Database Users

New Here - 2020 wanabee

Hi all
Just spent the all day reading and trying to convince myself that i need a 2020...now that that part is done...i still have some doubts 8)
My first doubts were between choosing the p900 and the 2020, the choice is done...so lets move on.
Does the 2020 have a pen that i can use to take quick notes like handwriting (like in the p800/900), i'm an old school 3m yellow sticker addict and i need to grab quick notes every 5 minutes, so that would come real handy. If it's not included (havent seen it in any pics yet) wich one should i get, and does it fit anywhere in the 2020? or do i need some kind of case or something?
Also on the gps side, it would be great to have gps in my car since i travel a bit, wich model is the cheapest (or the better compromise between price / quality ).
Thanks in advance for your help, and I hope to get my 2020 real soon so that i can take advantage of all your knowleadge
Thanks
Pac

Yes a stylus is supplied, you can buy a pen/stylus also, that is a ordinary pen one end and a stylus the other, you can scribble notes on the screen (using stylus) or draw plans etc. If you wish to use the gps anywhere besides the car I would suggest a bluetooth wireless type, the original tomtom bluetooth gps can be had very cheaply on ebay now. If you only wish to use it in car then I suggest a cheap wired version such as Haicom HI-203e or HI-204e, this will come with a lighter plug attachment to power gps and charge your phone at the same time, the lead is also contains the data connection. This type of gps usually use the nmea format at 4800 bps and is compatable with just about all navigation software. I would suggest you look at tomtom version 3, details at www.tomtom.com. There are plenty of others but I think tomtom is the most popular and you can download free software that will warn you of upcoming speed cameras, also there are numerous overlays for locating places like gas stations, airports etc plus free stuff that allows searching by postcode.

Thanks for your help, a month later I already have my 2020....so i'm really part of the club now
Thanks

Me = Universal to Wizard convert

I am so amazingly happy since I made the switch from Universal to Wizard.
The Universal, whilst clearly higher spec, more powerful, more impressive screen etc - was an unusable bit of kit. I battled and battled and battled - I wanted this 'superior' equipment to serve me well. I upgraded and tested various ROMs, tried every minor registry tweak and software trick known to man. Despite everyone in the Universal forum saying it *was* possible to get a solid, fast, reliable setup - I battled hard but never got close. It was still impossible to do the important little things like make or receive calls reliably, perhaps with one hand.
The Wizard is a proper phone - you can hold it between your ear and shoulder whilst stirring pasta with one hand and sipping vodka in the other.
The Wizard has proper buttons, ones that get used. The Universal had a multitude of useless buttons on the side that got pressed by accident thereby hanging Windows so that when you wanted to actually do something you may as well reset. The Universal had stereo speakers for God's sake. STEREO SPEAKERS? Does anyone else see the stupidity of such a thing? The whole point of stereo is that one channel feeds sound to one ear and the other channel to the other ear. What's more, the Wizard's handsfree speaker is clearer and brighter than the Universal's stereo speakers.
On the Wizard, I can make phone calls with one hand. I can pick up calls straight away, with one hand - I press the button and I'm talking immediately. With the Universal, not so. It's a long process involving three steps, invariably failing in most cases resulting in my having to call the other person back. Useless.
Sure, the Universal has a 520MHz processor. And when it's all optimised you really can feel the speed. But frankly that processor power is wasted on the most basic and major functions: the screen flip when answering a call. With the Wizard, sometimes screen flip lags, but thankfully I don't need to wait for the screen to flip just to answer the call!
That little Wizard collapsing stylus is a gem.
Here's what I use my Wizard for. I'm sure we are all used to this amount of functionality from one device - I've had most of it for years. But finally I have something close to the perfect all-in-one, and I'm happy!
Phone
Text messages
Voice command and phone in the car
Alarm clock (using the app Chronos) - how brilliant
Notebook
Calendar
Email on the move
Satellite navigation - tells me to slow down for speed cameras and talks to me when I get lost in London!
Portable music player (gigabyte mini SD card for MP3s)
Camera
Checking the news with RSS reader
Checking the next few days' weather in London from Today screen
I've even experimented with streaming video from my desktop over wireless. Works a treat, can watch a whole episode of The OC.
Yes, I can get rid of my old sat nav unit, my old pda, my old phone, my ipod, my alarm clock. It's everything in one tiny but beautifully usable package. (Actually, not entirely true, see below.)
There is ONE thing I am disappointed with. I had really hoped to eliminate the need for buying myself a new ipod. I am happy with a gigabyte of music - it seems fine to copy music as and when I need it. However I connected up my lovely Shure sound isolating headphones and the quality of the sound wasn't what I had hoped for. So sad about this - good sound would have completed the perfect package. There's just too much noise on the output, and the sound is horribly mid-range distorted. Gutted.
Anyway, I had to get this all out of my system - overall I am a very happy Universal to Wizard convert.
Thanks for listening
Mat

