Database Users

HTC Hero130 (Telus Version)

First off - I Private Messaged a couple of people about this, but realized that I should have just posted this in the forum. So, my apologies for anyone seeing this a second time.
I've been getting all sort of conflicting information about the Hero 130 (The Telus one) and which UMTS bands it supports.
Most of the information I see at places like PDADB says that it's UMTS enabled for 850/1900 only, which are the North American bands. FCC reports and the Telus user manual show testing for WCDMA (UMTS) 850/1900 only.
However, HTC's Canada Hero website (http://www.htc.com/ca/product/herotelus/specification.html) says "Dual Mode UMTS" and lists frequencies for US (850/1900), EU/Asia (900/2100) and Telstra (850/2100). Two HTC support techs from their website also confirm that the Hero 130 supports UMTS for US EU/Asia and Telstra, but it feels like they are just regurgitating information from the extremely vague website.
The device is a quad-band worldwide device. These are the bands the device is capable of using:
Europe/Asia
UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA (900/2100MHz for EU/Asia)
North America
850/1900
Telestra
850/2100
GSM/GPRS/EDGE (Quad-band 850/900/1800/1900Mhz)
If the bands you are needing are any of these then the device should work.
Kay
HTC Technical Support
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has anyone with a HERO130 actually gone overseas and seen if you get UMTS/3G to work overseas - or has seen anything that conclusively and definitively proves if it does or does not work?
Thanks!

I'm wondering the same thing. I'd like to get the Telus one and use it here on AT&T 3g in the states... anyone know if that is possible?

The Telus version of the HTC Hero (aka HERO130 or A6265) definitely supports ATT's 3G bands. It's been confirmed via the FCC documentation as well that 850/2100 is supported. T-Mobile's 1700MHz is not supported.
My question is specifically in regards to the European/Asian (900/1900MHz) bands. HTC's confirmed that it does support by phone, but I'm still a little dubious. However, I'm ordering one and am going to give it a test!
Stay Tuned!

itpromike said:
I'm wondering the same thing. I'd like to get the Telus one and use it here on AT&T 3g in the states... anyone know if that is possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. It is possible. I've got the Telus Hero, unlocked and running on the Rogers network. HSDPA/3G works fine on Rogers. North American radio bands for 3G are supported with this hardware.

BlueHawk said:
Yes. It is possible. I've got the Telus Hero, unlocked and running on the Rogers network. HSDPA/3G works fine on Rogers. North American radio bands for 3G are supported with this hardware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome! How difficult is the unlocking process?

I just thought about something. I'm used to the iPhone where you have to root your phone to unlock it for other carriers. Is the way it work with the HTC Hero and the like is that you just pay full price for the phone ($499) and it comes unlocked already? No tinkering needed?

itpromike said:
Awesome! How difficult is the unlocking process?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The unlocking process is not painful at all, but it costs you $20-25. When you insert a non-Telus sim into the device and power it up, it will tell you that you are using the wrong sim and ask you to enter the unlock code. The unlock code is specific to the IMEI of you phone, so they can't be shared. They can be purchased on eBay for slightly more than $20.
Note that you cannot unlock your phone by flashing a custom ROM. So unless you figured out the magic formula for generating these unlocking code (different for each device and different for each carrier), you have to pay for it one way or another.

tsekh501 said:
The unlocking process is not painful at all, but it costs you $20-25. When you insert a non-Telus sim into the device and power it up, it will tell you that you are using the wrong sim and ask you to enter the unlock code. The unlock code is specific to the IMEI of you phone, so they can't be shared. They can be purchased on eBay for slightly more than $20.
Note that you cannot unlock your phone by flashing a custom ROM. So unless you figured out the magic formula for generating these unlocking code (different for each device and different for each carrier), you have to pay for it one way or another.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I buy the full priced ($499) phone from Telus, then I have to buy the unlock code from Ebay? Hmm... I feel leery about buying something like this from Ebay. Is there an official channel I can buy an unlock code from?

itpromike said:
So I buy the full priced ($499) phone from Telus, then I have to buy the unlock code from Ebay? Hmm... I feel leery about buying something like this from Ebay. Is there an official channel I can buy an unlock code from?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I paid mine for the full price too, but this doesn't make the phone automatically unlocked. Telus enters an exclusive contract with HTC to be the sole carrier of this phone in Canada (at least for now), and they have every right to make sure that an average-joe, who knows nothing about unlocking, who wants this phone have to go to them, with or without contract. Exclusive dealings are extremely common in cell phone industry, and they are not free for the carrier.
I doubt Telus would unlock the phone for you. In the US, T-Mobile will unlock their phones for you a few months into the 2-year contract, may be Telus will do the same, if you signed a contract with them that is.
I just went to eBay and notice that there are now many sellers selling Telus Hero unlock code, and some are selling for as low as $13. I bought mine from a seller called cellfservices, it is not the cheapest but it worked (and it took them about an hour after the sales to send me the code).

mobileincanada.ca seems to be one that is very popular for unlocking, $20cdn, and they usually send unlock code very fast (within 5 minutes)

all right people.
I am here to bust the myth.
Telus hero does not have asian HSPA band.
I have two heros: GSM and Telus.
Tested location: Taiwan.
Telus hero with Taiwan sim card = GPRS only, no 3G connection.
GSM hero = 3G connection.
Telus hero does not have dual model 3G, period.

