runs.

One last thing to touch on here.  Many custom ROMs include some sort of SSH server.  This can be a wonderful tool, or it can get you in hot water.  This is what caused the whole “Rick-Roll” episode with the latest iPhone jailbreak.  The server sits and waits for an outside connection, and if that connection provides the right password full control of the device is turned over.  In the case of the iPhone, users never bothered to change the default SSH password for root.  A clever (or devious) group of users simply scanned for servers listening on the correct port, then attempted to sign in as root with the default password.  Lesson learned, but this is easy to prevent.  Ask other users of the ROM or firmware you’re thinking of flashing if there is a server listening, and if so how to disable it or change the default password.

If I root, will I still receive operating system updates from my carrier?

Maybe.  More than likely if you’ve just rooted your phone so you could have access to the full file system and haven’t drastically changed things, the phone will still pass your carrier’s checks and upgrade.  If you’ve delved deeper and really customized your device, count on not being able to upgrade.  Carrier updates were designed to work with the original software, so they need to be sure that’s what the phone is running.  Again, this is for your own good.  T-Mobile or Verizon can’t offer technical support for things they haven’t trained their technicians on, and if you flash a carrier approved update over custom software it’s probably not going to work.

The good news is that failing the checks the carrier does during an update won’t cause any damage to your phone.  The update will just quit and you’ll be back where you started.  Then you can decide if you would like to un-root and upgrade or take another path.  The worst case scenario is that the phone passes the carriers checks, updates, and then things get broken.  That’s pretty unlikely, but possible.  If that would happen, you won’t be alone.  Everyone in your situation will scramble to their favorite Android user forum and hopefully a work around can be found.

Note -  a carrier update may also break the ability to root the device and a new method will need to be found.  Any discussion of upgrading and root needs this mentioned as well.  Most folks who root and decide to install a custom ROM wait for the ROM developer to provide an update that includes any bug fixes or new capabilities of the carrier update.

OTA updates

Will I still get application updates?

Yes.  While it’s not being used, the program that allows permissions to be upgraded just sits and does nothing.  Normal applications won’t even be aware it’s there, and applications that use it expect it to be there.  Application updates, whether they are from the Market or other third parties will still install as normal.

 

If I decided to ‘un-root’ my phone, how do I do that?

It depends on the model of your phone.  Some are ridiculously easy to revert, some not so much.  This is the most important question you can ask before you dive in and root your phone.  Usually the website you found the method to root your phone will also have a discussion about un-rooting and going back to stock firmware.  Take the time to find and read this information so you’re aware of just how difficult it’s going to be to go back.  Pay close attention and create backups when recommended while you’re rooting your phone, as these may be needed to go back.  I’ve not heard of any device that can’t be restored to factory firmware provided the original was backed up properly as recommended during the rooting process.  The most important thing to always remember is to ask for help.  If you do find yourself stuck without a backup or a working phone and need to roll back, ask for advice.  Our forums are full of fine folks from all walks of life, and the majority are more than happy to help.  There’s a good chance you’re not the first person in that situation and a solution has already been worked up!

As you can see it is something that needs a little thought before you dive right in.  But if you decide you need root access, consider some of the information we’ve laid out here.  The security and other risks are real, but are pretty easy to work with.  There’s no reason you can’t safely root and use your phone, just do your homework first!

Android Mobile | 20811 N Cave Creek Rd | Phoenix AZ  85050 | 602.354.5755

Root your Android Phone and add Jelly Bean 4.1 Now

October 14, 2012 in Android Blog

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let Android Mobile Root your Android Phone and we will install Jelly Bean for FREE. Call us today about getting your phone rooted.

HTC Amaze 4G

The HTC Amaze 4G Android 4.0 update rolled out on May 27th. And while HTC has only released a vague statement in regards to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, we can draw some conclusions of our own. Android 4.1 Jelly Bean is an incremental upgrade and because the Amaze 4G had no problem getting ICS, we assume that it has a solid chance of getting Android 4.1

Unfortunately, HTC has promised anything yet so it and T-Mobile could ultimately end up leaving it on Ice Cream Sandwich, considering the device’s age.

HTC Droid Incredible 2

Droid Incredible 2

HTC and Verizon have yet to device if the Droid Incredible 2 will even get Ice Cream Sandwich, let alone Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. HTC has said it will decide by August whether the device will get Android 4.0 and if it does, there is an outside chance it could get Android 4.1.