I can confirm all that. I ditched my Universal a week ago and bought a Wizard: Its LIGHTYEARS better in ease of use., speed, etc.
DO NOT BY UNIVERSAL. IT SUCKS BADLY !!!

completely agree. if i wanted a proper tiny computer i would buy a toshiba libretto. not the flawed, heavy and unstable universal.

Sounds right - the thing to remeber is that threse units are no laptops.... they are PDAs with phones ( not phones with PDAs if you see what I mean ).
Having swapped form a Jornada 540 I probably wont see the difrence your talking about but as a I can access most of the major features - Sat Nav / Phone / PIM I'm happy - its a portable viewer and ideal for when I am not in my own car.
Re the Ipod - doubt you'll beat that in this case - thats an Audio device - this is one that can do audio if you see what I mean.
Glad you like the change.
Terran

I'm finding this a very interesting topic.
I've just switched from aHP iPaq hx4705 to a Universal and so far I have been very pleased. however the choice between the Universal and the Wizard was a difficult one for me as I wanted a connected PocketPC / Windows Mobile device as opposed to a phone with a PPC in it.
My iPaq has clearly paid for itself in 15 months and time was right for an upgrade to WM5 and full connectivity. However my decision between these two devices was clouded I had a small chance to play with the Wizard in Dixon's one day when there was no Universal to play with.
And I liked it. Small, responsive, good lucks, surprising good keyboard (I wasn't sure what to expect to be honest) - all in all very good.
However I need to run a couple of power apps - PI and Planmaker - and I wasn't sure how it would cope.
I then had a try on a Universal in a O2 shop and I liked that. Everything looked good especially the screen (smaller than my iPaq but possibly even better quality) and the general speed.
So I got to the point to go for one of these. Initial cost wasn't a big deal as I was getting it on a contract with only about £50 difference between the two. And at this price £50 isn't enough to worry about.
I've currently got a Universal and am typing this out on it now. I'm loving it but that doesn't mean that the Wizard wouldn't also suit me as well. I have another 11 days before I lose the chance to take this back and swap it and I would really like to know from those of you using the Wizard how it copes with things like Planmaker due to the processor and the smaller screen size.
What a difficult choice though?! Two great devices to choose between.

I have an xda exec and xda mini s or wizard (two separate contracts). Both brill bits of kit. I use the exec for planmaker and textmaker and the xda mini just as a bit of fun. I like gadgets. You can't fault either device. I use both equally but for different purposes. I also used to have ipaq's for years but i wanted thephone functionality. The exec makes a wonderful mini laptop and the wizard a super ppc. If you shop around you can get bothdevices on contracts which added together give you a great deal in minutes+texts etc. yet give you the devices at a bargain price.
best wishes
Patricia

I agree. There really are some amazing devices out there at the moment and I am really pleased to be using one of them.
At the moment I can't see me getting rid of the Universal for a Wizard but that is because I have a clear idea of what I am after in this device. The Universal I know already after a few days is meeting my full needs.
Maybe if things go well I can buy a Wizard sometime late in 2006 when I guess they will drop in price! Just don't tell the wife!

