The first thing I was told after being handed a Motorola Droid was: "Be careful with that battery cover. It loves to come off." And, sure enough, it does.

The good news is that Bryan at The Gadgeteer has posted up a quick video showing a few quick seconds with a small flathead screwdriver can help keep that cover in place, so long as you don't mind some very minor surgery to your device. (We're not worried about it, but isn't really an official fix or anything.)

Check out video of Bryan's fix after the break, and let us know if it helps you any.

Instant gratification is never having to wait. Thanks to the XDA Developer community, the latest Google Android update is available now. Among other things, it includes Google Latitude, a location-based app that's created quite the stir among those with privacy concerns.

The Android update for the T-Mobile G1, RC33, will start rolling out today, February 5th, and will continue rolling out through the 15th. If you don't want to wait for the over-the-air (OTA) update, RC33 can be downloaded now and you can be running Google Latitude in no time.

If you want to know where to download it and how to update the firmware on your G1, then follow along after the break!

Following up on one of our newest feature, Ask Android Central, where you guys ask the question and we provide the answer, we have a question from Ty Underwood regarding the T-Mobile G1’s usefulness of being unlocked

Would an unlocked g1 run on other (gsm) networks without a hitch? There isn't any tmobile in my area and I was just curious. Thanks!

The T-Mobile G1 is certainly a popular device and Android is in the eyes of a prospective many but one sticking point with the G1 is its ties to T-Mobile. We at Android Central definitely understand your concern about T-Mobile as a carrier—paltry 3G network, spotty service—but luckily there are definite options to make it work on other carriers.

After the jump, Android Central answers how to use an unlocked G1.

Continuing our newest feature, Ask Android Central, where you guys ask the question and we provide the answer, we have a question from Antoinette regarding the T-Mobile G1’s availability across the pond!

Antoinette asks “I really like the G1. It is a little costly. Do you think it is possible for me to buy one for the UK?”

Check out Android Central’s answer after the break!

Are you a YouTube junkie? Are you one of those people that simply MUST get your YouTube on every day and share with your friends? To me, YouTube is simply amazing. Fifteen years ago, I never would have dreamed of having the ability to post, share, and view thousands upon thousands of videos posted by people all over the planet. If you want to carry your YouTube vids on the go, saved to your G1, then check out the video and step-by-step provided by AndroidTapp via www.intomobile.com:

1. Search for the video you want. In the video below, I choose “The Transporter 3 movie trailer”
2. Tapp the YouTube link, by default the G1 will prompt 2 options: Browser or YouTube. Chose “Browser”. The reason, to get the YouTube link.
3. Tapp “Menu” + “Go to URL”, the YouTube URL should appear http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kodviK1AHdg.
4. Press on the keyboard “Menu” + “C” to Copy on the G1
5. Go to www.keepvid.com
6. In the search field press on the keyboard “Menu” + “V” to Paste on the G1, hit Enter
7. Slide down and Tapp “›› Download ‹‹ (video.mp4 - High Quality)“. This will open a new window and download the MP4 in your browser history. Disregard the .FLV version as the G1 can’t do Flash Video… yet. (Alternatively, it’s saved on your SD Card under “downloads” folder).

We’re starting a new feature here at Android Central and it involves you guys, the readers. Do you have a question regarding Android? Need to know anything about Android? Send it over to us and we’ll do our best to explain, as in depth and head on as we can, and hopefully provide you with an answer!

To kick off the very first Ask Android Central,

Derek asks do you know if there is an Android OS for the iPhone? If not, why not? Any idea if it will ever be possible to get Android on the iPhone? Your thoughts are appreciated!

Android Central tackles this question after the break!

Ever wanted to know how to factory reset your T-Mobile G1? Don't worry Android Central has got you covered. Doing a factory reset is a fairly easy process on the G1 and is immensely useful for those returning units, selling units, and/or just want a fresh start.

Here's how it works:

1. Power off the G1
2. Hold Home Key + End key for 20 seconds or until you see a "triangle with an exclamation point and a picture of the G1"
3. Open the QWERTY keyboard and hit Alt+W
4. Restored!

To do a soft reboot, simply hit the Home+Back buttons when you reach the "triangle with an exclamation point and a picture of the G1" screen.

[Phandroid]

Do you have a laptop but no data plan love for it? If you want to save a few $$$ either in WiFi rates or a 3G data rate plan for your laptop, then consider tethering your G1 to your laptop and use it's 3G goodness for some large-screen internet browsing and emailing.

How do you do it? Well, fortunately for all of us, there are those who discover the ways and means and then post for the rest of us mere mortals. Thanks to Mark Wilson at Gizmodo via TmoNews Forums and jkOnTheRun, just click here for a detailed step-by-step that will have you tethering and surfing in no time.

Can't wait til November 11th for T-Mobile to give you the much ballyhooed RC29 update? Need to stay current with the latest firmware version available? No worries, we at Android Central got you covered! There's a way to manually upgrade your T-Mobile G1 to firmware RC29. It's easier than you think but then again not the 'official' route you should take and thus, a wee bit dangerous.

To get this done you need to:

1. Download firmware RC29 from Google
2. Rename downloaded file to update.zip and place it in the root of your MicroSD card
3. Unplug USB cord
4. Turn off G1.
5. Turn G1 back on holding Home+End keys until you see the G1 image pop up
6. From that icon, open keyboard and hit Alt+L
7. Hit Alt+S to begin update
8. Follow onscreen instructions and hit Home+Back to finish
9. G1 will reboot to flash the new firmware
10. Voila! RC29 Firmware is installed!

Be aware that this isn't the recommended solution, T-Mobile suggests that you simply just wait out for them to officially roll out the update to users. If you happen to destroy your phone, T-Mobile can't guarantee any replacements and if replacements were to be given, the turnaround rate may last a week. In all, Android Central warns you in attempting this process but hey, to each his own.

[MobileCrunch]