Not sure if I should upgrade to GB

[twcowdery]

I've only had my X for a little less than 2 months but I've been following the discussions regarding the GB upgrade and from what I can read, I don't see any clear-cut reason to upgrade.

The only certain benefit that I see to upgrading is being able to sort contacts by their last name. The other changes either seem trivial (like the color scheme changes) or are not being universally experienced (battery life and other performance issues).

Am I missing something?

If there weren't so many reports of problems, I'd upgrade just to get sorting by last name (though I'll never understand why that wasn't included from the very beginning). But if that is really the only certain benefit, the upgrade seems to be pretty risky.

Again - am I missing something?

 

[sx4dude2013]

Yes. I would root Froyo and install the .596 rooted version of GB.
Im running Apex 2.0 and LOVE it.

The phone runs better, battery lasts longer, and is a "cooler" now than it was when it was on froyo.

Also there is no Verizon crap loaded onto my phone

 

[twcowdery]

Yes. I would root Froyo and install the .596 rooted version of GB.
Im running Apex 2.0 and LOVE it.

The phone runs better, battery lasts longer, and is a "cooler" now than it was when it was on froyo.

Also there is no Verizon crap loaded onto my phone

Two questions-

First - I was under the impression that GB .596 hadn't been rooted yet.

Secondly - Is QuickOffice considered 'Verizon crap'? I use that several times a day - far more than any other app on the phone and don't want to lose it. I also like some of the Motorola widgets and wouldn't want to give them up either. Would I have an option or are they just 'gone'?

 

[trophynuts]

Two questions-

First - I was under the impression that GB .596 hadn't been rooted yet.

Secondly - Is QuickOffice considered 'Verizon crap'? I use that several times a day - far more than any other app on the phone and don't want to lose it. I also like some of the Motorola widgets and wouldn't want to give them up either. Would I have an option or are they just 'gone'?

1. the OTA can not be rooted. However you can install a PRE rooted version of the OTA. I know that might sound crazy but just trust me.

2. No QuickOffice is not. "Verizon Crap" would be the apps you can't uninstall ...ie...vz app store, need for speed, madden football, backup assistant, ...things of that nature.

even if you don't plan on rooting it would be worth you taking the update to GB.

 

[twcowdery]

1. the OTA can not be rooted. However you can install a PRE rooted version of the OTA. I know that might sound crazy but just trust me.

2. No QuickOffice is not. "Verizon Crap" would be the apps you can't uninstall ...ie...vz app store, need for speed, madden football, backup assistant, ...things of that nature.

even if you don't plan on rooting it would be worth you taking the update to GB.

Are the pre-rooted versions of GB having less problems than the OTA?

Regarding QuickOffice - it was preinstalled on the phone and doesn't show up when I go to Settings/Applications/Manage Applications. Doesn't that mean I cannot uninstall it? In which case, wouldn't I lose that?

 

[foo]

Are the pre-rooted versions of GB having less problems than the OTA?

Regarding QuickOffice - it was preinstalled on the phone and doesn't show up when I go to Settings/Applications/Manage Applications. Doesn't that mean I cannot uninstall it? In which case, wouldn't I lose that?

It's the same as the original OTA, just patched(rooted).

You won't lose QuickOffice. It should be listed in Settings>Apps>Manage apps>ALL

 

[Ron H]

For me there are a few advantages to GB (I'm not rooted and took the OTA), but the disadvantages outweigh them. I'd happily return to Froyo.

I talked to Verizon tech support, and she said there are lots of known issues and a patch would be released to address some of them.

 

[sx4dude2013]

I dont see any issues with GB except for the camera resolution problem. Thats all i "notice"

 

[twcowdery]

It's the same as the original OTA, just patched(rooted).

You won't lose QuickOffice. It should be listed in Settings>Apps>Manage apps>ALL

I see it now.

But things like Madden Football, NFS Shift and Backup Assistant are shown there too. And unlike the apps that I downloaded, the uninstall button appears to be disabled for QuickOffice (as well as Madden, Backup Assistant, etc.).

Just to be clear, I did NOT download QuickOffice - it was already on the phone when I got it.

 

[twcowdery]

I dont see any issues with GB except for the camera resolution problem. Thats all i "notice"

I know that some people haven't had any problems, while others are frustrated to the max. That is why I am hesitating.

The Gingerbread problems or not? shows that 70% gave GB thumbs up, but half of them still had problems.http://androidforums.com/motorola-droid-x/poll-1647-a.html Not exactly a ringing endorsement. And the fact that 30% gave GB thumbs down scares me. IMO, that is waaaaaaay to high.

