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I was thinking how other carriers 3G mini PCI-E might be able to be used. I happen to have a huawei card from tmobile that I pulled from a dell and was thinking it would be cool to install. Anyone more familier with the tech have anything to comment on this possibility?
Just wanted to start a new threads and system said: "Hey, there is one already"
So this question is actual for me too. Are there any thoughts on how could we use this mini-PCI slot? Looking forward to be able to insert a 3g card there... Could it be possible? Thanks
Why limit ourselves to connectivity cards? How about using the mini-PCI-E slot for a TV tuner?
Better yet more internal storage via mini pcie ssd cards
Hey guys,
There is a discussion here https://supportforums.motorola.com/message/334262
I bought a Xoom in the US last week and am extremely satisfied with it.
However, it appears I can't use the 3G functionality of the Xoom in The Netherlands (where I live), because the European/Dutch Vodafone 3G system is different from Verizon's (HSPDA vs. EVDO). 4G LTE will become available in Europe in about one year, so that's not an option...
From what I understood, this is a hardware issue that cannot be fixed by a software modification.
My question is pretty simple: as I would really hate to return my Xoom to BestBuy... Do you think it'd be possible in a few months, when the Motorola Xoom becomes available in Europe, to have my (US) Xoom hardware-modified to fit the European 3G-standard? And would that be costly?
Thanks
Martijn77 said:
I bought a Xoom in the US last week and am extremely satisfied with it.
However, it appears I can't use the 3G functionality of the Xoom in The Netherlands (where I live), because the European/Dutch Vodafone 3G system is different from Verizon's (HSPDA vs. EVDO). 4G LTE will become available in Europe in about one year, so that's not an option...
From what I understood, this is a hardware issue that cannot be fixed by a software modification.
My question is pretty simple: as I would really hate to return my Xoom to BestBuy... Do you think it'd be possible in a few months, when the Motorola Xoom becomes available in Europe, to have my (US) Xoom hardware-modified to fit the European 3G-standard? And would that be costly?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just sell the one you have and buy a new one on contract since you need to use the 3G.
I would like that, but the Xoom won't make it's way to The Netherlands very soon, while Motorola has no official import in our country (as far as I know).
No, this won't work. The chipset in the Xoom is for CDMA. Almost all of Europe's major 3G coverage/carriers are GSM, which has a different chipset.
Just pickup the GSM Euro version when it comes out. I believe preorders are already up in some countries if I'm not mistaken.
Oke, then that's what I'll do... Thanks all!
the UK and germany have the euro version of the xoom out next month.
already seen some adds of the UK version beeing simlock free .. dont know if the german version will be simlock free.
if their simlock free it doesnt matter where you get them since you can change the language on the xoom to your local language or to english
martonikaj said:
The chipset in the Xoom is for CDMA.
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R U sure? iFixit state Qualcomm MDM6600 in their teardown, and that is http://www.qualcomm.com/news/releas...nces-commercial-availability-gobi3000-modules As said there, "The Gobi 3000 reference design is based on Qualcomm’s MDM6200™ and MDM6600™ chipsets, both of which can provide support for HSPA+ data rates of up to 14.4 Mbps. The MDM6600 also supports CDMA2000® 1xEV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B". So CDMA is an additional capability? Am I wrong?
freemsk1 said:
R U sure? iFixit state Qualcomm MDM6600 in their teardown, and that is http://www.qualcomm.com/news/releas...nces-commercial-availability-gobi3000-modules As said there, "The Gobi 3000 reference design is based on Qualcomm’s MDM6200™ and MDM6600™ chipsets, both of which can provide support for HSPA+ data rates of up to 14.4 Mbps. The MDM6600 also supports CDMA2000® 1xEV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B". So CDMA is an additional capability? Am I wrong?
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Yes you are right. That is the chipset. But only the CDMA is enabled. Just because the chipset is theoretically capable when it leaves Qualcomm, doesn't mean it isn't made to be used for CDMA when its put into the Xoom. It was covered in several of the threads when the iFixIt teardown came out.
Even then, there isn't even a place to put a non-LTE SIM card into the device, how would it work? From my understanding, LTE SIM cards are different (and different sized), and it wouldn't necessarily be compatible with normal SIM cards.
