Nexus One gets a software update, enables multitouch: video

Google's just released a very significant update to the Nexus One that includes Google Goggles onboard and a revamped version of Google Maps that includes suggestions and a dedicated night mode.

Much more significantly, though, they've enabled multitouch in Browser, Gallery, and Maps -- great news and a big win for the Android community at large.

Finally, there are some 3G improvements in there, but you might have to wait a bit -- Google expects to have it rolled out to pretty much everyone toward the end of the week.

How to unlock and root a Nexus One

This is not a beginners guide. If you are a beginner, you should not be hacking your phone. These instructions assume you have previously hacked at least one Android device.


Before we begin

Make sure you have accomplished the following things

* Installed the USB drivers (grab them from Google or XDA)
* Confirm your device is recognized by ADB (see CyanogenMod Wiki or XDA for help)
* Backed up any important data from your device

Watch the video walk through once to get a preview of the entire process. Your first time might take you 30 minutes, but it can be completed in less than 10.




Step 1: Unlock your bootloader

In order to flash a new recovery image, you must unlock your bootloader. This process is quite simple, but it will wipe your phone.

* Reboot phone into fastboot: Power off device and hold down trackball while powering back on. (The fastboot screen is the one with the Androids on skateboards)
* Open a command prompt and navigate to your Android SDK tools folder.
* Type ‘fastboot devices‘ to make sure your phone is recognized.
* Type ‘fastboot oem unlock‘ to unlock the bootloader.
* Use volume keys to navigate to yes and press the power button to confirm.


Step 2: Flash a new recovery image

Next we will download a new recovery image that allows us to flash custom zip packages.

* Visit XDA and download Amon_RA’s recovery image for the Nexus One.
* Copy the file to your Android SDK tools folder.
* Open a command prompt and navigate to your Android SDK tools folder.
* Type ‘fastboot flash recovery recovery-RA-nexus-v1.5.3.img‘. (Note filename will change as recovery image is updated)



Step 3: Boot into recovery mode and flash N1 Addon

Now that the new recovery image is installed, it is time to reboot into recovery mode and flash a custom zip package. Since your phone was just wiped, you might have to enable usb debugging again so ADB and fastboot commands will work.

Double check: Go to Settings > Application settings > Development > USB debugging (enable)

For this guide we will be flashing Cyanogen’s N1 Addon.

* Visit XDA and download Cyanogen’s N1 Addon. (or any other custom .zip file you want to flash)
* Copy the .zip file to the root directory of your SD card.
* Open a command prompt and navigate to your Android SDK tools folder.
* Type ‘adb reboot recovery‘ to reboot the phone into recovery mode. (The recovery screen says “Android system recovery” with green text on black background)
* Use the trackball to navigate to “Flash zip from sdcard” and then select the zip file you wish to flash.
* Follow the on screen instructions. Press the trackball to begin the flash when prompted.
* When the flash is complete, navigate to reboot and press the trackball to reboot.

Congratulations, you are finished and it is now time to download some root apps from the Android Market. Search the Market for SetCPU for Root Users, Nexus One Torch, or use the term “Nexus root” and see what you find.

Android 1.6 (Donut) SDK released, adds several new features

The developer kit for Android 1.6 is now available here. Android 1.6, also known as the Donut build, includes several new features and optimization tricks designed to greatly enhance the next version of Android. The SDK and the Android Developers blog have revealed some interesting previews of those features.


Quick Search

Android has universal search in Donut, which will scan all areas of a phone’s data – e-mail, SMS messages, and even third-party apps that are “searchable.” The system is able to recognize which results are most important to users, so contacts or apps that have been previously clicked will move to the top of future searches.


Improved Camera, Camcorder, Gallery

The Android Camera, Camcorder, and Gallery apps have been updated with an interface that makes it easier to navigate between each. Switching from camera to camcorder is easier, and the camera moves 39% faster than previous versions. There is also a 28% improvement in speed when taking one photo and moving along to next.


New Android Market

We knew this was coming but I bet you’re still happy to see there is a noticeable improvement. The Market has a new interface; options to pick between most popular paid apps, most popular free apps, and newest apps; screenshots if the app developer added them.


Text-to-speech engine

The multi-language/accent “Pico” will make Android speak text in English (American or British), French, Italian, German, and Spanish. From the description, I’d gather that this is better than the current TTS library previously seen on Android. G1 or Dream users will have to download the new engine once it is released.


Gestures

App developers can now take advantage of in-app gestures. Swipes in any direction would perform any function that the developer ties to those movements.

There is also a new Battery Usage Indicator, support for CDMA (Sprint and Verizon networks), expanded support for different screen resolutions and densities, and a new version of OpenCore with audio codecs.

Enjoy!

Software Update Fixes the HTC Hero's Only Real Problem

Well, this changes things. Right after it came out, Matt from Gizmodo called the HTC Hero "tragically flawed."

Why? Because the otherwise fantastic Sense UI was realllly slooooow.
HTC, presumably run by competent, rational human beings, has fixed this. The new update, illustrated above, shows the now beautifully fluid UI experience.

Well done HTC!