When are Orange going to wake up.. M5000 is
a) late
b) data charges are more expensive than O2
c) device will actually cost more that the *already out* XDA Exec.
I have loyalty to orange.. but the price difference and delays are too much.
Besides which I have 900 business user im wanting to put on and to be honest.. which one I use for my personal use will prolly be the same I as Instruct my company to buy.
Get off your ar$e orange.. Your the slowest and most expensive in the pack. Why in hells name would a business want to go with you even with existing loyalty when its like this.
And the orange price promise seemed to go out of the window years ago. It should now read "We'll copy any tariff that's pretty expensive and come up with 1001 excuses not to match any that you may want."
the m5000 is available in france, and not very expensive :
700 € without any subscription....
Aye bud..
Its so bloody annoying.. I actually prefer working and developing with Orange but the Account manager is useless and never returns calls or emails(previous one on maternity leave was better).
Promises have been broken time and again on released date (anyone remember when they said it would be ready the 2nd of Sept 2005 lol).
If Imate, 02 and t mobile can get it right.. WTF are Orange playing at.
The current tariff structure is near archaic – 3G on orange is really expense.. This idea of downloading a music video or a powerpoint slide on 3G just makes me want laugh… yeah if you want to spend 16 pounds on one song..
it begin to be interesting with orange, for example, TV is without limit every week end ...
another potential problem with the Orange M5000.... IT MIGHT HAVE WI-FI DISABLED :!:
I was reading about the different models during the past few weeks before I finnally gave up and bought my xda Exec last week.
What I gathered from specialised sites was that Orange was considering disabeling the Wi-Fi capabilities of the M5000. a very stupid move i might add.....
In any case I went into an Orange shop early last week and enquired about the matter (and soon gave up due to the 'highly' knowledgable staff :roll: ) - the guy claimed that he was SURE that its not disabled - the person there showed me the info on Orange's intranet - and it actually has a remark there regrding the Wi-Fi capability of the device - that it "is up to the discretion" of the mobile operator....
I have no vested interst here - all I'm saying is - take care and make sure it has Wi-Fi b4 u buy it!
Shhh that is serious.. can anyone confirm that the Orange M5000 does or doesnt have WiFi?
It has WIfi
Regards
Stu
Stu,
What was in the box? Did it get the spare battery as promised? What s/w is installed in the ROM and did you get an more on CD? What version is the ROM?
I have been reading the forum for the last few days in search of a method of unlocking the Artemis (O2 Orbit) so that any network sim card can be used in the phone.
I have seem lots of technical stuff but for a noob like me can everyone get back to basics and post a program to unlock the phone to use any network sim cards!
Please no technical stuff just a sweet little program that I can run that will get the job done
"PIP PIP hurrah, it's christmas time"
There is no program able to do that, yet. The Technical stuff here is all because some smart people are working on it The only funtioning method so far is paying imei-check 20 pound or so, for doing the job. Works fine!
www.imei-check.co.uk
Have a merry christmas!
Cheer but....
What is the point in paying £20 when there technical people will design one for a donation?
frogspit said:
What is the point in paying £20 when there technical people will design one for a donation?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you kidding here ?
I need the gadget with normal WWE ROM (not with the French one what was originally installed), and I need it working with MY SIMcard today and not tommorow or in one month, or....
This is the point.
Haha, exactly... i buyed the Device T-Mobile locked, so waiting for a few weeks or even months was not an option!!i gladly paid the 20 Pounds, but hopefully for all those who can wait for an unlock solution because they "only" need superCID, the people working on that matter will have a breakthrough soon
frogspit said:
I have been reading the forum for the last few days in search of a method of unlocking the Artemis (O2 Orbit) so that any network sim card can be used in the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AFAIK O2 do not Network lock phones. I've just put my wife's Orange PAYG SIM into my O2 Orbit and it connected quite happily to the Orange network.
Yes it's true people. Check this web link to get the number to call them! or call 150 and ask for upgrades if your with T-Mobile already. They only have 350 in stock at the moment, so hurry.
http://msmobiles.com/news.php/6161.html
Mine's coming tomorrow!
mackaby007 said:
Yes it's true people. Check this web link to get the number to call them! or call 150 and ask for upgrades if your with T-Mobile already. They only have 350 in stock at the moment, so hurry.
http://msmobiles.com/news.php/6161.html
Mine's coming tomorrow!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, i can confirm that is true!!!!!! Nice, english ROM is comming soon.
