OUYA, Root & ROMS

For some reason i was really surprised at the userbase that have gathered around the OUYA game console.

When i first saw that the crowdfunding had exploded i had high expectations as well as being a bit surprised as to why so many people was going insane for what seemed to be sort of the specs for a lot of other Android devices. My expectations was high because i for some reason thought that it was the massive developing community that had casts its love and attention on the OUYA.

It turns out that most backers and buyers are people looking for the low end console and not the veteran Android users i thought it would be. There are nothing wrong with that. And the veterans are there, no doubt about it, and so are a part of the developing community as it is the case with most Android devices. But i was surprised at seeing questions fell way below what the average Android user can come up with. And if you are new the Android world, then surely you have no knowledge about the Android enviroment. Why would you?

For some reason a lot of people is almost suprised to learn that the OUYA is running straight up Android. They seem to think that OUYA has build their very own operating system. Of course that is not the case. OUYA is running Android Jelly Bean, with a VERY limiting user interface overlay of their own.

They require a credit from the latest firmware to even log in. There is no Play store access, which would open up for a flood of different ways that the OUYA could be used, not to say the numerous games that could be mapped to use with the awesome OUYA controller.

For users that want to get more out of their OUYA device and that are new to the Android scene. There is a bit more work, and also learning in altering your Device. If you like how the OUYA looks, works and runs then you are all set. If you would like to use the device for more or simply just something else than just playing games. You need to fiddle and read and search and learn. Jailbreaking on IOS has always stood out as a joke to me. On one hand, i can see how just opening an application and pressing the "Jailbreak" button and then wait, is nice and easy. On the other hand, if even the slightest thing goes wrong, then people jailbreaking will not have the slightest idea of what, why and how to fix it. On Android. There are many ways to gain root access to devices, and a lot even comes as a one-click function.

But Android is by nature so open that for you to need root access you really need to want to shake things up or you want to use applications that require root access. Once you have obtained root access, you can then flash ROM's that is tweaked and optimized version of Android.

In order to flash a ROM, you need root access, and imo have CWM recovery installed. The ClockWorkMod Recovery is a state of recovery you can boot into in order to recover, backup, update, clear system cache and other good stuff. Usually you can boot into this state using a combination of pressed down hardware buttons that differs from device to device, and some even have a dedicated "recovery" button. For some reason OUYA did not really feel like adding this feature. How open is that?
In their defense there are not many locked aspects to find in their device. So it will not matter to much.

Luckily there are other ways to squeeze some custom ROM's into the OUYA. And that is Fastboot. Fastbooting is using the ability to connect your PC with your device and executing a protocol if you have root access.

The OUYA has only just reached retail in the last week, and today the first real custom ROM hits XDA. The ZG BETA v0.0.1 Although there have been a few modified stock ROMS available for some time

You will need to be rooted and have clockworkmod recovery installed first.

Unfortunately, the method for obtaining root access, and thereby superuser privileges, is not a one-click. Not yet anyway. So you will have to get your hands dirty and fiddle around a bit. On the plus side. You will learn a lot, and there is always a great community of elitist assholes on XDA to ask for help.

i love that place.