Android is set to override all other mobile operating systems. The mobile can give even greater performance if it is subjected to 'rooting'. It is worthwhile to know about rooting.

Rooting is, in effect, taking complete control of the phone by doing some modification to the existing operating system.

By uploading a program called 'Switch User' on the device, root access to the programs can be attained. SU is able to do so taking advantage of the weak OS code or device drivers. Obviously, rooting is not liked by the manufacturers.

The advantages of rooting the Android device can be summarized as follows:

Customized Operating System:
Android OS can be customized as suited to the user. The more popular devices are, in fact, more customized. Rooting enables alteration of system files, usage of themes, changing of boot images, deleting of unwanted apps etc. Just for example, 'HTC Desire' has as many as 20 customized Operating systems that also allow saving of apps to an Secure Digital (SD) card, adding Arabic support, removing graphical user interface SenseUI etc.

Backing up and restoring
Rooting enables the backing up of the whole device image on the SD card. The card can be restored later on if needed. This will help in trying different OSes for the phone. Trial of a new ROM is possible by backing up the phone, erasing it completely, and then flashing the new ROM. If the new ROM is not up to the expectation, the phone can be restored to the old image from the back-up.

Saving space
There are chances that the maximum storage limit of the device is attained. To eliminate this drawback it is necessary to enable most applications to be transferred to an SD. The popular tool 'CyanogenMod' will help to do this, though the Android developers of the apps are yet to enable this feature.

Apps in need of rooting
However, rooting is essential for certain Android apps. The tool 'ROM Manager' is one such, which needs flashing of ROMs from the SD card to the phone. Rooting is also required for the app 'setCPU' which is necessary for under clocking or over clocking of the device.

Precaution
Before rooting a locked or branded device, the instructions have to be studied carefully. Any error may create a 'bricked phone', meaning that the phone becomes useless due to some error in the software or damage in the firmware.

Conclusion
- Visit Google sites for information on rooting. Search for 'custom ROM'.

- Customized Android ROMs are not simple tweaks any more. They are now capable of allowing advanced controls of most of the Android Phones.

- CPU over-clocking and hyper-optimized versions will be good for the phone.