We just wouldn’t count on it at this point, not with its age and the vagueness of the ICS update.

HTC EVO 3D

HTC EVO 3D

The HTC EVO 3D just received the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update. Users of the Sprint version though are unfortunately still waiting for the software to roll out. It will arrive though.

This is a sign that Android 4.1 Jelly Bean could be in the mix for the HTC EVO 3D but owners should temper expectations and consider the fact that the phone is now over a year old and Sprint has some new 4G LTE devices to attend to.

Never say never though.

HTC EVO 4G LTE

The HTC EVO 4G LTE is one of Sprint’s newest smartphones and it will be running on its 4G LTE network which launches on July 15th. It runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich out of the box which means it is almost assuredly going to get Android 4.1 Jelly Bean at some point.

The only question now is when and HTC for its part isn’t saying.

HTC One S

The HTC One S is an extremely new phone for T-Mobile’s HSPA+ network and unsurprisingly, it runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich as its operating system. This, along with the Samsung Galaxy S III, are T-Mobile’s current flagship smartphones and there is no way that this device will be left out of the Jelly Bean party.

Neither HTC nor T-Mobile is saying anything but we expect that they will deliver the good news later this year.

Update: HTC has confirmed Jelly Bean for the HTC One S.

HTC One X

The HTC One X came out on AT&T around the same time the HTC One S hit T-Mobile. In fact, they are both part of the HTC One Series family. And like the HTC One S, the One X runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

HTC One X, do not worry. Android 4.1 Jelly Bean will be yours, we promise.

Update: HTC has confirmed Jelly Bean for the HTC One X.

HTC Rezound

Ultimate Android 4.0 Update List: Which Phones Will Get Ice Cream Sandwich?

The HTC Rezound Ice Cream Sandwich update has yet to roll out but it appears to be close. Again, HTC hasn’t said anything yet but we’d be very surprised if the HTC Rezound and its impressive hardware were left with an update to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

It also helps that this is a phone that is only a little more than a half a year old.

HTC Sensation 4G

The HTC Sensation 4G Android 4.0 update has rolled out, which, like with the HTC Amaze, means that the phone has a decent shot at getting Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Its age is getting up there but it still has some pretty decent hardware.

HTC ThunderBolt

HTC ThunderBolt

The HTC ThunderBolt came out in March of 2011 and has been running Android 2.3 Gingerbread ever since. However, HTC and Verizon have promised that it will get Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich later on this year.

While that’s great, we don’t expect it to get upgraded beyond that. In fact, we almost feel like Android 4.0 might have been Verizon and HTC throwing owners a bone considering the phone’s issues after launch.

You never know though.

LG G2x

LG G2x

While the LG Optimus 2X has confirmed to be getting Android 4.0, T-Mobile’s G2x is still waiting for a sign of life in the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich department. We assume that it will get it at some point down the road, but an upgrade path to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean doesn’t seem likely given how long owners have been waiting for ICS from T-Mobile.

Motorola Atrix 4G

Atrix 4G

Motorola has said that Ice Cream Sandwich will be rolling out to the Motorola Atrix 4G in Q3. We don’t expect Motorola and AT&T to roll out Android 4.1 Jelly Bean to the device considering its age but if ICS runs well, maybe they’ll come to a decision to release Jelly Bean to owners.

We just wouldn’t expect it, Atrix owners.

Motorola Atrix 2

Atrix 2

Like with the original Motorola Atrix, Motorola will be rolling out the Motorola Atrix 2 Ice Cream Sandwich update in Q3. However, because the Motorola Atrix 2 is newer than the original Atrix, there is a better chance of it seeing the upgrade to Android 4.1.

Motorola has yet to confirm ICS for any device other than the Motorola Xoom tablet, so there is hope at this point.

Motorola Droid 4

The Motorola Droid 4 will get Ice Cream Sandwich in Q3 but there is no telling whether it will get anything beyond that. Remember, the Motorola Droid 3 was launched in 2011 and when it did, it launched with Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

The Motorola 3 will never see Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, an operating system that launched around six months after the Droid 3 arrived on shelves.

We’d hope Motorola and Verizon would get their best QWERTY slider ever up to speed with Android 4.1 but at this point, we can’t say for sure.