So which do I get for AT&T
Ok so I'd like one of these WITH 3G connection on AT&T so which one would I get to make this happen? I'm leaning toward the Telus model from what I've been reading but if anyone can confirm or deny this, that would be great. Also once I have it and it's been unlocked, then what do I tell AT&T? Just order a second line with a data plan? Won't they ask me what type of phone is this for or how should I do this?

itpromike said:
Ok so I'd like one of these WITH 3G connection on AT&T so which one would I get to make this happen? I'm leaning toward the Telus model from what I've been reading but if anyone can confirm or deny this, that would be great. Also once I have it and it's been unlocked, then what do I tell AT&T? Just order a second line with a data plan? Won't they ask me what type of phone is this for or how should I do this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Telus Hero is the only current Hero model that will work with 3G/HSDPA in North America. The European Hero will only use Edge for Data - it doesn't support the North American radio bands. The Sprint model only supports CDMA.
Do you need a second line? Are you planning to run two cell phones? If not, just switch your current AT&T SIM into the Hero and get a data plan for that SIM/line.

I do plan on running a second line yes. I have an iPhone 3GS as my main phone and I am planning on using the Hero to play around with as my second phone. The hero is a decent phone and fun to flash and play around with etc... but I couldn't ever really use it as my main phone. I definitely couldn't give up my iPhone 3GS for an Android phone just yet there are still some refinements that Android as a mobile OS needs to undergo and still some refinements that HTC needs to bring to the SenseUI as well. I rely too heavily my phone and it doing what I need it to do as fast as possible. I did have the Sprint Hero for a month before I took it back, I just didn't like it... it was slow, laggy, and some of the things I wanted to do with the phone that I was just so used to doing on my iPhone either couldn't be done OR had to be done in a way that didn't make very much logical or design sense. I had a lot of those 'why can't I just press this to make it do that?' moments or 'why the heck would they put this menu under here?' moments. Anyhow with that being said, Hero and Android are still fun platforms to play with and flash and try different settings and home screens and different ROMS etc so I'm going to get another one but this time on AT&T so I can use voice and data at the same time (one of the things I hated about having the Hero on spring was the inability to use data and voice at the same time as well as how slow sprints data was compared to AT&T)... but I wouldn't want a phone that I flashed and played around with so much to be a phone I relied on for mission critical work.
So what's the best way of going about this? What type of line should I order from AT&T? What should I ask for when i call or go into the store to get another line? Any suggestions?

I just got my Telus Hero last week, and coming from a 3G iphone, this blows it away. Not sure about the 3GS as it is a faster processor..... Also better than the Tilt 2. Love it. Just waiting on Eclair to get Google Navigation and other goodies...

Broken said:
I just got my Telus Hero last week, and coming from a 3G iphone, this blows it away. Not sure about the 3GS as it is a faster processor..... Also better than the Tilt 2. Love it. Just waiting on Eclair to get Google Navigation and other goodies...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah the iPhone 3G (I have both a 3G and 3Gs) and the Hero are pretty comparable. Browsing the web (which I do a lot) is faster on the 3G but the loading of applications etc... are pretty much the same. This is stock to stock so no modding on either phone. The scrolling on the 3G is much smoother than a stock Hero. I know that there are ROMS that make the device faster which is the only reason I'm even rethinking about getting one. The 3GS however is just no contest. But I've pretty much had all the fun I can out of the iPhone; not talking about the the apps as there are so many apps to choose from and a lot of them are awesome and fun to use, but with modding the phone itself and playing around with the OS etc I've done all I can do with the iPhone and want something new to play with...

itpromike said:
So what's the best way of going about this? What type of line should I order from AT&T? What should I ask for when i call or go into the store to get another line? Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just tell them you have an existing phone so you want a new SIM and to purchase a plan for a smartphone (data and voice plan) - they can advise you on deals and packages then. The carrier should never care about the phone - it's not like they make money on it - they usually subsidize the manufacturer for a unit anyway, in a profit sharing deal. The only thing the carrier is really interested in is the data and voice carriage charges.

i would just tell them you want to add a line for regular phone with unlimited data. that way you dont have to pay extra for the smart phone data. unless of course its cheaper and you can just for like ten dollars make your smart phone data plan you have now a family unlimited

BlueHawk said:
Just tell them you have an existing phone so you want a new SIM and to purchase a plan for a smartphone (data and voice plan) - they can advise you on deals and packages then. The carrier should never care about the phone - it's not like they make money on it - they usually subsidize the manufacturer for a unit anyway, in a profit sharing deal. The only thing the carrier is really interested in is the data and voice carriage charges.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would not be the best option. If you are going to add a line, figure out which phone they are giving away for free they you can get the biggest profit by flipping on eBay. Most likely the Solstice.
This way you can get away with the cheaper non-smart phone data plan and get about $200 back by selling the "free" phone they give you.

