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There are way too many posts on this board from ppl who r saying "Piece of crap, I'm gonna take it back and stick it up my provider's...". This post is for you!
I'm no expert (just a disciple of ppl like buzz, vj, etc), BUT I am not afraid of a hard reset or 30, and as a result I've tested everything below, and most of the stuff throughout this forum. I've also followed everything on every forum since being the 10th person in my country to get a JasJar. I welcome critisism, corrections and additions. Please post replies by refering to the step you would change, or insert after. Let's try to stick to proven alternatives and additions though, so that this thread can become somewhat of a 1-stop point for new users (and existing users who do not have the time to learn this alone - and let's face it anyone who has a Universal already, is probably pretty hard working, and already spending an awful amount of time justifying their acquisition in front of their BlackBerry collegues...)
This is written with a single thought in mind; what the hell would my wife do if she got one of these. No-one could blame her for tossing it inside of a week, but with a few changes it's perfectly functional - in fact with a few more changes (also listed below) it's quite desirable.
By the end of this process, your Universal should have a reasonable suite of apps, perfect functionality around all issues solved to date (I've not covered networking tho), a screen flip speed of 0.5s or less, and free program memory of over 20Mb
So here goes, a step-by-step process to get your Universal 100% functional, proven and tested on the HTC Universal iMate JasJar, but should all work on any MDA:
ROM Upgrade: First thing's first. Upgrade to the September-30 ROM (JASJAR_WWE_11353_137_10301.zip). It's available somewhere on xda-developers, or on clubimate for imate users. This is a no-brainer - no posts on this board or any others indicate it's a waste of time. Many posts cover O2 users flashing to this ROM, with great benefits. There are ways to re-install the O2 graphics and apps - if you want ;-) If you have ANY issues with your Universal, bite the bullet and do this; you'll see that the following setup process is not as brutal as you'd expect (I can run thro it in about half an hour - but I've done it many times and have all the apps lined up and ready).
Optional soft reset: Some pppl like to soft reset BEFORE the device installs the default apps. On this ROM, there's no performance improvement, no memory imporvement that can't be covered later (backgammon etc), and potentially some important losses that I didn't hang around long enough to discover.
Sync: Now sync with your PC to get your contacts, calendar and tasks. This is only here to get you up and running asap.
Pocket Mechanic: Download (www.antontomov.com) and install this essential app. You have a few days on trial, and it's necessary for the next steps
Notification Queue: This can be done later, but it's nice to get familiar with this process whilst your queue is small. Using PM, open the notification queue. You may already (yes!) find some duplicate (yellow icon) sddeamon entries. These seem to replicate during an activesync. You can/must delete all duplicates from time to time. You will also, in future, find some "\.\\Notification.....SCRIPT..." entries. Keep an eye out for these. Most mature within minutes of you finding them, so let them expire. Many are future-dated and tightly back-to-back. These can nearly always (I've never had a regret) be deleted without repercussions. If you don't manage these, they tend to breed, and anyone with XDA experience knows what happens when your queue fills up (failed alarms etc). I'm unclear as to where these come from - undoutedly an app that is not behaving elegantly (regular registration checks etc), and if you follow the steps on this post you should NOT find any - ie the apps here do not seem to be culprits. But, keep an eye open...
Registry cleanup: Again, this can be done later, however you'll soon see the beenfit of doing it now. Using PM, run registry cleaner. You'll get around 6 entries, all of which can safely be deleted. If you did not follow step 1, you may have to examine eahc entry to see if the O2 ROM is messier. The beauty of this step is that from now on, you can safely clean everything that PM finds in the knowledge that it's a leave-behind from an app you installed, and now you can install, de-install, and provided you clean up the directories (easy) you KNOW for sure that you've completely gotten rid of the failed app. Winner!
Task closer: Now it's time for your task manager. There's a lot of coverage on this, and any of the following seem to do the trick, ranked in order of simplicity thro to possibly problematic:[list:333ba237cf]
Magic Button (free, includes battery line on top of screen)
GSPocketMagic++ (free, includes cascading menu. Some MDA Exec users claim that it closes something awful that O2 installs, and solves a 7 second flip issue. SEVEN SECONDS!!! If you implemented step 1, you should not have this problem to solve anyway)
spbPocketPlus (not free, and do not allow it to show any storage meters. There are some bad posts on spb, but I've found it just as good as the above, altho it takes up slightly more memory)
WisbarAdvance2 (not free, HUGE footprint, definite performance issues BUT it skins your Universal SO beautifully, that I've gone with this and WAD - desktop plugin)
[*]Basic apps: Now there are a few no-brainer apps to install, that no-one disputes and that are all free. NO BRAINERS:
Total commander (free, replacement for file explorer - way way better)
TCPMP (free, replaces media player, more formats, full screen, way way better)
Batti (free, battry bar on top of screen like spbPocketPlus, small footprint, but if u r using MagicButton you already get this)
TRE (free, registry editor, necessary to run .reg files covered later)
IIWPO (free, AWESOME concept; If your owner info is changed, it SMS's the number you've set with new SIM number and new 'owner' details. Great if someone steals your Universal. Don't bother if u r not happy with a little installation effort)
BT icon (free, on this board somewhere, gives u an icon on your today tray that shows BT status and allows u to jumps to settings>connections>BT)
BT switch (free, on this board somewhere, several apps that turn BT on, off, or toggle)
Battery Uptime (Optional: free, today plugin that tells u the battery status BUT it's way more useful: you get to see actual running time vs uptime, and remaining running time. This gives u a good feel for your battery consumption rate under different scenarios and helps overcome a LOT of concerns around thinking you are draining faster when actually you are just using the device more)
apReminderPlus (free, AWESOME repeating alarms. Beauty of this is that is seems to be independent of WM5, in that it keeps an eye open for any alarms, and pops up to do its thing if it sees one. WAY beter than built in repeat system, and makes me feel good that I have alarms covered off in case the old wm2003 bugs start to appear again)
VJSMS (free, on this board, gives u 1-click to send an SMS. Note that .lnk file should read as follows INCLUDING inverted commas:
\Storage Card\Program Files\VJApps\vjsms.exe" "123
Change path and number of course. Number can also be a name.
Sad to report that VJDailer doesn't work on the universal. This would be awesome
[*]Settings: Time to do your basic settings:
speed dials
power and backlight
voice dials
Owner info
ringtones and notifications
DO NOT set regional settings if u r using PI (below)
[*]PIM: OK, time to replace the CRAP calendar built into WM5. CRAP CRAP CRAP! Disgracefully, embarassingly CRAP. Hell, symbian ship better default apps with the OLD Psion S3 and S5 than this! Now, I use PocketInformant. Latest release works well on JJ with 2 livable issues: Landscape flip screws up Monday/Tuesday in week view, and you MUST NOT set any regional settings what-so-ever, else you get the blank calendar view bug. AgendaFusion is due for a WM5 release any day now. Other than that, I don't think there is much that works on the Universal - correct?? :?:
[*]Reg fixes: Now there are a few no-brainer registry hacks that you should run. You can find these as cab files on this board, as registry keys under the wiki page, else as .reg files on one of my earlier posts (fastest method):
Buzz's BT headset (prevents BT from turning off over night - no brainer! Thanks buzz!!)
"Always on GPRS" (search this board - keeps GPRS/UMTS turned on - awesome!)
