Level Up - Android: How to Root Nexus 4 on Android Lollipop 5.0 (Easy)

In my last post, I explained how to flash Android Lollipop 5.0 system image to Nexus 4. After I did that to my own device, the next thing I did was root it, using fewer steps than that other post. ;)

Rooted Nexus 4 on Android Lollipop 5.0

This will be a quick walk-through for the steps I took to root my Nexus 4. These directions are extended from the site with the great "CF-Auto-Root" tool that we will use.

Prerequisites:

1. I assume that your bootloader is unlocked. If not, please see my previous post for how to unlock the bootloader.
2. I assume you have `adb` added to your environment variable PATH. If not, please see my previous post.
3. I assume you are running Windows, but Max and Linux users will be able to use these general directions also.

Walk-though for rooting the Nexus 4:

1. Download the LGE Nexus 4 Android 5.0 file from http://autoroot.chainfire.eu/#fastboot
2. Unzip the file. You should see two folders and three files in that folder, one should be called "root-windows.bat".
3. Connect your Nexus 4 device to computer, then run `adb reboot-bootloader` in your computer's terminal. This will bring your device to the "fastboot" mode.
4. Make sure again that your bootloader is unlocked before proceeding (label found at bottom-left).
5. Open your computer's terminal to where you downloaded and unzipped the file, and run `root-windows` (Mac and Linux users use your own variant). You should see a red Android if the process is working.

Congrats! When the script is done, it will reboot your device and your Nexus 4 will be rooted!

This process will install the Root Check app so that you can verify a successful root.

More info:

• I didn't have any trouble using these directions for rooting my Nexus 4, so if you have any troubles with the steps, then I'll try to help in my limited capacity.
• Previously, when I was running Android 4.4 rooted, I used ES File Explorer to browse the root directories. But, it didn't work in Android 5.0, so instead I am now using the Root Browser app successfully.

~ Danial Goodwin ~

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My Android Apps | My Windows Phone Apps | My Developer Blog

Android 4.4 Developer

A few days ago, I had my Nexus 4's OS updated from Android 4.3 to Android 4.4. The system is running very smooth. Two of the first things I did was enable developer mode and then enabled all apps to use the new ART compiler rather than the old Dalvik compiler.

You are now a developer! Again! 

~ Danial Goodwin ~

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My Android Apps | My Windows Phone Apps | My Developer Blog

Idea: Google and Apple Purposely Produce Less Devices Than Market Demand

The sudden thought occurred to me, though perhaps not new, there's a strong possibility that large companies like Google and Apple and Microsoft purposely supply less than demand. It seems like just about every time a device is produced, it sells out.

I know producing millions of phones is a lot of work, but for the purposes of this post, I'm going to consider that these large companies choose to throttle output.

Determining market demand is not an exact science, but it can be determined to a degree of significance how much demand there is, even just looking at past trends. So, if companies can't determine exact demand, then they will either produce more or less needed (:idea:). If they produce more, then the extras could be sold eventually. If they produce less, then they sell less (at least in the beginning).

Now for more specifics for meeting demand.

If companies produce supply to meet demand, then they do have the opportunity of making more money in the short run, but the long term revenue differences would be insignificant. Another benefit of satisfying demand might be that more consumers have the brand's device in their hands.

On the other hand, there are many benefits to under supplying demand. A list might be easier here:

1. More publicity. Journalists don't know exactly how many devices are produced/shipped, all they know is when something is out of stock.
2. Inflate prices/value. Google sells the Nexus 5 for $349-399, but you can find some pre-orders selling for $600-650. Also, more publicity.
3. The large companies don't have to worry as much about their devices flopping. Aka, mitigating risks.
4. More publicity. This time the reason is for when the large tech companies ship their second and third rounds of devices.
5. Chance to fix some [software] bugs before "everybody" gets the device.
6. Also, minimize costs of a recall... just in case.


Any more thoughts that I missed?

~ Simply Advanced ~

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My Android Apps | My Windows Phone Apps | My Developer Blog

Can't USB Connect to Device Through Eclipse?

At first, I couldn't connect to a Nexus 7 or HTC Evo LTE in Eclipse. Windows 7 could see both of the devices, but Eclipse for some unknown reason would not detect them so that I could debug the Android apps.

Solution: Update Eclipse to the newest version and also update the Android SDK in the Android SDK Manager. You can update Eclipse and the ADT plugin by going to Help -> Check for Updates.

If your computer doesn't have the drivers for the devices, then you should download them from the manufacturer's (OEM) website. One starting point would be http://developer.android.com/tools/extras/oem-usb.html to help point you on your way.

Asus Nexus 7 Driver: http://www.asus.com/Tablet_Mobile/Nexus_7/#support_Download_32 (then click USB)

~ Simply Advanced ~

PS - This is assuming that the device is already properly set up in proper developer debugging mode.

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My Android Apps | My Windows Phone Apps | My Computer/Programming Blog