Absolute beginner questions

[Sutur]

Hi there everyone, I'm new obviously.

I'm considering buying the most powerful smartphone available to date (based on CPU benchmarks), correct me if I'm wrong but it appears to be the LG Optimus 2X?

Few questions about that model and android in general.

1. Generally speaking, does android have an open policy about modification of system files. Does it allow you access to processes, allow you to enable or disable things you may not want, manipulate the way processes work?
2. Can I copy & move all files to and from my device without the use of additional forceware? music, images, videos, programs etc.
3. Can the operating system be updated outside the manufacturers' channels? I.E. directly from google, rather than through LG, HTC or Samsung etc?
4. Does Android have a powerful back-end, like Apple's UNIX-stolen bash prompt?
5. Are there customised distributions of google's own android code that you can use?
6. Can you delete the manufacturers' own interface and use the standard Android one instead, perhaps in favour of speed and compatibility?

Well I'm sure I've already stepped on a few toes but hopefully someone can chime in about some of these questions.

 

[operant]

1. Moreso than Apple, and even moreso when rooted.
2. Yes, through your computer your sdcard will show up as a drive when plugged in and "USB Mass storage" is the USB setting on your phone.
3. If rooted you can update by loading new ROMs or leaked releases, but you can't really download the newest Android release and load it straight onto your phone.
4. Android is on a linux kernel and is powerful, but I'm probably not the best to answer that question.
5. developer.android.com
6. Through custom ROMs.

As you can see, Android is powerful, but rooting it will allow you to do most of the things you're asking about.

 

[Sutur]

Thanks mate, just what I needed