Database Users

I love my Wiz now, but why is it so lame 'out of the box'?

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.

T-Mobile MDA (Wizard) GPS

New to the forums, and betting this is a stupid Question, but I was wondering if there was anyway to tap into the GPS locater(built in for emergency calls such as 911) and use that for a GPS application, If the Wizard even has one built in, I would imagine that it does, but anways wondering if its possible, and if anyone has any incite into how to use this/turn it on?

There's no GPS in the wizard.

markgamber said:
There's no GPS in the wizard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Emergency services can locate your phone fairly accurately using triangulation from the gsm phone masts, using network data. There was a company selling a tracking service such as this for mobile users a while back, but I forget the details.

yeah ran into that service a while back, but the main way to get to it was to buy two handsets and pay for their cheap data service and put the other handset in someones car or whatever and use the 1st handset to track them...

I think that navizon.com has a program like that. theres a trial version for free. Doesnt google maps also use that technology?

hmm try google map 2.0 they show u wat ur location is without GPS
try http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=349188

I've tried both of these apps and both aren't worth a crap to me. They get my location in the right state, heck even the right city...almost. But I can't get it to be consistent let alone even half right.
I tried em both out and would like to know what I have been doing wrong since everyone else says that they are "great."
Thanks,
Ivan

It's already been said, but get Google Map 2.0...I installed it a few days ago, and it's not bad. I'm usually within 2000ft. of the calculated location.
Bad Karma said:
I've tried both of these apps and both aren't worth a crap to me. They get my location in the right state, heck even the right city...almost. But I can't get it to be consistent let alone even half right.
I tried em both out and would like to know what I have been doing wrong since everyone else says that they are "great."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only thing you did wrong was expect triangulation to work like you're watching CSI. In the real world, there is signal bounce, interference from trees, buildings, and other radio transmissions, and a whole host of other nameless error-creating problems. Radio triangulation is severely limited, but considering this sort of feature wasn't even available as a free application (much less being built into a mapping software as robust as GMaps) until VERY recently, it's pretty good, if you don't have GPS. You can buy a dongle to attach to your MDA, or you can suck it up, and deal with generally inaccurate location.

Trying it again...I thought that I had 2.0 but maybe not...I'll let you know either way how it comes out this time.
-Ivan

Ok much better...however it is still like 4 miles!!! off.
Does it update when in travel or how/when will it become more accurate??
Thanks agian,
Ivan

Google Maps 2 has "My location"
I dunno if you knew but Google Maps has been updated now and it offers My location - which is pretty close what GPS does. It gets your position through cellular towers and then it locates you within half a mile if I'm not mistaken...
Try it and c if it works 4 u

Myrddin Wyllt said:
It's already been said, but get Google Map 2.0...I installed it a few days ago, and it's not bad. I'm usually within 2000ft. of the calculated location.
The only thing you did wrong was expect triangulation to work like you're watching CSI. In the real world, there is signal bounce, interference from trees, buildings, and other radio transmissions, and a whole host of other nameless error-creating problems. Radio triangulation is severely limited, but considering this sort of feature wasn't even available as a free application (much less being built into a mapping software as robust as GMaps) until VERY recently, it's pretty good, if you don't have GPS. You can buy a dongle to attach to your MDA, or you can suck it up, and deal with generally inaccurate location.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually google maps DOES NOT use triangulation..it will just show ur position based on a single cell tower and the signal strength being calculated by your phone..

So I tried my Google Maps 2.0 on the fly today...
It told me that it wouldn't work because I did not have a "data connection" and that I needed to contact my "service provider" to be able to utilize that function... (Or some crap like that)
What am I doing wrong now??
Thanks guys,
Ivan

Software GPS?

Hi Guys,
I just did a quick search for GPS and found nothing on the threads.
Is there anything that could be considered a software GPS package for a T-Mobile (USA) MDA? I know that other providers have this type of thing but I am wondering specifically about T-Mobile. Now that I've updated the ROMs, etc, its the only thing missing from my MDA's second life.
Thanks in advance.

what do you mean software gps ?
as in software which just guess where you are?
software which by getting location info from the gsm antenna one is connected to where ones rough location is (pretty rough dont wanna use it for driving directions)
or just software to comm with an bluetooth gps device

I think he is refering to the 'assisted gps' thing which uses multiple towers to locate your location. You have that in iPhone, but I never heard of it for WM5/6. And, probably not in UK.

