Ecuador

Today I am off to Ecuador for the week. Nice place. Long trip, so I am glad i got my first class upgrades... Today I got my 16GB Class 6 SD card. Got it as I was walking out the door, so I had to repartition, then fly out... Wiped, reflashed Cm 4.0.4 and the theme, and reinstalled all my apps on the way to the airport... You know I am getting the hang of this now, when I can reflash my phone while on my way to airport...LOL I am now at the Flagship Lounge in Miami. Nice place. A little more exclusive than the Admirals Club. Free food too... Nice... My flight to Ecuador leaves at 325. So far on time. Next update tonight from Quito!

Update

Updated both phones to Cyanogen 4.0.4 and the Community Hero Mix theme by Nabzilla on XDA Developers forums. Awesome looking setup... I love the elegant blackness of it all... Now all I need is that Black Camaro 2SS at Dimmitt Chevy to match it all...LOLOL

I seem to have screwed up the music player on the theme though somehow. I will have to wipe and reflash everything when I get my new Class 6 16GB card, so I am not too concerned... Then i will give my 8GB Class 6 card to my wife and repartition it, so she can have apps2SD working...

Lazy sunday today... Off to Ecuador for the week tomorrow.

16GB SD Card partition

Ok, so now I have partitioned my SD card so that Apps2SD works... It was very easy. If you want to do it, follow these steps... By the way, All I have is a PC with Vista x64 and an MT3G, so any other setup is not tested by me, and as always, you are doing this at your OWN risk and I will not be held liable. This is also the steps I did for a 16GB SD card. The figures will be different on 8GB and such...

These instructions also assume that you know your way around a PC... If you dont understand these instructions, then you might not want to try this...LOL

Download the Android SDK from here http://developer.android.com/sdk/1.5_r3/index.html

Unzip to your pc after download. Rename that unzipped directory ANDROID and place in your C:\ drive.

Find your environment variables by right clicking on your computer icon and selecting properties.

Add C:\Android\Tools to the path.

Connect your MT3G to the computer. make sure that settings>applications>developer>debugging is checked ON

Run a CMD console

Type adb devices (you should see your device attached)

Type adb shell reboot recovery (this will reboot you into recovery)

Type adb shell (you should get a # prompt)

Type parted /dev/block/mmcblk0 (that is a ZERO at the end)

Type print (this should give you a list of your partitions)

Type rm 1 (this will delete partition 1. Repeat for all other partitions)

Type print (again. This will make sure you dont show any partitions)

Type mkpartfs primary fat32 0 14876

Type mkpartfs primary ext2 14876 15900

Type mkpartfs primary linux-swap 15900 15932

Type print (again. This will show you your 3 newly created partitions)

Type quit

Type upgrade_fs (this will upgrade your ext2 to ext3)

Type reboot

You are done! When you reboot, all your apps will be moved automatically to the SD card. This will give you 15 GB for your storage, 1GB for apps, and a linux swap partition in case you decide to get even braver at a later date and do more...

Any questions, email me, of find me on twitter or the TMO forums...

Exciting stuff!!!

Theme for CM40x

To install a theme on CM 4.0.x:

I am going to assume that you have the Cyanogen ROM up and running and rebooted and all is well...

Download the theme of your choice from:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=450

The theme MUST say it is for the version of Cyanogen's ROM that you are using...

I use the stock hero look from this thread:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=541242

Place file on your SD card. No need to rename.

Boot into recovery mode (Hold down power+home until you are in recovery)

Do NOT wipe, or backup.

Just select 'apply any zip from SD', select the theme file, and flash. Reboot

WARNING: You CAN'T uninstall a theme. If you wish to change themes, you MUST wipe and reflash the CM40x ROM and start over. I would suggest NOT doing a backup, as this will delete the backup of the original image done when rooting the phone. Also, the themes MUST be for the correct version of the ROM. A theme for 4.0.1 will NOT work on ROM 4.0.2, and so on. So if you update the ROM in the future, it will wipe the theme on its own, and you must reflash the theme when the correct version comes back out.