Date & time in title bar (why not)
Menu and popup fonts 700 vs 900 (it's cosmetic, but on our nice VGA screens, it seems daft to have a look n feel that's SO QVGA)
PIE homepage (prevent 'e' button from going to clubimate page)
Terminal services cache (increased cache uses memory during terminal services, but it's WELL worth it to eliminate black blocking issues)
Turn IR off (unless you have a good reason for keeping it on)
[*]Extra apps: There are several very useful apps, that work reliably and do not have an adverse impact on your Universal.
eWallet (not free, desktop sync does not work, but rest is very useful)
Pocket sudoku (not free, but it's SO much fun!)
Mobipocket reader (skinny version is free, for mobipocket ebooks - ebooks fully being 25% of your devices functionality along with PIM, phone and internet access. Google beta 5 version with full VGA support)
uBook (more eBook formats. Not free but usable. VGA support)
1-calc (cos built in calculator is SO crap)
GPRS traffic monitor: We need a GPRS/3G monitor. spbGPRS monitor does NOT track the usage of yoru device as a 3G modem - which is where u chew up traffic costs. IP Dashboard has similar issues.
[*]Memory:Now, I'm the first to say that I don;t fully get this yet. There are a few things that the posts suggest should reduce program or storage memory - but don't really seem to do so. Try them and let me know results with more scientific before and after checking please:
Remove backgammon & skype, and re-install to SD card
Remove the 1Mb .tsk themes from the \Windows directory. You cannot delete them, you have to create new files that are smaller and copy them into \Windows and overrwite the larger files. Search this board for some sample small files provided. I didn't find that I got any memory back...???
Ditto for .cab files in \Windows
Do not use these big theme files - by using smaller themes you should get more program memory.
A couple of dudes have started threads on getting more memory and clearing out \windows files - but there are no good responses yet...
[/list:333ba237cf]
Right, that's it! As I said above, I welcome input and feedback - but let's keep it hi quality so that this post perhaps gets stickied and we can get less of the "Buy my JasJar before I post it on eBay posts". Of course there are a load more apps you can add, but most give issues (eg TomTom) and posts on this board cover working around them for ppl who have to have these apps. This was a good, strong, basic config.
Hope this is helpful to some.
Some well-thought out words there, craigiecraigie4. However, I'm a firm believer that it's a bad move to install anything that I REALLY don't need. So far, my MDA Pro has a default installation. None of these "essential apps" are necessary. Indeed, half of them seem to only exist so that you can add other "essential apps" :wink:
If/when a better browser comes along, I'll investigate. Other than that, I find the messaging client perfect (works nicely against Exchange server); Terminal Services could be better - just giving me true full-screen support would be enough. And I'd like better Wifi support - I want, for example, to be able to name my SSID. IMHO, with desktop PCs as much as with PDAs, every time you install a piece of software, it ultimately makes the system *worse*. ie the result is a damned site less than the sum of the parts.
so, taking each point with my (possibly unique, certainly cynical) POV
1. ROM Upgrade
Didn't bother. It adds nothing that I'd use apart from MSN and that would just suck up time that should be spent on worthwhile things :lol:
2. Optional soft reset
Yeah, I may do this but, TBH, T Mobile install very little stuff and it seems to work, so I ain't fixin' it.
3. N/A
4. Pocket Mechanic
I can't see that I need this.
5. Not quite sure what the problem here is. I've been using XDAs since day 1 and never encountered the problem. YMMV
6. Registry cleanup
Never assume that some badly-written software doesn't depend on some default or illogical registry setting. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED
7. Task closer
OK, not a "two-click" operation, but in Settings/Memory, I can close running applications. No new software needed.
8. Basic apps
Total commander - erm, yeah, it's nice and everything and does a better job than the standard affair. However, 99.99% of the time, error: +/- 0.01%, I find I don't actually need any of that extra fluff.
TCPMP - granted, I only use MP to listen to WMAs I record off the radio to listen to later.
Batti - On my Today screen, there's a little icon I tap and it shows me my battery state. I can also see this using Settings/Power (or whatever it is)
TRE - See previous warning about effing about with your registry
IIWPO - nice idea :lol: but no substitute for insurance or taking care
BT icon, BT switch - I've never used Bluetooth in my life. YMMV
Battery Uptime - See prior comment about battery state indicator
etc
I'm sure that more people will find your advice usefull than mine, but just like to point out that, out of the box, these devices (at least MDA Pro) seem not to be too wide of the mark. For me, at least.
This is very helpful...thanx!
You mentioned that the soft reset before installation of imate stuff may lead to some problems in the long run. As I have opted for this strategy and have only installed two cab files (btpatch and a file that brings up the smart dialing), I would appreciate it if you could tell us what kind of problems we might confront. Also, is it too late to add these cab files after the fact (that is given we have synched contacts and added other programs)?
Cheers, apap
craigiecraigie4 - very useful advice, I think for everyone with a PPC. I don't have a universal, but good tips either way.
I didn't realise VJDialer doesn't work on WM5. I'll look into updating it when I get a new version of Visual Studio (or a WM5 device!).
Good work man!
V
Hi VJ - yeah, I'm afraid that there are a couple of posts on your primary thread about the "no command line specified" - no matter what combinations we try in the .lnk file. Saw your comment that another crowd charges for such an app. I'd happily contribute for the benefit of quick-dials - would be awesome along with WAD. You might want to mention your app on the WAD (lakeridgesoftware) forums - many 2003 users there who would LOVE this. With WAD u can have popup boxes on your skin, so with vjdialer one can popup and view of quickdials. awesome.
craigiecraigie4 said:
[*]Buzz's BT headset (prevents BT from turning off over night - no brainer! Thanks buzz!!)
[*]Menu and popup fonts 700 vs 900 (it's cosmetic, but on our nice VGA screens, it seems daft to have a look n feel that's SO QVGA{)
/quote]
where can i get the 2 things above...looked but cant find
thanks
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vijay555 said:
craigiecraigie4 - very useful advice, I think for everyone with a PPC. I don't have a universal, but good tips either way.
I didn't realise VJDialer doesn't work on WM5. I'll look into updating it when I get a new version of Visual Studio (or a WM5 device!).
Good work man!
V
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Click to collapse
hi vijay!
I'm running on wm5 on my xda2....and am using vjdialer and vjsms extensively!
I dont think there are any problems with VJDialer's compatibility with wm5....
S
spbPocketPlus (not free, and do not allow it to show any storage meters. There are some bad posts on spb, but I've found it just as good as the above, altho it takes up slightly more memory)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have this running on my Exec and have storage indicators for memory and SD card on today screen, or are you talking about something else?
Btw, I found that my Exec runs faster with pocket plus than it did with magic button and pocketmagic++
Cheers
J
craigiecraigie4
Thank you VERY much for your extensive effort - this really does helps a lot :!:
That's an awesome post craigiecraigie4, some hard work went into that one dude.
Now my post below is not intended to be better than the original, merely another option. craigiecraigie4's use of the device is obviously a lot different to mine, as I work in an office, and am out of connectivity for maybe 3 hours of travel a day max, and never at weekends unless I go out. I'm on a scooter or a tube train so no connectivity is possible during travel for me.
What we are describing is our comfortable loadsets or configurations of our little systems, and that's what the stuff down here is, the Bongo configuration if you will. :lol:
I have made my comments against craigiecraigie4's original titles, and added a few apps of my own that I have.
[*]Weirdness for Hallowe'en :shock: After a hard reset, then sometimes the crosshair pointer setup would be real slow, and others it would be fast. Just in case, I did it until I had a fast one and proceeded from there. Don't know what/if any difference it makes, but that's what I do.
