Archive for: blur
- December 27, 2010 8:16 am
As the saying goes: The greatest things in life aren’t easy, require hard work, and don’t come cheap. In the world of smartphone hacking, their really isn’t any price to be spoken of, save for the cost of the hardware itself. However, some hard work is often in order. On that note, the Android rooting scene is alive and full of talent, pushing the platform a head. Part of that talent makes sure that aging hardware receives its rightful share of new software updates that carriers or manufactures may decline to provide.
On the topic Motorola’s re-designed MotoBLUR 3.0, the newer Droid Pro and Droid Global are blessed with the much more refined, less tacky UI while the Droid 2 has not yet received the same attention. Physically, there’s no reason for the discrepency — the hardware is essentially the same.
Nevertheless, the Android developer scene has come to the rescue once again, with MyDroidWorld holding a Droid 2-compatible .zip file of MotoBLUR 3.0. All you have to do is own a rooted phone and know the basic of installing .zip files from the SD card whilst in recovery mode. Sounds easy enough (and it really is).
If you want to take matters into your own hands, head on over to MyDroidWorld for the full list of instructions and needed files.
Originally, tears of sorrow and words of sadness oozed forth from potential Android buyers over Motorola’s decision to lock up their devices as tight as possible. Horror stories of bricked devices spread around the web (yes, I helped) with tasks such as flashing ROMS all but impossible. But never fear for the fine folks at XDA-Forums can and always will find a way to prevail.
Ladies and gents: Droid 2 haz root. A mere 2 weeks after release sounds pretty awesome. Basically, it is. For now, only the more experienced devs and nerds will want to try out the D2 root as copious amounts of commands, adb work, and other not so easy tasks are warranted. But there is hope yet again — according to the XDA gurus, the D2′s rooting process is much like the Droid X’s. That means we should see a one-touch/click root option in a few weeks time.
Liberation smells sweet indeed. Head on over to xda if you want to give the root a go…
If the wait for official DROID 2 announcements and images is starting to get to you, you’re in luck. Droid-Life has scored the official DROID 2 owners manual for the world to partake. Not wasting any time, it’s evident that the re-worked Moto BLUR that is featured on the DROID X is front and center, as are the Swype and multi-touch keyboards, and yes — Froyo!
Speaking of that multi-touch keyboard, I’m hoping some talented dev can rip it out and port it over to the D1. To the best of my knowledge, no one has taken it off of the DROID X and got it working on a Droid 1 running Froyo, though users still back on 2.1 have voiced success. Seeing as how the D1 and D2 will share Android versions, it looks like that succulent multi-touch keyboard will finally make its way across the hardware gap.
Sadly, looking back at all the known hardware specs and now the manual, I’m left wanting more. The D1 was a game changing Android device back in November. The D2 is merely a ploy by Moto to capitalize on the D1′s success while spending as little R&D as possible. It’s not really different at all. Simply put, compared to the EVO 4G’s, and Samsung Galaxy S’s of the world, the D2 is merely average.
Mini rant aside, you can download the manual in its entirety and find several more images over at Droid-life. Hop to it!
Download: Droid 2 User Guide (PDF)
Fancying a DROID but wish the keyboard were a bit more spacious? You’re in luck! Though it’s no secret, the upcoming Droid 2 looks to be a welcome (albeit a bit underwhelming) mild refresh of the popular Android handset that really got Android in the game. From the image above, we can see that apart from the almost dead N1, the Droid 2 will be the only “official” Froyo device on the market — that is, unless VZW/Moto release the Droid X Froyo update ahead of schedule.
Talk of better keyboards and Froyo are all fine and dandy, but the inclusion of Moto BLUR is not. There were rumors early on that Motorola could be slapping BLUR on the Droid 2, though I as well as many others I’m sure were hopping it never materialized. Judging by the pictures and some other anonymous tips however, it appears that the BLUR rumor in particular did materialize. I don’t know about you, but I can’t stand BLUR. It looks cheap, disorganized, and child-like. I’d much rather prefer stock Android as there are plenty of homescreen replacements and themes to fit the bill if I so choose. Not to mention, manufacturer-created skins greatly slow down update releases — a big blow to Android junkies.
But if Moto wants to ruin one of their flagship devices with it, so be it. Are you as put off by BLUR as I am? Discontent for the aforementioned UI aside, the DROID 2 looks to be *the* Android device for those seeking a physical keyboard as well as VZW service. I can’t wait…
Bigger shot after the jump…
Update
When speaking of BLUR on the Droid 2, we’re talking about the tweaked version that’s running on the Droid X — NOT the old Play Skool version found on the Cliq. Though if Moto for some reason did use Play Skool BLUR, god help us…
**Unconfirmed.
How well do you trust BGR’s ninjas? Most of the time, his ever persistent and omnipresent clan gleans the most secretive and interesting information in ways I’m not sure are human. But enough razzle dazzle. According to a BGR source, the Motorola CLIQ will be getting the Android 2.1 update in March. As in no more than two months. At the pace we’ve been seeing Android handset leaks the last couple of days, we could very well be seeing Android 2.2 or beyond being pumped out while CLIQ users are just getting cozy with 2.1. For CLIQ users however, anything is better than nothing as they’re still chugging along with 1.6 **sorry, it’s even worse — 1.5.
You may recall that it’s only been roughly 24 hours since Motorola broke the news that the DROID would be receiving a gimped version of 2.1, with absolutely no mention of the BLUR powered handset. But that was yesterday and is now old news. Tonight is the night for CLIQ users to gloat. So go ahead, speculate, have some fun, and be sure to drop a line or two below. We’re big talkers…
BGR
[Image Source]
- February 1, 2010 10:37 am
**Update: I’ve seen some comments on various forums that this could in fact be some Moto Devour signage instead of the actual retail box. Guess we’ll find out soon enough!
Itching for some updated info on the Motorola Devour/Calgary? In case you missed it, the Devour is the first MOTO BLUR device to come to Big Red in the US. For those who just aren’t too keen with Android’s normal face, BLUR aims to please with a prettified face and multiple ties to various social networking/messaging features built into the homescreen. Super.
Of course, this little gem hasn’t been officially released nor has the packaging or unit itself been seen in retail channels. That was until the VZW employee who snapped the picture above broke the chain of secrecy wide open.
Since the actual device is in some sort of retail space already wrapped in fresh packaging, it’s only a matter of time (read: short time) until we hear of the impending release date.
Any VZW/Android hopefuls holding out for the Devour?
AndroidCentral
- December 23, 2009 6:30 am
Android lovers and Cliq users rejoice — the Motorola Cliq has officially been rooted. If you’re looking for custom goodies such as honest to goodness themes (instead of home replacements) and a few other hacked items you’re good to go. However, if you’re real intentions are to install some tweaked ROM’s (hello HTC Sense on your Moto Cliq) hold off for a bit longer. According to those responsible for the root — TheDudesAndroid of ModMyMoto — it isn’t yet ready to install “update.zip” files. Mind you, the update.zip method is by far the easiest and fool-proof way to update/hack such things.
Again, for now it’s best to let the more technically inclined to toil away at the hole Cliq rooting thing. Though if you’re feeling adventurous, by all means go ahead. Just be sure to report back here when you’re done.
Gizmodo > Redmondpie