School

So this is back to school week... My oldest son is now starting his senior year at USF, my daughter is starting her freshman year at HCC, and my youngest son is now a big 4th grader. I am so proud of all of them, and wish them the best for this school year!! I love you all!

Step by step 1-click rooting on your MT3G

WARNING: T-Mobile does not support "rooting", manual operating system upgrades and manual installations. T-Mobile will not assume responsibility for any device problems or failures that occur from following procedures in this blog. Unless specifically noted by me, the content of this post should be considered "at your own risk". You risk damaging your phone and voiding your phones warranty. This post is provided as a courtesy to advanced readers.

*NOTICE: This can be a risky procedure, and if you make a mistake and brick your phone: T-Mobile, author of this post, or other subsequent posts, nor any party, company, corporate entity, individual, or estate; living or dead, associated or otherwise connected with the above shall not be held liable for any damage you do to your device, others devices, your person, other people/living things, or property belonging to you any other entity in the known universe should you attempt this procedure. You take full responsibility and liability for any action you choose to take to attempt to manually update your phone. Do this at your own risk. Thanks!

---

THIS IS FOR STOCK MT3G... I have not tried this on a G1. Attempt at own risk!

It also uses a security flaw in the Android software which has already been patched at the developer level upstream... Which means that if you get an OTA update on your stock MT3G, and your version is not COC10, you will NOT be able to do this, and you will have to do it the long way

PLEASE READ, RE-READ AND THEN READ THIS AGAIN TO MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT SKIP A STEP!

You will need to download the 1-click root application from this link:

http://www.4shared.com/dir/18753408/b1b16ea0/sharing.html (flie is called flashrec-20090815.apk)

You will also need to download Cyanogen's ROM. The latest version as of this writing is 4.0.2 and is STABLE. This link is the thread on XDA which also has a lot of useful info:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=537204

Copy both files to your SD card. Do not place them in any folders.

Make sure that Settings>applications>unknown sources is checked

Install the flashrec-20090815.apk application on your phone.

Run the recovery flasher app.

You will see 2 buttons.

First, press the bottom button to do a backup of your recovery image.

Second, the top button to flash Cyanogen's Recovery 1.4 .

When this is done, power your phone off.

Power your phone back on into recovery mode by holding down the HOME+POWER button together until you see the recovery menu.

Now select the option to do a Nandroid 2.2 backup. This will backup the original stock software on your phone.

Now select the option that says wipe data/factory reset.

When that is done, select apply any zip from SD, and select the cyanogen ROM zip file.

And finally, when that is finished, select reboot system now.

That is it! You will boot into your new, rooted phone with the latest Cyanogen's ROM!

If you wish to install a Hero theme, you can goto this link :

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=541242

Place that file on your SD card, reboot into recovery mode (HOME+POWER), select apply any zip from sd, and reboot.

If you are applying a theme, make sure that the theme is for that version of the ROM. You CAN'T apply a 4.0.1 theme on a 4.0.2 ROM.

If you update your CM ROM to a newer version, it will delete the theme, and you must re-download and install the right theme for your version again.

Also, DO NOT WIPE when applying themes! Just flash on top of ROM.

For easy updating of CM's ROM, go to the market and search for CYANOGEN, and download the app called CM updater. Latest version is 3.1.1 This will allow you to update your ROM when new versions are out.

CM 4.0.2 has AUTO apps2sd, but you have to have your card partitioned for that. See thread in the T-Mobile support forums about partitioning card for instructions from the master (Breakthecycle2)

Since this is for the MT3G, you might not need apps2sd since youhave plenty of memory on your phone for apps.

REMEMBER:

This is the easy way to do this and it is only best for simple rooting and running CM's ROMs... If you wish to run other ROMs or run the HERO ROM, you really should root the long way, partition your SD card the right way, and do EXACTLY what Chris and Break (T-Mobile forums)have written on many times.

Also, if you get stuck, feel free to PM me and I will help you as much as I can.

Thanks

Hope this helps!!

Busted!