Can anyone confirm if the telus hero ships with the updated faster firmware? Thanks.

Phone capabilities?

I am very interested in the galaxy tab but I am wondering if it makes and receives calls on the carrier networks, namely verizon. I am one of the people who will lug the tablet around as my main phone. I see the phone app on the pictures around the net but I have yet to see it stated anywhere.
Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

You will be sad to know the for the North American Tab the Phone/ Voice has bin removed from the list of options thats is being shipped from from Samsung. In the press conference today they stated that.

If they kept the microphone, this is Dev worthy.

ConceptVBS said:
If they kept the microphone, this is Dev worthy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no joke! i hope someone can get ahold of one of these ASAP and take it apart to see if it has the hardware.

I read somwhere that you just have to have a bluetooth or regular headset.
Sent from my DROID2 using XDA App

I'm hoping this is just a software thing for having the phone feature disabled on the US version of the Tab.

Imagine the looks you would get holding a 7inch tablet to your ear? LOL. Well a wireless headset or a set of earphones is in serious need. Hopefully the devs here can sort something out if the tab has the hardware for it.

it does have 3G voice and data hardware
http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_tab-3370.php
but as you said, yes people will look at you extremely weird face LOL

AllGamer said:
it does have 3G voice and data hardware
http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_tab-3370.php
but as you said, yes people will look at you extremely weird face LOL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that is awesome then, I will go back to the idea of me wanting one again... Ill use my g1 until a modded rom comes out if one isnt out by the time it releases stateside...
I dont plan on holding it to my head during a call even though I might just to be funny..lol.. i barely use my phone (for voice calls) which is why im so concerned with merging it into my tablet because it would be just an app for me... which is the way I like it.

Every review I've read of the US-based versions of the Galaxy Tab (for AT&T/Verizon/Sprint) has said that the Tab will NOT work as a phone.
(sorry, newbie post so I can't post full URL...endgaget has the story)
Skype and other VOIP services work, but not regular EDGE/3G phone calls. Combined with the so-far announced pricing from the major carriers absolutely kills any desire for a Tab vs. either an iPad or a Dell Streak. I'm hopiing that some vendor will make a 7-9" tablet/phone combination in the near future.

That's the American version of the GT. The European and Asian GT DOES HAVE calling/3G functionality.
diskmuncher said:
Every review I've read of the US-based versions of the Galaxy Tab (for AT&T/Verizon/Sprint) has said that the Tab will NOT work as a phone.
(sorry, newbie post so I can't post full URL...endgaget has the story)
Skype and other VOIP services work, but not regular EDGE/3G phone calls. Combined with the so-far announced pricing from the major carriers absolutely kills any desire for a Tab vs. either an iPad or a Dell Streak. I'm hopiing that some vendor will make a 7-9" tablet/phone combination in the near future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

zyborg said:
That's the American version of the GT. The European and Asian GT DOES HAVE calling/3G functionality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, if I understand this correctly (?) unlike the iPad where it's 3G cannot use voice but only data, the G-Tab Euro version can connect via voice and make calls, but the US version cannot.... Does this mean the US (north American) model lacks the hardware? I am asking because the voice calling is important to me and I have ordered an unlocked US version but maybe I should go for the Euro version?

Euro tab - no 3g in USA but it has voice capability
Has tab - data and sms/mms and no voice capability
Pick your poison muchachos.
I am personally think about the Sprint version with 2gb/m for 399.99 and 29.99/m.

Why wont the Euro version have 3g? The unlocked Euro version from cellhut and Negrielectronics have everything we need. Should just pop in my AT&T SIM and off I go.
negrielectronics.com/samsung-p1000-galaxy-tab-3g-850-1900-2100-oem-unlocked
cellhut.com/Samsung-P1000-Galaxy-Tab-Unlocked-Quadband-GSM-Cell-Phone-Reviews-29956

If the tab has 3g radios, wouldn't there be a way to transfer voice over it? Of course some hacking would be needed, but i'm sure there is a way. If not, couldn't one just tether to the tab with a phone and then use that to make calls over a "wifi" signal?

