Database Users

any new vodafone uk roms?

does any one have the original updated vodafone uk rom? htc website wont let my update it

there isnt any new ones
I cant see any new ones coming untill feb,march time next year

You can however probably use the Gold Card method to flash over to one of the standard WWE roms if that's what you want.
Side benefit is getting rid of any Voda Customizations

the_ape said:
You can however probably use the Gold Card method to flash over to one of the standard WWE roms if that's what you want.
Side benefit is getting rid of any Voda Customizations
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
your warrenty will however be non existant

There are no Vodafone customisations on the UK released device and as for the warranty you will lose your Vodafone warranty but you will retain your HTC warranty. With regard to the Vodafone warranty if you flash to 1.48 via HTC site and then in a few months time your device develops a fault, theres a good chance that VF will have released the 1.48 update by then which I would say (considering the original release wasnt customised) is unlikely to be different from HTC's official release so VF wont be able to tell the difference.
But as always any decision you make is on your own head.

If Vodafone with the TouchPro are anything to go by then they won't release any updates until their forum is overflowing with complaints. Best bet is to wait for a HSPL hack and then you can load anything you want. By then the stock ROM should be available from the WIKI for reflashing incase of problems. Also be aware that Vodafone have previously asked for phones to be returned to get the ROM upgrade! Many people reported getting back 2nd-hand (but not their own) phones - I intend waiting this time , can't be long until the hack is released and we get flooded with tempting alternatives?

Debrand samsung omnia 7

Can anyone do this debrand? is there a guide?

I have a Carrier version of the phone and the only branding is a spash screen on start up. WP7 was desigined to be carrier free with no overlays. Most carriers will put a hub with there related software in it which you can uninstall or remove the tile from the home screen.

the problem is that with my H3G brand i can't change the mms'apn settings so i can't send mms

exactly that is why I need to debrand mine purchased in Three.
Anyone?

I'm also wondering too mate!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=937219

Go here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=887045 : download and install firmware (you may need to do 301k trick - i did but it was easy) there is no branding in sight on the rom I now have - it was originally t-mobiled up to the eyeballs.

Out of curiosity, why do people like to debrand their Omnia 7 phones?
People like to scratch out the branding, too.
Why?

manny84 said:
Out of curiosity, why do people like to debrand their Omnia 7 phones?
People like to scratch out the branding, too.
Why?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because..... Why do carriers like to brand the phones in the first place?

AF241 said:
Because..... Why do carriers like to brand the phones in the first place?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
'Because.....' isn't a proper answer.
Carriers brand their phones for marketing purposes, obviously.
Subsidized (cheaper w/ contract agreemnet) phones are branded, unsubsidized (full price w/o contract agreement) phones aren't.

manny84 said:
'Because.....' isn't a proper answer.
Carriers brand their phones for marketing purposes, obviously.
Subsidized (cheaper w/ contract agreemnet) phones are branded, unsubsidized (full price w/o contract agreement) phones aren't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It wasn't meant to be a proper answer. All you had to do is just dig a little further.
Cheaper than w/o contract or not devices bought through carriers are individuals own property and the reason for subsidizing is to generate more sales of their own services and not for placing adverts on the devices. Some people do not feel comfortable advertising the carriers on their devices while they the carriers were not involved in the manufacturing of the actual device. eg. if I buy a discounted device from Amazon I wouldn't be happy if they stamp their logo all over the device unless they mention the reason they are giving the discount is for advertising the logo on the device before purchase.

Maybe because "unbranded" NoDo update is being rolled out before the carrier versions? By running USAIP.pkg you can "trick" microsoft update into thinking you are in a region getting the unbranded update - as long as you are not carrier branded.

question - I have just bought a omnia 7 off ebay which i thought was on 3 but its on orange ... ive bought an unlock code off ebay (had good feedback) which im sat waiting for patiently ..... question is if i debrand does this void the 2yr warranty ??? there is a company on ebay which ive used before and they will debrand the phone for you for less than £20 ..
tbh there isnt much orange blurb on the phone but i hate orange and they are slow in releasing updates ... i updated this afternoon to the feb update but no sign of the nodo update ...
cheer

mancuk29 said:
question - I have just bought a omnia 7 off ebay which i thought was on 3 but its on orange ... ive bought an unlock code off ebay (had good feedback) which im sat waiting for patiently ..... question is if i debrand does this void the 2yr warranty ??? there is a company on ebay which ive used before and they will debrand the phone for you for less than £20 ..
tbh there isnt much orange blurb on the phone but i hate orange and they are slow in releasing updates ... i updated this afternoon to the feb update but no sign of the nodo update ...
cheer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We're not really sure, because you're flashing a legit Samsung ROM - just not the one it shipped with.
Please don't pay to debrand either. Do it yourself for free
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=973420
Casey

If you try running the Network Profile app (its in the Samsung Zone and free) from the marketplace that should let you change APN's

How the hell do you guys even see the pins to place the jig onto ??
It looks impossible to me Is there no other way round this ??

Casey_boy said:
We're not really sure, because you're flashing a legit Samsung ROM - just not the one it shipped with.
Please don't pay to debrand either. Do it yourself for free
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=973420
Casey
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did this last night on my 3 branded Omnia. Worked a treat, and picked up all the updates, including the NODO.
Cheers Casey.

Casey_boy said:
We're not really sure, because you're flashing a legit Samsung ROM - just not the one it shipped with.
Please don't pay to debrand either. Do it yourself for free
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=973420
Casey
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I did this yesterday but I used the H3G CSC (which is my network). After the flash, my phone is still branded.
What is the correct method to unbrand my phone? I tried to do it without the CSC but the tool didn't seem to allow it.

Unlocked Galaxy Note - yes or no?

I am considering buying a Galaxy Note but I have a dilemma so I hope you will be able to help me out with it.
If I decide to buy it I will probably have to buy it through a mobile carrier meaning that I will have to unlock it to run it on a different network. I have someone to do it for me so I don't know what kind of software they will use.
Since I am new to Android, I would like to keep away from the rooting as long as possible so I am talking about stock software here.
Therefore, I would like to ask this:
1) Have any of you unlocked their Galaxy Notes? Are there any side-effects or it feels totally SIM-free?
2) Am I going to be cut-off from the official software updates (ICS and so on?) or it will be totally like a SIM-free experience?
3) Are all the splash screens, apps and other carrier-related stuff gone after the unlock?
Thank you in advance!

This doesn't answer your questions, but why would you buy a carrier phone and use it on another network? Why not buy unlocked?
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

If you plan to get the ATT one, I dont think it will get 3G/+ on Tmo. The intenational one I have definitely does not have that band. Unless there is another unlocked version that has those bands. And my international version does not have LTE as well.
And why would you sign a contract with ATT and want to use it on another n/w? Doesnt make any sense whatsoever.
Eborg said:
I am considering buying a Galaxy Note but I have a dilemma so I hope you will be able to help me out with it.
If I decide to buy it I will probably have to buy it through a mobile carrier meaning that I will have to unlock it to run it on a different network. I have someone to do it for me so I don't know what kind of software they will use.
Since I am new to Android, I would like to keep away from the rooting as long as possible so I am talking about stock software here.
Therefore, I would like to ask this:
1) Have any of you unlocked their Galaxy Notes? Are there any side-effects or it feels totally SIM-free?
2) Am I going to be cut-off from the official software updates (ICS and so on?) or it will be totally like a SIM-free experience?
3) Are all the splash screens, apps and other carrier-related stuff gone after the unlock?
Thank you in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I live in Europe so I am talking about an international version.
Technically I wouldn't be buying it directly from a carrier, I just wanted to keep the discussion simple. I would buy it from a store but they get it abroad, unlock them and sell them legally. It's the only way I can get it where I live.
Ordering from Expansys or similar sites would mean that I would have to pay import customs which would probably amount to 200-300$ or more.

Where are you from? There are more retailers than expansys
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

I live in Bosnia & Herzegovina. Since it is not yet a member of the EU, you have to pay customs fees for this kind of stuff.
I will be going to the UK in a few weeks and thought about buying it there but that would mean that I wouldn't have any warranty. Most sites do not offer warranty outside the UK or EU. Also, even if I found one seller that offers worldwide warranty, I would still have costs shipping the phone to the UK or wherever and back (still EU issues) if needed.
Buying the phone locally should give me a 2-year warranty so that's why I am thinking about that option.

if you get it sim free fromthe uk then you woudl be paying more than you woudl in say germany - sim free in the uk are about £500+
sim free means it isnt locked to a carrioer that doesnt stop anything regarding updates to ics, you wil lstil lget them just might be at alater date than other countries
unlocking is not the same as debranding which would remove the software and logos etc
mine is sim free whcih i bought on a 2 year contract and it is no different to any other note locked on the networks

Eborg said:
I am considering buying a Galaxy Note but I have a dilemma so I hope you will be able to help me out with it.
If I decide to buy it I will probably have to buy it through a mobile carrier meaning that I will have to unlock it to run it on a different network.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
buying it through a carrier does not mean that the phone is locked to that carrier anyway. have you asked your carrier or the store you want to buy from if they sell the Note locked?. my Note is bought from German Telekom/T-Mobile and has no sim or netlock. i just tested the Note with simcards from other German and foreign carrier and they all work flawlessly. so maybe you can purchase a Note at your side that is also sim/netlocked free.

All Galaxy Notes available locally were on foreign carriers. The guy at the store could only confirm that it works will all SIM cards, not that the particular phone had to be unlocked or not, but it was definitely on a foreign carrier when they got it.
I am not sure if the phones are debranded or not. Is that something that I can do on my own without rooting the phone?
So, you guys can officially confirm that unlocked (and optionally debranded) Galaxy Note will act as if they were SIM-free in regards to official updates, apps and so on? No worries there?
As for getting it abroad, it wouldn't be the best solution since I would have to send it to the UK, Germany, Italy or wherever if something is wrong paying 100-200$ of customs fees every time if something goes wrong.

I'd just like to confirm that it is possible to update the firmware automatically with an unlocked Note. Cheers!

Richy99 said:
sim free means it isnt locked to a carrioer that doesnt stop anything regarding updates to ics, you wil lstil lget them just might be at alater date than other countries
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quite.
Also to keep in mind : in the EU, the carrier must agree to unlock phones after at the most 6 months.
And regarding ICS upgrades for the Note, they're apparently fairly messy at the moment. Locally (France) my carrier and the local Samsung branch are apparently more or less pointing at one another for a botched upgrade (at the end of June, note that it was announced as "we're fixing a few things, should be any day now" in March) where they apparently managed to brick a number of user phones. Samsung tends to communicate fairly poorly on the issue.
Other than the updated stylus apps, I'm not really sure the upgrade is worth it. And I discovered the whole "Kies" crud when I got this phone which really annoyed me since I don't normally run Windows (or Mac OS) and some operators apparently like to push their stuff only through that channel.
---------- Post added at 01:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:08 PM ----------
Eborg said:
I'd just like to confirm that it is possible to update the firmware automatically with an unlocked Note. Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no reason why you couldn't. Possibly you'd get the Samsung update instead of the one from the original carrier (not guaranteed). But unlocking phones is fairly standard procedure.

Actually I got an update from the previous carrier from which it was unlocked from judging by the bloatware installed with the update.

[Q] How to get an unbranded GS4 from operators

I have the GS2 and will probably go for the GS4(sim free if I can). My GS2 is O2 branded sim free. At the time of buying I read that when buying a simfree GS2 you should ask for a un-opened factory sealed box as the ones that have been opened had been flashed with the network branding. Admitedly these sealed boxes where few and far between but due to demand the networks didnt have time to get all the phones flashed.
Has anyone else come across this and if it is a plausable idea? Is it similar for any other phones or possible for the GS4

Not even one thought on this?

Bump

I have never heard of operators (at least in the US and Japan) ever receiving any unbranded phones. When you say "unbranded" I'm assuming you mean the international version, which is generally bought directly from the company. I'm also assuming that you mean "retailers" when you say "operators", which certainly don't brand the phones in-shop, the phones they receive from headquarters are branded and already flashed with the carrier's bloat and baseband locked.
In example, the phones I don't buy the international version of, I buy at an official AT&T or Softbank (Japanese carrier) retail shop. When they bring the phone out of the back, it is always in a carrier-branded box, and the phone itself has the carrier name branded somewhere on it.
I don't know about Softbank, but AT&T will occasionally allow you to unlock the baseband of some of their devices, which let's you toss whatever stuff you want on your phone, but it'll still have the physical AT&T branding on the front of the phone.
Sent from my Xperia ion LT28i using xda premium

Phones4u always come unbranded unlocked I have one on order.

jutley said:
Phones4u always come unbranded unlocked I have one on order.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as above, I have one on order with phones 4 u and they have confirmed the phone is unlocked to all networks

winrya said:
as above, I have one on order with phones 4 u and they have confirmed the phone is unlocked to all networks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you mind if I ask which network you plan on using the phone on? I would be concerned if the phone they are sending you will work on the network you intend to use it on. With so many variations I wonder how they can know if the phones are unlocked or which networks they are banded for before the phones themselves have even shipped from Samsung. If they can back up (with facts) about the phones they are selling I might consider buying one from them myself so any info you can give will be appreciated. thank you.

scott14719 said:
Do you mind if I ask which network you plan on using the phone on? I would be concerned if the phone they are sending you will work on the network you intend to use it on. With so many variations I wonder how they can know if the phones are unlocked or which networks they are banded for before the phones themselves have even shipped from Samsung. If they can back up (with facts) about the phones they are selling I might consider buying one from them myself so any info you can give will be appreciated. thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've ordered it on EE so will be the 4g version.
Carphone and phones4u buy all their phones except the iphone unbranded and unlocked. Puts them in a much better buying position being able to do single large orders with stock they can use with all the contract they use. Apple are the only company that don't allow this and they know by the phones IMEI when it registers on a network that it wasn't purchased from apple direct and locks to the network of the first sim inserted. I have a few friends who work at phones4u so this is what i'm told anyway.

*knocking the dust off this topic*
So I got my S4 on launch day. No 3 branding to be seen and it is sim unlocked.
Would the firmware tell me if it's from 3 or Samsung stock?
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app

Tesco is selling the i9505 unbranded and unlocked.
Tesco Ireland, not sure about Tesco in UK but should be the same.

I9505's are all exactly the same. Unbranded or branded. Network locked or not.
The difference are simply software.
You have for example in UK.
BTU,VOD,O2U,HG3 etc those are what ppl refer to as the Brands, with BTU being the UK unbranded.
The likes of 02 or Vodafone will never open a phone to try and brand it if that's what you suggested a few posts back. They get the phones as per the manufacturer. If it is branded its done with samsung and whatever firmware is put on it, bloated or not branded or not its all done with Samsung.
Now with my experience In buying Samsung phones in UK And more so the galaxy s4 from Vodafone UK I have seem this...
Since preorders went up within my household we have had 3 s4's from vodafone.
The 1st was an upgrade and was ordered on pre order day - it came as BTU and had the BTU firmware on it.
The 2nd was also an upgrade and was a few days after release - this came also as BTU and had BTU firmware on it.
The 3rd was bought from Vodafone but not on contract at a local retailer maybe 3 weeks after launch and was VOD branded and VDF firmware with Vodafone's bloat.
HOWEVER ALL 3 where simunlocked and work on ALL UK networks.
There really is no way to guarantee an unbranded from a carrier at all its luck and in past and with my s4 experience you only get unbranded from some carriers at launch. I've read elsewhere that this can be due to the carriers not having whatever firmware "tweaks and tests" they do ready at launch.
And as others have said in this thread, the likes of Phones 4U or carphonewarehouse will always sell unbranded unlocked.
This is my understanding/experience with this, hope it helps.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda premium

Nice theory!! I was the first preorder at my 3 store, so early that on launch day they didn't have me on the list. The store manager had to dig out my details from a pre preorder list lol. Maybe that fits the not having time to get firmwares to Samsung etc. Be interesting to see if they are 3 branded now.
Any who, I'm happy I got a non bloat S4
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app

Three UK (Hutchinson 3G - H3G) and flashing.

Hey guys,
I think I've finally settled on the S4 after trying and comparing it to the HTC One yesterday. It just felt far better in my hand and the screen was beautiful.
Now in the UK, as I'm sure many of you guys know (correct me if I'm wrong), but the best contract deal to have for tethering is the One plan by Three.
Unlimited data + tethering, a rare jewel indeed. As to whether they throttle during peak times, well you can't have everything and I haven't found any conclusive evidence to suggest they do so, please link me if I'm wrong here.
Either way, I am limited on my options here, due to my tethering requirements.
However the only thing preventing me from getting a Three phone is the fact that places like Phones4U or Carphone Warehouse either don't stock them or only stock SIM locked versions with branded firmwares for Three phones. Apparently they use a different method of sim locking the device, I can't be too sure what though.
Anyway, so it seems that whichever way I go about it, if I want data, I'll have a sim locked phone (they unlock after 3 months). This doesn't worry me though, what worries me is any restrictions on flashing the device.
I'm coming from an SGS - i9000. A device that seemed unbrickable and flashable every which way, from radio, to kernel, recovery and general software.
I want to know, are there any restrictions on flashing custom kernels, recoveries, modems (radios) or general firmwares that anyone has encountered, or am I safe getting a phone from Three UK (HG3)?
Rant over, sorry .
I have searched the forums and I haven't been able to find definite information.

no restrictions as im on three uk I live in bradford and im running omega rom with adam 1.4 kernel I can assure you no restrictions I don't know about sim lock but in the forum somewere is a guide to sim unlock easy peasy lemin squeezy ... pm me if you need any more guidence or any questions ill be glad to help as much as I can good luck :thumbup:
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda premium

port76 said:
no restrictions as im on three uk I live in bradford and im running omega rom with adam 1.4 kernel I can assure you no restrictions I don't know about sim lock but in the forum somewere is a guide to sim unlock easy peasy lemin squeezy ... pm me if you need any more guidence or any questions ill be glad to help as much as I can good luck :thumbup:
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
'Tar very much! That's great news. I had heard rumours there were ways to bypass simlock via software hacks, however I had never really needed to use them. I doubt the sim lock will cause a problem for me. More a case of who I pass it on to!

Astridax93 said:
Hey guys,
I think I've finally settled on the S4 after trying and comparing it to the HTC One yesterday. It just felt far better in my hand and the screen was beautiful.
Now in the UK, as I'm sure many of you guys know (correct me if I'm wrong), but the best contract deal to have for tethering is the One plan by Three.
Unlimited data + tethering, a rare jewel indeed. As to whether they throttle during peak times, well you can't have everything and I haven't found any conclusive evidence to suggest they do so, please link me if I'm wrong here.
Either way, I am limited on my options here, due to my tethering requirements.
However the only thing preventing me from getting a Three phone is the fact that places like Phones4U or Carphone Warehouse either don't stock them or only stock SIM locked versions with branded firmwares for Three phones. Apparently they use a different method of sim locking the device, I can't be too sure what though.
Anyway, so it seems that whichever way I go about it, if I want data, I'll have a sim locked phone (they unlock after 3 months). This doesn't worry me though, what worries me is any restrictions on flashing the device.
I'm coming from an SGS - i9000. A device that seemed unbrickable and flashable every which way, from radio, to kernel, recovery and general software.
I want to know, are there any restrictions on flashing custom kernels, recoveries, modems (radios) or general firmwares that anyone has encountered, or am I safe getting a phone from Three UK (HG3)?
Rant over, sorry .
I have searched the forums and I haven't been able to find definite information.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Car Phone Warehouse only supply factory unlocked and unbranded phones, else I wouldn't have bought one
HTH.

RubberyDuck said:
Car Phone Warehouse only supply factory unlocked and unbranded phones, else I wouldn't have bought one
HTH.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is true, but not in the case of 3.
When I asked them, they said their three phones were locked to three and not from their unlocked stock.

Astridax93 said:
That is true, but not in the case of 3.
When I asked them, they said their three phones were locked to three and not from their unlocked stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was that in store or on the phone? I ordered over the phone and confirmed with them the phone would be unlocked and unbranded, for which my one is.
Maybe there policy has changed since I bought mine, give them a call Monday and ask the question.

RubberyDuck said:
Was that in store or on the phone? I ordered over the phone and confirmed with them the phone would be unlocked and unbranded, for which my one is.
Maybe there policy has changed since I bought mine, give them a call Monday and ask the question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait so are you on Three? If so, please check if your firmware is a branded one and whether your phone is sim locked. I assume the branded firmware will have some Three apps somewhere.
It's great news if they gave you a fully debranded and unlocked version!

Astridax93 said:
Wait so are you on Three? If so, please check if your firmware is a branded one and whether your phone is sim locked. I assume the branded firmware will have some Three apps somewhere.
It's great news if they gave you a fully debranded and unlocked version!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes my Three phone from CPW is debranded and fully sim unlocked, thats how it came, I havent touched it