Hello all,
Just looking around the upgrade section of the Magician (or O2 as ive got) had led me thinking about upgrading my O2 with custom software.
However, one thing sticks in my head. Which one ?
I've been doing some reading on the 2.03 which is commonly mentioned, however reading from peoples experience, there are things which have been left out - one user mentioned he no longer had things like O2, excell etc.
So i guess the point of this thread is to ask you out there and provide me with your opinion on what is the best upgrade. Of course its going to be a personal preference, however the more opinions i get the better informed ill be.
Things i need to consider:
1. Overall improvement of the O2
2. Speed - I need the O2 to run better for when im being a 'power' user
3. Improvement to existing applications such as camera, sound, bluetooth etc.
4. Minimal loss of current 'standard' applications. Im not totally experienced with my O2 and i dont really want to go start looking for applications that i already had on my O2 when i first got it.
5. New programs/applications - There must be things that O2 didnt plan on putting on the device that others have thought of.
Any help would be most appreciated.
doesnt anyone have any opinions ?
I tried 2.03 and didn't like it. The lack of transcriber annoyed me the most as well as the fact it is Russian and doesn't quite have 100% English compatibility. It did feel a bit quicker than the standard rom though. I think excel works now though, which is a plus
I flashed back to my original rom (1.11 i think it was), but did the soft reset before the extended_ROM installed, and installed just a select few options, which drastically improved the speed.
Not really aware of any other custom upgrades... are there others?
I installed 2.03 since 1-2 week and I like it very much: I have installed all the programs I need and I never saw any russian text (except Keyboard+ options menù, but I do not use it, and CabInst , easily replaceble by english version).
It is fast and free of useless standard programs like the ridiculous FileExplorer well replaced by the beautiful TotalCommander. It does not have Excel? Wonderful!!!! Pocket Excel (and Pocket Word too) is just something more than a viewer. without basically Office functions: use SoftMaker Office 2006 and you can finally really work with Word and Excel documents!
I am quite sure that if you want standard programs like transcriber you can find easily a valid substitute on the net or directly the CABs extracted from original ROM by someone.
Intalling into the "RAM" only the programs that really need speed (today plugins, input tools, profile manager, ecc), and the other ones between BigStorage and SD, I have a more stable Magician with very good performance and more than 30Mb of free RAM for loading programs!
Related
My sister has been asking me for a while to find her first electronic organizer, but knowing her I can't give something too techy and complicated. She will barely connect it to her PC very often.
Main requirements are : calendar, notes and I suppose contacts.
Camera is a plus.
Do you know of an "easy" girly phone, that is not too geek like most of the ones we have ?
like the equivalent of the Palm Zire for instance, these ones were just doing the basics if you didn't look behind the shell.
thanks.
Does she want WM5, Palm, Symbian? Does it need to have a phone and if so does it need to be 3G?
Maybe something like HP iPaq 1950?
It is a WM5 device but it's one of the basic ones, no phone / GPS / BT (has WIFI though).
It's pretty stable so no need for "tech" stuff if you only want to use it as an organizer and it is very compact.
Plus if she wants to add some games or something later that will work too.
Don't underestimate women. My beautiful wife (yes she dose read this forum ) has had XDAI, XDAII and atom. She is not very good with understanding how computers work but still manages to work all the features of ppc's. The main question would probably be the price. Here the HP version of the atom (I can't remember name) is probably the cheapest pda phone and its got all the features.
Well, I'm not sure about your sis, but as far as I know, girls look for looks on things they use. So, probably the Zire22 are small and girlish enough for her to use. I personally used both Palm and Windows PDA. In organiser wise, I find Palm's builtin PIM is better and clearer. However, unless you get the advance version of Palm PDA (eg TX), your sis maybe having problem with the handwriting 'mechanism'.
