Seems to be a pretty good deal for an android phone with:
EDIT: It's locked to telstra. Should have put that info in before!
2.2 is old of course, but I'm guessing if this gets out enough there'll be some developers porting over CM7? :)
Mod: Unexpired deal until Oct 19
Is there any other way of going into recovery mode than ?????:-
"Reboot your phone in recovery mode by pressing the power, volume up and down buttons, and camera focus button simultaneously. When the phone vibrates, release the power button and keep others pressed until you get to the Recovery screen."
I've just spent an hour trying. Vashe's Recovery MT 2.2 installed and Superuser zip file in place.
EDIT: OK got it. You have to power off first.
How to get the Stock Lockscreen
copypaste from Whirlpool:
Install your favorite homescreen from the App Market first. Suggestions: GO Launcher EX, ADW Launcher, Launcher Pro, QQ Launcher
Purchase and run Root Explorer. Mount with R/W permissions (SuperUser will prompt you)
Go to the root folder of your phone and find the a folder called "System" and open it.
Open the "Build.prop" file with a text editor, and then look for a line of text that looks like this:
acer.shell.mode=ENABLED
Replace the ENABLED text with DISABLED
Save the file, make sure there is a backup of the original file created. This is usually done automatically by Root Explorer.
Now turn your phone off and on again and you should see the stock lockscreen. This also gets rid of the custom notification UI.
bought one yesterday for my mum as a pressie for xmas.
Took 5 minutes to load the new firmware now it's unlocked and has no telstra crap inside.
Good stuff fellow ozbargainers :)
PS they have plenty of phones left in JB HIFI Prahran (VIC)
Hi. Do you mind telling me which ROM you used? The leak one or the Acer official one? It would be also helpful to everyone if you can beief your step by step procedure here.
To get more flexibility in phone number format (in Contacts)
The Contacts phone format (after the ROM upgrade) is not ideal (040-112-3456). To change it to a more AU like format… do the following:
Get "MoreLocale 2" from Android Market
Start up the app, hit menu and go to custom locale and put in
en for ISO639
AU for ISO3166
Save it as a locale called "Australia" and activate it (normally, it automatically activates it). Then, in Contacts, you should be able to have more flexibility in the phone format (e.g. (02) 9123-4567 or 0401-123-456). Existing contacts with the old phone format (US format?) will not be updated - so you need to update them (best to do them in Gmail - easier).
Wanting to save original rom before updating.
Installed RecoverMT v2.2 and tried 4 finger combo on buttons.
Device just boots to white Acer logo.
Tried v2.0 as well….
Any thoughts, folks?
Saw recommendation to flash to 2.3.4 then install recovery
but that loses opportunity to backup original.
Unless someone has uploaded that?
The 4 finger key combo is hard. Remember, you need the "focus" button… not the photo shot button. You cannot press the photo button all the way - only up to the focus level.
I normally only get it right 33% of the time (1 success in 3 tries). Keep trying. I did not backup the original ROM… but I do know the 4 key combo is not easy.
Thanks
Not usually goody-two-shoes about backing up, just thought I'd try.
i couldnt be bothered with the pressing many buttons at once thing, so found this acer download tool
http://android.modaco.com/topic/339380-adtnew-acer-download-…
i ended up flashing it back to an older generic .bin as the official tool got upset with the telstra custom OS.
then I could use the official upgrade tool http://android.modaco.com/topic/347005-235the-official-ginge…
the phone really comes alive with 2.3.5! wow so many options to tweak! I came from the garmin A50 2.1 so was a little oblivious to what android was
also happy that my tpg sim downloads are quite fast, hope I dont regret the lack of 900 3G support when outside the city.
rooting will have to wait for me though
Use earlier version of RecoverMT (for Froyo). v2.2 only works with 2.34 and above.
Earlier version (1.0.1) works for Froyo. Have uploaded nandroid backup if needed.
http://localhostr.com/download/jULKJF4/ACER_LIQUID_METAL_1.1…
How can i root this phone with the firmware gingerbread 2.3.5 on pages 2? thank you
My MugenPower battery has arrived today. Going to calibrate the battery now and do some tests later when I have time.
I spent some time on Google, etc, the other day looking for a spare after-market Acer S120 internal battery.
