What software have you installed on your HD? - Touch HD General

I just got my Touch HD this week and so far am really enjoying it. I was sceptical about getting it due to disliking the TyTnII, but everything seems to run great in comparison so far.
I am still fairly new to WM and so learning the ropes ATM. Both my biggest criticism and greatest positive of WM is that there is so much software available. This does seem to pose a problem though, in that it is a complete lottery as to where to find it, what some of it does and if it will work with your specific device! I'm trying to find out what 'must haves' everyone else is using but it is proving difficult a bit of a mine field.
Now that we have the HD, we also have the problem of whether it is compatible with that huge screen!. Can people post what software they use and perhaps a brief explanation of what it does and how it helps/betters the standard/non existent software? This might be really useful for n00bs like me to refer to when they get their device. I know it can be fun installing random stuff for a while, but it can also become tiring when stuff doesn't do what you need! I did look in the Programs/Utilites & Games ~ working on the Touch HD ...which is great, but if you don't know what stuff does, how do you know you need/want it?!

I've not installed much yet but here are a few useful ones...
Total Commander - Better file manager.
CorePlayer - Playing divx etc videos.
Sprite Backup - Backup.
PocketScreen - Take screenshots.
Weather Database Editor - Had to install this to add the town I live in as it's not in the default list (requires .NET compact framework 3.5 available from MS).

supersquash said:
I just got my Touch HD this week and so far am really enjoying it. I was sceptical about getting it due to disliking the TyTnII, but everything seems to run great in comparison so far.
I am still fairly new to WM and so learning the ropes ATM. Both my biggest criticism and greatest positive of WM is that there is so much software available. This does seem to pose a problem though, in that it is a complete lottery as to where to find it, what some of it does and if it will work with your specific device! I'm trying to find out what 'must haves' everyone else is using but it is proving difficult a bit of a mine field.
Now that we have the HD, we also have the problem of whether it is compatible with that huge screen!. Can people post what software they use and perhaps a brief explanation of what it does and how it helps/betters the standard/non existent software? This might be really useful for n00bs like me to refer to when they get their device. I know it can be fun installing random stuff for a while, but it can also become tiring when stuff doesn't do what you need! I did look in the Programs/Utilites & Games ~ working on the Touch HD ...which is great, but if you don't know what stuff does, how do you know you need/want it?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Besides the topic you mention above, there are also topics:-
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=444814
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=445543
Beards

Thanks so far guys. Thanks in particular for the other threads. Even with said threads, it is still a mine field IMO.

Related

Greetings

Hi all,
Ive just upgraded from a universal so greetings to you all. What a big difference this machine is, That screen is simply awesome. I'm not a noob to flashing and unlocking, and a big believer in the search and donate button so no problems there, my only questions are more of a choice nature. the first one is does anyone have an opinion on carrying the thing, my universal had a belt loop on the case and it hung on my side no problems. Ive yet to see one for the Athena. my other question is, my machine is a T-mobile Ameo with a very plain WM6 ROM on it, is there a ROM that you can suggest that is better looking and has better features on it? Ive found a few on this site but experience is worth a lot. The universal has numerous Roms on WM6 for it, but not many were without bugs, and its memory had its limits. It is still a very capable machine. Many thanks
Take care
Jay
I use this case and it works very well for me. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=355416 but others have chosen different ones with equal satisfaction.
I think you'll be spoilt for choice when come to ROM. PK is also working on a much anticipated PK4 due sometimes these few weeks. If you're into switching ROM, no harm just researching on unlocking your phone first for the time being. Immediately even without switching ROM you could already make giant step improvements on how it looks and works by installing the right software for it, such as wktask, realVGA, etc, while waiting. There is also the option of wm6.1 while waiting....
Memory limit will always be there (at least it is for me), so I install everything out of the device memory unless the program forces me to install it on the device. I also tend to do the same if the program is a today plugin, in order to speed up the soft reset procedure. Sometimes, even if a program is installed on say a microdrive, it would still place something into the device memory. Doing that, I have just less than 20 MB left in my RAM at the moment. However, I'm probably not a typical user, with close to 70 installed program on my device, and 30 more which just sit in the microdrive, ready to be installed if I need them occassionally.
As for bugs, I don't encounter too many, but you got to by experience weed out those applications which gives problems. Generally, the problems are with the applications rather than the device or the ROM.
Hope this helps.
responderman said:
Hi all,
Ive just upgraded from a universal so greetings to you all. What a big difference this machine is, That screen is simply awesome. I'm not a noob to flashing and unlocking, and a big believer in the search and donate button so no problems there, my only questions are more of a choice nature. the first one is does anyone have an opinion on carrying the thing, my universal had a belt loop on the case and it hung on my side no problems. Ive yet to see one for the Athena. my other question is, my machine is a T-mobile Ameo with a very plain WM6 ROM on it, is there a ROM that you can suggest that is better looking and has better features on it? Ive found a few on this site but experience is worth a lot. The universal has numerous Roms on WM6 for it, but not many were without bugs, and its memory had its limits. It is still a very capable machine. Many thanks
Take care
Jay
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome! You'll find that this is a generally congenial group at least most of the time, with a wealth of knowledge.
As to ROMs, I have to say PK3 Dual works very nicely until we get the next version:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=346221
I particularly like RealVGA which is integrated into the ROM, running at 192 dpi. Gives you the advantages of the big screen but at a reasonable size. Note, if you are under 30 you can probably ignore this last advice!
Agan, there's lots of info on these boards but takes a lot of sleuthing! When in doubt, just ask. But start with, "I know this may have been answered already..." Then you are less likely to endure the flames that "certain people" seem to enjoy. Good luck!!
Thanks
Hi again
Well thanks for the heads up on the rom and the case, the PK 3.0 rom looks much better than the drab T-mobile one so I shall give it a go. The unlock tool worked well and followed to the letter had no supprises for me. Not sure about the £1.000.000 donation though Oli. I now have the start for a bit of experimenting. The case is the style I needed but how hard wearing is the neopreen?
Take care
Jay
responderman said:
Hi again
Well thanks for the heads up on the rom and the case, the PK 3.0 rom looks much better than the drab T-mobile one so I shall give it a go. The unlock tool worked well and followed to the letter had no supprises for me. Not sure about the £1.000.000 donation though Oli. I now have the start for a bit of experimenting. The case is the style I needed but how hard wearing is the neopreen?
Take care
Jay
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you a do it your self kinda of guy, then maybe you can go this route... i attached some pic of what i did to the standard case so i could put in on my belt
OH if you looking for some cool apps hit up these two links
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=369281
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=364366