Anyway, for Windows based PDA, I think it is very basic anyway. You just key in the required field without the need to know other things. If you are to use the PIM without much of your personal requirement, you won't need to do things like reg hack And, I find that girls can seems to tolerate things that they don't know (eg, they hardly customize a PC, though they seems to like to customize a bf). The most they want to do is to make them look pink.
Ask your sis, which PDA she likes (eg the looks and size, and colour) and it may help you in choosing. Let her have a look on the PalmZ22, as I remember, there are `converted` wives with Z22. It doesn't have a camera though.
http://euro.palm.com/uk/en/products/z22/domore.html
I agree with Hanmin
the look is more important,
I will check with her first of all.
I used a Palm for years before PPC and yes.. I forgot about the letter recognition :-(
thanks for your help guys !
if u want phone capibility and camera and ability to choose the colour of the device (it comes in white, red, orange, and silver) go with the upcoming treo 680.....its palmOS based though..
i think for a very basic user windows mobile is not good. for example activesync and hotsync......
Hum, in my mind the choice will be hard
Bring her in a shop and show her the main differences about capabilites, look and ... prices...
Sometime we want a very simple things but when we discover advanced features, we want ALL ! A geek is sleeping in all of us
Have a look at the o2 Stealth.
Just wondering, any updates on this? What is the one she chosen ?
Hi,
While I am waiting for my MDA Pro to arrive, I have been reading a lot in the Universal section (have a BA myself).
May I ask for some valid reasons why someone would want to use homebrewed WM6 releases instead of official/customized WM5?
I do understand the fun it is to try out new things, but is it really worth it? I did not find many posts that would clear this question.
Thanks,
vma
WM6.0...
The new look and a lot faster device...
Is there any feature that won't be available with WM6, that did work fine in WM5?
Thanks,
vma
Video call isn't working yet.
Rolud said:
The new look and a lot faster device...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The way I see it, WM6 may or may not work for you and may or may not do it for you. Try it. You can always go back to WM5. Most people don't.....
Well .... the simple answer is that I did a lot of searching and reading, and finally tried it out for myself.
I asked this very question a while ago right here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1130569&postcount=88
And came to the follwowing conclusion:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=1155497&postcount=89
In the conclusion, the thing about the Bluetooth Stack / Voice Command - it was actually Voice Command that was the problem and this issue was fixed in Jrwightmcps' 2.02.00 WWE http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=297256
Crossbow ONLY!
Tell you the truth... i see the new WM6 is better eye-catching GUI not to mention the enhancement in the functionality and other usability such as email related functions. I know that MS wont just upgrade for no obvious reason nor for desktop OS compatibility.
Yet i reckon i wont -never- go back to magento! Crossbow ONLY!
@nvatvani:
Indeed your posts where the only ones I read, that contained some usefull info about the subject.
No offense to all the other members of course!
I was simply wondering about what to do when my MDA Pro arrives: replace the German firmware with a WWE WM5 one or go straight ahead to WM6 without even looking at WM5.
Also, I had some problems with my Blue Angel, when I tried WM5 on it: it may have been a coincidence, but one day after the upgrade the screen went mad and totally messed up. Only 1 Hardreset in about 100 tries would bring it back to normal for some period of time and even reflashing it with WM5 or 2003SE would not make it work normal again. The screen would get messed up suddenly for no particular reason. At the end I had to send it in for repair, which was actually a good thing, as I complained about the loose stylo and bad working hardkeys, all within warranty. I got a new key-pcb, backside and they reflashed the device with 2003SE. I posted this issue in the BA forum, but got no usefull hint. This means I am a little scared of upgrading to unofficial releases.
Other than that, I have no problems with flashing, as I do that on my other hobby (satellite receivers) frequently, including JTAG-operations for repairing bricked devices. The same applies to games consoles. (Note: I do not sell or benefit commercially from that activity and my goal is not to get illegal software or TV - not that you guy's get the wrong idea about me).
Anyway, thanks for your replies!
