T-Mobile G1 Update Squashes Huge Bug

Google and T-Mobile are current distributing a system update for the T-Mobile G1 to fix a major bug.

Devices running Android with firmware version RC29 and earlier apparently interpret everything that's typed on the keyboard as a system command. So in addition to the text being entered into the foreground application, it's also being sent directly to the operating system with super-user privileges.

To see what this means, all a G1 user has to do is start an email and type in the body:

[return]-r-e-b-o-o-t-[return]

and the smartphone will immediately reboot itself.

A Fix Is on the Way

A system update, firmware RC30, is currently being pushed out to users that removes this problem, which was likely put in during the debugging process and never removed.

Those who would like a temporary fix can type in:

[return]-c-a-t-[return]

This will stop the G1 from sending all text input directly to the operating system until the next time the smartphone is restarted.

Related Articles:

• T-Mobile G1 Review
• AT&T Taking a Wait and See Attitude Toward Android

Via ZDnet