Hello, and lookin fo advice on VZW upgrade.

[Slasher42]

So I've been reading here and other forums without registering for a little while gathering info and trying to decide on a phone.

Background/Basic Info:
I am in the USA - North Texas/Dallas area on Verizon Wireless. I have been using a Samsung Omnia for almost 2 years and I am elligble for an upgrade.
I am looking at the following 3 phones. Incredible, Fascinate, Droid X. Leaning towards the Fascinate then the X with the Inc a somewhat distant 3rd.

My questions, thoughts, concerns:

1. Can you install and run apps/widgets from the built in memory only (2gb on Fascinate, more on others) or can you do it from the SD card.

2. Can you tether via usb or wireless to a netbook/laptop to share the internet access(with or without rooting?)

3. I want to get the most out of the phone but have never rooted/jail broke a phone before so would be a little apprehensive about this. How hard is it, realistically what are the chances of "bricking" a phone.

4. What is a kernel vs a rom... what is Voodoo I see mentioned? LOL these are probably very newbie questions

If there is a 1-stop FAQ that answers most of these questions I failed to find it in my browsing, but this community seems overwhelming to a newb like myself...

Thank you all!
Slasher

 

[BumbleBbee]

So I've been reading here and other forums without registering for a little while gathering info and trying to decide on a phone.

Background/Basic Info:
I am in the USA - North Texas/Dallas area on Verizon Wireless. I have been using a Samsung Omnia for almost 2 years and I am elligble for an upgrade.
I am looking at the following 3 phones. Incredible, Fascinate, Droid X. Leaning towards the Fascinate then the X with the Inc a somewhat distant 3rd.

My questions, thoughts, concerns:

1. Can you install and run apps/widgets from the built in memory only (2gb on Fascinate, more on others) or can you do it from the SD card.

2. Can you tether via usb or wireless to a netbook/laptop to share the internet access(with or without rooting?)

3. I want to get the most out of the phone but have never rooted/jail broke a phone before so would be a little apprehensive about this. How hard is it, realistically what are the chances of "bricking" a phone.

4. What is a kernel vs a rom... what is Voodoo I see mentioned? LOL these are probably very newbie questions

If there is a 1-stop FAQ that answers most of these questions I failed to find it in my browsing, but this community seems overwhelming to a newb like myself...

Thank you all!
Slasher

Here's an article from a couple days ago on tethering with an Android device Tether now available for all Android devices - Phone Arena

 

[Slasher42]

Thanks for reply BB... but since I was not wanting to pay Verizon $20 for the hotspot I don't particularly want to pay some developer $30... Are there not any open source/freebie apps that allow tethering? I dont mind if its USB tethering...

Also I think I've decided on the Droid X... and probably going to buy through Walmart ... very good deals right now ... Anyone have experience buying from Walmart?

 

[chrlswltrs]

So I've been reading here and other forums without registering for a little while gathering info and trying to decide on a phone.

Background/Basic Info:
I am in the USA - North Texas/Dallas area on Verizon Wireless. I have been using a Samsung Omnia for almost 2 years and I am elligble for an upgrade.
I am looking at the following 3 phones. Incredible, Fascinate, Droid X. Leaning towards the Fascinate then the X with the Inc a somewhat distant 3rd.

My questions, thoughts, concerns:

1. Can you install and run apps/widgets from the built in memory only (2gb on Fascinate, more on others) or can you do it from the SD card.

2. Can you tether via usb or wireless to a netbook/laptop to share the internet access(with or without rooting?)

3. I want to get the most out of the phone but have never rooted/jail broke a phone before so would be a little apprehensive about this. How hard is it, realistically what are the chances of "bricking" a phone.

4. What is a kernel vs a rom... what is Voodoo I see mentioned? LOL these are probably very newbie questions

If there is a 1-stop FAQ that answers most of these questions I failed to find it in my browsing, but this community seems overwhelming to a newb like myself...

Thank you all!
Slasher

Thanks for reply BB... but since I was not wanting to pay Verizon $20 for the hotspot I don't particularly want to pay some developer $30... Are there not any open source/freebie apps that allow tethering? I dont mind if its USB tethering...

Also I think I've decided on the Droid X... and probably going to buy through Walmart ... very good deals right now ... Anyone have experience buying from Walmart?

IMO opinion the X is the best phone available right now, so good choice. Now to answer your questions:

1. Internal memory is the default location for apps. If you want them on the SD card you have to move them and not all of them can be moved. Unless you have tons of apps you won't ever worry about running out of room. I usually have 100-150 apps on my phone and come no where close to filling my internal 8GB

2. Rooted - you can tether for free, there are several apps in the market
Not Rooted - you can use your phones internet but only over bluetooth or USB, not WiFi hotspot. Or you can pay verizon to use the hotspot app with limited data

3. Use this to root: [APP]SuperOneClick v1.5.5 (Root, Unroot, Enable Non-Market App, Get UNLOCK code) - xda-developers. 1 click and you're done. You won't brick while rooting. The only time you have to worry about it is if you do something to system files after you root. Just rooting and using root only apps is not dangerous at all. If you do brick, it is pretty easy to restore to factory with RSDlite and sbf file.

4. Don't worry about kernals if you are getting the X, can't change it anyways so I won't explain it. ROM is kind of like the OS, has different tweaks or options or things removed by default. After you get used to Android, then you should look into ROMs if there is something you want to change about your phone


Any more questions just ask, and welcome to Android!

 

[chrlswltrs]

IMO the best tether app for free: Wireless Tether for Root Users - Android app on AppBrain

Best non root option: PdaNet free edition - Android app on AppBrain (USB or bluetooth only)

 

[Slasher42]

Thank chrlswltrs for the info...

I have been reading on this forum off and on all day and talked to Walmart online phone support... lady told me to wait till wednesday to order... said there would be a better deal. Right now the X is $80 there so if its cheaper wednesday thats aweswome.

I want to install a ROM i think... was looking at one made by Fabulous.. it overclocks just a little to 1.1ghz and has built in adblocking and de-bloat. But it seems like its an "older" Rom? Is there a good one you would recommend?

 

[chrlswltrs]

Thank chrlswltrs for the info... I have been reading on this forum off and on all day and talked to Walmart online phone support... lady told me to wait till wednesday to order... said there would be a better deal. Right now the X is $80 there so if its cheaper wednesday thats aweswome.I want to install a ROM i think... was looking at one made by Fabulous.. it overclocks just a little to 1.1ghz and has built in adblocking and de-bloat. But it seems like its an "older" Rom? Is there a good one you would recommend?

Search for rubiX focused. IMO it's better than apex by Fab. More bloat removed, ad blocking, over clocking, and less re boots. I tried both and think rubix is much better and much closer to stock android. I would post a link but I'm driving right now

 

[Slasher42]

Search for rubiX focused. IMO it's better than apex by Fab. More bloat removed, ad blocking, over clocking, and less re boots. I tried both and think rubix is much better and much closer to stock android. I would post a link but I'm driving right now

I saw the RubiX listed in your Signature in a previous posted and was reading about it last night. I'll probably play with the X as it is for a couple weeks before rooting and doing a custom rom. Just so I have a baseline for comparison.

Just random info... I went to a local Verizon store and the employee I spoke to told me to buy online from Amazon or Walmart to get a better deal and avoid mail-in rebate shenanigans. So I called Walmart Wireless and currently the X is $79.99, but the lady told me to wait till Thursday when they roll out new promo. She thinks the price is going to be 99.99 but you get a $100 Walmart Gift Card. So basically free phone!