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How to get a $250 android tablet post
The document discusses how to root the NookColor e-reader to turn it into a $250 Android tablet. It provides instructions for rooting the device using the AutoNooter tool, which installs missing Android components and allows full customization. Key steps include updating the NookColor OS, installing tools like Java and ADB, copying the AutoNooter image to the microSD card, and booting the device to complete the rooting process. Once rooted, the document outlines how to customize the device with alternative launchers, apps, and remove the unnecessary "Cell Standby" service to improve battery life.
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How to get a $250 android tablet post
- 1. How to Geta $250 Android Tablet: Rooting the NookColor E-Reader Presented by Sarah Douglass 9-Mar-2011
- 2. Agenda Android introductionTablet computer vs NookColor NookColor stock features Android Debug Bridge (ADB) HoneyComb on SD for NookColor Recovering NookColor to Stock Rooting NookColor to full Android Conclusion
- 3. Smartphone OS /Tablet OS Open Source project, led by Google Linux-based software stack Android Compatibility Program (OEM tools) Android SDK (software developer tools) Android Market (app distribution) Manufacturer port of Android to OEM devices â Flavorsâ of Android What is Android?
- 4. Tablet Computer ComparisonFeature iPad-1 16Gb WiFi Samsung Tab B&N NookColor Cost $500 $550 - $750 with pay-as-you-go cellular $250 Screen Size 9.7â 7â 7â Screen Resolution 1024x768 1024 x 600 1024 x 600 Operating System iOS 4 Android 2.2 (FroYo) Android 2.1 (Ăclair) Processor Speed 1GHz 1GHz 800MHz Battery Life 10 hours 13 hours 8 hours Internal Memory 256k RAM 16Gb Flash 512k RAM 2Gb (CDMA) / 16Gb (GSM) 512k RAM 8 Gb (5 Gb available) Flash Removable Memory - ď SD, up to 32Gb (not included GSM, 16Gb included CDMA) ď SD, up to 32Gb (not included) WiFi 802.11 b/g/n 802.11 b/g/n 802.11 b/g/n Cellular - (optional, extra cost) GSM / CDMA - Bluetooth Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR Bluetooth 3.0 On chip, but not software enabled GPS - Built-in GPS - Camera - 3.1MP w/LED Flash + 1.3MP front - Microphone Mono Mono -
- 5.
- 6. NookColor - StockCapabilities Books & Magazines B&N Adobe DRM or Un-DRMâd: EPUB Free WiFi & reading in B&N Store Doc Viewer (Quick Office & Adobe Air) MSOffice: doc, docx, docm, dot, dotx, dotm, xls, xlsx, xlsm, xlt, xltx, xltm, ppt, pptx, pptm, pps, ppsx, ppsm, pot, potx, potm PDF
- 7. Music Un-DRMâd: mid,midi, mp3, m4a, wav, aac, amr Pandora app Video Un-DRMâd: 3gp, 3g2, mp4, m4v, ogg Picture Viewer (âGalleryâ) JPG, GIF, PNG, BMP Internet Browser (Android Browser v2.1, Mozilla-based) HTML Files NookColor - Stock Capabilities
- 8. NookColor - StockCapabilities Games Chess Crossword puzzle Soduku Utility / Social Book Lending, Contacts, Link to⌠Facebook, Twitter (for posting about what youâre reading)
- 9. Why Root? Whatit means to root the device Benefits Fix Minor Issues with stock NookColor Soft Keys: Back, Home, Menu, Search Android Market (add your favorite apps) Launcher Modifications Desktop access to apps & Documents Alternate Keyboard
- 10. The Legalities Legalto root or jailbreak Exception to DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) added 26-Jun-2010 Warranty does not apply to rooted devices
- 11. Features that enable NookColor Root BIOS boots preferentially from MicroSD BIOS can restore /system partition from ROM BIOS shortcut to clear /data partition
- 12. Warnings and CaveatsPossible âbrickedâ device Possible BIOS changes may prevent root of future devices Barnes & Noble software updates may break root
- 13. Android on SDA new OS is installed and runs from the MicroSD Does not change NookColor OS at all Slow Chance to try alternate Android versions Android Root on NookColor Change the OS installed on the device Risks voiding warranty Convenient access to all native NookColor functions May need to be redone after software update Ways to Android your NookColor
