Root Rooting the Acclaim

[MrERainey]

I work for US Cellular as a rep. I've had several customers ask about rooting the Acclaim, has anybody managed to do it yet?

 

[Mr312]

If I need to root my Acclaim in order to remove some of the useless apps that were included, im in. I cant wait until I can delete all that US Cellular included crap on my phone

 

[rasmith3530]

@MrERainey: As an associate, this is probably not something you should be pointing customers to. That said, so far, I haven't heard anything about anyone successfully rooting the Acclaim, but the place to watch is probably the XDA Developers web site. Being an exclusive to US Cellular and what many would consider an entry level device, this phone may not get quick attention from those who build the rooted ROMs.

@Mr312: Why are you in such a hurry to delete a few of your phone's apps? They don't take up all that much space in the greater scheme of things. Your Navigator is better than Google Maps in many ways, and My Contacts backup isn't all that bad either. City ID I resonally don't find all that useful, but EverNote is kind of cool. Quickoffice is handy (I read docs on my phone), and althoughTwidroyd is not my favorite Twitter client, it is usable. I've still managed to install another 30 or so apps on my phone and still have room for more.

 

[Bat~man]

@MrERainey: As an associate, this is probably not something you should be pointing customers to. That said, so far, I haven't heard anything about anyone successfully rooting the Acclaim, but the place to watch is probably the XDA Developers web site. Being an exclusive to US Cellular and what many would consider an entry level device, this phone may not get quick attention from those who build the rooted ROMs.

@Mr312: Why are you in such a hurry to delete a few of your phone's apps? They don't take up all that much space in the greater scheme of things. Your Navigator is better than Google Maps in many ways, and My Contacts backup isn't all that bad either. City ID I resonally don't find all that useful, but EverNote is kind of cool. Quickoffice is handy (I read docs on my phone), and althoughTwidroyd is not my favorite Twitter client, it is usable. I've still managed to install another 30 or so apps on my phone and still have room for more.

I agree on the rooting issue. It may not get that much attention at all, I'm not saying never...but when the new Samsung Galaxy S line coming any day now...it definitely gets more attention.

As far as the app removal, I'm not sure how you could even comment on that...apps are 100% user preference and what's good and useful to you might be the total opposite to someone else.

 

[okwriter]

I'm new to smart phones, so help me out here... I've seen that term "rooting" before regarding phones, but what does it mean?

 

[Mr312]

@rasmith3530: ill never use evernote, facebook, Latitude, Places, Twidroid, Tone Room Deluxe, The Weather Channel, City ID

Plus, even more important, at least to me, its my phone. I should be able to delete anything I want to, whenever I want to.
http://androidforums.com/members/rasmith3530.html

 

[dcollins23]

Exactly. It's irrelevant whether or not the apps will be used, it's the comfort and capability of being able to remove any application. Precisely why jailbreaking/rooting is ideal.

 

[rasmith3530]

Let me first say that I have been modding my phones for years. I have seem edited Moto's, edited the registry on Windows phones, and installed betas on BlackBerrys. None of those made my phones less secure. Rooting an Android does that though.

No one has mentioned the downsides of rooting, so I'll take a stab at same. First, if you root, you've just voided your phones warranty. Something happens, you own it. Of course, there is also the possibility of bricking your phone in the process of rooting it. Note the threads on XDA from folks who are trying to recover their phones after a root job gone bad. A day doesn't go by that someone isn't on one of the forums asking for help.

Now, one of the first rules that noob Linux admins learn is not to run their systems as root, saving root access to be used only while making changes which require greater than user authority. This is taught because root access allows one to do virtually anything with a system including destroy it.

Android is a port of Linux for mobile devices. As such, many of the rules that hold true for desktop PC and server Linux systems, holds true for Android. This is actually compounded on Android, as there is no password for root once the phone is unlocked.

Windows systems suffer from so much malware precisely because, by default, the user is also the administrator on the local machine. If someone (or their malware) can crack your user account, you are pwnd, and your machine is owned. When you root your Android phone, you've done the same, except you didn't even have a password to stop someone.

So, by all means, root your phone to delete a few megs worth of application files, then install your banking app and use it, so that the key generator some black hat can now install across the network, is able to do its thing!

