Category Archives: Mobile Computing

Articles related to mobile computing, such as smartphones and the mobile web.

Running Ice Cream Sandwich on the HTC HD2

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The HD2 proves yet again to have been a great purchase. Just as soon as Android evolved to version 4.0 with ICS so too did ICS AOSP Hit the HD2. Continue reading to learn how to direct-boot Ice Cream Sandwich using Nandroid on the HTC HD2.

To get started, complete my existing instructions to install HSPL, upgrade to a new radio and install MAGLDR. These updates are needed to flash custom ROMs on the HD2. (Note: cLK can be as an alternative to MAGLDR in some cases, but both require HSPL be installed first.) Installation times vary widely by skill level. Once installed, return here to finish the rest.

As a debugging tool for beta ROM installations download and store a functional copy of Android Gingerbread on the SD card, in case there is a need to revert from ICS to an earlier, bug-free version of Android. The Gingerbread ROM I used to use worked for me.

Download and install Ice Cream Sandwich from the XDA forums. (See my most recent configuration for ideas on which to install.) With MAGLDR it is easiest to upgrade using the ClockworkMod Recovery utility, accessible via the MAGLDR main menu once installed. To access ClockworkMod Recovery, enter MAGLDR (reset phone with “shut down” key depressed) and choose “AD Recovery” from the main menu. The resulting menu system provides methods for installing and restoring ROMs from ZIP archives stored on the SD card. (Note: If upgrading from an existing Android NAND ROM, the system partition size may need to be increased before installation as per the ROM instructions.)

Video depicting ICS installation procedure using CWM Recovery.

If installation problems occur please be sure to follow all of the instructions provided with the ROM. Once installed, if things seem buggy, consider direct-booting Gingerbread, or, if using the old dual-booting Android and WinMo, switch over to a direct-boot method such as this one. Or simply try simply copying the set-up below. Those with an Android password management system will revel knowing how much time their careful planning has saved them once again.

HD2 set-up (last updated ):

Device: TMoUS HTC HD2
HSPL: CotullaHSPL3 (SPL-2.08-HSPL)
Radio: 2.15.50.14
Boot Loader: MAGLDR v1.13
Android ROM: NexusHD2-IceCreamSandwich Beta6
Recovery: ClockworkMod Recovery v1.3

Direct Boot Gingerbread on the HD2

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HTC HD2 running Android Gingerbread

Since the release of a direct-boot utility for the HD2 there has been a flurry of activity on the XDA forums to get Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) working on the HTC HD2 smartphone. I recently switched from dual-booting Android and WinMo to a Gingerbread direct boot method and am pleased with the improvement in boot speed and battery life. But as with the dual-boot method, there are still a few hiccups here and there. Read on to learn how to replace WinMo with a Nandroid version of Android Gingerbread on the HTC HD2.

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Making Free Calls on Android

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During two recent trips to Central and South America I needed a way to call back to the States without spending a lot of money. After a little research I found a competitive rate: free. Using an Android-powered smartphone it’s possible to make and receive calls free of charge from any Wi-Fi hotspot worldwide. In this post I’ll explain how to do this for US-based mobile devices.

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Managing passwords on Android

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After installing Android on my HD2 I quickly became challenged with the task of recalling passwords for frequently used applications like Last.fm, Mint, Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, Foursquare, et cetera. While recalling passwords for all of these apps might be painful for some, it’s a cinch for those managing their passwords using one of the many available ports of the open-source KeePass Password Safe. For Android, the KeePass port I’m using is KeePassDroid.

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Running Android on the HTC HD2

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HD2 running Android Froyo

After spending a few weeks on the HD2 Android Development forums at XDA I learned how to coerce my T-MobileHTC HD2 into dual-booting Android and WinMo. As of today I’ve got Android Froyo running with few issues and reasonable battery life. In this post I’ll explain how how you can dual-boot Android and WinMo on your HD2 as well.

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