Cheers,
vma
What Windows Mobile 5.0 AKU 2.0 has and Windows Mobile 6 (the cooked ones, having tried them all) doesn't have, according to my experiences:
1. Videocalling - at least not a proper one
2. Bluetooth Dial Up Networking (the DUN profile)
3. Wireless Modem (yet some WM6 ROM's have it, although without shortcut in the start menu)
4. Cyberon Voice Dial by default (some WM6 ROM's have it by default, others will need a 500kB CAB to activate it)
The reason why I went back to "good old" WM5 is mainly the reliability. Ok, the OS may be a bit slower here and there, but it has all the functionality (e.g. videocalls and Bluetooth DUN), and NEVER hangs. It just always works and that's what I desperately need right now.
---
The things Windows Mobile 6 has for me that 5.0 hasn't which I miss the most:
1. High resolution browsing in the normal Internet Explorer (I don't want to use alternatives)
2. HTML email support
3. The impressive speed of the OS
Applications like WM6's Windows Live and the superb Remote Desktop Client are also available for WM5, so I don't need to miss those, otherwise I sure would, and then I might have sticked with WM6.
The new sounds and GUI are great, but I don't really miss them, since that's not a true functional thing.
Having WM5 up and running again, without freezes and memory leaking and with full HTC Universal functionality, is enough for me to be happy with it and to stick with it. If there ever will be a ROM that actually ADDS Windows Mobile 6 on top of all of this (without a single registry tweak or CAB fix needed), then it's the time for me to upgrade again.
If such a ROM will ever see the daylight, since it won't be officially available for the Universal, I don't know. I think the HTC X7500 (Athena) will be there sooner (April 2007 over here), and that one will have a official WM6 upgrade for sure. That'll be my next one, so until then: WM5 for my Universal!
So far for my opinion.
why do I use WM6
vma said:
Hi,
While I am waiting for my MDA Pro to arrive, I have been reading a lot in the Universal section (have a BA myself).
May I ask for some valid reasons why someone would want to use homebrewed WM6 releases instead of official/customized WM5?
I do understand the fun it is to try out new things, but is it really worth it? I did not find many posts that would clear this question.
Thanks,
vma
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest, I used them all and later delteted them after 5 2 hours. They leak a lot, ram is at minimum and useless third party applications, and a lot fo thing sodn't really work or missing (I just want a vanill aone without 3rd party applications).
Except for one rom, Darkforce, it is fast and furious, and so far I have using it for two days; battery usage is good, and no leaks. However, no video calling, and no way to set com ports for bluetooth devices. any1 has this problem?
However, common to all ROMS, no video calling, old calculator, speed dial messed up (some work and some don't), wireless connection bubble missing (yes you can install a cab but I don't want to do that).
<Mind you, contrary to other reports, I never had any freezes with any rom.
The thing that attracts me is HTML in email, High resolution mode in explorer, better remote desktop connectivity.
So I thhink I am sticking with DarkForce ROM, so far so good.
Thx
The story
Ive been on this forum since the blue angel was the new kid on the block and although i lost my old account and had to make this new one Ive got keen on programming and i thought the UNI needs some more life in its forum. Ive wanted this device since it came out and it has way too much potential for it to not be a lovely page, although i don't see many US people here(its hard to use GPRS after HSDPA)lol but i would think that there would be a fair amount of people using the UNI still i hope
My plan
Ive managed to collect a fair amount of build #'s and see the need for some new builds and features build into our devices i would like for people to enlighten me as to what they would like to see in their roms so i know how to start building towards that goal so please everyone give me some incite on what you guys will want and i shall start the building
i will end up having packed & vanilla versions and others upon request
hope to hear from you guys as i will be working hard on this
Updates
Reserved For updates
FAQ,Rom, Version info's
Reserved for FAQ,Rom, Version info's
I'm a big fan of Vanilla's, but I'll include the list of things I usually install on the device. One thing I hope you can help shed some light on is the WM6/6.1 notification queue problem. Not everyone gets them, but there is a problem where the notification queue gets bloated and causes lockups. It seems to only occur in 6 and 6.1. In the meantime, here's the short list of things I usually install to the device:
Arcsoft MMS 5
Esmertec or Intent Java
File Explorer Extension
MS Voice Command
Some type of task manager with a true close option.