To answer to the two previous posts:
Unless the Tab has the ability to change 3G bands (Like its cousins phones from Samsung line), the European version won't be able to have 3G over AT&T (Maybe T-Mobile if I recall well, not sure). However some other versions may be able to do so (The version from Telstra should have the right radio for instance and hopefully voice calls enabled)
Then... hopefully we may not be limited to VoIP on the US Tabs... I hope Samsung didn't really castrate the Tabs here and limitation is just a Software limitation. Just flashing the right Firmware / ROM could restore this function (But then you'll need a different plan than the one your carrier will let you subscribe)
All in all my plan (and hope) is we'll be able to enable the voice calls on the US versions. I'll buy it with no plan and will switch it with my TP2. If not... Then I'll be looking for a version elsewhere in the world that has the proper 3G bands and voice enabled

dboppc130 said:
Why wont the Euro version have 3g? The unlocked Euro version from cellhut and Negrielectronics have everything we need. Should just pop in my AT&T SIM and off I go.
negrielectronics.com/samsung-p1000-galaxy-tab-3g-850-1900-2100-oem-unlocked
cellhut.com/Samsung-P1000-Galaxy-Tab-Unlocked-Quadband-GSM-Cell-Phone-Reviews-29956
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's my thought as well. I purchased the HTC HD2 and used it w/o problem on ATT for more than a year even tho ATT never did specifically support it (which meant I could only get Edge speed - but the GT has 1900 UMTS and the full range of ATT voice GSM freq so it should work OK.

i bought the tab in germany and calling even without headset is very good.
the speaker quality is very good. makes it a brilliant conference phone

I seriously hope that the it is just a software lock because buying a the overseas version vs the u.s. Is a huge price difference , looking at the frequencies of tmobile u.s.a will the overseas version work on 3G here even though tmobile is 1700/2100 ?

When I use aDialer I press # and the number I try to call and it cuts off music and for a second a call icon pops up like something is trying to make a call then ends. If I dont hit # first then it doesn't even try to make the call
Sent from my SPH-P100 using XDA App

[Q] Is my two day old Nexus 4 obsolete already?

So, received my Nexus 4 two days ago. My AT&T sim card is arriving today. I have not turned the phone on (just letting it charge) or paid my bill yet. Will the phone work on AT&T's 4G LTE network, or do I misunderstand its hardware capability?
Rumors along the following lines started floating around yesterday:
"On February 25th Straight Talk will be unavailing a revamped website experience, along with several new mid and high end phones and a new procedure for acquiring and activating AT&T sim cards. The new Straight talk sim cards will work on AT&T 4G LTE networks. You will also be able to view call history and other information if you have a Straight Talk account. For the first time Straight Talk will also allow certain smart phones to be used on their $30 plan and will be expanding the plan to offer more voice minutes (1500) text (2000) and data (300 MB). Enjoy and remember, you heard it here first."
If true, it makes sense that the Straight Talk AT&T sim supply is being depleted.
First, AT&T sims are no longer available on the Straight Talk web site.
Secondly, I saw this post regarding the sims:
"Walmart.com, the only place that's selling the ST SIMS, are running out. Orders are being limited to 2 and they're out of the Micro SIMS now. So you might want to get yours while you can. I've read the forum for the last few months after getting my Nexus 4, my first smartphone believe it or not. Just thought I'd finally post something."
Finally, I also emailed Straight Talk regarding the sim issue:
Please be informed that we are still able to activate the AT&T Bring
Your Own Phone (BYOP) SIM cards. However, the BYOP AT&T SIM cards are
not available for online purchase in our website at this time. They are
available for purchase on the Wal-Mart website (www.walmart.com) and
from participating Wal-Mart retailer stores nationwide. Our records also
indicate that AT&T service is provided in the zip code <removed>. Please be
advised that we have not received any feedback about AT&T canceling
their contract with our service.

for LTE check HERE
should give you some basic info

aaronrw said:
for LTE check HERE
should give you some basic info
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's even worse.......that would mean that my operating system is obsolete and I can't ever upgrade if I want LTE. From what I am coming to understand is that not all the LTE circuitry is in the phone anyway (like amplifiers for instance) so it would not work properly anyway, and the phone was never certified for LTE so I guess that is why they removed the capability in software.

yes. every device is obsolete the moment it hits retail. there's always something better in development.
btw, there are a few things I should clear up:
1. the radio/baseband is NOT the operating system. it only provides reception to the device.
2. android is not an operating system. it is random optional memory, or a firmware, if you prefer to look at it like that.
3. just use the old radio and the newest version of android together. the only change wiith the new radio is they killed band 4 so you can't connect to lte. I'm coming from a nexus s 4g, and I never updated my radio for the whole life of the device until about 3 months ago. the only thing it affects at all is your voice/data signal. Your phone wouldn't ever know the difference, unless they start making radio updates mandatory.....then you can start crying about losing lte. and I'll be right next to you with a tissue in my hand, as well.

