Category Archives: Android

HowTo: install ClockworkMod Recovery on Xperia X10 Mini Pro using GNU/Linux

Prerequisites

I can show you my situation, I can’t confirm that my guide is usable in different cases:

  • sim unlocked, stock Xperia X10 Mini Pro device rooted (I used my guide)
  • firmware 2.1.1.A.0.6
  • baseband M76XX-TSNCJOLYM-53404015
  • a pc with Ubuntu 11.10 64bit
  • fully functional adb (find more info here)

Disclaimer you must agree before you proceed

Please double check the requirements I wrote before you proceed and remember that:

  • I am not responsible if you brick / ruin your phone in any way;
  • some computer skills are required;
  • do a full backup of your data NOW, it’s not programmed, but you may loose them

Software requirements

CWMInstaller-Linux-v4.zip: download from here or from my mirror.

Do some backup before changing things

On your pc:
adb shell
on the device
# su
# mount -o remount,rw /dev/block/mtdblock0 /system
# cat /system/bin/chargemon > /system/bin/chargemon.original-backup

It’s time to get the job done

The package is done to allow anyone to easily install the whole thing, but I wasn’t able to use the script.
You can see what I did to manually achieve the result.

On your pc
$ unzip CWMInstaller-Linux-v4.zip
$ cd CWMInstaller-Linux/
$ adb push files/ /data/local/tmp

On the phone
$ su
# mount -o remount,rw /dev/block/mtdblock0 /system
# cat /data/local/tmp/recovery.tar > /system/bin/recovery.tar
# cat /data/local/tmp/busybox > /system/bin/busybox
# cat /data/local/tmp/chargemon > /system/bin/chargemon
# chmod 755 /system/bin/recovery.tar
# chmod 755 /system/bin/chargemon
# chmod 755 /system/bin/busybox
# rm /data/local/tmp/chargemon /data/local/tmp/busybox /data/local/tmp/recovery.tar

Done!
# reboot

Test it making a real backup

When booting your phone and when the “Sony Ericsson” letters appear (not the logo), press and release continuously the “back” button.
Once you are in the CW recovery, use the volume keys to navigate upwards / downwards, the “home” or “camera” button to select, the “back” button to go back.

Go to “backup and restore“, “backup” and wait at least 3 minutes (on an empty device).

Conclusions

Now you are ready to install some new ROMs on your device.

References

Automate Listen subscriptions update with Tasker

+  

I use Listen by Google to listen to my podcasts.
I’m a commuter and I find really frustrating to find new episodes ready to download while I’m already in my car.

To solve this issue I configured Tasker to start Listen on 6:00 in the morning.
This seems to force Listen to update the rss subscriptions.
Listen takes care of the download step.

Tasker Profile export:

Profile: Update Listen (3)
Time: 06:00
Enter: Anon (5)
A1: Load App [ App:Listen Data: Exclude From Recent Apps:On]
A2: Wait [ MS:0 Seconds:0 Minutes:3 Hours:0 Days:0]
A3: Go Home [ Page:0]


After-root Android tip #2: AdFree

This is part of a series of posts about useful apps to use on a rooted Android device.

AdFree
AdFree removes most ads in the browser and other apps. It does this by nullifying requests to known host names in the system hosts file.

Tested version: 0.7.7

What problem does it solve?
Do you hate advertisement as I do? Get rid of it!
Technically speaking your hosts file will be modified to make apps requests to ad servers go to null pages.

The Good

  • speed up browsing (less data to load)
  • save some bandwidth
  • save you from unwanted flashing banners
  • prevent accidental touch on ads

The Bad and the Ugly

  • many free apps programmers live with ads, so make your choice
  • some apps will recognize the hack and they will refuse to start
  • you have to start the app to check for updates
  • you’ll find some black area in apps where there would have been ads
  • sometimes in apps, you’ll get spinning gif waiting for banners

After-root Android tip #1: ClockSync

This is part of a series of posts about useful apps to use on a rooted Android device.

ClockSync
ClockSync synchronizes device system clock with atomic time from Internet via NTP (Network Time Protocol).

Tested version: 1.1.3

What problem does it solve?
My phone tends to loose some seconds a day and this application silently solves the issue.

The Good

  • it can be configured to update the clock only when using a wifi connection
  • it can do it silently
  • it keeps stats
  • timezone auto detection
  • rootless mode (not very handy)
  • it’s a typical set and forget app

The Bad and the Ugly
Nothing to tell about it.