The amount of hackery required to get this to potentially work on a GSM carrier isn't worth it. Its much easier to just get the GSM version coming out in Europe if you're gonna use in Europe. Because of the fact that there is GSM versions of the Xoom, I wouldn't be surprised if we eventually saw it on GSM carriers here, but that depends on the deal Verizon has with Motorola.
martonikaj said:
Even then, there isn't even a place to put a non-LTE SIM card into the device, how would it work? From my understanding, LTE SIM cards are different (and different sized), and it wouldn't necessarily be compatible with normal SIM cards.
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I didn't hold it up to compare, but the plastic insert for where the LTE SIM card will go looks very similar in size to my SIM card I had when I was on AT&T. I know they're starting to move toward MicroSIM cards, but this LTE slot looked the same (if not very close) size as regular SIM cards.
I doubt sticking a SIM Card in there would allow it to work on a GSM network though. Perhaps the LTE SIM is thicker/thinner than a regular one. I have no idea.
In principle, yes. The LTE chipset is supposed to come in mini PCI-e format and go into the Xoom at that currently blank slot. IF this was a PC, you could get a PCI-e HSPA card, install appropriate driver and maybe some tweaks here and there to make it running. The problem is, there is not a PC. No one knows what network cards would work with the Xoom, and there is probably no driver that works with it. Heck, that PCI-e slot is probably not even working right now, considering the fact that even something as simple as the SD card slot is not working.
I am almost in a similar situation. I got a Xoom and then found out I would be traveling shortly after. I just thought to return but then by a stroke of seriously bad luck i dropped it and made two small very superficial scratches/dents to the aluminum shell. Now best buy will not accept it.
The country I am going to has at least two CDMA carriers but of course I am locked to Verizon. I am willing to go for either a "legal" unlock from Verizon (if that is even possible, I dont expect much mercy from them), or even better - the miracle of being able to use the deactivated GSM functionality of the Xoom.
If anyone has any advice on either of these possibilities, please let me know.
If flashed with 3g rom Mobile Network Activation is available as an option. I've tried my 3G BB card, activation failed, but my sip was non working after, needed to reboot BB twice, to pick up a signal. So, from my humble observation everything is there, but disabled to compete with iPad2 in terms of price
iFixit! We need a wifi XOOM teardown.
XOOM'd from the XDA app.
3G ROM is CDMA, which doesn't use SIM cards (the Xoom 3G SIM is for the as-yet-uninstalled LTE radio), so I'm not quite sure this means anything (it was going to fail in any case).
does it mean the WIFI version in principle can still be upgraded to support LTE?
I've wondered about that, too. Seems to me that once the ROM post-upgrade gets leaked, then anyone who buys that LTE Mini-PCI card and is comptent with a Torx-5 bit should be able to subscribe to an LTE plan from VZ and get the SIM from them.
...O wait it says so in the title
You sure you aren't mistaking that for microSD?
I know right? it sounds pretty careless of them to leave it there, instead of going with a completely different motherboard.
I hardly beleive that any company will leave silicon/parts in a device to then sell it cheaper? It just doesn't make any sense, you don't see a Biturbo BMW with its biturbo disabled and then sold for less... just the turbo parts cost a lot why would they not charge you while you still receive the same? might as well give you a scooter for free don't you think.
Production is well cheaper nowdays that's why most companys can have 5 different revisions of the same device with different configurations, hence GSM, CDMA, wifi only, 16gb 32gb, etc. they save a lot more making what they need and not making a full device then criple it down to "cut cost" that's just illogical..
No, There are 2 slots under the cover...
My knowledge in this are is very limited, but during mobile network activation (the icon stated 3g), and after couple of attempts sim was locked (which is impossible if it was blank, leftover slot). But I might be totally wrong...
belozeroff said:
and after couple of attempts sim was locked (which is impossible if it was blank, leftover slot)
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The SIM-card reader is connected (most likely to a serial port on the Tegra chip). The actual LTE radio Mini-PCI card is not in there, however (we have to send it in for upgrade).
I'm surprised there's code that's actually touching the SIM, however- but one thing to consider is the QD6600 radio that's used for CDMA data can also do GSM/UMTS data as well (but needs a different modem SW and some different antenna-interface hardware).
