Nook Color: sneaky Android tablet
- Thread starter Foulkey Reese
- Start date
The kernel is probably the easiest part of the entire process.
Noticeable speed increase too.
http://forum.androidcentral.com/barnes-noble-nook-color/54135-how-overclock-nook-1100mhz-stock-nookie.html
Basically you:
Download the Kernel from that link
Place it on your SD card
Reboot into recovery with Rom Manager
Install zip from SD card
Locate the kernel's zip file and select it
Once it reboots download/open SetCPU and you can max it out at 1.1 GHZ.
Thanks Foulkey.
Has anyone had problems syncing Gmail, contacts, or calendar? I can't get the Gmail app to work properly at all. I'm going to redo tonight and see what happens.
You mean it won't get out of clockwork mod?
There's a zip on XDA that is called something like CWR_Removal.zip... flash it in CWR, and then reboot. it restores the stock recovery. Look around on the development forum... it might be in the monster root thread.
I'm going to test it tonight, but I think after installing CWR via Rom Manager, you need to reboot the Nook before opening CWR to avoid the CWR bootloop.
That's pretty much exactly what happened. I heard about the CWR Removal ROM, but haven't gotten around to reflashing it yet. I got the thing to fart around more than anything else - I just want 2.2 on it for development purposes.
I returned mine yesterday. The woman took a look in the box to make sure the Nook was there and that was it. She didn't even take the NC out to make sure it wasn't damaged.
I did enjoy the Nook though and will probably end up going back and buying it soon enough. I'll probably wait until there's another groupon or some sort of deal. I don't like paying full price for anything.
Picked up the NC yesterday, rooting was pretty easy, took maybe an hour between reading, investigating and then doing. Hardest part? Getting the auto updater to put 1.1 on the thing, the root itself took less time. Still playing around but started building the new home screen, installing apps and learning my way around. It's not for the faint of heart, post root you are still left with a nearly identical NC that needs some attention to customize. I'm having a blast with it!
So far the biggest issue is getting my microSD care formated back for use on my Driod. Don't have a card reader and was using the Droid, then formatted using NTFS and now the Droid sees it as unformatted but can't reformat to FAT32. Looks like I'll have to pick up a reader and reformat again to get the card usable again.
So far the biggest issue is getting my microSD care formated back for use on my Driod. Don't have a card reader and was using the Droid, then formatted using NTFS and now the Droid sees it as unformatted but can't reformat to FAT32. Looks like I'll have to pick up a reader and reformat again to get the card usable again.
Had same Micro SD issue. Put it in a camera or something else. Use the format function on that device.
Droid is the only device with microSD in my stable, got a new card coming in a day or two that has the SD "converter" so I can plug it into one of my (many) current readers. Hell, if I look around long enough I've probably got a micro reader somewhere.
I had "borrowed" it from the Droid temporarily to run the root program and intended to put it right back into place. I try to format on the Droid now and it just times out, guessing that going NTFS was a mistake, and since it's a more recent android build than the NC figure it is not going to format there either. It'll get fixed up soon, I'm more annoyed at myself for just plunging ahead with the NTFS format in the first place. Should have checked the wife's Droid to see what format the card was, would have saved me some down time.
OK, thanks for the nudge. I did drop the card into the Nook and it just auto formatted it. That's what I get for assuming it wouldn't work.
All is well.
For future reference, it seems to work better if you don't update through the auto-updater. There is a 1.1 rom floating around on XDA that works perfectly and takes less than 5 minutes to put on. In general, I'm going to try to not update through B&N while its rooted until I see that it is OK to do so, or I'll do it through an XDA hack.
Yes, I have the kindle app on my nook and am able to buy books through amazon. but you must be rooted.
Not sure if Massachusetts has the same program, but through my state library (NH), and having a library card with my town's library, I can download and read ebooks. It's managed through adobe digital editions, which I had to install on my computer. I have 14 days to read the book before it disappears off my nook. The disadvantage is that only one ereader can have the book at a time. So you can put books on your wish list and hold them. apparently, when a book becomes available, I'll get an email and have 2 days to download before it goes to the next person.
I just signed up for it tonight and just downloaded the first book. I don't really know how long reserved books become available. but it is another option besides buying from B&N or Amazon.
I'm sure there's sneaky ways to get books as well. But the effort required to find them would be better spent smashing stupid conniving pigs with upset birds.
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Aside: Apparently the cyanogen team has gotten into developing a ROM for the nook. Apparently you need to run a new version of CWR on an SD card to be able to flash it. but I think it's a good sign that they are getting into making a Rom for the Nook... it should be good. This one is based off of gingerbread, and I assume that when google releases the honeycomb code (I don't think they have yet... at least not officially) then cyanogen will make a HC version.
