Root Why Root??

[yoyo877]

Okay so I'm brand new to smart phones and almost 60 so bare with me... I am reading many of the threads and keep seeing stuff about rooting? What is it and why do it? Also, any other tips you young people can give this F.O.G.? (Friggin' Old Guy) And damn proud of it too!!!!

 

[Upright]

I'm trying to figure out the same thing myself....Why root? Actually I do know of one reason and that's to tether. Tethering is using your EVO as a internet connection for basically anything that can connect to the internet via WiFi....there is also a USB method for doing this so wiFi isn't the only option but I'm assuming that both methods require rooting the device. That's just one reason that I know of....I'd love to find out the other benefits to rooting....anyone?

 

[patch321]

when you root, do you have to give up ur sprint apps? (tv, nascar, etc?)

 

[Upright]

^^Good question.

 

[chrismmm]

if you are new to smartphone and never j/b or rooted ANY phone then disregard. its simply a method to hack the platform to make it perform better for power users. it actually a great thing but it has a learning curve and small consequences..but then again what doesnt these days. use your phone for what u want it to do sir!

 

[Aragorn]

when you root, do you have to give up ur sprint apps? (tv, nascar, etc?)

You certainly don't HAVE to. But, removing those apps is one of the reasons that a lot of people do root. The builtin apps take up space and often run in the background, possibly eating memory and CPU cycles. So, a lot of people root their phone for the express purpose of remove the Sprint apps.

 

[bck9900]

Hey guys-
So I want to root for the tethering ability (wifi)
But I would also like to change a couple things on my phone; such as the dialer program to look more like the iphone. Please no iphone user bashing; that look was VERY streamlined; with favorites; dialer; voicemail; and contacts all available with one touch.
Is it possiable to skin something like that or would I just have to wait on a custom O/S release?

 

[Upright]

Hey guys-
So I want to root for the tethering ability (wifi)
But I would also like to change a couple things on my phone; such as the dialer program to look more like the iphone. Please no iphone user bashing; that look was VERY streamlined; with favorites; dialer; voicemail; and contacts all available with one touch.
Is it possiable to skin something like that or would I just have to wait on a custom O/S release?

I agree with you about the iPhone's phone section,....it is/was very streamlined but I'm thinking there has to be a good alternative to this on the EVO even without rooting.....hmmmm. What are you guys doing for favorites? The favorite widget seems just a touch on the bulky side for my liking but I may end up using it if there isn't another option.


Lovin' the EVO

 

[pwee08]

this thread should be sticky for other users with the same question as well cleaned up.

 

[Jaybot]

Just rooted mine today and installed the Fresh rom, I am loving the improvements, and so glad that the Sprint bloatware is gone. I was very hesitant on rooting my Evo, but very glad I did.

 

[Upright]

Just rooted mine today and installed the Fresh rom, I am loving the improvements, and so glad that the Sprint bloatware is gone. I was very hesitant on rooting my Evo, but very glad I did.

Can you please go over some of the changes and benefits as you find them? We know that there are the obvious benefits like Wifi tethering and I do like the fact that you can remove the Sprint apps(because most of them I won't use) but I know there are going to be other pro's(hopefully no con's) so don't hesitate to post even the smallest detail. Can you also share the negatives if any,....if you find rooting buggy let us know.

Thanks

 

[mrk]

Overclock/underclock + overvolt/undervolt is/will be important. Current ROMs are, in general, snappier than stock while achieving better battery life. Also, they can be a bit prettier...

 

[TambourineMan]

Can someone elaborate on the "small consequences" of rooting?

What are the risks? I.e., how easy is it to brick it?

Besides removing the limitation of no wifi tethering, what other limitations does it remove? Like the fps video rate cap? Or not being able to upload video except when on 4G.

Is there a good comparison of the different roots available?

 

[ballr4lyf]

Can someone elaborate on the "small consequences" of rooting?

What are the risks? I.e., how easy is it to brick it?

Besides removing the limitation of no wifi tethering, what other limitations does it remove? Like the fps video rate cap? Or not being able to upload video except when on 4G.

Is there a good comparison of the different roots available?

I haven't rooted yet, but will after I'm through with the "honeymoon phase".

The main risk with rooting is basically on the other end of the phone. It gives you administrative access to your phone. Therefore, if you don't know what you're doing, and you start removing apps you don't think you need, then things could get ugly.... I used to hate getting the call from the person who deleted their C:\windows\system32 folder on their PC because it took up too much space.

As far as bricking the phone, it's possible, but kinda hard... Normally, if something goes terribly wrong, you can run the stock RUU and return the phone to stock, re-root, and try it again.

Hope that helps.

 

[clambert1273]

I used to hate getting the call from the person who deleted their C:\windows\system32 folder on their PC because it took up too much space.

wow my dad called you I thought he only called me

 

[MisterEd]

Why root: http://androidforums.com/948602-post26.html

 

[aliveon2legs]

I'm interested to know what kind of quirks/bugs still exist with the current ROMS.

Also, how is the Froyo rooting going?

 

[pwee08]

SO out of everyone having there phone rooted can give a straight answer to what does root actually let you do. Lets say if i root would i be able to change the lock to the nexus lock screen?

 

[effluent]

pwee: if you download Lockbot Pro from the market you'll be able to choose between the Nexus, Hero, iPhone, Galaxy S, and a few other lock screens. And choose a background for it..doesn't have to be your wallpaper, change the clock font/size/position, slider position, sounds, set different lockscreens to cycle each time you turn on the screen, etc.

Here's my current Evo lockscreen with the Froyo theme:

Here's another I've had using the Hero theme: