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[ksig24]

Just switched to Verizon from AT&T. I got the Motorola Droid and the Blackberry Storm 2. I have had iPhones since they were released and learned how to jailbreak them fairly easily. I have no idea what route to go with the Droid or really any knowledge of this phone or OS. I have done some Google searching, but dont really know what I am looking for. Does anyone have any recommendations? Should I root this phone? What exactly does rooting do? The phone came with firmware version 2.0.1 and is asking me to update to 2.1. Anyone start me off in the right direction?

Thanks

 

[danDroid]

Welcome aboard and congrats on Droid Purchase! You've found the right place for all of that info. We have an entire section dedicated to rooting and a team of members (Rescue Squad) that will help answer any questions you might have.

Hacking Help - Droid Forum - Verizon Droid & the Motorola Droid Forum

 

[Jim 777]

Welcome and you'll find anything you need here. My advice on the rooting thing is learn your phone BEFORE rooting and see what you have first. A stock droid does more than a JB iPhone and you may be happy as a clam with stock. Then if not, look into rooting and options that come with.

Now, sit back, make sure your seat and tray tables are locked in their upright position, and enjoy the ride!

 

[ksig24]

Thanks for the warm welcome. I am currently reading the sticky in the Droid hacking forum about answers to questions that have already been posted. I hope I can find my way around here and turn my phone into the great device that the iPhone was minus the reception that is.

Thanks again,

 

[ksig24]

Welcome and you'll find anything you need here. My advice on the rooting thing is learn your phone BEFORE rooting and see what you have first. A stock droid does more than a JB iPhone and you may be happy as a clam with stock. Then if not, look into rooting and options that come with.

Now, sit back, make sure your seat and tray tables are locked in their upright position, and enjoy the ride!

Fricken eh Jim! Awesome! I am getting to navigate it a bit and am pretty savvy when it comes to technical items. Got any tips or tricks for me at this infantile stage? I just barely opened it up and I like the feel and everything seems to have an option by executing the menu button.

I certainly want to open source apps and such. I like having full reign over my device or should I call it a phone now that I have service! I saw some guy yesterday with the Droid and he was doing the speed texting thing, is that contained within the stock Droid or does that need to be added through rooting?

Thanks again,

 

[Jim 777]

yes the dedicated menu button and also the long press. Long press things often turn up more options that you'd otherwise miss.

Swipe and Shapewriter are a couple apps for the texting where you slide along the keyboard. I use shapewriter myself and love it. No root necessary and free on the market.

Most of my luck finding good useful apps is from this site and posted by others. You'll find a lot once you start digging.

 

[ksig24]

yes the dedicated menu button and also the long press. Long press things often turn up more options that you'd otherwise miss.

Swipe and Shapewriter are a couple apps for the texting where you slide along the keyboard. I use shapewriter myself and love it. No root necessary and free on the market.

Most of my luck finding good useful apps is from this site and posted by others. You'll find a lot once you start digging.

I noticed the long press as well. So those other apps that you are talking about are featured within the Marketplace eh? Do you root your phone? Also, what exactly does rooting accomplish, and is it necessary?

 

[Jim 777]

yes I go to AndroLib, Find all applications and games available in the Android Market for your Android Phone, HTC Dream, HTC Magic etc... to search around or to find something in particular. Once I find it, I can type in the exact name in to the market from the phone to find and install it. If you search for "shapewriter" you'll find that app to try.

There's way too much for me to explain on the rooting thing, but definitely spend some time in the droid hacks and droid hacking help forums for all you need. In a nutshell, rooting allows you read/write access to your phone's root directory. This is required to install and perform backup/restores, install kernals, install ROMs, and allow some apps that require that access to run on your phone.
But don't fool yourself, there is so much customizing and tools you can use without rooting... just a bit more with it