Some good news for you Milestone user!

We have a successful and working leaked Android 2.1 build meant for the Motorola Milestone. It has been verified to be working by the forumers of Modmymoto.com. Here are the links to the thread:

http://www.modmymoto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=529982
http://www.modmymoto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=527897

The firmwares are not currently available over the air but they are confirmed to be official. You will need RSD Lite 4.6 software to flash it. From the postings, it seems that they are able to overcome the bootloader protection and root WORKS too. For more information, read the threads carefully before proceeding.

Thank you!

Update:

The South Asia and Singapore (Starhub) Android v2.1 updates are posted in the repository. Check it out here --> http://and-developers.com/motorola_milestone:sbf

This post has been edited by davidmak: Mar 19 2010, 10:22 AM

Go to your 'settings' and then 'about phone'. List down the last few sections regarding your software build, etc. We will be able to tell from which region it came from. By the way, the hardware is standard. Just the bootloader, ROM, etc that defines the region. There is a Motorola Milestone ROM repository and by using RSD Lite flashing tool, you can flash any region ROM into the phone.

Yes, I think 2.1 will be released by default. We have a leak of the 2.1 ROM for Singapore StarHub/Retail at the repository. Check back a few posts under my nick.

I replied your PM with some insights on how to flash. Hopefully that will help you. Remember not to OTA update from your Pulsar 1.2.1. I don't know what will happen but its better to update from an official ROM. By the way you can use RSD Lite to flash to official 2.1 now.

Actually there are some indications that the bootloader protection is compromised but nothing concrete yet. We do know that the bootloader was leaked. Its just a matter of time. The modders are finding a way to either workaround that lock or remove it all together. More to come guys...

I think the AP price is definitely a good alternative. The phone is the same hardware no matter where it comes from. Just the software and bootloader version. You can use RSD Lite to hop from one region software/bootloader to the next. My recommendation is to get from a reputable AP provider. I've bought from PDA Gadgets through Terry. The set is from HK and all the accessories are original and nicely labeled with their sticker. Gives some sort of confidence lar.

If the phone is flawless in the first week, high chance that it'll remain so for its lifetime. And you'll probably moved to another phone by then. These days we have so many choices. Hehehehe

Welcome to the robot community!

Depending on your preference and requirements, the shortcomings are:

- Insufficient RAM. 256MB is not enough because you get around 60-70MB RAM free after boot and terminating non-essential programs using Task Manager. If you're not the type that keeps x-ing programs, then you get 20-30MB free. But Android is unique for its memory management mechanisms keep filling your memory with applications you'll most likely use. When another application requires more resources, it will terminate them and save its last known state. Termination of applications will depend on priority. Lower priority tasks will get terminated first. To the user, its quite transparent until you browse. Thats when you see the browser reloading. I find 512MB of RAM optimal with today's modern operating system that multitasks.

- The keyboard requires some getting used to because of its flat nature. Its clicky but without depth. Its ok for the kind of form factor its on. You can't really demand much for a slim device.

- The screen is a little long for my taste. So it gives you an impression of a smaller screen even though its 3.7". If you view websites in portrait mode, you'll need to pinch and zoom more often. If you view in landscape, things are just ok. But you will now need to scroll more.

- 2.0.1 is still lagging and its needs more code optimization. Home screen scrolling stutters badly. Browsing is also very bad until you apply some 'fix' that resolves that. I heard 2.1 will solve all this.

- Some audio interruption or stuttering when you listen to music especially when you're running some tasks behind. It can be fixed. I think its more like a processor time management issue. Its some sort of a latency issue.

- Then phone gets hot when you surf on HSPA radio but doesn't when you use WIFI.

- The volume rocker switch and camera shutter button is loose but they won't fall out.

- Camera software is slow. Achieving focus is fine but taking the photo is depressingly slow. Camera quality is just passable. The dual LED flash is good but check your distance. No TTL here hahahahaha...

