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While the device has its own home on our forums, the T-Mobile Sidekick 4G has been forgotten by many in favor of the more eye catching flagships from both Samsung and HTC. However, there are still many users out there using the device as their daily driver. While it may lack the speed and amazing screen of the above devices, it still offers a decently fast 1 GHz Hummingbird processor and a capable slide-out keyboard for the more messaging-centric users.
However, one common complaint from device owners is that reception and data speeds don’t quite live up to its name’s 4G aspirations. Luckily, XDA Forum Member Reviewers (one of the maintainers of the GenericGinger ROM for the device) has experimented with various modems and has found that using the modem from the recently rooted Galaxy Blaze 4G instead of the device’s native modem provides both an increase in signal and data transfer speed. Others in the thread have concurred, sharing their overall positive experiences. The modem itself was originally ripped from the Blaze 4G by XDA Recognized Developer Master&Slave™.
Installation is just a simple flash through any custom recovery. However, users must keep in mind that this is intended for either Froyo or Gingerbread builds only. In the words of the thread starter:
Modem pulled from the Samsung Blaze4G.
Not hard to install at all, just put it on your sdcard and flash in Recovery.
Yes. This was not originally for Froyo I have to remove some /libs.
I made it work for the Sidekick 4G.
Credits to Master&Slave for pulling the Modem from the device.
If you’re adventurous and wish to give this radio a shot, head over to the original thread. However, it may be a good idea to create a backup of your existing radio (or make sure you are able to find one for download) in case you wish to revert.
April 23, 2012 By: PoorCollegeGuy
The trend over the last month or so on XDA has been getting a number of devices downgraded so they can get to a bootloader that can still be unlocked with S-Off. Those devices are, of course, almost all HTC devices ever since the release of HTCDev, which unlocks the bootloader while maintaining S-On. In the march of obtaining S-Off, a few devices have already had a contingency plan in place to get users down to a software version that can be properly hacked.
XDA Forum Member Setherio has been maintaining and updating a thread for nearly a year now that allows the HTC G2 and Desire Z, the HTC MyTouch 4G and the HTC Desire HD to be downgraded to Froyo in order to then update to a rooted Gingerbread ROM. The process is quite a long one, but that is to be expected when it serves as a guide for multiple devices. The process runs users through gaining temporary root, the entire downgrading procedure—including Fastboot downgrades—and then reminding users to not apply any large OTA updates to avoid being thrown back to unrooted Gingerbread and forcing them to start the process all over again.
As root methods for newer iterations of Android have been getting more and more difficult for HTC devices, any method that can bring full root should be looked at. As usual, be extremely careful when completing the steps, and make sure the steps you are following are indeed for your device.
For much more information, a plethora of download links, and even some troubleshooting help, head over to the original thread and let the downgrades continue!
April 12, 2012 By: JimmyMcGee
A penny saved is a penny earned, that is unless Canada follows through with its threat to stop producing the Canadian penny. If you are like most people, when you do use cash and you get change, you often don’t like carrying it around. Some throw it in random places. Others unload their pockets every night into a single jar. A solution exists either way.
XDA Forum Member NickAVV offers you version 3.0 of his QuickChange application. In the words of the developer:
QuickChange … helps you keep track of how much money is in your piggy bank, or other coin-containing apparatus. It supports 7 different currencies too. It has a slick new interface, lets you track multiple jars, shows you graphs of your balance over time
Keeping track of your spare change turns it from a nuisance into a valuable asset. By setting a goal you can save up enough to get that upcoming Nexus Tablet. Seeing your progress helps to motivate you. QuickChange even allows you to view a graph of your jar’s balance over time.
QuickChange works on all versions of Android from 2.1 onwards. Check out the application thread of more information.
April 11, 2012 By: JimmyMcGee
Are you often multitasking while synergizing with the C-suite to maximize the ROI of the SEO implementation of your web presence? Do you mow through your piles of RFPs before COB? Do you have heated debates regarding the use of double-declining versus straight-line deprecation of capital improvement assets? Most importantly, are you tired of lugging around paper business cards while networking?
If your brain didn’t melt from the questions above, XDA Forum Member sharpwitz may have a solution for you. The application is Card Swapp. Card Swapp creates a QR code full of your contact information for people to scan. With the app, you can now avoid typing in your contact information manually ever again.
The Card Swapp App that manages business cards better than BUMP and Linkedin’s Card Munch. This app is also the 1st and only business card with a built in news feed.
