Hello everyone, and thank you very much for all your hard work in this forum. Also, I'd like to apologize if my questions have been answered elsewhere. I've searched, but I must have missed the answers.
First of all, I'm a noob all right: first-time owning an android device and having almost no experience with linux/unix systems. However, I'm not afraid to learn and tinker with things if I know what I'm doing, the rewards and the risks involved. I have searched and read quite a bit, but I still can't decide whether I want to root my tablet or not. Hence the question: What are the benefits of rooting the NT?
1. Install 3rd party apps?
This seems to be the biggest reason for most people who decide to root their NT. However I'm not an app junkie. In fact I prefer my device to be lean and mean, so I try to minimize the number of apps I install. I don't play games, not even Angry Birds, so the apps that I'm interested in are mostly utility apps. I value functions more than looks, so I couldn't care less about installing a personalized color theme, but I would go all out to get something that helps me organize my stuffs. I have tons of music and books and PDF documents that without a folder system, it would be an impossible pain to scroll up and down to find the thing I want. So my questions are: does stock NT allow us to organize our stuffs into nested folders? If it's a no for stock NT, can rooted NT do that? I've heard that we need to sideload 3rd party app (mxplayer) to playback some video files (mkv)? Can I stream flash videos, such as those on youtube or hulu.com, using built-in web browser, or do I need to root my NT and install particular browser? Is there a good app to read and annotate PDF documents? Can I install voice chat apps such as GTalk or Skype? Is there a good app for sketching with or without a stylus?
I guess my question is, are there such apps, and if there are, can I sideload them without rooting?
2. Remove memory restriction?
We have only 1GB for non-nook stuffs and restrictions on what apps we can install where. Even though we can sideload many non-nook apps as well as non-nook content without rooting, they are not going to be stored in the nook-only partition, right? So is there a way we can access and store our stuffs on that huge nook-only space without rooting? If not, will rooting allow us to do that? It just seems unfair to me that out of 12GB, we have only 1GB for our own stuffs.
3. System/Interface modifications?
I read somewhere that NT does have a bluetooth chip, but rooting still doesn't make it usable. Then what are the main modifications we can do? Would any of them prevent us from unrooting and returning the NT to stock if need be?
Thank you very much for reading my post, and again sorry if I unknowingly violate any rules/etiquette of the forum.
Lot's of questions, but that's ok. I have a nook color that was rooted, and my android phone is rooted...and that's about the extent of my experience, but it lets me compare to a non-rooted NT just fine.
I'm finding that with a little effort, my stock NT is just about as flexible as my rooted NC. Without rooting, I've got a ton of apps sideloaded, a different launcher running, an app that allows me to access specific apps or the whole drawer no matter where I am (wave launcher), dropbox, pdf's a plenty, netflix and hulu...yeah. I'm actually impressed with the stock pdf reader as I can highlight and look up words directly from the text, but I primarily use Repligo for pdf's as the stock reader sucks at reflowing the text. I keep just about everything on my sd card, so I'm not too concerned with the storage partition. I plan on getting a 32gb card and moving apps to sd if I have to...no biggie.
The only thing I really miss about not being rooted is not being able to use titanium back up, or access to the android market for updating my apps, and the only reason I'm not is that I'm too lazy to go through the process. As of right now, if I want an app on my NT, I either get it off the Amazon market (which can easily be installed on a stock NT), or I pull the apk from my titanium back ups on my phone. I know it's not a true tablet, so I'm not so concerned with putting different roms on it. I like it as a high power reader.
It sounds like you don't need a rooted NT, really. Android market is the main reason for most people who don't want to fully use it as an android tablet or mess around with settings to use the machine.
You can install launchers, other apps, amazon market, etc, without rooting it - and a 16 or 32GB sd card is going to be plenty on a reader/browser/streaming entertainment device. As mentioned in another thread, if you're asking why? then you don't need it Try to do whatever you want without it, and keep in mind that it's *not* a drastic procedure if you do decide to root the device, and you can always unroot/go back to factory whenever.
tkanne said:
Hello everyone, and thank you very much for all your hard work in this forum. Also, I'd like to apologize if my questions have been answered elsewhere. I've searched, but I must have missed the answers.
First of all, I'm a noob all right: first-time owning an android device and having almost no experience with linux/unix systems. However, I'm not afraid to learn and tinker with things if I know what I'm doing, the rewards and the risks involved. I have searched and read quite a bit, but I still can't decide whether I want to root my tablet or not. Hence the question: What are the benefits of rooting the NT?