[*]ROM Upgrade: As there aren't any upgrade ROM's out there execept for the iMate one, I wouldn't until the new carrier ROM's are posted. I agree with CraigieCraigie though. Sooo, why not then? Warranty is the answer. Although I think in reality they wouldn't wash their hands of you just because you dared to use someone else's ROM, the carrier techies are generally not allowed to instruct you in the art of repairing your device with anyone else's ROM except their own, and so you would need to wait until your carrier released an upgrade and they could tell you how to do it.
[*]Optional soft reset: Definitely. And be selective about the manual .cab installs (installing total commander or the like first to see the Ext ROM). There's generally something in there that forces the device to behave in a way you don't like. An example is the internet button taking me to the t-mobile home page all the time. I hate that so I didn't install the relevant .cab.
[*]Sync: Now sync with your PC to get your contacts, calendar and tasks. This is only here to get you up and running asap. <-yeah man
[*]Pocket Mechanic: Download (www.antontomov.com) I bought this. It's good meaty tools you would get in a full Windows OS that M$ didn't put in WM5 yet.
[*]Notification Queue: Did it once, didn't do it after my last hard reset and TBH, haven't felt a need. I probably would do if I installed it and saw a gazillion notifications spamming my inners up. :lol:
[*]Registry cleanup: Haven't done it, but a careful look and selective delete may be of some use. Can't be arsed is the honest answer
[*]Task closer: Haven't bothered this time to minimise my number of concurrently running programs (absurd logic eh :wink: ). I only use a certain few apps, and as they're few don't notice a big slowdown from having them minimised if they don't close fully
[*]Basic apps: Here are Craigie's apps with my comment, and my loadset apps
Total commander - yeah man, schmokin
TCPMP - I only use mp3's so no point for me. Perhaps if I need to watch videos I will reinstall it.
Batti - I use Spb GPRS Monitor, v2.3.0, b525, and it has a battery icon, and I have the icon on my today screen, and I can guess it most of the time.
TRE - I use BitsInside Regedit. Also free and I like the Win 98 feel to it.
IIWPO - Great idea, I didn't know it worked on Universals. I will do this cos you never know if it might lead you to a thief. They'd have to be non-savvy theives of course else they'd hard reset it before using the new SIM
BT icon - I use the FN + -> combination to get there or the connectivity icon on the status bar.
BT switch - as above
Battery Uptime - If you want to learn then great
apReminderPlus - I don't use the alarm function
VJSMS - Inbuilt in WM5 is fine so far for my needs
Agile messenger - very thrifty use of bandwidth, like <10% of MSN (really) and free at the moment, but will pay for itself in bandwidth charges very quickly for most people. Suck it and see
GPS Viewer - because I have a Holux GPS and want to verify connectivity sometimes
Pocket Hack Master - because I like to crank it up to delightfully unstable 624MHz sometimes, but haven't need to with my installation as described here oddly enough. It's fast enough for me so far.
Pocket MSN because I want the Hotmail to appear in my messages application. I use Agile to IM people as above
TomTom Navigator 5.1 because it's awesome
[*]Settings: Time to do your basic settings:
speed dials
power and backlight
voice dials
Owner info
ringtones and notifications
DO NOT set regional settings if u r using PI (below)
[*]PIM: OK, time to replace the CRAP calendar built into WM5 - I agree it's crap, but I don't need a decent one. I am a simple soul.
[*]Reg fixes: - If you want to
Buzz's BT headset - haven't noticed this issue yet, bet I will tomorrow morning now though
"Always on GPRS" No good for me - 40megs/month tariff limit
Date & time in title bar (why not) - cos I know the date and time.
Menu and popup fonts 700 vs 900 - haven't done it yet. I like the size
PIE homepage - is done for me through my selective Ext ROM install
Terminal services cache - I don't use it yet
Turn IR off - yeah agreed waste of space most of the time.
[*]Extra apps:
eWallet - I don't keep details like that on my phones.
Pocket sudoku - I read books, so insert MS Reader for me there
Mobipocket reader - doesn't support .lit (MS format), and I read .lits and .docs so far. Wait until I run out of books though... :lol:
uBook - haven't needed it ....yet
1-calc - but the inbuilt calc does +, -, * and / so it's cool for me. I'm not a physicist
GPRS traffic monitor - spb is fine for me as I don't use it as a modem due to bandwidth limitations and being surrounded by connectivity in London.
[*]Memory:Haven't done these, but they look sensible if you can be arsed
Remove backgammon & skype, and re-install to SD card - I don't have them or use them anyway. How do you play backgammon? I went to a comprehensive school
Remove the 1Mb .tsk themes from the \Windows directory. I only have 3 default ones and use the standard blue theme. Functionality and not form is my motto :wink:
Do not use these big theme files - Good advice bro' (or sis)
Hope this is helpful to some other people :lol:
hi
Does ROM update invalidates the manufacture warranty?
Jatt
Menu and popup fonts
can anyone explain how to change the Menu and popup fonts from 700 to 900. Is it a registry hack?
jatt said:
hi
Does ROM update invalidates the manufacture warranty?
Jatt
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Click to collapse
You would need to ring them up and enquire. With t-mobile, the tech dude just said they wouldn't be able to help me if I bricked my MDA until t-mobile released a ROM that I could download and use to revive the MDA. So, not invalidated for me, just much reduced support. Until a new ROM si out, all they can do with misbehaving devices is offer a replacement at the moment.
Illwil - the font size is a registry hack - search as it's here on this site somewhere.
joebongo: nice perspective. now users can see 2 extremes; O2 with much office usage, vs HTC with much out-n-about usage. Thanx 4 the effort.
illwil : search for my post on reg tweaks and run the .ren file 2 got 700->900 or rather 900->700
codiac: agree. I fiund spbPP 2 b perfectly well behaved, but there is so much bad press on it in this forum. perhas it's an O2 rom issue - pretty sad 4 them actually
xiasma: there truly do see 2 b an awful lot of ppl who think their universal is junk. this is intended 2 help them get up n running. some ppl got lucky (htc rom or just happy with functionality that actually works well) and they probably should not fix what aint broke. But one day they may want 2 push the envelope a little...
craigiecraigie4 said:
codiac: agree. I fiund spbPP 2 b perfectly well behaved, but there is so much bad press on it in this forum. perhas it's an O2 rom issue - pretty sad 4 them actually
Click to expand...
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PocketPlus is working OK for me on my O2 Exec...
Hello Everyone.
I proudly received my Exec this morning, only to find that it ran like a bag of S**t.
I removed the connections.exe, and the active files from my windows/start up folder and things improved dramatically.
However I am having a problem with the activesync.
I have set up the partnership with my laptop running activesync 4 and when it communcates it does it without any problems, however as soon as I connect my usb cable between my Exec and my laptop it takes a few minutes for the charging LED to come on on my Exec, and a while longer before Activsync on my pc recoginses it.
Does anyone else suffer from this problem?
Cheers
You removed connections.exe and now u have a connection problem...
Try removing things 1 at a time.
I definitely don't have this problem.
FYI, on my HTC all I have under startup is:
sddeamon.lnk
batti (i installed)
apreminderplus (me)
iiwpo (me)
O2 is definitely adding stuff that does not seem 2 b required by htc.
The only shortcut I have in my Windows\Startup folder is 'Services' and I have no problem with ActiveSync, voice dialling (with the built-in dialler) or anything else. I have no idea what the sddaemon one does but mine runs fine without it.
fatspark, your problem might lie with your laptop rather than the Exec? As a test though, are you able to try ActiveSyncing over Bluetooth? See if it's any quicker. If so then maybe it's a USB problem. Dunno.