But here is the bad news, you can only get the T-mobile Ameo with contract, which is £50 pounds upward, nothing less, and it's lock to T-mobile UK as well. I have ask them whether we can just buy the machine without contact in the future, they say no, they won't sell it without the contract. And it will all be lock to T-mobile UK as well.
So i guess for people who don't want to sign up contract or do not live in UK, HTC Advantage and DOPOD U1000 is your only choose.
BTW, mackaby007, HAPPY TO HEAR THAT YOURS IS COMMING
do you mind telling us how much you pay? did you do a upgrade or sign up another contract? what do you have to pay per month?
English ROM coming soon...
wu5262 said:
Yes, i can confirm that is true!!!!!! Nice, english ROM is comming soon.
But here is the bad news, you can only get the T-mobile Ameo with contract, which is £50 pounds upward, nothing less, and it's lock to T-mobile UK as well. I have ask them whether we can just buy the machine without contact in the future, they say no, they won't sell it without the contract. And it will all be lock to T-mobile UK as well.
So i guess for people who don't want to sign up contract or do not live in UK, HTC Advantage and DOPOD U1000 is your only choose.
BTW, mackaby007, HAPPY TO HEAR THAT YOURS IS COMMING
do you mind telling us how much you pay? did you do a upgrade or sign up another contract? what do you have to pay per month?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Wu. Thanks.
Went for the upgrade, low tariff costs about 12.50 per month, but even on higher tariff, the price of the unit remains the same £389.99 Not exactly cheap, but cheaper for me than any other option.
As for it being locked, it's only a matter of time before the gurus on this site get a simunlock.exe together (not that I personally need it at the moment as I'm with T-Mob anyway).
My wife and I went for the Flex 50 anyway as she wants more minutes etc and I want the device, so everyones happy.
As for the English ROM, need someone like Pof to give me instructions on how to extract it for everyone else. I'll PM him if no one else comes forward to resolve this, but I haven't got the Ameo in my hands yet...tomorrow.
wu5262 said:
Yes, i can confirm that is true!!!!!! Nice, english ROM is comming soon.
But here is the bad news, you can only get the T-mobile Ameo with contract, which is £50 pounds upward, nothing less, and it's lock to T-mobile UK as well. I have ask them whether we can just buy the machine without contact in the future, they say no, they won't sell it without the contract. And it will all be lock to T-mobile UK as well.
So i guess for people who don't want to sign up contract or do not live in UK, HTC Advantage and DOPOD U1000 is your only choose.
BTW, mackaby007, HAPPY TO HEAR THAT YOURS IS COMMING
do you mind telling us how much you pay? did you do a upgrade or sign up another contract? what do you have to pay per month?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats right! Unfortunately only on contract. Body is just like dopod except silverish right?
nuclear said:
Thats right! Unfortunately only on contract. Body is just like dopod except silverish right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no it's a bit different, but not that much
We need english ROM asap. Pls., help us.
I must say if you are not going for upgrades, so you sign up a new contract to get Ameo, it's rather expensive......don't understand why the minimum contract is £50 for Ameo, (even you have to pay more on device) some people just don't make that much call..
I forgot to ask whether is a 1 year contract or 2 years,
1 year contract: 12x50=600 ------->Can buy you a Athena
2 year contract: 24x50=1200------->Can buy you 2 Athena
Hopefully they will adjust their policy in the future.
btw, i think the info i heard from T-mobile is a bit un-true, i heard a few different version now, so i suggest people who want to sign up contract with them double check by phoning them. Once thing remain true is Athena will not be available unlock and without contract. (unlocking shouldn't be a problem in the future by the way)
wu5262 said:
I must say if you are not going for upgrades, so you sign up a new contract to get Ameo, it's rather expensive......don't understand why the minimum contract is £50 for Ameo, (even you have to pay more on device) some people just don't make that much call..
