[Instructions] How To Root The Verizon Samsung Droid Charge

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Neither z4root nor SuperOneClick is currently working on the Charge (though I’m sure someone will come up with a one-click method soon enough), but guess what – Gingerbreak sure does. Follow these instructions, and you should have root and full /system unlock on your Droid Charge in a few minutes. Credit goes to the Exploid Crew and unnamed testers.
No custom recovery, such as ClockworkMod or RA, is available yet, but it is surely going to arrive very soon.

Pros

• Permanent root
• Read/write access to /system
• The bootloader is factory unlocked, so no additional fiddling is required
• All Droid Charges survived testing
• No data wipe is needed

Cons

• Voids warranty
• Could brick your phone if you aren’t careful

Android Police and Team AndIRC disclaim all liability for any harm that may befall your device, including, but not limited to: bricked phones, voided manufacturer warranties, exploding batteries, etc. The instructions below assume you already have a strong familiarity with adb command lines.
The instructions were created using Linux, but should work the same way on Windows, Mac, etc. You may require additional USB drivers on Windows – check with Samsung and Verizon if you can’t see the phone in adb.
If you’re unfamiliar with some of the terms, hit up our primers here:

• Rooting Explained + Top 5 Benefits Of Rooting
• Top Android Apps Every Rooted User Should Know About: Part 1 (Apps 1-8), Part 2 (Apps 9-16), Part 3 (Apps 17-25)
• Custom ROMs Explained And Why You Want Them

Step 1

Download the zip archive containing the exploit and other needed files (MD5: c6f2f4119f4a640571c3ab50c3287aae).

Step 2

Unpack the downloaded zip – you should now have 3 files:

• GingerBreak
• su
• Superuser.apk

Step 3

Enable USB debugging on your phone – go to Settings > Applications > Development > USB debugging and put a checkbox there.

Step 4

Push the files to the phone:
adb push GingerBreak /data/local/
adb push su /data/local/
adb push Superuser.apk /data/local/

Step 5

Gain root (this can take upwards of 10 minutes, and if it fails, reboot and try again):
adb shell
Now the shell should display "$".
Run:
/data/local/GingerBreak
At this point, the shell should display "#".

Step 6

When your prompt changes from $ to #, you have temp root. Now let’s make it a permanent root:
At this point, the shell should display "#".
Run:
mount -o remount,rw -t rfs /dev/block/stl10 /system
cat /sdcard/su /system/xbin/su
cat /sdcard/Superuser.apk /system/xbin/Superuser.apk
chown 0:0 /system/xbin/su
chmod 06755 /system/xbin/su
reboot
Your Charge should now reboot. Enjoy permanent root!
If you have questions, use our webchat or go to irc.andirc.net and join #charge.
 [Source: Androidpolice]

HTC Thunderbolt Receives Update With Enhanced 3G Connectivity and Messaging Fixes

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Remember that new HTC Thunderbolt software that leaked a little over a week ago? It’s prepped and ready for installation, as Verizon has updated their support page to reflect the latest tweaks and enhancements that will hit their first 4G LTE handset. The main fix here is enhanced 3G data connectivity, which should alleviate some of the 4G/3G switching problems some users have experienced. Messaging fixes correct incorrectly displayed SMS and MMS messages. As is usual, expect this one to roll out over the next couple of weeks, so don’t panic if it doesn’t hit your handset this weekend. See the full release notes at the source link below, and let us know in the comments when you receive your update.
[via Verizon]

Verizon’s 4G LTE Network Down Nationwide

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Verizon’s 4G LTE Network is down nationwide, forcing those with an HTC Thunderbolt or a 4G hotspot to suffer along with near dial-up speeds. According to Verizon’s twitter feed, the Thunderbolt is able to do voice calls, but data is running at 1xRTT data. The outage comes just one day before the DROID Charge, Verizon’s second 4G phone, hits the network. Verizon has said they are hard at work to fix the problem. Verizon’s 4G network went down late last night, and  though it doesn’t affect 3G devices, the Thunderbolt has been booted down to extremely slow speeds. There is a fix, however, that will allow the Thunderbolt to get back up to 3G at least.


















