Well, as an e-reader, web browser, and email client, it's perfectly fine. However, quite a number of apps that I like to use will not install, either due to CPU incompatibility warnings or due to API level being incorrect. Some require root, I really want to have Titanium Backup working so I can do rollbacks if later versions of apps don't work the way I like or just make local backups - critical since I don't have a backup that goes to my gmail account with this device. I have also tried z4root and InstantRoot, - they don't work either.
Here's the kicker: it is API level 5 - which should mean Doughnut, aka Android 2.0 - but the entire system settings are plastered with Eclair version tags. I don't know if this is because that is what it took to get a MIPS processor vs the standard ARM processor to work or if it is a FrankenDroid or what. I have run SuperOneClick against it, and while the batch appears to install all the items (superuser.apk, su, busybox, etc.) when it asks if I want to test and I let it, it fails the test. I also can't seem to get a terminal console, I have tried installing the jackpal term and it won't install, and install of com.android.term will install, but it force closes any time I try to run it. To use ADB you have to select the debugging option and reboot, to mount the SD card, you can't just plug it in and select mount USB, you have to turn off debugging and reboot before the SD will appear as a USB drive in windows explorer.
Quoted from the Android SDK site:
Platform Version | API Level |
---|---|
Android 2.2 | 8 |
Android 2.1 | 7 |
Android 2.0.1 | 6 |
Android 2.0 | 5 |
Android 1.6 | 4 |
Android 1.5 | 3 |
Android 1.1 | 2 |
Android 1.0 | 1 |
I was recently given a T301 in A1 condition just to play with. I also tried Z4root and chroot using adb. After days of searching I did find a 2.2.1 kernel update with CW recovery but it doesn't seem to backup or recognize the file system. I'll keep playing with it, but doubt I'll get anywhere.