Simple Questions

[scjjtt]

This may seem elementary to many of you - but here are my questions that I need help with. First of all, I'm a former Palm OS user that have come over to Android. I've been reading this forum, along with others, a lot, Rooting and Rom'ing are a mystery to me. I just got the Gingerbread for my Samsung Epic 4g (I downloaded it and followed instructions that I found here) - my son's was done OTA, I dont' think my wife's has been updated yet (we have 3 Epic 4G's). Here are my questions:

1. Now having the official Gingerbread I would like to get screenshots - but it appears that I have to have the phone rooted. Can I be directed to an easy way to do that with my phone now running Gingerbread?

2. I'm pretty basic in my needs for a phone - I use it in business ways - so I have all the office apps and file explorer apps that I need (I even stream movies off of my computers at home on the network onto my phone). I don't play games on it, nor do I have fancy backgrounds (just black - I know, I'm boring). But I would be interested in a Rom that would enable my battery to last longer - without giving up the things of Sprint that I do like (Sprint TV, Sprint Football Live). I don't care for the Sprint Nascar (sorry Nascar fans). Is there a simple rom that I can install and use that will enable be to use those apps, and still use the Maps & Navigation without problems?

After using Palms for almost 15 years, I'm pretty nervous about these things. I need this phone to work - I use it a lot. Any help for someone who is pretty simple minded will be greatly appreciated.

I offer you my gratitude and thanks in advance for any help and direction you can offer me!

 

[Paul627g]

This may seem elementary to many of you - but here are my questions that I need help with. First of all, I'm a former Palm OS user that have come over to Android. I've been reading this forum, along with others, a lot, Rooting and Rom'ing are a mystery to me. I just got the Gingerbread for my Samsung Epic 4g (I downloaded it and followed instructions that I found here) - my son's was done OTA, I dont' think my wife's has been updated yet (we have 3 Epic 4G's). Here are my questions:

1. Now having the official Gingerbread I would like to get screenshots - but it appears that I have to have the phone rooted. Can I be directed to an easy way to do that with my phone now running Gingerbread?

2. I'm pretty basic in my needs for a phone - I use it in business ways - so I have all the office apps and file explorer apps that I need (I even stream movies off of my computers at home on the network onto my phone). I don't play games on it, nor do I have fancy backgrounds (just black - I know, I'm boring). But I would be interested in a Rom that would enable my battery to last longer - without giving up the things of Sprint that I do like (Sprint TV, Sprint Football Live). I don't care for the Sprint Nascar (sorry Nascar fans). Is there a simple rom that I can install and use that will enable be to use those apps, and still use the Maps & Navigation without problems?

After using Palms for almost 15 years, I'm pretty nervous about these things. I need this phone to work - I use it a lot. Any help for someone who is pretty simple minded will be greatly appreciated.

I offer you my gratitude and thanks in advance for any help and direction you can offer me!

I would recommend reading through this thread below and feel free to ask questions to any of those posting in there.. They have all rooted and done it under the new GB update. They are most familiar with the process, I have recently switched to the Nexus S4G so I haven't toyed with the process for the new update myself. I do know much of what is going on from all my past Epic 4g experience and am very knowledgeable but for first hand experience read that thread and feel free to ask questions there..

Myself & others will do our best to help you take the challenge if you choose to do so...

Rooting EI22 Gingerbread Instructions

Also just a heads up on a lot of terminology used in rooting, here is my FAQ I created back a while ago... It covers the basics, yes its a bit outdated but it will clue you in to much of what is being discussed and talked about so you understand the meanings behind things...

http://forums.androidcentral.com/epic-4g-rooting-roms-hacks/55379-faq-q-rooting-roms-methods.html

Good luck..
Paul.

 

[scjjtt]

Thanks Paul - I have read your FAQ before and will read it again. Your answers and directions you pointed me to is exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks again!

 

[Paul627g]

No prob.

 

[flastnoles11]

Fyi there is an app on the market that allows screenshots without the need of root... jus go to the market and type screenshot no root and you should find it

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

 

[Paul627g]

Fyi there is an app on the market that allows screenshots without the need of root... jus go to the market and type screenshot no root and you should find it

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

Yes I know the app your speaking of and it has had some troubles... People having to go back to their computer to reinstall it over and over again and other issues... Not very dependable especially at $4.99 price....

 

[scjjtt]

Yes, I too saw that app - but besides the problems people are having with it and the cost - you have to reconnect your phone to your computer if you ever take the battery out - which I do almost daily (I carry a spare).