I know this has been asked but how is this as an eReader in the sun? I know the Kindle with the eInk is fantastic but is the color LCD essentially like using a laptop in the sun? I almost bought $250 worth of B&N coupons from cardpool for 220 but I pulled out at the last minute some crappy reviews scared me off..
Yes, you can download books from a library in MA. Just go to the library website for directions.
Yes, it's a laptop in the sun, but the black background makes it fine for me. The iPad, too, is fine in the sun IMHO. The criticism is overrated.
Yes, it's a laptop in the sun, but the black background makes it fine for me. The iPad, too, is fine in the sun IMHO. The criticism is overrated.
Yea once the HC code comes out we're going to see a flurry of development for the NC. Good to hear about Cyanogen though. They make great Roms.
Ok, so I'm finally coming around on this (you were worried, I know). I spent a lot of time yesterday playing with this, downloading a crapload from the market and just making the look and feel of it seem more tablet like than e-reader like. There is still a heck of a lot more to do with it, but now I at least feel excited to use it and will look to it before my phone. Couple of notable discoveries/questions:
- The GMote app allows you to both control your computer from your Nook and more importantly stream content from your PC to the Nook itself. My internet was spotty last night so I don't know how great it will work, but it was pretty cool to start.
- This thing looks gorgeous when you put a nice wallpaper on it. Doesn't change anything functionally, but just makes it feel like a much cooler device.
- This thing is amazing to read magazines on. The selection in the B+N store is pretty limited, but there are a couple on there I am subscribing to (BusinessWeek, Car+Driver...Good Housekeeping) and I really look forward to reading the magazines on it going forward. If they can upgrade the selection that would be a huge win. Do we know if there's any other way to get magazines other than through the B+N market?
- Battery life is still so-so. At times it will be great and barely drain, other times it will drop like a rock. Overall I used it pretty heavily for about 4-5 hours last night and the battery went from full to 50%. Not great, but certainly nothing to complain about compared to my laptop or phone. I'm really having to manage a lot of my tasks as a bunch seem to pop up that are unrelated, and somehow I think the device is looking for a cell signal. Is there any way to really monitor what's necessary and auto-kill certain tasks? Any other battery saving tips (my screen brightness is all the way down)?
- The fact that I was able to play NHL 94 on it last night was very very cool. There are a ton of things I want to explore, mainly ways to stream video both over my network and from other sources over the internet, but the "this is really cool" factor has definitely gone up for me.
Also, the updates on new OS versions are apreciated. I've finally got mine to a place where I don't feel like I'm using an e-reader anymore but getting Froyo or HoneyComb on it will be great for speed improvements.
- The GMote app allows you to both control your computer from your Nook and more importantly stream content from your PC to the Nook itself. My internet was spotty last night so I don't know how great it will work, but it was pretty cool to start.
- This thing looks gorgeous when you put a nice wallpaper on it. Doesn't change anything functionally, but just makes it feel like a much cooler device.
- This thing is amazing to read magazines on. The selection in the B+N store is pretty limited, but there are a couple on there I am subscribing to (BusinessWeek, Car+Driver...Good Housekeeping) and I really look forward to reading the magazines on it going forward. If they can upgrade the selection that would be a huge win. Do we know if there's any other way to get magazines other than through the B+N market?
- Battery life is still so-so. At times it will be great and barely drain, other times it will drop like a rock. Overall I used it pretty heavily for about 4-5 hours last night and the battery went from full to 50%. Not great, but certainly nothing to complain about compared to my laptop or phone. I'm really having to manage a lot of my tasks as a bunch seem to pop up that are unrelated, and somehow I think the device is looking for a cell signal. Is there any way to really monitor what's necessary and auto-kill certain tasks? Any other battery saving tips (my screen brightness is all the way down)?
- The fact that I was able to play NHL 94 on it last night was very very cool. There are a ton of things I want to explore, mainly ways to stream video both over my network and from other sources over the internet, but the "this is really cool" factor has definitely gone up for me.
Also, the updates on new OS versions are apreciated. I've finally got mine to a place where I don't feel like I'm using an e-reader anymore but getting Froyo or HoneyComb on it will be great for speed improvements.
Hey 4P, did you download a launcher program like ADW or Zeam? Those make a huge difference in the look and feel of the device.
Yeah I have Zeam, which definitely helps. I wasn't really utilizing it completely though as I wasn't moving apps to the homescreen, updating the bar at the bottom, or even changing its settings. After I did some of that last night it got a lot better.
2 other questions.
- How I do download/use widgets? I might change things around with that, but I want to at least figure out how to do it. I downloaded a widget app from the market but couldn't figure out how to do anything when I opened it. Open to suggestions on recommended widgets/setup.
- How do I take screen captures? I'll post what my home screen looks like if I can figure that out.
2 other questions.
- How I do download/use widgets? I might change things around with that, but I want to at least figure out how to do it. I downloaded a widget app from the market but couldn't figure out how to do anything when I opened it. Open to suggestions on recommended widgets/setup.
