Root Why root my new N1?

[thedaego]

I consider myself a geek / gadget tweaker. My 3GS iPhone is jailbroken, I build and overclock all my PCs, I'm a software engineer by profession. That being said, I'm having trouble justifying the potential cons of a root with Cyanogenmod even though the geek in me wants to do it anyway.

Here are the potential cons that I'm aware of:

• Live wallpaper issues:
  • Live Wallpaper Crash After 5.0.4.1 Update - CyanogenMod Forum
• Voided warranty
  • Warranty : Returns and warranty - Nexus One Help
• Bluetooth issues (dealbreaker for me. I use BT all the time)
  • Bluetooth - CyanogenMod Forum

and here are the Pros:

• More responsive GUI
• WiFi tethering
• better battery life (confirmed?)
• app2SD (not all that interested)
• theming (not that interested)
  • just having the N1 is a theming dream over even the jailbroken 3GS

Right now, the phone works very well for me. It seems responsive (though maybe not as responsive as my 3GS), the battery life is not that bad and I can tether via USB.

Can someone please highlight some other additional functionality that I may not be aware of with the root?

Thanks!

 

[grainysand]

You don't have to root if you're happy with your phone.

Or, well, actually I was happy with my phone's performance too. But I got bored because I'm one of those people who need to tinker, tinker, tinker. Learn a new OS. Fiddle with an old one, whatever. So I rooted. And hey, never looked back: the N1's fast enough on its own, but most custom ROMs are just better optimized than stock and running on .33 kernel, allowing the phone to finally utilize all of its 512MB memory. Apps2sd means I no longer have to fret over whether I have enough internal storage--I used to get bothered if I had ten apps installed; now I back up 47 and restore them every time I wipe and reflash without batting an eyelash. Then Paul ported Desire and suddenly I had a whole new phone to play with. Market enabler means I can at last access paid apps like everyone else. Hooray!

Again, I repeat: it's not mandatory. It's not for everyone. But I've become addicted to root access and custom ROMs. Your mileage may vary.

 

[konman795]

so you can have over 200mb in free RAM space. And enable your phone to be a wireless hotspot using your data network, works amazingly.

 

[USofPlutarchy]

Better battery is confirmed. Rooted users that use SetCPU correctly are getting around 13-14 hours of battery before needing to charge.

 

[thedaego]

I guess my only real concern is that I will lose some of my current functionality. I suppose that if the root breaks some things that I can always restore using my nandroid backup, right?

That does it... here we go. Wish me Luck.

 

[alamoe]

I guess my only real concern is that I will lose some of my current functionality. I suppose that if the root breaks some things that I can always restore using my nandroid backup, right?

That does it... here we go. Wish me Luck.

the person having the BT issues is using an outdated CyanogenMod. The latest is version 5.0.4.1. I was using my wireless headphones with my N1 for about 2 hrs this morning and this didn't happen at all. I did get my notifications but it didn't disconnect my BT. I'm using 5.0.4.1. Promise, you won't lose anything, just gain speed, more functions, colored trackball, etc.

 

[Push]

root it. cyanogen has nice led mods out and 180 degrees rotations which is pretty awesome....I love android even more

 

[thedaego]

ok, my N1 has been rooted and CyanogenMod-5.0.4.1 is installed... Now what? The only difference I can see is that there are 3 more options in the menu...
Spare Parts
Superuser Permission
Dev Tools

Aside from the battery status options in the above menus I can't seem to find a use for anything else.

I have installed the torch application which is definitely much needed. What else Am I missing?

The phone does seem a bit more responsive. We'll see about battery life.

 

[thedaego]

root it. cyanogen has nice led mods out and 180 degrees rotations which is pretty awesome....I love android even more

nice. What are you speaking of when you mention the 180 degree rotation mods? Horizontal home screen?

 

[ikon]

ok, my N1 has been rooted and CyanogenMod-5.0.4.1 is installed... Now what? The only difference I can see is that there are 3 more options in the menu...
Spare Parts
Superuser Permission
Dev Tools

Aside from the battery status options in the above menus I can't seem to find a use for anything else.

I have installed the torch application which is definitely much needed. What else Am I missing?

The phone does seem a bit more responsive. We'll see about battery life.

-Install N1 Torch so you can use the led flash as a flashlight.
-Install Metamorph and install some themes
-Install TrackballWake so you can use the trackball to wake your phone from sleep, adds colored trackball notifications in succession, adds optional battery percentage in status bar
-install Android-wifi-tether for wifi and bluetooth tethering
-install Titanium Backup to backup your entire phone including apps

 

[jonhapimp]

The biggest problem for me is the warranty void

 

[Outatime]

Sorry for such a noob question... do you still get the benefits of rooting without the cons if you just leave the factory ROM on the phone? It seems to me from what I'm reading, if I leave the factory ROM on, I would still be able to use the root-required apps (SetCPU etc.) and would maintain stability. Is this accurate?

 

[copy]

Voiding warranty?!?

I don't have a N1 just yet, but I was wondering if it can be revert back to factory default once rooted.

With my experience modding, flashing, installing custom firmware/OS, is most if not all devices can be easily restore to it's original state by reinstalling the factory software. Is this the case for the N1 or any android phone?

 

[ikon]

Sorry for such a noob question... do you still get the benefits of rooting without the cons if you just leave the factory ROM on the phone? It seems to me from what I'm reading, if I leave the factory ROM on, I would still be able to use the root-required apps (SetCPU etc.) and would maintain stability. Is this accurate?

By just rooting your phone you will be able to install the apps that require root access. But, the main rom guys; Cyanogen, Modaco, Enomther, they make improvements to the stock rom. Many of the improvements they make come straight from Google and the source code they release before it's filtered down to the OTA update that everyone gets, other improvements they make get added upstream and included in Google's OTA updates. So basically, by installing a custom rom you are on the bleeding edge of android software, you get the updates before the general public does. If you stick to major stable releases you will have a very stable phone.

 

[daffyduck]

Just installed the latest Cyanogen 5.0.5 rom for the N1.....nice so far

Link attached:
CyanogenMod Forum -> Nexus One

 

[jamespg81]

I rooted a few weeks ago using cyanogen... I noticed no change in memory. Did i miss something?