Systems Recovery

I started in late 2011 dabbling in alternate Android Operating System modifications.  Not long after I purchased the Samsung Galaxy S2, I decided to attempt to install CyanogenMod 7 on my old Galaxy S.  Fortunately there is a plethora of help both on the XDA-Developers site and various other Android sites, as well as copious videos on YouTube.  (Note: Literally, just search Google for your problem and you'll likely find 5+ examples of the solution)

Sadly after much toil over my attempts to install CM7, I accidentally bricked the phone by resetting it during a nightly update installation.  My many attempts to find a solution to this problem were overshadowed by a more pressing issue and with that I abandoned the project. 

Nine months later, literally two weeks ago, I decided that it was time to revisit and rebuild.  The flow of self-help videos has not decreased in the last 3/4 of a year and the build enthusiasm has only increased.  I'd estimate that I spent a whopping 90 minutes un-bricking and then loading CM9 onto my SGS.  

This is the definitely the best thing that's ever happened to my SGS, it does things that the Samsung UI never did (e.g.  the 4 buttons across the base of the phone flash for notifications).

"To seek out new [apps] and new [modifications] to boldly go where [few phones have] gone before."

To find out more about how you can get CyanogenMod for your Android phone, check out these links

Devices the work with CyanongenMod

CyanogenMod site

An Alarming situation

I never quite adjusted to the blaring honk of morning alarm clocks, whether it be from a clanging bell of the more traditional clocks or the ruckus of a digitally-generated klaxon. I realize that the purpose of these wake-up tools is to prevent me from growing accustomed to them and peacefully missing my appointments.

 Alas, my salvation came in the modern mobile digital era.  No more am I regimented to obnoxious noises to end my rest, but have an almost innumerable list of new choices.  Options range from a soothing intro to any song from my music collection, or any internet or traditional radio station.  I could choose to have a combination of lights slowly brightening the room along with the possibility of any one of hundreds of recorded natural sounds.  There are dozens of tones and muses included in most smartphones for optional wake-up calls.  I could even set progressive timers to re-enable in case I accidentally miss the snooze and turn off the alarm.

Best of all my alarm clock goes with me, no travel alarm necessary. The clock in most mobile phones is set by the mobile phone carrier signal upon arrival in any new time zone.  And even if I found myself in the back-waters of the Congo, a clear shot of the sky and the GPS chip in the phone will determine my exact location on earth and will automatically set the local time.

For more information check out these Apps

LightingBug

 Sorry no iPhone App




Sleep Cycles