- 14. Tools to Install:Android SDK (contains ADB) Android SDK Required for ADB Requires Java Development Kit (JDK) install http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html More info at: http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html ADB = Android Debug Bridge (part of Android SDK) Developer tool, allows management of Android instance from outside Required for installation of tools onto rooted Android devices More info at: http://developer.android.com/guide/developing/tools/adb.html
- 15. About NookColor Android Image Files Image files are all Android-format and meant to be written to raw device No Windows or DOS command-line access to raw device, must use image writer WinImage (shareware) recommended tool Linux and Mac have command-line access to raw devices Reading image file from MicroSD Linux, Mac native capability Windows will show as unformatted, must put in NookColor and examine file system via USB interface
- 16. Hardware: NookColorMicroSD card 4Gb+ Cat 4 or higher Memberships: AndroidCentral (free) Needed to download image Software: Java JDK Android SDK (includes ADB) (Windows) Image Writer software such as WinImage (Shareware) Android Honeycomb on SD: What you Need
- 17. Android Honeycomb onSD: How To Do It Full Instructions at: http://forum.androidcentral.com/barnes-noble-nook-color/57500-how-download-install-honeycomb-nook-color-sd-card.html Steps: Install Tools: Java JDK, Android SDK, WinImage Download NookColor Honeycomb Image Unzip image and image-copy to MicroSD Power NookColor off, install MicroSD, boot up Download Android Market and Google Services Framework app files and use ADB to install them Reboot Sign in to Android Market To Get back to NookColor stock device: Power down, remove MicroSD, Power Up
- 18. Android Honeycomb onSD: The results Installation instructions work great Many apps missing from Android Market (not yet Honeycomb-ready) Force Close on some utility apps Very slow Great sneak-peek at Android-for-tablet
- 19.
- 20. Flash Back toClean Stock ROM: What You Need Hardware NookColor (Optional) Stopwatch or watch with second hand Software (Optional) NookColor Updates from B&N Under http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nookcolor/support/ at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/nookcolor-support-software-update/379002520/?cds2Pid=35758
- 21. Return to CleanStock ROM: Summary URL for instructions: http://nookdevs.com/Flash_back_to_clean_stock_ROM Summary of Steps Backup side-load data from NookColor internal memory Reimage /system partition (Hard Reset) Reimage /data partition (Soft Reset) Power up & register device Reinstall any NookColor updates
- 22. Reset to CleanStock ROM: Hard Reset (reinstall /system) Eight interrupted boots Press & release power button, wait for power-up flash Press power button, continue holding until 10 seconds after âTouch the Future of Readingâ clears from the screen Do this 8 times. If it boots completely, you have to start over. 9 th time, let it boot. Consider using 10-second hold, 10-second pause Alternate Method: use ADB to set interrupted boot counter
- 23. Reset to CleanStock ROM: Soft Reset (reinstall /data) Settings⌠Device Info⌠Erase & Deregister Device Alternate Method: Power-Home hold Buttons: Power off, wait 10 seconds, start power up Press and hold the buttons for at least a full 30 seconds Pause Power up â you should see the dialog for factory reset
- 24. Android Root NookColor: What you need Hardware NookColor MicroSD card, 4Gb+ Class 6 recommended, but class 4 worked for me Memberships GMail account Software (Optional) NookColor software updates from Barnes & Noble Java JDK Android SDK (includes ADB) (Windows) Image Writer software such as WinImage (Shareware)
- 25. Android Root NookColor:Summary URL for full instructions: http://nookdevs.com/NookColor_Rooting Summary of steps: Update NookColor OS, if necessary Register your NookColor, if you have not already Download and unzip AutoNooter for your NookColor OS Image-copy AutoNooter image to MicroSD Power NookColor down, insert MicroSD, connect to computer, wait for install and reboot to complete Initialize new Android services Remove MicroSD and reformat (or store) Remove Android âCell Standbyâ Service Customize
- 26. Android Root NookColor:AutoNooter Bootable image Installs missing Android components in NookColor /system and /data and reboots During AutoNooter installation: Screen stays black for about 1.5 â 2 minutes Windows: Cancel âFound New Hardwareâ wizard pop-ups Okay to unplug after reboot complete