Motorola Droid Bionic

Droid Bionic

The Motorola Droid Bionic will get Ice Cream Sandwich in Q3, a long wait for those who picked up the device all the way back in the fall of 2011. At least the update is coming though.

The Droid Bionic has some solid hardware and a pretty hardcore user base so Motorola and Verizon would be wise to update the phone with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. However, as we’ve seen, the device is sort of the forgotten device and it’s possible that the companies will decide not to upgrade it.

Keep those fingers crossed, Droid Bionic owners.

Motorola Droid RAZR

Droid RAZR

The Motorola Droid RAZR Ice Cream Sandwich update is close to rolling out. Given the fact that it will get ICS and that there are tons of consumers who bought this phone, the demand for Android 4.1 Jelly Bean will be loud.

This is a device that Motorola and Verizon would be smart to upgrade and we think that they probably will.

Droid RAZR owners will just have to be patient though.

Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX

Like the Droid RAZR’s Ice Cream Sandwich update, the ICS update for the Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX is extremely close to rolling out to owners. The Droid RAZR MAXX is also one of, if mot the most popular Android smartphone on the market.

Motorola and Verizon won’t want to disappoint owners and given the fact that this device is fairly new and will soon be running Ice Cream Sandwich, we think Android 4.1 Jelly Bean is a sure thing.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus

Galaxy Nexus

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus HSPA+, the unlocked version of the device, will be the first device to receive Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Google has confirmed that the update will be rolling out in July, although it failed to say when exactly.

The Sprint and Verizon versions of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus are definitely going to get the update as well. Neither carrier has confirmed it but it’s a current generation Nexus device.

We just hope that both Sprint and Verizon update it in a timely fashion.

Update: The Samsung Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ has received its Jelly Bean update but the Sprint and Verizon Galaxy Nexus’ remain Jelly Bean-less. Well, save for a nice little leak for the Verizon version.

Samsung Galaxy S II – (Galaxy S II, Epic 4G Touch)


Epic 4G Touch

Two of the three Samsung Galaxy S II models here in the United States have already been graced with Ice Cream Sandwich. The AT&T and T-Mobile Galaxy S II’s saw ICS roll out recently leaving Sprint as the only Galaxy S II on a major U.S. carrier still running Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

There are millions of people who own these devices and they are still top notch. Samsung has yet to comment on the Galaxy S II’s upgrade path but it’s certainly possible that those two things won’t cut it.

Remember, the carriers will want to entice people to buy the Samsung Galaxy S III and that could mean upgrading it with Android 4.1 and not the Galaxy S II.

Only time will tell.

Update: The Galaxy S II Jelly Bean update has been rumored for a Q4 release, though, Samsung’s plans for the device remain unclear.

Samsung Galaxy S III

The Samsung Galaxy S III is Samsung’s latest Android smartphone and it runs Android 4.0 out of the box on all four major U.S. carriers including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon.

Considering how new this device is, it would be a shock to see it without an upgrade to Android 4.1. Samsung hasn’t confirmed it, but we expect it to be among the first that receive confirmation.

Update: Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy S III will be getting Jelly Bean “very soon.” U.S. owners should not expect to get it until later though.

Samsung Nexus S (Nexus S 4G)


Nexus S

Both the Nexus S and Sprint’s Nexus 4G were the proud recipients of Google’s Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update. The Nexus S will for sure be getting the Android 4.1 update, both Google and Samsung have said that it’s rolling out in mid-July, but Sprint’s device is currently out in the cold.

We assume that it will, like the regular Nexus S, get Android 4.1.

Update: The Nexus S 4G remains without Jelly Bean though the Nexus S has received its update.

Samsung Galaxy Note

AT&T’s Samsung Galaxy Note, its 5.3-inch phablet, is still without Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. We know it’s coming but it has been absent for the more than four months that the device has been on shelves.

Still, this is a popular and unique device and AT&T will want to please its customers. It also helps that the Galaxy Note has some powerful hardware. At this point, there is no reason to think that this phone won’t get Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

Update: Samsung has confirmed Jelly Bean for the Galaxy Note and says it will roll out very soon. Like the Galaxy S II, owners in the U.S. should expect it later.

Sony Xperia Ion

The Sony Xperia Ion is going to be launching on AT&T with Android 2.3 Gingerbread on board. Sony has said that it will get the boost up to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich at some point but we just don’t know when.

It has hardware and newness on its side, but it’s possible that Sony will just keep it on Android 4.0, especially if it’s a dud.