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So you want the perfect DROID? Here's what ya do...

messenger13

Android Expert
Dec 8, 2009
3,132
381
Cleveland, OH
I get this question (via PM) almost every day. Here's my list.
What am I missing?


- Everyone has there own favorite apps, but I think there is ONE app that no DROID should be without. ASTRO File Manager! Not only is it a good utility for exploring your sdcard, but it also backs-up and restores your apps. Excellent! And don't rely on Google to do this for you. Many have been burned by this, don't let it happen to you.

- Root it! The pros WAY out-weigh the cons. (Is there a single con?) And I have yet to hear of one soul bricking their DROID doing it, so what are you waiting for?

- Install the SPRecovery console. It is thee way to do complete backups of your entire DROID. It also happens to be the method that most devs are using to install their ROMs.

- Nandroid backup. Take a snap shot of your DROID every time before doing anything major to it. That way, you can always revert back. Think of your nandroid backup as your safety net.

- ROM it! Lots of good ROMs out there. I highly recommend Pete's 0.8.4 "Bugless Beauty". It's the fastest ROM I've tested to date, and it is loaded with lots of 2.1 goodies.

- Install a Home-Replacement app. I personally like Sweeter Home Preview 2, but it's probably not for everybody. It comes with a learning curve, but it pays off BIG once you learn it. Others like Home++, GDE, Open Home, dxTop, Launcher +, and so on. They are all arguably better than the stock homescreen that 2.0.1 comes with. 2,1's "Launcher" isn't too bad. But I think it's very laggy for now. We'll see what it's really like when the official 2.1 release is out.


Well, that's it. Six steps to the perfect DROID. ;)
 
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I get this question (via PM) almost every day. Here's my list.
What am I missing?


- Everyone has there own favorite apps, but I think there is ONE app that no DROID should be without. ASTRO File Manager! Not only is it a good utility for exploring your sdcard, but it also backs-up and restores your apps. Excellent! And don't rely on Google to do this for you. Many have been burned by this, don't let it happen to you.

- Root it! The pros WAY out-weigh the cons. (Is there a single con?) And I have yet to hear of one soul bricking their DROID doing it, so what are you waiting for?

- Install the SPRecovery console. It is thee way to do complete backups of your entire DROID. It also happens to be the method that most devs are using to install their ROMs.

- Nandroid backup. Take a snap shot of your DROID every time before doing anything major to it. That way, you can always revert back. Think of your nandroid backup as your safety net.

- ROM it! Lots of good ROMs out there. I highly recommend Pete's 0.8.4 "Bugless Beauty". It's the fastest ROM I've tested to date, and it is loaded with lots of 2.1 goodies.

- Install a Home-Replacement app. I personally like Sweeter Home Preview 2, but it's probably not for everybody. It comes with a learning curve, but it pays off BIG once you learn it. Others like Home++, GDE, Open Home, dxTop, Launcher +, and so on. They are all arguably better than the stock homescreen that 2.0.1 comes with. 2,1's "Launcher" isn't too bad. But I think it's very laggy for now. We'll see what it's really like when the official 2.1 release is out.


Well, that's it. Six steps to the perfect DROID. ;)

+1 - I completely agree with you Joe (except for the Home-Replacement app - I'm not using one). Very good advice...
 
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Ok, sorry for the question, google could probly answer it but where would you get SPRecovery and Nandroid backup once you rooted the droid?

What makes the droid run faster when rooted (besides OC)

What is the single coolest thing you can do with a rooted droid?

I am trying to fidgure out if its worth it. I jailbroke my iTouch for 2 reasons: 1. I hate apple, and the less apple in my device the better :) and 2. You could to a TON more.

Thanks for the info.

Edit: If you root, do you keep all your contacts and apps? j/w...
 
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Scroll down for the answers in BLUE. I won't provide links, but pretty good hints. ;)

Ok, sorry for the question, google could probly answer it but where would you get SPRecovery and Nandroid backup once you rooted the droid? - Google "Sholes.info".

What makes the droid run faster when rooted (besides OC) - Rooting doesn't increase speed, just versatility.

What is the single coolest thing you can do with a rooted droid? - This is a subjective topic. Custom ROMs are cool. (To me) over-clocking RAWKS! :cool: Others like changing the looks of every thing. I've done it all, so it's hard for me to pick just one. :D

I am trying to fidgure out if its worth it. I jailbroke my iTouch for 2 reasons: 1. I hate apple, and the less apple in my device the better :) and 2. You could to a TON more. - It's your world rockstar. ;)

Thanks for the info.
 
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I edited my last post too late, do you keep your contacts? Or apps? I really dont care about the apps, I can get them again.... But I have about 300+ contacts...

Sync Contacts with Google. They come back within a minute. You can also backup your Contacts to your sdcard right in the stock Contacts app. Takes 1 minute (if your slow). You can also go to your GMail accont online and download your Contacts to a CSV file and edit it in Excel and upload. That's really how I manage my Contacts.

As for apps, use ASTRO File Manager (the first item on my list). ;)
 
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I WANNA ROOT....... what is my first step and do you have a guide you trusted when you rooted? i know i can do the google search route, but i would rather take your advise!

Google "rootyourdroid.info", and that should get you all you need. ;) Big Lou (and staff) did a GREAT job on that site. You can also learn how to install the SPRecovery console there as well ... along with nandroid backups, blah blah blah.
 
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Launcher2! Launcher2!
(Good for those who do not want to root and just wait out the 2.1 update.)

Launcher 2 is the surest way to dog down a DROID. I wouldn't run it on mine, even running at 1.1 GHz. Sorry Sir, the DROID just isn't optimized for that app just yet. :eek:

I do appreciate the excitement of having 5 screens over the stock 3 though. :)
 
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agreed. launcher 2 is simply not happy on my phone running at 1 GHz - Sweeter is the way to go, but it requires a lot of customization on your end of the deal. The plus side is, if you have the time, patience, and wherewithal to experiment with the settings, it turns into one really bad-ass home replacement app.

One day I'll have all three and make my own - and then it'll be 7th heaven for me and my DROID
 
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Couple comments...

I prefer ES File Manger over Astro. It backs up apps like Astro and seems to do pretty much everything else Astro does. The reason I like it is the added feature of being able to see folders and drives that are shared on my local network.

I want to like Sweeter Home 2 but I can't completely commit to it. I got pretty far along in creating my own theme but there was one nagging issue that kept bothering me. When you are in an app and press the home button to go back to the home screen it lags for what seems like forever (probably about 5 seconds in reality.) The default home seems almost instant compared to sweeter home.

edit: the Sweeter Home issue seems to be better with the newest version (712)
 
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ive been convinced to root from the great users in this forum....but im stuck...ive followed the instructions.....but when i trpe su.....i get error message saying access denied.....


please help!!!

Same here. Rooting alone was no problem at all, but I've found a handful of different sets of instructions for what to do afterward. I got as far as typing "su" only to have the access denied message come up.

I don't want to risk bricking or causing any other problems, so I'm kind of stuck. Help please?
 
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