 

[driftwood]

So, by all means, root your phone to delete a few megs worth of application files, then install your banking app and use it, so that the key generator some black hat can now install across the network, is able to do its thing!

hahahaha, quality sign off

 

[rasmith3530]

When you use many applications, data is being read from/written to the application files. Flash memory is designed to only have so many read/write cycles before it fails. If you install applications to Flash, it speeds up that process. If you're doing this with 32GB MicroSD-HC cards, it could get expensive!

So, now that you are aware of the downsides of rooting your shiny new Android phone, check out the latest episode of HAK5, where Darren uses a rooted Android and one of HAK5's WiFi Pineapple to do a bit of packet sniffing. Just keep in mind that while you are doing this, since you are using a completely open connection on a totally unsecured phone, any data you have on that device is wide open for others! Note that when Darren performed the "su" (elevating him to root), he was not queued for the root password, and that is because there is none!

HAK5 Episode 724

 

[dcollins23]

Ras, you've put forth a great effort showcasing the dangers of rooting an Android phone. Excellent. You've enlightened us with the worst-case scenarios of otherwise taking control of one's own property. I'll say it again: it's irrelevant what the user wants to do with his/her phone. What is relevant, however, is the question of "how do I root my phone so I am fully capable of removing stock applications?"

While many (myself included) appreciate your warning, you have to realize that rooting Android devices is becoming more common and acceptable. It's just another way these phones separate themselves from the iPhone, and can be pretty awesome. If you can't say anything because you're a "loyal U.S. Cellular employee" then offer nothing. But, I wouldn't use scare tactics to prevent curious users from hacking their phone.

 

[rasmith3530]

Suicide is becoming more common and acceptable. I wouldn't recommend it either, but there are quite a few unenlightened folks who have no problem with it! ;-)

Sorry, but I just could not resist. Have a great day dcollins23!

 

[dcollins23]

You're quite right. Rooting an Android device is more common and acceptable, much like suicide! Your input continues to thrive in this thread. Keep up the good work, U.S. rep!

 

[di0d3]

Please remember that there are quite a few useful apps that require your Android phone to be rooted. WiFi tethering almost always requires your phone to be rooted, and this is a huge request from smartphone users. Windows Mobile users had no problems doing this without any type of modification in the past, but essentially their OS was already rooted from the beginning. We live in a world based on technology. If you want a secure phone, go buy a RAZR. If you want a phone where you have complete control over how it performs, buy a smartphone. Your phone is only as unsecure as you allow it to be.

 

[Mr312]

Maybe if USCellular didnt include so many shitty apps that I cant delete I wouldnt need to root it. Serisouly, who uses myspace anymore?

Not to mention the most important thing of all. When I went to uscellular to get my acclaim the deal was I get the samsung acclaim for $149 if I sign a 2 year contract. I paid the money, signed the contract. Now, it is MY PHONE. Not uscellulars or samsungs, MINE. If I want to root it, I will.

What if my rooted phone has a problem that requires a replacement or fixing at a uscellular and they try to decline fixing or replacing it? I will raise a holy hell and I can guarantee you that I WILL get my phone fixed or replaced, and then root it again. (I know your thinking it wont happen, but it will. Raise hell and talk to the appropriate people and things get done.)

Maybe its just me being stupid, but when I own something I like to actually have control of it. (Thats why I bought it). Otherwise they should be renting phones instead of selling them.

 

[IncognitoMosquito]

I was wondering about this too, and while it'd be awesome to delete some of the more shitty apps US Cellular randomly put on there, I'd rather keep my warranty, and since i dont know very much about programming or linux, to not destroy my phone (the warning posted earlier was helpful for me, as I was unaware of these consequences, and dont wish to test my luck at newb hacking). The solution i came up with was use an app to hide the unwanted applications from my app drawer. Sure they're still there, but i never see them and that's almost as good. (if you're wondering, LauncherPro app has this ability).

The apps take up very little space, and while the OCD part of my brain would prefer to delete them forever, the part of my brain that doesnt want to destroy my expensive phone wins.

 

[Deleted User]

While supporting the wishes of the hobbyists who want to root their phone, this topic has convinced me that the risks outweigh the benefits. If I were more technical with regards to my phone, I might consider it, and might again a year or so down the road when I've learned more. However for now I'm just going to leave it be. (Just got my Acclaim Saturday.)

