Root What are the Advantages of rooting Nexus One?

[konoplya]

hi all. just wanted to know what is the main reason behind rooting the nexus one? it seems like there's already an app for tethering so rooting is not really needed for that. thank you.

 

[Ryjabo]

hi all. just wanted to know what is the main reason behind rooting the nexus one? it seems like there's already an app for tethering so rooting is not really needed for that. thank you.

I'm thinking about rooting mine, but only for a few reasons.

1. Customizing the default Live Wallpapers. (like this, for example: http://androidforums.com/samsung-moment/75328-new-live-wallpapers-sort-d.html#post812681)

2. Removing some standard apps (like the stupid Amazon MP3 store).

Eh can't think of anything else, other than that I'd love to change the color of the white notification bar (maybe make it transparent) and changing the color of the notifications icons.

 

[BrwnEydGirl]

hi all. just wanted to know what is the main reason behind rooting the nexus one? it seems like there's already an app for tethering so rooting is not really needed for that. thank you.

Great question!! I've been wondering the same thing too. I'm not a big fan of a few pre-installed apps and wallpaper but that alone doesn't seem enough to root for me... so I'm wondering if there are other reasons for rooting this device.

 

[Roze]

Reason to root:
- Apps2SD is a popular reason to root, but with 2.2 (unofficial release out) and OTA coming soon, this isn't a big of a reason anymore.
- colour track ball light notifications (in 2.2)
- open up more RAM (internal memory) to use (in 2.2)
- Overclock or underclock the processor.

Reason to not root:
- Root WILL void your warranty. But from other users experience, HTC still honour your Nexus warranty even if you root it seems.
- Chance of bricking your phone (though I've read that it's pretty hard with the N1)
- 2.2 is coming out in a couple of weeks and a lot of reasons to root are featured in 2.2

Some discussions other users asked on this topic:
http://androidforums.com/all-things-root-nexus/74868-thinking-about-rooting-have-some-questions.html

http://androidforums.com/all-things-root-nexus/38224-benefits-rooting-n1.html

http://androidforums.com/all-things-root-nexus/44955-questions-regarding-rooting-n1.html

 

[BrwnEydGirl]

Thank you Roze. I find your reply to be very helpful and easy to understand.

 

[Roze]

Thank you Roze. I find your reply to be very helpful and easy to understand.

No problem If you have the T-mo N1, you can install the unofficial 2.2 update. It won't affect the 2.2 OTA update when it arrives and you can get some root features (apps2SD is the only thing that's a work in progress with the dev). If you have the AT&T version, like myself, then I'd say wait until 2.2 comes out

 

[konoplya]

thanks for your help roze.
so if you root you won't be able to get OTA updates.. how then can you install them on your phone?

 

[Euforeik]

thanks for your help roze.
so if you root you won't be able to get OTA updates.. how then can you install them on your phone?

As for updates in software you go into what they call recovery mode. In this you can put ROMs which is different types of software for your phone. People modify software with different features. The ROMs are .zip files you move to your SD card. Once in recovery you flash these .zip files onto your phone. After you flashed you are running different softwares. You can always revert back to the stock software.

For some reasons to root there are superuser permissions. Lets you run things such as using the LED flash for a flash light, SET CPU which lets you control the speeds your processor runs in certain situations. Flashing ROMs lets you run different software. Thats all i can think of on the top of my head.

 

[konoplya]

As for updates in software you go into what they call recovery mode. In this you can put ROMs which is different types of software for your phone. People modify software with different features. The ROMs are .zip files you move to your SD card. Once in recovery you flash these .zip files onto your phone. After you flashed you are running different softwares. You can always revert back to the stock software.

For some reasons to root there are superuser permissions. Lets you run things such as using the LED flash for a flash light, SET CPU which lets you control the speeds your processor runs in certain situations. Flashing ROMs lets you run different software. Thats all i can think of on the top of my head.

right, those are ROMs but what about OTA updates that google sends out? i dont want to flash my phone every time an update comes out.

 

[Roze]

right, those are ROMs but what about OTA updates that google sends out? i dont want to flash my phone every time an update comes out.

From what I've read, if you unlock the bootloader/root but you are still on stock ROM (no 3rd party ROMs) then you should be able to do the OTA update.

http://androidforums.com/all-things-root-nexus/78825-will-root-interfere-ota-2-2-upgrade.html

 

[Euforeik]

right, those are ROMs but what about OTA updates that google sends out? i dont want to flash my phone every time an update comes out.

I read somewhere that you can put the 2.1 original ROM on and you would get the update but I don't know if that actually works. I'll probably try it out when 2.2 is released out to the public.