CyanogenMod 6 now stable, download for your favorite phone today

After weeks and weeks of coding and testing, CyanogenMod 6 is now officially "stable" and ready for download. For those of you new to Android, the CM series of ROMs are based off the Android Open Source Project -- the pure building blocks of the Android OS -- with a bunch of tweaks and customizations added on, while keeping with a stock Android feel. For most phones, you'll need root and bootloader access -- you can find more information on that here -- and read through the respective threads at CM for further information if you're just starting out. [CyanogenMod]

Posted originally at Android Central

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Leaked Froyo for the Droid X emerges

Remember that leaked build of Android 2.2 for the Droid X that was teased yesterday? P3droid at My Droid World has set it free in the wild, for those of you who want to give it a go. Unless you've got a really bad jones for the JIT, you might just wanna stay patient and wait out the official over-the-air update. And you're going to have to be back at stock to get things to work, so be sure to follow the instructions, m'kay? [My Droid World]

Posted originally at Android Central

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CyanogenMod RC3 hits for Nexus One

Chances are if you have a Nexus One you don't mind a little hackery. And chances are you're already a devout follower of the way of Cyanogen. And with that, a third release candidate the CM6 ROM has been released, bringing more (and better) custom Froyo to the N1.

As always, we recommend backing up all your apps and data first, just in case. Then get to downloading (either at the source link, XDA or Rom Manager), and have at it! [CyanogenMod]

Posted originally at Android Central

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New ROM available for the Samsung Captivate

There is a new ROM available for the Samsung Captivate, and many users say it fixes some of the bugs that have been a sore spot since launch.  Before we talk about the bug fixes -- this is not pushing out from AT&T, and we haven't had a chance to try it yet, we've been a bit busy. You'll need to download the ROM from samsung-firmwares.com, which is an unofficial support site. 

Now that that dirty business is behind us, here's what the folks who have had a chance to try it out are saying:

Pros:

• Media Scanning is quicker
• Quadrant scores are a bit higher
• GPS lock seems to happen faster
• QuickOffice is included (though you can find it in the AT&T section of the Market on your Captivate
• Prompt for action when plugging in USB cable is now enabled by default
• Added YouTube HQ button

Cons:

• USB tethering removed
• No HSUPA
• The "go into flight mode and turn on wifi" Market workaround removed
  

You can get all the info and download at the source link, and see a video of some quick GPS lock (while indoors!) after the break. [xda-developers]

Posted originally at Android Central

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Motorola: Droid X isn’t a dev phone, buy the Nexus One if you want ROMs

So the bootloader on the Droid X is locked. We know this. For many developers and hackers, it's a bit of a disappointment as the original Motorola Droid became a de facto dev phone because it ran stock Android 2.0 and had an unlocked bootloader. That allowed them (and us) to easily flash new ROMs onto the phone.

So what's the deal with the Droid X? Motorola's Lori Fraleigh explains in a recent blog post from way back in February: 

"We understand there is a community of developers interested in going beyond Android application development and experimenting with Android system development and re-flashing phones.  For these developers, we highly recommend obtaining either a Google ADP1 developer phone or a Nexus One, both of which are intended for these purposes.  At this time, Motorola Android-based handsets are intended for use by consumers and Android application developers, and we have currently chosen not to go into the business of providing fully unlocked developer phones.

"Securing the software on our handsets, thereby preventing a non-Motorola ROM image from being loaded, has been our common practice for many years. This practice is driven by a number of different business factors. When we do deviate from our normal practice, such as we did with the DROID, there is a specific business reason for doing so. We understand this can result in some confusion, and apologize for any frustration."

That's the way Moto wants it, and that's the way it will be. For the time being, it looks like the Nexus One will remain Google's official dev phone. It is also a sure bet that the Android hacker community will descend onto the X like a swarm once it is released, so have no fear.  And it also stands to reason the "unannounced" Droid 2 might be seeing the same "feature."