IIWPO
Can someone explain how to install the IIWPO in the extended ROM on the JASJAR ?
I think it is different than the EXEC, where can I find instructions ? I am willing to handle the hassle
Cheers SiliconS
The problem is a driver issue on one of my laptops, I installed activsync 4 onto another one and all is ok.
Cheers.
Fatzzz
Well, I am onto my fourth Windows PPC device - Casio, HP5450, K-Jam and Dopod838Pro, with various excursions into the lands of Palm, SE P900, Motorola A900. My WM experience is still that the best way to get a fast and stable device is to add the absoloute minimum of today add-ins. Across all these WM devices, whenever I add in something even mildly complex to the Today screen, the device is in some way compromised - either it slows down, needs more soft resets, or it acts unpredictably. When the device was just a PDA, I could live with it. Now that it is my phone, I need it to be 100% reliable. I need the phone functions, I need contacts and calendar. These have to work reliably all the time. After that anything else is a bonus.
So I am in a bit of a dilemma. I added Phone Alarm and everything was fine. Then I added iLauncher3 to the Dopod and BOOM - suddenly there are issues, suddenly everything slows down, suddenly some inbound calls are not answering, suddenly the phone is locking up or executing applications very slowly. SO I take off the Launcher and still there are issues, so I take off PhoneAlarm and everything calms down - except that my WMA ring tones start to play at half speed. And still the occasional freeze. I'm thinking I probably need to do a hard reset and rebuild the phone, but you know, that takes a lot of time and I'm peeved that this is probably the best course of action and I just don't want to have to go through the hassle of doing it AGAIN.
I also own a Nokia E61. I switched back to the Nokia yesterday after using the Dodod solidly for 3 weeks. The biggest reason for wanting to try WM5 again was the jog wheel and the added functionality of it, the cool look of the Dopod and the availability of so much software. But in the final analysis, the way I want to use the device I cannot find a way to use today plug-ins and have a 100% reliable phone - so the available software that I want to use isn't really available at all.
And the E61 is a WAY better phone, has a brilliant profile function, syncs automatically with bluetooth whenever I am in range of the PC (with no intervention unlike the PPC which needs me to manually select bluetooth sync).
I am sure other people will jump in and tell me they have a perfect, stable, fast and reliable experience with their WM5 device, even when using multiple Today plug-ins. I wish that was true for me, but it is not and I so am over doing hard resets and rebuilding the phone with just the short listed software - it should not be necessary.
I am really quite peeved about the whole process. There is much to like about the Hermes, good fast processor, smart looks, there is much to like about the available software, (there is also much to dislike about the relatively disjointed user interface but in reality it is just a way of thinking about how you use the phone). As far as the E61 is concerned it is not perfect either, but at the moment for me it is the better tool because I can turn it on and it will work, perfectly, as a phone, a contacts database and a portable calendar, it gives me fast internet access and availability to the core apps I require (even if it does take an eternity - 30 seconds - to open a spreadsheet that opens in a couple of seconds on the Dopod)
The search for the perfect device continues and yes I am sure sometime in the next month or two I will get brassed off with the E61 and go back to the Dopod - no doubt I will pingpong between these two devices until the next killer device is launched.
I too found out that mixing Today plug-ins may cause instability, including system hungs. I was adding them one by one, and all of them alone work OK, but not all that I tried "agree" to work together. I had to narrow the number of activated plug-ins to compromise between functionality and stability.
I have yet to find the best config for myself. Currently I'm still trying different software (WM5 platform is new for me), and therefore I reboot it often.
OK, frankly speaking, on my previous phone (SonyEricsson P800) I failed to tune the startup sequence of apps that I wanted to run permanently. Finally I ended up with auto-start only one of them, and to start others manyally. It was a real pain due to very long boot time!
Still I like WM5 more than Symbian which is a pity for me 'cause I was a big fan of Psion palmtops!
It can work for you.
I'm really sorry to hear that you guys are having a bad experience in general with your devices, trust me most of us have been there and it has taken too much of our precious time to get these things working reliabily.
That said however, there is hope. I went through many of your experiences including Spb Pocket Plus in conjunction with Wisbar and other plug-in apps.
My final result is quite pleasing and you ought to give it a try if you havent already. Firstly I would recommend a one last hard reset (I know it's a pain but well worth it). Then try this:
1. Install WA2 (Wisbar advance 2 without WAD (WAD is not stable IMO)), preferably the latest version. Then choose whichever skin does it for you (I use Windows Vista portable Edition) and delete the default one once I have my chose one installed. It saves storage space on the device as that's where I install WA2 for best results in stability.
2. I only use Windows default theme (too many discrepancies and inconcistancies with other themes) and then choose my own .png or .jpeg for a background. Rock solid from my experience!
3. Install PhoneAlarm 1.54 (to get instant feedback about missed calls & SMS, instant access and visual feedback for Bluetooth and wi-fi and profiles - like on regular cellular phones). I also use 'MediaPhone 1 skin' as it includes 2 signal bars, 1 for battery life and the other for signal reception (though this is not wholly reliable in terms of accuracy).
4. Install AE Button closer. Excellent tool and has greatly improved the ease in which I use my device (access many programs). Very reliable and stable too.
That's it. Only one Plug-in, which doesn't hog resources as it doesn't need much in the way of accessing the net to update i.e. weather plug-ins etc (I have a web link for that).
I have 8 programs configured to start on my 2 soft keys and 4 actions on my 'Communications Manager Button' (Activate/de-activate Bluetooth & the same for wi-fi). This gives me the same amount of one-handed control over the device as when I use the stylus & shrtcuts in PhoneAlarm. best of both worlds.
5. Oh I almost forgot. I have Spb Backup installed and backup at least once a week and keep a copy on my SD card and on my PC. In the even I want to test some new software out for the day or a few days, I just make sure I have a recent backup of my stable set-up. That way hard resets are not a worry for me as I never have to re-build anymore.
Hope this helps you somehow. If you do give things another try and want some other questions answered, I'll be glad to help if I can.
We're wonder what is people thinking about their G1 device... Please vote and write down your feeling on this new phone.
G1
What does work on this phone works very well. I feel though that this phone is more for developers and hobbyist. It's not quiet ready for guys like me that have very few skills. I hope the software situation gets worked out soon or this phone will end up with no real support just like the Iphone.
i agree, some great potential with this phone, enough to make it a class leader. we just need to see some of the most reported problems ironed out first. great os and hardware on the whole.
what are "mosy reported floors"
I LOVE this phone. Of course it has its problems(lack of camera options, lack of really interesting apps(though there were a hell of a lot of interesting ones added today...), cut and paste is a bit of a pain sometimes but they are all in the software and definitely will be fixed once the device is a little more mature. Considering this is a version 1.0 device and just came out a little over a month ago it's freaking amazing. Heck I've even had iphone users gawk at some of the things it can do like street view compass mode.
Love it!!
I've had (over the past 2 years) the mda, moto q, mogul, instinct, diamond and now the G1.
Windows mobile (mda/q/mogul/diamond), although very convenient, can and will give you a headache and a large pain in the @$$. Screens are usually too cluttered. Such a small screen size with so much stuff. Lag lag lagggggggg. Pocket Internet Explorer is only there for show and orb. Other than that I would recommend opera, netbrowser or skyfire. Functionality is the best feature winmo has. I had full access to my home computer (as long as it was connected to the internet). They are essentially what they are called, PPC's (Pocket PC's).
Instinct... should be set on fire along with all the people who created that POS. Make sure it is a slow roasting fire too. Very very poor smartphone. Good at making/receiving calls though.
The G1 can and will do everying the winmo phones do (minus the head ache... hopefully). All we need to be is patient or pitch in by learning programming.
i rated it very poor, i am very disappointed with the phone and google should be ashamed of themselves. the g1 can't do 1/10th of the things my wing did and my wing was a dog. android is worse than win ce when i first tried it on '03. thanks g1 for ruining my year. xda-devs, please get winmo on this asap.
Till now only 47 peoples vote... gogogo!
Till now only 47 peoples... gogogo! Tell people how do you think on G1~
We hope TMO can see this thread and improve it on next model if possible.
Good and Bad
I rated the phone as Neutral:
Things I like:
- GPS, Wireless are great
- Some cool apps
- Smooth Feel to the screen and it isn't jerky
- Contact List (very flexible for my needs)
- real tactile keyboard
- Maps
- ShopSavvy
Things I don't like:
- Small screen
- No auto-rotate (I know it works with chrooted systems)
- keyboard missing CTRL, PgUp/Down, Arrows (for shell commands)
- Internal Storage space is limited
- Lack of ability to store to SD Card
- The cumbersome headset included (why on earth keep the mic
- Not a true Open Source (I want root access)
Things that would make this phone rock:
- optional on-screen keyboard for simple input (ease up on the wear and tear of constantly having to flip to keyboard)
- piston operated hinges (i.e. slow the shock of closing/opening the keyboard)..opens fast but slows down right before it slams open/shut
- option for normal earpiece input (vice USB headset)
So I'm really mixed. I think a huge win (for me) is the ability to store on SD card (I run out of space all the time now) and having root access. That would put my satisfaction in the upper 90's. I'm sure I'm missing other pros/cons but that's a start for me.
I bought it recently, and am satisfied with it. The screen is very bright and responsive, the browser is very good and I can install my own apps on it without hassle <3
My first one had a squeaky sound to it so I got it exchanged. I have the white one, so it can be hard to see the buttons and some of the apps feel incomplete. Thankfully, I can download the source and mod them to my liking
RouterGuru said:
I rated the phone as Neutral:
Things that would make this phone rock:
- optional on-screen keyboard for simple input (ease up on the wear and tear of constantly having to flip to keyboard)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aye, that annoys me as well, but the input API is is listed on the roadmap for Q1 09, so not too long now (hopefully).
Auto Rotate...?
Just curious if anyone concern about to disable " Auto Rotate " function once keyboard slide out.
Personally, I don't like it at all since sometime, I wish to browse the webpage on horziontal mode but only way is slide out the keyboard!
It is a $%^&*, why they just don't leave a function for user ON/OFF auto rotate ???
I give the phone itself a "very disappointed", the software "very good".
While much if the phone's problems are likely software, the squeaking and overall build quality are sub-par IMO. The battery life is horrid and, while software can fix some of it, the battery is rated very low, which begs me to ask why they spec'd such a tiny battery for a phone with these features.
The point is, I guess, that the phone itself has problems that cant be fixed with a update. The software, while lacking many simple things, at least can and will be eventually fixed.
For me the G1 is a very good start. The default packages and layouts need to be redone. For example. The contacts options don't offer enough input. Like... Birthdays, Anniversaries As well as maybe having IM support for the various default messengers on the g1 ie gtalk, aim etc.
Another Huge let down is the default SMS/MMS package where it does not allow you to forward and the standard options we have become accustomed to using devices such as WM6....
The picture viewer is the worst i have ever seen in my life. Currently I have over 5500 pictures on my SD card and the default viewer does not allow me to view by Directory or simply go into the folder and view that folder, instead it tries to Cache all 5500 pictures and well 35 mins + trying to cache all of them i close it. Also with so many pictures and thousands of names of files there is no option to View a picture and MMS it directly to a contact.
Syncing the phone. There is currently no support for outlook and well even when you export from outlook in CSV format and import into Google it always comes up half garbled with no pictures already saved for contacts. Also not correctly saving number types. IE from outlook if u save it as a mobile number so u can sms on a WM6 device once imported into google it lists it as a regular phone# and cant quickly create a sms to that user by (auto completing the name as you type.)
The only 2 things i have notice that Remember last view is the homescreen and the Applications menu. For instance if you go into your Apps management and uninstall an app. it sends you to the top of the list. The same goes with your Contacts, Directory views, Music library, Etc.
The default options for all applications are normally the same as in notification options. So if i am getting a Text, MMS, Email or what have you it is the same notification for every notification event.
There is no "task manager" to kill processes. IE an X button to close programs or access to kill process' and while Android is supposed to close programs on its own tell that to mine when i run the Browser or Myspace, Facebook, PacMac and close out of the screens and as time passes i wonder why my phone is running slow and open up the Task Switcher and see all of these running still.
There has been no porting of Office XXXX or Open Office to support excel, docx, and the like formats to android at this time yet.
While many people think that the G1 is a big let down and got it and got rid of it. Many of us see the potentional of its power and customization. So if enough of the users voice there dislikes about standard features you EXPECT and want on your device the better the chances that they will take notice.
ultraman69 said:
i rated it very poor, i am very disappointed with the phone and google should be ashamed of themselves. the g1 can't do 1/10th of the things my wing did and my wing was a dog. android is worse than win ce when i first tried it on '03. thanks g1 for ruining my year. xda-devs, please get winmo on this asap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
your wing was a 4th generation Windows mobile device.... did you have windows CE or win2003 before you had your wing? it took windows ages to provide the flexability they offered in the wing yes we all are used to those basic things that the wing and such wm2005 and 2006 devices have on it but where your wrong is the G1 and Android has the ability with the current phone you OWN this second to surpass that little phone you call Wing. Through updates and the likes. If your so disgusted in your G1 ill get you 100 bucks for it... PM me.
G1 for 2 weeks ... returned ;?
This is not a thread to bash the G1 in anyway, this is not to compare it to other touchscreen phones. This is merely a usability distinction where i couldn't justify $400 for the device which was more or less to play with android.
the G1 is a good phone, speakers (earpiece/speaker on back) have some amplification issues when the volume is too high, coming from and SE phone however they were more than acceptable in rage and clarity if the volume was controlled.
the internet was outstanding, what i would have liked to have seen was copy and paste in browser, which may have held me to the phone a bit longer than the return period. not being able to at the very least edit docs.google.com documents was irritating at best, especially with no proper document viewer on the phone, severely constricting the email that could be sent from the phone. i am by no means a business user ... but wow, i cant even edit a *.doc thats not already on my phone to another person with some changes.
this has rambled on long enough, i just wanted to share a few thoughts that i had of the device.
diabolical28 said:
your wing was a 4th generation Windows mobile device.... did you have windows CE or win2003 before you had your wing? it took windows ages to provide the flexability they offered in the wing yes we all are used to those basic things that the wing and such wm2005 and 2006 devices have on it but where your wrong is the G1 and Android has the ability with the current phone you OWN this second to surpass that little phone you call Wing. Through updates and the likes. If your so disgusted in your G1 ill get you 100 bucks for it... PM me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While correct that the Wing has the upper hand in generations of O/S, I am reminded of a great quote:
"A wise man learns from his mistakes, a wiser man learn's from the mistakes of the one around him"
sure, you need to change the words around a bit, but the lesson is to learn from others. They didnt. Android has a lot of possibilities. Unfortunately they did not "learn" from WM6, they left a lot out. They left it in the hands of developers, who seem to be too busy writing "flashlight" and "punch meter" to write useful everyday apps that we are lacking. So far the only app that I have seen that addresses a missing feature is the missed call app 9which is AWESOME as I miss a lot of calls because they dont ring though ).