Office
PIM Backup
Thanks for asking, and thanks in advance for a great rom.
Uni doesn't support call recording if loud speaker isn't turned on. It would be great if this issue can be resolved.
Thanks mr4r4n,
I look for ROM with most free Program memory. I use nncuong ROM as it has about 31.7M on reboot, and has 21MB FlashDisk - which is most useful.
I like to be able to update programs, so if they're in ROM they can't be updated when new version comes out.
I wonder if it's possible to remove IE to make space, to allow Opera to be only browser. However, I suspect this is too intertwined with the OS.
The things I install are
HTC Tray Applet
AdvancedConfig 3.1
fringWinMob 3.24
Opera 9.5.1660 (VGA)
PocketCM 0.25c
SMSDRFixWM5 v2.0.0beta
Total Commander 2.50
TCPMP v0.81
TodayAgenda 1.1.0.3249
WkTaskL 1173c
VJCandelaLite.exe
Adobe Reader 2.5
FTouchFlo v1.4.1Oh, and that calculator can be replaced too!
NB. I think Tomal was asking same question as you a few months back: "Custom ROM for you" http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=411436
Hi,
I do not care so much for the included applications, as I do install them manually when needed, anyway.
I do care for:
- Speed
- Battery life
- Stable build
- Working BT and WLAN
- Support for SDHC cards
Cheers,
vma
share
vma said:
Hi,
I do not care so much for the included applications, as I do install them manually when needed, anyway.
I do care for:
- Speed
- Battery life
- Stable build
- Working BT and WLAN
- Support for SDHC cards
Cheers,
vma
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I share with you that we are looking for a ROM to be:
- The latest version of WM
- Fast enough
- long battery life
- Stable means not have to restart every few hours
- JAVA, Adobe, ... all this kind of basic applications
- Add-ons application to be in a separate options
- Supports 3G
- Email working properly
thanks,
Thank You
First of all, just wanna say thank you for willing to be one of the last developer for UNI. I think there are only a handfull left. To answer you question, there are still people using UNI. I am one of the UNI loyal user as I still couldnt find a UNI replacement.
For the builds, I dont mind what you put in the ROM, as long as the build is stable, and all basic functions are operatable (VC-tho nobody has ever make it happen in WM6 yet, IR, bluetooth, WIFI, internet sharing etc).
I love my two Universals. Have not yet seen a better device.
I do have an HP iPaq 514 which I purchased recently and I expect a VDA GPS (Toshiba G710) to arrive, but those are more for fun - you do need something new from time to time...
...but the Universal is still the best phone around. There is nothing lacking, except perhaps built-in GPS.
And the screen and its resolution is just fantastic.
Cheers,
vma
Hiya's, I found this site while looking up info on the HTC cruise as I have just received a hand-me-down Cruise from a friend (had a very old nokia..). This is a major upgrade for me (it has a 2 camera's unlike my nokia which has none). I am keen to get the most use from the phone as possible and at the moment it seems to be going ok but having read a couple of the forum messages it seems that there are various upgrades that can make it a better phone.
I have been accused of being a semi-ludite when it comes to using technology so would appreciate any advice on what can be upgraded as far as the operating system and other programs are concerned. I have used the CoPilot program this morning and think is is the greatest thing since individually sliced and packaged cheese..
The settings on the phone indicate it is ROM 1.26.710.1 WWE (date 12/17/2007), Radio Version 1.58.21.23 and Protocol Version 25.65.30.04H.
If any advice is forthcoming, please keep things as simple as possible or I will have to get one of my neighbors kids to come over and explain..