Not only does Card Swapp create QR codes for your vendors and contacts to scan, but it allows you to scan other QR codes you see in ads, business cards and from other Card Swapp members. You can follow Twitter accounts, access and save restaurant menus and hours, and get live traffic reports.
Card Swapp is more than a business card QR application. It is possibly the business card QR application of the future. The application is available for Android 2.1 and higher, and *sigh* the iPhone. Learn more in the application thread.
March 23, 2012 By: egzthunder1
One cannot help but to love games on devices which make use of the sensors loaded in them. Who can forget the ever popular Teeter where you needed to balance and direct a ball through a maze filled with obstacles like holes, walls, and uneven floors? If you have not seen too many of these and are simply tired of slicing fruits and veggies and tossing birds or other cute and fluffy animals across a screen, then you should take a look at the work of XDA Forum Member FrenzyFugu. In Frenzy Fugu Fish, you are in control of a Fugu fish (hence the name) and your main objective is to try and eat all the pearls and targets on the level in a given time period.
The controls are simple as you will need to use your accelerometer to direct your fish. The caveat of the game is that levels get increasingly harder with more obstacles, less time, and even enemies such as other larger fish trying to make you their dinner. Your Fugu will be able to pick power ups from time to time to become invincible by inflating, which will allow it to do other things such as eating other smaller enemies. Just remember that you need to eat your objectives before time runs out. The game features 45 levels with more added every month.
Frenzy Fugu is casual fish game with 45 levels in 3 sets, each set with unique graphics design of the environment and introducing new game elements. Game will receive new set of 15 levels each month.
You can find more information in the original thread. Please leave your feedback for the dev if you would like to see features added to future revisions.
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March 8, 2012 By: egzthunder1
Normal development efforts around these parts tend to include hours upon hours of people trying to bypass securities added to our devices. The exploits found are normally turned into either temp or permanent roots for Android devices, and this happens to grant people with added functionality on their devices, the ability to run several apps that require root access, and much more.
However, as everything in life, there are trade-offs. For instance, there are some apps and services that will detect the root status of your device and deny your access to them based on it, like the blockbuster app or Google Video.If you feel that you simply cannot live without these but yet want to be able to keep using your device rooted without having to root and unroot back and forth, XDA member motodroidfreak has you covered. He just released an app that will essentially rename your SU binary, making you lose root access for whenever you feel like using the aforementioned services.
The good thing about this app is that it allows you to regain your root just as easily as you deprived yourself from it. The app works for most Android versions except for ICS (for now) since the dev cannot test it. So, if you can jump in and provide the dev with logs or anything that he may require to get this going on ICS, it would be much appreciated.
This app Renames the SU Binary So you basically loose root access till you rename it back within the app!
You can find more information in the original thread. Want something published in the Portal? Contact any News Writer.
December 28, 2011 By: mic_888
The number of quality Android games has slowly been increasing and here is a new one from developers and XDA members AppsOn.
Blobby Volleyball is a great volleyball game with dynamic gameplay and friendly controls.
Features of the game include:
For more information, head on over to the application thread. Blobby Volleyball is available to download free in the Market.
December 13, 2011 By: mic_888
If you are interested in understanding how much your Android device can handle 3D games and apps, take a look at the M3D Benchmark application posted by XDA forum member sadegh1993. Developed by knight93, the Benchmark is created with the Unity 3D game engine and is based on OpenGL ES 2.0 showing that your device can handle advanced rendering techniques such as rendering bump maps.
The XDA member would like some help from XDA members to submit your average FPS and also your ROM version plus a screenshot, to improve the application.
To run it, you will need at least FroYo 2.0.1 and an OpenGL ES 2.0 supported device.
For more information and to download the app, head on over to the application thread.
December 12, 2011 By: mic_888
Xperia Play owners who want to be able to use the gamepad to play games using the OnLive Service should check out OnLive Helper by XDA Senior Member hatcyl.
The app should however work with any phone (not just the Xperia Play) and users can create their own custom profiles or use community created ones.
No root is required, and to enable the app, you must change the Input Method Service to ‘OnLive Helper’. Users can have the input method screen automatically come up when opening or closing the keyboard by checking ‘Auto Prompt’ in the options.
For details on how to use custom mode, and for the link to download OnLive Helper, head on over to the application thread. OnLive Helper is free to download in the Android Market.