1. Install 3rd party apps?
This seems to be the biggest reason for most people who decide to root their NT. However I'm not an app junkie. In fact I prefer my device to be lean and mean, so I try to minimize the number of apps I install. I don't play games, not even Angry Birds, so the apps that I'm interested in are mostly utility apps. I value functions more than looks, so I couldn't care less about installing a personalized color theme, but I would go all out to get something that helps me organize my stuffs. I have tons of music and books and PDF documents that without a folder system, it would be an impossible pain to scroll up and down to find the thing I want. So my questions are: does stock NT allow us to organize our stuffs into nested folders? If it's a no for stock NT, can rooted NT do that? I've heard that we need to sideload 3rd party app (mxplayer) to playback some video files (mkv)? Can I stream flash videos, such as those on youtube or hulu.com, using built-in web browser, or do I need to root my NT and install particular browser? Is there a good app to read and annotate PDF documents? Can I install voice chat apps such as GTalk or Skype? Is there a good app for sketching with or without a stylus?
I guess my question is, are there such apps, and if there are, can I sideload them without rooting?
2. Remove memory restriction?
We have only 1GB for non-nook stuffs and restrictions on what apps we can install where. Even though we can sideload many non-nook apps as well as non-nook content without rooting, they are not going to be stored in the nook-only partition, right? So is there a way we can access and store our stuffs on that huge nook-only space without rooting? If not, will rooting allow us to do that? It just seems unfair to me that out of 12GB, we have only 1GB for our own stuffs.
3. System/Interface modifications?
I read somewhere that NT does have a bluetooth chip, but rooting still doesn't make it usable. Then what are the main modifications we can do? Would any of them prevent us from unrooting and returning the NT to stock if need be?
Thank you very much for reading my post, and again sorry if I unknowingly violate any rules/etiquette of the forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm somewhat experienced with Android, but I just lurk on the forums, I rarely post. The talent here and on other forums is amazing. You ask why root? And then you spell out the 3 main reasons for rooting. You kinda answered your own question. What you need to do now is make a decision for your self if you want to root. Factory restore is real easy, as long as you don't mess with the partitions, if you need warranty. One reason for rooting you left out, which to me is the most important, it's my hardware, I'll do what I want to with it-once I pay for it I don't want to be told what I can and cannot do with it. I guess that's ego. I love mine rooted, it's a decent standard android tab, and the Nook, because all the Nook software is still there-I chose not to remove it. Whatever you decide, though, Enjoy it!
Thank you all so much for replying to my post. It sounds like I don't need to root my NT, and that's my feeling too. Rooting or unrooting the device doesnt seem to be difficult, I was just wondering if it's worth it. I didn't want to miss out on something cool if I don't. I'm quite keen on reclaiming as much built-in memory as I can though, so I'll keep an eye out for when the gurus in this forum find out how to do create and mount a virtual FAT filesystem as mentioned in this post. It will also be real cool if someone figure out how to make the bluetooth chip work, if at all possible.
I have a question about Android market though. What's the main benefits of having Android Market vs Amazon Appstore?
Thanks again.
tkanne said:
I didn't want to miss out on something cool if I don't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You won't be - it's mostly convenience and exposure to more apps (by browsing the market), and a few other things (backup tools).
The Amazon store sort of seems to be pulling apps from a small (very small, like 2% or so currently) section of the Android market actually, since I've found deals on Amazon mirrored when the Android market was having a sale - but never the reverse. So: main advantage is separate deal opportunities for when apps go on sale. If you have access to an android device (your phone etc) you can just buy them on that device instead and port them over. The Amazon store is actually nicer and has more features that you'll like - the ability to block in-app purchases, much more reliable reviews, daily free app deals, so it's not bad at all. The Android market is much much bigger, but that likely means both harder to find stuff and ending up with a lot of apps that flat out don't work or crash on the NT. And who knows, the B&N app store might be expanded to be fairly large next year (they're planning on it).
Wow, thanks so much for the explanation, zmobie. Now I feel totally confident that I won't need the Android Market, at least as far as I can see. I might still root my NT though, one day, just for the fun of it
Amazon DRM
Let's not fail to mention that apps purchased through the Amazon App Store have been infected with DRM (digital rights management). You must keep the Amazon App Store application installed so that it can verify that you did not steal the apps. Though I am uncertain whether it keeps a log or actually makes contact with Amazon.com.
Then there is the fact that it runs in the background constantly. The NT may have the memory for it but my phone doesn't
So here we are, talking about not being coerced or controlled by hardware manufacturers but are perfectly willing to drink the Amazon kool-aid.