dnt regret my purchase of a wizard. hope it stands the test of time and I'm using it for a long time. I think the trick to enjoying it is to remember in reality its your phone, everything else is a bonus.

i like to have 2 or 3 devices on the go and find if u shop around u can get really good deals recooping losses later by selling the devices on.the wizard is being offered for a small price on contract and like all similar devices will hold its value so why wait.i enjoy using the exec and wizardand find both equal as regards performance and functionality.planmaker, textmaker and tom tom work great on the exec whereas i use the wizard more for the phone side.
my other half uses tom tom but finds everything else a waste of time.i always have to explain that when we broke down in france this year in the motorhome my devices came to the rescue. tom tom for navigation and the predecessor to the xda mini a magician a great way to communicate to the rescue service and to find the nearest garage for repairs etc.
best wishes
patricia

Wizard v Universal
The wizard really is a great piece of kit but the BIG disadvantage for me is the missing 3G radio.
We have been crying out for this type of pocket pc ever since 3G was launched and I must say the breach has been filled admirably.
Obviously size is important and having owned both (and still do) I would agree that that the universal platform is not the most stable and the last thing you want to do is take a call on the Universal whilst in public
I have managed to incorporate all the settings taken from a symbian platform handset ie Nokia 6680 and managed to use the device successfully even browsing with the '3' homepage. The security of the '3' was the most difficult to crack and I can now download the various downloads offered by the cheapest network.
I also have subscribed to the £45 package which gives you 512mb of bundled data which allows me to visit other sites now the 'garden wall' has been demolished once and for all. This really is where the universal comes into its own.
One thing I will agree with is the size prevents use as a normal handset so I use a bluetooth headset with the appopriate hacks from the wi-ki developers page.
I cant help thinking that the Universal would be a far slimmer device if they hadn't incorporated the keyboard which I find absolutely useless due to my prolonged use of the graffiti facility(far quicker to write anyway).
I look forward to a new alternative to the Universal which may do away with the keypad once and for all. This should make the device a more suitable size instead of the similarities with the old handhelds ie HP 720 and the like which I'm sure many of us remember.
I think this is crucial given that devices like the Sony Ericsson P990i are just about to be launched with 3g capability and many people will see this as a more pocketable phone/pda. Not in the same league I agree as a windows mobile 5 device but still blessed with a good email client and now of course wi-fi.
Just my personal experience but I felt necessary to post in order to even things up a little bit.

Re: Wizard v Universal
jonboy8841 said:
The wizard really is a great piece of kit but the BIG disadvantage for me is the missing 3G radio.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2 things... is it '3' that no longer have a walleed garden ? Im just curious...
Re 3G ( and I know this is Off topic ) - is it me or is there no actual use for 3G for joe public ? Yes I can understand business use and to a certian point show off to your mates video calling but until its on all networks and all phones ( inc fixed ) in all contries its best feature wont be used... again another reason to go for the Wizard rather than Universal.
Terran
PS Before any one says 'but you can watch TV' DVB-H will kick that in to touch soon

3G makes a BIG difference if you actually go websurfing... (which is actually the only reason I find it interesting, I really don't care about video calling, actually I really hope it wont become standard for a long time)
I don't have a universal, but I'm guessing the bigger screen (and more importantly resolution), along with the 3G, makes it perfectly suitable to websurfing.

Universal is a great gadget, but it is not a usable phone. The way I see it it can be used as a small notebook, provided you don't expect too much. VGA and UMTS are great for browsing and mail. Also connected with BT mouse it can be used for Word or Excel (TextMaker and PlanMaker) and even Project. The issue is only that lack of USB Host and no Video out mean it can't be used as full laptop. So it comes down to personal preference and at least for Phone and PDA I'm going with Wizard for small notebook we'll see...

Finraziel said:
3G makes a BIG difference if you actually go websurfing... (which is actually the only reason I find it interesting, I really don't care about video calling, actually I really hope it wont become standard for a long time)
I don't have a universal, but I'm guessing the bigger screen (and more importantly resolution), along with the 3G, makes it perfectly suitable to websurfing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wizzard supports EDGE, it is more than enough to do web-sirfing..