pjc123 said:
So, received my Nexus 4 two days ago. My AT&T sim card is arriving today. I have not turned the phone on (just letting it charge) or paid my bill yet. Will the phone work on AT&T's 4G LTE network, or do I misunderstand its hardware capability?
Rumors along the following lines started floating around yesterday:
"On February 25th Straight Talk will be unavailing a revamped website experience, along with several new mid and high end phones and a new procedure for acquiring and activating AT&T sim cards. The new Straight talk sim cards will work on AT&T 4G LTE networks. You will also be able to view call history and other information if you have a Straight Talk account. For the first time Straight Talk will also allow certain smart phones to be used on their $30 plan and will be expanding the plan to offer more voice minutes (1500) text (2000) and data (300 MB). Enjoy and remember, you heard it here first."
If true, it makes sense that the Straight Talk AT&T sim supply is being depleted.
First, AT&T sims are no longer available on the Straight Talk web site.
Secondly, I saw this post regarding the sims:
"Walmart.com, the only place that's selling the ST SIMS, are running out. Orders are being limited to 2 and they're out of the Micro SIMS now. So you might want to get yours while you can. I've read the forum for the last few months after getting my Nexus 4, my first smartphone believe it or not. Just thought I'd finally post something."
Finally, I also emailed Straight Talk regarding the sim issue:
Please be informed that we are still able to activate the AT&T Bring
Your Own Phone (BYOP) SIM cards. However, the BYOP AT&T SIM cards are
not available for online purchase in our website at this time. They are
available for purchase on the Wal-Mart website (www.walmart.com) and
from participating Wal-Mart retailer stores nationwide. Our records also
indicate that AT&T service is provided in the zip code <removed>. Please be
advised that we have not received any feedback about AT&T canceling
their contract with our service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i don't get it, what the heck is straight talk? and how is your phone obsolete?

That's the basic gist of any product these days.
Now with the Nexus 4, that made it even a bit worse since it didn't come with the hardware needed to work. Then again having LTE is such a big deal to you then guess you bought the phone without doing any research.

hp420 said:
yes. every device is obsolete the moment it hits retail. there's always something better in development.
btw, there are a few things I should clear up:
1. the radio/baseband is NOT the operating system. it only provides reception to the device.
2. android is not an operating system. it is random optional memory, or a firmware, if you prefer to look at it like that.
3. just use the old radio and the newest version of android together. the only change wiith the new radio is they killed band 4 so you can't connect to lte. I'm coming from a nexus s 4g, and I never updated my radio for the whole life of the device until about 3 months ago. the only thing it affects at all is your voice/data signal. Your phone wouldn't ever know the difference, unless they start making radio updates mandatory.....then you can start crying about losing lte. and I'll be right next to you with a tissue in my hand, as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for clearing that up. But is the LTE crippled by missing components like I have read, or is that another falacy?

shotta35 said:
Then again having LTE is such a big deal to you then guess you bought the phone without doing any research.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I knew that LTE was not listed in the specs for the device before I bought the device. It was the very recent software update that concerned me, and yes again, they have every right to totally disable LTE in the future if they so choose. It was a lot cheaper than the Galaxy S III, so it is a gamble. Thanks for your constructive answer by the way.

pjc123 said:
Thanks for clearing that up. But is the LTE crippled by missing components like I have read, or is that another falacy?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
crippled?!?!?! hahahaha!!! what you read were reviews immediately after the phone launched where it waspointed out that the lte chip is present, but no one was connecting. the only thing that could be construed as 'crippled' is the fact that it can only connect to band 4 lte. but if you use band 4, you would never know anything was different.
Just sign up with a carrier that uses band 4 lte and you'll be fine. None in the US currently do, but tmobile is going to launch theirs soon, and it will be band 4. I've also heard rumors of users getting lte working on at&t, but since my hatred for at&t runs deep, I wouldn't even consider using them, so I never paid attention to how it's done.

hp420 said:
crippled?!?!?! hahahaha!!! what you read were reviews immediately after the phone launched where it waspointed out that the lte chip is present, but no one was connecting. the only thing that could be construed as 'crippled' is the fact that it can only connect to band 4 lte. but if you use band 4, you would never know anything was different.
Just sign up with a carrier that uses band 4 lte and you'll be fine. None in the US currently do, but tmobile is going to launch theirs soon, and it will be band 4. I've also heard rumors of users getting lte working on at&t, but since my hatred for at&t runs deep, I wouldn't even consider using them, so I never paid attention to how it's done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great. This is my first smartphone, and I am trying to read up on the technology on several forums as fast as possible, so excuse my lack of knowledge. I have been supporting Linux for 10 years, so quite honestly my first priority is to root the device and install Busybox so I have a portable device with command line access via wifi with the most Linux commands available to all of my Linux servers at home, especially my Raspberry Pi for a project that I am building. Also hoping for Ubuntu on Android for this phone (Actually would prefer Red Hat/Centos/Fedora for Android). Second priority is phone calls. Third priority is data (HPSA+, 3G, 4G, etc.). I figure what I would have to pay for a camera, GPS, etc., as standalone devices, of which I own none, this is a fantastic deal.

