root

Google has an event slated for February 2 to show off its Android 3.0 operating system for tablets, code-named Honeycomb. Well, in advance of that preview an industrious Android enthusiast, who goes by the handle deeper-blue on the xdadevelopers' forum, has hacked the Nook Color to run a preview version of Honeycomb and has posted a video on YouTube.

A custom version of Android firmware is already available for the Nook Color that essentially allows you to turn it into a full-fledged Android tablet (naturally, Barnes & Noble doesn't authorize you "root" your Nook but plenty … Read more

Anyone who's attended CES knows that getting a cell phone signal during the show's peak hours is never a sure bet. With 140,000 phone-wielding people crammed into a square half mile, you can go several hours without making a call, accessing your e-mail, or even sending a tweet.

Since it's rather ironic that you can't use your cell phone at a gadget show, we made a point this year of seeing just how bad the conditions were. So we brought along RootMetrics, a company that powers our cell phone coverage maps, to test the average … Read more

As soon as Barnes & Noble released the Android-powered Nook Color, one question that many people were asking was would you be able to run the Kindle app for Android on the device. Of course, Barnes & Noble wasn't going to authorize it, but it was only a matter of time before people started "rooting" the Nook Color to run a customized flavor of Android that would allow you to download Android apps, including the Kindle app.

The rooting actually started not long after the $250 Nook Color was released, but the Blog Kindle has now posted … Read more

Editor's note: This app is available only in the United States.

Though CNET's always been here to rate the latest cell phones, your handset is only half the story in the search for a great wireless experience. Strong coverage from your carrier is equally important, but finding that reception, and keeping it, isn't easy.

That's why we've partnered with Root Metrics to create a unique tool that can help you check reception strength and make a carrier decision. You might have already discovered the tool when browsing any CNET cell phone review (look for the &… Read more

Google releases an expanded voice control app for Froyo, A PSP/Android hybrid gaming device, and the first Android Trojan (if you live in Russia). Plus Justin reviews SwiftKey, and we cover all of the Voice commands achievable with the new Google app.

Since its beginnings, Android's identity has hinged on its openness and customization. Unlike Apple's iOS, Android allows users, handset manufacturers, and carriers a lot of room for tweaking their devices. But even with so much freedom, a select group of folks demanded even more customization and decided to "root" their handset. And up until now, that has been possible with the Easy Root application in the Android Market.

For the uninitiated, rooting lets users overcome limitations or restrictions imposed by wireless carriers or handset manufacturers. It's very much like jailbreaking an iPhone. It may sound … Read more

The Droid X is rooted, the Nexus One is done, and we dive deep into Android tablets with Senior Editor Donald Bell. We also take a brief look at Agenda Widget and cover a tip on how to retain Bluetooth connectivity while in Airplane mode.

Tablet Watch

The new Droid X is released...with a kill switch, anyone can create apps for an Android device, and special guest Darren Kitchen of Hak5.org shows us how to root an Android phone. Plus, we cover how to packet-sniff with your rooted droid, and share a tip on how to make that stock touch-screen keyboard more useful!

The Motorola Droid X could brick itself if tampered with

Motorola spells out its reasons why...in February

...and it's all potentially a non-issue anyway… Read more

In OS X the first user is by default an administrator account so administrative functions can be run, and adding new administrators is usually as easy as authenticating and checking the appropriate box for the respective user in the Accounts system preferences. We were recently contacted by a reader who found that her system was no longer able to create new administrator accounts and all the previous administrators were now listed as standard users, leaving the root account as the only way to administer the system.… Read more