The wifi zoom could potentially retain its 4g sim slot because it was paired with the flash memory slot. I would bet that it doesn't have the radio for cdma/GSM/lte/etc. It is highly unlikely due to the cost of just the multi-functional radio chips that power the slots ;-)
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App
The WIFI Xoom definitely has a SIM slot
And if you think that 800 price tag is for a radio chip you are mistaken. the whole 3g version doesn't cost $400 max.
Then whats it for if not a 3G radio?
The Wifi Xoom is not the same as the verizon one. I have already removed the back cover and its a different mainboard. All the 4g/3g stuff has been removed. Sorry guys..
James
cj10488 said:
The Wifi Xoom is not the same as the verizon one. I have already removed the back cover and its a different mainboard. All the 4g/3g stuff has been removed. Sorry guys..
James
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Does it still have a mini-pcie slot? Could you post a pic?
This has absolutely nothing to do with development. Please post in the correct section.
No it did not and no I didn't grab a pic. It's just bare magnesium where the pcie slot would be
Besides the lack of radio I'm sure there's a lack of required antennas for any cellular radio to work.
So after seeing the sim slot advertised so much I was hoping to see it next to the sd card slot. Even though the 3g or whatever model was not supposed to be out for a while. This suspicion was fueled even more by seeing the cell standby process in battery usage. Opened the door and saw some gray tape stuff covering the second slot. Removed that tape and it says SIM card with a picture of how to insert it. But when trying to put one in of course there is no connector in there it seems. I advise not to try and the sim card almost fell down in. Humm...what will be figured out down the road I wonder.
Sadly yes, some other threads mentioned this as well. I was all hopeful since the Cell standby show up in battery use & About device shows Model as A501 in one spot.
Oh well, now that it's rooted I can wifi tether to my phone at least, save me a 2nd data plan
the question is... is the cellular modem actually in there?? it could be something as simple (complex) as soldering your own sim reader...
http://techno.fulltrickandtips.com/new-acer-iconia-2011-acer-iconia-tab-a500-10-1-tablet
This website states there is a 3G and Wifi model and they are noted by there SKU. In about this device the SKU reads 3G on my model. I realize this may just be the software and with an update and realize of an actual 3G model may change but it does give some hope to the fact that we may have lucked out and they shipped 3G models that are just waiting a software upgrade to unlock the potential of the device... But I know I'm not that lucky....
abmcbride85 said:
http://techno.fulltrickandtips.com/new-acer-iconia-2011-acer-iconia-tab-a500-10-1-tablet
This website states there is a 3G and Wifi model and they are noted by there SKU. In about this device the SKU reads 3G on my model. I realize this may just be the software and with an update and realize of an actual 3G model may change but it does give some hope to the fact that we may have lucked out and they shipped 3G models that are just waiting a software upgrade to unlock the potential of the device... But I know I'm not that lucky....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dunno, somewhat unrelated, but I ordered 2 geforce 465's back when they were new and they were actually geforce 470s. Had the larger GPU AND 256 or so more megabytes of RAM on board. So it's possible companies do ship better stuff software crippled to show up as something else.
I have the SGNexus from verizon with LTE and the phone has a uSIM card in it. I just picked up the SGTab 7.7 last night but did not activate (bought outright).
So, I may wish to use the uSIM card in the tab but am aware that there are things the carriers look for to prevent this and I'd like to prevent them from screwing me. Again, I don't expect to do this much but would like the OPTION of doing so.
What do I need to do and not do to use the uSIM from my SGNexus in my SGTab 7.7?
Thanks,
Brian
So this is the VZW Tab 7.7? I was assuming they would bake the SIM into the tab to prevent exactly what you want to do, but I haven't actually seen one yet. In the P6800, there is a SIM slot along the same side as the microSD slot--does your tab have a SIM slot? If not, you won't be able to switch for sure. If there is a full-size SIM slot, you just need an adapter, which is easy to get or make (can probably get one for like $1 on ebay).
