Database Info

Keyboard evolution

Guys it's just me or it is a fact that the progress of windows mobile is really slow?
I mean there are several versions of windows mobile, 6.0 got our before 5.0 was even running well enough (not to mention several bugs in 5.0 that were barely fixed) and I wonder: wouldn't it be better to stick to an OS version for a longer period of time and make it run really good?
I won't go into a debate mac vs pc or anything of this kind, but isn't the standard windows mobile interface a bit boring? I like the iPhone for the innovative interface and design only, or another model I've seen m8 from meizu.
Something should change, not just a fancy gradient in the titlebar and the menubar!!!!!
I have a problem with the keyboards too. The MS sip is the same since 2002 pocket pcs!!! And that is really a lot of time of using the same cra.ppy system, and forgive me for overreacting but I think entering texts is a main concern, we all use these devices mainly as communicators or for various information storage that needs to be edited, moved from a location to another an all these actions require user input...
I know there are lots of experienced users on this forum, so this is a call to all of them , I need their suggestions in what would be the best choice for a text-input software for Pocket PCs?
I was using the SPB keyboard for about 2 years now I really like it, it's just that it covers all my text (yeah, I know it's fulscreen ), and I would like to try some similar variants: concern #1 : it must have big keys or it's useless to me.
Thanks for your time, everyone!

I'm using ZTA4 SIP, it's mainly for Chinese input but also can be used for English typing.
Cheers,
Vibranze

thanks, any link for that?

xda-addict said:
Guys it's just me or it is a fact that the progress of windows mobile is really slow?
I mean there are several versions of windows mobile, 6.0 got our before 5.0 was even running well enough (not to mention several bugs in 5.0 that were barely fixed) and I wonder: wouldn't it be better to stick to an OS version for a longer period of time and make it run really good?
I won't go into a debate mac vs pc or anything of this kind, but isn't the standard windows mobile interface a bit boring? I like the iPhone for the innovative interface and design only, or another model I've seen m8 from meizu.
Something should change, not just a fancy gradient in the titlebar and the menubar!!!!!
I have a problem with the keyboards too. The MS sip is the same since 2002 pocket pcs!!! And that is really a lot of time of using the same cra.ppy system, and forgive me for overreacting but I think entering texts is a main concern, we all use these devices mainly as communicators or for various information storage that needs to be edited, moved from a location to another an all these actions require user input...
I know there are lots of experienced users on this forum, so this is a call to all of them , I need their suggestions in what would be the best choice for a text-input software for Pocket PCs?
I was using the SPB keyboard for about 2 years now I really like it, it's just that it covers all my text (yeah, I know it's fulscreen ), and I would like to try some similar variants: concern #1 : it must have big keys or it's useless to me.
Thanks for your time, everyone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try the skinnable Resco keyboard, several options available. See screenshot and download link below.

xda-addict said:
thanks, any link for that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I attached here, try it yourself
Instead of choosing the unknown chinese character, you can choose Abc so you will be able to type in English.
Cheers,
Vibranze

hotdog53 said:
Try the skinnable Resco keyboard, several options available. See screenshot and download link below.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Something happened to screen shot. Here's another one.

hotdog53 said:
Something happened to screen shot. Here's another one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the post!
Unfortunatelly Resco has too small keys, almost like the default SIP, I can't use it
vibranze I'm gonna try it asap!

vibranze said:
I attached here, try it yourself
Instead of choosing the unknown chinese character, you can choose Abc so you will be able to type in English.
Cheers,
Vibranze
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Vibranze thanks for the efforts but the ZTA4 SIP DOESN'T WORK ON MY DEVICE.
I have attached a screenshot, it loads, but it is unusable. Still it seems to have pretty small keys, but I'm not sure as it doesn't load properly, what could I do?

wow Guys, check this out:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=322441
now this is a keyboard!

xda-addict said:
Vibranze thanks for the efforts but the ZTA4 SIP DOESN'T WORK ON MY DEVICE.
I have attached a screenshot, it loads, but it is unusable. Still it seems to have pretty small keys, but I'm not sure as it doesn't load properly, what could I do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Attached is the screenshot taken from my device. Altough it's a bit small but if you use stylus it's far far better than the normal keyboard, and some more it's also support keypad typing
Cheers,
Vibranze

What are the advantages / disadvantages of WM6 over WM5

I am thinking of putting on WM6 onto my SPV M5000 and was wondering what were the advantages / disadvantages of WM6 over WM5 in everyday use. Is there a thread or comparison somewhere Ican check out