Our question to you: Is this a deal-breaker? Or can you still not wait to get your hands on Moto and Verizon's new hotness? [MotoDev via Android and Me]

Would a locked bootloader keep you from buying a phone?online survey

Posted originally at Android Central

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CyanogenMod Froyo ROMs hit RC for Nexus One, Dream, Magic (updated)

For those of you patiently (or not so much) waiting for Cyanogen and Team Douche to release a semi-official Android 2.2 ROM, it's time to get flashing. CyanogenMod-6.0.0 RC1 was posted up early this morning, with builds for the Nexus One, Dream and Magic, which should cover a good many of us. You can snag the new builds in the usual places, including the CM Nexus One and D/M forums, XDA Developers (N1, D/M) and our favorite, ROM Manager.

For the noobs out there, the CyanogenMod series of ROMs are custom built from the official Android Open Source Project files by trained professionals (professional somethings, anyway), tested and released to the masses. (Check out the full changelog here.) We swear by 'em, and you should, too. [Cyanogen]

Update: A new CM Droid ROM is now in ROM Manager and the other usual places. Huzzah!

Posted originally at Android Central

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Froyo and HTC Sense hacked on the HTC Desire, long before Christmas

BAM!  this is what we've all been waiting for since we first saw Froyo and Sense 2.2 running on the HTC Desire.  Android wizard udk over at xda-developers has released the first version of a Froyo-based HTC Sense ROM.  Before Evo and Incredible users get too excited, there's the little problem of a Froyo capable radio image, so don't even think about trying to flash this.  But for all you folks using the Desire, what are you waiting for?  Just be sure to come back with tales of wonder -- and pictures.  In the meantime, work has already begun getting this ported over to the Nexus One, and I'm sure the capable Incredible and Evo developers are hard at work to satisfy the CDMA bloodlust that's sure to spring up. [xda-developers] Thanks Max!

Posted originally at Android Central

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Evo 4G root instructions are here!

The Evo 4G was rooted some days ago, and we finally have instructions. And it couldn't be easier. If you're new to this, we suggest you read through the thread at XDA Developers. And then read through it again. And after you think you don't have any more questions, read through it one more time. (Note: THIS WILL WIPE YOUR PHONE.) For the advanced, it's this simple:

1. Download this file (PC36IMG.zip). Move it to the root (as in top level) of the Evo's storage card.

2. Turn the phone off. Once it is, hold down the volume button and the power button until you get a white screen and some text. You're now in the bootloader. It should automatically start checking the PC36IMG.zip file you put on the card.

3. Once it's done, it'll list all the images on the card and ask if you want to flash. (This is your last chance to back out.) Say yes, and we're on our way. It'll look like this as it's going:

4. After it's done, it'll ask if you want to reboot. Surely.

That's it. You have a rooted ROM. You'll want to rename (or delete) the PC36IMG.zip image file that you put on the card, so that next time you enter the bootloader it won't try to automatically update again. You can do that by plugging in the phone, choosing "HTC Sync" and going to your favorite command line prompt and typing:

adb shell mv /sdcard/PC36IMG.zip /sdcard/root-PC36IMG.zip

Leave the phone plugged in if you want to go on to the next section and load the custom recovery. (After the break, for cleanliness.) Otherwise, you're done.

Posted originally at Android Central

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Evo 4G custom ROMs already in the works

It might not look like much, but the screen shots you see here reportedly are from the world's first custom ROM for the Sprint Evo 4G. There's still work to be done, as the camera doesn't work and it's kicking on roaming, but it's a good head start. Now we need the root method to be released and -- oh, yeah, this one's kind of a biggie -- the phone to be released. [XDA Developers]

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Latest date for Sprint Hero Android 2.1 update is now May 21

Here we go again, folks, with another Sprint Hero Android 2.1 update. After at least one false start, Best Buy is now expecting the ROM to ship by May 21. Of course, that could be any time between now and then, so we'll just have to wait and see, and hope we guessed right in the office pool. Thanks to our anonymous Best Buy tipster, who claimed the May 21 square for himself.

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