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[Q] Changing Xoom antenna from EV-DO to HSPDA?

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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.

[Q] Qualcomm MDM6600, Motorola Xoom 3G (US) and GSM networks

Hi all,
As I was traveling to the US in the next weeks, I was planning the possibility of buying a xoom 3G there as it has not been launched yet in Europe. Then I just realized that the 3G version of the Motorola Xoom is in fact an CDMA only version.
However today I have seen in the iFixit that the Motorola Xoom has the Qualcomm MDM6600 radio chipset. This chipset, which supports HSPA+ (MDM6600 looks like a GSM/UMTS/HSPA+/EV-DO multi-mode processor), is the same as the world phone Motorola Droid Pro.
So, my question is:
- Could we have some hope the US version will allow us to connect to GSM versions in Europe anytime soon?
- Will be able to navigate through GLONASS navigation satellites?
Intriguing enough,
/À

No.
Plus it doesn't hurt to search. This has been touched on numerous time on here.

Thanks for the answer. Actually, I did some search on the forum, but still I fail to see whether the difference will be on the hardware or software, as the radio chipset looks capable.

Part of the issue is that the antennas are tuned for VZ's CDMA frequencies (and modulation, IIRC). It wouldn't work very well on say, 900MHz GSM.

Just because the chipset is capable of GSM theoretically doesn't mean it has the antennas or tuning or SIM slot to be compatible with GSM. The lack of a GSM SIM slot alone shoots down the proposition.

martonikaj said:
The lack of a GSM SIM slot alone shoots down the proposition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, provided the existing SIM-card reader is wired to a serial port (as opposed to directly to the Mini-PCI port's pins) that part might actually work
(BTW, I will give my firstborn for the 3G-version's schematic. Hook me up, someone!)

kcrudup said:
Actually, provided the existing SIM-card reader is wired to a serial port (as opposed to directly to the Mini-PCI port's pins) that part might actually work
(BTW, I will give my firstborn for the 3G-version's schematic. Hook me up, someone!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I gather then LTE SIM and GSM SIM are different sizes.

martonikaj said:
From what I gather then LTE SIM and GSM SIM are different sizes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just checked- same size. Dunno about connections though.

Why not just wait until April 19th and get the Euro 3G version from Carphone Warehouse? The US version, as standard, will not work in Europe.

1.) euopean software flashed on a vzw xoom
2.) gsm simcard detected and unlocked(pin)
3.) for some reason the rild is falling back to cdma even if it is configured for gsm
radio image?

US Xoom in Europe
Hi GhostOfTheNet,
Do you think If install the Stock MZ601_H.6.1-38-1_Retail_Europe.zip, would it work with the Xoom MZ600 instead of the existing Build HRI39?
If not, Please what have you done so far to get it work?
Thanks in advance.
EGMWEB

Will GPS work in EU
Hi,
this is probably a stupid question, but I'd just like a definitive confirmation on this - will I be able to use GPS from a US Motorola Xoom (MZ604) in Europe (specifically the UK)?
Thanks

egmweb said:
Hi GhostOfTheNet,
Do you think If install the Stock MZ601_H.6.1-38-1_Retail_Europe.zip, would it work with the Xoom MZ600 instead of the existing Build HRI39?
If not, Please what have you done so far to get it work?
Thanks in advance.
EGMWEB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It wont work because the gsm radio image never gets flashed on to the xoom's baseband :/
I tried to do that to see if i could downgrade the radio but it dident work

[Info] No sim :(

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.

[Q] How to use SIM from phone in tab 7.7

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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LTE is the reason why a simcard is utilized. I'm pretty certain that rest of the cdma/evd0 doesn't utilize the simcard

[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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.