Rooting Android 5.0 Lollipop via ChainFire Auto-Root Tool

You can easily root all Google Nexus devices running Android 5.0 Lollipop with the ChainFire Auto-Root Tool.  You can find the download repository for each device HERE. A total of six Nexus devices can now be rooted using ChainFire’s one click auto-root tool.  Android 5.0 compatible CFARs are now available for the Nexus 5, Nexus 7 2012, Nexus 7 2013, Nexus 9, and Nexus 10, amongst others.  The only model not compatible is the Nexus 6, but we expect that it will come soon as will all Google Play Edition devices. 


INSTRUCTIONS:
All downloads contain .img files bootable through Fastboot.
Make sure your device is in Fastboot mode (you get there by holding VolUp+VolDown+Power when the device is turned off), then run the included script for your OS. On Linux and Mac, you may have to chmod +x root-linux/mac.sh before the script does anything.
A special boot image will load, which will install (only) SuperSU, then reboot into Android.
UNLOCK BOOTLOADERS:
The included scripts perform an "OEM bootloader unlock". If this fails, the root will not work. If it succeeds, and you were not previously unlocked (first time rooting), it will probably wipe your data!  As I always say, please BACKUP!
For some device (Sony, Verizon, etc) you may need an OEM-specific tool to unlock the bootloader. Please do not forget to check and use this tool, if provided by your specific manufacturer.


Monsters Escape for Android!




     I developed this game in my free time.  I use this to benchmark Android hardware. I test for fluidity and smoothness.  Most of the time, I use it to test devices after I made tweaks or repairs.   I also use this to see the capability of a new Android device.

     The game actually is fun to play.  It's quite hard at first but once you get the hang of it, you're on your way.  People at the office only get 2 points!!!

There's a leaderboard to compare your score with players around the world.  Take time to login to Gamecircle, it's all worth it.  It's fast and pain-free.  After that, you don't have to do it again. Even for your other games in your device.

     Come on, try for yourself. After all...it's FREE!!!

Repurposing used Li-ion cells


In the previous blog, I've shown you how I harvested lithium-ion cells from a used Macbook battery.  Today, I will show you how we could put these into use.  You must test each cell and the "good" ones must show at least 2.7 volts.  You discard cells that are below this voltage point as it could be potentially dangerous to charge them up.  My experience however, I can revive some of the bad ones by charging very low current using a professional variable current, li-poly charger.  Never try 0 or negative voltage cells.  Ever.




I have stacked the cells up and connected them all in parallel.  So positive to positive & negative to negative.  It gave me 3.7 volts from a discharged state.  Good!





Opening up one of my portable usb chargers (power bank as is fondly called in my place), I soldered the battery to the corresponding polarity input in the circuit.





My low capacity power bank is now monstrous!  If only I can find a suitable case for it now that it's grown.















Harvesting Lithium-Ion Cells from used laptop battery

Very hazardous!  Kids don't do this without your parent's supervision!

I admit it! I am a certified "battery junkie".  I own dozens of rechargeable AA/AAA batteries from NiCads/Ni-MH to non-rechargeable Alkaline ones that I force to charge.  I recondition and maintain at least 5 used car batteries I refuse to let go.  Not to mention 4 used 12-volt sealed lead acid and 2 6-volt Hawker from the office.  A dozen USB power banks with or without its own battery, some lithium ions here and there, a couple of  laptop/polaroid batteries... I even created a rechargeable lead-lead oxide cell from pipes myself which won a "science fair project" for my relative.  And still it doesn't stop me from doing this.  I guess I can never have enough stored energy.  Especially for power-hungy tablets.


This is my donor:
A Macbook White used battery




       Remove Torx screws then remove the aluminum cover.




                   Controller circuit.  We won't be using it.


Cut off connections from the cells.  Be careful not to create a short or it may spark and explode!  Then very gently, using an old credit card, pry the cells off the enclosure.




Here are the harvested Li-ion cells.  These can be used for another project.