Verizon Wireless has posted two updates on Twitter so far:

Others on Twitter have said that they have lost timezone settings on their Thunderbolts.
Here is the fix to get the Thunderbolt up to 3G:
How to Fix 4G Outage on HTC Thunderbolt
Dial ##778#
Press Call button
The password is 000000
Choose Edit Mode
Go to Modem Settings
Choose Rev A
Switch from eHRPD to Enable
Press OK
Commit Modifications
Keep in mind you’ll likely need to change this back to get your phone back to normal after the nationwide Verizon 4G LTE outage is fixed.
Here is a video that shows the speeds that are currently happening in San Francisco:

US Cellular Beats Verizon to the Punch – HTC Merge Launching April 29th

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I first heard about the HTC Merge last fall when someone leaked some pics of the phone on Verizon’s network. Since then, you can find the Merge on just about every carrier these days. Alltell wireless is taking pre-orders and Cellular South plans to release it soon. Don’t even get me started on Verizon, who has been sitting on this phone apparently for months.
Well, now you can add US Cellular to the bunch. Engadget received a screenshot from a US Cellular internal email showing they plan to release the phone this Friday, April 29th.
Just as a refresher, the Merge is one of HTC’s world phones compatible with both CDMA and GSM frequencies. It features a 3.8 inch screen, a solid 4-row QWERTY keyboard and Android 2.2 with HTC’s Sense UI for a topping. Looks like this phone could complete a solid Android lineup for QWERTY lovers no matter which carrier decides to snatch it up. Verizon, where you at?
 

Rugged Casio G’zOne Commando breaks onto Verizon April 28

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Verizon has officially announced the Casio G’zOne Commando, the carrier’s latest ruggedized smartphone. Running Android 2.2 Froyo, the G’zOne Commando meets Military Standards 810G for Immersion, Rain, Shock and Dust Resistant, Vibration, Salt Fog, Humidity, Solar Radiation, Altitude, Low and High Temperature Storage.

There’s also a 5-megapixel camera, WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth, GPS and 3G mobile hotspot functionality. More interesting, perhaps, are the eight different modes that cater to various outdoor pursuits, mixing together direction, acceleration and temperature sensors; full details in the press release below.
The Verizon Casio G’zOne Commando will go on sale April 28. It will be priced at $199.99 with a new, two year agreement.
Press Release:

