Well, that didn't take long...LOL

 

Sorry for my ignorance on Android since Evo will be my first android phone.
Is it like jailbreak for iphone? so, people can get apps for free?

 

it's like jailbreak but u don't get apps for free. you get more customizing options and get special roms...


and uhh. read the comment!!!

 

LOL most of the apps on android are free...it's nothing like the Iphone or Pre's app store when you have to pay for the majority of everything.

 

I apologize in advance because I know I'm about to sound like a dick but neither jailbreaking or rooting are about getting apps for free. If that's all you do it for you are missing the point.

The point is essentially getting root, superuser, or administrator access like you would on a computer. By default you are logged in to an account with certain limitations in order to protect system files, but lots of people who want to try experimental features or modify system files figure out how to gain root access to gain full control over their device. In Apple's case it's usually to add features Apple doesn't support or allow. In the case of Android, maybe people want to change how the LED notifications work or how the network adapter is configured or a host of other things.

Yes, you can also use it to install apps you downloaded without paying for but that's like saying the internet is only for pirating music. It's not entirely false but it is missing the whole point.

 

its a good feeling that once i get my evo i can root it. bring on the roms lol.

 

The first thing i would want to do is probably overclock the snapdragon, since its been around on the Nexus 1 i am sure you can find stable configs - and apps2sd but froyo should be released soon...
wait so since its rooted, can someone created a rom on the Froyo leak for the nexus one? oooooohhhhhhh the possibilities!

 

Should I be afraid to root since I have no idea what it is or what overclocking is? I've read that as long as you can read instructions, you're fine, but the reason I never thought about doing anything to my Pre was because I heard that you could brick it. If I don't root, will I be missing something that I would really want, or should have?

 

cant wait for someone to cook up some roms, Maybe remove some junk apps Sprint threw in there!

 

Maybe, maybe not.

Probably the biggest reason to Root a Hero is to get rid of all the crap that Sprint adds to the phone. Given the Hero's somewhat limited capacity, that was a strong reason for some folks. Other reason to root is then you can use any developers rom. The developers did some amazing things for roms for the Hero so I have been told. It also enabled folks who were rooted to get 2.1 WAY before the rest of us.

If you are a normal user with normal needs, you probably won't have a need. But keep reading what the developers are doing, that could change your mind

 

in my opinion, if u dont know what your doing or your not very tech savvy then dont do it. but if u are willing to read and do research etc etc, then i would say take a chance. but yes, u can brick your phone by doing such. but thats a chance that we all take as "rooters", we want to experience everything our phones has to offer and not be forced to use what the carrier wants us to.

 

if you dont feel comfortable with possibly bricking your device, then dont root it. the pre had virtually nothing you can do on the surface to brick it. there was always a way to doctor the pre back into working. you could use govnah and overclock the pre to run at 800mhz constantly. the only issue you would have would be the resetting of the pre in specific circumstances.

the evo is a different story if you have full root access and dont know what you are doing.

id say, dont chance it. you arent missing anything from your technical level by not rooting it. however, power users who want to have full control of their device are waiting for the root so that they can customize it even further to their likings.


just my opinion from a technical standpoint.

 

thank you everyone for your answers. i have a feeling that i probably won't be rooting. i never felt like i was missing out on my pre, so i'm sure i won't with the EVO either. the only thing is, i know it's out there and i "hear" everyone talking about it, so it's gotten me interested.

 

The reason things like Installous were started for the iPhone were because there was no trial period for most of the apps, which many viewed as a flawed system. You may pay $5 for something then find out it's crap, and you were stuck with it.

Well, the Android Market is full of free apps, but paid apps also are all refundable within 24 hours. So, you can try out any app, and if it's not what you need, simply return it and it will uninstall.

Free apps = piracy. Developers work hard on apps for all of us and the way they can continue to develop and update those apps is from the money they get when we buy them.

Sorry for the rant but I'm really against people thinking they deserve everything for free. I realize that's not what you said, but I felt the need for this anyway.

 

As developers start doing interesting things, trust me, you WILL here about it here, along with all sorts of links if you really want to learn more.

I will say, on the Hero side, those rooted could get a tad annoying with their constant cheer leading for rooting.

 

the free apps are also supported by adds dont forget that

 

I guess I wont be rooting neither. I had my TP2 with the custom rom that came with the phone then 6.5 came along and I liked it. I know I could install cab files to have all backgrounds the same or a different clock etc.. But I knew nothing about roms and the same goes with rooting. I'll leave the phone the way it is for now and am sure I'm still gonna love it. I am not that tech savy so I would be afraid to try it.

 

I have to stop being lazy and really research rooting to decide if that is the way to go for me. I would love to be able to do some customizations, but I'll definitely wait a little while everyone else roots to see if it's really for me or not. I'm definitely no tech wizard, but I'm no dummy either, so I guess only time will tell.

 

with the way most new phones are you can't brick them...they all have direct access usb access to the firmware to reinstall the rom...with the pre you have to hold some buttons while it's plugged in to the wall and turn it on...im sure the Evo will be the same

 

I'll share my experience.

I was never really into phones till I got my Hero, I had a dinosaur excuse for a phone (Treo700) before. I do love technology, though, and can teach myself on my own how to do things I didn't know how to do...and everyone, including you, can do that.

Once I got the Hero I became fascinated about what a phone can do and then I was hooked. Once I read about rooting, I thought it was too risky and above my head. I spent the next 4-5 months exploring android, the market and customizing my phone as much as I could till eventually I reached a point where I did pretty much everything I could "do".

I started reading up on rooting and watched more than a few videos about what it is and how to do it. Eventually what sold me was:
1) flipz's FreshKitchen makes it super easy and dramatically lowers the risk of bricking
2) If I ever wanted to get warranty work on the phone (because rooting voids the warranty), I can revert back to original stock condition (by flashing the RUU for the Hero)

So I went ahead and did it, and it's great. Phone is much snappier, I was able to get rid of things I didn't care for like the stock twitter and nascar apps to free up space, load custom boot-up screens...pretty much anything I want. It's been fun to explore. I'm still by no means a software expert (probably never will), I just waited for the real experts to make the process simple enough for someone motivated and willing to learn to do what they discovered.

Once I get my EVO, I'm basically going to do the same thing (explore all its features and capabilities as it came out of the box) with one difference...since I understand the rooting process better, I feel far more comfortable with doing it sooner than the 4-5 months it took me to with the Hero.

The BIGGEST reason you want to root the EVO is...mobile hotspot capability, which is what sprint wants 30 bucks for. But if you root, you will be able to have it (from what I understand).

So get your EVO, have your fun and if you feel like you want to really open up its potential, read up on rooting hth

 

My take is this. Gonna give the phone at least 6 months as is. Then, and only then, would maybe consider it.

But I will tell you this. From what I learned with the Hero, rooting isn't *hard*. You just have to be able to read and follow instructions. I have read enough of your posts by now. If you do decide to root, I have no doubts you will be fine.

 

Excellent work to those who did this...

 

Whats the icon to the left of the wifi symbol supposed to be?

 

gps