hp420 said:
yes. every device is obsolete the moment it hits retail. there's always something better in development.
btw, there are a few things I should clear up:
1. the radio/baseband is NOT the operating system. it only provides reception to the device.
2. android is not an operating system. it is random optional memory, or a firmware, if you prefer to look at it like that.
3. just use the old radio and the newest version of android together. the only change wiith the new radio is they killed band 4 so you can't connect to lte. I'm coming from a nexus s 4g, and I never updated my radio for the whole life of the device until about 3 months ago. the only thing it affects at all is your voice/data signal. Your phone wouldn't ever know the difference, unless they start making radio updates mandatory.....then you can start crying about losing lte. and I'll be right next to you with a tissue in my hand, as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How is android NOT an OS???
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

hp420 said:
crippled?!?!?! hahahaha!!! what you read were reviews immediately after the phone launched where it waspointed out that the lte chip is present, but no one was connecting. the only thing that could be construed as 'crippled' is the fact that it can only connect to band 4 lte. but if you use band 4, you would never know anything was different.
Just sign up with a carrier that uses band 4 lte and you'll be fine. None in the US currently do, but tmobile is going to launch theirs soon, and it will be band 4. I've also heard rumors of users getting lte working on at&t, but since my hatred for at&t runs deep, I wouldn't even consider using them, so I never paid attention to how it's done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is crippled. There is no amplifier.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

joshnichols189 said:
It is crippled. There is no amplifier.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sigh. There is an amplifier and all the hardware necessary to connect to and use LTE if your carrier uses band 4. Plenty if canucks have been doing it for months.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

shultz11588 said:
How is android NOT an OS???
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
by definition, that's how.
wikipedia said:
An operating system (OS) is a collection of software that manages computer hardware resources and provides common services for computer programs. The operating system is a vital component of the system software in a computer system.
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android is not software, but rather firmware
wikipedia said:
Computer software, or just software, is a collection of computer programs and related data that provides the instructions for telling a computer what to do and how to do it. Software refers to one or more computer programs and data held in the storage of the computer.
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wikipedia said:
In electronic systems and computing, firmware is the combination of persistent memory and program code and data stored in it.[1] Typical examples of devices containing firmware are embedded systems (such as traffic lights, consumer appliances, and digital watches), computers, computer peripherals, mobile phones, and digital cameras. The firmware contained in these devices provides the control program for the device. Firmware is held in non-volatile memory devices such as ROM, EPROM, or flash memory.
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Notice the bold in the last quote? This is the defining difference.

hp420 said:
by definition, that's how.
android is not software, but rather firmware
Notice the bold in the last quote? This is the defining difference.
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If you interpret and connect the two definitions like that, then iOS, Windows Phone 8, etc., none of them are OSes. If someone load an OS onto a ROM, it automatically becomes NOT an OS? Firmware contains program code, and part of the code can be the OS. Firmware and OS are not mutually exclusive. An OS is defined by its functionality, not where or how it is stored.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

hp420 said:
by definition, that's how.
android is not software, but rather firmware
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Click to collapse
I installed and ran android on my laptop. So how does that fit with your clever definition!!
An OS is not defined by the media it is on, you can run Linux off a USB stick,its still an OS.
Your interpretation of that definition is wrong, you have decided to just force it to fit in with your incorrect understanding

Also correct me if I am mistaken but the radio is also what starts the boot process? I read somewhere that it is the first thing to load and bootstraps in the rest of the OS? So it does a bit more than just provide reception.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

Galaxy Note 8.0 AT&T LTE Version Hits FCC

In case you're wanting the phone version, it should appear in the USA market soon. An AT&T LTE version has just appeared on the FCC web site. https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/repo...ame=N&application_id=424157&fcc_id=A3LSGHI467

Loremonger said:
In case you're wanting the phone version, it should appear in the USA market soon. An AT&T LTE version has just appeared on the FCC web site. https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/repo...ame=N&application_id=424157&fcc_id=A3LSGHI467
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Been wondering though, does this include a phone? Or is it just the N5110 with mobile data?

apollostees said:
Been wondering though, does this include a phone? Or is it just the N5110 with mobile data?
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AT&T typically does not support phone functions on tablets, so I'd guess no. Although the line between tablets and phones is a bit blurred, these days.
I'm not quite ready to have a mobile plan for my tablet (and really don't need it 99% of the time). And I already have the WiFi only version. But an AT&T release might mean some better sales for the N8, and better dev activity.