I am still keeping the phone simply because of the browsing feature, I love sitting on the couch and browsing websites smoothly. Unbelievably the browser also lacks simple features like a simple ADDRESS bar (well, its hidden in the menus so you would SEARCH and add to Google's search results instead of direct typing a URL) and switching between tabs (now called Windows) is too many unnecessary "touches" in my opinion.
I dont mean to bash the phone (and dont even think about replying with "get another phone if you dont like it") but I like to bring these frustrations up so that Google programmers know one more time why this phone is going to lose its shine if they are too late bringing themselves up to date. (PS3 Sales anyone?, Late on price cuts?). See if you are too late these days, it doesn't matter if you are better, look at MSN's Video website, its awesome and MUCH better than Youtube but no one knows about it because they were late (and they don't have their own "brand name" and its simply MSN Video)
Not being able to edit *.doc files from inside the phone's memory or google docs is one thing, and I think is acceptable on a not-so-fresh-release-anymore phone.
What is NOT acceptable whatsoever on this phone is:
Not being able to see IMAGES in Gmail??! For goodness sake Google and T-Mobile claim everything you love about google in your hand, BS. Windows Mobile did this back in 1999 (used to be called Windows CE and had its own outlook) Yes that was 1999 TEN YEARS AGO on my Cassiopea
Other items worth mentioning to those who don't have the phone:
No proper support of Google's own search on its own website! (constantly getting the blank search result page)
No Copy/Paste
No Contact Sync with Outlook (what the hell? is this Nokia 1997 all over again?)
No spreadsheet/word doc editor/viewer (ok, ok, we are waiting for all kind of programmers making incompatible with each other software
No PDF viewer (Correction, there is a great PDF viewer in the market for purchase, I meant part of the browser, I think google probably wants to come up with its own version for its Google Book website and doesnt want to use Adobe PDF)
No Flash (there goes 50% of the websites I browse)
Severly closed source and limited programming that has caused simple BS "apps" with a few exceptions. Developers are crying about how limited they are in writing programs as this phone is sooo CLOSED in all ways, there is no way to even write a Gadget for it like the clock that comes on the screen. No root access either.
Unscrollable, limited desktop space
No windows for categorizing icons. Well, Google does not believe in categorizing and file systems. I am sure all their own servers are full of FOLDERs just like Microsoft servers but they claim everything should be "LABELED" not "folder"'d.
No app installation on the SD card?? Whats this one?? I dropped my WING because it was still using the ten year old Windows CE memory system (almost) and had very limited space and was always running out.
This phone made me appreciate all the little details that engineers at Microsoft have thought of in the past 20 years and included in Windows. I think of how our life would've beeen different and productivity in the world would've been so behind if Linux, IBMOS/2 and other crap had taken over the computer world. Thanks again Microsoft for all the thousands and thousands of free "apps" you included in Windows. Stuff as simple as RIGHT clicking on the screen or COPY/Paste or just a window to categorize icons, simple stupid things I have been taking for granted for years. I am sure Google programmers would love to use Windows in all their own computers while at work. Now I know why Windows dominates the software industry even though they have failed in cluttered annoying text advertising, search, maps and a few other areas.
brooklynite said:
I am still keeping the phone simply because of the browsing feature, I love sitting on the couch and browsing websites smoothly. Unbelievably the browser also lacks simple features like a simple ADDRESS bar (well, its hidden in the menus so you would SEARCH and add to Google's search results instead of direct typing a URL) and switching between tabs (now called Windows) is too many unnecessary "touches" in my opinion.
I dont mean to bash the phone (and dont even think about replying with "get another phone if you dont like it") but I like to bring these frustrations up so that Google programmers know one more time why this phone is going to lose its shine if they are too late bringing themselves up to date. (PS3 Sales anyone?, Late on price cuts?). See if you are too late these days, it doesn't matter if you are better, look at MSN's Video website, its awesome and MUCH better than Youtube but no one knows about it because they were late (and they don't have their own "brand name" and its simply MSN Video)
Not being able to edit *.doc files from inside the phone's memory or google docs is one thing, and I think is acceptable on a not-so-fresh-release-anymore phone.
What is NOT acceptable whatsoever on this phone is:
Not being able to see IMAGES in Gmail??! For goodness sake Google and T-Mobile claim everything you love about google in your hand, BS. Windows Mobile did this back in 1999 (used to be called Windows CE and had its own outlook) Yes that was 1999 TEN YEARS AGO on my Cassiopea
Other items worth mentioning to those who don't have the phone:
No proper support of Google's own search on its own website! (constantly getting the blank search result page)
No Copy/Paste
No Contact Sync with Outlook (what the hell? is this Nokia 1997 all over again?)
No spreadsheet/word doc editor/viewer (ok, ok, we are waiting for all kind of programmers making incompatible with each other software
No PDF viewer
No Flash (there goes 50% of the websites I browse)
Severly closed source and limited programming that has caused simple BS "apps" with a few exceptions. Developers are crying about how limited they are in writing programs as this phone is sooo CLOSED in all ways, there is no way to even write a Gadget for it like the clock that comes on the screen. No root access either.
Unscrollable, limited desktop space
No windows for categorizing icons. Well, Google does not believe in categorizing and file systems. I am sure all their own servers are full of FOLDERs just like Microsoft servers but they claim everything should be "LABELED" not "folder"'d.
No app installation on the SD card?? Whats this one?? I dropped my WING because it was still using the ten year old Windows CE memory system (almost) and had very limited space and was always running out.
This phone made me appreciate all the little details that engineers at Microsoft have thought of in the past 20 years and included in Windows. I think of how our life would've beeen different and productivity in the world would've been so behind if Linux, IBMOS/2 and other crap had taken over the computer world. Thanks again Microsoft for all the thousands and thousands of free "apps" you included in Windows. Stuff as simple as RIGHT clicking on the screen or COPY/Paste or just a window to categorize icons, simple stupid things I have been taking for granted for years. I am sure Google programmers would love to use Windows in all their own computers while at work. Now I know why Windows dominates the software industry even though they have failed in cluttered annoying text advertising, search, maps and a few other areas.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash was announced to be coming sometime in the near future by adobe, when is the question. There is a pdf viewer on handango however i purchased it and tried to open g1's full manual and it wont open it. GO FIGURE lol.
And contacts sync with Outlook is already out - see MailShadowG at www.cemaphore.com
- in fact, it's an entire push Exchange mail/contacts/calendar sync.
diabolical28 said:
your wing was a 4th generation Windows mobile device.... did you have windows CE or win2003 before you had your wing? it took windows ages to provide the flexability they offered in the wing yes we all are used to those basic things that the wing and such wm2005 and 2006 devices have on it but where your wrong is the G1 and Android has the ability with the current phone you OWN this second to surpass that little phone you call Wing. Through updates and the likes. If your so disgusted in your G1 ill get you 100 bucks for it... PM me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry, i didn't know that this poll was to rate the potential of the g1. potentially, any phone can be great, 5 stars...
i think by now, 2008, the requirements for a pda phone are pretty much well defined. ms may have taken 3 to 4 gens to get it right, it doesn't mean that google needs 4 gens. they don't have to invent or reinvent anything, it all already there.
unfortunately, google seems too wrapped up in UI than functionality. actually, i don't know where their focus is.
Hi Guys
I've had my HD2 for about a week now, and I *really* want to love it, but I'm struggling to bond with it, here's why.