Only to be amazed there are apparently no internal S120 batteries for sale on eBay, or anywhere else, other than the relatively dear Mugen batteries.
Given the seeming popularity of the S120 there's virtually no accessories for it other than a few cases and external batteries on eBay, and some expensive bits and pieces in Britain…where it seems to have gone down fairly well.
Hopefully manufacturers will catch on to this phone model soon and start releasing after-market accessories. However, since this phone has already been out for almost a year now the chances are slim.
Tests finished on my new 1800maH battery. It lasted about 8.57 hours — also take note that this is still on it's 2nd discharge cycle, so the battery might not be fully broken in yet.
I used an app called "Battery Benchmark" and performed a full test to fully drain the battery from 100% until shutdown.
You may view the results here:
http://georgesdick.com/batterybench/ (Look for the Acer Liquid MT)
I might start benchmarking my original 1500maH battery to see if there's any significant differences between the 2.
That seems like a good result from your new battery.
I didn't fully discharge/charge('break in') my new battery because I have read so many contradicting reports that it doesn't work or is even harmful for the battery so I was like, meh, and just charged it up fully when it got low, but not on empty. I guess I should stop worrying about battery life as lithium ion batteries are pretty intelligent and self-regulating.
Oh god, finally i rooted the device successfully with 2.3.5 Firmware, it's got a bit complicated, remember just follow the instruction from Scrimshaw on pages 2 but when you flash the Superuser, after you go to the market , do not update the latest superuser on 5/10/2011. It's not working , remember do not update when you go to the market just the the latest file Scrimshaw give us
Thanks Scrimshaw any way, good on you mate
Can't take trick with this phone!
After failing the 6 finger trick to load recovery,
tried to upgrade ROM using SD Card method.
File loaded OK but on reboot stalls at SD download mode screen with
"sd image download procedure… failed image dir not found.
Checked card, directory /file present OK
Have tried 4 different cards formatting both quick and full.
All key combos give same result. No bootloader available either
Connecting USB to PC just boots the same so can't reflash with acer tool.
Gonna leave battery out for a few hours, see if that clears the blockage.
Hope it's not bricked! Would be the first fail in many years of flashing devices, bios, ROMs & peripherals.
Appreciate any solutions.
You need to go back to the beginning of the flashing process.
Ensure you have files (.bin files) in acer_ug directory (in your SD card).
Also, check your zip file. If the zip file contains the names "2.3.5" and "GEN1", I suggest you try the 2.3.4 GEN 1 zip instead - or, if you must go with 2.3.5 right away, find the 2.3.5 with GEN2 zip file. It will be easier with if the zip file has 2 bin files. If your zip file has only 1 bin file in it, it may be harder to get it to flash initially.
Make sure your SD card has acer_ug directory. And, preserve the structure when you unzip the file (so the acer_xx sub-directory is preserved).
Should be 1 bin file in (sdcard)/acer_ug
Another bin fine in (sdcard)/acer_ug/acer_xx
That was the answer, many, many thanks….
Correction on my post:
SDs_Acer_LiquidMT_3.027.01_EMEA-GEN1_03.27.01.zip - 2.3.4 Easy to flash (GEN1)
SDs_Acer_LiquidMT_4.000.07_EMEA-GEN1_03.29.01.zip - 2.3.5 Easy to flash (GEN1)
Acer_LiquidMT_4.000.01_AAP-GEN2_03.28.01.zip - 2.3.5 - may not be so easy to flash using the SD card flash method (only 1 file).
In general, GEN1 firmware zip files tend to be provided in SD card ready form. Thus, easier to flash.
Sorry can't read!
Connecting USB to PC just boots the same so can't reflash with acer tool.
Might be a bad assumption. Have you tried the acer tool? Don't forget the drivers.
yup, acer tool starts OK but as device only boots to sd downloader, pc doesn't connect….
Battery out all night, tried SDs_Acer_LiquidMT_3.027.01_EMEA-GEN1_03.27.01.
Yippee, all good, so went to 2.3.5 successfully.
That file is for 2.3.4. I assume you later used Acer download tool to upgrade to 2.3.5.
Yep used acer tool to U/G,
now I can't get root, tried several su files which install OK via RecoveryMT
but don't root device….