Cheers
Ian
Welcome to the wonderful world of a touchscreen windows mobile device.
Of course there are a lot of things you can improve, thousands of programs are waiting to be installed and so on.
IMHO the most important thing is: If you are satisfied with your current system DO NOT change it. If everything is running smooth there is no need to flash a new operating system or radio. If you notice slowdowns during using the device or if the radio in your area is not running perfect you should flash the latest upgrade from HTC. They are offering WM 6.1 (WM = windows mobile, the operating system) and a new radio. Its very easy to flash but you will loose all your data on the device.
If you don't like your today screen, you can check some replacements, Mobile Shell is one of it:
http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/pocketpc-software/mobileshell
And if you like this shell you can change its look with upgrades like this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=3904948&postcount=2513
Of course you can flash one of the Roms created by one of the devs. You will find an overview here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=521961
But you should be aware that many of these roms are using stuff from other devices like Manilla, this might cause problems. And you have to be very careful if flash a self created rom, its not that easy like flashing an original HTC rom.
Last but not least you have to think about the way you want to use your device. If you just need a phone you need nothing else. If you want to read ebooks like wikipedia you need a reader and so on. Here you can find tons of programs for your device:
http://www.handango.com/homepage/Homepage.jsp?storeId=2218
You will also find a lot of freeware apps here:
http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/
And a very important thing is: Backup your device often if you are trying different applications, you are having a windows device
For a list of recommended software check my signature.
All are freeware except iGO, and easily found on this forums (or links from here lead to authors pages).
And welcome to Polaris owners club...
Thanks very much for the replies..
It seems to be going ok at the moment. I am not too sure whether it is slow or not (nothing to compare..) but opening an application only takes a couple of seconds so I am happy with that. I have been using it primarily as a phone (of course) but have been using the camera like mad. I even made one of my friends give me a video call..very cool...I have tried to use the voice commander application but it doesn't seem to want to do anything and eventually just says "Goodbye" and closes. I am going to look at the list of applications at some of the website that are list above and see what is available.
Cheers and thanks again..
IJ
I have recently seen alot of ROMS for WM6.5 and they all look the same from the screenshots.... ugly!
I mean what is with all the HUGE text listed down the screen, am I the only one who thinks this is a stupid setup? What happened to the Start Menu and clean today setup?
Are people just updating to WM6.5 just 'cos its 6.5, or do you actually like the look of it? Please give your opinions on WM6.5, and more importantly what is the difference between WM6?
I am using WM6.1 on 2 of my devices as I like the Today Screen feel and the way everything is set out. I am contemplating putting 6.5 on a device just to test it out, is it really worth it? is it customizable to make the home screen not just BIG words down the screen? maybe a clock even lol.
thanks everyone for your opinions.
i think it looks great.
As long as you have good apps installed to cover nasty WM UI no matter if you have 6.1 or 6.5
I personally do not like the honeycomb, but I do like that the hole UI is more finger friendly
Let´s see the WM7!! hope they really impress us
I like it because its 6.5 that .4 of more awesome 1337ness!!!! lol.. I actually just like the better slightly larger menu buttons. the new start menu is neither here nor there for me.. I don't like titanium, it has potential, but till you can have more than one link on click per panel it is pretty lame to me.. seems to take more effort to get to my necessary apps with it than without it.. I have been using wad2 on my last few flashes. My device is i910 Omnia, with the BlazingWolf 7.1 rom.
On my observation, the main advantages of WM6.5 over WM6.1 are:
RAM Managemenet: In WM6.5 I never need to run the apps to clear RAM. Any time I quit a program, the RAM will be released imediately.
Power Consumption Controll: The battery life is noticably enlonged copare using WM6.1, on same load.