I've been running WM6 for many months now and this week reverted to WM5 - I've tried pretty much all the ROMs and WM5 simply is more stable, although not itself perfect.
The main advantage, to me, in WM6 is the Outlook client with HTML email support, although I can live without that. The terminal services / remote desktop client is better too. Other than those, the rest are just pretty fluff, but that's just *for my use*. Note: One man's fluff is another man's, erm, necessity :s

xiasma said:
I've been running WM6 for many months now and this week reverted to WM5 - I've tried pretty much all the ROMs and WM5 simply is more stable, although not itself perfect.
The main advantage, to me, in WM6 is the Outlook client with HTML email support, although I can live without that. The terminal services / remote desktop client is better too. Other than those, the rest are just pretty fluff, but that's just *for my use*. Note: One man's fluff is another man's, erm, necessity :s
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really mate!
If you've used wm6, you'd find -
1. Its just as stable as wm5 (the later roms!)
2. Lots of tiny improvements
- Better phone search and dialing
- Better keyboard support all over
- Quick search in outlook messages (cant live without this!)
- Better look and feel
- Html support
- Better IE
- Latest office version support
- Lots of minor addons, which make WM5 complete by covering the gaps!
If you ask me, its a no brainer to upgrade. I suggest give one of the latest builds a try and see for yourself. If you think there are problems, you could always revert back
Cheers,
San

I believe that the major drawback of WM6 is the lack of Video-Call functionality. It is being introduced now, but still is buggy.
Anyway, I don't use that, as the company that pays my phone bill does not allow me to.
On the other hand, WM6 does look much better and seems to be as stable and fast as WM5, if not better. So why keep a less good looking firmware?
Also, I believe that Internet Explorer makes use of the VGA screen in WM6, while WM5 did not.
Then there are all the small things that make the phone nicer.
Cheers,
vma

memory management of wm5 is superior...
For me its the most important aspect of wm6 that must be corrected...
Other than that, wm6 are better!!

vma said:
I believe that the major drawback of WM6 is the lack of Video-Call functionality. It is being introduced now, but still is buggy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is not WM6 limitation. It is just a minor incompatibility of old WM5 DLLs with WM6 dialer. HTC could fix this in 5 minutes if they would bother. We cannot do that as we don't have the sources.
The best WM6 changes are
- improved memory manager over WM5. In WM6 virtual address space is less wasted than in WM5. Slot 1 DLL sections can be aligned on 4 Kb boundary (64 Kb on older OSes) and resource-only DLLs are mover to slot 127
- Exchange 2007 support (html email, "company directory", search over your mailbox, etc)
- improved dialer (that is why we just cannot copy video call DLLs from WM5)
- VGA in IE
- Office 2007 document support
- some other tiny improvements for OEMs, like new resolutions (up to 480x800), ability to control led blinking in ringtone scripts (WM5 only could control vibra), secondary displays API (in WM5 only smartphones could have secondary display)
- VoIP API support in OS
These all changes should not cause major increase in OS number. WM6 is just a "WM5 second edition" or WM 5.5.
WM 6.1 improvements over WM6
- Chat-like SMS that cannot be turned off (I personally hate it, prefer old style).
- Improved memory management in DLLs. Some of the DLLs can be loaded to shared memory region - so they would not waste vitrual address space in slot 1,0 (Athena already does the same, so MS just stolen HTC idea)
- Minor IE improvements
- Improved exchange 2007 support (this is really good)
- Some minor BT stack improvements (for example it automatically uses "0000" as a pin when pairing with BT headset)
- Media player is updated. I don't know what is changes as I don't use that trash.
- Ugly task manager. Hopefully it would be more useful in release.
The amount of changes is similar to changes between WM5 and WM6. MS marketing guys may call that "WM7" in the future.

from my experience
Advantages of WM6:
all stated above by others
Disadvantages:
More battery drain
More Memory drain
Internet Sharing is not that great
Best would to have WM5 rom with WM6 icons(look and feel)......best of both worlds.