It's really interesting to see how different members use their devices-I didn't realise when i first purchased the exec that i needed a different sim card and tariff to use 3g. I think 3g is also more expensive and as other members have commented limited by network coverage and most people still having basic handsets. None of my contacts use 3g-in fact they find my interest in these amazing gadgets bemusing, eccentric...This doesn't bother me but thankgoodness there are othersout there who share my interest.

I really didn't think that the difference between 3g and a good gprs was much. i played with both in the o2 shop and couldn't think of a reason to buy the universal, although it does have a few advantages.
FYI I have a vodaphone 3g motorola 770 as my main phone (cost £90 payg) and I successfully linked the wizard to it via bluetooth and surfed at 3g speed. So I have the option if needed.

One other advantage to 3G is that in a few months you will be able to dial into video servers that will have news, television, etc going over the circuit switched network, so you'll have much more reliable and responsive service, if you're willing to use your video minutes on it.

With the new ROM, i'm glad i didn't give up my universal. It is now worlds faster WITHOUT any tweaking, and even more with tweaking.
I also had the Universal or WIzard dilema and only one factor mattered to me : SCREEN REAL ESTATE!
Guess who won

Me = Wizard ---> Universal
Agree Jorgee.
The universal with the latest O2 rom is working super. With the next rom update, with radio version 1.09 and push email it will be even better.
I had a wizard for a few months and had to get rid of it.
Firstly note that I do not use either as a phone. i have a small cell phone for voice calls. I use these devices as my pocket pc with data only tariffs (a key advantage of o2 above all the other providers).
In this context the Wizard is really not a player:
1. Terribly slow cpu and os
2. Screen too small
3. No VGA.
4. Too slow to run skype well
5. Too thick (universal is thinner) - difficult to fit in backpack with papers.
6. Horrible stylus
7. Minisd card. All my deivces use SD. Its another std too far.
8. Non-std headphone socket
9. No 3g. GPRS web browsing is a joke.
Sry guys, but as a PDA there is no contest!

Near perfect setup?

As 2007 draws to a close, I have - thanks in large part to the people here on this forum - got pretty much a perfect setup going. I thought I'd share it with you:
I use my Ameo mainly for organising my work and personal life (a Filofax replacement if you like). I upgraded to the X-Black WM6 rom provided by your goodselves and as a by-product had to unlock the beast with a well-known program also supplied here (programmer may be rude, but he is certainly talented). This enabled me to insert my work SIM and to fully utilse the exchange-based activesync provided from work.
- Work/personal life updates, sorted
- Work E-mail, sorted
I have set up my home e-mail as IMAP and the server there is configured to use dynamic dns. Home e-mail on the Ameo configured to use gmail as SMTP client, leaving it fully mobile.
- Home E-mail, sorted.
The Ameo is kind of clunky to use a a phone. Thanks to this forum I found the LG I-style to use as a handset (ebay) - by FAR the best option I have used so far
- Work/Home Phone, sorted
In the car I have Brodit holder wired in (using the much more elegant Dashmount bracket rather then the ungainly Brodit), giving me power and a great looking platform for GPS functionality. Also just installed is Blaupunkt radio with integrated bluetooth so I can utilise the phone "on the go". As I get in the car, turn off the LG I-style and the Blaupunkt connects in its place. Seemless.
- Car Phone, sorted
- GPS (car), sorted
For music on the move, I have an I-tec bluetooth/radio with some really decent earphones. When I am travelling listening to music, this can connect instead of the I-style, switching between music and phone calls
- Music/mobile Phone, sorted
And finally, in my airplane I have configured my Pilot knee-pad to use the magnetic points on the Ameo to hold it in place whilst I am flying.
- GPS (Aviation), sorted
So with all that in place, could it be better? Well I bought the Ameo in the first place due to screen size (for flying), so I am happy with that. The keyboard I love (ex Psion Netbook, so of course I would) and the ability to leave it aside when not required is great. The WM6 is a HUGE improvement in both speed and stability over the original ROM. The only thing I think I would alter is the micro-drive - would love to swap for SSD version to achieve lighter weight and speedier access time.
And what am I carrying? - well normally just the main unit (without k/board, slipped into inside pocket) plus the I-style hand set. In my briefcase is the I-tec and the headphones plus spare battery. Total weight around 400g and it will all fit into suit pockets without spoiling the cut (the beer-belly does that without any help)
Let me know if you have any thoughts for improvements. Either way, thanks for all your help, especially the talented ones (let me know if you appreciatee contributions as this sort of work should not go unpaid).
Have a great Christmas and a better 2008.
Robert