- 27. Android Root NookColor: Applications Added Apps added by AutoNooter are highlighted
- 28. Android Root NookColor:Initialize LogicPD Zoom2 Set up Google Location Initialize SoftKeys
- 29. Android Root NookColor:About SoftKeys What is SoftKeys? What should I do about the âComplete Action Usingâ alert? What does SoftKeys look like? What does it do? Home Bar D-Pad Settings for home switching
- 30. Android Root NookColor:Initialize Android Core Apps YouTube Gmail GoogleTalk Android Market Google Calendar synchronization Additional step, not mentioned in URL Redo GMail account setup: In Gmail, bring up menu Select "Add New Accountâ Add your GMail account again (this won't create a duplicate) On the Sync Options screen, check "Calendar" option
- 31. Android Root NookColor:Install Utility Applications (Optional) System Information Application(s) from Android Market Android Task Manager Advanced Task Manager Install ADB Wireless (Widget version) from Android Market (free) Needed to use ADB on NookColor Rooted from 1.1.0 ADB needed to fix Cell Standby service issue
- 32. ADB Wireless OnNookColor: ADB Wireless Off On NookColor: ADB Wireless On (shows address and port # info) Connecting to ADB Wireless from DOS
- 33. Android Root NookColor:REMOVE MicroSD Card AutoNooter will re-install if you cycle power with MicroSD in slot Choices Reformat card (insert into running NookColor) Allows card to be used for data Save AutoNooter image card for re-rooting in future
- 34. Cell Standby serviceun-needed; drains battery overnight, may cause other problems Android Root NookColor: Remove Cell Standby Service Cell Standby Battery Usage on Rooted NookColor
- 35. Android Root NookColor:Remove Cell Standby Service Removal of Cell Standby requires ADB URL for removal instructions: http://www.xda-developers.com/android/remove-cell-standby-service-from-nook-color/ Script steps can be copied manually from website and pasted into DOS window
- 36. Using ADB Wirelessto turn off Cell Standby
- 37. Android Root NookColor:After Removal of Cell Standby Top battery usage: Android System No Cell Standby listed
- 38. Wallpapers Apps WidgetsAlternate Launchers Home Switcher Alternate Browsers Alternate Core Apps Adobe Reader, DocumentsToGo, Kindle, File Managers Rooted NookColor: Customization
- 39. Android Root NookColor:Results
- 40. Android onto NookColor:Conclusions No free ride; some sweat equity required Worthwhile for limited-capability multi-function device More Options Froyo (v2.2) or HoneyComb (v3.0) install in internal memory Serious customization â enable bluetooth, connect GPS, Keyboard
Editor's Notes
- #4Â Android Versions: V2.1 = Eclair V2.2 = FroYo V2.3 = Gingerbread (Devices just beginning to appear) V3.0 = Honeycomb (OS designed for tablets)
- #5Â Another difference: While all can connect via USB, iPad storage can only be accessed via iTunes. The Tab and NookColor both allow full access to storage via USB.
- #10Â Android Market (add your favorite apps) Mail & Calendar System Monitor & Control Alternate Internet Browser, file viewer, picture viewer News & Information More games
- #11Â Exceptions added to DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) on 26-Jun-2010 by Library of Congress for modifications to iPhones and other handsets You own the device and you are allowed to do with it as you please. Just as Dell is under no obligation to provide warranty service to you if you bought a windows machine and are now having problems with your Linux dual-boot, Barnes & Noble has no obligation to honor their warranty if youâve changed the OS behind their backs. Companies like Apple and Barnes & Noble work actively to defeat jailbreaking. Theyâre not in business to sell you only the hardware, they want a piece of the software and/or content pie as well.
- #13Â Example of software update issue: The 1.1.0 update to B&N NookColor OS prevents use of Android Debug Bridge via USB. This is likely a response to the active rooting community. BIOS changes are firmware changes, and thus are likely to be only in new hardware versions.
- #15Â You will need Android Debug Bridge (ADB) for any installation of full Android on your NookColor. It will allow you to mess with the running OS to install or remove functionality.
