Android for the HTC Touch

There is a version of Google's Android platform being developed for the HTC Touch.  It is not very awe-inspiring as of yet; it does the basic stuff- such as make/receive phone calls/SMS messages and browse the web- but that is about it.   It is a development platform, so it needs a 'killer app' before it will become very interesting.

The install allows me to run Android (Linux) on my HTC Touch without flashing the ROM to do so.  The files from the ZIP file should be extracted to the root of a MicroSD card (must be the root- putting the files in a sub-directory causes the extract to fail) and run the executable file (HARET.EXE).  This boots a Linux OS and Android is up and running in a few minutes.  A reset of the device puts it back to normal WM6.1 mode...

There is a contacts option, but so far I have been unable to figure out how to enter information or get it to sync with anything (I assume it will be pointing to GMail contacts?).  I also cannot find a 'menu' option that would all me to change system settings (such as the time- which appears to be set to GMT).

It also appears to not like my 8GB SHDC MicroSD card.  It was running ok when I tested with a 2GB MicroSD, but now I am getting frequent 'Cylon eye' screen a few seconds after booting up- so nothing is responsive now. I will try out my 2GB card again-  just for fun.... :o)

HTC Touch 3.03.651.4 Firmware

Holy crap; ask for something, and there it is!  (gotta love the Internets!).  I went back to PPCGeeks to look for another custom firmware and there is a link to the official Sprint HTC firmware!

Downloading now- and probably testing for the better part of the night...

Custom HTC Firmware

I have become very tired of awaiting the 'promised' firmware upgrade for the HTC Touch from Sprint.  A few months ago I tried a hacked version of the Alltel firmware that enabled GPS and EVDO Rev A (which worked pretty good)- but I have grown tired of its occasional lockups and slowdowns...

I was trolling around PPCGeeks and ran across the PPC Kitchen firmware update.

This firmware is a fairly interesting concoction; it allows me to chose a base firmware and add on various applications, themes and tool.  (One nice feature is the ability to use the HTC Diamond applet on the Touch).

So far the results have been varied; the device seems to run faster, but I have issues with many applications being 'unsigned' and unable to be run on the device (which worked fine under the Alltel firmware!).   I also have the occasional issue where I receive a phone call but I cannot click the 'accept' button (after the incoming call is over, the phone unfreezes and I can call the originator back).

All-in-all it is a mixed bag; lots of extra features, but lots of issues too (like being unable to set the default button action).  Hopefully Sprint will eventually release a final HTC Touch firmware and I can use it as a base for the other applications I have found embedded within the PPC Kitchen firmware options.