Thanks for the well-written info
This is a great post: helpful, informative, inspiring. Thanks for taking the time to give back to the community!
I might take a leaf out of your book and try some of your ideas. I have kept a bog standard Ameo from T-Mobile in the UK which I bought 6 months ago. I always wanted to try upgrading to WM6 but I haven't found anywhere that will walk me through step by step. I think you just convinced me.
The keyboard broke on my Ameo (now has poor connectivity) so I'm hoping to get a Bluetooth keyboard as a replacement for Christmas.
The microphone and ear buds also are a bit dodgy now - I bought a "Discovery 655 Bluetooth Headset" so I can make calls but I'm not too happy with it - I might get a "LG BLUETOOTH STYLE-i HBM-700 HEADSET" like you suggest.

I understand your reticence - I held back for many months before taking the plunge.
There are a few step-by-step guides to the upgrade (see here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=347240) and it is worthwhile taking a few lunch-times to run through the threads here on the site. Then when you have a full evening spare, go through methodically.
Good luck
Robert

Mrsums said:
As 2007 draws to a close, I have - thanks in large part to the people here on this forum - got pretty much a perfect setup going. I thought I'd share it with you:
I use my Ameo mainly for organising my work and personal life (a Filofax replacement if you like). I upgraded to the X-Black WM6 rom provided by your goodselves and as a by-product had to unlock the beast with a well-known program also supplied here (programmer may be rude, but he is certainly talented). This enabled me to insert my work SIM and to fully utilse the exchange-based activesync provided from work.
- Work/personal life updates, sorted
- Work E-mail, sorted
I have set up my home e-mail as IMAP and the server there is configured to use dynamic dns. Home e-mail on the Ameo configured to use gmail as SMTP client, leaving it fully mobile.
- Home E-mail, sorted.
The Ameo is kind of clunky to use a a phone. Thanks to this forum I found the LG I-style to use as a handset (ebay) - by FAR the best option I have used so far
- Work/Home Phone, sorted
In the car I have Brodit holder wired in (using the much more elegant Dashmount bracket rather then the ungainly Brodit), giving me power and a great looking platform for GPS functionality. Also just installed is Blaupunkt radio with integrated bluetooth so I can utilise the phone "on the go". As I get in the car, turn off the LG I-style and the Blaupunkt connects in its place. Seemless.
- Car Phone, sorted
- GPS (car), sorted
For music on the move, I have an I-tec bluetooth/radio with some really decent earphones. When I am travelling listening to music, this can connect instead of the I-style, switching between music and phone calls
- Music/mobile Phone, sorted
And finally, in my airplane I have configured my Pilot knee-pad to use the magnetic points on the Ameo to hold it in place whilst I am flying.
- GPS (Aviation), sorted
So with all that in place, could it be better? Well I bought the Ameo in the first place due to screen size (for flying), so I am happy with that. The keyboard I love (ex Psion Netbook, so of course I would) and the ability to leave it aside when not required is great. The WM6 is a HUGE improvement in both speed and stability over the original ROM. The only thing I think I would alter is the micro-drive - would love to swap for SSD version to achieve lighter weight and speedier access time.
And what am I carrying? - well normally just the main unit (without k/board, slipped into inside pocket) plus the I-style hand set. In my briefcase is the I-tec and the headphones plus spare battery. Total weight around 400g and it will all fit into suit pockets without spoiling the cut (the beer-belly does that without any help)
Let me know if you have any thoughts for improvements. Either way, thanks for all your help, especially the talented ones (let me know if you appreciatee contributions as this sort of work should not go unpaid).
Have a great Christmas and a better 2008.
Robert
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
enjoy the phone and glad to hear another person is satisfied with this beast we call the athena.