- #17Â The speed of the MicroSD card has a direct relationship to the speed of the running instance. I used a Cat-4 and the device was noticeably slow. Linux and Mac users have a distinct advantage when working with Android and copying images. Linux and Mac both allow direct addressing of physical devices and include the âddâ command for copying images to raw devices. Instructions for Mac, Linux and Windows are all included in the instruction websites.
- #21 Sometimes thereâs no place like home and/or you just want to get back to Kansas⌠You may need to reset your NookColor back to the way you found it, either because you want to request warranty service or because you want to undo the rooting for any other reason. I recommend you learn this procedure before venturing into rooting the NookColor internal memory. That way youâll feel comfortable with the procedure if you want/need to use it.
- #22Â This process will erase everything in internal memory on the NookColor, but will not modify anything on the MicroSD card. BOTH the /system and /data partition need to be reimaged to un-root, as the rooting process puts files in both places - Details about reimaging the /system and /data partitions are on subsequent slides
- #23Â - Link to the website describing reset is on a previous slide - The âInstallingâ screen is the same one that appears when you install a software update from B&N The Hard Reset âEight interrupted bootsâ method has been very reliable for me The alternate method (ADB) works like a charm on a rooted NookColor Hard Reset: 10-second hold, 10-second pause This refers to waiting until 10 seconds after the âTouch the future of readingâ appears before releasing the Power button, then letting the NookColor ârestâ for 10 seconds before the next (interrupted) Power-up. I found that if I did not wait long enough before releasing the Power button during the boot interruption it would go ahead in boot, causing me to have to start the count all over again. I used a stopwatch to ensure I did not get impatient and waited the full 10 seconds. Hard Reset: The URL site discusses using ADB to set the interrupted boot counter to 8. This works like a charm on a rooted NookColor that boots. You might need ADB Wireless to use it.
- #24 - Link to the website describing reset is on a previous slide The âSoft Resetâ seems to be a common recommendation from B&N Tech Support The Settings⌠method only works on a device you can boot all the way. If the device has been rooted, you may be unable to complete any boot until the /data partition is reset. Use the Power-Home hold method for that. I have been unable to get the Power-Home method to work on a rooted NookColor that has not had the /system partition reset to factory. Maybe itâs just me⌠Worked fine if /system was B&N NookColor OS.
- #25Â Links for software updates, JDK, SDK are on previous slides ADB (Android Debug Bridge) needed for removal of Cell Standby service on rooted Android
- #26Â I will be covering many of these steps in more detail in subsequent slides This presentation is based on my experience rooting NookColor 1.1.0. Your experience may be different if you root a different version of the NookColor. The AutoNooter images are targeted to specific versions of the NookColor OS. You need to be sure you have a matched set or rooting is likely to fail. The AutoNooter image is a bootable image that installs missing components of Android into both the /system and /data partitions of the NookColor. If you leave the MicroSD in the device and cycle power, the AutoNooter will run again, corrupting your rooted NookColor.
- #27Â The AutoNooter installation power-up is initiated by plugging the USB cable into the turned-off NookColor.
- #28Â Note: You wonât be able to see this until after youâve completed LogicPD Zoom setup. Iâm showing it now just so you know what got installed. You should be aware that the âExtrasâ app drawer appears to only get populated at boot. If you add applications from Android Market, they will not appear here until reboot. Until then, you need to rely on the notification tray (application installed selection) or an android information application. This is one good reason to install an alternate launcher.
- #29 The âtouch the android to beginâ screen is the first screen youâll see after AutoNooter reboot Select âSkipâ when you are prompted with the Gmail setup screen Check both the boxes in the Google Location screen When prompted with the Complete action using⌠screen, select âSoftKeysâ. SoftKeys will request superuser privileges. Select âRememberâ and âAllowâ. Youâll be prompted again for Gmail setup after SoftKeys initialization. You can use the (now enabled) SoftKeys âHomeâ button to exit.
