First time Android user with some questions about his new shiny toy.

[astro21]

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I know the intro part of this is probably in the wrong topic but if you keep reading you'll understand.

First things first, I'm a pretty advanced Windows user and can get around UNIX terminals pretty well. Lots of past experience in hacking consoles and iOS. I've just got a few questions about my new Thrive.

From what I understand, rooting is pretty easy so far but there is no brick protection and nothing is very well documented. By well documented, I mean it doesn't seem to have been done the exact same way by many people. This is the one of the only sites that actually show up on Google searches for this specific phone. This causes me a bit of angst before I go gung ho on that trail. It's pretty important to me to get this thing rooted because I've got a backpacking trip through Europe in two months and this phone was a major purchase for it. Planned on using it as my only real internet device abroad for the sake of security. Rooting would probably make proxy to my home computer easier, and it seems it definitely has the potential of helping battery life which is key.

So the questions I have are as follows...

1. Am I wrong about no present brick protections? I've scoured pretty hard but I'm not finding anything.
2. How would I go about an unlock for this device? Is AT&T nice at all on this subject? Or would I have to order an unlock code.
3. I've read on some spec sheets that this device has an FM Tuner integrated. After searching, I found a tutorial to activate it inside of the AT&T Radio program. Problem is, I can't use that program because it requires a data connection. Any tips on how I would go about this past root?
4. I keep seeing people make mention of this device being almost identical to the Optimus one. How true is that statement? I don't yet have much of an understanding of ROM's and things, but I'll glady research before asking newb questions about your response.
5. Is it normal for my phone to take upwards of two hours to charge 100%? Most other devices these days seem to boost to 80 or 90 percent in only a half hour. This is like it's set to trickle the entire time.
6. I'm worried that my phone is using 3G even though data is disabled. That would hurt battery life. Is that possible? Or is 3G entirely data and thus impossible?

I was in a bit of a hurry to write this so sorry if my grammar or spelling isn't great. I'll be back on to check replies in the morning. Thanks again everyone.

 

[marcandroid]

Astro21, how are you?

First of all let me say that I too just recently purchased the Thrive and find it to be a pretty good device so far. I'm more into functionality than commercialism and right now the Thrive suits my needs.
I will say that I've never rooted a device since this is my first Android device(defected from Symbian) so i can't help you with any rooting questions other than I heard One Click is a rooting utility that is being used.

As far as the 3G data though, I purchased a $5 10MB plan from AT&T which is supposed to prevent little small $.01 charges from occuring. I was told by an AT&T rep that w/o this plan the one cent charges would appear on the account history(and they had been). Due to the Android system updating itself or something.

When using WiFi other than AT&T, I recommend that you disable the 3G network, as it could possibly charge you for connecting(which happened to me)

I too want to root my device but am willing to wait until more info. is available so that I don't brick my phone.

Hope this helps and good luck.