It was kinda long fight but now i'm really satisfied with my Athena too.
The main reason for getting an Athena was the need to Remote Control of some Servers we got running under Windows and Linux. So i needed a device running Putty and Remote Desktop with UMTS speed.
A device with a Screen Resolution and Screen Size of the Athena is perfect for this.
When i got My Athena wich came as T-Mobile Ameo i was extremly disappointed with the T-Mobile WM5 running on it.
It was unstable, slow and nearly unusable for the things i really needed it to do.
So i tried the T-Mobile Upgrade to WM6 but still wasn't very pleased with it.
I decided to unlock the device and install the Athena Projekt Black WM6 ROM and it sorted out that running this ROM with RealVGA at the 128dpi setting made the Athena usable. It ran stable and with an acceptable speed but there was to much crap installed so i reinstalled the Athene Projekt ROM without the software in the EXTRom and finally had the device i wanted.
After setting up some extra Software like
- Navigon6
- Mort Player
- RemoteDesktop for WM6
- putty
- TCPMP
- HTC Home (the new one)
- Total Commander
- PocketVNC
- pBar
- Pocket CM (really stylish Contact Manager)
- PCM Keyboard (finally an usable OnScreen keyboard)
- SIM Display (really useful beacuse i use an Anlago DualSIM Adapter)
and some Registry Haking to get a German Keyboard Setting i had a really usable Device.
This setup runs for 8 weeks now. No Softreset since then, no SystemCrash.. just a really good working Device.
Usually i carry the Athena without Keyboard because the PCMKeyboard really works good and can be used with the fingers.
Only thing left is finding a good and usable Headset
If you know what to use it for, the Athena really rocks.

[Q] Changing ROM of a China Phone

Hey,
I've got an MF68 / IP800 (It got so many names that I prefer to call it "Horza", sounds pro - There will be a picture of it on the bottom of this post) and it came with a Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional - CE 5.2.23090 (Comp. 23090.5.3.0) - Yup, it ain't a rip-off windows. It's a rather good phone, with a slow-but-does-whatever-I-throw-at-it processor "HUAWEI HiSilicon K3", running at 360MHz (I've seen versions running at 460, if anyone knows how to overclock it, it would be welcome), 128MB RAM and 256MB ROM; all those controlled by a 240x400 3" resistive screen. Not a lamborghini but does the job well done.
Anyhoo, I want to change the ROM. Somehow it limits my volume to 63%. It might be good for my ears, but it's a real pain when I connect it to an external speaker. Also, there's a few ROM's possessing some sleek features that I'd love to use. But there's three problems:
1 - It's a dual-SIM phone (the actual ROM seems to be adapted, or something, for this - due to the poor, china-style, translation in the Dual-SIM Setup area)
2 - It's a china phone, thus I don't know what I'm supposed to do or if it's able to
3 - I only have the original USB Cable. Will it work or I need some sort of special cable?
So, what should I do? Will it be able to update? Which programs should I get?
Thanks for the attention and I'm awaiting for an answer
Sincerely,
GTMoraes

well if you say that its a legit windows mobile device then you should be able to have themes for it however, some things like hardware issues are going to get in your way.
1. Dual-SIM
2. Screen Resolution (not anytheme will work)
3. Thats all i can think of...
4. Will think of other stuff and come back to you

Yup, I can use some themes for my WM, I've got tired of the Titanium style and ATM I'm using the SPB Shell, works like a charm.
The actual O.S. works fine, but it's limiting the volume to 63% (according to 40iPlay and proved through external speakers). I've googled around and it looks like an European or something limitation, removeable only with a new ROM - so here am I.
Is there any program that I should run to see if my phone is compatible with ROM updating?
Thanks for you answer and I'm awaiting for new ones
P.S.: Anything related to the Samsung i900 works flawlessly on the Horza. So does the HTC gSensor

I have a China LEO 8585 and have yet to find a custom rom myself.. sorry bud.