- #30Â Softkeys is a mechanism for providing screen-based virtual âBack, Home, Menu, Searchâ buttons to replace or supplement hardware buttons that are normally on an Android phone. You will see the the âComplete Action Usingâ alert after a reboot and when you press the âHomeâ button. When you first see the âComplete Action Usingâ alert after reboot, you should select âSoftKeysâ (to start the service). After that, use âHomeâ. If you configure a default for this, you wonât see the alert again. Use the SoftKeys setup to configure behavior thereafter. The highlighted areas on the screen shown are the SoftKeys components. SoftKeys activator button (middle right side): controls the display of the Home Bar and D-Pad D-Pad (shown upper right side): enables cursor movement within a field. Display can be disabled/enabled by long-press on SoftKeys activator button. Home Bar (bottom middle): contains back, home, menu and search buttons. Display can be disabled/enabled by tap on SoftKeys activator. Can be dismissed by âxâ button. Notification Bar (lower-left): SoftKeys can be configured to include functionality in the Notifications list. Tap on the notification area and select the desired functionality â it will execute.
- #31Â YouTube just worked for me. I did not bother initializing âmy channelâ. GMail login and setup should be straightforward I initalized Google Talk to my account, but have never used it. Android Market requires login, then works fine. For some reason, the setup done as part of the GMail login does not necessarily configure sync with your Google Calendar. Re-do your Gmail account setup, but this time select âSync Calendarâ in Data & synchronization and all will be well.
- #32Â I like to have a service like Android Task Manager so that I can monitor the status of my device and manage the applications that are running on it. I like Android Task Manager because it can be accessed via the icon it adds to the Notification Area. To find Android Task Manager in the Android Market, search for âAndroid System Infoâ. To find ADB Wireless in the Android Market, search for âADBWirelessâ
- #33Â You should be aware that the âExtrasâ app drawer appears to only get populated at boot. If you did not reboot between installing ADB Wireless and trying to use it, you will only be able to get to it the notification tray (application installed selection) or an android information application.
- #34 You do not have power down to remove the MicroSD (you can eject from Settings⌠Device Info) but MAKE SURE you remove the AutoNooter MicroSD BEFORE you boot again. Some applications require an actual SD card to be in the device or they will not work. If you use one of these apps and you want to save your AutoNooter card for later, youâll have to invest in a second MicroSD card (you might want a larger one anyway). Mark the AutoNooter card carefully, so you donât insert it and accidentally destroy your device setup. The stock launcher will not show new applications in âExtrasâ until you reboot.
- #35Â This was taken right after reboot. Cell Standby is using almost half the battery. Before I knew Cell Standby was an issue, I left my rooted NookColor (in standby mode) on the nightstand overnight. The next morning, it would not turn on until it had been connected to the charger for a while. I had a similar problem when I left the NookCOlor on standby for a couple of hours â it would not turn on until connected to the charger (or a USB connection) even though the charge level at reboot was 79%. Removing the Cell Standby service fixed that.
- #36Â If you have rooted a NookColor with OS 1.1.0, ADB may not work through your USB cable. Install ADB Wireless Widget from Android Market â Barnes & Noble has not (yet) disabled that mechanism for ADB.
- #37Â DOS window showing commands for removing Cell Standby
- #38Â This was taken right after reboot. When the system has been running for a couple of days (mainly in standby), the biggest battery usage shifts to SoftKeys.
- #39 Example optionsâŚ. Wallpapers (could have set with Gallery too) Zedge (application) JPEG, BMP, etc files from your camera or the web Alternate Launchers Home Switcher Launcher Switcher GoLauncher EX Launcher Pro Alternate Browsers Dolphin Browser Skyfire Browser
- #40Â Fully customized NookColor screen on left I can switch back and forth between my (default) add-on launcher and the Barnes & Noble home launcher. The Barnes & Noble apps (Library, Shop, Search, Extras, Web, and Settings) are available in either launcher. Yes Virginia, you can download and run the Kindle App on the rooted NookColor.
- #41Â While I have gone only as far as customizing the built-in Android 2.1 instance, there are instructions on the web for installing either Froyo (Android 2.2) or HoneyComb (Android 3.0) in the internal memory of the NookColor. One user has reportedly managed to activate the Bluetooth receiver, connected a GPS to it and installed his NookColor into the dashboard of his automobile as his GPS display and music player.