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I recently acquired an Android-based tablet which is now running a rooted version 2.2; however, the manufacturer no longer supports or sells this particular tablet.

I'm interested in seeing if I can install Android 4.0 onto it by keeping the Linux kernel from 2.2 and just replacing everything else. Despite the GPL, the manufacturer never released any source code for their custom modifications so I can't, for example, compile a new kernel. So my basic plan is to replace the software stack with the stock Android 4.0, copy any custom applications over from 2.2 that came with the device, and see what happens.

Has anyone here tried anything like this before and can advise on any potential pitfalls before I go ahead and inadvertently brick my device? Thanks in advance!

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  • Can you specify what device you're talking about? It would help preparing accurate answers..
    – Zuul
    Commented Sep 5, 2012 at 8:55
  • Sorry, I should have mentioned - it's the Entourage Pocket Edge.
    – Horatio Ackermann
    Commented Sep 5, 2012 at 10:06
  • Oh, and you won't be able to update your tablet by just copying over ICS files. That will most likely softbrick it.
    – SaintWacko
    Commented Sep 5, 2012 at 13:28

2 Answers 2

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You might want to look for a "Custom ROM". For many devices, the community provides custom-built ROMs which bring newer Android versions to their devices -- often even improved over the manufacturers version (better optimized, no bloatware), and even covering newer versions where the manufacturer stopped.

A good source to find out if there are any custom ROMs available for your device and which is TheUnlockr, where everything is nicely grouped by manufacturer and device. Also, it seems to be the most complete source. Alternatively, there also is CommunityRelease (you can filter by device, Android version and developer) plus PDADB (no filters at all: over 800 pages to check, and not restricted to Android devices -- so it will be hard to find things here. Though, it may serve as a kind of "last ressort").

As you report your device to be rooted, the most important pre-condition to install a custom ROM is already met ;)

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  • Thanks for your advice - even though I can't seem to find any custom ROMs for my particular device, this is a great starting point to appreciate the work involved!
    – Horatio Ackermann
    Commented Sep 5, 2012 at 10:09
  • I was afraid of that -- there are so many devices around, they are probably not all covered. But you may want to re-check later: Could very well be it gets added (whichever it is). And feel free to "up-vote" if you like an answer ;)
    – Izzy
    Commented Sep 5, 2012 at 10:13
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While there doesn't appear to be much activity on the development front, I have found one nice little enhancement for the PE.

This mod will enable the Google Play Store, as well as the other Google apps.

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