Rogers Canada crippled the phone, experimenting with rooting it with custom ROM

[KingstonU]

Edit: Confirmed that Rogers put on custom firmware onto their G1s that remove virtual keyboard and doesn't let you get paid apps among other things. WTF?%*#$! Does it matter what carrier you are with when trying to root it? Anyone install Hero ROM onto a Rogers G1?

Edit 2: Wow this is very daunting, this is starting to become a very complex 100 step process with several pages of instructions to read, each page redirects you to another page for another 10 steps, and they must be followed to the Letter! I'm pretty good with computers but not sure if I am brave enough to try this.


Just got my black G1 today, I've been wanting this phone for a while, it's the only Android phone in Canada right now and since none of the new ones will have physical keyboards I jumped the gun, and it was only $29.99 with a plan with Rogers! Thouh I eventually want to figure out how to load the Hero ROM onto it but maybe in a little while.

It's my first smart phone coming from an ancient Samsung flip phone who's most advanced feature is taking lousy pictures.

I can't seem to find the virtual keyboard anywhere and searching online surprisingly hasn't helped. Do I have to download it?

Edit: I have firmware version 1.5, does that mean I have "cupcake"?

Thanks!

 

[aceO07]

Yes, 1.5 is cupcake. You need to click in a field before the keyboard comes up, even if the focus is already in the field.

Here's an informative thread at xda if you're interested in learning about rooting and using custom builds. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=442480

 

[gorcorps]

Wait, you have the physical keyboard yet you still need/want to use the virtual keyboard? I don't know much about the G1 but I is confuzed

 

[Deeko]

Originally posted by: gorcorps
Wait, you have the physical keyboard yet you still need/want to use the virtual keyboard? I don't know much about the G1 but I is confuzed

Sometimes its nice to be able to type out something quick on the virtual keyboard without sliding out the physical keyboard. Especially if you're using the phone one handed, or browsing the internet.

 

[KingstonU]

I want both! The physical keyboard is great but when holding the phone upright it can't be used, so to type something always requires holding it sideways, sometimes it would be nice to just type something quickly without having to open it and and turn it over.

I know that you can get one but it doesn't seem to be here and no word of it in the manual. I guess rogers didn't include it somehow? Can I just download it? There are many apps for it, which is best?

 

[KingstonU]

Thanks for the link ace007, I will definitely look into that. However, mine doesn't seem to have the same kind of build number as what they are talking about, no RC27 or 29 number.

My Build number is: 1.86.631.1 146733 CL#42949 release-keys

Is this different? Is it because it is with Rogers Canada instead of T-Mobile US? Can I still put Hero ROM onto it and do all the other benefits of rooting?

 

[shortylickens]

I only had the G1 for a weekend but even I know you can find at least a couple of software keyboards on the App Store. And they are free.

 

[Deeko]

If you root the phone you can put any ROM on it you want. I tried out the Hero roms - they're very nice, but they run a tad slow (although check that forum from time to time, they keep getting better). I'm running Cyanogen 4.0.4 on my G1 - it has some nice things with it, multitouch is enabled in the browser, wifi tethering is included, among other things. And yes, it has a virtual keyboard.

(note that the hero rom does have a much nicer virtual keyboard. feel free to try it, but you'll probably end up switching to another rom sooner or later)

 

[abaez]

They took out the ability to get APPS? That seems pretty damn restrictive to me - that's one of the biggest points of the entire thing. I'm surprised google allows it.

 

[Deeko]

I don't think Google is very restrictive with Android, being that its an open platform. They have moderately strict licensing deals with T-Mobile, which supposedly is why HTC's SenseUI will not come to the G1 or MyTouch, but all in all, Android is sorta just out there for the taking/modifying.

 

[shortylickens]

Originally posted by: Deeko
I don't think Google is very restrictive with Android, being that its an open platform. They have moderately strict licensing deals with T-Mobile, which supposedly is why HTC's SenseUI will not come to the G1 or MyTouch, but all in all, Android is sorta just out there for the taking/modifying.

Google is wide open with Android. Thats why they only have two US phones and they are both found on T-mobile, because T-mobile is the least restrictive of all the major US carriers.
AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint all love having maximum control and power over the phones they sell. Its good Sprint finally picked up an Android phone, but as I understand it they already started gimping features and restricting services on the thing.

I keep hoping Apple and Palm see what Google is doing and follow their lead, but thats unlikely to happen.
In any case, you can (supposedly) unlock your G1 easily and then do whatever the hell you want to it, like Linux. And the assload of free applications with no carrier or manufacturer restrictions makes it a special product compared to all the others.

 

[KingstonU]

Will try to give it a shot tonight if I find the time. Thanks a lot for all the advice! :beer:

 

[KingstonU]

Update 1: wow THIS SITE is awesome: it's a flow chart based on features to pick what rom you want.

I am going to try out this one as it seems to allow EVERYTHING: MyTouch and Dream! Who`s your HERO? *5 of 6

Is there a possibility that it might not work on Rogers Canada network???

Anyone try it? How does it run? In the release notes it talks about having to make 3 partitions on my SD card, I am following this guide This guide by HyeProfile (guide is last on bottom of page)

Does that mean I have to do steps beyond what is in HyeProfile's guide? Cause this is starting to become a very complex 100 step process with several pages of instructions to read and follow to the Letter! We'll see if I'm brave enough to try.

I appreciate all help

 

[MDE]

Originally posted by: Deeko
If you root the phone you can put any ROM on it you want. I tried out the Hero roms - they're very nice, but they run a tad slow (although check that forum from time to time, they keep getting better). I'm running Cyanogen 4.0.4 on my G1 - it has some nice things with it, multitouch is enabled in the browser, wifi tethering is included, among other things. And yes, it has a virtual keyboard.

(note that the hero rom does have a much nicer virtual keyboard. feel free to try it, but you'll probably end up switching to another rom sooner or later)

Just to clarify, WiFi tethering, as in sharing your 3G wireless data connection to another device via WiFi?

 

[KingstonU]

Wow this is very daunting, I'm pretty good with computers but not sure if I am brave enough to try this.

 

[Deeko]

Originally posted by: MDE

Originally posted by: Deeko
If you root the phone you can put any ROM on it you want. I tried out the Hero roms - they're very nice, but they run a tad slow (although check that forum from time to time, they keep getting better). I'm running Cyanogen 4.0.4 on my G1 - it has some nice things with it, multitouch is enabled in the browser, wifi tethering is included, among other things. And yes, it has a virtual keyboard.

(note that the hero rom does have a much nicer virtual keyboard. feel free to try it, but you'll probably end up switching to another rom sooner or later)

Just to clarify, WiFi tethering, as in sharing your 3G wireless data connection to another device via WiFi?

Yea. I hit 'go' on the G1, it starts broadcasting a WiFi signal, my laptop connects to that WiFi, and accesses's the G1's internet. Its pretty sweet.