- How do I take screen captures? I'll post what my home screen looks like if I can figure that out.
"Shootme" is an app that lets you do screen captures and save them on your SD card.
What kind of widgets are you looking for? Most of them are already part of the apps you're running.
What kind of widgets are you looking for? Most of them are already part of the apps you're running.
No idea, I just see stuff like weather/clocks and little things like that on the homescreen, figured I'd test them out to see if they're any useful at all.
They likely won't be, but if I could have something that always showed the NHL scores or something I could put it on my far left homescreen (out of 3) and just slide to it whenever I want rather than bringing up the ESPN scores app or something. Basically I just want to play around but couldn't figure out how. Then again, I didn't try real hard either.
They likely won't be, but if I could have something that always showed the NHL scores or something I could put it on my far left homescreen (out of 3) and just slide to it whenever I want rather than bringing up the ESPN scores app or something. Basically I just want to play around but couldn't figure out how. Then again, I didn't try real hard either.
Here's a good list I had bookmarked a while ago.
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/15-great-widgets-to-enhance-android/37502
Also, "Beautiful Widgets" has a really nice clock/weather widget. It's a pay app, but it's worth the $1 imo.
"Simi clock" is another good one that's free.
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/15-great-widgets-to-enhance-android/37502
Also, "Beautiful Widgets" has a really nice clock/weather widget. It's a pay app, but it's worth the $1 imo.
"Simi clock" is another good one that's free.
second question first... I use shootme on my nook and phone. But I think that if you hold volume down and press "n" then that also takes a screen capture without the need of an app.
first question... As mentioned, beautiful widgets is worth the buck.
Long press on your homescreen... up will come a menu. click widgets, then select one. you don't open an app to add widgets. I use beautiful widgets (large homescreen) for clock and weather. if you tap the weather, a forecast page will come up (when you're in this page, if you hit menu, then you'll get the settins to tweak beautiful widgets). You can download different skins for the clocks and weather to change the appearance of the widget. I also use the toggle widgets on a home screen for quick access... this is sort of a habit left over from how I set up my phone.
The other app I use that has a decent widget is Jorte... which links with my google calendar.
I've got a hard on for putting HC on this thing, but waiting for a stable release. What makes it awesome, BTW?
Just curious, why are you getting ads?Rooted my Nook tonight. So far, I love it.
Can't wait to start writing apps for it.
The ad is just part of the quadrant score app.
Honeycomb wallpapers look great on the Nook.
http://www.droid-life.com/2011/02/23/download-honeycomb-wallpapers-from-the-full-sdk/
My wallpapers look like crap on my nook... they aren't very clear at all. I copied the honeycomb ones onto my sd card, unzipped into a wallpaper folder, then on my homescreen, menu--> set wallpaper --> gallery (I think that's what I do... i dont' have my nook with me right now).
then I click the one I want, and it pops up with a cropping window to resize what I want shown. But when I click set... it looks fuzzy.
What are you doing different than what I'm doing (I'm using Zeam, which shouldn't matter)?
I've found that the best way to set a wallpaper is to just load it from the web.
For the honeycomb wallpapers above just open the wallpaper you like, long press on it, and set as wallpaper.
The others ways come out distorted for me too.
For the honeycomb wallpapers above just open the wallpaper you like, long press on it, and set as wallpaper.
The others ways come out distorted for me too.
Thanks... I'll give that a shot. Your wallpaper above is way nicer than the one I was using (the live Beautiful Widgets one).
"Battery Indicator"
Free in the market.
Edit: One more thing. If anybody wants the full, original Angry Birds you can download it below. Open the file with Astro File manager and then install. Worked fine for me.
If you want to, you can download "AdFree" which will get rid of all the in game adds.
http://www.mediafire.com/?9ok78dsylspk0pw
Free in the market.
Edit: One more thing. If anybody wants the full, original Angry Birds you can download it below. Open the file with Astro File manager and then install. Worked fine for me.
If you want to, you can download "AdFree" which will get rid of all the in game adds.
http://www.mediafire.com/?9ok78dsylspk0pw
Do you know what version Angry birds that is? I was able to find version 1.2 (I think), but not the newest one. The new version is 1.5.1.1 I believe (that's the version with the hidden level frmo the super bowl ad). You can see the version number in Titanium backup.
I don't have the Nook with me now, but as far as I could tell it wast the most recent update. It had the "cowboy" levels that they recently rolled out.
Dunno. I gave it to one of the other devs at work who'd done it (with the screwed-up bootloader from my previous attempt), he gave it back 20 minutes later with 3.0 on it. Looks pretty nice, but a lot of apps won't install because it's not correctly configured (the Market doesn't know what to serve it). For what I wanted it for, though--which amounts to a PDF reader and occasional games--it's just fine.
