11
Oct
unnamed (1)

There's a lot of great things about custom ROMs, but one of the pitfalls is that you need to manually check for updates and install them. Those of you running the popular AOKP (Android Open Kang Project) family of ROMs will definitely want to check out Kangerator, a new app designed to compliment everyone's favorite unicorn-powered Android build. The brand new release is available from the Google Play Store now, free of charge.

unnamed unnamed (3) unnamed (4)

In addition to updates and links to the latest official AOKP builds, the app includes an auto update check feature, which can be set for daily or boot checks.

20
Aug
cyanogenmod-cm10-nightlies-will-be-available-beginning-tonight

When CyanogenMod 9.0 stable was released a couple of weeks ago, the list of supported devices was dominated by Samsung and Sony Ericsson phones. Fortunately, the team has been hard at work since then to bring the popular firmware to as many devices as possible, and HTC EVO 3D owners will be glad to know that they can download a nightly build of CM 9 right now.

The build is currently available only for GSM models of the device, with CDMA remaining unsupported at the moment. Hopefully, as development progresses a little more, it will become available for both varieties of the phone.

18
Feb
CM logo

With over a million unique users, there's a good chance that some of you are running CyanogenMod right now. And if you've been running experimental nightly builds, you may have noticed that they've been getting updated more and more sporadically. According to a post at the CyanogenMod blog today, the problem will only get worse as CM9 and CM7.2 get closer to an official release.

The post explains that in order to get nightly builds released more frequently, the CyanogenMod team needs to purchase new servers, which aren't cheap. That's why they are asking the community for support. You can donate through PayPal at the bottom of the page here, and follow the CyanogenMod blog for further updates.

15
Aug
thumb

It seems HTC has made good on its commitment to begin unlocking the bootloaders of its recently released handsets, starting with the European version of the HTC Sensation. You can find the instructions at HTC's developer portal, here. (You may need to log in). Also, here are the scary things you'll have to disclaim before beginning:

warr terms

So, as long as you realize that your warranty will/might be voided all or in part, get cracking. HTC's instructions are several pages long, and pretty in-depth. You'll have to get the Android Device Bridge (ADB) up and running, as well as HTC Sync (for Windows users) and the latest version of Java.

28
Jul
bootmanager-android

Not content to wait for manufacturers to get in to shape and update our phones to the latest and greatest versions of Android, most of us here at Android Police have had a brush with a number of custom ROMs in the past.

Whether it's the latest version of Cyanogen or a more obscure mod, there is always a ROM floating around on my phone, and until now I've always had to uninstall one before installing the other. Fortunately, that's about to change thanks to a new application on the Market called BootManager.

This article deals with a couple of advanced topics.

10
Jul
htc-evo-3d

HTC has finally laid out a timetable for the release of software updates on phones that will allow the unlocking of device bootloaders. It sounds like HTC will be utilizing a system similar to Sony - which uses a web-based tool as part of the unlock process. Why? HTC states that while the OTA software update allowing unlocking will start rolling out in August, the actually ability to unlock phones won't be ready until early September. So, at the earliest, your EVO 3D or Sensation 4G will be unlockable in about 2 months.

Unfortunately, there's another caveat: HTC hasn't exactly made it 100% clear that August is the date for the release of said software update for the EVO 3D and Sensation 4G.

10
Jul
image

The geniuses behind the AlphaRevX unlocker, which a few weeks ago made rooting, recovery, and custom ROMs possible on the Droid Incredible S, Desire (CDMA and GSM), Wildfire, and Aria just released an updated beta v2, with support for Droid Incredible 2 (aka vivow, the Verizon CDMA version) and Desire S (aka saga).

Incredible 2 owners, it's the day you've been waiting for, which now makes these possible: Exclusive Download + Video: Root-Friendly Flashable Gingerbread Update For HTC Droid Incredible 2 [Leak], [Video] DROID Incredible 2 Bootloader Unlocked [S-OFF] By AlphaRev Team - no more teasing!

Update 7/10/11: The Windows version of AlphaRevX, which was pulled for some bug fixing, is now once again available for download.

09
Jul
htc-droid-incredible-2

Get it while it's hot, kids - the DROID Incredible 2 is officially merged into CyanogenMod, and the nightly builds are now being pumped out (direct link here). These nightly builds may contain bugs, dragons, and other potentially annoying/broken things - so flash at your own risk. Your Dinc2 will also need to be fully unlocked, meaning you'll have to use the AlphaRevX Beta 2 software, which you can learn about in this post. And you'll need a custom recovery, which you can find here. So, you do need to do some work before you can get your CyanogenMod on.

04
Jul
image

The team behind the most popular custom Android ROM on the planet, CyanogenMod, is not planning to take a break even for the national holiday (happy Independence Day, everyone!), giving us a number of new reasons to praise their product over and over again.

Wondering what CyanogenMod already brings to the table? Check out 13 Ways CyanogenMod 7 Makes My Android Phone Feel Future-Proof [Deep Review].

13
Jun
virgin_mobile_thumb

Remember how we ran that story last week about Virgin Mobile laying the smackdown on manufacturer UI overlays? We liked that. But Virgin Mobile wants the Android community to know that they shouldn't consider the prepaid carrier a safe haven for illicit activities like rooting or custom ROMs - not that that's any different from all the other carriers. Here's what Virgin had to say:

"We do not endorse in any way end users using a non-officially tested operating system nor do we approve of 'rooting' devices.  This constitutes a violation of our terms of service and puts our network in jeopardy," a spokesperson said.

Page 2 of 512345