Rooting

Android fans with rooted devices now have a whole new way to customize their software and operating system thanks to the release of Cydia Substrate on Google Play. Cydia is commonly known as the iOS jailbreak app store. Cydia Substrate, in contrast, is a tool for developers to help them modify any software running on Android devices.

While installing Cydia Substrate at this time won't do much for end users, it's likely that developers will release a multitude of tweaks and other customizations to the proprietary software running on many Android phones and tablets. In fact, the popular iOS theming app WinterBoard has already been released on Google Play by Saurik. Custom ROMs or custom launchers are not needed to implement themes, because the modifications are all handled by Cydia Substrate.

Another e-Ink Android reader has been modified to run Android apps and allow more access to the operating system. Much like how the Nook Touch was rooted now the Sony Reader PRS-T1 has been hacked. Although the project is a work in progress, the developer has already been successful at running several Android apps on the six-inch tablet.

The Digital Reader reports that several e-reader apps, AWD.Launcher, Android Terminal, CoolReader, FBReader, and ReLaunch among others are already running on the Sony T1. Although the Nook was famously shown playing Angry Birds on its e-Ink screen, so far the Sony T1 has not been able to run the game.

If you're interested in running Android apps on the Barnes and Noble NOOK Simple Touch Reader you can root the device by following some simple steps. First you'll need equipment, including a computer and of course a NOOK Touch. The USB cable connecting the NOOK to your computer will be used in the process.

You'll also need a Wi-Fi network and a Class 6 microSD card that's 128 MB or larger. This card will be completely wiped so don't use one that stores any files you care about losing. A dedicated SD card adapter or USB card reader is also required to properly write the image. Remember, even if the NOOK Touch can be considered a deal at only $139, rooting the device WILL violate your warranty!