Some basic help needed

[Guest Sixedup]

I currently have two Gen1 Orange San Franciscos that I bought late last year, that have been reflashed with Paul's MCR R12 rom. Both have been running just fine, and have done everything we've needed, so I've not been paying much attention to the custom rom scene. However, my daughters now want phones too. So I'm looking to get two more OSFs. These will obviously be Gen2 phones, so it looks like now is the time to revisit all the phones at once.

Q1: Is it still possible to switch these latest phones to SIM-free (I want them on GiffGaff) using something like http://arrtoo.x10.mx/unlockBlade.php ?

Q2: What is the difference between Gen1 and Gen2? I see there are ways to switch phones between gen's - which is the "preferred" gen, and why? Also, I don't have access to a Windows PC - is there a way to make these changes just using Linux?

Q3: What is the "best" rom in terms of stability, battery life and performance (in that order) at the moment? From scanning the forums I hear good things about Ginger Stir Fry (GSF), but I'm open to suggestions - my only restriction is that I need Froyo or better for application support.

Thanks for all help!

[Guest flshg]

The new phones will not necessarily be gen2, its only some european phones, if you bought them from the uk they may still be gen1.

The opinion here is that there is very little physical benefit of having gen2 for most people, but the latest custom roms require gen2, so there is a very easy TPT method to 'upgrade' gen1 to gen2 and back again.

I think swedish spring 5 is the best froyo rom, that works with gen1 or gen2. I think it fits in best with your stability, battery life, performance order.

Ginger stir fry is also very stable and fully functional (except the latest one is still in active development so may be best avoiding anything above version beta 19 if you want max stability and functionality). GSF is more performance over battery life and stability IMO.

edit: I think you should be fine to install the rom of choice using linux, you basically download everything onto your phone sdcard anyway and do everything on the device.

Edited August 13, 2011 by flshg

[Guest Sixedup]

Great info, thanks - sounds like I'll be looking at upgrading to Gen2 and auditioning Swedish Spring and Ginger Stir Fry then.

Any idea of the status of the unlocking of the latest phones?

Thanks

Richard

[Guest k0zmic]

Great info, thanks - sounds like I'll be looking at upgrading to Gen2 and auditioning Swedish Spring and Ginger Stir Fry then.

Any idea of the status of the unlocking of the latest phones?

Thanks

Richard

It's still unlockable, I think you can get the app 'Blade Buddy' from the Market to help you with it.

[Guest Sixedup]

It's still unlockable, I think you can get the app 'Blade Buddy' from the Market to help you with it.

Great, thanks!

[Guest Phoenix Silver]

Before doing anything check with the app Mr Pigfish if the phone you have bought is gen1 or gen2 :)

[Guest Sixedup]

Before doing anything check with the app Mr Pigfish if the phone you have bought is gen1 or gen2 :)

Will do - thanks!