Verizon Wireless And Casio Introduce The CASIO G’zOne Commando
First Ruggedized Android Smartphone for Verizon Wireless
BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Verizon Wireless and Casio today announced a new addition to the rugged wireless category and a new Android-powered smartphone in the marketplace, the CASIO G’zOne Commando™. Deployment ready, the Commando is a mobile office with high security features for secure corporate email; Wi-Fi for high-speed Web access; XT9 and T9 trace input for efficient typing; and snap-out menu for customized access to high-use applications.
Designed to withstand the most extreme conditions, the CASIO G’zOne Commando easily transitions from work to play with advanced G’zGEAR software. As the ultimate outdoor tool in a mobile device, G’zGEAR operates in eight modes to enhance the active, adventure-driven lifestyle. With the help of its Triple Sensor technology utilizing direction, acceleration and temperature, G’zGEAR enables adventurers to perform at their peak.
The Casio Commando is ideal for the business environment, especially for fields such as construction, transportation, manufacturing, utilities and healthcare. Workers in hazardous environments, such as construction sites, warehouses and factory floors, need a smartphone that has the capability to download blueprints, files and pictures; update project plans; access field force management, inventory access and corporate applications; and capture signatures.
Key features:
Android™ 2.2
Meets Military Standards 810G for Immersion, Rain, Shock and Dust Resistant, Vibration, Salt Fog, Humidity, Solar Radiation, Altitude, Low and High Temperature Storage
5-megapixel camera with auto-focus, still photo, video capture, LED light
High-security encryption for corporate email
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n connectivity
Stereo Bluetooth™
VZ Navigator® for GPS and audible turn-by-turn directions
Mobile Hotspot capable-share 3G connection with up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices
Lifestyle features:
G’zGear operates in eight modes
Earth Compass – Functions as a standard compass, the GPS shows the distance and direction to several domestic and international landmarks, including Yosemite National Park and Mt. Everest.
Walking Counter – Measures steps, distance and energy consumption, and total steps for the day, week or month. It also provides virtual treks for famous North American trails and roads including Mt. Kilimanjaro, Annapurna Circuit, Torres Del Paine Circuit, John Muir Trail and Transcontinental.
Adventure Training – Takes training to a new level by allowing users to run with virtual opponents, like world-record holders, wild animals, or their own best personal performance stored in the training history.
Trip Memory – Plots and records outdoor activities along with location information to share with friends and family on Twitter™ and Facebook®.
Tides – Showcases the tidal graph for the day; time of tide ebb and flow; and current, past and future sea tide levels. GPS displays the nearest location map.
Thermometer – Displays current temperature in both Celsius and Fahrenheit with numeric and graphic thermometer readings and compares the current temperature across multiple locations.
Sun / Moon – Checks the time of the next sunrise, sunset, moonrise and moonset, and tracks the moon phases for your current location.
Star Gazer – Utilizes GPS to display the stars and constellation names based on the current season and time.
Pricing and availability:
The CASIO G’zOne Commando will be available online at www.verizonwireless.com on April 28 for $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement. CASIO G’zOne Commando customers will need to subscribe to a data plan. Unlimited data plans are available to customers starting at $29.99 monthly access.
Business customers who want to purchase the device can contact their Business Sales Representatives at 1-800-VZW-4BIZ.
For more information on the CASIO G’zOne Commando or for other Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com. Customers can visit www.CasioGzOne.com to experience the CASIO G’zOne Commando.

Verizon DROID Incredible 2 by HTC priced and dated

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Verizon has announced that the DROID Incredible 2 by HTC will go on sale from April 28, with the Android 2.2 smartphone priced at $199.99 with a new, two-year agreement. The smartphone has an 8-megapixel camera on the back and a 1.3-megapixel camera on the front, along with HTC Sense and 3G mobile hotspot functionality.


Up front is a 4-inch WVGA display, while inside it’s Qualcomm’s 1GHz Snapdragon keeping things chugging along. The DROID Incredible 2 can record 720p HD video, has DLNA streaming support and SRS WOWHD audio.
So, not quite a flagship, but likely to be a solid phone all the same; check out our Incredible S review – pictured above – for more details, since this is basically the same device. Who’s interested?
Press Release:

DROID Incredible 2 by HTC Available Beginning April 28
BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Verizon Wireless and HTC today announced that DROID Incredible 2 by HTC, exclusively from Verizon Wireless, will be available beginning April 28 in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com for $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement.
DROID Incredible 2 by HTC follows in the footsteps of the popular DROID Incredible by HTC and features the Android™ 2.2 platform, a crisp 4-inch super LCD display, next-generation 1 GHz Qualcomm® Snapdragon® processor and 3G Mobile Hotspot that can connect up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices. Equipped with the hallmark HTC Sense™ experience, DROID Incredible 2 by HTC offers advanced personalization options, consolidated email capability and unique camera effects and filters. With its sleek, all-black design, DROID Incredible 2 by HTC combines functionality and speed into one stylish package. DROID Incredible 2 by HTC is a global-ready Android smartphone, allowing customers to enjoy wireless voice and data service in more than 200 countries, with more than 125 with 3G speeds.
Additional features include:
8.0-megapixel main camera with dual LED flash
1.3-megapixel front facing camera
720p HD video capture plus DLNA® to share multimedia content with a compatible TV
Adobe® Flash® Player
SRS WOWHD™ surround sound
Automatic face detection for more accurate pictures
Integrated noise-cancellation technology
Verizon Wireless customers that purchase DROID Incredible 2 by HTC will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan and a smartphone data package. Nationwide Talk plans begin at $39.99 for monthly access and an unlimited smartphone data plan is $29.99 for monthly access. Verizon Wireless customers traveling outside of the United States should contact Verizon Wireless’ global customer support team at 1-800-922-0204 before embarking on their trip to ensure their phones have the right features for global usage.
For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