Don't flame me just yet - I'm not an Apple Fanboi. Up until a couple of years ago I used Nokia phones, and I was happy. Then, by chance, I happened to be in New York (I'm from London) when a mate called me and said that iPhones were selling for upto £500 on eBay, and you could get them in NY for half that price. It was a "no-brainer" - I went to the Apple store and bought 4, came home, sold 3 of them and kept one out of curiousity. I'd never had an Apple device of any sort before this, and wasn't a fan - I'm a Windows bloke. (my day job is as a Windows Infrastructure Architect for large businesses). I hated Apple, and the approach they had to the control over their devices. The device was also the first encounter with a decent touch screen - my only encounter before that was an iPaq 4150 + stylus.
So I had this iPhone 8GB, and I learned how to jailbreak and unlock it in the UK. I did not expect to enjoy it much, but I found my self falling for it - the cliché'd phrase kept on applying - "it just worked". Exactly how you expected - everything. When I typed on the keyboard, I rarely made an error. When I browsed the web, I always hit the right link with my fat finger. Life was good - email was clear, intuitive - the right buttons were always "right there". There were drawbacks too (iTunes for starters), but these were sort of OK given the benefits. I had completely fallen in love with the thing.
Over the last couple of years, a good freind of mine had been coming over to the house with various phones to try and impress me. I shoo'd hm away with Blackberry Bolds, Storms, Android G1's and the like. Then, he came round with his latest toy - the HD2.
My first thought was "here we go again", but the more he showed me, the more I liked the look of it. I liked the nice big screen, Activesync email\contacts\calender, the multi-touch screen. I saw the way that the interface had changed from the old tiny "squared of boxes" look of Windows 3.1 to a nice finger freindly "big, modern, finger menus". The more I looked, the more I liked. I struggled a bit with typing on the keyboard, and navigating on the web, but I just thought that I needed to get used to it. It seemed to tick all the boxes. At last, I thought, Windows Mobile has finally come of age. I swallowed my reservations, and took the plunge, recieving my new phone 7 days ago.
Since then, I've had a love/hate relationship. I love the fact that I can actually make/recieve calls at home again (iPhone reception was fine everywhere, except in my house!). I've got a GPS now, and the compass. I love the quality of the camera and the video. I love that I have a flash. Looking forward to getting some great apps for them. I love the whole "smooth" flow of apps like the album for viewing pics and vids. I love that I can plug it in to any PC and install an app right there.
But then i find that there's no central repository for Apps really - Windows Mobile Marketplace is a joke - there's hardly anything on it. I'm left Googling in a hit and miss way for something I want. Which brings me to the next point - touch accuracy. I just can't get used to the screen. It takes me about 5 attempts to click on any given link on a web page, usually I hit the wrong link first, and have to go back a page, then try again. Typing with the on sceen keyboard is a disaster for me. It's like the phone has Parkinson's Desease - I just can't ge the letters I want consistently, and this makes typing a nightmare. it's compounded because when I try and hit the backspace key to correct stuff, I often miss that and end up with more unwanted characters. I don't like the tiny little "x" and "ok" buttons in the top right corner to close apps.
So I thought, "what version of the software have I got? Maybe an update to ROM, Manilla, etc will improve things." I had UK T-Mobile 1.43 ROM, so I looked around and decided that I'd upgrade to Artemis 5.5. This has improved things a bit (nicer control menus for closing apps and menues), but crucially not the way the keyboard and web respond. I also seem to suffer from the "shaking" when dragging a web page up and down, occasionaly. I was videoing a scene the other day, and the video was interupted by a DHCP message, FFS! A DHCP message!!! So the scene was half filmed. What a f*** up.
The whole experience is a real roller coaster, and I *so* want to love this device, but I'm left so exasperated by some of the basics, that I find myself avoiding using it, searching for a laptop instead. And now it seems that Windows Phone 7 will not available for the device. I'm even considering cancelling my contract, and returning the device.
Can anyone use the keyboard and web accurately? Any advice or suggestions, forecasted upgrades or similar that might help?
If you got this far - thanks for listening!
To tweak the links in Opera look in the very first sticky thread in this forum, try some of the other tweaks there too.
The keyboard would be much better with swype, shame it doesn't seem to be available any more
put a 3rd party keyboard (e.g. touchpal reduced my typing errors by more than 50%, or you can use resco keyboard which has an iphone skin by default) and always double tap to zoom before clicking on a link or pinch to zoom for more. that's how I learnt loving this bad boy
you sound to me as if you want to love the HD2 like you loved the Iphone
the thing is every device has its own nuances and niggles, I still yet have to
encounter someone who was actually totally satisfied with their gadget right
from the start up to the very end of its life expectancy.
this is why we have this world wide forum of XDA so people all over the world
with their varied expertise can tweak this and that, improve this and that
you know what i mean.
when I had the device >2 weeks ago, i did not
flash straight away (despite being a junkie with the Touch HD) as I wanted to
get the original feel of the stock 1.66 ROM, I listed down some areas which may
need some improvement. One was the Camera being over exposed with flash
in a dark environment, another was the checker board when scrolling in Opera.
By reading through and searching and participating, I found that Dutty HG 1.1
had most of my problems solved, so I flashed it, and its been almost a week
on and I can say to myself I am a bit happier with it than the Stock 1.66 ROM
I would'nt say i'd be happy with this totally and forever, things out there are improving and developing.
to summarize things it all settles down on how much you stick out and appreciate
any device/gadget. happiness is a fleeting feeling, enjoy each moment
while it unfolds in your eyes and fingers.
that is my little piece for winmo.
ozkaya said:
put a 3rd party keyboard (e.g. touchpal reduced my typing errors by more than 50%, or you can use resco keyboard which has an iphone skin by default) and always double tap to zoom before clicking on a link or pinch to zoom for more. that's how I learnt loving this bad boy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I always double tap too - Stopped most of the wrong link selecting for me !
don't give up on your typing skills just yet. It took me about 2 months to get used to it, now I'm typing nearly as fast as on a laptop.
screen (over) sensitivity and dodgy key input are the two biggest drawbacks of the hd2.
install bsbtweaks for the screen sensitivity reduction tweak, and using swype (from the omnia, not the t mo one which can cause issues) solved it for me. typing takes a good few weeks to get used to, but gets easier and easier as you get used to it.(typing this on the bus using swype)
sn0rg said:
But then i find that there's no central repository for Apps really - Windows Mobile Marketplace is a joke - there's hardly anything on it. I'm left Googling in a hit and miss way for something I want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try OpnMarket for apps. Marketplace indeed is a joke...
As for the rest; don't give up yet. I had the same issues as you do now regarding typing and generally touch interface. I'm running Tom's ROM right now and I find typing is much improved compared to 1.48 or 1.66... I don't use the reduced sensitivity cabs floating around xda or BsB Tweaks. 1.48 was a catastrophy, but things improve all the time. So don't give up just yet - you'll get used to your device. I took you some time before you loved (ieeeeeuw, nasty ;-)) your iPhone, give your HD2 a month or two. It's a superior device, really.
Grtz from fellow windows sysadmin
Lukas
The Resco keyboard really helps with typing. And a new ROM speeds the Leo up. I think the reason perhaps the iPhone seems better is because its a simpler device. Our Leo's do a considerable amount more, so learning it is bound to take some time.
witch1 said:
The Resco keyboard really helps with typing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
I tested Resco and it looks really nice,
but
- the different skins did not work and
- in the standard iSkin I have only two field:
a numerical and a alphabetical.