 

[rasmith3530]

D.R. one idea might be to learn something of how Linux works, as it is the OS underpinning Android. You can get "Live" CDs, such as the one offered for Ubuntu that you can "test drive" on your PC without installing anything. Just a thought.

 

[skuddy]

i just want to put this out here. because i work for us cellular, and have been modding phones for a while, us cellular and not. you will probably never see a root for the acclaim. entry level means developers will not want to do anything with it in the first place. its exclusive to us cellular, meaning no one really cares about it. also, its kind of a crappy android phone, you probably should have waited for a real device to come out.

 

[rasmith3530]

skuddy, I will agree that we are probably less likely to see a rooted ROM for the Acclaim, because it is a US Cellular exclusive. Less demand equals less chance that someone will put forth the effort. Looking back, I did enjoy the DCD ROMs and USCC-specific Carrier Cabs on my old PPC6800.

That said, although the Acclaim is a basic offering (no Sense, no MotoBLUR, basic 2.1 interface), I would not say it's a "crappy phone" by a long shot. It has a physical keyboard, unlike the Desire, and once you start actually using it, the touchpad is quite nice!

 

[Mr312]

i just want to put this out here. because i work for us cellular, and have been modding phones for a while, us cellular and not. you will probably never see a root for the acclaim. entry level means developers will not want to do anything with it in the first place. its exclusive to us cellular, meaning no one really cares about it. also, its kind of a crappy android phone, you probably should have waited for a real device to come out.

wow you signed up to this forum to say that? its cool though. the Acclaim does everything I need it to do. Can it play some of the "high end" bullshit marketplace games? No. Can it do everything else? Yes.

Luckily I got a 360, surround sound, and a 60" 1080p at my house and could care less about mobile gaming. If I did want to get into mobile gaming I would consider a psp or whatever gameboy is out.

 

[Deleted User]

D.R. one idea might be to learn something of how Linux works, as it is the OS underpinning Android. You can get "Live" CDs, such as the one offered for Ubuntu that you can "test drive" on your PC without installing anything. Just a thought.

I do have a little bit of experience with Linux, from Red Hat back in the day, to Fedora Core before the "Core" part was dropped, to Ubuntu. Nothing advanced, and I didn't learn much. I actually considered converting to Ubuntu until I discovered Windows 7 was actually usable, unlike its horrid predecessor.

Luckily I got a 360, surround sound, and a 60" 1080p at my house and could care less about mobile gaming. If I did want to get into mobile gaming I would consider a psp or whatever gameboy is out.

This exactly. It's why I bought a 360 instead of a PS3 actually. Sure, PS3 has free online and Blu-ray, but I can get Blu-ray separately, and it was worth it for me to pay $30 a year (I got the 12-month LIVE card on the cheap online at walmart.com) to be able to play online with people I know. Mobile gaming? Never entered into the equation. I've had a DS Lite (the third-most recent Game Boy) and it was fun for a while, but not enough that I want another one. I found a Solitaire program on my Acclaim, and that's fine. I've played a couple other games, and they were disappointing.

So far it has proven to be a cool phone and Internet device though.

 

[stazrulez]

@mr312, i don't understand how you say you are responsible for your actions when you know that you are voiding your warranty. seriously, what are you 12? you have to bitch and moan about things to get it corrected? why don't we try to be a man and own up to not being able to do something for once. its sad that people don't take responsability for thier actions.

 

[MDG8869]

look guys i just want to root my phone i have my reasons and its my phone i dont bank on it i use it as the phone and i would like to use the other things it offers like wi fi hot spots the cool stuff like live wall papers and everything else i spoke with a I.T. guy at one of the schools i went to for the military and the lil bit of time i taked with him he showed me what he could do with his and i would like to do the same i didnt have much time with him so i couldnt get the info i need but he directed me here so if someone who knows how to do it and is willing to share will u please conntact me my email is stoneyknowsbest@gmail.com or skype david.gruebele im deploying very soon and i would like to do this ASAP thanks asif u cant tell already im not a guru or even completely compitant with this stuff but i would like to learn