Android Hacking

For those who are unaware, I write a number of blogs. Most of which can be navigated to from the links along the top of this page. I do this for a number of reasons, though the main one is blog focus. This blog is dedicated to News/Politics/Linux/Chess.

I write another blog that is called Guided Conscience, it is mostly dedicated to philosophical issues, the Fabled Orange Guatemalan Gummy Bear is for creative writing, My Dusty Bookshelves is dedicated to my own writing as well as book reviews, and finally Recovery is a blog dedicated to my physical recovery from injury.

Today’s post over at the Recovery Blog ties in with Linux and programming and as such I will reproduce it here as well.

I run with a MotoACTV sports watch. This is a device that was recently discontinued, but is in my opinion the king of Android Smart Watches despite being much older than the new efforts by Samsung and Apple. Up until a few weeks ago all of my running and exercise activity was being updated to http://www.motoactv.com however since the MotoACTV is discontinued by Motorola I was looking for an alternative.

Running programs I have used in the past included Nike +, however since Nike won’t synch the footpod, nor Nike Fuel with the Android phone I have no interest in using them for anything other than my shoes.

I tried Addidas MiCoach and I tried Runkeeper. Both are nice, except they both require the use of a phone. Being in the Army it is frowned upon to bring my phone with to PT. I certainly cannot carry it on my arm in a sleeve, that would be out of uniform.

I already own a MotoACTV, I saw no need to go and purchase a Garmin Forerunner or any other running watch. Instead I followed the guides over at http://motoactv.wikispaces.com. Here is what you need to know.

From my experience it isn’t worth installing the https://sites.google.com/site/t2k269group/home/runkeeperactv ROM. While it is a nice looking ROM I found it lacked certain features like Wifi support, I’m guessing they can be installed but it wasn’t worth it. To be fair the wifi I was using was from my phone so that could be part of why it kept disconnecting.

Instead I suggest installing ClearD’s Rom. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2085202&highlight=motoactv

I loosely followed this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU_8aXu9sA8 on how to Root and custom Flash the MotoAACTV.

My modified instructions are outlined below. Before you begin, be aware that I am not responsible if you brick your MotoACTV. That said, I have modded two of them without killing them. Also be sure you have a full charge otherwise you risk killing the device for good.

Last note, if for some reason you end up in a loop try device restart by holding the power button and the start button down at the same time for 7-10 seconds.

Without Further ado the guide to turning your MotoACTV into a dual reporting smart watch.

Step 1. Collect Required Software.

MotoACTV Root Tool V2.0.1 (easiest way to root and mod your MotoActv in Windows)
Get your Rom. I reccommend ClearDroid™ MotoACTV http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=36348102&postcount=2 though other Roms can be found at http://motoactv.wikispaces.com/list_roms
Get the Modified Runkeeper App and Heartrate Monitor App. RunKeeperMOD and Heart Rate App if these links fail they should be found on the official RunkeeperACTV webpage https://sites.google.com/site/t2k269group/home/runkeeperactv

Step 2. Unzip your MotoACTV Root Tool to a folder on your computer. To avoid clutter I made a folder titled RootACTV and did my work in there.

Step 3. While your Root Tool is running Select Root and follow instructions. Remember your MotoACTV needs to be fully charged before you put it into fast boot mode. To put into fast boot mode first turn the MotoACTV off then hold the volume down button and the power button down until the backlight comes on. Plug the device into the computer and follow the on screen instructions.

Step 4. Go back to your Root Tool and select stop ADB and enable USB. This will mount your MotoACTV back to the computer so you can manipulate file locations.

Step 5. Move the Rom you downloaded it should be a zip file as well as the RunkeeperACTV and the Heart rate monitor applications to your MotoACTV. I just moved them to the parent directory so they would be easy to find..

Step 6. Turn your MotoACTV off , and then turn it back on. If you disconnected your MotoACTV plug it back in.

Step 7. Go back to your Root Tool, select the command reboot to recovery.

Step 8. Wipe data and factory reset.

Step 9. Wipe cache partition.

Step 10. Go to advanced, wipe Dalvik Cache

Step 11. Go back and select install zip from sd card.

Step 12. Choose the zip file to install.

Step 13. Once complete go back and select reboot.

Step 14. Configure your MotoACTV as the factory manual describes.

Step 15. Reconnect your MotoACTV to the Computer and return to the root tool and select “Open ADB Command Prompt” in the command prompt that opens up type “adb install (location of runkeepermod app)” followed by the enter key. when installation is complete type “adb install (location of heart rate monitor app)” followed by enter.

Step 16. properly eject and wear your newly modded MotoACTV.

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