December 7, 2011 By: mic_888
If you’re the sort of of person that is concerned about access to your private data when downloading and installing applications on your Android device, be it from the official Andorid Market or not, you might be interested in XDA forum member svyat‘s application.
PDroid allows control over access for any installed application to your private data. This includes:
December 5, 2011 By: mic_888
For those of you who are worried about certain tools that sniff your data and prevent you from accessing a wifi network, you can defend yourself with this simple app from XDA forum member gurkedev.
Wifi Protector is an Android security app especially designed to detect and prevent ARP poisoning attacks against your phone in Wifi networks.
The app runs a service on your Android device that continuously monitors network-related parameters. When abnormal behaviour is detected, an alarm is triggered. The type of alarm can be configured and detection and alarms work on non-rooted phones. On rooted phones, it is also possible to reconfigure the phone to make it immune against the attack.
XDA members can download the app for free in the application thread, or feel free to donate by downloading the version in the Android Market.
November 9, 2011 By: azrienoch
The last time we talked about HP, I presented more evidence that the four known Touchpad devices purchased running Android 2.2 came directly from HP’s production line. Since then, Green, a kernel developer for the Cyanogenmod Touchpad team, was busy working with Ben Maskell of the law firm Roetzel & Andress. Ben Maskell contacted us with a copy of the letter sent Monday, 8 November to HP’s Open Source Program Director, Philip Robb. I produce the CliffNotes version here, but I encourage you to read the full letter.
… We request that Hewlett Packard provide Mr. Drokin with a copy of the source code for the Android operating system that came factory-installed on a number of HP TouchPads.
Mr. Drokin is… the author of many copyrighted contributions which have been integrated into the Linux / Android kernel and licensed version 2 of the General Public License (“GPL”)…
We have recently become aware that Hewlett Packard has utilized Mr. Drokin’s code in a version of the Android operating system which was custom tailored for the HP Touchpad…
… Hewlett Packard’s use of the Linux kernel and Mr. Drokin’s code was subject to the license requirements set forth in the GPL… It is apparent Hewlett Packard has modified and publically distributed the Linux Kernel under the license granted in GPL § 2. Therefore, Hewlett Packard has a legal duty to release this source code at least under GPL § 3…
We are fully prepared to enforce Mr. Drokin’s rights. However, to avoid unnecessary costs to both parties, we kindly request that Hewlett Packard voluntary release the requested source code. We request your timely response to this letter, but in any event, no later than Wednesday, November 23, 2011…
So mark that date on your calendar. I emailed Ben Maskell to find out more. In specific, as I asked in my previous article, I wanted to hear the legal argument that establishes four Touchpads as distribution, and asked if there were any legal precedents they planned to rely upon. He told me it’s a little early in the process to go digging through case histories and at this point they only refer to the plain language of the GPL. To clarify:
HP has used the code, and they are therefore bound by the terms. See section 5. Under sections 1 and 2 of the license, HP is generally allowed to modify, adapt, distribute, and copy Mr. Drokin’s code so long as they also comply with section 3. Section 3 provides that any copies or distributions are accompanied by the source (3a) or a written offer to provide the source (3b). HP has not complied with section 3 and is therefore in violation of the GPL.
We hope that HP will respond to our letter and that the parties reach an out-of-court resolution to this matter.
We hope so, too. HP’s track-record is one of denial, flippancy, and silence, and it’s unfortunate that things have come this far to see simple rights respected.
October 27, 2011 By: egzthunder1
If you are a fan of adventure side scrolling games on Android devices, then you should not miss out on this wonderfully done game by XDA member TheOneBD. Wind-up Knight somewhat reminds us of Cordy, which is another Android game. In this one, you must guide your character through long levels where he will need to jump, dash, and do everything he can to rescue the princess from the Black Knight. You do all this in a beautifully designed 3D environment that will leave you asking for more, even if the game is about 50 levels long. The game runs rather smooth and it seems that the bardware requirements are for a mid to high end device (Nexus One, Evo 4G, etc).
As it is customary with most Android apps, this is a work in progress, so any and all feedback is highly appreciated.
Guide your Wind-up Knight through devilish levels–over 50 in all–to rescue the Princess from the clutches of the evil Black Knight. Run, jump, roll, and slash your way to victory. Wind-up Knight is the type of challenging game you have been waiting for.
You can find more information in the game thread.
Want something published in the Portal? Contact any News Writer.
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