Least locked down Irish Android

Rattle · 05-02-2012 1:58pm #1

I am looking at trying an Android and would like to be able to test unreleased software, install new Android versions and generally just mess about. From what I can see most of the phones on the Irish market seem to be locked down to prevent this, so the phone needs to be rooted to do anything except install apps from official markets. On Apple I could do this by joining their developer program, Nokia's have generally been fairly open to begin with.

Have I got this right - do you need to root an Android to install apps developed with the SDK, or just for upgrading the OS? Are there Androids on the Irish market that are open to begin with, or are there good ones to get from abroad?

bandit197 · 05-02-2012 2:27pm

You can install apps you create with the sdk on any android phone. There is an option in settings to allow non market apps.

ED E · 05-02-2012 2:49pm

Also, if you're planning on tinkering with things rooting is easy enough, just do it first thing when you get it so you dont have to re-setup everything.

finality · 05-02-2012 2:53pm

Why don't you want to root it?

Goodshape · 05-02-2012 3:41pm

Rattle wrote: »

Have I got this right - do you need to root an Android to install apps developed with the SDK, or just for upgrading the OS?

No, that's not right. You just have to toggle a setting -- and it will prompt you to do that the first time you try.

Rooting an Android phone is equivalent to having root, or super-user, access on any other Linux system -- you can access and change core system files and settings, including updating the OS.

It's useful and usually not much hassle, but not required for installing custom or off-market apps. They just work.