Some people get better performance, others get worse. Some people like the new color scheme, others don't.

Based on what I am reading, the only guaranteed benefit that I can see to GB is being able to sort contacts by last name (which IMO should have been there since the very first version of Android). If that is really the only reason to switch, is that worth risking being in the 30% that had such severe problems that they gave it a thumbs down?

I'm not sure.

 

[teamgood]

I tried the OTA gingerbread for a couple weeks and finally couldn't take it anymore. Random app force closes when they were in the background, laggy keyboard, battery life was probably half compared to stock froyo, and generally slower.
I rooted and installed the gingerbread from .596 leak from the 2 part zip install and have been very satisfied. battery life back to normal or better. rooted so i removed all the VZW junk apps. I have tried Apex 2.0 which is nice, but i do appreciate some of the Blur apps, and Exchange sync, etc. So rooted "stock" gingerbread is the way to go for me. Very simple and pretty quick. But I wouldn't update to the OTA gingerbread at this point in time.
Not really too many new features i use, however. I do like the new notification bar and clearing notifications individually, the stock theme, stock home and app drawer are better but i use Go Launcher anyway. So Froyo users aren't missing out on any amazing features, just aren't as cool.

 

[twcowdery]

I tried the OTA gingerbread for a couple weeks and finally couldn't take it anymore. Random app force closes when they were in the background, laggy keyboard, battery life was probably half compared to stock froyo, and generally slower.
I rooted and installed the gingerbread from .596 leak from the 2 part zip install and have been very satisfied. battery life back to normal or better. rooted so i removed all the VZW junk apps. I have tried Apex 2.0 which is nice, but i do appreciate some of the Blur apps, and Exchange sync, etc. So rooted "stock" gingerbread is the way to go for me. Very simple and pretty quick. But I wouldn't update to the OTA gingerbread at this point in time.
Not really too many new features i use, however. I do like the new notification bar and clearing notifications individually, the stock theme, stock home and app drawer are better but i use Go Launcher anyway. So Froyo users aren't missing out on any amazing features, just aren't as cool.

Let me be sure that I'm following you ...

1. you rooted Froyo first, then installed a leaked GB that is rooted - correct??
2. You get to choose which Verizon apps you remove - right?
3. Do you still have QuickOffice??? I can't do without that.
4. You can sort contacts by last name - right?

If so, let me ask these follow-up questions

1. Where did you get the root for Froyo?
2. Will any Froyo root do?
3. Where did you get the root for GB?

 

[teamgood]

Let me be sure that I'm following you ...

1. you rooted Froyo first, then installed a leaked GB that is rooted - correct??
2. You get to choose which Verizon apps you remove - right?
3. Do you still have QuickOffice??? I can't do without that.
4. You can sort contacts by last name - right?

If so, let me ask these follow-up questions

1. Where did you get the root for Froyo?
2. Will any Froyo root do?
3. Where did you get the root for GB?

You are correct. If you are already on stock Froyo all you have to do is use z4root app to root your device. If on OTA GB then SBF (also easy enough to do) back to Froyo first. Once rooted and you install the leaked GB then it will still be rooted. Free to remove any VZW apps you want (blockbuster, games, skype, etc)...the root section has a sticky with all safe to remove apps and how to. Yes, you have Quickoffice and all apps that came stock with the Droid X. Sort contacts by first or last name.

Root Froyo by using z4root app. this is a free app that can be found many places on the internet using google search. search for z4root.apk. make sure the site seems legit. once you download and save file to your sd card you can install it on your phone quick and easy. you'll have to enable phone to install non-market apps in the settings. you run the app and do the temporary root then do the permanent root, reboot, and its rooted. after that you're ready to install GB using the 2 part zip files found in the all things root section here. search and you'll find them. you'll need another app called droid 2 bootstrapper, which is in the marketplace for a small fee or can be found free on developers website and elsewhere. so, to recap....
-root froyo with z4root
-find and install droid 2 bootstrapper (google for d2b1005.apk)
-download the 2 part GB zip files and save to your sd card
-run droid 2 bootstrapper app
-install the 2 zip files with the bootstrapper app...and reboot and done!
plenty of help and how to in the all things root section.

 

[twcowdery]

...so, to recap....
-root froyo with z4root
-find and install droid 2 bootstrapper (google for d2b1005.apk)
-download the 2 part GB zip files and save to your sd card
-run droid 2 bootstrapper app
-install the 2 zip files with the bootstrapper app...and reboot and done!
plenty of help and how to in the all things root section.

Thanks!