Should I root or just get Sprint to update me to 2.1

[TravelDave]

Looking for advice. I've been considering rooting for a while (since before Sprint officially released 2.1). I've also considered just going to Sprint to get them update my phone. Not sure which approach makes more sense for me.

A few factors:

- Battery life on my unit is not too good. It generally needs to be plugged in at some point to make it through a full day. Not sure if I have too many apps loaded or if I just have some bad settings.

- Most apps work okay. However, Google Maps force closes (stops unexpectedly) every time I launch.

- A big reason I haven't moved forward on rooting is I don't really have much time to look into how to do it right and it seems like there are a lot of choices to make on ROMs. Thus, I choose inaction.

- Haven't gotten around to having Sprint update it, since I'm not sure how easy it is to get all my apps back on and to get my data back on. Sounds like things like Nandroid backup are only for rooted phones.

- I don't have any use for the Sprint stock apps (Nascar, NFL, etc).

Given this background, any advice on which route I should take?

Appreciate the advice.

Dave

-

 

[JB in AZ]

Looking for advice. I've been considering rooting for a while (since before Sprint officially released 2.1). I've also considered just going to Sprint to get them update my phone. Not sure which approach makes more sense for me.

A few factors:

- Battery life on my unit is not too good. It generally needs to be plugged in at some point to make it through a full day. Not sure if I have too many apps loaded or if I just have some bad settings.

- Most apps work okay. However, Google Maps force closes (stops unexpectedly) every time I launch.

- A big reason I haven't moved forward on rooting is I don't really have much time to look into how to do it right and it seems like there are a lot of choices to make on ROMs. Thus, I choose inaction.

- Haven't gotten around to having Sprint update it, since I'm not sure how easy it is to get all my apps back on and to get my data back on. Sounds like things like Nandroid backup are only for rooted phones.

- I don't have any use for the Sprint stock apps (Nascar, NFL, etc).

Given this background, any advice on which route I should take?

Appreciate the advice.

Dave

-

Hey dave. Lots of help here for you, both on making a decision, and if you decide to root. Let me move this thread to the All things Root sub forum where you will get more replies.

EDIT: IIRC, Google maps need 2.1???
EDIT#2 maybe it's Google nav that needs 2.1...I've been rooted with a 2.1 rom for so long I have forgotten. It is really easy to root. I hesitated for a long time, then caved...

 

[MahaloCat]

Aloha Dave -

Why Not Root if you are on 1.5 you can always Root/Unroot using Universal Androot.

If you don't want all the Sense junk out there there are fast and stable roms for you.
Myself and others are more than willing to help.

Mahalo

 

[TravelDave]

Mahalo Mahalo.

Is Universal Androot similar to Fresh Kitchen? Are there advantages of one versus another? Are there good instructions out there for using Universal Androot?

Also, on stable ROMs, how does one pick the best one for them? It seems like there are a lot of them out there.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[DonB]

As for choices of ROMs that is out of my expertise for now, but I would assume that would be subject to what you are looking for, depending weather you want sense UI etc.... so reading on all the ROMS will be your best bet,

Here in the meantime see how simple

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPB2itfpPqE

Mahalo Mahalo.

Is Universal Androot similar to Fresh Kitchen? Are there advantages of one versus another? Are there good instructions out there for using Universal Androot?

Also, on stable ROMs, how does one pick the best one for them? It seems like there are a lot of them out there.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[MahaloCat]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I found that video VERY helpful when i was rooting...

Universal is a 1 touch root with an Unroot button -
You can go back and forth.

I haven't used kitchen -