Easy Nexus 4 Root Method Arrives via Toolkit

by Rudy Rivapalacio on
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Nexus 4

What’s the first thing you’re going to do with your new Nexus 4? If you answered, “root that bad boy and unleashed the custom ROM hell hounds,” you’re in luck! XDA developer mskip posted the Nexus 4 Toolkit today to help get you there. If you’re so inclined, we highly recommend you follow our How to unlock and root the Nexus 4 Guide. Results tend to be more consistent with the so called “manual method” described in our guide, but the process is usually a bit tedious. If you’re looking for quick & easy, the Toolkit is for you.

Version 1.1.0, released today, will now let you flash a custom recover, which is essential in performing Nandroid backups and flashing a custom ROM. Hit the source for the full list of features and all important download link. Then you can take advantage of apps like Titanium Backup and One Power Guard for your newly rooted Nexus 4.

Source: XDA

With CM10 being released, more devices receive official CM10 builds; CM10.1 will be Android 4.2

by Macky Evangelista on
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With stable builds of CyanogenMod 10 being released yesterday to a select devices, more devices should start seeing support as the days go on. Today the U.S. Samsung Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note (1 and 2), HTC One X and S, and Sony Xperia T are now supported, among many others. If you’re curious about your device and if the CM team supports it, you can check out their website for further details.

In other news, with Android 4.2′s source code dropping yesterday, you can expect developers like CyanogenMod to quickly get their hands on that code and start working on their custom version of it. The CM team has revealed that it will be dubbed as CM10.1, rather than a whole new number such as CM11. Since Android 4.2 is still technically Jelly Bean, the team didn’t feel the need to bump the number up to 11. That will probably be saved for the next iteration of Android (Key Lime Pie perhaps?).

Check out CM’s official statement on the matter after the break!

» Read the rest

S-Memo Found To Save Google Passwords In Plain Text And Is Viewable When Device Is Rooted

by Roy Alugbue on
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There are always pros and cons when it comes to rooting your Android devices. Among the major pros are being able to make your Android device much more flexible and slap on things like custom ROMs. On the flip side there are cons such as the potential of major security breaches, such as one that was recently found by XDA user graffixnyc. While going through his S-Memo SQLite files on his Galaxy S III, he found out S-Memo store his Google account password in plain text, instead of the password being encrypted. After posting his issue in an open forum thread, another XDA user named ViViDboarder highlighted rooted devices will be able to view internal contents like that of the SQLite files, though graffixnyc the records of the SQLite files should be encrypted, whether a device is rooted or not.

While this is incredibly troubling to hear, this is a good wake up call for all Android owners, especially owners of rooted devices to take extreme caution in ensuring their sensitive information is safe and secure. The last thing you want is your important information getting into the wrong hands and all.

source: XDA Forums

Sony Xperia T gets James Bond Skyfall theme

by Jared Peters on
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Sony has been pretty determined in advertising the Xperia T as a James Bond phone, and I’d say they’ve succeeded. Xperia T owners can take it a step further now with a complete 007 theme pack, thanks to XDA forum member ruwsoft. The theme pack includes ringtones, images, and all kinds of small changes to really get that James Bond feel.

It’s a simple installation, but the phone must be rooted. Aside from that, it’s a painless installation; download file, unzip file, drop the .apk in the phone’s system/vendor/overlay/framework/ folder, and reboot. Quick and simple. Hit the source for download links and the post on XDA.

So who’s planning on flashing this and running around in a tuxedo for the rest of the night?

source: XDA

Titanium Backup Pro Gets Updated To Version 5.7.0

by Roy Alugbue on
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Those of you who are constantly flashing ROMs onto your device, but fearful of losing those precious apps are in luck as Titanium Backup has just received a major update, making the best backup solution even better. The update brings the version to 5.7.0 and brings a host of nifty features like support for Android devices without touchscreen, removes unneeded permissions and finally gives users the option to create flashable .zip files of their backed up apps in the PRO version– making the restoration process just a little bit simpler. Oh and best of all— the new version is compatible with Android devices version 1.5+, so virtually all Android users will be able to take advantage of the cool app.

