Normal vs Root Android - I am new to Android.

[PeterTWJ]

Hi all

First, is the rooted Android similar to using an Administrator account in Windows?

If yes, why does rooting Android devices voids warranty?

Second, what more can you do with a rooted android device?

Please advice, thanks.

Have a nice day! 

Peter
W520 (4284-A99)

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[MrPeter1985 Guru]

Hi again,

Well I guess you could say it's like Admin for a PC. It does give you full control and permissions over the device.

I would say it voids the warranty since your able to modify the system settings, flash custom ROMs and Kernels. Doing so can really mess it up or even brick the device if not done correctly. And if you modify things then it's not really stock and the manufacture is unable to fix or even troubleshoot anything not stock as they are not familiar with anything over then what they've coded.

If your rooted you are able to use the nicer apps that change default settings. IE: You can use an adblocker, change the SD cards speed, change how much ram the graphics use, control the cpu speed, back up and delete any apps including system apps, change your 3g's DNS for faster loading, control what apps startup on their own, use wifi tether etc...

So there is befits as well as a downside to rooting your device.

[ExJamJus]

Another reason that rooting would void your warranty is because you can overclock the CPU causing it to burn out if you are not careful...

[Mornsgrans]

Some Apps f.ex. apps for taking screenshots only can be installed on rooted TPT to get enhanced permissions. Are you sure, that these apps only use these permissions to do only that, what you want?

[MrPeter1985 Guru]

That is a good point, but if you think about it, Devs and other coders/hackers root and hax their androids all the time. If an app was doing something it shouldn't be doing they would know. Just like the guy that found out the carrierIQ that sees everything. So yes, not all apps are trustworthy. Its best to look them up first.

[jiv]

If Lenovo does not support users rooting their TPTs, why don't they give us apps which would allow us to backup the tablets and take screenshots without having to root? These are important functions of a 'business' machine which are missing on the TPT.

[MrPeter1985 Guru]

Agreed, Android should have a backup program built in without the need off Root. But that's not Lenovo's fault. No other Brand that I know of has it either, Phone or Tablets. You need to be Rooted. So the real question is why doesn't Android OS have it built in?

[SPrime]

Android is a mobile operating system developed by Google and the Open Handset Alliance and by blocking root access the mobile companies can create carrier specific handsets and tablets. In the US this allows carriers to offer subsidized pricing for long term contracts on a handset or tablet that is exclusive to that carrier. I suggest that root access has nothing to do with the owner damaging the OS, but it has everything to do with maintaining carrier control of our devices by the mobile companies. Unfortunately our WiFi only Thinkpad Tablets must live in the shadow of the 3g version.

[p600]

I don't think there is such thing as carrier-subsidized Thinkpad Tablet in the US. Lenovo just decided to sell "a tablet w/o root access" for now, so we all have to suffer.

With rooted TPT one can, for example, do the following:

- backup the device with all apps and settings

- uninstall and disable most of the unnecessary software

- get a real full screen mode, that does not exist in Android v. 3+ otherwise. Makes  viewing photos, videos, writing, gaming much more pleasant experience: significantly more screen space, and  fewer chances to accidentally hit a wrong screen area and switch to another app. 

- remap hardware buttons (e.g. make "Browser" button to act like "Menu" button)

- use more applications, including additional  VPN options, take screenshot on the device itself (doable w/o root from a connected computer though) etc.

- potentially install Android 4 w/o all these Lenovo additions, and sooner than Lenovo makes it available

[ameridian]

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p600 wrote:

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Lenovo just decided to sell "a tablet w/o root access" for now, so we all have to suffer.

~

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rooting_(Android_OS)