Modification Options that preserve stock functionality

[mfaine]

I have a bit of a dilemma. I like the B&N Nook Color software. Especially the reading app, however I want to be able to install non-market (or even just non-B&N Market) apps. So what I'm looking for is to modify my nook color so that:

1. It runs stock with modifications that allow it to break out of the B&N walled garden (if you can call it a garden in this sense). But preserves compatibility with all official B&N software and systems.

or

2. It runs a mod (Cyanaogen or similar) but can still run all of the stock B&N apps.

Is either 1 or 2 possible?

[Synergi]

Originally Posted by mfaine

I have a bit of a dilemma. I like the B&N Nook Color software. Especially the reading app, however I want to be able to install non-market (or even just non-B&N Market) apps. So what I'm looking for is to modify my nook color so that:

1. It runs stock with modifications that allow it to break out of the B&N walled garden (if you can call it a garden in this sense). But preserves compatibility with all official B&N software and systems.

or

2. It runs a mod (Cyanaogen or similar) but can still run all of the stock B&N apps.

Is either 1 or 2 possible?

All you need is a basic root that will install google market. Then you have B&N's stock library etc, but you have access to other apps through google market or adbwirless, which allows your pc to connect wirelessly to your NC and install apps that way.

I did try CM7 by running it off SD card but it was to much a pain. If I wanted to get to the B&N stuff I'd have to reboot. Just a plan root worked for me.. now I have access to everything without rebooting..

I followed this guide for rooting. The hardest part is all the gathering, once you have that done, the root is fairly quick.

[oppy]

Another option is setting up dual-boot. More info here.

[jhempel24]

^^^ The above post is what I've done.

It's actually very easy to do, just go step by step.

[oppy]

Originally Posted by jhempel24

It's actually very easy to do, just go step by step.

I agree. I did it over the weekend. Had a couple minor hiccups, but it was pretty easy overall.

[mfaine]

Originally Posted by Synergi

All you need is a basic root that will install google market. Then you have B&N's stock library etc, but you have access to other apps through google market or adbwirless, which allows your pc to connect wirelessly to your NC and install apps that way.

I did try CM7 by running it off SD card but it was to much a pain. If I wanted to get to the B&N stuff I'd have to reboot. Just a plan root worked for me.. now I have access to everything without rebooting..

I followed this guide for rooting. The hardest part is all the gathering, once you have that done, the root is fairly quick.

Yeah, I agree. I am capable of doing whatever I want rooting, modding, etc. I have done it many times already but the point is that I want to keep it a Nook Color. I guess I want to have my cake and eat it too - bets of both worlds. Having to reboot into Android is too much of a hassle.

Thanks, I'll give your suggestion a try and see if I like it.

[sjkevin]

Originally Posted by mfaine

the point is that I want to keep it a Nook Color.

That's exactly what I wanted, too, and the Nooter method worked great, after I disabled "Softkeys". (I can re-start it if I ever run an android app that needs those controls.)

[thecdn]

Originally Posted by oppy

Another option is setting up dual-boot. More info here.

After running cm7 since the day after I bought my NC I was curious to see what stock looked like these days. This method is perfect as it default boots into cm7, where I want to be 99% of the time, and lets me alternate boot into stock to have a look or show others what the NC is supposed to look like.

I'm also running miui off a micro sdcard as well. It is really nice and I just may install it over top of cm7 sometime soon.

[Synergi]

Running off SD card just didn't work for me. Like the OP, I wanted access to the B&N side without having to reboot. I was on B&N side, decided to run my kindle app, I had to reboot into CM7, then reboot back into B&N software when I wanted my library. It was just a pain in the rear to me. Now I just have to press one button to get at either side, have access to all my apps and my B&N library and it just worked better for me.

How did it go OP?

[oppy]

Originally Posted by Synergi

Running off SD card just didn't work for me. Like the OP, I wanted access to the B&N side without having to reboot. I was on B&N side, decided to run my kindle app, I had to reboot into CM7, then reboot back into B&N software when I wanted my library. It was just a pain in the rear to me. Now I just have to press one button to get at either side, have access to all my apps and my B&N library and it just worked better for me.

Dual boot runs off the eMMC not an SD, and there's a Nook app for Android, so you don't ever really need to reboot to just read your BN stuff.

The more I play around with the full Android OS, the more I like it. There's so much more functionality in the Nook that is simply wasted using the stock OS.

[Synergi]

Originally Posted by oppy

Dual boot runs off the eMMC not an SD, and there's a Nook app for Android, so you don't ever really need to reboot to just read your BN stuff.

The more I play around with the full Android OS, the more I like it. There's so much more functionality in the Nook that is simply wasted using the stock OS.

True, but I didn't want the nook app. I like the book shelf set up and the home screen. I don't really need it to be a full android device since I have a android phone and a ipad. My Nook is for reading with everything else being secondary..

Speaking of Apps, I wish Amazon would fixed up theirs. ITs so plain next to ibooks..but I can't read in ibooks because the text isn't nearly as sharp. Can't wait for ipad 3 which is suppose to fix that in a big way if the screen rumors are true.

[Care]

I am looking for the same thing. I rooted my NC but I missed the stock reader and the last page read/last books read keys. I also like the home screen the way it is (able to put books there, etc...). The only thing I really want android market for is for a decent browser and gingerbread keyboard. What option will leave the NC intact but allow me to download a browser like dolphin hd?

Also, I am not very good at this so it would have to be an easy way with lots of instructions.

[sjkevin]

Care, the second post (first answer) by Synergi contains a link that describes what you're looking for.

But first, you will need to restore your Nook to the stock OS, then re-root using that ManualNooter method.

[lionel47]

So, this ia a plain root that allows you to run the stock B&N software and add apps from the marketplace? With no rebooting to go from stock?

I am currently running CM7. Do I need to remove it and reinstall the stock B&N software first?

[oppy]

I think you'll find all the info you need in synergi's first post above, lionel.