Also, I wouldn't expect VZW to allow your phone SIM to work on a tablet in any case. Even if you could put the SIM in, VZW will know from the IMEI that you are using a tablet and (I assume) force you to change plans or whatever.
teiglin said:
So this is the VZW Tab 7.7? I was assuming they would bake the SIM into the tab to prevent exactly what you want to do, but I haven't actually seen one yet. In the P6800, there is a SIM slot along the same side as the microSD slot--does your tab have a SIM slot? If not, you won't be able to switch for sure. If there is a full-size SIM slot, you just need an adapter, which is easy to get or make (can probably get one for like $1 on ebay).
Also, I wouldn't expect VZW to allow your phone SIM to work on a tablet in any case. Even if you could put the SIM in, VZW will know from the IMEI that you are using a tablet and (I assume) force you to change plans or whatever.
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At 5:10 of this silly unboxing video the SIM slot is in view.
http://www.androidauthority.com/verizon-samsung-galaxy-tab-7-7-lte-unboxing-59081/
I didn't think they would have an open SIM slot on the Verizon unit either, but maybe it has the capability of being unlocked?
burhanistan said:
At 5:10 of this silly unboxing video the SIM slot is in view.
http://www.androidauthority.com/verizon-samsung-galaxy-tab-7-7-lte-unboxing-59081/
I didn't think they would have an open SIM slot on the Verizon unit either, but maybe it has the capability of being unlocked?
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Interesting. So yeah, OP: go get a SIM adapter, plug in your SIM, and see what Verizon says to you! Good luck.
Before I go that route I'd like to make sure I avoid anything that would give me away. I'm not sure that's possible but since there are a lot of smart folks on this board I'll wait a bit to give it a shot.
I think the thing I'd most likely use it for is in-car navigation on the longer trips. I have the Verizon SGNexus with LTE and I have the hotspot option so I could use it in that mode to drive the navigation on the tab so maybe swapping in the SIM wouldn't be that big a deal.
Still, it would be nice to have the option...
Brian
Raptor1956 said:
Before I go that route I'd like to make sure I avoid anything that would give me away. I'm not sure that's possible but since there are a lot of smart folks on this board I'll wait a bit to give it a shot.
I think the thing I'd most likely use it for is in-car navigation on the longer trips. I have the Verizon SGNexus with LTE and I have the hotspot option so I could use it in that mode to drive the navigation on the tab so maybe swapping in the SIM wouldn't be that big a deal.
Still, it would be nice to have the option...
Brian
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It's not possible to hide the fact that you're using a tab 7.7 from Verizon unless you're willing to try to change your IMEI (and messing with /efs is pretty dangerous). I'm not saying it's totally impossible, but it'd be difficult at the very least. As you say, there are a lot of smart people here, so maybe someone will work out a way--but I wouldn't hold my breath. Still, no way to know if it'll work unless you try it.
Personally, I bought the wifi version because tethering to a phone is easy and a lot cheaper--save $100 at the start, plus no second data plan at absurd US carriers' prices. I think many of the people who bought the international 3G version were thinking the same as you--they can swap their phone SIM in if they want. However, the unlocked version identifies on the network just like any phone, unlike the Verzion version, which is locked down by Verizon and doesn't even ship with phone software.
I toyed with the idea of importing a wifi only version but decided I didn't want to lose the next door support if I have a problem so I went with Verizon and so far as I can tell they will only offer the LTE version. If putting my phone SIM in it is not going to work or work for long then it will be just a wifi only version albeit about $100 more expensive. I think I could reclaim some of the difference on resell though...
I really hope ICS is coming soon as I don't much like HC...
Brian
Forgive my ignorance guys but what is this verizon with LTE?
I am not in the U.S., for me the P6800 model works with a normal GSM SIM or 3G SIM out of the box.
temiatwork said:
Forgive my ignorance guys but what is this verizon with LTE?
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Verizon is a US carrier that does not use GSM. The Verizon version of the GT7.7 has different hardware then the standard GT7.7 and it is unclear if you can just swap the Verizon LTE sim from one Verizon device to their GT7.7 and have full functionality.
Paten said:
Verizon is a US carrier that does not use GSM. The Verizon version of the GT7.7 has different hardware then the standard GT7.7 and it is unclear if you can just swap the Verizon LTE sim from one Verizon device to their GT7.7 and have full functionality.
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LTE is the reason why a simcard is utilized. I'm pretty certain that rest of the cdma/evd0 doesn't utilize the simcard