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android Mobile

Permanently Root T-Mobile G2 With VISIONary

It has finally been done. Folks at the XDA Developers have managed to find a way to permanently root a T-Mobile G2 – the Android handset that was launched just a few weeks back. The new procedure is an extension of the temporary tethered rooting solution that was achieved on the G2 last month.

The rooting solution makes use of the same VISIONary application and while you do have the complete instructions here, do note that going ahead with the process is not advised unless you have a throw-away G2 or a complete nerd who can take care of the eventualities.

Either way, any mistake on your part could potentially brick your G2 rendering your device useless. So, proceed at your own risk. Nevertheless, if you do decide to go ahead, don’t forget to let us know how it works in the comments.

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Mobile

New Update To Enable Android Wi-Fi Calling For T-Mobile G2

If you own a T-Mobile G2, you may have been left wondering why you still do not have the much touted Wi-Fi calling functionality on your Android phone when lesser priced models like the Optimus T come with the facility. News is now in that T-Mobile is now rolling out this new functionality to G2 users starting November 3 through an Over-The-Air update. The update is expected to reach all users between the 3rd and 8th of this month.

The OTA for Wi-Fi calling would also bring another much anticipated feature – the ability to set up your G2 as a mobile hotspot and tether other computers. That is significant because the carrier had only recently introduced its new data plans that will bring tethering available to smartphone users. If you are looking for one such plan, you should be ready to shell out $30 a month for the Web Unlimited plan that can be expanded to include tethering services at a cost of $14.99 a month. Details here.

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Mobile

Wi-Fi Calling And Tethering On T-Mobile G2 Coming Via OTA Update

Looks like these are happy times for the T-Mobile G2 fans. We just reported about the new phone getting a massive discount in selling price on Amazon. Following upon this news, we are hearing rumors that T-Mobile could soon be sending an Over-The-Air update to the newly launched phone that could bring two important features – the ability to call over Wi-Fi as well as the ability to connect your G2 to a PC to surf the internet – what is commonly known as tethering.

Well, while this is still a rumor at this point, do note that the T-Mobile G2 runs on Android 2.2 which natively supports internet tethering. However this functionality was left unsupported to start with. Also, the Wi-Fi calling functionality is not exclusive. T-Mobile has in fact indicated that this functionality will be made available on all of their future Android handsets. Nevertheless, this new update should get features that are pretty popular to the G2 users. One may however be left wondering if the rumored introduction of these features have got anything to do with what is seen as a modest sale numbers. Isn’t that also the reported reason why Amazon too has chosen to slash the prices?

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Amazon Mobile

Price Of T-Mobile G2 On Amazon Reduced To $99

It’s not been long since the T-Mobile G2 was launched but looks like there are not too many people queuing up to get hold of this one. Amazon has announced a revision in the retail price of this new Android 2.2 phone that brings down the price of T-Mobile G2 by $100. If you head over to Amazon, you will now be able to buy this Android handset for $99. Compare this with the $199 that you pay at other outlets like Best Buy and you know the difference.

But it is interesting that this price revision has come so soon after launch. We may have expected a bit of price-wars to happen considering that the phone was available on multiple channels. But a sale at $99 (with a 2 year contract that is) sounds so low that it is more of an indication that Amazon has not been moving enough volumes rather than a possible price-war with rival retailers.

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android Mobile

How To Root T-Mobile G2 – Tethered Rooting Solution Revealed

T-Mobile G2 has just hit the market and a rooting guide for the device is already out. Folks at XDA Developers have once again brought about a step by step rooting instructions guide which will let new users of T-Mobile G2 to root their handsets. Why will you need this root? A big reason is that the new handset does not support mobile Wi-Fi hotspot and cannot do tethering. A rooted G2 will be able to acheive these tasks.

Do however note that this is a tethered root which means you will need to tether your device to a computer everytime you reboot your phone in order to retain the rooted device.

So here’s how you go about doing it. Do remember the usual disclaimers that this procedure can brick your device and can also void your warranty and hence this is entirely your own risk.

Step 1 : Install the latest Android SDK on your computer

Step 2 : Plug your T-Mobile G2 to a computer

Step 3 : Download this binary file and extract the tar file.

Step 4 : Open the Android ADK -> Tools folder and paste the binary file content here

Step 5 : On your Windows computer, go to Start -> Run and type cmd to enter the command prompt.