Thanks, Nuenjin. I didn't know that about Amazon Appstore. I hate things that run in the background unnecessarily, and this will be one of those. Why does it need to do that? Can we force it to close or change the settings such that it wont start automatically (sth similar to changing the startup settings on the PC)? As for the DRM, do we have a way to strip it off the apps? I bought ebooks from amazon now and then, and I always strip off the DRM so I can read them on other devices...
Nuenjin said:
Let's not fail to mention that apps purchased through the Amazon App Store have been infected with DRM (digital rights management). You must keep the Amazon App Store application installed so that it can verify that you did not steal the apps. Though I am uncertain whether it keeps a log or actually makes contact with Amazon.com.
Then there is the fact that it runs in the background constantly. The NT may have the memory for it but my phone doesn't
So here we are, talking about not being coerced or controlled by hardware manufacturers but are perfectly willing to drink the Amazon kool-aid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does this also apply to the "free app of the day" from amazon?
HMG10 said:
Does this also apply to the "free app of the day" from amazon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
very much so
There are many people who do not mind a little DRM with their breakfast. They get a free app every day and sometimes better deals on the rest. I don't own any tablet yet, waiting on money honestly, but my phone can't support another memory sucking app that doesn't pull its own weight.
I read an article, and I'm looking for it so I can post it, about the hoops that Amazon forces developers to jump through.
For instance:
-The free app of the day; the developer gets no royalty for a free app.
-DRM is 'optional' but has anyone found an Amazon app that does not contain it?
-Developers cannot put their app 'on sale' outside of Amazon without lowering their Amazon price permanently.
-Amazon decides where the app will be priced, not the developer.
Sorry to go on, but once again, I don't like to do business with people/groups who bully their way into market share. That's Apple's model.
Nuenjin said:
There are many people who do not mind a little DRM with their breakfast. They get a free app every day and sometimes better deals on the rest. I don't own any tablet yet, waiting on money honestly, but my phone can't support another memory sucking app that doesn't pull its own weight.
I read an article, and I'm looking for it so I can post it, about the hoops that Amazon forces developers to jump through.
For instance:
-The free app of the day; the developer gets no royalty for a free app.
-DRM is 'optional' but has anyone found an Amazon app that does not contain it?
-Developers cannot put their app 'on sale' outside of Amazon without lowering their Amazon price permanently.
-Amazon decides where the app will be priced, not the developer.
Sorry to go on, but once again, I don't like to do business with people/groups who bully their way into market share. That's Apple's model.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like a poor business model, as it pushes developers away.
Follow up question on amazon app market: if you get the free app of the day, is it forever tied to your amazon account? Can I remove amazon app store then someday put it back on and have access to those free apps?
HMG10 said:
Sounds like a poor business model, as it pushes developers away.
Follow up question on amazon app market: if you get the free app of the day, is it forever tied to your amazon account? Can I remove amazon app store then someday put it back on and have access to those free apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, they're tied to your account. So as long as you attach the app store to the same account (and the apps haven't been removed by amazon for some reason) you'll have access to them.
akaCat said:
and the apps haven't been removed by amazon for some reason
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I pay for the app but Amazon can still remove it if they want? Now that's really ridiculous. Please, do we have a way to remove DRM? I'm totally new to this whole thing so I have no idea...
By the way, just to confirm, Android Market doesn't do this?
And one more question, I bought SoundHound from Apple AppStore for my iPhone. Is there a way I can install it on my NT? Or do I need to buy its Android version?
tkanne said:
I pay for the app but Amazon can still remove it if they want? Now that's really ridiculous. Please, do we have a way to remove DRM? I'm totally new to this whole thing so I have no idea...
By the way, just to confirm, Android Market doesn't do this?
And one more question, I bought SoundHound from Apple AppStore for my iPhone. Is there a way I can install it on my NT? Or do I need to buy its Android version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need an android version.
tkanne said:
I pay for the app but Amazon can still remove it if they want? Now that's really ridiculous. Please, do we have a way to remove DRM? I'm totally new to this whole thing so I have no idea...
By the way, just to confirm, Android Market doesn't do this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I only meant if Amazon hasn't removed the apps from their market. I have no idea if any android app vendor has a way to remove a downloaded app from a device.
Google has removed numerous apps from the android market. The ones I've heard of were all malware of some sort, so no loss.
So i did a quick Google search, however, i didn't find anything answering my question.
So when we think about android we (at least the ones who knows their thing) we know it is related to google. However, so far i know that Android is open source, correct me if i'm wrong, but that means that anyone CAN "cook" their own rom of android. (As soon in the numerous threads in android development). So far so good.