Panapacific DEA600 head unit and smart touch screen...

Hey Guys,
I just bought a brand new Kenworth W900, and it has android auto (or something mimicing it) built in... A panapacific dea600... the major problem is it super kludge... amongst being terribly locked down, i cannot connect to an ad hoc wifi thru my windows 10 laptop (that is tethered to my S6 with easy tether)... my tablet can connect to the ad hoc no problems, and my stereo can see the network but cannot connect to it for some reason (i REALLY need to update the trucks GPS maps, and have you tried to use a truck stops wifi? (like dial up))... id really just like access to the OS or another launcher so i can add some apps that i need (no not facebook or stuff like that) and perhaps root and rom it....
its running android 4.2.2... and i can get you the entirely too long software version
Its sad really because this could be cutting edge stuff, but someone higher up had to come up with ways to neuter this damn thing... and look i get that there are things i shouldnt have access to while driving, but it DOES have android web browser built in so its not like they dont want us using it...
i dont expect the world as this unit has only been shipping with trucks for a few months... and many of you may not have come across it... but perhaps it shares hardware with another system and panapacific just stole it (it HAS happened many times)
thanks guys and look forward to replies before i finish going insane

Nobody?

DEA600 - SmartDisplay for Automotive Infotainment
Hey,
I just came across your note while search for this product - I was the software architect/tech lead for the supplier company providing the Android port and the Freescale SOM component of the display screen on this product line - although moved on shirtly after the system went to mass production. - it is awesome to see someone here discuss it!
You are very correct on a lot of you assumptions and assessments. it was a very ambitious project that really tried to leverage as much of what Android was capable of at the time it was planned, but tuned to work as a smart display for commercial vehicles.
The display is only a part of a system of components. The display runs a port of Android 4.2.2 - but highly tailored to its environment - pairs with the Delphi radio unit (as a peer, not as an accessory) and is toghtly coupled to the unit in production. as a security measure.
unfortunately for what you are looking for, though much of the upgrade and app installation capabilities have been locked down to prevent side loading or execution of "unauthorized" apps that don't have special keys fro. the OEM or manufacturer. even if installed, the system manager will kill any apps that are launched without keys.
you may be able to get a developer key from the OEM but I don't know how they chose to mange that in the final system.
thanks for the posting, though - it was a small run comparatively for android systems but it was a pretty damn cool system with what we did get working....
I would be happy to discuss more if you want. - with what I can....
- Chris

DEA600
hi there
i have same head unit in my 389 pride and class peterbilt, for the map part, that you can update by connecting it to your phones internet, either wifi hot spot if not then just connect it with bluetooth and use bluetooth tethering of phone and PAN of your DEA600, but main problem in the system is that you cant put a single thing without pulling breaks, and u cant download a single file by any means, it just displays error that unfortunately process.android. stopped or browser has stopped or settings has stopped. if any one figured out how to download anythimg in this little thing. please update

hello there. I have T-680 with DEA600. I had exactly the same problem and ended up taking my truck to a dealer. it turned out to be defected radio. After it was replaced, it would connect to a hotspot no problem ( im using htc 10).

I have the same unit in my W 900. It is a huge disappointment in many ways. First of all just like any factory radio I have ever seen in a commercial truck the sound quality is horrible. Second I don't like the fact that it locks so many functions when I am driving. I have a passenger that rides with me most of the time that is perfectly capable of safely operating those functions while I drive. This makes the GPS almost useless for the way I like to use a GPS. Good thing I still have my Garman. But really my biggest disappointment is the fact that I cannot get the gauges to work properly. It states that I can choose from over 30 gauges to be displayed however I have been unable to find any way to change from the six default gauges that are there. I have read the manual but it does not explain how to open the menu that lets you choose which gauges are there. I don't know if my unit is defective like one of a red one of yours was or if it just hasn't come out in an update yet. Also if I am reading this right it looks like my display and gauges function are tied to the stereo which means if I replace the head unit I'm going to lose that function. Am I reading that correctly?