The latest version is available in the Play Store now but keep in mind– the PRO version is listed for $6.58, so it isn’t exactly cheap. Still, Android users will likely overlook that considering Titanium Backup gives them a solid peace of mind and all.

Play Store

Android 4.2 Camera app with Photo Sphere now available for Galaxy Nexus

by Colton Kaiser on
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Introduced on Monday, Android 4.2 brings a slew of new enhancements and features that rectify the minor jump in the version number. One of the most–if not the most–heavily touted features is Google’s entirely redesigned Camera and Gallery interface. The new build brings with it an intuitive options ring that pops up wherever you place your finger, allowing you to easily control the focus and various user settings. Also new is Photo Sphere, which has the ability to capture 360-degree images, similar to Google Maps Street View.

You may be thinking, “all this is great, except I don’t have a Nexus 4.” This may be true, but if you have a Galaxy Nexus, the entire new app has been ripped from Android 4.2, and  packaged into a nice .apk for easy installation. Hit the break for download links.

Downloads
Download Link 1
Download Link 2

Source: Android Police

 

 

Motorola DROID RAZR HD AND RAZR MAXX HD Smartphones Get Minor Security Update

by Roy Alugbue on
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Verizon’s hottest smartphones for the fall may be only a few weeks old, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t get a  welcome update, right? Well Verizon and Motorola have announced a minor security update for the DROID RAZR/RAZR MAXX HD smartphones. The build— version 0.7.2.XT926— brings a “Google Security Patch”… which may or may not remove the ability for owners to partake in any shenanigans with the device.

The update is expected to reach owners sometime within the week, so if you’re an owner of either device, make sure you’re on the lookout for the update.

source: Verizon Wireless

New DMCA ruling upholds rooting of phones not tablets

by Rudy Rivapalacio on
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The latest ruling in the ever complicated Digital Millennium Copyright Act continues to list smartphones as exempt from the rules prohibiting rooting and Jailbraking as it did in 2010. Good news if you’re waiting for the Nexus 4, not so good if you’re waiting for the Nexus 10; tablets are not included in the exceptions.  The Library Of Congress listed five categories of exemptions which will go into effect on October 28, 2012 and will be valid for three years.

The Library of Congress found the definition of “tablet” to be too broad. The ruling determined “the record lacked a sufficient basis to develop an appropriate definition for the ‘tablet’ category of devices, a necessary predicate to extending the exemption beyond smartphones.” They cited “an e-book reading device might be considered a ‘tablet,’ as might a handheld video game device or a laptop computer.”

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AT&T HTC One X gets root method for latest OTA update

by Macky Evangelista on
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The latest OTA update for AT&T’s HTC One X broke the current methods for rooting the device, but of course it never takes the folks over at XDA too long to find another work around when it comes to rooting. This method will use two different exploits to modify your CID and allow you to unlock your bootloader and root the device.

Of course, as with anything that has to do with rooting, this procedure is can be harmful for your device so please read up before you attempt to do this! Check out the source link if you’re interested!

source: XDA

Sprint Optimus G Officially Has Root

by Roy Alugbue on
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We’ve come to expect complete root access for all most Android devices, even if they haven’t been released yet. So while the Sprint LG Optimus G will be in our hands in a matter of weeks, prospective owners will have the luxury of being able to root the phone as soon as they have their hands on the device. Thanks to some crafty folk at the Android Central Forums, it was realized that the Sprint Optimus G could be rooted in the same manner as the Korean version of the smartphone. Essentially, you’ll need a Windows-based computer, USB cable, LG driver and a subsequent additional file. It sounds relatively simple and straightforward enough, so if you are planning on grabbing that device, be sure to hit up the source link below to get all the details.

source: Android Central Forums