and here come the androids

the technology turnaround these days is pretty remarkable. right after i picked up my G1 for $200, currently the only (retail) android device avaiable in the US. (the Magic was just released in UK), now everyone is planning to release android devices this year. T-mobile Magic/Sapphire/myTouch - with a possible 5mp camera?!?! dammit! Possible G1 v2 LG is supposedly making 3 in 2009, one as soon as next month Samsung is in on the game too not to mention way too many mentions of coming android netbooks that i wont even bother to mention. sigh, oh well. i guess this is just foreshadowing of the tech-envy to come. but 'til then, my G1 will keep me satisfied. i guess.

t-mobile G1 and android in all its glory

2 weekends ago I picked up a t-mobile G1 for $200 through some unnamed sources. a few days ago said G1 has been rooted and upgraded to a special developer version of the new android 1.5 (cupcake). mostly thanks to xda-developers forum for help with rooting, and registering the phone without a data plan. now my happily rooted and cupcaked android has:
  • the much awaited on screen keyboard
  • multitouch browser!
  • video recorder and playback
  • new pretty menu and rotate animations
  • new radio firmware, haven't noticed much difference though
  • squirrelfish js engine?
  • all other features of the developer build, including no requirement for registration, and possibly SIM unlocked now?
I am wondering where the built in PDF support is though. for those interested, builds can be downloaded here. I am currently running the JesusFreke 1.5 ADP which appears to be the crowd favorite. Some of the other builds appear to have other visual and functional hacks added to them, while the JF build appears to be closest to the Dream 1.5 build released by htc. For those unwilling to risk bricking their beautiful G1s, T-mobile has announced that the official  T-mobile G1 US 1.5 upgrade will be rolled out starting next week. 'til then, those of you brave enough to hack your expensive toys should take the time to embrace your inner rockstar this weekend with some awesome partying which now you can record with the new video capabilities on your G1! That's my plan at least. Although from the looks of it, most of my weekend will be spent bored at home with family since everyone else is studying their ass off for finals.