If this can be flashed with a EURO ROM for phone capabilities I will be first in line. :good:

Great news....
I guess this might bring down the price a bit.
If I can get either N5100 N5110 version for under $450 and flash Euro ROMS to make calls, then put me on the line as well.

kable said:
If this can be flashed with a EURO ROM for phone capabilities I will be first in line. :good:
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Its not only a ROM issue. AT&T's network does not support phone services for tablets.

redpoint73 said:
Its not only a ROM issue. AT&T's network does not support phone services for tablets.
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The 7.0 Tab worked fine. Pretty sure the 10.1 does as well. No reason an 8.0 wouldn't. A phone is a phone, either it has voice capabilities or it doesn't regardless of the size. The only reason tablets don't work on ATT otherwise is the strip them of the feature from either hardware or software. Might have to ditch the IMEI if I remember correctly from my 7.0

LTE available in 3 days at Expansys UK
Loremonger said:
In case you're wanting the phone version, it should appear in the USA market soon. An AT&T LTE version has just appeared on the FCC web site. https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/repo...ame=N&application_id=424157&fcc_id=A3LSGHI467
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Click to collapse
http://www.expansys.com/samsung-galaxy-note-8-0-4g-wi-fi-16gb-white-250079/
499 pounds.
It's a shame it's not yet 32GB though.

kable said:
The 7.0 Tab worked fine. Pretty sure the 10.1 does as well. No reason an 8.0 wouldn't. A phone is a phone, either it has voice capabilities or it doesn't regardless of the size. The only reason tablets don't work on ATT otherwise is the strip them of the feature from either hardware or software. Might have to ditch the IMEI if I remember correctly from my 7.0
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I believe the IMEI is the issue. The network recognizes the device as a tablet using the IMEI, and then won't support phone services on the device.
That's the reason right there.

I know on the nexus 7 3g version It's thought to be a hardware limitation in the radio. Also they were never able to produce a modem capable of voice. Flashing to closest compatible radio caused a baseband hard brick with generic IMEI. Obviously the N7 was also lacking ear speaker etc, however they were able to get SMS/MMS completely working with SMS using AT&T's network. I personally used it as my smartphone replacement using my SIM for data & network texting while using google voice/groove IP for my phone services. Had to enable voice capable in bools.xml to true IOT unlock the native dialer & forward calls from the AT&T phone number to my google voice.
With that being said, I think redpoint is 100% correct in saying that if it does not work hardware limitations aside, it will be because AT&T is blocking the IMEI on their network. The N7 wasn't blocked because it was an unknown device on the network but if AT&T releases a 3g capable Note you can be sure it will be logged into their system and easy to track, just like trying to use an AT&T smartphone on the mediaNET system (which I was also using for a while on the N7 with no problems for the same reason I stated above)

redpoint73 said:
I believe the IMEI is the issue. The network recognizes the device as a tablet using the IMEI, and then won't support phone services on the device.
That's the reason right there.
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Yep, and backing up then deleting the IMEI solves that issue as you then have a generic IMEI that is not seen as a tablet they recognize and allows you to make calls. Its been done by many here at XDA including myself.

kable said:
Yep, and backing up then deleting the IMEI solves that issue as you then have a generic IMEI that is not seen as a tablet they recognize and allows you to make calls. Its been done by many here at XDA including myself.
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Are you talking about changing the imei of the device to a different one?
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium

redpoint73 said:
Its not only a ROM issue. AT&T's network does not support phone services for tablets.
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I have a 10.1 right now that i'm swapping SIM cards with with my phone. I use the 10.1 as a replacement for my phone when I go to school and I have no issues making calls out of it. The phone capabilities work fine on my 10.1, so I don't think it'll be an issue. I'm on AT&T

Evo 4G63 said:
I have a 10.1 right now that i'm swapping SIM cards with with my phone. I use the 10.1 as a replacement for my phone when I go to school and I have no issues making calls out of it. The phone capabilities work fine on my 10.1, so I don't think it'll be an issue. I'm on AT&T
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Also ya gotta take into account the fact att might not have the 10.1 on their regrestry. Thats how i was able to use my N7. If ATT registers the 8.0 cuz theyre going to be carrying it they can then block it. The international one may still be safe though if thats the case.
Edit: heres a good link where they explain and compare how Att detects devices on their network and how they can block it or change plans accordingly http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1446373
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium

who needs carrier service to make calls?
Just download GrooveIP from the market, and it uses your Google Talk Phone number to make calls on your wifi/3g/4g network...
Call quality is fanatastic, at least for me here in chicagoland...You can even make and recieve using your BT headset!

I'd like a mobile version instead of the WiFi version I just picked up this week. Looks like it may go back during their return period.

