Related
New owners, what would you guys like to se on the next generation Jasjar (maybe in six month or a year from now)?
I am not tallking about the OS (thas MS part and can be rectified with updates), I mean hardware wise.
On my part:
1.) Built in FM reciever would be nice. (if the technolory is there, then why not?
2.) At least 512Mb built in mem (making it ~$20-35 more expensive, still I belive everyone that bougth it now would still do so). This in not a serious issue.
3.) Edge
4.) Full handsfree profile support (maybe this is more with software, you tell me)
5.) External LCD display for: caller id (I belive this is critical), battery level, network strenght, etc. even if its just monochrome it would be a great help.
6.) Wlan 80.11g an obvious plus
7.) I could live with 1-2cm wider but have a psion/notebook type keyboard...
...
P.S: to be correct (persay) only things that you wouldn't mind paying a little extra for, if it was included...
How about having Navigation like Mouse which we have in Nokia Communicators... which will save the time of pulling stylus and using it one hand while we hold the device in other hand.
mniko said:
How about having Navigation like Mouse which we have in Nokia Communicators... which will save the time of pulling stylus and using it one hand while we hold the device in other hand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, that would realy help things like scrolling, which right now can only be done with stylus.
What I want the most is built in GPS. It's a pest having to charge up an external unit and remembering to bring all the right car adapters etc. so a built in unit would be awesome.
It would also be nice to see some of the new thin and flexible OLED type displays added which would reduce power consumption and make the displays less likely to break when dropped.
I'd also like to have a little hole on the corner of the device! I know it's not very techie, but I'd like some way of attaching a chain or cord to my device which attaches to my belt, so that if (or when!) you drop your device it wont hit the ground!
How about building in a virtual laser keyboard into the device:
www.virtual-laser-keyboard.com
On the graphics front, I'd like hardware acceleration of H.264 encoded videos (the format that's going to replace MPEG-2, MPEG-4 etc.). It would be nice if the built in camera could save in this format as well, because it would be a big space saver.
As for batteries, I wish they'd hurry up and release some of the new technology they've been talking about for years - better battery life, super fast charge times etc.
Well, you might think the Universal is the ultimate device, but there's so much more to add before I'll be happy!
-no1
my wishes
My wish list:
1. Extra rom storage like 4GB (palm now does it!)
2. A backup system like the one in Blue Angel
3. full USB hosting functionality, so we can use a usb mouse or external usb keyboard or usb mem sticks
4. vga out support so we can project on wide screen
5. firewire support
- After all if this is to be a mini laptop, let us have the full monty then instead of baby face gizmos
Me out :wink:
I really wish the following 4 most wanted and easily possible features add to JasJar. I am definitely waiting for successor of Jasjarl with follwoing and currently I'm happy with my XDAII. Current Jasjar is useless compare to my XDAII since there are only few programs works and still so many bugs/requirements in both hardware and OS.
1. FM Radio
2. 640x480 video recording with 2 or more MegaPixel Camera
3. Full Handsfree bluetooth audio(MP3 listening)
4. 800x480 screen for internet browsing.(a little longer 4.5" screen is acceptable like samsung Nexio XP30,Nokia 770).
Some other wish list
1.Video Output(RCA/S-Video/VGA)
2.Videos from Camera can transmit through wifi
3.USB hosting
4.mobile TV(DVB-H) receiver
It's interesting to revisit this thread nearly two years later as HTC release the Touch Pro that includes almost all the functionality you guys listed above. Perhaps HTC were listening after all.
I currently have a Jasjar, but I'm finding it too big...
I love all the features, but I want to be able to use it one-handed, throw it in my pocket, etc... the K-Jam seems like a good alternative.
The only things that I'm not liking about the K-Jam are:
- Lower rez screen (but it's smaller than the Jasjar, 3.6" vs. 2.8"... so its still pretty sharp... and I can't really see where I couldn't live without it)
- 2.5" headset jack, and on the bottom... (kinda annoying... but could use an adapter... but still a hassle because I currently plug my MP3 player into my car, my headphones AND speakers at the office, and I'll have to have an adapter sticking out of the bottom of my phone now...)
- Mini-SD card... (SD is much better to go above 2GB, even up to 4GB... and it's not exactly a well known or used format... SD is cheaper, and Memory Stick Pro Duo is coming down in price since the PSP came out... but what can I do)
Also, does it work well for one-handed use ?
Any ex-Treo users who care to comment ?
Any ideas ? Suggestions ?
Thanks !
The wizard is a solid device. Go for it!!
You will love the extra battery life and size. I really could not imagine having a universal clipped to my belt weighing my pants down.
I upgraded from an alpine and I could not be happier.
Higher screen REZ is not needed on a screen that small. The screen is much sharper compared to the alpine.
The OMAP cpu is just enough processing power to run everything out there.
Also, I noiticed you were in Canada so I doubt you were making use of the 3G power of the universal(probably another 5-7 years for Canada). The wizard is EDGE enabled so if you use rogers you will see great data download rates. I was lucky enough to already be signed up with fido and their $50/month unlimited data plan when rogers took over fido so i am paying $50 a month for unlimited EDGE use. I am quite sure FIDO does not offer this plan to new subscibers anymore.
My only compliants with the wizard are:
-HTC needs to make better use of the device by increasing screen size without increasing the size of the device.(all HTC devices)
-The stylus hole is a joke. My stylus hole wore out within 1 week and now my stylus slides out of the hole very easily. Soon it will probably be falling out. Didn't they bother testing this at all???
-no GPS.
hey audible,
thanks for the reply !
I am with fido / rogers as well and I signed up for the unlimited plan as well... are you in Montreal ? and where did you order your K-Jam ?
so yeah I'd be good using the EDGE support... I often use my p800 as a bluetooth modem with my laptop.
a few questions:
- that sounds bad about the stylus... is there a solution ?
- have you experienced any issues multi-tasking with the OMAP ?
- have you ever tried a VGA screen on a pda to compare ?
- how's the k-jams one handed use ? have you ever tried a treo for one handed use in comparison ?
- did you remap the explorer and mail buttons to something more useful ? like windows and OK ?
- does the 2.5" jack bother you ? do you use an adapter ?
- does the keyboard slide mechanism feel solid ? I'm worried now after what you said about the stylus...
thanks and look forward to your reply !
Posted from a Universal !
- that sounds bad about the stylus... is there a solution ?
I haven't had any probs with my stylus yet, except it may be a little looser than when I got it.
- have you experienced any issues multi-tasking with the OMAP ?
Nope, I can have several apps open at once (eg. Calender, Notes, Email, MSN, IE x 2 (using PPCPlus), TCPMP playing MP3) and its fine.
- have you ever tried a VGA screen on a pda to compare ?
It resembles the crispness of VGA screen because of its smaller size, but in no way matches the res.
- how's the k-jams one handed use ? have you ever tried a treo for one handed use in comparison ?
Haven't tried a treo, but WM5 is great for one handed use. I can do most things without the stylus. The Win and Ok keys on the keyboard make it even easier.
- did you remap the explorer and mail buttons to something more useful ? like windows and OK ?
You can, but I find their defaults good.
- does the 2.5" jack bother you ? do you use an adapter ?
I rarely use it, but yes when I do I use an adaptor.
- does the keyboard slide mechanism feel solid ? I'm worried now after what you said about the stylus...
I am happy with the slider. It seems pretty solid, and the screen definately feels like it will stay up when it is up.
Hey mitchello,
thanks for your feedback !
Audible:
Any comments ?
Wizard (imate K-JAM) is awesome!
Moving from a Blue Angel to the wizrd has so far been very pleasing. The smaller screen has been a little daunting, especially trying to use the "finger" stylus, but beyond that I highly recommend it.
Stability and features in WM5 are nice, and should not be discounted.
I'm on T-Mobile in the US, and EDGE is great at around 150kbs, compared to 30kbs via GPRS.
i upgraded from my IMATE PPC and i love the K-JAM , it is a little slow , but the battery is great.. i love the deviced , once you get used to it and all features you will love it..
i used adapter to play MP3 in my car and it work great...
good luck
i upgraded from my IMATE PPC and i love the K-JAM , it is a little slow , but the battery is great.. i love the deviced , once you get used to it and all features you will love it..
i used adapter to play MP3 in my car and it work great...
good luck
Hey rah,
thanks for the comments !
Good to hear someone else who uses it to play tunes in the car.
What about one-handed use ? Do you feel you have to do finger aerobics to do certain things, like open the start menu ?
I've heard of people mapping the Send Call button to the Start menu in the Today screen...
I'm wondering if I could map Send and End to Start and OK in every screen except for the Phone screen ?
Any comments ?
Why doesn't HTC make a Blue Angel II?
It seems that many of us have other devices like Wizards, TyTNs, etc. but we keep hanging on to our Blue Angels. Why is this?
Is it the Big Screen (for me this is the biggest item)?
Is it the fast speed?
Easily accessible Battery?
Is it the Rugged Build?
It seems to me that HTC is long overdue for a Blue Angel II with the Following Specs:
1) HSDPA & HSU (whatever it's called)
2) High Res 3.5" to 4" screen
3) Keyboard (and maybe a mouse of some kind)
Size like I-Phone (maybe a little thicker with keyboard)
4) FM and AM Radio (AM for the older folks like me who listen to talk radio)
5) Bluetooth 2.0 EDR
6) Charges with mini usb
7) TV receiver also????
8) Can still play music when turned off.
The Omni has similar specs but there's not much data on it. It looks like a mini laptop which folds open.
What do you all think?
Because they are working on this!
HTC Shift and that is not all!
But you are right, BA is the top model!
Blue Angel rulesss
It really is amazing how I'm still sticking with my BA since it was released.
Every year I look around to find a PDAphone to replace the old fellow, but I have to realize, that there isn't a better one.
I would accept the same device with 640*480 and 3G/HSDPA
Been thinking about the Kaiser, but since WM6 is running on my BA now... =)
Why throw the good cash out the window?
Same thought here. Best money I've spent in BA!!
rambo6 said:
Why doesn't HTC make a Blue Angel II?
It seems that many of us have other devices like Wizards, TyTNs, etc. but we keep hanging on to our Blue Angels. Why is this?
Is it the Big Screen (for me this is the biggest item)?
Is it the fast speed?
Easily accessible Battery?
Is it the Rugged Build?
It seems to me that HTC is long overdue for a Blue Angel II with the Following Specs:
1) HSDPA & HSU (whatever it's called)
2) High Res 3.5" to 4" screen
3) Keyboard (and maybe a mouse of some kind)
Size like I-Phone (maybe a little thicker with keyboard)
4) FM and AM Radio (AM for the older folks like me who listen to talk radio)
5) Bluetooth 2.0 EDR
6) Charges with mini usb
7) TV receiver also????
8) Can still play music when turned off.
The Omni has similar specs but there's not much data on it. It looks like a mini laptop which folds open.
What do you all think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That will be a beauty, i would surely go for it. BlueAngle rules.
noob @ xda....but a loooong time BA user (Dec2004)
I love the BA...the only things it lacks are a good built in GPS & HSDPA/UMTS/EDGE (can never have enough fast options for net access). Even without these two things I still am able to use it to impress people (even iphone fanatics...no custom apps).
TyTN II looks good but the only thing that keeps me away is the sideways keyboard, I wish they would put out a TyTN II with a slider KB like the BA. Single handed KB is great when you really need to multitask...multitasking is the reason I got a HTC.
Rugged Build story: I dropped it from 5ft+ (I had it chest level & I am 6' 3"), on a SF sidewalk...it died..or so I thought took it back home and all that happened was the backup battery reset and once I synced it with my pc everything was back to normal. This wasn't the first time its been dropped so I figured it was time to get a new device, but the build is awesome in this. But since it was a hard reset I finally decided to put WM6 on it (thank you all the great xda developers here), now its faster and more useful.
rambo6 said:
Why doesn't HTC make a Blue Angel II?
It seems that many of us have other devices like Wizards, TyTNs, etc. but we keep hanging on to our Blue Angels. Why is this?
Is it the Big Screen (for me this is the biggest item)?
Is it the fast speed?
Easily accessible Battery?
Is it the Rugged Build?
It seems to me that HTC is long overdue for a Blue Angel II with the Following Specs:
1) HSDPA & HSU (whatever it's called)
2) High Res 3.5" to 4" screen
3) Keyboard (and maybe a mouse of some kind)
Size like I-Phone (maybe a little thicker with keyboard)
4) FM and AM Radio (AM for the older folks like me who listen to talk radio)
5) Bluetooth 2.0 EDR
6) Charges with mini usb
7) TV receiver also????
8) Can still play music when turned off.
The Omni has similar specs but there's not much data on it. It looks like a mini laptop which folds open.
What do you all think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and a 3.2 MP camera ...
I would sell my house to get some thing similar !!!
I love my Blue Angel ! 3 Years with me, never let me down.
I Love it! Blue Angel is the top for me.. Every time a look around for new PDA, look at new release from HTC, never found all i have in BA. Best thing - Size is exactly what a device like this must be! 3.7 display - not too big, not too small. I broke my lcd+touchscreen, replaced from e-bay, and I am still using it.
Don't like the idea of GPS in the unit. Better on Bluetooth - in your car mount BA don't have clear view to the sky.
Blue Angel II (if any) should not have key board.
I love my Blue Angel, after upgrading to WM6, I dont like to buy any other available in market.
I like Blueangel the way it is, but wanted it to have a better processor (520mhz would be nice), VGA Screen, Accelerated video, 3G and landscape keyboard.
EmZvr said:
I like Blueangel the way it is, but wanted it to have a better processor (520mhz would be nice), VGA Screen, Accelerated video, 3G and landscape keyboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm...
Wouldn't that be *exactly* a Universal?
I have both of them! They do rock, indeed!
Cheers,
vma
vma said:
Hmmm...
Wouldn't that be *exactly* a Universal?
I have both of them! They do rock, indeed!
Cheers,
vma
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
exactly... i wanted to upgrade to a universal, but since wm6 came out i stayed on with it. its nice to have a dinosaur that can rock along the newer models.
vma said:
Hmmm...
Wouldn't that be *exactly* a Universal?
I have both of them! They do rock, indeed!
Cheers,
vma
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's right but I don't like it's design, only if there were buttons in the front.. And I think it's not video accelerated which is very important to me. Or is it ?
Hi,
I am not sure if it is videoaccelerated or not, but I can tell you that all applications I like work as good or better on my Universal as on my BA:
- Emulators
- TomTom
- TCPMP
The Universal is slightly bigger than the BA and one has to get used to the tilting screen.
On the other hand, it is much nicer to have the Universal in the back-pocket of your trousers than having then BA attached to the belt, where it get's hit by doors or other things, when you move to close to walls...
And believe me: the VGA screen is suberb!!!
Cheers,
vma
Same Here
BA is the best. Love it very much although i was given a gift of HTC TyTn.
E-TEN X800 or M800 seems to be my current candidate for BA replacement.
BA is a really good dinosaur. Hard to let it go.
However, remember that there are some awfully crappy things about it. It's not perfect.
- somewhat power hungry
- awful cradle connector
- audio out funtion in cradle connector newer worked for me (for any carkit)
- has confirmed hardware issue with buttons (loss of response - makes gaming hard)
- has crappy WM2003SE (because, face it... no WM5 WM6 ROM is stable and bug free enough)
I agree, that it's hard to find a decent replacement for it.
All model have too small screens...
Won't go back......
I checked out all the other models, older and current, before I bought the BA. I have a Wizard, which now resides in a drawer, only as a back-up, in case something happens to my BA. The only criticism I have of the BA is that they no longer manufacture it, so I too hope HTC comes out with something to replace it. From what I've seen of the newer models and what I read on this forum everyday, I'll stick with the BA.
BTW, robal, take a look at the rom I,m running. Since upgrading from 2003se to this rom, I have had 0 issues. It's fast, stable and battery life is acceptable.
i've since moved on from my BA to a hermes and now a kaiser......i miss my BA.
well BA has its design faults
1.the cable which connects lcd to motherboard is weak and after some sliding it cracks - this effect can be solved (extend the durability) with Polyethylene Foam Tape on the cable
2.after sliding there there are sme scratches below the hardware keyboard - repainting
3.the stylus pin (inside the device) which hold the stylus from falling off also cracks after too many usage - i fixed it with silicone (as i lost the pin) and it works fine over a year now
other than that the device is pretty solid and had no problems with it
most are the new WM problems but without proper drivers it is almost inpossible to be solved
in comparission with kaiser the BA has better video acceleration for the moment (this will change when the proper kaiser drivers are released)
What BA miss (the things i miss in it):
internal GPS
54 mbit wireless
better camera (2 mpix)
OpenGL ES hardware acceleration
larger rom space (32 mb right now if it was larger we can create more complete rom images for BA)
larger storage space 60 mb (everyone needs more space)
What BA miss (the things i do not miss in it):
3G/3.5G/HSDPA etc - high speed data connections - due to high proces of this types of connections i do not really need them
Video Call - the same as above
the CPU speed and the amount of ram in BA are enough for WM 6 and 6.1 even if it was released in 2004...
but maybe proper replacement is the Universal or the Kaiser (for now)
we will see what will happen in near future
Hi all,
this is my first post in this awesome community
Maybe some guys here own a Sony SLT camera called 'Alpha 58' (or short a58) which is an incredible camara. For it's performance it has an incredible price tag and hence I own it. But there is one missing feature - the infrared sensor for controlling this piece of hightec remotely.
But fortunately there is a guy who developed an app called 'RCCDroid' which gave me new hope.
(please type it in google, the server prevents my post from external links)
This app uses the OTG USB interface, modern phones very often have. Except our beloved Nexus 4.
OK, now don't throw your hands up in horror: I've searched in the development threads of these brilliant OTG kernel patcher like Justvarshney and Ziddey. I've tried their kernels and brought OTG to live. Which actually means I brought it to live in case of mounting an USB stick.
Cause IT DOESN'T WORK WITH RCCDROID IN COMBINATION.
I have CM11 on my device, OTG works fine. But only a few kernels let the camera recognize my phone.
For now I have Francos r206 kernel flashed, which was patched from Justvarshney and then released just today.
I'm sure I have the right equipment. The y-cable, the external power..
And in the beginning it looks right.
I connect these stuff together. Switching the camera on starts RCCDROID automaticly. Also the cam (in PC remote mode) display says there is a remote control connected. However I can't give the camera signals. Touching the buttons stays inoperable.
Maybe I'm still using the wrong kernel?
Maybe I have an incompatible ROM?
Maybe..?!
The developer don't even gave me a respond. Sadly it's the only app which can do this. And however the app is quite new and feels beta like (the homepage as well) it's a really nice try to give a58 users a cool remote control.
Is there anybody out there who is experienced with this problem??
Greetings
hey centoo,
I discovered this app yesterday and completely fell in love with it. I got the A58 a few months ago and its an awesome deal for a DSLR(SLT). I was looking for a sutter control because my hands are very shaky and I like to take night shots.
After trying the free version for about 5 mins i deleted and downloaded the pro version for about $6.
There is 1 thing i dont like and its the fact that when using this app it only stores the pictures on my phone and not on the camera.
PS. im using CM11 with Nexus 5
...by 'proper', I mean 'standalone'!
Basically the same as my old Vapirius AX (similar to Rock/Z1) that I've used daily for 2 years, but much cheaper and runs Android 4.1 and it has 320x240 2'' screen and not the square 240x240 1.5'' style of most watches which I can't get on with.
I'm going to order it and check it out. .
Nothing to lose at that price!
http://www.hongkongeek.com/en/smartwatches/5337-20-inches-watch-an1-with-android-41.html
Wearable Smart Phone Watch AN1 2.0" Touch Screen Android 4.1.1 w/ Camera / Wi-Fi - White + Silver - Free Shipping - DealExtreme
Looks like the Neptune Pine...
The AN1 Reviewed (I Think Comprehensively)
Here's what you need to know about the watch, which I've used for several days. It's more a sweet novelty than a gadget of genuine use. But it works. It's basically a mini-tablet phone (or phablet) and functions via the exact same Android protocols, except the master controls are hard, physical buttons built into the left and right sides, rather than soft touch-buttons on or below the screen. And of course the interface is configured to adapt to the tiny size. Yet at two-inches, that screen is a bit big for comfort if you like wearing the watch face on the inside of your wrist (which I do). So I sometimes rotate it to switch position.
Touch sensitivity seems excellent, as well as touch accuracy, which is hugely important given the minuscule QWERTY keyboard that pops up when you need to enter text. Unlocking the startup screen is frustrating at first until you figure out that you have to swipe the icon up or down, not to the side, as on bigger screens. There's no icon or hard control to access the active-apps screen (from which you can toggle back and forth between active apps and turn running apps off); as on certain larger phablets, you get to it by long-pressing the home screen button.
Because the AN1 is small, its WiFi receptivity is modest (the signal is strongest the closer you are to the source). So's volume but it's not bad for the size. You won't hear much through the earphones except in relatively quiet places, unless you have a separate sound booster; but in quiet places it isn't bad. However, it's impossible to attach the earphones one-handed; at least it is for me: You have to hold open the protective soft plastic flap that covers the mini-USB port (which is where they attach), which means you can't wear it while setting that up. That said, the AN1 will also transmit to Bluetooth headsets. And video/audio playback is very smooth. Even impressive, all things considered. Not a gamester, so no idea how gameplay would go. But with a two-inch screen, why would you want to?
Believe it or not, eBook reading is also a very decent experience in either the page or landscape aspect, though for simple eye-to-text positioning, page view works best if you take the watch off and operate it two-handed. In landscape view, though, you can make like **** Tracy. The only reading app I've tried so far is Amazon Kindle, but every feature seems to work per normal. Whatever normal is at that size.
No problem with the phone detecting a SIM card or storage-expansion microSD card (I added the 32G max, which costs all of $10 on eBay). But the cards are tricky to insert, because the lock flaps that secure them in place are so flimsy. However, once they're in, they're in. And insertion of the expansion card is critical, since the Internal Storage provided is write-protected; you won't be able to download (via internet) or sideload (via computer) files or apps without providing extra storage.
The battery is built into the back cover. Comes the time when it no longer holds a charge, one would need a replacement cover. I assume those are available or will be made so eventually.
There's no Playstore app included; plus it's futile to sideload-and-install Playstore from another source, since the app quits as soon as it boots. There is instead the HiMarket app, whose store features mostly Chinese text; but if you know the apps you want/need, you can still enter a search in English and find them -- most of the time. Sideloading and installing other apps also seems to work -- most of the time.
And oh, yeah -- in the "Good safety tip, Egon" department -- don't wear the AN1 (or any other Android watch of similar concept) in inclement weather. With an exposed speaker grille and exposed miniUSB access port (the protective flap doesn't fit snugly), not to mention hard buttons that aren't part of the case proper, bringing this out into very moist air or, worse, active precipitation, would be like putting your iPad in a filling toilet tank to see how high the water has to go before it fries.
Not encountering anything much in the way of buggyness yet. All in all, the AN1 does precisely what it claims to do. And for the conversation-pieceness of it, and frankly, the satisfaction of my curiosity, I'm happy to be an owner. It won't collect dust. But it's not for the customer looking for significant enhancement of his electronic life beyond what he already has.
Thanks for the review.
Also been using the AN1 for a couple of weeks and fairly impressed, but then I've been wearing a similar one for a couple of years and have only that and a conventional phone to compare it with.
Confused what you say about the battery; my AN1 has a battery on the back that can be detached and changed by pressing a small recessed lug/clip. The battery is the same as the old Z1/Rock/Vapirius so is readily available. Are you sure your battery is non-removable?
Also, as it's rooted - although Superuser is not installed - all current Play Store and Google services, sync adapters etc can be side loaded into system/apps, changing permissions the usual way. I am running all the latest Google App stuff now, but you're right about the Chinese Market and I removed it immediately along with anything Baidu related.
My only mild criticism of the watch (I can live with the floppy USB port cover as most mobile phones have no cover whatsoever) is the screen, not the digitizer which as you point out is responsive and works well, but the outside screen. It's scratched badly already and cleaning it makes it even worse. It's almost like a bad plastic. My other smartwatch has been used every day for two years and the screen still looks brand new without protection.
Lesson is get a good screen protector BEFORE even touching it! Although is fairness, the scratches don't really show when the screen is powered.
The sound can be tweaked in the engineering settings (I've forgotten the number/symbol sequence to access those settings right now) and I have managed to get it sufficiently loud to annoy other people listening to a phone conversation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxzycSNQsz4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yjVVHpP1AM
Cheers!
marcusroberts said:
Thanks for the review.
Also been using the AN1 for a couple of weeks and fairly impressed, but then I've been wearing a similar one for a couple of years and have only that and a conventional phone to compare it with.
Confused what you say about the battery; my AN1 has a battery on the back that can be detached and changed by pressing a small recessed lug/clip. The battery is the same as the old Z1/Rock/Vapirius so is readily available. Are you sure your battery is non-removable?
Also, as it's rooted - although Superuser is not installed - all current Play Store and Google services, sync adapters etc can be side loaded into system/apps, changing permissions the usual way. I am running all the latest Google App stuff now, but you're right about the Chinese Market and I removed it immediately along with anything Baidu related.
My only mild criticism of the watch (I can live with the floppy USB port cover as most mobile phones have no cover whatsoever) is the screen, not the digitizer which as you point out is responsive and works well, but the outside screen. It's scratched badly already and cleaning it makes it even worse. It's almost like a bad plastic. My other smartwatch has been used every day for two years and the screen still looks brand new without protection.
Lesson is get a good screen protector BEFORE even touching it! Although is fairness, the scratches don't really show when the screen is powered.
The sound can be tweaked in the engineering settings (I've forgotten the number/symbol sequence to access those settings right now) and I have managed to get it sufficiently loud to annoy other people listening to a phone conversation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxzycSNQsz4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yjVVHpP1AM
Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
all good and great but remember its running android 2.x!
cylent said:
all good and great but remember its running android 2.x!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. The AN1 is running 4.1.1. The older Vapirius watch I mentioned is running 2.1.
with the z1 smartwatch / Vapirius they stopped with the clean rom I would like to see a custom rom for this :fingers-crossed:
I found this clone of Galaxy Gear and it's even cheaper at $85.99 !?
http://vifocal.com/mobile-phones/ot...-2-os-dual-core-wifi-fm-1-54-inch-screen.html
And a review for it:
http://www.quadcoremobiles.com/2014...ewgalaxy-gear-clone-dual-core-android-4-2-os/
Wasn't the Galaxy Gear a fail.
Specs'
acb123 said:
I found this clone of Galaxy Gear and it's even cheaper at $85.99 !?
http://vifocal.com/mobile-phones/ot...-2-os-dual-core-wifi-fm-1-54-inch-screen.html
And a review for it:
http://www.quadcoremobiles.com/2014...ewgalaxy-gear-clone-dual-core-android-4-2-os/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For $85.99 you get: +$15 delivery to UK
8MP Camera
Android 4.2 OS
Thickness is about 8-9mm
MTK6572 Dual core processor, 512M RAM+4G ROM
350mAh Battery
E-Compass, Direction, acceleration, temperature,pressure, ambient temperature and linear acceleration sensor
Not bad. I wonder if its splash proof?
** More importantly, can you use Play Store? Anyone? **
simple1i said:
For $85.99 you get: +$15 delivery to UK
8MP Camera
Android 4.2 OS
Thickness is about 8-9mm
MTK6572 Dual core processor, 512M RAM+4G ROM
350mAh Battery
E-Compass, Direction, acceleration, temperature,pressure, ambient temperature and linear acceleration sensor
Not bad. I wonder if its splash proof?
** More importantly, can you use Play Store? Anyone? **
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This isn't a Play Store compatible device. Also, looking at the pictures, the apps are proprietary.
Some Android devices, especially Chinese ones that I've used, Google Services aren't installed and have been done so manually in order to get all the Android features.
This isn't one of them.
I can give the firmware for the AN1 if someone would like to make a custom rom.
marcusroberts said:
This isn't a Play Store compatible device. Also, looking at the pictures, the apps are proprietary.
Some Android devices, especially Chinese ones that I've used, Google Services aren't installed and have been done so manually in order to get all the Android features.
This isn't one of them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Shame hey.
All those sensors are useless if there's no app for it.
sensors
They've caught on to a great idea, but it seems pretty pointless as said before. Hopefully there will be some improvements in the (less expensive) range of android wear.
google apps
with the z1 i used gapps install zip and gapps copy zip.You guys that have the AN1 do you have these for this watch or can you point me to the place to get them.
1bluemax said:
with the z1 i used gapps install zip and gapps copy zip.You guys that have the AN1 do you have these for this watch or can you point me to the place to get them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Details on how to load all the Google stuff onto the AN1 and most other similar Chinese devices are here (reply#7):
http://linuxslate.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1399895851
These are the steps:
Here are my instructions for putting all the correct Google Play stuff and thereby having a full non-Chinese Android. Remember to totally uninstall all the Chinese Market and Baidu.
Download the files from here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/56ppcal1t9dwm6g/AACubjVgwQIcFjVv0_wvo05na
1. Use Root Explorer
2. Copy GoogleServicesFramework.apk, GoogleLoginService.apk and Google_Play-v3.8.17.apk to the system/app folder on your phone with Root Explorer.
3. In Root Explorer click Mount R/W. Change the permissions of the 3 files to match the permissions of the other files in the folder rw-r--r-- (6-4-4). Then click Mount R/O and exit Root Explorer.
4. Install GoogleCalendarSyncAdapter and GoogleContactsSyncAdapter the usual app way.
5. Reboot your phone. Hard reset is not necessary.
6. Go to Accounts & Sync in your phone's settings, click Add account and enter your Google/GMail account details.
7. Go to your apps and Launch Google Play.
8. Update any Google stuff from Play Store if prompted.
I'll do a vid of this sometime.
Good luck!
Marcus
Thanks for the info.:good:
AN1 Battery Clarification
Hey, Marcus -
Sorry to take so long to reply.
When I said the AN1 battery was non-removable, I meant that the back of the AN1 watch IS the battery, for all intents and purposes, and is the battery housing, not a mini-case into which a battery could fit. Yes, as you say, it's removable via the lug-clip and that gives you access to the card slots. But I didn't know one could buy a replacement; the lug-clip architecture is so specific to the watch build that I thought an AN1 battery replacement would have to be sold as a locked-to-the-model accessory. (Well, until today; trolling around eBay I saw a Z1 battery/back panel replacement for sale and kind of assumed it would fit the AN1. But it was $39 which struck me as high, so I didn't purchase. I'll do a broader search for Z1 replacements now, though. If you know of where they can be gotten cheaply, chime in.)
No Real Need for Rooting
By the way ...
Even though the AN1 isn't Play Store compatible, I've been able to load everything on it that I need. I either find direct links to download the APKs desired, or APK store links that bring me to the APK. In any event, sideloading from my computer is easy, then I just use File Manager to open the apps. If the apps don't work, I uninstall them. Most of them do. And there are so many choices that you can eventually have it doing everything you desire of it. (Beasr in mind, it's not really practical to install anything too unique or fancy on the watch because of its screen size; it's best for basic utilities that let you play videos, read books, manage calendar data, email, facebook, etc. And it does all that handily. Sometimes not with apps that work on your larger Android devices; but it doesn't take much time at all to find something that'll do the job as well in miniature.)