On the overall, its a nice solid phone. Hardware wise its good but it needs more RAM.

Terry is this guy --> http://forum.lowyat.net/user/x132755

Tell us what do you see. No 3D launcher?

So is the phone still snappy with the live wallpaper running? Really good news to all Milestone owners.

You can change directly into any region set by flashing it with RSD Lite with the appropriate SBF files.

For those of you who are interested to do a direct flash to your beloved Motorola Milestone. Here are a proven and published procedures on how to flash using RSD Lite.

Courtesy of Android World (Source: http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y...2F&sl=nl&tl=en)

The following how to is to be done at your own risk and may cause your phone to stop working and will risk losing your phone warranty. So be sure of what you're about to do. After updating your device, you will lose ALL data. You will need to reset your phone again (by doing a WIPE).

1. Download RSD Lite and install it on your PC. Ensure you also have the Motorola drivers.
2. Download the OS File and unpack it.
3. Turn your phone off, and start it again with the up arrow button (the D-pad) pressed.
4. Then you get a black screen with the text: 'OK to program".
5. Connect your device with the USB cable to your PC and start RSD Lite.
6. Select the update file in RSD Lite and press start.
7. Follow instructions on the program and check the progress bar. Ensure everything has successfully completed before unplugging your phone.

Note: There are reports that you can flash using RSD Lite without booting into bootloader. You can do it from the phone itself when it is already switched on. But I do not have procedures for that.

Some useful link and repositories:

Motorola SBF Flash Files Repository (All versions, Droid and Milestone)
http://and-developers.com/motorola_milestone:sbf

Motorola RSD Lite (All versions)
http://and-developers.com/motorola_milestone:tools:rsd_lite

Motorola 32 bit and 64 bit drivers for Droid/Milestone
http://and-developers.com/motorola_milesto...ols:usb_drivers

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Added on March 24, 2010, 11:03 amRemember to do a WIPE (equivalent to a reformat) and factory hard reset. A lot of people experience problems related to bad flash when this step is skipped.

This post has been edited by davidmak: Mar 24 2010, 11:03 AM

May not work with Milestone because unlike Droid, the bootloader is protected. I'm not aware of the latest developments regarding bootloader work-around so it may not work.

It depends. ROM in its own context is general. But in Milestone case, we have to consider the bootloader and signed ROMs. That is the reason. You can flash the entire package (SBF) from one version/region to the other as long as it is made for the Milestone. No one tried Milestone ROM on Droid though. But confirm Droid ROM into Milestone will not work.

Looks bigger though... This is Motoroi?

I think 2.1 offered this functionality. Anyone can confirm?

Rooting does not require unlocking of bootloader. It relies on a vulnerability with the recovery firmware. Now that 2.1 released, that vulnerability could have been patched so the old technique may not work anymore. You will need to downgrade the recovery firmware to work around this.

Did you do a factory erase and wipe from the bootloader? It can resolve a lot of problems.

I remember going more than week without any restarts. Shouldn't be a problem. Its reliable.

You don't need RSD Lite. All you need to do is boot into bootloader mode. Refer to instructions from the internet. There will be some options. Use the D-pad to browse your selection. First do a factory reset, then wipe, then restart. Your phone will be returned to its original condition. Remember to backup before performing this.

Hmmm that kind explains why things are displayed differently. On the N1, things look wider and bigger while on the Milestone everything is so compact and dense. I agree that texts are displayed great on the Milestone! Everything is so smooth.

Yeah, I can't believe people are talking about N900. I don't mind that it is using a resistive touch screen but the interface is really weird. Its not really a phone. You have to use it in landscape while the dialer only works in portrait. Its just not really a good product at this point. Maybe Nokia has no choice but to bring in the MID and make it phone-like because it has nothing to compete on the 'modern OS' market.

Yes it is and a lot of people is anticipating the day where they can break free from bootloader protection and get a hand on overclocking that device. Because seriously, that device can handle 800MHz easy.

Motorola mentioned for business reasons