A while back i recall reading Google forbidding Cyanogenmod of including their multi-window feature (the one that allows you to surf the web and watch a youtube video simultaneously as seen in Samsung devices(Note 1/2 probably S4 and S3(?)). Anyways, my guess is they came to terms where they can agree or did Samsung ignore what google had to say? So to make a long story short, what are google's rights when it comes to android?
Can google, for instance, if it doesn't like what a manufacturer is adding to their phone be it a feature or a skin say that they only want manufacturers to stick to the AOSP look and if they do add their own skin they will be taken to court? Can they do this?
Just curious to understand how things are running here. I wanna know the rights google has and if it could have went to court with samsung because of using the multi window feature.
I think that you are asking a good question, to which I have no answer, but would be interested in following this.
Personally, I would like to see an Android ROM devoid of Google.
____________________
Sent from my HD2 JB-CM10 with XDA Premium
shadehh said:
So i did a quick Google search, however, i didn't find anything answering my question.
So when we think about android we (at least the ones who knows their thing) we know it is related to google. However, so far i know that Android is open source, correct me if i'm wrong, but that means that anyone CAN "cook" their own rom of android. (As soon in the numerous threads in android development). So far so good.
A while back i recall reading Google forbidding Cyanogenmod of including their multi-window feature (the one that allows you to surf the web and watch a youtube video simultaneously as seen in Samsung devices(Note 1/2 probably S4 and S3(?)). Anyways, my guess is they came to terms where they can agree or did Samsung ignore what google had to say? So to make a long story short, what are google's rights when it comes to android?
Can google, for instance, if it doesn't like what a manufacturer is adding to their phone be it a feature or a skin say that they only want manufacturers to stick to the AOSP look and if they do add their own skin they will be taken to court? Can they do this?
Just curious to understand how things are running here. I wanna know the rights google has and if it could have went to court with samsung because of using the multi window feature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My understanding is while 'Android' or rather the AOSP is completely open source and free to use as you like, there are parts that Google have restrictive licensing over, or example the 'Gapp' (gmail, google+, play store etc). Manufacturers then also hold rights over the parts they add into Android (skins, other apps etc.).
Google has no control over manufacturers sticking Android on a device and that manufacture changing Android in anyway (hence the many many random Chinese devices), however Google can prevent a manufacturer from having a license to include the play store etc if they are unhappy with whats being done.
Google didn't forbid the CM team from including it, they said they would restrict access to the Play Store for devices running CM. The Play services is the only thing Google has power over, since that's their proprietary service. They cannot prevent someone from making a device that runs Android, since that's open source.
And I so believe Samsung's method is different, because apps require some changes before you can run then in multi windows, so you can't just run any app (officially, that is).
Lesicnik1 said:
Google didn't forbid the CM team from including it, they said they would restrict access to the Play Store for devices running CM. The Play services is the only thing Google has power over, since that's their proprietary service. They cannot prevent someone from making a device that runs Android, since that's open source.
And I so believe Samsung's method is different, because apps require some changes before you can run then in multi windows, so you can't just run any app (officially, that is).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see. Doesn't that in theory mean that Samsung could just take their sgs 3, remove all google services and smack their own play store onto it or am i missing something here?
shadehh said:
I see. Doesn't that in theory mean that Samsung could just take their sgs 3, remove all google services and smack their own play store onto it or am i missing something here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh they could. But then it would be blocked from other Google projects as well.
Wayne Tech S-III
I have an app I really like, but the developers have gone down a really bad route. It's been turned into a horrible web app that is now slow to load, clunky to use, and has adopted many iOS UI things.
I have the last known version before they went this horrible way, and they apparently don't care about their plummeting store ratings, and adamant they aren't going back.
I have prevented auto update of the app, but I also want to remove notification in the Play store (and anywhere else) that an update even exists for this app. Is this possible without root?
I am thinking perhaps changing the APK signing key, or package name, or some other way of mangling the app? or some easier way?
Just for reference resigning with a different key will make the app stop appearing in Play Store updates.
I will come out an name and shame UnTappd for not caring what their users want or think about thieir (un)responsive web app garbage.
If anyone wants the original last native APK (2.8.4), I have it, and I also have a resigned on that won't try and update via the play store.
Original (signed by Untappd):
http://hostracon.com/uploads/1763759451.Untappd Discover Beer_v2.8.4_apkpure.com.apk
Modified with new cert:
http://hostracon.com/uploads/439004733.untapped284 alt sign.apk
Hope someone finds them useful.