It is hard to root the phone at the moment. This is mainly due to the release of superuser 3.0.5. Ever since the introduction of superuser 3.0.4, the stability of superuser has gone downhill. A lot of forced closes. 3.0.5 is a bit better - but one of my mates is having issues.
You may need to wait for 3.0.6… hopefully, that fixes the issues introduced since 3.0.4.
I think there might still be a way (if you need to root it now). You need to have su-3.0-efgh-signed.zip. You will need to re-install firmware 2.3.5 (using Acer Download Tool) - to wipe out what 3.0.5 zip file has done - but doing so will wipe out all your app installs and contacts too (so it is going to be unpleasant). Then, when you have a clean 2.3.5 install, instead of installing superuser from the market, install the one (the apk file) in the su-3.0 zip file. Then, proceed with the zip file install from recovery console. Once it is installed, remember to disable automatic update for superuser.
Ta netsufferer, will give that version of su a go 8-)
Is that my new nickname - netsufferer?… LOL…
Anyway, good luck.. and let me know if it works… I think I will be rooting another Acer Liquid Metal for another colleague soon.
Gave up attempting root, passed phone to bride .
Bought another to play with, stuck gingerounay on.
Works a treat….
Based on information from my mate - who knows someone who works at JB. JB is selling this phone very close to cost price - very little margin. So, it is a very good deal. Big thanks to JB for offering the phone to us at such a competitive price.
Surely Telstra is also absorbing some of the cost-component of this phone?
I have always suspected that JB/Telstra were making very little profit on this phone because if you go to the Acer website it is selling outright/unlocked for an astounding $599!
Just like how Lexmark makes their money from inks rather than the sale of printers, Telstra makes the majority of their moolah from charging their customers prepaid usage rather than the sale of the prepaid handset itself. And of course, charging you lots to unlock the phone.
Don't forget the Acer Liquid MT is actually a locked phone, hence the low price. (Though I think, priced way too low!) It's just so happens that flashing the ROM unlocks the device.
They do not normally subsidise that much!
Acer must be dumping excess stock ahead of a new model release.
Telstra are going to be mighty pissed off if they ever look at the data on how many of these handsets are used on their network.
Just a noob here with Android… But so happy to get this first "smart"phone. So, I saw the Modaco forum http://android.modaco.com/topic/347005-235the-official-ginge… talking about the official Gingerbread ROM. Is that possible that I can take the instruction from Scrimshaw from page 2 but using this official rom instead ? (download here at ACER global site:(version 4.000.07.EMEA.GEN1) http://global-download.acer.com/Step5.aspx?Step1=Smart%20Han…).
Also noticed that there is another version: 4.000.07.EMEA.CUS2 ? Has anyone tried that? I just read the description, seems like they're the same updates, maybe different regions ?
I may just do the backup that you guys suggested and go with the official rom today.
The file you mentioned is a newer one. It is for EMEA (Europe) so it contains a few European language packs. GEN2/AAP is for Asia Pacific, but it seems to be just English and Chinese (a lot of other Asian languages are missing).
I couldn't make the backup/ recovery work like Scrimshaw said on page 2. Followed the command of the 1.1 for the stock rom (telstra - froyo)- pressed the correct buttons (phone viberated) but no reboot to recovery mode. Lost my patience, just upgraded to 2.3.5 by the Scriwshaw file successfully but still can't boot to recovery mode (this time used 2.2 Recovery tool) (the EMEA file couldn't work either - when reboot the phone keeps viberating and error: only need 1 BIN file - supposed I messed up the whole region thing there).
Can you help explaining:
1. The file Acer_LiquidMT_4.000.01_AAP-GEN2_03.28.01 (contained only one BIN file) that Scrimshaw uploaded - this version of Gingerbread is better or should I try to get the official Acer one ? How to do that? (the EMEA version requires the usb connection, no SD card here - I followed but error showed: this is not GEN1 - can't install)
Appreciate the help so much and sorry for being a noob. I will try to learn more about Android with this phone.
I read on Whirlpool that to backup the 2.2 Froyo ROM, you need an older version of the Recovery tool.
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1794587#r…
Anyhow, you won't need the old version anymore since you got rid of Froyo.
If you are having trouble getting into recovery mode, try this
Hold the phone in your right hand
Press the VOL keys (both up and down) with your right thumb. Press it hard so that both keys are pushed.
Use your left thumb to slightly depress the CAM FOCUS button.
Then use your right index finger to hit the power button.
When the phone turns on, release the power first, wait about 2 secs before releasing the other buttons.
That's it!. Sorry I read the instruction like: the phone is already turned on- you do the button combo and it will reboot. Silly me =). Yeah. Just got Gingerbread like 1 hr ago, didn't do anything on it. Will try to backup asap before exploring more stuff. Cheers Scrimshaw
Once you upgraded to gingerbread without backing up your froyo ROM, you can no longer backup your froyo ROM. Though, it is unlikely you will need to go back to froyo.
I am hoping Acer will release an Ice Cream Sandwich firmware (4.x) for this phone (probably wishful thinking).
If not ACER then what about developers? Can they do that ?
It is best to come from Acer. In general, custom firmwares on a newer Android OS version tend to have driver issues (which means some parts of the phones will not work).
Anyway, would be good to get Ice Cream Sandwich running on this phone…. since ICS improves Web browsing speed a lot (similiar to what iOS 5 does for iPhone 3GS amd iPhone 4).
Hi guys i bought this phone a week ago as my first smartphone and so far loving it.
Now that im comfortable with Android i have been looking into custom roms, has anyone had any experience with the latest Gingerounay mod posted here? http://android.modaco.com/topic/342252-rom-gingerounay-25-14…
I see the author is using the Gen1 firmware (4.000.07) while we Aussies are using the Gen2 (4.000.01) so i am wondering if these custom roms made by the Europeans will work on our phones?
If anyone has got this custom rom working (or similar) what are your thoughts and experiences compared to the normal acer gingerbread we unlocked with? does the overclocking and tweaks really give you much of a performance increase?
Also i would like to say a big thanks to Scrimshaw for posting the step by step unlocking and rooting instructions its really helped android n00bs like myself :)
Gingerounay 2.2.4000.07 working fine here
I sold my iPhone 4 and bought this. Love it. Android has way more flexible apps.
now that's the spirit
Wow, just wow!
Surely that is testament enough to the tremendous capabilities of this phone. Let me guess, you're about $400 positive now after that transaction?
My uncle actually did sell his Samsung Galaxy S1 after buying the Liquid Metal and now he has a few hundred bucks extra and a great phone to boot! Win-Win situation.
Argh… The rooting isn't working. I got Force Close all the time. Tried different versions but no luck… Now can't uninstall the SuperUser app… How do I fix this ?
inrockweareone
There are many bugs in the new SuperUser binary, so this is a workaround:
open SuperUser app, go to settings, disable logging and allow all apps to have root without confirmation.
This way when your run anything that needs root, it will auto-grant it (kind of insecure but works).
. (deleted) apparently 2.3.6-1 is causing lots of trouble too.
Did you try "clear data" for superuser under "manage apps"?
I can't even open SU without it force closing, so for instances like mine, you have to reflash the ROM to get rid of SU and then reflash the SU zip file again.
Do not install versions of SU greater than 3.01 / 3.02
You may download 3.02 here:
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1794587&p…
Any superuser above 3.01 caused issues.
Flash superuser 3.01 and prevent auto-updates. If market auto-updates, just remove the updates to get back to the flashed version.
Yeah I notice the problem everyone was talking about with newer SuperUser. Tried ocoolio's fix and also manic's one but no luck … Hey alxr0101, is that superuser 3.0.1 you mean ? Seems like I can't find it. Can you show me the link? Thanks.
Also this Superuser in my phone and can't remove it. People need to be aware of the description on the market page: "This app cannot be uninstalled if it was installed with your ROM or root. If there is no uninstall option, it's because you placed it in /system/app, not me."… I recently got some force close message of some apps that I didn't use Superuser to touch them. Wondering if this can be a problem ?
http://downloads.androidsu.com/superuser/su-3.0.1-efgh-signe…
This version works fine. Just don;t update it. If Market auto-updates, just uninstall the updates to revert to the 3.01 flashed version on the phone.
Applications/Manage../Superuser..uninstall updates.
Cheers mate, flashed and it works now. What is the best guide for a noob to use Link2SD ? I'm not sure about moving which app ? Which can't be moved or something ?
System apps like the Market app itself, Google Maps, Facebook etc. cannot be moved. Widgets and homescreens also cannot be used when moved to SD — keep them in internal memory.
I've tried to move Google Maps and Documents To Go — these applications break when you do, so don't bother with these two.
If you don't use Facebook, consider getting rid of it using Titanium Backup (but make sure you back it up first). You can reinstall Facebook from the market later on though and it becomes a user app — this can be moved to SD. Incidentally, you can also move Adobe Flash player, this saves about 10 megs of space.
All the apps you get from the market can generally be moved — the exceptions are:
1. Homescreens (for e.g Launcher Pro, Go Launcher Ex, SPB Shell etc.)
2. Widgets and other widget type apps
These apps break if you try to move them to the SD card.
Remember the more apps you move to SD, the longer it takes your phone to load them all during startup — causing long boot times.
Hey, I got things like the Market, Google Maps, Facebook etc moved. In terms of Link2SD it showed: Linked —> SD Card. And they're all working fine.
May try Titanium Backup if I have time later. But I think the Link2SD working perfectly with the 3.0.1 version of SuperUser. Everything downloaded and installed will be automatically moved by Link2SD.
Now looking to remove some default bloatware and such to save some internal memory things that need to be faster and won't affect the boot up time.
Technically, there is a copy of Market, Google Maps in /system/app (System applications). Those apps cannot be moved (you could uninstall some system apps, but not all - e.g. please do not remove Market).
However, when there is an upgraded version available, Android will install them to the /data partition. So, basically, you end up having 2 copies of the app. That's why the "Uninstall update" option is offered for system apps.
For advanced users, once you are happy with the updated version, it is possible to update the version in /system/app. There is one benefit of doing that. If you had to do a factory reset, the system app versions of those apps. will still be up to date.
That's why you often find custom ROM feature log indicates things like: Updated Market, Updated Google Map… etc…
Also, remember having free space in /system/app does NOT give you more free phone memory. There are reasons to remove unneeded System app… but getting more phone memory is NOT one of the reasons.
Oh, so I misunderstood it. "Linking to SD" and "Moving to SD" is quite different. Some apps/ games can be completely moved to SD with either App2sd or Link2sd ( it will said that those are ON SD right?) but some system app need to stay in phone memory, and linking them to SD only create copies for upgraded versions, library files and etc… to minimise the space used on the phone internal memory. Thanks for explaining that netsurfer :)
The FC's only seem to occur within SU when reviewing an app details. Everything else works fine, including adding new apps. Think I can live with it until a fix is finally sorted.
I haven't got any force close since installing the 3.0.1 version. Maybe it's just pure luck :-s
The offer has been extended to Wednesday 9th Nov 201.
It's great. May buy another one. Loving this phone!
http://www.bgr.com/2011/10/19/android-4-0-coming-to-nexus-s-… Google confirmed that the process of updating to Ice cream Sandwich "theoretically should work for any 2.3 device". Sounds good guys !
I must say, a few weeks on that this deal was an overwhelming and resounding success for everyone on OzB and beyond!
Kudos to the OP(Raven) for the deal, and Scrimshaw and Netsurfer for their expertise and excellent support provided to everyone regarding all the technical questions.
After opening my mouth about this deal, my extended family and friends purchased maybe 30-40 of these handsets between themselves(and I was responsible for unlocking most of them!)
For people who want to root the phone
If you want to root the phone, please DO NOT install SuperUser 3.0.5 from the market. If you have done that and have not yet applied the zip file via recovery console, you may be able to quickly unistall it.
If you have applied su-3.0.5-efgh-signed.zip via the recovery console (or even 3.0.4 version - some people claim 3.0.2 also has issues), then you will need to re-install Acer firmware 2.3.5 and start over again.
To root your phone, obtain su-3.0-efgh-signed.zip. Extract the apk file inside the zip and install it. Then install the zip file via recovery console. It is likely that Android market will offer you to upgrade SuperUser… remember to untick Auto update.. And, if you accidentally let it upgrade, just choose uninstall. Just remember, the zip file you install using the recovery console must be 3.0 (some people reported 3.0.1 is also okay, but I only tried 3.0).
Alternatively, if you don't mind custom ROM, just install one of them. Pretty much every custom ROM is rooted so it saves you all the drama of figuring out how to root it.
I had trouble until I installed 3.0.2.
However, what cost me an awful lot of time was the "step-by-step" I was following didn't mention uninstalling the existing SuperUser before installing 3.0.2.
Although the new installation showed the right version number, obviously there was still some old stuff in there.
As soon as I did that SuperUser immediately started working as it should, and hasn't missed a beat since.
So, uninstall your existing SuperUser 3.0.5 or whatever, BEFORE you install 3.0.0 or 1 or 2.
Edited
The step by step guide did not anticipate newer versions of SuperUser having issues. OZB only allow message editing for a limited amount of time.
The key is not to apply 3.0.5/3.0.4 zip file using the recovery console (that's actually the bit which roots the phone). My mate did that and he had to re-install firmware 2.3.5.
The step by step guide did not anticipate newer versions of SuperUser having issues. OZB only allow message editing for a limited amount of time.
Good point.
I think I finally saw a post in the Whirlpool Acer Liquid thread (maybe by your WP alter-ego) which mentioned uninstalling existing versions first.
Obvious after the fact - of course.
Edited
I had issues with 3.05, but I went into Applications management and Uninstalled the updates on SuperUser.
After reverting back to the old version temporarily, it reupdated again to 3.05 — and for some reason it works now :)
We really 3.0.6 to be stable again. Even if you rooted the phone with 3.0 (or 3.0.1/3.0.2), the system app might have been setup to perform an automatic update (cannot disable that - well, at least I dunno how). This means that Android will perform an automatic update to a newer version when given the opportunity (and once that's done, you can disable automatic update on that new version).
You can keep on uninstalling it (I've done it like 3 times already).. but it keeps coming back. 3.0.5 does occasionally work for me… but eventually.. it starts playing up.
My Acer Liquid Metal died after about 2 days (after the first full charge/discharge). The repair/replace/inspect/whatever process was quoted to me to be 4 days, but in reality it's been 10 days and I just got a text to say it's ready for collection. Doh. Picking it up tomorrow morning.
Anyone thinks that the phone's battery is draining quickly? Is it the rom we used that can cause that and how do we improve it? The Android System and Cell standby using the most % of battery life as it showed on my phone. I noticed that with normal use it would last only one day…
It is not the ROM. To save battery life:
- Turn off wifi when you don't need it.
- Turn off 3G data when you don't need it.
- Turn off bluetooth when you don't need it.
- Turn off auto data sync.
- Turn off GPS when you don't need it (though this could increase the time to get a position lock when you need to use GPS).
- Use auto brightness level.
My colleague turned off wifi and 3G (his SIM does not have data plan), he was able to get 5 days without charging - mainly having phone on standby with very light use.
But for me, I normally leave 3G on. I tend to need to recharge my phone every second day (sometimes every day).
Turning data sync and 3g data off drastically improves battery life. With my aftermarket 1800mah battery, it can last up to 3 days without charging (and that's with light use of SMS, and a few 5 minute phone calls per day).
All sold out in the act :(
Is there a way to still obtain the Liquid Metal at or close to this price ? I missed out :-(
Yes..Is this still available at some JB's? Someone said they were still selling them until sold out.
I saw it at one JB in Melbourne CBD yesterday (Saturday).
Looks like the deal has ended. it was on JB website until last week, but today it is not there any more.oh well i missed out :(
If anyone sees any of these phones remaining at a JB in NSW please let us know, it would be much appreciated.
There's a seller on Ebay who's selling these for $199. Started selling around the time this promotion was coming to an end, and has sold around 30 so far just from the comments left. It's easy to see why they didn't last to the November 19 extension. Sucks that someone would exploit the situation to fill their pockets, and the ones who really needed this phone at the bargain price are left high and dry. Oh well, that's life I guess, the world we live in.
None left in SA, according to their online stock management system.
Apparently 2.3.6 is officially out for this. See whirlpool.
Go Acer
Hmmmm I bought this phone as an upgrade to my iPhone 3G and because the iPhone 5 wasn't coming out this spring. I say just get it, it was an impulse purchase of me to buy the phone, but I have absolutely no regrets after rooting and upgrading it (thanks to scrimshaw). I downloaded slideit keyboard and it's quite easy to type.