I was asking about something that does not require any additional hardware. I dont think a guess would work...
Thanks for the reply.

Thanks Hanmin. Exactly what I was asking.
I'm actually based in the USA so any suggestions would be great.

You have a higher chances of finding something, since you are in US (i.e. with tower databases etc). You may want to do research on the iPhone software and see if there are any PPC port of it... or is the software from Google?

many GPS software !
google maps, Yahoo to go!
Pocket Street.
all are working fine on MDA.
my TomTom works great!

I'm not sure if you got his question correctly, he doesn't want an additional hardware GPS 'mouse' for his phone. He wants assisted GPS

Even when your phone service provider has LBS service, depending on architecture of their system, there should be no universal software that is suitable for all types (Some use web-based query, other uses SMS query, or even Java SIM Toolkit, etc.)

Navizon is $20, but has a free 15 day trial period.
I have read that it is not consistently accurate, so I strongly recommend you try it in most of the places you plan to use it before buying.
This kind of software is particularly susceptible to errors cause by multi-path reception resulting from cellular signals bouncing off of large, flat surfaces, such as building exteriors. This can result in dramatic inaccuracies in positioning.
If you plan to use this from a vehicle, I'd recommend a hardware GPS dongle, or "mouse" over this software or anything like it.
Just my 2¢.

Thanks very much guys.

Just a quick follow up. I downloaded and installed Navizon and Myrddin is absolutely correct.
I thought "how bad could it be?" and honestly, its bad. While I was playing with it last night, it puts me about 5 miles away from my actual position so its not a realistic thing to use.
I'll save my $20. It seems like someones 2¢ is worth a few dollars after all.
Thanks.

Amaze Gps

Voice guided navigation software, FREE! The htc touch version works great on my titan.
http://wap.amazegps.com/wap.php?referrer=934&language=international

im surprised nobody replied to this...i tried this out and it works GREAT....i used it on my train ride to penn station in NY this weekend and it worked the whole way, then it was also a great help navigating around in NY....awesome post, thanks bro

colton1118 said:
im surprised nobody replied to this...i tried this out and it works GREAT....i used it on my train ride to penn station in NY this weekend and it worked the whole way, then it was also a great help navigating around in NY....awesome post, thanks bro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just got finally put on TomTom 7. Damn what an improvement. Worked out the bugs and the POI's are much better. But it also takes up 1.8 gb. Well worth it though.

Issue with Amaze
I would just like to say to anybody who installs this software must have gps/compatible rom and have quick gps installed. It works directly with quick gps for the agps feature. So if it says 'connection problem' then check to make sure quick gps is installed.

It worked fine for me and I don't have QuickGPS installed. I do have the aGPS enabled tho, so I get 10-15 second locks.
BTC

So far
I would have to say that it is no TT7 killer... not really close.
BUT!!!
A VERY nice app ESPECIALLY considering the price. If you are to factor in the price then it just might be competing with any software.
Not as intuitive/predictable as TT nor does it have the bells and whistles of predictive input and such nor is the GUI as well laid out... but again... my earlier statement stands

veloslave said:
I would have to say that it is no TT7 killer... not really close.
BUT!!!
A VERY nice app ESPECIALLY considering the price. If you are to factor in the price then it just might be competing with any software.
Not as intuitive/predictable as TT nor does it have the bells and whistles of predictive input and such nor is the GUI as well laid out... but again... my earlier statement stands
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this being true....its great for being free

Quick gps
I don't know how to respond to that only that when I removed quick gps amaze stopped functioning, when I reinstalled it went right back to working. I get a lock on average in 3 seconds, never more than 5. Maybe it has something to do with St. Pete, I don't know. But I try to confuse it and start it in random places and it doesn't seem to phase it. Google maps takes always less than 10 seconds. Hey for those who are downloading amaze check out the hybrid feature, and then put the 3d map on. It is trippy having the sattellte images to drive through!!!