I forgot to ask whether is a 1 year contract or 2 years,
1 year contract: 12x50=600 ------->Can buy you a Athena
2 year contract: 24x50=1200------->Can buy you 2 Athena
Hopefully they will adjust their policy in the future.
btw, i think the info i heard from T-mobile is a bit un-true, i heard a few different version now, so i suggest people who want to sign up contract with them double check by phoning them. Once thing remain true is Athena will not be available unlock and without contract. (unlocking shouldn't be a problem in the future by the way)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a lot of stuff going around about T-Mobiles pricing. My cousin just ordered his one and he had no contract with them. He paid £309.99 and got an 18 month contract on Flext 25 + Web n Walk @ £7.50 pm.
So he's paying £32.50 (£585.00) + £310.00 for device = £895.00 with lots of minutes and 3GB download limit for each month!
HTC want £700.00+ just for the phone! If you live in the UK, the choice is an obvious one, but for outside of UK, I would recommend the Dopod and apply the English ROM when its available (soon) = £600.00 + shipping.
UK people bear in mind, that T-Mobiles aggressive pricing always comes down after just a few weeks due to popular demand etc. So if you can wait...you will get it cheaper for sure.
mackaby007 said:
There is a lot of stuff going around about T-Mobiles pricing. My cousin just ordered his one and he had no contract with them. He paid £309.99 and got an 18 month contract on Flext 25 + Web n Walk @ £7.50 pm.
So he's paying £32.50 (£585.00) + £310.00 for device = £895.00 with lots of minutes and 3GB download limit for each month!
HTC want £700.00+ just for the phone! If you live in the UK, the choice is an obvious one, but for outside of UK, I would recommend the Dopod and apply the English ROM when its available (soon) = £600.00 + shipping.
UK people bear in mind, that T-Mobiles aggressive pricing always comes down after just a few weeks due to popular demand etc. So if you can wait...you will get it cheaper for sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, agree with you there, only consider the HTC Advantage if you really want the black one. UK people should consider T-mobile Ameo if you don't mind signing up a contract with them, the rest should then consider Dopod u1000 since it's English ROM is comming very soon.
Nice Today screen
@Wu.
BTW I saw a screenshot of your Today screen today. Lovely mate!
wu5262 said:
Once thing remain true is Athena will not be available unlock and without contract. (unlocking shouldn't be a problem in the future by the way)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In Holland it is available without contract.
Good news for anybody else...perhaps...
OK more on T-Mobile pricing:
I believe most people can get the Ameo for considerably less than I did. Because I get half price line rental (staff & family discounts), I don't really spend that much on bills and as a result T-Mobile don't value my custom as much as another who spends considerably more than those with discounts on their bills!
Fair enough I suppose. If you look around (away from T-Mobile) you can pick one up for less than £180.00 and less.
So it boils down to how much you already spend with T-Mobile or how much they are likely to make out of you. The more they get, the cheaper you get the device for.
Hope that helps some of you.
Can't use T-Mobile - unfortunately
Desperate to switch from my Universal but alas T-Mobile coverage is next to useless in SW Scotland. I have to wait until Vodafone bring out a version. Anyone have any informed opinion when this might happen?
mort29 said:
Desperate to switch from my Universal but alas T-Mobile coverage is next to useless in SW Scotland. I have to wait until Vodafone bring out a version. Anyone have any informed opinion when this might happen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Vodafone will "not" bring out this phone, only available as T-mobile, Dopod u1000 and HTC Advantage
wu5262 said:
Vodafone will "not" bring out this phone, only available as T-mobile, Dopod u1000 and HTC Advantage
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, I have been informed that whilst it was stated that it was only coming to these 3, that Vodafone and Orange will be getting in on the action later on in the year. But I have no proof of this only hearsay from certain people in the know. Call it 'Speculation' for some, but hopeful to others.
Let's face it, HTC are in business for the money. It seems only prudent for them to manufacturer the X7500 to a broader consumer platform, i.e. Service Providers. And judging by most of their other models, the other SP's do supply their own branded version of other HTC products.
It's only logical in the long term. After the initial hype, I too reckon other SP's will get in on the act.
mackaby007 said:
Actually, I have been informed that whilst it was stated that it was only coming to these 3, that Vodafone and Orange will be getting in on the action later on in the year. But I have no proof of this only hearsay from certain people in the know. Call it 'Speculation' for some, but hopeful to others.
