If I'm basically happy

[mgindi26]

Ok I have my fascinate it's 100 percent stock. The only apps I added were k9m mail and handcent sms and vlingo plus a few games. I don't mind bing (maybe because I never had google) but basically I'm happy. My question is I keep reading about rooting, kernel, launchers etc. but I just don't understand how these things would enhance my android experience. Can anyone explain in laymens terms what are rooting benefits, what is a kernel, and why I would change launchers if the stock works fine? Or is ignorance bliss? Thanks

 

[Cyber Warrior]

Here's a good article explaining rooting and the benefits.
Top 5 benefits of rooting.

Launchers will change the look of your phone and have more features then the stock. Some popular ones are: Launcher Pro, ADW Ex and Go Launcher.

 

[Ronindan]

Rooting your device grants you superuser accesses much like having administrator privileges on your PC.

Rooting allows you to basically access and control all of your phone functions. Rooting by itself does not enhance anything. It is what you do after that can potentially enhance your experience. If your phone is rooted then you can then remove any VZW or Samsung apps (bloatware) that you don't need. Install(or flash) alternative ROMs(customized os) and Kernles.

Now if you are happy with the stock os, then by all means stay stock. It is your phone, enjoy it the way you want it.

For example, my phone is rooted and yet I only de bloated (it don't like to keep apps that I don't need) and installed an app(s) that allowed me to reboot my phone without pulling the battery and to back up my whole system.

 

[fstbusa]

Just like Ronindan said, Rooting is like having administrator privileges.


Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.....


Roms are just software that run on your phone. Its like the windows operating systems.

Kernels are the underlying structure(and can be part of a rom) of your phone that communicate between the hardware(actual circuitry) and software on your phone. Different developers use different coding methods to make this more efficient. Each developer will make a kernel slightly different. A kernel can give you a major performance boost my managing the tasks of your device more efficiently.

This explains it in more detail but its harder to understand.
http://forum.androidcentral.com/hacking/6037-general-rom-faq.html