Latest in root device

So, the brand-new Galaxy S4 has just started retailing! And as most early adopters, one of the first things I wanted to do with my new Galaxy S4 was of course to root it. This post shows exactly how I've done it. The root exploit I used was released by XDA developer cofface. It is not a foolproof procedure, and it does involve some trial and error. The exploit itself offers two rooting methods, only one of which actually worked for me. So, caveat emptor! The good news is that I did end up with a rooted phone, and so can you.
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Rooting your Android phone is a rite of passage. It unlocks the functionality that separates Android from iOS and opens a realm of almost infinite customization. Replacing the entire operating system is possible on a rooted device. So, given the benefits, why aren’t Android phones rooted from the factory? Even those sold by Google, like the Nexus 4 and 7, require root after purchase. Why is that the case?
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I can't say I've been entirely happy with having switched to Android - poor battery life, lack of system updates and general bugginess of my HTC One X being my main issues - but I heard a custom ROM could go some way to making me a happier Android owner. I therefore spent the afternoon trawling through forums, learning how to do the complete installation process from a stock phone, and I'm compiling that here.
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You know what’s boring? File managers. Seriously, file managers are dead-boring – they are almost never exciting pieces of software. But here’s the thing – they’re not supposed to be exciting. A good file manager is there when you need it, can do whatever it is you need it to do, and works reliably. More [...]
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Android’s openness is one of its greatest strengths and makes it possible for most devices to be modified in a number of ways. Customizing your device can add new features and make it feel like it is, well, yours. There’s just one problem. The Android modding community is naturally lead by tech-heads and programmers, two groups of people not known for their ability to communicate with the layman.
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If you’re one of the many Kindle Fire owners that have rooted their device in order to add functionality (such as access to Google Play) then you will want to prevent the update being sent to your Kindle Fire. Once an update is applied, it undoes the root! Fortunately, several apps can be installed on your Kindle Fire that can be used to prevent future Kindle Fire updates.
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Amazon is very keen for the Kindle Fire to not be rooted – after all, this breaks the walled garden that they have set up for installing apps, etc. – and regularly push out updates that are intended to prevent or undo rooting. Meanwhile, problems accessing your Kindle books can also occur after rooting. Fortunately, all of these issues can be resolved, relatively quickly.
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Everyone wants their devices to run faster and scammers prey on that. Recently, a scam app named Android Defrag Pro popped up on Google Play. Android doesn't need defragmentation, but many users installed it anyway and left positive reviews. Android isn't like Windows and doesn't require as much maintenance -- still, there are some things you can do to make your device perform faster.
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I almost ran out of space on my Kindle Fire last week. Sadly, I was away from my computer, which meant I couldn’t simply move data off the device – I would have to delete it! Fortunately, this didn’t cause much of a problem as I was able to connect to my cloud storage account, upload some bulky data and then download the new book to my device. I should add here that not all of the storage on my Kindle Fire was taken up with eBooks!
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Android phones are very tweakable and customizable, even in their stock form without any "hacks". But for some of us, we don't care if they're customizable right when we get them, but instead we want to unlock their complete power to do everything we want them to.
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Like any Android-based tablet, the Amazon Kindle Fire can be rooted. This in turn offers several advantages to the user, such as an increase in functionality via previously restricted apps. Unfortunately, the process of rooting isn’t as simple as it is with other Android devices. While apps such as Z4root can be used with phones and some tablets, the process involved in rooting a Kindle Fire at is a little more complicated.
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Today, I'm here to tell you of an app that blocks unwanted calls and text messages so effectively, you'll never know someone even tried to call or text you (unless you want to know, that is). The application is called Root Call Blocker, and it's offered as a free version, as well as a paid version which costs $7 and is worth every penny (in my opinion, at least).
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No matter which Android device you have, you can take a screenshot without rooting your device. But rooting your device offers you some neat tricks -- even if you’re using Android 4.0. You can take screenshots by shaking your device or wirelessly via a web browser.
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Be it Apple’s limitation on its App Store, or Android’s limitation on screenshots and backup, all OSs inflict some sort of restrictions. The way to get around these restrictions is Jailbreaking. There are veritable wars raging on the subject of whether you should or shouldn’t change your phone this way. So where do you stand?
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A lot of people can agree that the Android operating system is pretty awesome. Not only is it great to use, but it's also free as in open source, so that it can be modified by anyone. This is why custom ROMs, like CyanogenMod, can exist. But how the heck can you install those ROMs onto your device? This requires a couple of steps, so read carefully!
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