myTouch 4G Slide (HTC Doubleshot) source code and development.

Since learning all the good things about the Android platform, I've come to realize that I can't really deal with the stock ROMs that come on the phones. Like they say, give a developer a bone, and he'll have a skeleton in a week. Give him a body, and he'll be able to improve it in a month. That's what I like about Android: it's (supposedly) open source, free to modify and configure the way you like. That's how I like my sandwiches, that's how I like my steaks, and that's how I like my electronics.

After learning a little bit about ROM development from my G1, and I saw vast improvements on an ever so aging phone, I decided not to get a phone without any development. Before HandlerExploit, my Motorola Cliq didn't really have any development, and therefore was actually really laggy and crapish. My G1 was way faster than my Cliq, despite its earlier release. Lack of development for any Android phone is one of the many places that boners go to die.

So now I have this myTouch 4G Slide, as it was dubbed by T-Mobile after HTC sold it to them (as HTC calls it the HTC Doubleshot...I think). Development looked promising for a phone with such good hardware, and I get hard-ons from the Android phones with a physical keyboard (I have this feeling that I'm going to totally own the touchscreen...don't like needing to commit to that).

Regardless, I barely use the physical keyboard since I've learned how to use Swype, though it is something that I still really want.

My boner poison is this: since the beginning of time, in order to improve on something, we need to see how we got what we have first. I've been looking for ROMs for this phone everywhere, and though I don't like forum lurking and constantly searching Google, I've found myself constantly being led to XDA Developers and T-Mobile's Support Forum, in search of something better than the stock ROM.

Sure, XDA Developers users Undeadk9 and Computerkid23 have come up with something awesome, but ultimately, they're still stock ROMs with modifications and tweaks. Currently, I'm using Undeadk9's Doubleshot ROM which is a great improvement from stock. But like always, I want more =D.

Without a source code released from HTC, we are stuck modifying only what we can from what they handed to us. Without a source code, there will be no overclock, nor can there be ext4 modifications; you know, the good stuff. Coming from the Cliq this phone was heaven-sent. It's so fast and reliable right out of the box, I wonder what would happen if a source code was actually released.

The hardware is solid, the development wants to happen, people are eager to test it, and I'm about to make an account at XDA because I need something to do with this phone. Who knows, maybe I'm addicted to flashing ROMs onto phones (but I did come from a G1 and a Cliq, mind you), or maybe I can just see the potential this phone has, and I'm waiting for it to be unleashed. We still need the key.

The source code should be released by HTC. I was browsing around the myTouch 4G Slide forums @ XDA, and I came across a post that I just want to put up for people.

http://htcdev.com/contact

Someone suggested that if the people ask it, the people shall receive. I can read on those forums that everyone is getting desperate for development, and after making my account I'll be sure to thank Undead and computerkid for their hard work so far, but it's not only me who wants more.

So go to HTC's developer website, click comments, and ask HTC when they are going to release the source code for the myTouch 4G Slide, because just like me, I can see everyone getting restless over the development of this phone. 

This is only my second HTC phone, and they're the ones releasing all the phones that everyone wants to develop. I'm honestly not buying Motorola...ever, because of my experience with the Cliq. I hope HTC doesn't plan to throw the myTouch 4G Slide into a corner never to be seen again, the same way Motorola did with the Cliq.

I know they've got other stuff to do, but honestly, they already released the source code for the HTC Sensation 4G, now time to give the myTouch 4G Slide some love.

myTouch 4g Slide (HTC Doubleshot) Accessories

Well, since getting my phone I've been snooping around checking out what kinds of accessories I should try out for it. The myTouch 4G Slide is an excellent phone out of the box, and it's definitely something that I want to take care of.

Battery: The stock battery runs at 1500mAh and seems to run out relatively quick, even with minimal use (though I used to leave 4G turned on). If your myTouch 4G slide is running out of battery long before you're ready for it to be dead, try out the Anker 1900mAh Li-ion Battery for HTC Sensation. Yes, I know it says it's for a different phone, but it will fit (quite snugly) into your myTouch 4G Slide.

And for those who run out of battery insanely quick because of aggressive usage all day, you may want to consider the Anker 2 x 1900mAh Battery for HTC Sensation, about 12 dollars more for a second battery.

Take into account that these Anker batteries come with a special charger that will allow you to charge one battery outside the phone, as well as plug in your microUSB cord into your phone to charge the battery in there (which is very efficient and useful, to me anyway).

Review of Anker battery:

This battery is awesome. I bought the 28 dollar set of two batteries, but I can barely manage to burn through one throughout the whole day, unless I'm trying to. As of right now, it's still at 40% after using it as an MP3 player in my car, browsing, and playing a couple games of Glow Hockey against my girlfriend. I'm just going to let it die as I sleep and swap in the second one tomorrow morning. 

Case/Holster: The case I'm currently using on my phone as of now is the Body Glove one that you can buy from the T-Mobile store. It's is a very snug fit, and those who get the Anker battery will probably have a little trouble fitting the Body Glove case on. Don't fret though it will go on. When I bought it, there were only three designs, one of them coming with a holster. As I don't use a holster anymore, I bought the one without that option.

These cases are very durable, they just make your phone a little bit bulkier to carry around. Some prefer the ArmorSuit MilitaryShield which is just like a screen protector around your whole phone. I've ordered mines to come in so I can test it, but until then I won't be able to say anything about them, though I've heard good things about them.

Review of Body Glove for myTouch 4G Slide:

As this is the only case I got for my phone so far, it's the only one I can review. Like I stated it's very durable, and was able to handle a 3-foot drop without damaging anything on my phone. As for the size difference from stock: yes I like the slim figure of the stock phone, but with this case on, it doesn't feel like it's going to break so easily.