Android 4.0 hacked on to legendary T-Mobile G1
updated 04:10 pm EST, Thu November 24, 2011
Very first Android phone gets Android 4 hack
In one of the more ambitious unofficial ports of Android 4.0 source code, jcarrz1 on the XDA-Developers forum has posted a version of the OS for the T-Mobile G1. The world's first Android phone can use the OS, including any app that would work on a basic level and most Android 4.0 features that aren't tied to hardware. Only Bluetooth, screen rotation, and Wi-Fi are so far not working on the HTC-made hardware.
The ad hoc install nonetheless shows why OS development stopped for the G1 past 1.5. All the extra visual elements run slowly, even including the lock screen animations. The 320x480 display is also clearly a limitation as it loads the app launcher in landscape to fit every element.
When it does arrive on phones predating the Galaxy Nexus, Android 4.0 will most likely want a roughly 1GHz or faster processor and may need a 480x800 or larger screen resolution to show properly. Most upgrades won't occur until 2012.