Connectivity: One example is on WM6.1 any time I'm using Internet Sharing I need to manually switch phone band to WCDMA to ensure stable fast data connection. And if I forget to switch it back to GSM or Auto after finished the Internet Sharing, phone calls on 3G mode will drain the battery very fast. But on WM6.5, I noticed that I don't need to switch phone band again, just leave it as Auto. The OS is so smart that it knows what time to switch to what band. Example, when I use internet sharing, it will stay at 3G for most of the time. When I make or receive a phone call, it will switch to GSM immediately after the phone connected.
Finger Touch Experience For this I don't explain more, it's just much more comfortable on finger/stylus responds.
Third Party Apps Interface: Well I'm not a developer, but from the changes on some registry structure, I can definitely tell that WM65 will be more friendly to third party application developers.
These are very core elements of a mobile os. The progress of wm65 on these points is obviously noticable.
But because the change of the core. It causes a big problem on legacy apps compatibility. People find that a lot of apps running well on wm6 just can never run on wm65.
But I think currently both Microsoft and third party software vendors are working tight on this issue. At least for most part of popular softwares, we can find a wm65 compatible version now. But for some speciall software, we can not find it if the developer did not upgrade it.
For sure, there are certain advantages of using 6.5 over 6.1. (The advantage is not only 'skin' things that you can see it, more important is on the 'core'.)
Hence your choice just depend on what softwares you're using. If for all your 'must-have' softwares you can find a WM6.5 compatible version or its replacement, why not use WM6.5.
Edit: I don't like the Titanium & the headache to customize it either. I just disabled it & leave an 'empty today', but with HButton, I can reach all frequently used apps within one single touch.
The RAM used by Titanium is 3.5MB+, compares to HTC Home @1.5MB+, & M2D @ 7MB+.
I like the looking of Honeucomb,(for showup only), but I also use QuickMenu, which is more functional.
Must to say that above experience are from the single ROM I've used only, maybe there are performance variaties on different ROMs & devices.
And at last, one of my most favarite part is the new PIE, it definitely can display whatever a desktop ie does except only one tab allowed.
I like 6.5. I find it runs pretty well on the kaiser, and I prefer its look to the old Windows 3.x interface found in the older versions. Plus, the finger scrolling is superb. And if you don't like the honeycomb, there are other start menu layouts, one example here. WM6.5 is just a band-aid to hold us over until WM7, but it's still a step in the right direction for Microsoft.
Dave
Yes, I think i will be waiting for wm7, but i just can't help myself any longer and I am going to take the plunge to wm6.5 on my Elfin or Wizard just to give it a go, I think it should run well on the elin with the RAM it has and without really checking out the custmizations, my assumptions is basically on the interface on standard screenshots i have seen.
thanks for the input guys, only a flash will i be able to add further opinions, as i am a heaver modder, and would need this to offer proper insight into the OS.
I've bounced back and forth between a couple 6.1 and 6.5 ROMs. I use TouchFLo because I hate 6.1's today screen and Titanium is pretty bland. I think that the current touchflo manila 2.1 is about the best you can get for WM6.1 currently, but I don't think manila 2.1 is streamlined for WM6.5. I feel like I'm taking a step back in integration and fluidness when I use Touchflo 2.1 and WM6.5. Not much, but it just seems off. This leads me to think that the new manila 2.5 is HTC's update to bring that integration and fluidness to WM6.5. The specualtion is that manila 2.5 is going to be for the new Firestone. While that is probably true, HTC has also mentioned that the new Topaz and Rhodium will get WM 6.5 upgrades. I would like to assume that this upgrade will also include manila 2.5 because if I feel that WM6.5 and TouchFlo 2.1 is lacking a complete feel then I would take that HTC has also noticed this. Yeah, I'm rambling I know. Just my thoughts. Bottom line on WM6.5 is that it seems like Microsoft just made a piss poor attempt at skinning there relic OS. That just pertains to the aesthetics though. I know there were unseen changes that do have their benefits.
(Sorry for all the "I feel and I would assumes", just ponderings)