I really like to have a new phone to replace my old pre-historic one. Searching for the one that suits me, I have decided to look for a smartphone that runs Android OS.
Though many brands are available in the market and considering my budget, I whole heartedly purchased Cherry Mobile's NOVA smartphone.
Phone Specification:
OS Android OS 2.1 (Eclaire)
CPU Qualcomm MSM 7227 600MHz Processor
Screen 320x480 Capacitive touch screen (3.2")
Memory 256MB RAM; 512MB ROM
Card Slot micro SD up to 32GB
Camera 5MP; autofocus; LED Flash
Other Bluetooth; WIFI; 3G; GPS
Well, I fell in-love with this phone and was happy for buying it. Although there are other brands like Samsung, HTC, Sony Ericsson, and others which features their own android UI; I still wanted this one even though Froyo is already out.
After a month of playing with it, I found out that some applications and other games requires Froyo. So it begins; Mission: Upgrade to Froyo.
Searching around the internet about my phone and gathering all values that I extracted from the phone (i.e. Firmware, OS version, etc...); CM's still does not release any update. Only their HD type MAGNUM phone runs Froyo. But I said to myself never give up... or may end up regretting on buying this phone.
Lurking around the internet for some information, I found out that CM's NOVA share the same specification of an OEM phone created by FOXCONN. There are many aftermarket smartphone brands which share the same specs, hardware and appearance. I stumbled upon ore which will turn to gold.
Alas, Froyo is now within reach. I have discovered CyanogenMod - a group of people which takes in Android OS development environment and creating a new Android OS which boasts of CyanogenMod's apps which will turn your smartphone to a super smartphone (hehe I just liked the term).
Will it work like before? Yes! and more powerful because you will have overall control of your phone.
Downside: if you're a noob, don't try to do this. This may cause your phone to brick (still not proven for me) and may void your phone's warranty.
This will involve rooting your phone (granting you superuser access to your phone's system files and folders), Installing new ROM, then installing Google Apps. Trying to install wrong ROM may cause your phone to not work. These reason also gets me and have come to a point in giving up this mission. But my techie brain still said go for it regarding I may have wasted my money on buying this phone then bricking it afterwards.
For the brave that will still go for it (like me) here are the steps:
First: Root your android OS - search for apps that will root your phone. This is much easier rather than accessing your phone to a PC to root it via software in PC. I would recommend Z4 root software. Just go to 4shared.com on your phone and search z4root.apk and download it.
Second: Clockwork app - This will install custom ROM which are available in the internet to your phone. After Installation try to see if the app has an update. I think it's available in the Market as "ROM Manager"
Third: Download CyanogenMod ROM and Google Apps. These are ZIP files and try not to extract them. Clockwork will install it instead. Download CyanogenMod-6.1.2-Z71 and Google Apps. Search these files at www.cyanogenmod.com Phone Model is Z71 Variants. Save it to your phone's SD card
Fourth: Run Rom Manager (by ClockworkMod) and Choose Install ROM from SD Card. Select CyanogenMod ROM you saved on your SD card and wait for it to finish. Your phone will install it and reboot, be patient when it reboots.
Fifth: Run Rom Manager again and install Google Apps the same way you install CyanogenMod ROM.
Lastly : Enjoy your Froyo CM's NOVA.
For more detailed instructions:
http://boston-mania.blogspot.com/2010/12/rom-22-cyanogen-mod-612-for-z71-final.html
Enjoy and have fun!
See my CM NOVA Running CyanogenMod 6.1.2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW_qXOpdUPI