Step 6 : Here, navigate to the Android ADK -> Tools folder and enter the following commands

adb push rageagainstthecage-arm5.bin /data/local/tmp
adb shell
cd /data/local/tmp
chmod 0755 rageagainstthecage-arm5.bin

Step 7 : Now, on the G2, launch the terminal emulator application and type these commands

cd /data/local/tmp
./rageagainstthecage-arm5.bin
exit

Step 8 : You will now see a message that reads, “Forked #### childs.“. Here press the enter key

Step 9 : If you are on the $ prompt, type ps and confirm that you see a message that says it cannot be forked

Step 10 : Use the back button to exit the terminal emulator app. Launch any application on your G2 and launch terminal emulator again. Hit ‘Force Close‘ when prompted

Step 11 : Launch terminal emulator one more time. You can now see the root shell.

The rooting process is complete.

[via BlogsDNA]

Categories
Mobile

Free Wi-Fi Calling On T-Mobile G2?

An internal training slide from T-Mobile has provided us some interesting information on a Wi-Fi calling option that could be made available on future T-Mobile Android handsets, including the T-Mobile G2. According to the document, the free Wi-Fi calling application on T-Mobile Android phones will allow users to make VoIP calls, in much the same way as they do from Skype, to friends and family members. The document notes that not all Android phones will have this option and the functionality shall be restricted to work with only a few phones. The VoIP client is reportedly named “Wi-Fi calling without hand-off“.

While this is an interesting addition, it is no good than other free alternatives available. From what we hear, the Wi-Fi calling shall not make a seamless transition to plain voice calling when the users moves out of a Wi-Fi zone. That is definitely not the ideal choice but given that this is going to come pre-installed, expect a lot of users to adopt to this new application soon.

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Mobile

T-Mobile G2 Pre-Orders For Existing Customers Opens Today

American readers who are on T-Mobile can now make their pre-orders for the upcoming G2 starting today. The order can be made via T-Mobile’s G2 website and shall be open for orders until October 4. As you already know, the official launch of the device is expected starting October 6. As it goes without saying, this is only for existing T-Mobile customers. If you are not, you can check out our earlier article about Best Buy having already opened up their stores for G2 pre-orders.

T-Mobile G2 is an Android 2.2 device that comes with a 3.7-inches S-TFT WVGA display and has a unique hinge-style slider form factor. The phone is powered by a 800MHz Snapdragon processor and will be equipped with a 4GB internal memory, 8GB microSD card, 5-megapixel camera and 720p HD video recording capability.

Check out other features and make your pre-orders from T-Mobile’s website here.

Categories
Mobile

Price Of T-Mobile G2 On Radio Shack Cheaper Than Best Buy's

A couple of days back, Best Buy announced that they are opening their stores for T-Mobile G2 pre-orders. The device, that is expected to hit the American market on October 6, was priced at $199 in the Best Buy announcement.

Now Best Buy’s rival in the United States – Radio Shack – has gone on the offensive and has opened their preorder for a much discounted price of $150. A tweet from the retailer reads,

The T-Mobile G2 with Google is coming to @RadioShack. Only $149.99 with 2-yr agreement (instant rebate!). Stay tuned for info.

The difference in pricing is pretty wide and this would mean Best Buy too would be forced to give in and announce a discounted pre-order price to customers. But since not much information is available from the Shack’s end, we would assume that this is only going to be a limited time offer and the price of G2 shall move up to $199 as soon as the company gets the necessary mileage. In that case, it will be interesting to see how Best Buy will respond.

Categories
Mobile

Pre-Order T-Mobile G2 On Best Buy Starting Today

Best Buy has announced that the pre-orders for the upcoming Android 2.2 handset, the T-Mobile G2 has begun and that the devices will be available in stores for purchase starting October 6. That’s less than one month away.

The new T-Mobile G2 running FroYo will come with a 3.7″ S-TFT WVGA display and is characterized by a unique hinge-type slider design. Besides this, the device will also include a 800MHz Snapdragon processor, 4GB internal memory, an 8GB microSD card that is expandable up to 32GB, a 3.5mm headphone jack and a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus, LED flash capabilities. 720p HD video recording functionality is also supported.

TMobile G2 Android 2.2 phone

Speaking about the price, the T-Mobile G2 will come unsubsidized at a rate of $499. However, you may also pre-order a subsidized unit from Best Buy at $199 which of course sets you with a 2 year contract from T-Mobile. That’s pretty much in line with rivals with similar specifications.