Recovery Flasher 1-click root is OFF the market now. It was only a matter of time. if anyone needs the APK, I have it. Email me

Back from Panama... Nice trip yesterday. Managed to arrive in Miami early and catch the earlier flight. Got home 3 hrs early... Thanks AA!

I am now rooting my wife's MT3G using the 1-click method. Loading CM 4.0.1 on it as we speak.

Great day!

Today was a great day for my oldest daughter Kristi. SSgt results are out and she made it! I am so proud of her. She is now right behind where I was after 20 years...LOL She should be sewing that on around Oct. She also got a proposal for marriage from JK... She of course will say yes... Big day for her. Congratulations all around Kristi! We love you!

Done

Long day today... Didn't even have lunch until I got back to hotel around 330... My flight is on time for tomorrow. My plane is on its way from Miami, so my flight should be on time. I have my upgrade for Mia-TPA, but dont have my upgrade to Miami yet. From Panama I usually have it at the last minute... Lets hope this is the case today.

Impatience

Ok, so I couldnt wait...LOL I installed that Hero theme on my rooted MyTouch. Here is a picture. Not of mine, but a sample from the developer of the Theme.

Absolutely fantastic. Theme adds widgets, and basically skins the whole OS. New skin for the music player, contacts, dialer, etc etc...Great little widgets for power meter, and separate matching widgets for toggling functions.

Panama

Long day in Panama... Got picked up early and was out in meetings all day. Just got back to the hotel. had a decent flight yesterday. Only gripe was the food again... It was an odd number flight so they started serving from the back to the front. When they got to row 1 where I was, the choices were salmon, salmon or salmon...LOL Needless to say, I had a roll and a diet coke for lunch. I don't know how AA figures out how many of each food choice to carry, but every time they carry fish, they run out of the other choice and there is never enough for all of us... Time to change the way they do it I say...

Nothing going on tonight... Catching up on work, more meetings tomorrow...

My rooted MT3G is running sweet. I am going to go with a Hero theme for it but I will not flash that until I get back. It is unreal how much smoother and better this phone runs with the CM 4.0.1 ROM loaded. WOW... No lag, super fast, more battery life, multitouch, donut stuff in it, etc etc

Its excellent. I'm trying to get my wife to let me do her phone when I get back...LOL

Rooting the MyTouch 3G

Ok, so after debating in my head if I would or not, I went ahead and rooted my MyTouch with the help of the Recovery Flasher app from the market. It actually took longer to read the instructions than to do the process.

For those of you who have not done it, here are the instructions:

- Download the app Recovery Flasher from the market and your favorite ROM. (I downloaded the Cyanogen 4.01 - here is the link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=537204) Place this ROM image on your SD card, no need to rename.

- Run the recovery flasher app, do a backup, flash recovery 1.4 (these are all on screen instructions step by step -you need to highlight each selection with your trackball)

- Then power off, boot into recovery mode by holding the keys home + power down until you see the recovery screen.

- Do a nandroid backup, wipe, flash new ROM, reboot (these are also on screen instructions)

When you flash new ROM, you have to select apply any zip from SD card (also on screen instructions that you highlight with the trackball)

When you select this, it will show the ROM you downloaded. No need to rename it to update.zip or anything.

That is it. You are rooted and now running the Cyanogen 4.0.1 ROM. You can also go to the Dream Themes section of XDA and download themes for your ROM.

One of the TMO forum members has succesfully flashed a Hero ROM without having to update the SPL and Radio images. I am not that brave yet. LOL

This would be a good time to do the following disclaimer:

WARNING: T-Mobile does not support "rooting", manual operating system upgrades and manual installations. Neither T-Mobile nor myself will assume responsibility for any device problems or failures that occur from following procedures in this blog. You risk damaging your phone and voiding your phones warranty. These instructions are provided as a courtesy.

*NOTICE: This can be a risky procedure, and if you make a mistake and brick your phone: T-Mobile, me, nor any party, company, corporate entity, individual, or estate; living or dead, associated or otherwise connected with the above shall not be held liable for any damage you do to your device, others devices, your person, other people/living things, or property belonging to you any other entity in the known universe should you attempt this procedure. You take full responsibility and liability for any action you choose to take to attempt to manually update your phone. Do this at your own risk. Thanks

Many thanks and credit go to Cyanogen, RyeBrye (http://www.ryebrye.com/blog/2009/08/16/android-rooting-in-1-click-in-progress/), the XDA developers community, and the many users and members of the TMO forums for their help.