wing questions

Hey everybody,
I'm extremely new to the community and have recently found myself the proud parent of a baby T-Mobile Wing. There is so much helpful information on this site, but it is so hard to sort it all out. Right now I am running SPB Shell and am digging on it, yet I crave more. I like the layout of SPB Shell, but would love to be able to take better advantage of touch options (scrolling, contacts, internet, etc). What could be done to get these options? I've read about Open Touch, and there seem to be mixed reviews. Is it possible to still have SPB Shell and a program that offers better use of the touch screen?
Also, what are some applications that you Wing users are fond of? I am using VTouch, Google Maps, and an SNES emulator. Are there other things I should know about? Radio, a pizza maker maybe?
Thanks so much.
I'm still very new here too, but my advice is download everything you can find on this site and try it! The cooks are AMAZING and I'm now doing things with my wing that i never thought was possible.
Download a kitchen and play with it. But only after flashing and playing with all the roms that are available so you know what you want out of a rom.
start here... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=395793
ronnieglenn said:
Hey everybody,
I'm extremely new to the community and have recently found myself the proud parent of a baby T-Mobile Wing. There is so much helpful information on this site, but it is so hard to sort it all out. Right now I am running SPB Shell and am digging on it, yet I crave more. I like the layout of SPB Shell, but would love to be able to take better advantage of touch options (scrolling, contacts, internet, etc). What could be done to get these options? I've read about Open Touch, and there seem to be mixed reviews. Is it possible to still have SPB Shell and a program that offers better use of the touch screen?
Also, what are some applications that you Wing users are fond of? I am using VTouch, Google Maps, and an SNES emulator. Are there other things I should know about? Radio, a pizza maker maybe?
Thanks so much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The best way that I found to learn about my Wing is to screw it up several times and then learn how to fix it. I've made pretty much every mistake you can make with it when it comes to flashing ROMs. Every time I've found a thread on here to save me when I was inches away from throwing it in the trash can.
There's definitely not one overall "best" or "favorite" ROM. Personally I'm a fan of Ivan's JustMe because it has pretty much everything I use so I don't need to install anything on top of what's cooked in, and Just2Clean because, as the name implies, it really IS clean. But you really just need to get several, take them out for test drives (at least a week), and see which one suits you best. I've gotten ROMs before that I thought after a couple of hours were perfect for me, and then a few days later I realized a couple of annoying tiny things that made me reconsider. That's why it's ultimately best to cook your own. As soon as I get brave enough, that's my next step!
I personally don't take as much advantage of the touch screen as I should, so I'm not the best person to advise on that, but you should definitely spend a long time reading just about every post in the ROM review thread here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=395793
The Wing isn't built to support radio natively, but I use Internet radio a lot. www.thestreamcenter.com is the place I usually use. It's good if you know the call letters you're looking for. It was invaluable when I had to work during football games.
As far as a pizza maker goes, I have actually dropped my Wing on a piping hot, gooey pizza before. I do not recommend it. Sometimes I swear I can still smell oregano.
Some essential CABs I use no matter which ROM I'm currently using:
BatteryStatus
Total Commander
TCPMP
WM5torage
Opera Mini
Oxios Hibernate
PIM Backup
Again, though, everyone has their faves (even if they don't use MyFaves!).
Definitely start here though:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=327046
You may find some outdated apps in the links from that thread, but they'll at least hip you to the more commonly-used ones so you can look for the latest versions on your own.
Above all, don't be afraid to ask questions (after making good use of the "Search this Forum" button, of course)! I have posted several questions that I was embarrassed to be asking, but everyone on this site is incredibly knowledgeable and supportive.

A truckload of questions

Long post - To help you understand where I am coming from and my situation to better assess what I'm looking for
I've read pretty much all the stickies, and the newbie section regarding questions but I didn't really get answers. Though I did learn a lot, but I'm still a little confused. I find some threads messy, in terms of instructions, and descriptions. Not forgetting the existance of compilation threads. Of course, kudos to everyone here for making awesome apps and roms.
I'm a student from Singapore, and I finally got my dream phone, which is the X1, my first smartphone, from a friend. Barely a few months old and still under warranty. So I'm pretty much a newbie in terms of smartphones, firmware, apps and all that. Been using it for about a month now, got a few minor scratches from wear and tear so it's no biggy, but the keyboards a lil faded, peeled. I'm not sure how to describe it, some letters are just a blob without the 'paint' on to denote it, and the slide-up screen's a little loose.
I started off getting apps like PockeTwit for Twittering to play around. Then I stumbled upon XDA forums. I started off 'boosting' my phone's capabilities with TuneUp, XperiaTweak, VModeSwitch, SKTools, R3A Camera Update, SRS WOW sound thingy. Probably the same way you would do to a PC with certain OC programs and whatnot. Then I installed that Manilla program thing, and now my UI's pretty much like a HTC. Which is awesome might I add. A little laggy, may not be perfect, but it's still great. Thereafter I found out about firmware, WinMo 6.5, issues with it, custom ROMs. Read about how to flash, break it down before flashing custom ROMs into it, which is easy actually. I'm deciding between the Touch-It ROM and the SE-X1 xPERT one because it already has all the goodies in it. More inclined to Barebone one even, then later installing the goodies I want.
I'm looking for one that would look great, with minimal lag, with all the goodies to help me keep it in check and upgrades. (I do understand that there will definitely be a little lag in smartphones due to it's hardware and how we upkeep them as owners.)
Here comes the questions.
1. I would like to change the keyboard to a new one and tighten the sliding-screen. Would SE do that? And would it be free due to warranty?
2. If I were to flash a custom ROM in, would it void my warranty? (Assuming I do it before sending it to SE to fix above problems)
3. Which ROM should I get? I like the goodies that come in the xPERT ROM, but I also like the HTC UI from the Touch-IT ROM. Is there a way to maybe integrate the two? (I'm assuming it would lag less if the UI was integrated into the ROM rather than having it as a seperate installation like I have now)
4. Which would be after the first three are settled, is with games. I've seen the phone's capabilities and what not around, with emulators for the PS1, fullscreen games like Palm Heroes, PDiablo and all that. I've tried them all but I just can't seem to get them all to work, am I doing something wrong?
5. Panels, the whole point of the X1 would be its panels. But I just can't seem to find any. I've searched google, lists, pretty much everywhere. All I see are the official released ones from SE. The most I found, being custom, was the Youtube panel which I got to work. Is there really a lot of panels out there?
[Edit - More questions in Post #5]
That's all the questions I can remember for now, it's pretty late. I'll put up more in the thread or post if I can remember.
Thanks in advance!
keiitastrophic said:
Long post - To help you understand where I am coming from and my situation to better assess what I'm looking for
I've read pretty much all the stickies, and the newbie section regarding questions but I didn't really get answers. Though I did learn a lot, but I'm still a little confused. I find some threads messy, in terms of instructions, and descriptions. Not forgetting the existance of compilation threads. Of course, kudos to everyone here for making awesome apps and roms.
I'm a student from Singapore, and I finally got my dream phone, which is the X1, my first smartphone, from a friend. Barely a few months old and still under warranty. So I'm pretty much a newbie in terms of smartphones, firmware, apps and all that. Been using it for about a month now, got a few minor scratches from wear and tear so it's no biggy, but the keyboards a lil faded, peeled. I'm not sure how to describe it, some letters are just a blob without the 'paint' on to denote it, and the slide-up screen's a little loose.
I started off getting apps like PockeTwit for Twittering to play around. Then I stumbled upon XDA forums. I started off 'boosting' my phone's capabilities with TuneUp, XperiaTweak, VModeSwitch, SKTools, R3A Camera Update, SRS WOW sound thingy. Probably the same way you would do to a PC with certain OC programs and whatnot. Then I installed that Manilla program thing, and now my UI's pretty much like a HTC. Which is awesome might I add. A little laggy, may not be perfect, but it's still great. Thereafter I found out about firmware, WinMo 6.5, issues with it, custom ROMs. Read about how to flash, break it down before flashing custom ROMs into it, which is easy actually. I'm deciding between the Touch-It ROM and the SE-X1 xPERT one because it already has all the goodies in it. More inclined to Barebone one even, then later installing the goodies I want.
I'm looking for one that would look great, with minimal lag, with all the goodies to help me keep it in check and upgrades. (I do understand that there will definitely be a little lag in smartphones due to it's hardware and how we upkeep them as owners.)
Here comes the questions.
First, I would like to change the keyboard to a new one and tighten the sliding-screen. Would SE do that? And would it be free due to warranty?
Secondly, if I were to flash a custom ROM in, would it void my warranty? (Assuming I do it before sending it to SE to fix above problems)
Thirdly, which ROM should I get? I like the goodies that come in the xPERT ROM, but I also like the HTC UI from the Touch-IT ROM. Is there a way to maybe integrate the two? (I'm assuming it would lag less if the UI was integrated into the ROM rather than having it as a seperate installation like I have now)
Fourthly, which would be after the first three are settled, is with games. I've seen the phone's capabilities and what not around, with emulators for the PS1, fullscreen games like Palm Heroes, PDiablo and all that. I've tried them all but I just can't seem to get them all to work, am I doing something wrong?
That's all the questions I can remember for now, it's pretty late. I'll put up more in the thread or post if I can remember.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Just ask Sony Ericsson
2) You can send it back unless you flash to any of the Official Roms and you have to flash the default spl so they don't find out that you flashed your phone.
3) I don't get your questions. If you install a ROM that has Touch Flo 3D then of course you get Touch Flo 3D (aka manilla 3d)... therefore you can delete the the Touch Flo 3D cabs...
4) Xperia sucks with games... btw what is Pdiablo? Link please?
poetryrocksalot said:
1) Just ask Sony Ericsson
2) You can send it back unless you flash to any of the Official Roms and you have to flash the default spl so they don't find out that you flashed your phone.
3) I don't get your questions. If you install a ROM that has Touch Flo 3D then of course you get Touch Flo 3D (aka manilla 3d)... therefore you can delete the the Touch Flo 3D cabs...
4) Xperia sucks with games... btw what is Pdiablo? Link please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will be asking first thing in the morning regarding that. Just wondering if anyone had the same idea and probably got it fixed.
Regarding 2, if they'll fix it, I'll just wait till I get it back before flashing the ROMs then.
Sorry about the mix up with question 3, what I meant was, in regards to what I expecting from the X1, what I wrote in my first post. I like how the Manila UI looks and feels. But I'd like to have all the goodies or upgrades that are included in the other ROM.
So would it be ideal to flash the xPERT ROM and then installing the Manila UI? Or flashing the Touch-IT ROM and install all the other goodies and upgrades thereafter. Which would have minimal lag as a result, more space etc.
Hope I cleared it up.
PDiablo is a port of Diablo 1 to smartphones or PPCs (Whichever is the term), I read somewhere that it works fine on the X1. Here's the link.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=3836658
Games are not an issue for me, since I have the PC and my PSP for it. I'm happy enough just to have the X1 as a phone, with apps and goodies.
For a properly working TF3D, you need it flashed into the ROM. Even then it'll be a tad slow at times (TF3D was coded horribly), but it'll be loads better than installed through CAB.
Which goodies in the other ROM do you want? Most can be installed anyway.
Angelusz said:
For a properly working TF3D, you need it flashed into the ROM. Even then it'll be a tad slow at times (TF3D was coded horribly), but it'll be loads better than installed through CAB.
Which goodies in the other ROM do you want? Most can be installed anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Clarified my thoughts in terms of programming, about flashing > CAB installation. Thank you.
Program wise, preferably those I listed, like the R3A goodies from xPERT ROM, TuneUp, XperiaTweak, VModeSwitch, SKTools, SRS WOW HD I guess. Which I'm assuming shouldn't raise any problems in regards to clashes and whatnot.
I understand the SE-X1 ROMs come with WinMo 6.5, does the Touch-IT ROM come with 6.5 or is it just 6.1?
Is there also a way to increase the volume beyond the given maximum on the X1? Sometimes I can be pretty deaf and miss calls or alarms due to that.
A seperate question. Is there a way to show upcoming appointments beyond the current day and/or the Calendar button on the Home tab in Manila?
You say - "a truckload of question"
I say - Bring them on !!!!!!!!!
Some of them were answered so here are my two cents.
3 - I am using the Generic R3A UK ROM. I find it pretty stable and decently fast. All the tweaks and apps can be done separately, so I don't need a custom ROM. By the way - you can find almost every app or tweak in a cab file.
4 - There are many games that can be played by the X1, but a few made for it . Just search the forum for topics about games. Like this one that I posted (sorry for the shameless self promotion) -
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=522761&highlight=games+X1
Most of the problems are caused by the resolution of the games. Not many of them are in WVGA resolution. You need this app: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=442426
5 - There are probably a dozen or less custom panels. Panels development = FAIL.
I dislike TF3D, so I can't help you there .
orelsi said:
You say - "a truckload of question"
I say - Bring them on !!!!!!!!!
Some of them were answered so here are my two cents.
3 - I am using the Generic R3A UK ROM. I find it pretty stable and decently fast. All the tweaks and apps can be done separately, so I don't need a custom ROM. By the way - you can find almost every app or tweak in a cab file.
4 - There are many games that can be played by the X1, but a few made for it . Just search the forum for topics about games. Like this one that I posted (sorry for the shameless self promotion) -
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=522761&highlight=games+X1
Most of the problems are caused by the resolution of the games. Not many of them are in WVGA resolution. You need this app: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=442426
5 - There are probably a dozen or less custom panels. Panels development = FAIL.
I dislike TF3D, so I can't help you there .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your reply and input. I've seen your thread about games and I find it highly useful. I'll be sure to refer to that if I intend to get more games.
Will also look at standard Generic ROMs since you brought that into light. Never really looked into that.
Currently playing with theChanner program now, watching the telly on the X1.
As with games, not really bothered with panels, just find it rather funny how a strong released concept like that would be so under-developed. Guess it'll take time.
Thanks again.
keiitastrophic said:
Program wise, preferably those I listed, like the R3A goodies from xPERT ROM, TuneUp, XperiaTweak, VModeSwitch, SKTools, SRS WOW HD I guess. Which I'm assuming shouldn't raise any problems in regards to clashes and whatnot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, shouldn't be a problem at all. All those things are available in CAB format. SRS WOW HD doesn't work properly on the X1 though, so I don't know what that chef did.
keiitastrophic said:
I understand the SE-X1 ROMs come with WinMo 6.5, does the Touch-IT ROM come with 6.5 or is it just 6.1?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Touch-IT has a WM 6.1 variant (10.3) and a WM6.5 one. The WM6.5 one is pretty old though, and if you use TF3D, having WM6.5 isn't that big a bonus.
keiitastrophic said:
Is there also a way to increase the volume beyond the given maximum on the X1? Sometimes I can be pretty deaf and miss calls or alarms due to that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SRS WOW HD is the only method I'm aware of - which, like I said earlier, doesn't work.
keiitastrophic said:
A seperate question. Is there a way to show upcoming appointments beyond the current day and/or the Calendar button on the Home tab in Manila?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many people have asked this, none have found out how so far. I think the best person to ask this is "Rotastrain" - he does a lot of Mode9 editing.
keiitastrophic said:
Will also look at standard Generic ROMs since you brought that into light. Never really looked into that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Although a possibility, do keep in mind that Generic roms might lack some tweaks that you require for some things to work properly. I'd recommend a stripped down and tweaked ROM instead of generic. Often chefs make these as well, since it's the first thing they do before adding in new stuff.
keiitastrophic said:
As with games, not really bothered with panels, just find it rather funny how a strong released concept like that would be so under-developed. Guess it'll take time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It won't take time, it'll take a miracle. The X1 has been released more than eight months ago. The peak interest in the device has come and gone, panels have failed.
To increase the volume, you can try what you can find here
A new version of touch-it with WM 6.5 should come shortly (it is in betatesting)
Angelusz said:
No, shouldn't be a problem at all. All those things are available in CAB format. SRS WOW HD doesn't work properly on the X1 though, so I don't know what that chef did.
Touch-IT has a WM 6.1 variant (10.3) and a WM6.5 one. The WM6.5 one is pretty old though, and if you use TF3D, having WM6.5 isn't that big a bonus.
SRS WOW HD is the only method I'm aware of - which, like I said earlier, doesn't work.
Many people have asked this, none have found out how so far. I think the best person to ask this is "Rotastrain" - he does a lot of Mode9 editing.
Although a possibility, do keep in mind that Generic roms might lack some tweaks that you require for some things to work properly. I'd recommend a stripped down and tweaked ROM instead of generic. Often chefs make these as well, since it's the first thing they do before adding in new stuff.
It won't take time, it'll take a miracle. The X1 has been released more than eight months ago. The peak interest in the device has come and gone, panels have failed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, so much for panels. I'll be sure to ask Rotastrain regarding that, I most definitely prefer seeing a list of upcoming appointments rather than seeing it a day before or having to go into the somewhat confusing calendar to look for stuff.
ROM-Wise, I guess I'll be going for the Touch-IT v10.3 one till the beta one is done.
Looks like I'm pretty much done, unless I can think of any more questions I likely forgot.
Thank you for answering all my questions.
Mopral said:
To increase the volume, you can try what you can find here
A new version of touch-it with WM 6.5 should come shortly (it is in betatesting)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That .CAB file works perfectly! Loud and clear!
Thank you so much.

Convince me to stay....

I have had the HD2 for a week now and as much as i love it, i am leaning towards returning it for the simple reason that it has windows underneath the hood.
I have had so many problems with trying to keep the data connection alive and setting up synchronisation etc - how i wish this phone had Android-like always on possibilities!
i downloaded the skyfire browser today and was blown away by its ability, but no so much when it tells me you dont have a data connection regularly!
i am sad sad sad today because when i moved my eyes from its ginormous screen to my measly ipod touch i was really unable to browse! the wifi router is brilliant too, when it works
so anyone with pearls of wisdom...convince me to stay
my biggest gripe is that out the box, i have to fiddle around with it so much just to get it to do what every consumer would like it to do - for example the missing task manager, pinch to zoom options etc
if HTC were going to make a phone of this calibre, i wish they didnt feel the need to gag it with winmo
help?
Your first impression is mostly the right one. If you like android more, return your phone ASAP as you've bought a windows phone. Misstakes happen !
lucid said:
Your first impression is mostly the right one. If you like android more, return your phone ASAP as you've bought a windows phone. Misstakes happen !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with lucid. Sounds like this simply isn't the phone for you.
Since there is task manager and pinch to zoom abilities available, it's not winmo that's gagging the phone, but HTC.
Just want you to make sure your gripes are directed at the correct place.
I have zero issues with my data connection.
I am so tired of everyone wising the Leo had shipped with Android instead of Windows Mobile. I was bored this morning and reading the rather negative reviews of the HD2 on Gizmodo and Engadget, and every other comment on those reviews is about how people love the HD2 but wish it had Android. Well, it doesn't.
I understand you actually have experienced problems with your phone, as opposed to those others who seemingly were hoping by some fluke the HD2 would come out with Android instead of WM as advertised. But then you tell us to convince you to stay with the HD2... if you really have a problem then ask for a solution. If the data issue really annoys you then why would you want someone to convince you to stay with something that doesn't serve its intended purpose for you?
I'm guessing many people bought the HD2 on a whim upon seeing the impressive spec sheet, without ever stopping to think that it ships with Windows Mobile and whether they even liked the platform. Were you one of them? Because you can just look for a solution to your data connection loss problem, instead of trying to get us to list for you the reasons why you should stay with the HD2/WM. The pros and cons of the platform are a just a Google search away.
Edit: Also, you want better pinch to zoom support, eh? Then make sure you stay away from the current latest and greatest Android handset - the mighty and revered Motorola Droid. Yeah, it has no pinch to zoom even though it has the hardware for it. See, HTC aren't so evil afterall.
Personally I think the HD2 is awesome, I know its been annoying with so many problems but there is always a fix. I haven't had any problems with the data connection or sync.
I know HTC should be the ones to sort this out instead of us, however everytime I try a new tweak it sorta makes the phone new to me again.
BSB tweaks is amazing btw, I think it should sort out everything you need, pinch to zoom and screen rotate as well as camera tweak and screen sensitivity all in one application.
Im still on the .143 Rom and theres a .201 (or whatever) rom coming out.
Its getting better and better.
I am waiting to see what the google phone has to offer but the HD2 should be able to hold its own especially since wm7 is coming out...whenever that is.
If you are really hating the HD2 then return it and get an android, winmo isnt that bad. Definite improvement if you remember the older models.
Shawn_230 said:
Edit: Also, you want better pinch to zoom support, eh? Then make sure you stay away from the current latest and greatest Android handset - the mighty and revered Motorola Droid. Yeah, it has no pinch to zoom even though it has the hardware for it. See, HTC aren't so evil afterall.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha true, I heard the new nexus one doesn't have pinch to zoom either. Actually saying that, they may add it in since it hasn't been released yet.
Everyone bangs-on about Android but has anyone actually lived with an Android device for say a year? No. Who knows what issues and annoyances the platform holds. If it takes off as it appears it will, with everyman and his dog seemingly wanting it, no doubt I will be trying it myself on a handset in the future but right now Win Mo holds no problems for me. The HD2 itself does, but that's for another thread.
First try to be patient and see if you can make the phone work the way you like with the all tweaks around. Have you tried BSB tweaks? most of them are there. For task manager I recommend Showcase, a great solution.
Yeah, there maybe lot's of little issues but most of them can be remedied. If you got it working right, make a full backup with something like spb backup so that everytime something goes wrong and you have to hard reset, you can have everything back in a minute.
And ofcourse better roms will surely come and htc is trying to improve the HD2. Many of the bugs are fixed in the 1.61 rom, have you tried it? not to mention we're so close to custom roms now.
I don't know how familiar you are with windows mobile. If it's your first winmo device, know that one major advantage of winmo over other OSs is that you can tweak and change a lot of things, so there's always hope for better tweaks and better software.
Lastly, if you have tried all I said and there's absolutely no way you can cope with this device, well, I guess it's just not the right device for you.
thank you to everyone that has replied
point taken about leaping without thinking, and yes i guess most issues are resolved by installing tweaks and updates - like u say wotsreallygood, its always getting better and it really is - only today i saw how brilliant it is with flash sites, after installing skyfire browser.
i guess the reason i said convince me to stay is because i want to see light at the end of the tunnel: though there might never be a stable usable android platform on the HD2 i would like to think that most of the creases with the current OS can be ironed out substantially!
and winmo6.5 is a drastic improvement from previous versions - i used to work with old winmo from the times of mda compact III - slowwwwwwwwww in a word
i totally rate HTC as a good phone manufacturer, and i would never buy a motorola even if it had diamonds for keys lol
comments appreciated though, a lot of food for thought!
mightymn said:
First try to be patient and see if you can make the phone work the way you like with the all tweaks around. Have you tried BSB tweaks? most of them are there. For task manager I recommend Showcase, a great solution.
Yeah, there maybe lot's of little issues but most of them can be remedied. If you got it working right, make a full backup with something like spb backup so that everytime something goes wrong and you have to hard reset, you can have everything back in a minute.
And ofcourse better roms will surely come and htc is trying to improve the HD2. Many of the bugs are fixed in the 1.61 rom, have you tried it? not to mention we're so close to custom roms now.
I don't know how familiar you are with windows mobile. If it's your first winmo device, know that one major advantage of winmo over other OSs is that you can tweak and change a lot of things, so there's always hope for better tweaks and better software.
Lastly, if you have tried all I said and there's absolutely no way you can cope with this device, well, I guess it's just not the right device for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi mightmn - thanks - yeah i tried the 1.61 and it seemed to make the device a little unstable for me, so i used the goldcard method and now am using 1.48 - i am yet to install bsb tweaks - i finally managed to work out how to keep my contacts synced but i think that was a problem with my outlook (version 2010 beta apparently this is a known issue and ms will not be supporting winmo sync or something like that?)
i am about to install the BSB tweaks, i think i will keep the phone and worse case scenario for me is that if i do get tired of constantly tweaking and tweaking i shall just sell it lol
And ty for advising on using spb backup, i shall search for that now and keep a regular back up thats very sound advice
Immyl,,
Keep going if you can with all the hints and tweaks on here plus BSB Tweaks. However if you are not getting on with the device then cut your losses and go with something else instead.
I managed to get a 2nd play on the HD2 today and it certainly looked impressive. I have yet to use one on a daily basis so maybe once Father Xmas has been and I get to use one on a daily basis I might well take a hammer to it!
Xperia X10 perhaps?
WB
wacky.banana said:
Immyl,,
Keep going if you can with all the hints and tweaks on here plus BSB Tweaks. However if you are not getting on with the device then cut your losses and go with something else instead.
I managed to get a 2nd play on the HD2 today and it certainly looked impressive. I have yet to use one on a daily basis so maybe once Father Xmas has been and I get to use one on a daily basis I might well take a hammer to it!
Xperia X10 perhaps?
WB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeh wacky banana i was thinking about whether to wait for the X10 but being on tmobileuk and having worked for them i know more than likely we will be waiting til august to get it even if it launches in march! i am sticking with it and if all else fails there is always ebay...
oh btw one thing that does sway me is being able to connect my ipod to the wifi router ha that is quite a lot of fun
The winmo OS itself is so massive compare to newborns like Android and iOS, that's why it takes time to get around and even more time to get yourself situated in a comfortable position (even if it means countless tweakings). With every tweak and fix, you're suddenly opening up yourself to a whole different level of usability, way more expansive than the other aforementioned OSes. As a child, you start out with tricycles then graduate to a bicycles and at last, automobiles. Each one of those stages has their conveniences and it takes time to ease into them.
If you think it's so hard to handle the OS (or HTC for that matter), take a look at the themes and applications forum and see the countless of people in there happily using their phone through personal customization and tweakings. You can't tell me that all those additions are easily accessible with other OSes (it's possible, but arduous). What I'm trying to say is that, it's a challenge when face with obstacles, but with the help of XDA, the light at the end of the tunnel is just a few clicks away.
With that said, if you still think winmo is the root of all evil and is too complex for you to even maintain data connection (though that sounds more like a service provider problem than the phone itself), feel free to return it and get whatever phone you want.
lude219 said:
The winmo OS itself is so massive compare to newborns like Android and iOS, that's why it takes time to get around and even more time to get yourself situated in a comfortable position (even if it means countless tweakings). With every tweak and fix, you're suddenly opening up yourself to a whole different level of usability, way more expansive than the other aforementioned OSes. As a child, you start out with tricycles then graduate to a bicycles and at last, automobiles. Each one of those stages has their conveniences and it takes time to ease into them.
If you think it's so hard to handle the OS (or HTC for that matter), take a look at the themes and applications forum and see the countless of people in there happily using their phone through personal customization and tweakings. You can't tell me that all those additions are easily accessible with other OSes (it's possible, but arduous). What I'm trying to say is that, it's a challenge when face with obstacles, but with the help of XDA, the light at the end of the tunnel is just a few clicks away.
With that said, if you still think winmo is the root of all evil and is too complex for you to even maintain data connection (though that sounds more like a service provider problem than the phone itself), feel free to return it and get whatever phone you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ty lude219
i think in hindsight i do agree, winmo is a lot easier to manipulate than other OS's - and even though its not always ideal, you cannot deny how powerful it is with quite a wide compatibility list
i am sticking with it for now and shall see where it goes, especially since i here there is a new ROM due soon
You could wait for the HTC Bravo.
BUT
- it maybe won't have multitouch at all, or lagging multitouch like the Hero
- it will lack a bunch of features that you get with Windows Mobile
So what you should do is: Instead of just complaining about shortcomings of the HD2, think about whether other devices would really make it better, or maybe have even more shortcomings - then decide what to do.
I also sometimes get annoyed with the HD2, but then I think of all its advantages over other devices like Android ones ot the iPhone, and in the end I always come to the conclusion that, though the HD2 is not perfect, it definitely is the one that comes closest to perfect for me, so it's the right choice - for me, at least.
The title of this thread is maybe not the right thing to put lol
Nooone needs to convince you to stay mate, if you wanted peoples opinions then thats one thing but if you arent getting on with it and would rather have a different phone or different operating system then thats totally your call and I hope you find whatever combination makes you happy.
Theres plenty of threads stating what people hate and like about the phone and how to tweak the phone and make it perform better so have a read around and then you can decide what you want to do.
Good luck
Stay
I am humbled by the moderate and patient tone of the replies in this thread.
My first instinct is to flame an attitude of 'convince me to stay'.
As it has been eloquently put, winmo is a feature not a drawback.
Too many people seem to have been caught in the crossfire of Giz-shmodo & Enfadget anti-winmo diatribe.
The way I find solutions to any problem is to STAY.
On winmo there are always many ways to skin a cat.
It would be a pity to be on a platform where there is not the possibility to solve problems other than to complain, which rarely works.
I have been using Winmo for many years and the following are my personal opinions so please don't flame me. Truth be told, were it not for the talented developers, chefs, XDA & forum users (XDA & others), I would have moved on a long time ago.
The bigggest problem, imho,is that MS focussed on developing the Winmo OS, handing it over to the Handest maker for a few dollars and thereby "hoped" that the software & hardware would function as a unified solution.
The second issue has been that MS lagged in improving the OS and providing a viable marketing platform to developers. Their are tons of applications available for Winmo, however until recently their did not exist a single unified place to browse, purchase, review and simply install them. As a result Winmo was and to a great degree still is seeing by some as a business OS, one that was driven by how well (or not) it integrated with MS Outlook / Exchange, included office etc. MS has always traded on this perception
As a result of the above, we saw the rise of blackberrys & iphones. Both companies focussed on a single soultion where hardware and software were manufactured as a single unit. Both also focussed on specific solution points, BB on easy, secure access to email / apps and Apple with their product packaging & appstore /itunes integration.
So I ask myself why did I not take the plunge and move to either of these 2 platforms. Simple:
I like the choice I have with Winmo. I can flash Roms, try different radios, install apps from all over, play with the registry etc etc etc.
The HD2 is the first Winmo phone I have had that I can live with as is for the next 2 years. yes it has some issues, however none of them are a real deal breaker.
Until then, I wait patiently for cmonex /olipro and the rest of the team to complete SSPL and for our talented chefs and developers to give us the tools to enjoy our devices that little bit more! So if I were you I would be patient, look beyond the niggles and STAY.
Until Winmo 7 is released and then the fun really begins.

New Guy! :O

Hi Everybody,
iPhone 3G about to be sold off, HD2 arriving Monday.
Having read this forum I'm now thinking WTF have I done!
Come on, give me some encouraging words on HD2 ownership pleeeease!
If you've got any tips for out the box new phones, like "Whatever you do don't press that button!" I'd like to hear them.
Fingers crossed it arrives on Monday as the small cold spell and a little snow grinds the UK to a standstill...
Cheers,
Gavin
It's a great phone and it works just fine. I'm sure you'll love it
Upgrade to 1.61 Turkish ROM (can set to English)
or choose your favourite cooked (unofficial) ROM, however, "voiding" the warranty.
As has already been suggested- just play with it as it is.
Remember it isn't an iPhone so some things will be very different- maybe not better or worse, just different like going from a desktop Mac to a PC
Once you are familiar with it, then decide what you want to do with it and ask for advice here if needed.
I'd say DON'T mess with the ROM- yours should come with V1.48 which is just as good as the later builds in most areas. If you can't live with the HTC Sense interface and the huge amount of memory it uses, then later consider a cooked ROM, but they are not as reliable as they need to be just yet.
If you want to use this as a media device, you will need more than the supplied 2GB memory card, so be prepared to buy one!
In short this is a fantastic device- you will be surprised how much more it can do than an iPhone once you are familiar with it, and being able to run as many programs at the same time as you want will be a novelty! The MS Marketplace is a joke though! You will need to become familiar with buying programs online then manually installing them- not difficult though!
you're making great progress
i'd say:
tip 1: order HD2
tip 2: register as a user here
tip 3: play with phone
tip 4: search these forums for whatever your needs are (fixes to things you don't like/ problems you are having; advice for how to do things; applications you require)
Hi Gavin, welcome on board,
Don't be fooled, the HD2 is NOT an iphone. You will be tweaking things till you get it just right to suit you. This is the major advantage winmo devices have over others, ie if you don't like something you can tweak it or change it.
If you have not got the time or the inclination to do this then run like hell and get your iphone back quick. If you are up for the spirit of adventure and can live with a few niggles knowing that if you spend time on here you can sort them out then welcome to our world.
Start off by reading the hints & tips thread on here plus all the other similar threads here that have said the same thing as you ie "convince me to buy a HD2" and see what they say.
All the best,
WB
PS: I'm well happy with mine but then I have been with winmobile for 3.5 years and am quite used to tweaking and changing things as part of a generally very enjoyable ownership experience.
Hi,
Thanks for the replies.
I've no problem with tweeking things, I'd rather that than stuck with no options on the "locked down" zPhone!
It's things like the volume and SMS problems that concern me
Cheers,
Gavin

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