Let's face it, HTC are in business for the money. It seems only prudent for them to manufacturer the X7500 to a broader consumer platform, i.e. Service Providers. And judging by most of their other models, the other SP's do supply their own branded version of other HTC products.
It's only logical in the long term. After the initial hype, I too reckon other SP's will get in on the act.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, i can confirm T-mobile will be the only provider to get this phone. I heard this from Ofiicial HTC people, you see, HTC has now change, they want to sell their device under their own name, they want to become a nokia as well, so this device will only be provided by T-mobile, not other provider in UK. This is exactly what HTC wanted to do, for you to buy their machine under their own name, which is HTC Advantage. Of course, you also have the DOPOD U1000.
This policy has just been recently introduce, so if their sales drop and anything bad happen, they will go back to the original marketing mode, which is provide their device to as many provider as possible. But for now, and at least for this year, this is their policy.
So don't wait for Vodafone, O2, or any other provider to come out this device, 95% it won't happen.
Sorry to let some people down, but i feel like you should know the fact.
wu5262 said:
Actually, i can confirm T-mobile will be the only provider to get this phone. I heard this from Ofiicial HTC people, you see, HTC has now change, they want to sell their device under their own name, they want to become a nokia as well, so this device will only be provided by T-mobile, not other provider in UK. This is exactly what HTC wanted to do, for you to buy their machine under their own name, which is HTC Advantage. Of course, you also have the DOPOD U1000.
This policy has just been recently introduce, so if their sales drop and anything bad happen, they will go back to the original marketing mode, which is provide their device to as many provider as possible. But for now, and at least for this year, this is their policy.
So don't wait for Vodafone, O2, or any other provider to come out this device, 95% it won't happen.
Sorry to let some people down, but i feel like you should know the fact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wu...what are you still doing up? Go to sleep now. Haha..only kidding mate!! Well I'm glad you put that bit of 'Speculation/hope' to rest. I'll take your word for it....I think your direct link to HTC is considerably more reliable than my sources here in the UK.
Right..signing off for the night...early bird catches the postman.lol.
mackaby007 said:
Wu...what are you still doing up? Go to sleep now. Haha..only kidding mate!! Well I'm glad you put that bit of 'Speculation/hope' to rest. I'll take your word for it....I think your direct link to HTC is considerably more reliable than my sources here in the UK.
Right..signing off for the night...early bird catches the postman.lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, me going bed now as well now. You wanna know why i stay up so late? I accidentally change a registry which cause my machine a blank screen. No matter what i do, it won't load it up again, even soft restart.....so hard it is then.
That's what i was been doing until now, reinstall and setting up everything again. Anyway, it's now back to shape again.
Looking forward to hear your device tomorrow.
Got Mine This Morning!!
Sorry to hear that Wu. Did You get it all sorted now? Don't you have good backup software? PM me.
Anyway I got mine today....beautiful. Just charging it now. Gonna go exchange my Micro SD for a Mini SD Card now.
See photo here:
http://www.4winmobile.com/viewtopic.php?p=54709#54709
Later.
mackaby007 said:
Sorry to hear that Wu. Did You get it all sorted now? Don't you have good backup software? PM me.
Anyway I got mine today....beautiful. Just charging it now. Gonna go exchange my Micro SD for a Mini SD Card now.
See photo here:
http://www.4winmobile.com/viewtopic.php?p=54709#54709
Later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, everything is sorted, nice to hear you got yours
I am off to meet one of the member here now to hand in his DOPOD U1000 !
btw, i didn't backup anything, sooo haha, that's why it took my whole night to get it back
Hi Guys, well god only knows how but I have lost my Ameo 2 weeks back... thankfully I have the T-mobile insurance. However there are no Ameos about and so I now have a TytnII which is surprisingly good... although I miss the wonderful VGA screen .
Anyway I got to thining about my lost baby. Now T-Mobile have blocked it, and its reported as lost so I guess if anyone switches it on they will get barred from UK Networks (assuming they are still in the UK of course!) and hopeully it can be tracked by cell? What I was thinking though is that even when it's blocked are the buggers who now have it able to use it as a brilliant GPS unit still? I had TomTom and iGo 8 on it!!! Can it be tracked and caught that way maybe? It really peeves me to think that someone could use it as a GPS and get it for free instead of handing it in!!