There I miss some keys, for example < > [ ] and Backspace ....
Is this only in the test version the case?
eshd
Thanks for the replies I'm working through some of the suggestions now
Let's make it simple: some HD2 devices are definitely flawed and have a physical touchscreen problem that you won't be able to fix with software tweaks, new ROMs or whatever.
The first thing you need to know is if you device is flawed or not. A very simple test is to use the Note application and try to draw straight lines when you use your finger slowly.
The second thing you need to do is check out this very complete thread (click here). In there, you'll find most symptoms that are associated with these flawed devices. Some of these symptoms is called "The Electrocardiography"... It seems like that is what you called with another medical term "Parkinson's desease".
If you have one or more of these problems, you might want to check the hotfix that was given by the same guy who run the thread. The hotfix is in this thread here. It won't correct 100% of the problem, but it might be a BIG help.
If you go through all these steps and are not fully satisfied with the results, you might consider sending back you device to customer service (that's what I did until I got a perfect unit).
Think about it all.
Are you sure your HD2 is working correctly? I had the same issues as you and after two weeks I decided enough was enough and sent it back for a replacment. I have had that for three days now and it is a big improvement. The shaking when scrolling has gone and the typing is as good as the iPhone I tried. I am now very happy with the HD2.
Anyone have this yet? Wondering how it compares to NookColor, etc. Note there are two versions of this...the 70b being the newer model with only the two hardware button.
Specs look decent for an e-book reader. Android 2.1, wifi etc.
Would love to see a review...anyone have feedback?
http://www.advancedmp3players.co.uk...hscreen__and_Android-based_eReader.12552.html
I plan on buying it. it looks decent
but there no bluetooth built it.
I wanted to know if a bluetooth usb key would work or not.
Bandage said:
Anyone have this yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got it in MediaMarkt for 139 euros (available online starting 119).
Model Nbr - A7EM
Firmware - 1.0.0
Kernel - 2.6.25 / [email protected] #98
Build - V 0.18.ECLAIR.eng.root.20101209.172546
First impression - pretty slow (comparing to SGS 2.2.1), bugs in original keyboard, pretty bad resistive touchscreen (seems like or a bit better than other Archos tablets) , "read" buttons are not working with all applications, very sensitive orientation sensor - switching all the time, standard Android orientation is horizontal - but the device made for vertical/portrait orientation. So too many software "features".
Also, very important for any user, they made pretty bad decision of making scroll bars very thin on such pretty large screen. Meaning that they could not be used for actual scrolling and it is almost impossible to scroll any screen.
Summary so far - NOT RECOMMENDED for a novice user, but, as I understand, pretty standard so could be "tuned" by an experienced person. Especially if 2.2 ROM could be ported to it.
PS: Could not find any extra information about device itself and how it could be rooted so far. Very limited info on official site, no firmware available, almost no postings on any sites except of 1-2 reviews.
If anybody has questions - please do it quickly. I'm planning to return this device back because it is pretty much failing it main purpose - it has no convenient ebook reader application, so, considering very limited supply in Archos app store - (Stanza is missing!), it is too much work to make this device useful.
(will keep posting with info) Good news:
User 'shinset' posted very interesting video on Youtube "archos 70B ereader" : www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOqbPI3aqDQ
Some modifications were done to the software (see next post).
Not just being cool, but the device looks much snappier and many standard programs could be installed (excluding Google closed source ones as he said in comments). Also with stylus navigation on 70B resistive touchscreen is much easier than with fingers.
'NightTimeification' mentioned: "the only good thing about the A70B is the "c-paper" screen if you read a lot ". Confirming that screen looking pretty good for such a cheap model also color wise.
Checking blogeee forum using Translate from French.Google as: www.blogeee.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=480&t=20537&sid=5c81e90baf766f186ff0c6595748807f
Summary on the device
Product looks alike (except A70b as Android 2.1): Nextbook Next2 7" eBook Reader:
URL: www.nextbookusa.com
PREVIEW: www.youtube.com/watch?v=11KiiL4cMjs
FCC application A70b including Internal photos:
https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas...Frame=N&application_id=420383&fcc_id='SOV7702
= Summary from the French forum (first 13 pages):
- Only temporary root with Z4Root (till reboot)
- no known access to boot manager or Froyo
- apps to be compatible with enlightens 2.1
- Suggested modification: Zeami launcher + home switcher + alternative market (Slide me)
- Office app - Quickoffice - http://gallery.mobile9.com/f/1618835/
- Opera Mini browser 5 is considered as the best browser
- Google calendar via - GCalendar Widget
- A transitional model because Archos is switching to Arnova brand later this year - www.generation-nt.com/archos-arnova-chine-strategie-tablette-android-actualite-1166241.html
- Most of people are pretty happy with functionality for this money
Now I'm not sure any more ...
i have this
http://www.jbmm.fr/2011/02/08/archos-70b-ereader-mes-impressions/
http://www.jbmm.fr/2011/02/04/deballons-larchos-7ob-ereader/
i prefer the 7 IT
the "big" interest for this ereader is the "ADOBE DRM" !
for use epub/pdf with drm
Adobe DRM
cajl said:
the "big" interest for this ereader is the "ADOBE DRM" !
for use epub/pdf with drm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed, but there is one problem with it - CPU is pretty slow, so any serious PDF is taking ages to load (like a minute to load every page). So I would not count on this device as being a good PDF reader. In emergency situation - yes, but any complex PDF - no.
PS: On my SGS phone with 1 Ghz CPU reading PDF is much more smooth, but the screen is only about 1/3 of 70b. No perfection in this world
Played with device the whole weekend. Here is a summary of how I think about this device:
For:
Size and weight are just right (for me)
Screen type (c-paper) meaning brightness levels, contrast and colors
Overall functionality for this money
Contra:
Resistive screen
Configuration of a single Home screen is just stupid
Immature and obsolete OS version (full of small bugs)
Incompatible with many Android apps I need (not installing)
The only reasonable usage is as e-book reader. All other are inconvenient in a sense
Low chances that it would be ever properly supported by Archos
PS: I've complained to Archos. Waiting for their reaction.
ppav1776 said:
Contra:
...
PS: I've complained to Archos. Waiting for their reaction.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It looks that Archos never would contact me. So I'm bringing device back to the shop.
For others who are interested, some workarounds:
> Resistive screen
You need a stylus or something alike (finger nail) with small contact surface. Any scrolling easier to do in diagonal style: bottom_left to top_right.
Combining these two, the interface does not look so ugly any more.
> Configuration of a single Home screen
Get a different Launcher and make it default
> Incompatible with many Android apps
It should be a way. Probably in Archos Internet Tablets section they should have more information about this. May be just some libraries to be installed, may be this is just an Installer bug.
> reasonable usage is as e-book reader
It is not bad already.
WiFi driver is not power consumtion friendly - just keep it connected to charger
Browsing is not easy - just try different browsers
> not properly supported by Archos
Who cares! They are a commercial company, but there are a lot of enthusiasts around who might help.
> No bootloader or real permanent root
Get Titanium Backup and z4root, make a full backup (including System settings). So the applications could be easily re-installed and most of settings preserved.
ppav1776 said:
(will keep posting with info) Good news:
User 'shinset' posted very interesting video on Youtube "archos 70B ereader" : www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOqbPI3aqDQ
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Brought it for less than 100 euro. I've followed the instruction, making a very usable tablet. Even Angry Brids runs on it . I am however looking for a calendar app, which doesn't required the stock calender as it is removed by Archos.