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Help Android newbie

So today i just picked up the android charge by samsung, pretty excited since the things a mini computer, so few questions that i have after browsing the phone and the internet

1: What exactly does rooting mean? is it like jail breaking an iPhone?
2: What does ROM mean? and when answering any of my questions no acronyms please, or at least state what each means
3: How exactly do u delete default apps? i no u have to root but what are the steps after
4: any good info i should no about androids in general?

also im having trouble with installing the phone onto my computer, i did it 3 times already and to no avail. keeps saying the device cannot be read. there was a list of reasons that i could not copy and paste
 
So today i just picked up the android charge by samsung, pretty excited since the things a mini computer, so few questions that i have after browsing the phone and the internet

1: What exactly does rooting mean? is it like jail breaking an iPhone?
2: What does ROM mean? and when answering any of my questions no acronyms please, or at least state what each means
3: How exactly do u delete default apps? i no u have to root but what are the steps after
4: any good info i should no about androids in general?

also im having trouble with installing the phone onto my computer, i did it 3 times already and to no avail. keeps saying the device cannot be read. there was a list of reasons that i could not copy and paste

1. Yep, same principle
2. ROM is Read Only Memory -- this is where the operating system resides. You can replace the stock ROM with an updated version someone has created, minus all the bloatware programs you will never use.
3. See #2. OR, you can get Root access and then Freeze the apps you don't want running, I think that is done with Titanium Backup... someone can confirm that understands it better
4. They are fun, but battery life is crap.
 
so rooting voids warranty i assume. if i were to break my phone anyway to "unroot" it so it doesnt break warranty?

and what are the pros and cons to rootings, same and iphone? free apps and themes nd w.e
 
so rooting voids warranty i assume. if i were to break my phone anyway to "unroot" it so it doesnt break warranty?

and what are the pros and cons to rootings, same and iphone? free apps and themes nd w.e

Correct, rooting voids your warranty. There IS a way to return to stock (depending on how badly you messed up your phone of course assuming you soft bricked. Technically your warranty is still considered void at that point... but once you return to stock they usually will work on it.

Note that the forum doesn't condone fraud though so don't go breaking your phone and expect to get help to get VZW to fraudulently replace it. ;)

IMO - Pros
  • Remove bloatware
  • Replace slow RFS based file system with faster Ext4 based file system
  • Ability to theme and customize much easier
  • AD FREE ANDROID
  • Overclocking/underclocking
  • Ability to "flash" customized OS versions (may include fixing problems with current programming).

Cons
  • Voids warranty
  • Can, at times, be confusing
  • Increases chances of operator error causing issues
  • Not REALLY a con, but prevents OTA updates from being applied.


While similar to jailbreaking, it does not allow for "free apps." Common question though.

The stance Android Forums is that "stealing" apps only hurts the community and makes developers unlikely to continue to program. Most apps are only a buck or two... try the demo or free version and upgrade if you wish. :)
 
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