Apparently Hybrid maps aren't available everywhere, I live in a small town in SE Iowa and no satellite or hybrid maps show up.
But the normal maps are fine with me for now. Tho I only have 1X data, so I can't really use a GPS tool that relys on data as nobody can call me when I'm using it.
So TomTom and Igo still are my preferred tools. But this one is definately cool and I'll probably use it late at night or when I don't want to be disturbed.
BTC

Solution
Here's what you do: come down here to tampa where the water is fine, the *****es are finer, and the amaze gps thrives and you can drive through a 3 dimensional satallite enhanced map.
P.S. I use call firewall when using gps. No body is that important to interupt my data connection.

This program is pretty good for a freebie.

Really Nice!!
can't believe its free cause it works...
I am runnng the http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=424387 and amAze runs great.. drove to work with it, intentionally took different roads and it adapted pretty quick..
thanks for the great find..........

Can't really argue with a free gps program and i also am running it really well without quick gps installed.

Free?
Can you be sure? How do the people who developed it recover their investment? Is there any way to be certain that you won't be sending any information from your phone that could cause trouble for you later on?
I get suspicious when someone offers something for free that everyone else is charging (close to three figures) for their similar product. If the method they make money from were more obvious, then I would feel a little more confidant that I would not be sorry later on, because they would be jeopardizing an income stream and a possibly successful business if they were somehow found to be "cheating".

It's documented on their website that they recoup their investment through built-in, targeted advertising. This feature is not yet implemented in the Windows Mobile version, but is quite active in the Java based versions of the app that have been around for about a year.
http://amazegps.com/docs/FinancialTimes_022807.pdf
(Read the highlighted section on the right side of the page)

Quite the newb here. I'm running Amaze GPS on my HTC Raphael (ATT Fuze). Too cheap to buy data plan. I flashed to NATFv4, trying to (may not be doing it correctly) use GPS Tool to get a fix, but it seems to be looping infinitely. Consequently, I can't get Amaze to work. Any help appreciated.

Sorry to dissapoint
Amaze is a strictly internet map driven navigation software. No data plan no gps. Invest in IGo or garmin.

Can I track a GPS chip with my DI?

Yesterday, our dog ran off in the woods. She was OK, but she got too far then couldn't find us, and the puppy kicked in and she started running..
They have GPS dog collars, but they either require a (fairly large) monthly fee, or, like the Garmin ones, are $600+. I only want one to snap on her collar when we go in the woods, so that if she does run off again or ever get hurt, I can find her.
BUT: I want to track it on my phone (since it's with me all the time and I get service everywhere). Is there such a device?

I would be interested in this, too.

Me too, but for my girlfriend ;-)
She calls me serveral times per week lost so I bought her a Garmin for Xmas but she is techno-challenged. Ok she is not the sharpest tool in the shed but she is the sweetest ;-)

No such thing as a terrestrial GPS transmitter for public use.
Our phones, Garmin and TomTom, et al, devices, are GPS receivers.
The geosynchronous GPS satellites are the transmitters.
The mobile units, such as Garmins and our phones, listen for data streams from multiple satellites (that is why the more satellites "seen", the more accurate your location) and cell towers (in the case of smarphones). All these transmitters, which are pre-programmed with their location information, are saying "this is me and this is where I am". The reciever takes this information and calculates the mobile unit's location relative to the transmitters. Since the transmitters are telling the world where they are and the receiver has figured out where it is relative to them it can conclude "this is where I am".
The reason the "trackers" require a subscription is that, once the mobile unit figures out its location based upon its calculations from the satellite data streams, it sends its location to the service which makes it available to the subscriber.

I don't know what dedicated doggy trackers cost, but several cellphones are available from providers with a service like this. ATT has FamilyMap
https://familymap.wireless.att.com/finder-att-family/howWorks.htm
Verizon has Family Locator
http://support.vzw.com/clc/features/data_services/family_locator.html
and you have your imagination.