I love my MDA more and more now. But after my first week or two i was begining to think i had made a mistake buying it. Thanks to the kind and helpful folk around here and other forums, i now have it doing everything i wanted it to do and in the way i want it to do it.
I use it for TomTom, playing DIXed DVD's, music, podcasts, games, the usual email/web duties and more. And thanks to the great WiFi 'G' reg hack i can now stream my large lossles FLAC files (with the help of fantasitc Conduits Pocket Player) right into my Hifi system, just like my Squeezebox 3 media player. It's actually much better than an ipod (albeit with less storage when out of the house - although i could access my music at home from a hotspot). A fully fledged media streaming device for free! (well, a small fee for Pocket Player and a 2.5mm to 3.5mm jack adaptor).
Not only does this hack also enable 'g' speeds, but i can confirm that it also massively increases performance on 'b' speed networks too (which mine is limited to due to being an 'adhok' network).
Sure, a faster proc, better camera and maybe even 3G would be nice. But i have no wish to ever make video calls or use Skype (i'm the geek of the group and no-one else i know uses it).
I understand there will always be better third party software (Media Player is an utter waste of space for example) but why should we have to make techy and annoying tweaks to the registry, just to get the best from the unit? Why the hell do we need to hack the reg just to make a basic settings change, such as hiding SIM contacts (which is an option in just about every mobile from the last 5 years).
Is it just bad planning? Poor thinking on the manufactures part? or is there just a genuine reason for 'hiding' these settings and not making them accessable from standard menu's?
The older i get, the less time i have to mess around so much. I have better things to do these days to be honest.
Surely they would have more to gain by activating the performance increases themselfs, rather than us more tech savy types to figure out how to alter the registry. Half the things this device has been slated for in reviews can actually be sorted, but the average (make that normal) buyers of this device will be feeling a bit short changed if you ask me.
I guess the only thing left for me to do now is dump the T-Mobile ROM and use a more slimline one. Or maybe i should just figure out who to lose some of the crap from my existing install?
What is it with these companies? Don't they know when they are on to a good thing? Or maybe, just maybe it to keep us coming back for more and upgrading year after year? Hey ho...
/rant over.
Dom
Very interesting topic, well put and one which I'm sure will be relevant to me very soon...y'see my Wizard arrives in two days and it was reading posts such as yours which helped me take the plunge.
I don't mind messing about with PDAs, phones, PCs etc to get the the best performance but (as you rightly point out) we shouldn't have to. However, given the thousand of threads and posts on this (incredibly good) site, I am somewhat confused about what to do first with my Wizard.
So, could you please take a few minutes to post what changes, hacks etc you have done to get yours where you (almost) want it to be?
Many thanks in advance.
Mos
mosgeo said:
So, could you please take a few minutes to post what changes, hacks etc you have done to get yours where you (almost) want it to be?
Many thanks in advance.
Mos
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The first things i would always do after a hard reset (format), after syncing back all my contacts/callender of course...
Reg hacks (main ones, i have forgot a few) -
*Hide SIM contacts (so the dont appear pointlessly twice)
*Enable 'g' speed Wifi
* Disable the annoying 'you are about to go online' message. You will understand when you get yours, VERY VERY annoying - you get it even when you are online and just switch back to PIE.
* There are some good performace tweaks to, which i forgot about.
Essential software i could not be without (some free, some not - unless you are naughty. Don't be naughty now )
*TomTom (Sat Nav)
*Memory Map Pocket Nav + GPS and the O.S. maps i use for walking
*TCPMP - The best video player
* Conduits Pocket Player - the best music player IMO (Streaming, gapless playback and OGG/FLAC support - nice). costs a few beer tokens, but free good alternatives are available.
*Resco File explorer and Reg editor.
*Opera Browser - Renders pages faster than PIE, handles java script etc better and Tabbed browsing makes GPRS speeds much less of a pain.
*Memmaid - for cleaing up temp files, dead registry entries etc.
*Storage tools - for formating and sorting out MiniSD cards - WM5 can't even format a bloody memory card!
*Wififofum - for finding WiFi networks (more for fun than anything).
*OMAPclock - for a bit of overclocking (more for fun again, i rarely feel the need is that great)
*And of course registry wizard for the good people of these forums
Thats about it really for me, but i am finding more cools things everyday to play with but those are my must have ones - i have had to install
A few must have games include, AOE, UFO, 3D pool and Soduko.
Personally i dont use a today plugin. I have not found one i like yet and most have icons etc that are to small on the MDA's small screen or just make clutter rather than really help me. A well organised start menu is enough for me.
