ASUS TF700T (Transformer) - Downgrading Stock ROM from 10.6.1.14.10 to 10.6.1.14.8

I use rooted Transformer tablets in a project and discovered that there is no way to root the tablets when they ship with the 10.6.1.14.10 build. The motochopper application works very well when you want to root these tablets with earlier build versions.  This document contains the steps i took to downgrade the build on my tablet.

Note:

This procedure will wipe out all data on the device so please make sure you take a backup of the important data.

Step 0: Check the device build number

This process has been written to support the following:

Android OS Version: 4.2.1

Build Number: 10.6.1.14.10

Check the Settings-> About section of this device to make sure the values are correct. Pay special attention to the ending value of the build number and the SKU or the country code (it is US in the screenshot above).

Step 1 : Download the v10.6.1.14.8 ROM from the ASUS website

ASUS makes the builds available on its website : http://support.asus.com in the downloads section. You will have to select your device and OS to see the available builds. Download the build that matches the SKU code of your device.

Unzip the zip file and you will end up with the zip file that you can actually upload on the device. In my case the zip file I ended up with was called : " US_epad-user-10.6.1.14.8.zip".

Step 2: uploading the rom image on the device.

I guess you can put the build onto the sdcard using any method you are familiar with. I use ADB to push the build on the device and then restart it.

punitraizada$ adb push US_epad-user-10.6.1.14.8.zip /sdcard/

1212 KB/s (512448524 bytes in 412.751s)

punitraizada$ adb reboot

Step 3 :   Installing the new ROM

Once the device restarts you will see a upgrade notification on the lower right of the screen where the time is displayed.

Tapping on the settings should open up the settings menu with the message “System update detected”. Select that option to continue.

Selecting the “System update detected” option should open up a dialog that shows the ROM information.

Selecting “OK” should start the process of  installing the new ROM.  You will have to click on OK to a couple of dialogs that warn about loosing data and having your device plugged into the charger.

The downgrading process takes about 5-6 minutes. The tablet will restart automatically and end up on the welcome - setup screen.

Congratulations... your have a brand new (almost) device now.

iPhone preview for Apps out of style on websites ?

Have you noticed how people have started using Android (or generic) phone images for showing Apps on their websites ? I don't know if this is a hidden trend but up until last year it was always the iPhone showing off an app. Maybe its just me or maybe the iPhone 5 does not fit the screen as well as a generic 4.0 android does.

How did I ever live before Evernote

I have now been using Evernote for a little over a month and I am amazed by how this service has simplified my life.. well.. not life... but at managing random pieces of information.

I think I created an account on Evernote back in 2011 when one of my colleagues told me about it but at that time the service just did not make the cut for me and I abandoned it.  Since then I have tried to use Google docs, dropbox, ubernote and a variety of different services to manage my personal notes, how-to's and other random crap but every service had something missing or I was just using them for something that they were not meant for.  Then came my decision to give Evernote a second shot and am I glad I did that.

Here is what I love about the service:

1. Access my stuff from anywhere... yeah anywhere... PC, Android phone, Android Tablet, Mom's iPad, laptop...anywhere. 
2. Clean and Crisp user interface.  Its simple and elegant and the think I love the fact that i can add a new note in a giffy. 
3. Attaching files to notes... oh yeah.. love this.
4. Organizing stuff into notebooks on top of labels.

I think Evernote is a keeper and I might even end up with a paid account soon.