Hey guys so a friend of mine has the DEA601 in his new truck and drives him nuts that the passenger cannot control things when its going faster than 5km hour (his old Peterbuilt worked fine).
I'm a software eng and would like to find out how to disable the Distracted Driver feature (like you can do in settings on many other Android Auto ROM's like Honda). What are my options here? a) Make a whole new ROM (but how to do that?) b) try to hexedit the existing ROM and find where the 5 km value is and modify it c) add an add-on app somehow to override this limit or d) other???
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Ckrobin said:
I have the same unit in my W 900. It is a huge disappointment in many ways. First of all just like any factory radio I have ever seen in a commercial truck the sound quality is horrible. Second I don't like the fact that it locks so many functions when I am driving. I have a passenger that rides with me most of the time that is perfectly capable of safely operating those functions while I drive. This makes the GPS almost useless for the way I like to use a GPS. Good thing I still have my Garman. But really my biggest disappointment is the fact that I cannot get the gauges to work properly. It states that I can choose from over 30 gauges to be displayed however I have been unable to find any way to change from the six default gauges that are there. I have read the manual but it does not explain how to open the menu that lets you choose which gauges are there. I don't know if my unit is defective like one of a red one of yours was or if it just hasn't come out in an update yet. Also if I am reading this right it looks like my display and gauges function are tied to the stereo which means if I replace the head unit I'm going to lose that function. Am I reading that correctly?
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Click to collapse

I found out in order for the guages to work I need an $800 module my truck didn't come with. Now my biggest problem is the technology seems to have stagnated. The software on my phone and tablet are no longer very comparable with Android 4.2. I try my iPhone and my Android tablet and neither will play Pandora consistently. I am forced to use Bluetooth which looses sound quality on an already low quality stereo. I really wish Kenworth had spent their R &D on making their trucks compatible with idatalink like most aftermarket stereos use.
At this point I am torn between installing a hideaway marine stereo with a remote display and leaving this POS Pans Pacrapic as a display with nono sound. Or installing a line converter and amp and dealing with this clunky software. I wish someone would make a rom to upgrade this thing.

Looks like the Mfg won this round
Looks like the Mfg won this round
I'm driving one of these trucks also and I keep checking this post but I guess we havent incentivized anyone who cud help yet!

The electrical switch must be located behind the air brakes control knob. I'm sure if you pull the stereo out you will find the wires that control the disabling feature. The unit tries to "update" when connected to wifi. Maybe someone can use wireshark and grab the update packet and modify it with root installed. I'm ok with trying anything short of taking the unit apart and Jtag the firmware directly. Would love to see one taken apart.

sunny530 said:
The electrical switch must be located behind the air brakes control knob. I'm sure if you pull the stereo out you will find the wires that control the disabling feature. The unit tries to "update" when connected to wifi. Maybe someone can use wireshark and grab the update packet and modify it with root installed. I'm ok with trying anything short of taking the unit apart and Jtag the firmware directly. Would love to see one taken apart.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a 2+ year old thread being g responded to.

What is your point? 2years later and still no solution to the problem. I ran across this thread of people discussing the same problems I'm having with the radio unit. If you got something usefull to add to this discussion then please feel free otherwise you don't need to acknowledge when what was posted that helps me null with my problem.

Anyone here figure anything out?

still nothing

Hello! So I have little tech experience but I am willing to work with someone here to sort this out. Got a 17 w900 that I put a aftermarket double din in and retained smart nav for the gauges. What I did find was the screen (not the radio) gets a input from the wire harness off the ecm to give data to the screen. So I’ll attach a picture of the plug and maybe we can use this plus find it’s female counterpart then get the other end to plug into a maestro box? My Sony doesn’t have maestro. I do have a pioneer that does but can’t justify the cost being the Guinea pig. I’ve already been one of the first to get the tilt column to drop LOW and managed to fit a true 7” double din where the stupid nav was.