Oh, and of course you can flash the ROM. But i have not done this yet. T-Mobiles version does not seem that bad but i hear the O2 version is a real dog and well worth doing. I just worry about lost Wifi and GPRS functionality i have heard about some people having.
Really wasn't expecting a reply so soon, and certainly not such a comprehensive one. Thanks for your time. I may be back with more questions once I actually get my mitts on a Wizard. Cheers!
yes I agree , it is great post, specially for new people like me, I got mine (Qtek 9100) just on Friday, and I am still figuring out its functions.
But I have question - if you have time to answer - I really don't know about WiFi function -which is in the device- , if I want to connect to the internet I should have a wireless router connected to my main PC, is that right ? I have read some of posts in here, that they can connect to the Internet - through their PPC - when they are outside or walking or traveling from area to another, by scanning for the nearby Connection, then they can use it to visit websites, does this cost money when they connect to the Internet using the WiFi ? And how can I do the same if it doesn't cost m money ? Can the "WiFi Fofum" program do this o is it only to scan any available connection nearby ? How can I connect to the internet (through WiFi) when this programm finds connection? And if it is really totally free..
I know this are bunch o Questions But I really want to use this function - if possible - specially that I work outside my city and I have to spend couple of hours travelling almost everyday. I appreciate any comment.
Wireless router at home if you want to use it wirelessly or if you do what I do now and then..... connect via the USB cable to your PC. Out and about you can connect for free if someone has a wireless network within range that has no WEP security enabled
There are wireless spots around the country but you have to pay for the main ones via an account you have to set up (kind of pay as you go) Cloud is one company that runs WiFi hotspots on a PAYG basis.
If you leave your WIFI scanning it will tell you if you are within range of a network, it will also tell you if it is secured or not, if it isn't then 9/10 you can just connect and use it
I have been meaning to make a post just like the OP. You are on the mark, IMO! This situation really begs the question, how can this thing be so feeble out of the box?
Thank you XDA and all of the kind people on this forum. You have been the best!
Thomas1234 said:
if I want to connect to the internet I should have a wireless router connected to my main PC, is that right ? I have read some of posts in here, that they can connect to the Internet - through their PPC - when they are outside or walking or traveling from area to another, by scanning for the nearby Connection, then they can use it to visit websites, does this cost money when they connect to the Internet using the WiFi ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my case, my service provider (Cingular) offers a service called GPRS/EDGE, which lets the Wizard access the Internet through the cell phone connection.
I use the WiFi when I don't have a good connection. Most of the time, for browsing mini-websites and sending e-mails, there isn't much speed difference between WiFi and GPRS. I don't think the Wizard is fast enough to process more than a few 100 kbps of data.
If you don't want to (or can't) pay for a GPRS service, it's possible to "war drive" for access points. The Wizard will find them, although its WiFi reception isn't as powerful as a laptop's.
On my phone, if I enable WiFi, the phone will automatically use WiFi instead of GPRS when WiFi is available. If you don't want to pay GPRS charges, you might want to configure the phone so that it doesn't use GPRS.
can you explain 'wardriving' please? is it just freely using wifi points without paying? bit confused
Thanks
Jamie,
You are correct in your assumption !! You would be amazed at the number of 'unlocked' WiFi routers out there....
Ever tried running Bluetooth detection in a pub and seen how many phones are out there too ?
If you can find an unlocked WiFi router running DHCP - 'Fill your boots' !! Sometimes it's even possible to guess IP addresses of other PC's on the network, access em and leave a kindly note to thank them for their hospitality but warn them of their folly and the potential for disaster......I know I have but then that's me: Mr Altruism
Ok how can I get any internet connection through WiFi ? Should I just enable my WiFi and it'll scan for any available connection nearby ? I did but nothing happened, it wants from me to fill form which I really don't know anything about it... Or do I have to use a program to scan for connection ? And if yes, should my WiFi be enabled ? What is the best program for scaning ? I wish if someone explains me all that and how can start using WiFi to get a connection and an access to the internet but slowly, will be thankful.
Im new to all of this, but what can you do with the registry wizard and how do you install it? I foud a zip file for it, but cant get it to load.
Thanks!
i have a question too if you have the time mate,
I don't exactly want to use the edge since i dont have an unlimited plan or something.how can i delete these settings and do you think any problems will occur?(sending recieving mms)
basicly i don't it to connect to edge(gprs)auto.is there a way to fix this
thanks so much.
I'm using a Wing for now, and still have my Uni. The Wing doesn't SUCK, but it's not nearly what I want... I am very frustrated with the WM devices currently or soon to be available.
I want a big screen, a keyboard, a phone keypad, and high speed access in the USA. Oh, and for phone use I'd like something under 150 grams. LOL LOL LOL
It obviously doesn't exist, and won't any time soon. So, I was thinking:
How about a small 3G phone, and BT it to my Uni? Carry both, and just view email headers on the phone, and use the Uni for anything PDA-ish, but with high speed access?