Bladerunner1825us said:
Are you talking about changing the imei of the device to a different one?
Sent from my HTC One using xda premium
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No, Well not directly since that is probably illegal but if you delete your imei the device will assign a generic one automatically that carriers dont seem to detect as a tablet or atleast a specific tablet. Infact I wonder if they even bother blocking Euro devices like the 5100 since they do not sell it.
Sent from my GT-N5100 using xda premium

Bladerunner1825us said:
Also ya gotta take into account the fact att might not have the 10.1 on their regrestry. Thats how i was able to use my N7. If ATT registers the 8.0 cuz theyre going to be carrying it they can then block it.
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Yup, if its AT&T branded, they will obviously have the IMEI, and they will block it from phone use.

redpoint73 said:
Yup, if its AT&T branded, they will obviously have the IMEI, and they will block it from phone use.
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Or you can just do what I mentioned in my last post and they won't be able to block you by IMEI since it will no longer be recognized as one of the devices.
IF the hardware and software on the tablet permits making calls.

kable said:
Or you can just do what I mentioned in my last post and they won't be able to block you by IMEI since it will no longer be recognized as one of the devices.
IF the hardware and software on the tablet permits making calls.
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im pretty sure spoofing the IMEI is a felony though if caught. Thats why each device has a specific IMEI.

[RESOLVED] Kyocera Torque - Does It Support GSM Networks?

Ever since my Samsung Rugby Smart... broke (don't ask how)... I have been on the hunt for a different rugged Android that comes with a relatively low price tag that supports T-Mobile either natively or through carrier unlocking. Recently the Kyocera Torque caught my eye at a Sprint store. The specifications of the phone were pleasing to me, and I saw listed on sites like eBay that a used condition Torque would be going for around 70-80 bucks. While talking to a Spint representative, pretending I was actually going to buy the phone and/or a Sprint plan, I asked him if the Torque had a SIM card slot and if it was compatible with GSM networks, such as T-Mobile (my actual carrier). He confidently gave a YES to both of my questions (he also said that in order for the phone to become unlocked, I'd need to use Sprint for 2 years and then cancel the plan and request phone unlock-age through them. No way I am getting Sprint for 2 years just for a Torque to be unlocked. Besides, there are unlocking websites which claim they will unlock this phone. Also, he probably assumed I was going to buy the phone from Sprint themselves. No way I'd ever do that! XD )
Here's where the confusion comes in. When I look online at phone specification websites like GSMArena, it states that the phone is NOT COMPATIBLE with GSM networks, and has a NON-REMOVABLE SIM card.
I am getting two different answers and I don't know which one to believe. If anyone knows the TRUE answer to this SIM card slot and GSM network compatibility conundrum, I would appreciate that they share the answer. I am excited about this phone, and if it really does support USA domestic GSM networks and all that, then I'd be buying this phone very soon.
Oh, and one more thing. Besides compatibility with GSM Networks, if this phone does support GSM, I'd also like to know if it supports high-speed data such as GPRS, HSPA, or anything like that. I have an HTC Rezound right now, and while it does support GSM Networks, it only gets 2G (EDGE) through T-Mobile. So support of 3G, and possibly beyond that, is another main factor that I would like to know about the Kyocera Torque, as it is actually one of the main reasons why I'm looking for an upgrade.

interesting

I talked to the Sprint guy again, and he took the phone apart and showed me the SIM slot. It was a Micro SIM I believe (the size right below Mini). The guy said it would work on international GSM networks, but if it was fitted with a SIM card for a United States GSM network, it would just say the phone is network-locked.
I guess the question is now this: is there a hack to "allow" or "force" the Torque to work with US GSM networks, similar to the hack for the Motorola Photon 4G (another phone I am looking into buying) that allows it to do just that?
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA Free mobile app

jasonmerc said:
I guess the question is now this: is there a hack to "allow" or "force" the Torque to work with US GSM networks, similar to the hack for the Motorola Photon 4G (another phone I am looking into buying) that allows it to do just that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nope. and best to just avoid kyocera phones completely. kyocera is a turd of a company. they lock down the bootloader and never issue major updates. for example, the torque won't ever see kitkat. and since they lock the bootloader, you can't install a custom recovery, or a 3rd party rom.

[Duplicate post. Sorry about that...]

x000x said:
nope. and best to just avoid kyocera phones completely. kyocera is a turd of a company. they lock down the bootloader and never issue major updates. for example, the torque won't ever see kitkat. and since they lock the bootloader, you can't install a custom recovery, or a 3rd party rom.
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Thanks for the heads up about Kyocera being a locked bootloader turd of a company XD. Now I'll be sure to avoid them in the future. No longer interested in the Hydro Life anyway, got an LG L90 for $48 and have CM11 on it already
Sent from my LG-D415 using XDA Free mobile app

Interesting thing about the torque, it is one of sprints few water resistant phones, and also has the loudest speaker phone they make in my opinion. I just bought one as a spare phone for $50. Great to keep by the pool.

cfclay said:
Interesting thing about the torque, it is one of sprints few water resistant phones, and also has the loudest speaker phone they make in my opinion. I just bought one as a spare phone for $50. Great to keep by the pool.
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yeah, it is a nice phone... except for their stubbornness about completely locking the device down. if they would actually make an effort to keep their phones updated i would not complain about it too much. but the fact that they lock it down AND never keep the phone updated beyond minor things is inexcusable.