Ian in I.T. » Linux

5 areas where Android still beats iOS 4

ian — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:15:41 +0000

Here’s an interesting article. Not that it will sway either side one way or the other. Some of us like to live in freedom, others like our shiny little box to live in. To each his own. Anyway…

5 areas where Android still beats iOS 4

Android rules!

ian — Mon, 10 May 2010 17:07:36 +0000

There was an article out today with statistics for smartphone sales in the US. Android is #2 behind the Blackberry. It’s only going to get bigger.

http://phandroid.com/2010/05/10/android-surpasses-the-iphone-in-the-united-states/

Damage Control Your Sprint Hero

ian — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 22:04:48 +0000

A little while ago I decided that it was time to get a little more creative with my Sprint HTC Hero. I did some searching for custom ROMS that I could put on my phone. I started with one called Fresh ROM. I tried a few others and I have settled on DamageControl. It is nice to have Android 2.1 on my phone. Who knows when the official one will come out from Sprint. Anyway, I wanted to put together a start to finish Tutorial on the process. If you are brave enough, go for it.

Notes: This is for the Sprint Hero (CDMA) only. I don’t know what happens with other phones. I am also not liable if you screw up your phone in this process. That, being said, it’s not hard and I haven’t screwed up a phone yet. Also, you will have to wipe your phone. You will need to reinstall all of your apps. Now on to the instructions.

On your phone go to Menu->Settings->Applications and make sure that “Unknown Sources” is enabled.
Make sure you have a file manager installed. I use OI File manager.
Download these 3 files. recovery-RA-heroc-v1.5.2.img flashrec-1.1.3-20091107-2.apk DamageControlv2.06.zip
Copy the files to the root of your sd card
Open your file manager, find the flashrec apk and install it.
Start the flashrec app
Click Backup Recovery Image
When that finishes, click the empty box and type in /sdcard/recovery-RA-heroc-v1.5.2.img
This installs the most important part. This allows you to boot your phone into a recovery console with many more options like flashing the ROM.
Click Flash Recovery Image
Turn off the phone
Boot into the recovery mode by holding down the home key and pressing the power button. Keep holding it until it goes into the Recovery console.
In the console, scroll down to wipe and click the trackball
Click again on Wipe data/factory reset
Press the Home key to confirm.
Hit the back key to get back to the main menu.
Scroll down to Backup/Restore and click
Click Nand Backup. *Optional* (This will backup your current phone state so you can get back if you want)
Home to confirm
When that is done click back
Click Flash zip from sdcard.
Select the DamageControl ROM you downloaded earlier.
Click Home to confirm
Click back when that is done.
Click Reboot system
Enjoy!

That should be all you need. If you want to flash other ROMs, just download the zip file, put it on your sdcard and go back to step 11.

Swype text entry

ian — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 11:01:14 +0000

A couple of weeks ago I signed up to beta test a new soft-keyboard for my Android phone. It looked intriguing as it doesn’t use the standard tap method to enter text. What you do it swipe across all the letters in the word and it will figure out what you are trying to say. After a couple of weeks of using it there is no way I’ll go back. It is fast and accurate. Here’s a video demonstrating it’s speed.

Windows 7 Fail and Linux OggCamp ad

ian — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:29:45 +0000

Coolest unboxing ever!!

ian — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:41:38 +0000

I listen to the Linux Outlaws podcast and on a recent episode, Dan was discussing the Nokia n900 that he received for review. He talked about the cool packaging it came in. It sounded so cool I had to look it up on youtube. So here it is. You can stop at about 3 minutes in.

Android Apps page

ian — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:42:26 +0000

I just created a page to list my favorite Android Apps. I’ll try to keep it updated. Not that anyone cares.

http://www.ianinit.com/android-apps

Getting the word out

ian — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:47:24 +0000

I think Sprint and HTC have so far dropped the ball. There has been virtually no advertising for the Hero phone. The reviews across the internet are awesome for the Hero. I love mine, that is for sure. Anyway, it looks like they are finally getting an ad campaign going. I think it is a pretty brilliant campaign and slogan.

iDon’t

ian — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:15:06 +0000

I’m not getting one but it is an Android phone so I’m a fan.

Hero on board

ian — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 02:03:48 +0000

We got our Hero phones last weekend. I do love it so. It does everything I hoped it would and more. I’m actually writing this from I-90 somewhere between Spokane and Ellensburg.

Android is awesome. It is Linux at it’s core though so how could you compete with that anyway. HTC’s sense UI is nice. It has some nice looking widgets.

Android ROCKS!!