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My First Smartphone

Hey everybody, I'm new to the site and just about to go out and buy my 1st smartphone (Motorola Droid RAZR) and just wanted to say hi along with asking for some "pro-tips" about droid phones. :)

Welcome!
Plenty of tips around here. Be sure to check out the RAZR forum once you get that phone. You wont be able to put it down!
 
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Welcome!
Plenty of tips around here. Be sure to check out the RAZR forum once you get that phone. You wont be able to put it down!

I'm scouring the forums at the moment, and came across some term I didn't previously know; 'rooting'.

I kinda feel bad since I consider myself up on tech but out of the loop when it comes to phones. :thinking:
 
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I'm scouring the forums at the moment, and came across some term I didn't previously know; 'rooting'.

I kinda feel bad since I consider myself up on tech but out of the loop when it comes to phones. :thinking:

You'll want to ask those question in your phones forum. Because different phones might have different rooting methods.
But it basically gives you admin rights to your phone, which them lets you do all sorts of cool things.
Not sure what's out there for the RAZR, since it's still pretty new. But you probably have a few roms to choose from which allow you to completely customize your phone.

Here is a link to the RAZR's root section: RAZR - All Things Root - Android Forums
 
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You'll want to ask those question in your phones forum. Because different phones might have different rooting methods.
But it basically gives you admin rights to your phone, which them lets you do all sorts of cool things.
Not sure what's out there for the RAZR, since it's still pretty new. But you probably have a few roms to choose from which allow you to completely customize your phone.

Here is a link to the RAZR's root section: RAZR - All Things Root - Android Forums

Rooting (in general, not specifically for the RAZR) would let me do all sorts of stuff I can't initially do, like install games and stuff (that are for the RAZR) and let it be used for tethering without paying the VZW fees? Or am I kind of off in my perception. BTW not asking how to make it so I can tether, just asking if that's something that comes along with rooting.
 
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Most people root so they can load ROMs, kernels, and radios, that wouldn't normally be available from Verizon or HTC. You can also load themes for more customization. Usually if a game does not run stock, it most likely will not run rooted. There are other apps that are for rooted phones only that allow more customization. And yes, there are apps to tether rooted phones but those type of discussions are not allow here as this is essentially steeling from Verizon.
 
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Most people root so they can load ROMs, kernels, and radios, that wouldn't normally be available from Verizon or HTC. You can also load themes for more customization. Usually if a game does not run stock, it most likely will not run rooted. There are other apps that are for rooted phones only that allow more customization. And yes, there are apps to tether rooted phones but those type of discussions are not allow here as this is essentially steeling from Verizon.

What's a radio? Unless, you mean, like AM/FM radios lol. Also, though I have a rough grasp of what a ROM is, I don't quite know what a kernel is. Do I have to root in order to turn off the excess crap I might not want, so as to use as little battery as I choose?
 
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The radio is what transmits and receives during a phone call. Radios software are sometimes upgraded for better 3G and 4G signal. This gives better call quality and could increase your data speeds a little.

What access stuff are you wanting to turn off?

TBH I have no idea as of yet, I'm just kind of assuming there will be unnecessary things running by default, that take a toll on battery life. I haven't bought the phone yet, though I might go tomorrow (apparently there's a double-data rate for the same monthly cost, available until Jan. 15th).
 
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TBH I have no idea as of yet, I'm just kind of assuming there will be unnecessary things running by default, that take a toll on battery life. I haven't bought the phone yet, though I might go tomorrow (apparently there's a double-data rate for the same monthly cost, available until Jan. 15th).

Head to the section when you get specific questions after you get your phone. People also root to removed what is called "Bloatware". These are apps that Verizon installs on the phone and cannot be removed without rooting the phone. I can't think of anything that you would remove to improve battery life. There are custom ROMs out that have been tweaked by the devs to improve battery life over stock ROM.
 
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Head to the section when you get specific questions after you get your phone. People also root to removed what is called "Bloatware". These are apps that Verizon installs on the phone and cannot be removed without rooting the phone. I can't think of anything that you would remove to improve battery life. There are custom ROMs out that have been tweaked by the devs to improve battery life over stock ROM.

Ah I see, any examples of 'bloatware' that you can think of?
 
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Nope. To uninstall apps you will go into Applications -> Manage apps. then select the app you want to uninstall. You will normally see an "Uninstall" button that you click. This button on the bloatware is greyed out so clicking it doesn't do anything. Some don't have an uninstall button at all.

Aside from having worthless crap sitting on your phone, is there any real benefit to uninstalling this bloatware? Or rather, is there any hindrance to leaving it on there?
 
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Aside from having worthless crap sitting on your phone, is there any real benefit to uninstalling this bloatware? Or rather, is there any hindrance to leaving it on there?

What you stated and freeing up memory for apps you actually want on your phone. I personally do not want the carrier telling me a HAVE to have these on my phone just because I purchased it from you.
 
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And the ONLY way to uninstall these bloatwares, is by rooting the phone? Can bloatware be frozen without rooting?

Nope. Verizon made sure of that.

I recommend getting your phone and get familiar with it for a few days/weeks and do some reading up on rooting. You might find that your phone runs great and dont feel a need to get rid of bloatware.
Rooting is not for everyone. Dont feel like you have to root. Just know that you will be WAY cool if you do ;)
 
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Nope. Verizon made sure of that.

I recommend getting your phone and get familiar with it for a few days/weeks and do some reading up on rooting. You might find that your phone runs great and dont feel a need to get rid of bloatware.
Rooting is not for everyone. Dont feel like you have to root. Just know that you will be WAY cool if you do ;)

I agree with this. You may find you don't mind the VZW apps. There are also ways to customize your phone without rooting. There are themes and third party launchers that will customize without rooting.
 
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I agree with this. You may find you don't mind the VZW apps. There are also ways to customize your phone without rooting. There are themes and third party launchers that will customize without rooting.

I think you guys mentioned that if games won't run normally, then they probably won't run even when rooted? Are there by chance game emulators? If so, are there ones that don't need to be rooted to be put on the phone?

One of the upsides to rooting (as far as I've read so far) would be making it so my phone can tether for free. I know it's not "legal" but neither is pirating movies. I don't pirate anything by the way.... ;)
 
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