Anyways hopefully somone will tell me the GPS wont work if it blocked, or that it will be tracked and the buggers caught!! Here's hoping... oh and if they go abroad will it still be blocked? Did UK set up international blocking or not? As I hear a lot of stolen phones end up in Asia and the Far East now!
The simplest way to catch the burglar is to wait the IMEI appearance on the network, tracing the phone position using the network info AND the SIM card subscriber's data!
Agreed - but im thinkin if its blocked and they decide its a nice gps now, they can stick it in flight mode and use it like that?
Sorry but the GPS will definately still work, as it is completely unconnected from the phone, however it wont work aswell because the software "Quick GPS" requires an active data connection to allow a quick lock ! so now they will have to wait a while everytime for the GPS to lock !
If you had installed the Free WIMP (where is my phone) software, you would be able to track your phone yourself !
T-mobile wont track by cell as they are not a law enforcement agency, and the police don't care it's just another lost mobile to them !
you can still text. i used to have a blocked ameo, i didnt steal it myself, long story.. but anyway, it could still send and recieve texts and connect to the 3g/hsdpa networks. because as far as i know, only calls check your imei
rory
He's correct: you can still use GPRS/3G/HSDPA on a blocked handset. Blocking only prevents GSM functions such as texting and phone calls.
If someone has a data only SIM card (or perhaps buys one of the Hutchinson 3G pay as you go SIMs) then they will happily be able to use your Ameo as a portable web/GPS unit, and unfortunately there is no way that anyone will be caught for this, despite what the Network or the police might tell you.
On the subject, a TyTn 2 seems like a big monetary step-down from an Ameo, could they not order you one in?
Bugger! Someones got a nice cheap web tablet then!!
I had to have a phone quick or I'd lose work so I had little choice.. plus I was due an upgrade anyway on my tarrif in 3 weeks time so I was thinkin of upgrading to the new 16GB version - but they have no idea when it will arrive!! Ooh i noticed Orange do the Shift now - but I just bought an eeePC so dont really need that now... hmmm.. what to do?
I doubt T-Mobile will release the 16gb model as the AMEO didn't shift too well and I think their bods will deem its updates insufficient to create enough market appeal.
The Shift is a shot in the dark and is VERY expensive considering that you'll be paying not much less than the SIM-FREE price for an 18 month contract AND you'll probably need a second phone most of the time. Also, owing to its HSDPA and integrated windows the likelihood of you going over your 3gb allowance and being charged by the megabyte is very high. At least on T-Mobile you'll only get a letter after 3 months of abusing - in fact I've been over my Web N Walk Plus allowance pretty much every month this year and I've not even received a telling-off letter!
I would say that waiting for the Touch Diamond, selling it and buying an x7510 which would mean about a 250 pound supplement, would be the best idea OR send your Vario 3 back and they'll offer you a reduced-rate contract instead of a handset then simply buy a Shift or an x7510 by your own means...
Sad to say, but I'm pretty sure whoever got your lost Ameo is reading this now. :C
---
Yea they probably are!
I have to say I am getting quite attached to the Vario3 apart from the screen - not sure what to do now I have the eeePC as would I use the Ameo much? Blimey what to do!
adamelphick said:
Yea they probably are!
I have to say I am getting quite attached to the Vario3 apart from the screen - not sure what to do now I have the eeePC as would I use the Ameo much? Blimey what to do!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you've got an EEE stick with that and the Vario 3 and use the Vario for your internet connection. It'll actually be better than the Shift connection-wise as (as far as I'm aware) the Shift doesn't support HSUPA, only HSDPA.
There's an extended life battery for the EEE which I'm looking to get as it should extend its life to over five hours: the Shift, with its naff battery life is nothing compared to a light, solid EEE combined with a Vario 3. Sounds like you might be best to stick with what you've got.
Currently I'm balancing an EEE, an HTC Universal an a Nokia N95. It's not exactly convergence but holistically I've got the best of all worlds!
There's a bit of an argument going on at the mo as I am one of the unlucky eee900 owners who have the 4400mAh battery! Over at the eeeuser.com forums we are trying to get evidence of crap batteries so I cant talk to Taiwan again on tuesday/wednesday...
But i think you might be right - I might stick with the vario and the eee for the time being.