Doable? Anyone have a clue?
-Richard
It's easy to set up a bluetooth data connection to an external phone. I had the setup on my exec for a year or so but lost it when I moved to WM (which wasn't a problem for me as I didn't use it much).
the one thing I never figured how to do was to dial a number on the phone from the exec contact book. The ideal would have been to be able to tap a contact, bluetooth dia on the other phone, and then have the other phone pass the call to a bluetooth headset.
Do you have a link to a good explanation of how to do it?
Thanks!
As mentioned earlier, I purchased the i-Blue 737 GPS receiver online. I've not received it yet, so not sure if it comes with software and/or maps. It should be here anywhere between the 14th to the 19th of this month.
Now for the questions. First and foremost, I want to use this without using GPRS service as I removed that from my AT&T plan. Second, I would like freeware software(s) that let me load and interact with the maps on the 8525. If possible, I would prefer a software that does not require Wi-Fi to find locations on the go, as GPRS will not be available. I should have access to Wi-Fi in the hotel I will be in, but may not have Wi-Fi when out and about. Lastly, I would like a freeware that lets voice calls through without freezing up the device.
I've read that Google Earth is great, but I haven't seen if it uses already loaded maps or I'd have to use GPRS (or Wi-Fi) on the fly. As for money, that's pretty tight as it's all going into the wedding and honeymoon; if not for that I would spend the $129 that TomTom wants for it's software!
Thanks for all the help you can offer!
I'm not really sure about Freeware software that DOESN'T use data, but I use TomTom 7 w/o a data connection and it works great. I love it and swear by it.
I know that doesn't help, but IDK what else to say.
Freeware offline GPS navigation software
You may try Terracrosser.
As are most of you, I am considering purchasing the HD2. And I have a question regarding tethering - I use TomTom services to get live traffic updates on my TomTom Go 720, and this requires bluetooth tethering. I couldn't make this work with an HTC Touch Dual I had previously, and it has just (last week) broken with my Nokia E71.
Does anyone know whether it will work with the HD2? I am not sure how to check this out before purchase ...
(BTW I know there are software solutions (e.g. Tomtom/ Copilot) but I currently think that a seprate device works best ...)
Hope this hasn't been asked before - I have looked?
Hi Jon,
I don't have an snswer for your question, but I'm interested in the scenario. I am a little confused about exactly what you're asking though.
What exactly are you tethering via bluetooth, an external GPS unit? Are you saying that TomTom does't function using the internal GPS unit?
Thanks for the reply.
The tethering is for data purposes - the tomtom has intetrnal GPS (obviously ) but uses a data connection to get additional services such as traffic updates and speed camera locations - so the questions is one about data tethering rather than GP.
Does this clarify things?
JOn
Ahhh, right - yep, understand, but can't help you unfortunately. :-\
Best of luck.
Edit: Hang on, isn't there an "Internet Sharing" app installed to most WM phones that's supposed to do that sort of internet routing?
tomtom devices don't support Internet Connection Sharing, but I can confirm that I use my HD2 with my tomtom go 930 and have had it working fine for traffic, weather etc - wm 6.5 seems to support bluetooth DUN as standard. The tomtom even offered to transfer my contacts from my phone, though I haven't bothered as I don't use the handsfree function.
I've been having some minor problems with the device crashing since flashing a new "cooked" rom, but that's another story...
richlean said:
I've been having some minor problems with the device crashing since flashing a new "cooked" rom, but that's another story...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there have been reports of some roms setting the bluetooth mac address incorrectly.
that's all I know, though so you'll have to search.
Hello,everyone!I would like to know,is it possible to surf the web using GPS signal as connection?I know that there is a satellite internet.The GPS signal comes to our PPC from satellites,so I think that there is a way to use it to browse.
No.
I would suggest to look up how GPS works (You may google it).
Cellphones receive signals from satellites, but they do not send them back. You need both to be able to browse.
Regards,
BlindMist
And even if the uplink problem is solved somehow, the GPS signal has a data transmission rate of 50 bits per second (bits, not kilobits or megabits). This would be shared by all users, so if 50 people would use this great new service each would get one bit per second
(This page would take about 5 days to load )
tnx for the replies!!!
Although this is an old post but I think it is possible now...
There's a device called goTenna, it costs a lot but it connects to your phone via Bluetooth and it is capable to send text messages through GPS and that is amazing.
I have the same concept of your original one, I think it can be extremely helpful for travellers to connect internet aboard.
Also I think sattlelite phone works the same :good: