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Hi,
I'm about to receive my Wizard soon, it's the 100 Model that Vodafone germany sells. Since I can not use a camera, and no provider hat the 110 model, I will try to remove the camera and get the back cover of a 110 model or a dummy. So my main questions are:
did anyone yet disassemble the wizard? Is it easy? pictures?
And which company sells a 110 version that I can get the back cover as service parts from? So far it seems Cingular has it as 8100, but I can't see anything on their site since one has to log in it seems...
Lars
I'm confused.. if you don't want to use the camera, then why not just not use the camera? Or do you need it at work, and work has a "no camera phones" policy?
exactly, guess I didn't make that clear enough, I'm not allowed to have a camera phone at work (and I don't want to switch devices all time).
a couple of people here..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=31755
..did take theirs apart, at least a bit. There's even some images - but they're broken - and a bit of description on: http://www.howardforums.com/showpost.php?p=6298030&postcount=27
Here's one of the pictures...
http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=377474
But it doesn't show much with regard to taking the wizard apart
Thanks, that helped at least so far that I know about the screws to lose and how to open it... Will have to figure about the lens etc. when I have my hands on.
Before you go butchering a new device (which might cause problems the hardware complaining it is missing something), why not just try the rear cover from he other model before you remove the camera.
Another other option would be a small bit of plastic to secure over the hole in the covering using something like Bostick All Purpose. This would be removable if required.
One more thought is to buy the non-camera one from another network and unlock as required.
Of course I will try first without removing anything... My guess though from pictures is, that the lens will protrude too much for the other cover to fit. I hope that the ccd is soldered directly to the pcb, while the lens is clipped on, that would myke it easy, and no "hardware" would be really missing. And it would be reversable as well. Have to see that when I got the device.
Believe me that I did a really good search for the 110 model, but I couldn't find it, only one was Cingular, where I would have to buy it for full price, compared to paying ~200 US$ for the subsidized one here...
Now I only need a way to get service parts from singular
Your job sucks. I am glad I don't have that problem. Eventhough I don't use the camera very much, every now and then I do take a few.
his employer may also not be satisfied with just having the cover over it (if it did fit).. as taking a picture would just be a cover-removal away ( okay, okay.. bunch of screws.. but you could leave those out and pretend there's no camera %) )
actually my job is quite cool, and I hate all those handy-cams... I have a digital SLR and if need be a small casio if I want to take pictures...
From my view the providers are responsible for the current situation, as they want to earn on those MMS messages...
I for my part just need a smartPHONE or pocketpcPHONE. And if we're really honest, those pictures taken with GSMs are mostly horrible
Most, yes... However.. S/E k750i/w800i, Nokia N9x-series, Samsung whatchamacallit... all have quite reasonable 2MP cameras, and better is coming up (with telescoping lens and all that, as can be seen on many of the very thin consumer cameras).
It's not just the providers - it's people as well.. I have a very nice DSC V-3 myself for my photography stuff, but I don't lug it with me as it's fairly big. But even if it were one of those thin cameras, I'd be lugging around both a phone -and- a camera. If I can have both in 1 device, then why not? That's the argument for a PDA with GSM as well, isn't it? Not having to carry around both a PDA and a phone ? :>
sure, true as well... of course there's always different views on that... I'm just referencing the *current* quality of the pictures, and without a optic zoom and a reasonable flash, they just don't work for me... and of course I like the all-in-one thing... though GPS would be more important to me And I alos wonder, since everything is more or less modules these days, they could just (like with the HTC 100/110 or HP 6500/6900) make models with and without camera. From observing a bit, I think the need for phones without camera is quite big in enterprise environments...
Well.. once upon a time, there was the SD card. With it came enough bus bandwidth and whatnot to create the SD I/O standard. You could buy a little camera SD I/O thing, plug it into your PDA/phone, and you had an added camera. GPS ? Ditto - GSM ? Yep. WiFi ? Absolutely. All at the same time? maybe not, but not impossible.
Problem is that you'd be stacking devices, which isn't very attractive
Of course, on the manufacturer end, you can drop features from a 'high end' model and sell it as a 'lower end' model - like the WIZA100 and WIZA110 for camera/cameraless (or the other way around). But then there's the question of it actually being available to you
I'm curious, though - if you knew that your employer doesn't allow camera phones, then why not get a PocketPC phone without the camera -other- than the Wizard?
( I assume they exist :x )
There's a few I know of. Currently I have a 9210 Nokia communicator, but I want to get away from "proprietary" systems (Windows seems to be more open in this case). The upcoming Sony-Ericsson M600 (?) seems to have the same problem. And then there's the HP 9500/9800 series, but those are a) expensive, since nearly no provider takes them in their program, and they have a 240x240 resolution, which also can make problems.
The HTC Wizard just is the perfect device for me, and obviously it even seems to exist in a version without camera
TauTau - if you're still reading, check:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?p=244134#244134
For pictures of the device taken apart. And guess what? Looks like the camera is a module you can just 'unplug' Good luck!
great info, thanks!
A while back there was a rumor that the video camera was still in the 8525 but they just covered it up with the new silver bezel - anybody care to dismantle to prove/disprove this rumor?
Why would they cover it?
Seemed silly to me to but there were rumors 3 or 4 weeks ago that's what they did. I think the basics of it was that their network wasn't up to snuff for the video so they covered the camera (being cheaper then redesign?) so people wouldn't complain about the extra camera which they couldn't use. I think it's bunk but curious - I don't recommend anybody tear apart their 8525 - I doubt it's there but if you're feeling reckless and want to destroy your new $600 toy - let me know if you find the camera!
It is possible.
chymmylt said:
Seemed silly to me to but there were rumors 3 or 4 weeks ago that's what they did. I think the basics of it was that their network wasn't up to snuff for the video so they covered the camera (being cheaper then redesign?) so people wouldn't complain about the extra camera which they couldn't use. I think it's bunk but curious - I don't recommend anybody tear apart their 8525 - I doubt it's there but if you're feeling reckless and want to destroy your new $600 toy - let me know if you find the camera!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now I'm just wondering whether some of the more expert folks here could work this one out without dismantling. The coolcamera programme can utilise the front camera as a webcam. Obviously there would be no picture if the camera is covered but I wonder what the programme will do if the camera is not present. Clearly a message saying camera not present would be handy but if it freezes or behaves strangely (some error message) that might be another bit of evidence suggesting the camera is absent. Perhaps someone with device could try using coolcamera to see what happens on front camera setting?
Just a thought
Mike
That's a great idea.
I just tried what you guys suggested with the coolcamera app and when I switched the sensor from main to front, I got a black screen. Of course this would make sense since it is covered up but I didn't get any error message.
Today while looking at the phone more closely, I noticed there is sort've a "flatness" or outline on the bezel where the front camera would be.
I'm a believer that the camera is still present on the phone...just disabled and covered up by the metal bezel on the 8525. I also agree with the fact it wouldn't make sense to redesign the phone just to remove the camera. Instead they could do it cosmetically, in this case, with the metal bezel that is on the 8525.
Assuming that the camera is still present, I'm hoping that a third party company (or HTC) can make a replacement bezel with the front camera opening.
That is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don't break open those 8525s just yet...
Notice that even when you completely cover the main camera lens, you can still see colors when you cycle through the special effects (sepia, cool, negative). When you switch to the front camera and cycle effects, you get nothing (the screen never changes from black). If the front camera were present, the negative effect at least would be dramatic.
-Sar
Good point Sarumiso. I just tried changing the effects and nothing changed. It could mean that the camera is just disabled, though. Won't know for sure until someone opens up their phone.
cellnut said:
Good point Sarumiso. I just tried changing the effects and nothing changed. It could mean that the camera is just disabled, though. Won't know for sure until someone opens up their phone.
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Click to collapse
Good points being made. An error message might at least have suggested camera is not present, unfortunately no errors does not prove things one way or the other.
Mike
so im an avid 8125 guy with my 8525 on the way, will be here tomorrow... anyway, lets pretend for a moment the cam is there, then its more than likely disabled in the cingular rom... would it be possible to flash an actual tytn rom to get the front camera support, then try the testing with the software and cycling through the colors? just a thought
cellnut said:
I just tried what you guys suggested with the coolcamera app and when I switched the sensor from main to front, I got a black screen. Of course this would make sense since it is covered up but I didn't get any error message.
Today while looking at the phone more closely, I noticed there is sort've a "flatness" or outline on the bezel where the front camera would be.
I'm a believer that the camera is still present on the phone...just disabled and covered up by the metal bezel on the 8525. I also agree with the fact it wouldn't make sense to redesign the phone just to remove the camera. Instead they could do it cosmetically, in this case, with the metal bezel that is on the 8525.
Assuming that the camera is still present, I'm hoping that a third party company (or HTC) can make a replacement bezel with the front camera opening.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or just take a dremel to it.
here is an idea... is the service manual out there? like one specifically for the 8525, it may tell whether it exists or not. or what company actually does the repairs for the 8525, maybe we contact them and find out... or if all else fails then the manual would give instructions on how to take it apart...
"...anyway, lets pretend for a moment the cam is there, then its more than likely disabled in the cingular rom... would it be possible to flash an actual tytn rom to get the front camera support, then try the testing with the software and cycling through the colors?..."
shogunmark---will you be testing this theory of yours? I would try this myself but I'm too much of a nb to even attempt changing the ROM. Have to read up on all the how to threads. =)
well, i probably will, but its gonna a little while before i can do that, i havent even gotten my 8525 yet, fedex says it will be here tomorrow... i have alot more reading to do though... i am very familiar with cooking roms for my 8125, but from what i read so far it seems like the 8525 is a different animal entirely, so with my busy life its gonna take at least a week or 2 of reading before i make the venture
I've removed the two screws from the other side of the screen. Pried open the display case and bottom of it to about 1/8" and I could see that my phone does NOT have the front facing camera. It has the place for it, but definitely no camera. Would be nice to compare the Tytn's ie/mail/led pcb with the 8525s to see how they differ.
already done: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=284384
I've created a full housing swap to include the fron camera on my 8525. Tutorial includes full instructions with pictures included. See link below
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1152710&page=1&pp=15
so im an avid 8125 guy with my 8525 on the way, will be here tomorrow... anyway, lets pretend for a moment the cam is there, then its more than likely disabled in the cingular rom... would it be possible to flash an actual tytn rom to get the front camera support, then try the testing with the software and cycling through the colors? just a thought
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have everything ready to do this. Camera installed and all. I have unlocked my phone to update to any rom. I'm willing to give this a shot. I just need to know if I where to get the ROm to download. Tis swap is a compete resemblance of the Japanese versionof my 8525, its the htc Z from Japan. http://www.japan.htc.com/product_htcz.htm . I dont know if there is an english versionof this rom to download. I'm ready to do this for everyone I just need direction
It's a shame that those of us that do have the front facing camera that the phone lacks a front facing flash or LED. Would be very handy otherwise those times when the urge comes for yet another self portrait and it happens to be night . . .
(We do not have 3G here in Oman.)
Does anyone have any experience with swapping the housings between the 2? I am getting the Pure tomorrow but prefer the housing of the Diamond 2 whos full housing is available for purchase. Ive done a ton of swaps, even the iphone, but never between htc rebranded devices... any thoughts?
I'm not sure how well that is gonna work out for you. There are different things between the two of them. First the layout of the buttons. But that may not be a problem. The Unlocked Diamond2 has a front facing camera. So there may be an issue there. The device is curved differently so who knows it the Mini USB port will align right.
I'm sure that no one has done it since the Pure has only been out for a few days and some people that are getting it don't even know of the Touch Diamond2 or that the PURE is a Touch Diamond2. The T-mobile EU version is just like the pure but has a FF camera. So if anyone who has that phone and has done a swap can tell you for sure but I doubt it. There could be slight changes the just throw the entire thing off.
I was just thinking about that. I too prefer D2's design over pure's but I needed 3G. I've done many phone customizations and would definitely undertake this task if it's possible.
I think one of you should try and see if it's possible. There are TD2 Housings for sale on ebay. $20. Worth it if it works.
The $20 one may just be the housing. I asked the seller if its the complet 3-peice housing set. If not there are more for under $40 that show pics of the full set and say its the full set in the description. If you don't trust ebay go here and pay the full price. They have original OEM parts for almost any mobile.
CNN.CN
yeah i found the cnn one and will probobly end up doing that, from the pictures they look like they both have everything in the same places, except the front facing camera will not be there. I wouldnt be suprised if you could add that though during the swap...
76flip said:
yeah i found the cnn one and will probobly end up doing that, from the pictures they look like they both have everything in the same places, except the front facing camera will not be there. I wouldnt be suprised if you could add that though during the swap...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any updates on the housing swap project? Was it do-able?
Just curious.
You will have to replace the digitizer as well. It's impossible to remove without damage. Also, be careful with the ribbon cables. You need to slide the black retainer slightly to remove them...
BTW....P.M. me if you get into it and get stuck or nervous. I have taken mine apart a good 5 times to get the dust out of it.
swap housing (front facing camera)
76flip said:
yeah i found the cnn one and will probobly end up doing that, from the pictures they look like they both have everything in the same places, except the front facing camera will not be there. I wouldnt be suprised if you could add that though during the swap...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have not opened my pure yet but I know past phones that AT&T left the front facing camera off the socket was on the board you just needed the camera itself and plug it in
did anyone try this yet? i really want to do it because the hard plastic gets scratched up really easily and the back cover is starting to look bad.
Ya the Pure is dog ugly compared to the Diamond 2 IMO...I doubt it will be possible though, to do that switch.
mastdesi said:
did anyone try this yet? i really want to do it because the hard plastic gets scratched up really easily and the back cover is starting to look bad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You guys don't read do you?
Look at Tomtommy306's posts.
So back history of device. I got it thru Craigslists for around $200. I have done my research before, during, and after acquiring the phone. Im coming from Nexus 6 so this wasnt a signicant upgrade but cant beat the price. Made sure clean esn/imei and tested everything, camere, speakers, ect.
So I just found out the camera will not do close up photos, at all. I thought is was a software issue, currently on PureNexus. Went back to stock and and still had issues. Close up photos are very blurry and barely readable. Ive used manual camera to manually adjust focus and it seems the best is can get is about 1 1/2 feet away.
Spoke with Google Specialist and they said phone is under warranty and they would send out a replacement but they would put a hold on the card of 499 + taxes. considering that as much as I like this phone seems a bit hard to have some of my assets on hold. I know it for precaution but still....
The only other option is to replace the rear camera module myself. Seems like for less than $20 bucks it can be replaced but is it worth it.....
**Sigh first world problems.....
Here are the pics for reference. The first pic is from my faithful Nexus 6 while the 2nd one is from 6P.
The 6P will take fantastic landscape photos for anything close up like QR codes it cannot read/focus onto them.
If i decided to replace can refer me to a good website to buy one. I see Fixez.com has the replacement but im not sure how reliable they are. Same for ebay.
I don't think this problem is specific to your device, I think the 6P struggles to focus on close ups. You stated you've tried manual mode, but mess around with different camera apps with manual controls to try to focus. I wouldn't replace your device or its components just yet, maybe someone can confirm its only your device.
Yes 6p can't focus under less than ~8-9cm.
Not very good for close-ups.
http://www.reasontouse.com/phone/androidsmartphones/nexus-6p-macros/
masterchiefb117 said:
If i decided to replace can refer me to a good website to buy one. I see Fixez.com has the replacement but im not sure how reliable they are. Same for ebay.
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Click to collapse
Definitely defective, although I would go with the RMA
So I wont be able to RMA the phone. I currently dont have the funds for the hold they want to put on any card, $499 + taxes. I have to go the other route and replace the rear camera myself....
The way I fix this is to hold my phone landscape with the camera on the left and then focus on the object with it in the upper right and usually that works
My Ph-1 was very broken. However after spending some time in a draw I decided to give it a new lease of life. Last piece of the puzzle is the rear cameras. I've looked everywhere I can think and even started looking at other phones that use the same image sensor to see if it uses the same part.
I imagine the answer is no. But does anyone know anywhere selling a replacement for the rear camera?
Ibanez33 said:
My Ph-1 was very broken. However after spending some time in a draw I decided to give it a new lease of life. Last piece of the puzzle is the rear cameras. I've looked everywhere I can think and even started looking at other phones that use the same image sensor to see if it uses the same part.
I imagine the answer is no. But does anyone know anywhere selling a replacement for the rear camera?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you maye have luck on amazon. ebays probably a better bet tho.
g.l.