WOW I cant even imagine how you feel I have also installed WIMP and it works very well for lost or stolen phones. You may want to think about it for your future WM6 phones...TJ
TrekkerJmm said:
WOW I cant even imagine how you feel I have also installed WIMP and it works very well for lost or stolen phones. You may want to think about it for your future WM6 phones...TJ
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
An even better option is spb sprite terminator. It lets you lock the phone, change password, erase your sensitive files, find out who his friends are (hopefully you can get to him via his friend), among some useful features.
Hi all,
I will recieve my first Android handset tomorrow (HTC Hero) and plan to use it until Autumn (Windows Phone 7 looks very appealing and I didn't spend much on this handset, it's not even on a contract). I am looking for some tips and advice on Android.
I was very well accustomed to Windows Mobile at one point, and very active on this site, but then stopped altogether - so I'm not a novice to flashing (I know what this could be seen to mean!).
I plan to read through various short guides over the next couple of days, before flashing a new ROM on my Hero tomorrow night. I intend to become as good (i.e. knowledgable) with Android as I can, in the next few months.
Is there anything I should know, read or look into/look out for?
Should I update the radio (is there a wiki entry on here for that?)
And recommened apps or ROMS and why?
Any general advice?
P.S. Will I regret buying the black version of the Hero? Is it a good choice?
aameerp said:
Hi all,
I will recieve my first Android handset tomorrow (HTC Hero) and plan to use it until Autumn (Windows Phone 7 looks very appealing and I didn't spend much on this handset, it's not even on a contract). I am looking for some tips and advice on Android.
I was very well accustomed to Windows Mobile at one point, and very active on this site, but then stopped altogether - so I'm not a novice to flashing (I know what this could be seen to mean!).
I plan to read through various short guides over the next couple of days, before flashing a new ROM on my Hero tomorrow night.
Is there anything I should know, read or look into/look out for?
Should I update the radio (is there a wiki entry on here for that?)
And recommened apps or ROMS and why?
Any general advice?
P.S. Will I regret buying the black version of the Hero?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I popped into T-Mobile the other day and got myself an HTC Hero G2 and I like it, very customizable and you probably won't regret it. Depends how much you spend on the device cost wise because remember you will be going into a contract.
andrewb84uk said:
I popped into T-Mobile the other day and got myself an HTC Hero G2 and I like it, very customizable and you probably won't regret it. Depends how much you spend on the device cost wise because remember you will be going into a contract.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No contract for me. I paid around £165 for it ('virtually brand new, in perfect condition') and I've got T-Mobile's SIM only deal (30 day rolling contracts, basically). 100 minutes, 100 texts, unlimited internet for £10 - brilliant! I'll get the £15 tariff if I find 100 minutes isn't enough, but I use Skype, Google Voice and just email a lot.
£165,.. Thats a v-good price if its in mint condition!!... I paid £230 Less than a week ago and i thought that was good.
In regards to ROMs,... I flashed the latest Modaco ROM to mine the day it was delivered, it seemed abit smoother than the stock Orange ROM that was on it when i had no apps installed, but now iv loaded it up there is a tiny bit of lag, like a nano second, its hardly noticeable at all.
But there are so many ROMS to choose from, I think just swapping and changing between them till you find one that suits you is the best bet, but its not something I have the time (or patience) for. This is what i followed to update the ROM http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=645253 - [Guide] How to Root & Install a Custom Rom on Orange UK & T-Mobile UK [Updated 13/03]
As for the Radio update, definately do it. Im using a handset that is locked to Orange UK but using an O2 sim in it with a rebel sim. On the first day I only had 2 bars of reception most of the time, sometimes it went to 3 bars but not often. Since updating, it has consistantly been on 3 or 4 bars.
Check out this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=646465 (- Radio update advice please?...) about how to go about updating it.
As for apps, there are too many to go through, I'v just been googleing 'Best Android Apps' and seeing which ones will benefit me.
And lastly,.. Hellllll Nooooooo,... You definately wont regret buying one. IMO the white version looks abit more slick and has a teflon coating to stop it getting dirty but how dirty can a black (or graphite in my case) phone get?...
Im happy!
Recommended Android freeware apps:
The Ever-Growing List of Awesome Android Applications
Some good-to-know Android tips & tricks:
Android Tips & Tricks and Tutorials
Hope you will have use for them