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Considering this phone. Would like to hear from current owners. Likes, dislikes. Are you rooted? How?
Sent from my SCH-I800 using XDA Premium App

I love the charge. Came from droid 1 which is what I used to learn to root. I rooted using odin which was very similar to rsd lite for Motorola. Xda has excellent guides on how to do this. Screen is just super. I had a screen protector on it but took it off cause screen so much better without it. My current rom is Eclipse 1.2 and its badass. Use the kernel recommended.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA App

rumblee1 said:
Considering this phone. Would like to hear from current owners. Likes, dislikes. Are you rooted? How?
Sent from my SCH-I800 using XDA Premium App
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I've had this phone for 3 weeks now prior i had thunderbolt battery sucked signal sucked etc. now the only thing so far with the charge is it's a little laggy out the box not bad and i hate that when it gets to 100% charge it always wakes me up at 2:00am i was worried about the small amount of internal storage but i havent filled it yet it works great as a hotspot and usb tethering the sound quality is great
i'm really glad i went ahead and changed to this phone also i;m not rooted i wanna
but i;m holding out a little longer not much as of the 7th the hotspot feature will be gone so i've read and i'll be rooting it then because i need this feature for my buss. i travel alot and need to use my laptop for certain things and i want netflix lol i hope this helps you some if not ask some direct questions i'll be more than happy to respond

of the devices verizon has the offer at this moment, this is the best 4G LTE device and I would get it again. i really love this device and recommend it to anyone looking for an lte phone. yes, it is a little laggy out of the box but that's just because of touchwiz and RFS. Once you root it and voodoo it (convert the file system to EXT4) the phone is way faster and more responsive.
in addition to this, there is no use waiting for something else. on the horizon, the only other LTE device coming up is the BIONIC and because it's a motorola its probably going to have a locked bootloader. it will also be much bulkier, heavier, and include blur. other than that, the galaxy s II (if it ever comes out on verizon) probably won't be LTE.
also, make sure you get this before the 7th so you get unlimited data.

[Q] Should I buy the Sidekick 4G?

Hello everyone ! I have a pretty general question for you guys. Should I buy the sidekick 4G ?*
Here's the story:
I'm switching carriers (MetroPCS>T-Mobile). So I am planning to get tmobile prepaid $50 a month. This means I have to purchase the phone for 299 instead of the 79 with a 2 year agreement. I don't so much mind spending that amount of money if the phone is worth it ( although that is as much as I'd pay for a phone) .*
does the phone live up to what it claims to do ? I just need it to do what it claims to do , right. *
I just want to hear what you guys think since you own the phone !
Thank you in advance !

Its an okay device. It just has to much going on for me to like it, as I'm talking about the user interface. The specs are decent, but with all these dual core processors out there, this phone really can't match them. The only pro to the phone is it does have a nice keyboard...if your into physical keyboard phones. There's my two cents haha..
Pure meXdroidMod!

No....if you don't mind spending a little more, you should get the HTC Sensation.
The only thing the Sidekick 4G has going for it is the keyboard...that's all.
The HTC Sensation destroys it in all other aspects.

The sidekick has a longer battery life than the g2x n most likely the sensation (19 days)
Sent from my SGH-T839 using XDA App

Thanks for the replies !
My only worry is that the phone is laggy when using normal operations such as texting, phone dialing, occasional web browsing. I don't plan on using the device for anything 'heavier' than that, I have an iPad and an iPod touch that I can use for heavier operations at home . I just want a reliable phone
What are your experiences on normal day to day use ? In terms of OS functionality and 'smoothness'.
Ps. Woah the sensation is very expensive haha I'm afraid it's out of my price range.

This phone is not that bad, if your just a standard user for texting and web surfing with a qwerty keyboard too then I say get it. So far I haven't much down fall with this phone since I rooted and added gingerclone update2 asop. And since this my 2 android phone coming from mytouch 3g its a big difference. Hope this help with your phone shopping.
Sent from my SGH-T839 using xda premium

It's a nice phone, once you get a few things changed (imho). Don't expect much sk4g specific mods to it though, what you get is basically what you have to stick with, unlike some other android phones with alot more dev love.

I send 20000 texts a month I use 6gigs of my data I love this phone I've flashed the roms and gingerclone v2 is the best and fastestthe messaging app in it has the option to press enter and reply and press the back button to the web page I'm surfing and it works great I love the keyboard at first you won't but after an hour of using it it is amazing
Sent from my SGH-T839 using XDA Premium App

So I went with the sidekick and I'm liking everything on it until today.... :\ I started experienced the whole freezing issue on the phone. The touch screen locks up and the only way to use it is by either turning it off and back on or by moving with the optical trackball.
I have been reading around that the update that tmobile released is what caused these problems on the sidekick, what a shame. I checked my firmware version and it matches that of the newest update.
Which brings me to two questions;
1) can I flash the original firmware provided in these forums, in order to 'revert' or 'downgrade' ? Is the firmware universal that it would work on any sidekick ?
And
2) how do I flash recovery mod ? I'm having a bit of trouble understanding the tutorial on how to do it from these forums . Everytime I boot into recovery I have the original recovery by android (I think) pressing 'reinstall packages' (can't quite remember the exact name but its the only option that sounds like that) is the only way to load up clockwork mod. I don't want to use clockwork like that because I feel that it is a light flash on my phone and id like to be able to boot directly into it.
Anyways I know the post might be long but I hope I get some responses once again to get this resolved ! Its a shame really that the update bugged the phone, because the phone is superb when its working fine.
Thanks again !
Sent from my SGH-T839 using XDA App

If u odin back to stock even ur recovery goes to stock the phone will be as u bought it so u can return it with no issues
Use this thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1186954
Sent From My Rooted Sidekick 4g XDA Premium App

As for the recovery question, the fake flash CWM (what you have) is just fine, and works the same way as a normal CWM that's built into the kernel (boots straight into it). If you reallly want a built in CWM, you could flash the Bali kernel, which has CWM built in, otherwise just use fake flash.

[Q] Downgrade bootloader?

is there a way to flash an earlier version of the droid 2 global bootloader to my phone? and if so out if I wanted to where would I find the file? all help and advice is appreciated, I am still kind of learning and wish to learn more. I hope to become a developer of sorts one day.

If there was a way you wouldn't see as many people asking about sbf files and how to root 629. I wish there was a way but i'm pretty much looking at just coasting for now with my phone until sbf/root is discovered or i get a newer non-motorola phone. Which is a shame because i love their build quality and the sexy battery for the maxx.
Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using xda premium

Ahh. I understand. You're right though it's a shame because I love their build as well. Going to have to get a new phone or something. I'm sure their will be an sbf or way to get around bootloader stoner or later. Thank you for the input

I was thinking of switching to Droid 4 from Sprint OG Epic - my wife has a D2G. I never rooted her phone, partly because it was not necessary for her but partly because of the headache involved. This locked bootloader crap has put an end to thoughts of D4 for me though... will stay with the Epic and wait for a Sprint or VZW decent non-Moto slider.

HTC deserves MAD props.

We have got to give it to HTC here. The One S is, quite possibly, the easiest phone to root and flash there is. The instructions are so easy, even a caveman can do it. It literally took me less than 20 minutes to get CM9 installed on my brand spankin new One S...and most of that time was spent waiting on the slow WiFi at Starbucks to catch up.
I'm in love. For now.

mrcrassic said:
We have got to give it to HTC here. The One S is, quite possibly, the easiest phone to root and flash there is. The instructions are so easy, even a caveman can do it. It literally took me less than 20 minutes to get CM9 installed on my brand spankin new One S...and most of that time was spent waiting on the slow WiFi at Starbucks to catch up.
I'm in love. For now.
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Thank the devs not HTC. HTC actually slowed development at first by not releasing code right away. Samsung GS3 is actually easier.
Sent from my HTC One S using Xparent ICS Tapatalk 2

You've obviously never used a Motorola Triumph. That is the easiest phone to root and flash.
I hate that device.
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using xda app-developers app

villainhalf said:
You've obviously never used a Motorola Triumph. That is the easiest phone to root and flash.
I hate that device.
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using xda app-developers app
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I like my Triumph seems pretty indestructible, yea it's easy to root and flash, I want the HTC evo V
next
Sent from my Triumph using xda app-developers app

You can say many great things about the one s, but it's NOT the easiest phone to root. You have to u unlock bootloader and we still don't have s off: /
Sent from my HTC One S using xda app-developers app

Perhaps I'm a little jaded. I came from using the Galaxy S II and the Vibrant where getting a custom ROM installed was considerably more time consuming.
I don't understand the disadvantages of unlocking the bootloader when HTC made it very easy to re-lock (though not with factory encryption) and they still honor hardware damages if the phone is still under warranty.
I also don't understand the advantages of having S-OFF. Perhaps your experiences are different, but I've never gained any advantages from switching radios on any device I've owned.
I guess using the regular USB drivers provided by Google and being able to unlock the bootloader directly from fastboot without having to decrypt its unlock key would have made it easier, but it was a moot point to me given that HTC made both of these very easy to do.
And yes, the developers here are nothing short of amazing.

The one thing I want S-OFF for is repartitioning. I don't need 2 gb for apps, 1 would do, and I certainly DO NOT need 4 gb for system. That's just crazy. So after that I will have 3 gb more storage for nandroids, music, videos etc. That will be awesome

Habarug said:
The one thing I want S-OFF for is repartitioning. I don't need 2 gb for apps, 1 would do, and I certainly DO NOT need 4 gb for system. That's just crazy. So after that I will have 3 gb more storage for nandroids, music, videos etc. That will be awesome
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+1, looking for that. In the mean time I use the /data partition to store videos since it has like 1.5 GB lying around doing nothing. Just have to change the permission for /data to be readable by all. I would use the 2 GB+ on /system also, but then it would be erased whenever a new ROM is flashed I think.

The One S is far from being an easy phone to root. It's certainly not hard and don't require lot of steps or requirements like a Gold Card but still...
When I had a LG G2x, rooting it was baby easy: Install APX drivers on windows, boot the phone in update mode, shoot it CWM in one click with NvFlasher, flash your rom, done.

I found Samsung phones easier to Install custom Roms than HTC devices. Don't get me wrong, I love HTC's, soo much that I sold my 3weeks old SGSII just to buy the ONE S ( And I have owned other 5 HTC Phones)
On samsungs you only have to get into download mode and flash recovery and custom rom via Odin.
HTC made it easier now on the ONE Series, but you still have to unlock the bootloader via HTC Dev and bla bla bla bla, previous HTC Devices used to be a PITA considering we had to unlock bootloader (and in other cases install a ENG bootloader) hack to get Super CID, Obtain S-OFF and so on...

NienorGT said:
When I had a LG G2x, rooting it was baby easy: Install APX drivers on windows, boot the phone in update mode, shoot it CWM in one click with NvFlasher, flash your rom, done.
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I was gonna mention this too. I hesitated to root my HOS for a couple of months because it seemed complicated compared to the G2x.
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using xda app-developers app

I thought the Desire was really easy to root and S-Off. Back in the day.
HTC don't really deserve any props. They give us a half assed unlock offering, when what people really want is s-off. When I had my One S, I could have really done with being able to partition and get some of the /data storage that I was never gonna use on to the /sdcard partition as I used up the measly amount of storage quite quickly.

Jigswa said:
I thought the Desire was really easy to root and S-Off. Back in the day.
HTC don't really deserve any props. They give us a half assed unlock offering, when what people really want is s-off. When I had my One S, I could have really done with being able to partition and get some of the /data storage that I was never gonna use on to the /sdcard partition as I used up the measly amount of storage quite quickly.
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They could gave us a completely locked device...
Sent from my HTC One S using xda premium

I think the HTC phones which can use Revolutionary method are most easy to get S-OFF. Like Incredible S. The only thing you have to do is running a little tool.exe on your pc with your phone connected. Almost full automatic and in a few minutes. And yes we just could run that tool on out brand new untouched phones, to gain untouched ROM, Radio and Reovery with S-OFF. Only bootloader is modified.
No locks relocks or tampered messages. Getting back S-ON with full warranty is even more simple. Thats how it has to be.
Sent from my HTC One S using xda premium

If I were a cell manufacturer and I was tired of people sending back s=off bricks for warranty exchanges I would try to stop that from happening myself.
However, u can unlock bootloader flash recovery and SU in 5 minutes... seriously. And flashing roms in recovery along with any recovery action is SOOOOOO much faster on our phones then the Amaze 4g that had the s3.
So... really... its not hard to root or flash roms. S=off is another beast... but I get why they make it so hard.
Sent from my HTC One S using Tapatalk 2

I would say they deserve mad props, for sure, but its not for the "EASE" of unlocking. Obviously the king in that area would ne ANY nexus device. Its litterally ONE fastboot command and you are done!
However, i found this fairly simple to root and install a custom rom. what i think HTC really deserves props for is the hardware of this phone AND honestly... I know i am gonna get slammed for this, but... SENSE 4. Seriously. Coming from someone that has owned3 previous HTC phones all with varying versions of sense, i gotta say sense 4 is pretty awesome. I do LOVE stock android, but i cant honestly say that it performs any better than TrickDroid or Axiom, and the camera software and picture quality you get on a sense rom is hands down a MILLION times better at teh moment than any CM or AOKP that i have tried.
Habarug said:
The one thing I want S-OFF for is repartitioning. I don't need 2 gb for apps, 1 would do, and I certainly DO NOT need 4 gb for system. That's just crazy. So after that I will have 3 gb more storage for nandroids, music, videos etc. That will be awesome
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this is actually the ONLY reason i have seen to REALLY get s-off. I hadnt thought about repartitioning (but have on other phones) this phone, but man... that makes a LOT of sense!! lol
Jigswa said:
HTC don't really deserve any props. They give us a half assed unlock offering, when what people really want is s-off. When I had my One S, I could have really done with being able to partition and get some of the /data storage that I was never gonna use on to the /sdcard partition as I used up the measly amount of storage quite quickly.
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Seriously?? Cmon man... the one s is a damn impressive phone (and this is coming from someone that is EXTREMELY picky about phones). What did you get since you dont have a one s now?

Nexus phones are definitely easy to unlock, but this isn't too far off. 3 fastboot commands vs 1 which equates to, what, 1 more minute of typing at worst?
The only thing that could have made this easier was if the Android USB drivers provided by Google supported this phone out of the box. The other drivers should have been easier to find too, but c'est la vie.
Still easier to unlock and root than the Vibrant, GS2 and even the Inspire I had before it.
The design of this phone is definitely top-notch, though its real test will be how it holds up six months from now. That is usually a problem point for HTC devices.

What I wish now is that HTC could make us able to use the ImageSense chip in AOSP roms as well

villainhalf said:
You've obviously never used a Motorola Triumph. That is the easiest phone to root and flash.
I hate that device.
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using xda app-developers app
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I used to have a Moto Triumph (good riddance VM)
It wasnt too hard to root, but it had weird problems
Most definetly one of the most durable phones ive ever had though (I started with the Samsung Intercept, then Optimus V, then Triumph, now One S)

Habarug said:
What I wish now is that HTC could make us able to use the ImageSense chip in AOSP roms as well
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Man, i REALLY wish this would happen. I am really loving the new Sense... HOWEVER, the camera is what keeps me from running any AOSP rom for an extended period of time. Its really bad in any AOSP rom i have tried.

Might need new SIM, should I unroot?

I've just moved to college, and ever since then I've been having a lot of issues with mobile data. It worked better a few days ago, but now I can't get any internet at all. I called Verizon, and they said that since my signal strength is alright, and that they report having towers in my area, this should not be happening. The rep suggested that the SIM card is damaged, and that I might need to go get a new one.
This is plausable, since my phone has been getting much hotter lately, since I'm walking around campus more. One MicroSD card has already corrupted on me, and the second one almost did. I guess it's possible the heat is damaging both the MicroSD cards and the SIM card.
So here's my question: I'm rooted, and I'm running HyperDrive RLS9 as my daily driver. Will they need to check something on the phone in order to give me the SIM? Would it be a problem if they did find out I am rooted, and give me trouble for it?
I'd really, really hate to flash back to stock and unroot, so I'm asking if anyone has had experience in dealing with the Verizon reps and whether or not this will be an issue.
Thanks in advance.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app

BJSerpas said:
I've just moved to college, and ever since then I've been having a lot of issues with mobile data. It worked better a few days ago, but now I can't get any internet at all. I called Verizon, and they said that since my signal strength is alright, and that they report having towers in my area, this should not be happening. The rep suggested that the SIM card is damaged, and that I might need to go get a new one.
This is plausable, since my phone has been getting much hotter lately, since I'm walking around campus more. One MicroSD card has already corrupted on me, and the second one almost did. I guess it's possible the heat is damaging both the MicroSD cards and the SIM card.
So here's my question: I'm rooted, and I'm running HyperDrive RLS9 as my daily driver. Will they need to check something on the phone in order to give me the SIM? Would it be a problem if they did find out I am rooted, and give me trouble for it?
I'd really, really hate to flash back to stock and unroot, so I'm asking if anyone has had experience in dealing with the Verizon reps and whether or not this will be an issue.
Thanks in advance.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
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All I could say from experience is just flash a stock ROM to your phone then take it in. Also have you tried a factory reset?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app

If you have another device just take that one if you don't want to Flash back to stock. Otherwise just flash back to stock and un-root just to be on the extra safe side.

clapper66 said:
All I could say from experience is just flash a stock ROM to your phone then take it in. Also have you tried a factory reset?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
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Yeah, I pretty much planned to flash back to stock before bringing it. I did do a factory reset, but it didn't help any.
xRECKSx said:
If you have another device just take that one if you don't want to Flash back to stock. Otherwise just flash back to stock and un-root just to be on the extra safe side.
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I don't have another device, unfortunately. It looks like I'll have to go through the process of unrooting, although I need to be careful, since if I accidentally flash VRUAME7 somehow, I'm stuck.
Any recommendations on the quickest way to unroot/flash stock? I of course plan on immediately rooting again after I get the new SIM, provided my network issues are fixed.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app