 

AT&T Prepaid Fight vs. Verizon Wireless Unleashed Plan

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When it comes to prepaid plans two big names such as AT&T Wireless and Verizon Wireless always rival each other, this is good and healthy competition that always keeps the pricing down. So who will win the fight for glory?
RCR Wireless have hit on this subject and it is somewhat very interesting indeed, Verizon Wireless have a plan called “Unleashed” and this offers customers unlimited mobile Web services, unlimited messaging and unlimited calling over its network for $50 per month, the only downside to this is that they only have three phones that use this plan. There are a few limitations such as lack of phones and its mobile Web experience is limited to the Web browser that is included on the three handsets and this does not give you the full web browsing experience.
The Unleashed plan according to the source above undercuts available prepaid plans, the ones that offer SMS messages at 2 cents per text, unlimited calling for $2 per day or unlimited bundles costing $10 or $20 per month.
Over Tracfone Wireless Inc.’s Straight Talk the Unleashed plan is $5 per month that included unlimited calling, messaging and data using the Verizon Wireless network and feature phones.
Now looking at AT&T Mobility’s GoPhone unlimited plans with prices at $60 per month for unlimited text messages and voice calls and its $75 per month for extra 200 megabytes of data transmission what would you choose? If you choose the AT&T Mobility GoPhone you can pay $2 per day for unlimited calls and text messages and data packages ranging up to $25 per month for 500 MB.
Who wins the pre-paid market then?

Triple threat: Motorola Droid X2, LG Revolution, and HTC Trophy to launch May 12 on Verizon Wireless

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A month ago we told you that Verizon was going to have some nice releases for April and May. It looks like the Motorola Droid X2 and the LG Revolution are on schedule and will be released next Thursday, May 12. The HTC Trophy (WP7) which was originally expected to hit in April, will now be released next Thursday as well.
For those waiting for the Sony Xperia PLAY, you will be happy to know that it has been scheduled for Thursday, May 26th. This phone was also originally scheduled for April, but due to some bugs it was pushed back.
The Droid X2 will be Verizon’s first dual-core Tegra 2 phone. The LG Revolution will be a 4G LTE phone and be the first Android phone with Netflix support.  The HTC Trophy will be Verizon’s first Windows Phone 7 device.
It looks like the Verizon stores will be pretty busy next Thursday.

 

Walmart to sell the Droid Charge, $298.88

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Now it looks like the device will be listed at Walmart for $298.88. I’m sure many of you have been waiting patiently for this new Droid. So keep your eyes peeled for it, and let us know when you have one. And if all indications are correct, tomorrow could be the day!
The Droid Charge in line as Verizons soon to be relased 4G/LTE device. Below are a few of the specs:

• 1GHz Hummingbird processor
• Android 2.2
• 4G LTE capability
• 4.3 inches Super AMOLED Plus display
• 8 Megapixels rear-facing camera / 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera
• 2GB internal storage
• Micro-SD support for up to 32GB memory

 

Evidence Points to Droid Charge Launch on Tuesday

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The Droid Charge launch was postponed indefinitely when Verizon’s LTE network crashed, and we haven’t gotten an official launch date yet. Android Central has found a lot of evidence pointing toward a Tuesday release, however. In addition to the image above, they found several other internal images showing release dates of May 3rd or 5th, so we expect to see the device find a general release this week. Hit the source link to all the images. 

T-Mobile: We Downloaded a Crap Ton of Stuff While Verizon’s 4G Network Was Down

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T-Mobile wasn’t going to let this juicy opportunity slip away. In what has to be a very gutsy blow to the – well – gut, T-Mobile has tweeted Verizon to let them know that they were able to get stuff done on their 4G network while Verizon’s 4G network was down. Here’s the full tweet for your consideration:

And with that I leave you to talk amongst yourselves because I don’t think I can follow that statement with anything worthy enough of being said.