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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
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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....
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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.
is the esn number also on the mother board or is it just on the shell of the phone? is anybody selling s3 sprint sphL710 mother boards good price? does jtag take away a bad esn number or just for bricked phone?
how do you find out the esn if you buy a mother board, just put it in phone?
ESN location.
arcolino1 said:
is the esn number also on the mother board or is it just on the shell of the phone? is anybody selling s3 sprint sphL710 mother boards good price? does jtag take away a bad esn number or just for bricked phone?
how do you find out the esn if you buy a mother board, just put it in phone?
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The ESN is hard-coded on ROM located on the main board, which also houses the system processor, ASICs and support logic.
There is no direct access to this location, as it is the 'serial number' for the phone, like the VIN is for your car, it identifies the type of phone, the RF bands it is capable of using, as well as type of coding, such as TDMA, CDMA, iDEN and so on.
AECRADIO said:
The ESN is hard-coded on ROM located on the main board, which also houses the system processor, ASICs and support logic.
There is no direct access to this location, as it is the 'serial number' for the phone, like the VIN is for your car, it identifies the type of phone, the RF bands it is capable of using, as well as type of coding, such as TDMA, CDMA, iDEN and so on.
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ok so if you have a board with a "dirty" esn is there a way to make it clean to make it good? the jtag process is just to unbrick phone that wont make a dirty esn clean?
We don't talk about it here.
But yes there is.
Try Google.
Sent from my XT897 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
AECRADIO said:
The ESN is hard-coded on ROM located on the main board, which also houses the system processor, ASICs and support logic.
There is no direct access to this location, as it is the 'serial number' for the phone, like the VIN is for your car, it identifies the type of phone, the RF bands it is capable of using, as well as type of coding, such as TDMA, CDMA, iDEN and so on.
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Your first statement is incorrect, but that's all I'm going to say.
Okay, maybe not in 'ROM', but the ESN is not accessible via normal programming.
Since the 1980s, I have never had the software, nor the test equipment to alter any ESN of a phone.
And those I am referring to are the Star TAC, Dyna TAC and transportable 'bag' phones by Circle-M.
Even the shops I worked for then, did not have the tools to change or alter the ESN of any phone.
While my comment might not be 100% accurate, the reason is.
This is how a carrier can disable specific phones that have been cloned, and prevent future theft of service by stopping the effects of cloned ESNs on a carrier's network. The days of cloning ended along with the AMPS phone system, which included D-AMPS also.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
I just had to investigate this issue deeper, so I dug up my collection of 1980's and '90's vintage phones, and many have the familiar 8 pin D.I.P prom, that could be programmed with the ESN as well as number storage.
I was in error with my first posting, expecting memory to carry me along, but no.
The import phones such as Audiovox, Nokia and Diamondtel Etc. Did have a prom you could alter to clone the ESN, but once the carriers started to combat this, the manufacturers followed with unalterable ESN data, to stop this fraud.
I am certain this lead to the rise of the 64K SIMs we see in current handsets.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
AECRADIO said:
I just had to investigate this issue deeper, so I dug up my collection of 1980's and '90's vintage phones, and many have the familiar 8 pin D.I.P prom, that could be programmed with the ESN as well as number storage.
I was in error with my first posting, expecting memory to carry me along, but no.
The import phones such as Audiovox, Nokia and Diamondtel Etc. Did have a prom you could alter to clone the ESN, but once the carriers started to combat this, the manufacturers followed with unalterable ESN data, to stop this fraud.
I am certain this lead to the rise of the 64K SIMs we see in current handsets.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
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You CAN change ESNs, and you CAN change IMEIs. It's extremely simple, however I won't get into it because it's a grey area on this site and in general.
Apparently Sprint is not allowing phones to be migrated to the Ting network until after 1 year of release. I own a S2 which I would like to use as a donor phone. It is activated and working but I've wanted to upgrade to the S4 because of the camera and faster processors. Does anyone know if this is possible. I've tried changing the ESN/MEID but not the IMEI and it won't activate. I may try changing the IMEI as well but don't know the S2's IMEI. I didn't want to do this if it is not possible. I'd be willing to try with some assistance if someone wants to guide me through the process. I don't know if there is anything you have to do with the SIM card either.
If someone has knowledge, can they let me know?
Thanks!
bobwonderful said:
Apparently Sprint is not allowing phones to be migrated to the Ting network until after 1 year of release. I own a S2 which I would like to use as a donor phone. It is activated and working but I've wanted to upgrade to the S4 because of the camera and faster processors. Does anyone know if this is possible. I've tried changing the ESN/MEID but not the IMEI and it won't activate. I may try changing the IMEI as well but don't know the S2's IMEI. I didn't want to do this if it is not possible. I'd be willing to try with some assistance if someone wants to guide me through the process. I don't know if there is anything you have to do with the SIM card either.
If someone has knowledge, can they let me know?
Thanks!
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The other question is has any done this on Boost Mobile? Because that is my next possible move just so I don't have to worry about overages on the data.
I don't think you are able to talk about cloning on XDA. May be wrong.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
daniel4653 said:
I don't think you are able to talk about cloning on XDA. May be wrong.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
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There's a whole section on cloning on the SII Epic 4G Touch about this for Boost Mobile.
I'm sure it's a grey area, however if you are the owner of both phones, I don't believe cloning is an issue. I would have loved to have cloned a phone just for back up purposes as well, especially when I brick one of them when fooling around with different roms.
bobwonderful said:
There's a whole section on cloning on the SII Epic 4G Touch about this for Boost Mobile.
I'm sure it's a grey area, however if you are the owner of both phones, I don't believe cloning is an issue. I would have loved to have cloned a phone just for back up purposes as well, especially when I brick one of them when fooling around with different roms.
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I have my s4 flashed to boost. S2 don't have sims so that's why u don't have a imei. Also your probably getting 4g wimax which u would not get using the s4 only 3g. It can be done I'm almost positive.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
Ok.. now that I have bought a Ting S4, I've had some time to fool around with the Sprint S4. I have cloned my phone,they will ring at the same time and I can answer a call. However it cannot dial out. What does not work is 4G LTE as that is controlled/activated/authorized by the SIM card as couldn't clone that card. The interesting thing is that if I swap cards the 4G LTE will work. The 3G works fine. Any idea on why the voice can't dial out properly? ESN, IMEI, MEI numbers are all the same and I have tried to activate it through the normal process.
The interesting thing is that I couldn't clone the S4 with an S2 ESN.