MyTouch 3G, part 1

Ok, So After a few days with my new phone, its time for some thoughts. First of all, I must say that although the specs are similar to the G1, after having a G1 for about 9 months, it does feel like a substantial upgrade. Its not as bulky in your hand, much more elegant, and sleeker and lighter.

For me, the biggest improvement is the memory capacity for apps. Yes, I do know that you can root the G1 and get the Apps2SD app and never have to worry about it, but for those of us that do not want to root, this is great. I have installed every single app I have ever liked and wanted, and I still have 220+ MB of room.

As far as the keyboard, I had been using the on screen keyboard on the G1 almost exclusively for about 2 months in order to prepare just in case I ever switched. I am glad I did. The transition to 100% virtual keyboard has been smooth, and I do not miss the physical keyboard at all.

As far as apps, I use Open Home with a modified Hero theme. My wallpaper is from the Backgrounds app, space category. I use the weather widget app with forecasts add-on. I like a clean, clear uncluttered home screen. I use only 3 screens, and on the left screen I have 8 icons for my most used apps. On the right screen I have the search widget with 4 more icons (taskiller, and the toggle blu, wifi, and airplane mode apps)

There is a lot of talk of lag on the TMO forums. I personally have not experienced any lag to speak off. Is there lag sometimes? Sure. But heck, sometimes things don't run smooth on my quad core PC either...LOL

I also must applaud TMO for the launch of so many accesories at the same time as the phone launched. Although the Merlot owners would disagree. And frankly, if they would have had the same accesories (dock, chargers, etc) in Merlot also, I would have bought a Merlot. I suspect that the lack of matching accesories is skewing the Merlot sales in the other colors' directions.

My wife has also upgraded her G1 to a White MyTouch. She uses Open Home with some girlie flowery theme...LOL

She also uses the Work Email app to access her email from her exchange server at work, and so far it has been flawless. She absolutely loves her phone.

These are of course some initial thoughts, and as time goes by, I will be talking more in depth about stuff on the phone.

Weekend

The weekend is here! Yeah... First of all, i absolutely love my new phone. The MyTouch, although not radically different than the G1, has definitely improved on the original. I will post a full review of my own phone later.

Sadly, the buyer of my wife's phone is not happy with the purchase. I am trying to work out a deal with her so she is satisfied.

I will be updating every day next week from Panama...

Stay Tuned!

Blackness

I picked up my phone from the UPS hub last night. It was as expected. Beautiful. This picture is of course not my phone, and I will post photos later... I did manage to re-download all my apps and then some last night. Having almost 300MB of memory is awesome. I was so limited with the G1.

The waiting game

So today is the day my phone is due here... UPS still says 6pm yesterday in Jax...LOL I called UPS and they said it will be delivered today, although they did not know what is up with their computers. So I sit and wait for UPS...LOL

My wife's phone sold last night for a nice fee... I will be listing mine today or tomorrow.

Sold!

So the auction on my wife's G1 ended succesfully. Sold for 222.50. That will cover a lot of the cost of her new phone. usually we keep old phones as spares, but not this time... Too much money for a new phone so off she goes! LOL I will be posting mine tomorrow after my new phone arrives. Its in Jacksonville now...

Cant wait... Shipping hers off tomorrow morning to the buyer in NJ

New cell

So on Sunday I ordered a new phone. A new Black MyTouch from T-Mobile. Just got my tracking info this morning and it's due here tomorrow. My lovely wife Michelle already bought a White one on friday and she absolutely loves it!

In the beginning...

So here I am... New blog. This first post will be short, as I am just setting all this up. I'm glad that my domain name was available. I have used Zapote21 since my old AOL days in the mid 90's. I will post often on a variety of subjects but I am a creature of habit, so i will be usually talking about only the stuff that interests me...LOL Until next time...