It's faster, looks better, works better and supports more enhancement patches! I already have mine looking like an iphone and working at the speed of light! WM5 is just slower and not as sharp!

topgunarindam said:
More battery drain
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
false
More Memory drain
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
false. Memory is drained by apps you use. OS memory footprint is nearly the same as for WM5.
Internet Sharing is not that great
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
true. But you can use WModem from WM5.

dreamtheater39 said:
Not really mate!
If you've used wm6, you'd find -
1. Its just as stable as wm5 (the later roms!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried *many* of the later ROMs and, although they've come along hugely, they are not as stable in my experience. But still, maybe my emphasis and needs are different to yours/those of others, so YMMV.
2. Lots of tiny improvements
- Better phone search and dialing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, indeed, but that's what I'm calling "fluff". It's an improvement, but doesn't in all reality improve how I use the device in any way.
- Better keyboard support all over
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't say I noticed any difference. The keyboard, without exception, has always just worked exactly as expected for me in WM5 and WM6.
- Quick search in outlook messages (cant live without this!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're the second person to mention this since I reverted to WM5. Please tell me more - I feel like I probably missed out on one of the crucial improvements! I tend to use OWA when I need more than the vastly inferior (but largely adequate) Outlook client in WM5 offers.
- Better look and feel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Subjective, but I agree. However, not a sufficient improvement to justify the upgrade.
- Html support
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed, and I miss that a lot.
- Better IE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The latest TMobile ROM has the "Use high res" option and I can't say I can see any difference beyond that.
- Latest office version support
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed, a major improvement for many users, just not for me.
- Lots of minor addons, which make WM5 complete by covering the gaps!
If you ask me, its a no brainer to upgrade. I suggest give one of the latest builds a try and see for yourself. If you think there are problems, you could always revert back
Cheers,
San
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Totally agree about trying it out. For me, it's borderline too unreliable and the downsides of WM5 don't *much* matter. As I said earlier, everyone will have slightly different needs, so weigh them up and take the plunge.
Thanks San, some very good points.

zeeshansohail said:
It's faster, looks better, works better and supports more enhancement patches! I already have mine looking like an iphone and working at the speed of light! WM5 is just slower and not as sharp!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Off topic :
Where do u get the iphone skin from? I install the ilaunch but found that its not compatible with the universal VGA screen, the screen is all mess up
-------------
Its just me , but personally, i think WM 6 eats more memory than WM 5, its more laggier at times, and the home-cooked rom arent as stable than the official ones, sometimes need soft reset the phone

xiasma said:
I've tried *many* of the later ROMs and, although they've come along hugely, they are not as stable in my experience. But still, maybe my emphasis and needs are different to yours/those of others, so YMMV.
Yes, indeed, but that's what I'm calling "fluff". It's an improvement, but doesn't in all reality improve how I use the device in any way.
Can't say I noticed any difference. The keyboard, without exception, has always just worked exactly as expected for me in WM5 and WM6.
You're the second person to mention this since I reverted to WM5. Please tell me more - I feel like I probably missed out on one of the crucial improvements! I tend to use OWA when I need more than the vastly inferior (but largely adequate) Outlook client in WM5 offers.
Subjective, but I agree. However, not a sufficient improvement to justify the upgrade.
Indeed, and I miss that a lot.
The latest TMobile ROM has the "Use high res" option and I can't say I can see any difference beyond that.
Agreed, a major improvement for many users, just not for me.
Totally agree about trying it out. For me, it's borderline too unreliable and the downsides of WM5 don't *much* matter. As I said earlier, everyone will have slightly different needs, so weigh them up and take the plunge.
Thanks San, some very good points.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi!
I think you're missing out the keyboard improvements & search feature-adds in wm6. This is extremely useful if you use your uni in standard flip-closed landscape mode and happen to use the keyboard often.
For example do this -
- Open messaging, and HOLD DOWN the "H" key until you get a help popup. This shows all the keyboard shortcuts for the messaging app. To activate a shortcut, just press and hold the corresponding key.
- To search for a message, all you need to do is, start typing a part of the subject/sender name and it instantaneously matches all messages matching the criteria. Its extremely useful i'm sure! For instance, if you're trying to find a message sent by someone, just start typing his name to see all messages sent by him! Or type a part of the subject! If searching in SMS'es, the name or part of the sms message itself can be searched!
- You can start typing a name out directly from your today screen, this launches the phone app and searches the name! Very quick and useful!
These 3 features alone are good enough which prevents me from rolling back to wm5! Besides, its also stable that i never need to restart my pda in days! I had a lot of trouble trying to get it stable, but the radio stack 1.15 did the trick for me! I suggest you experiment and find the version that works good with your device/operator/location!
San

/b/-TarD said:
Off topic :
Where do u get the iphone skin from? I install the ilaunch but found that its not compatible with the universal VGA screen, the screen is all mess up
-------------
Its just me , but personally, i think WM 6 eats more memory than WM 5, its more laggier at times, and the home-cooked rom arent as stable than the official ones, sometimes need soft reset the phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's actually alot of different mod's and patches! There is a Slider application with a VGA Patch and a Configuration App to have the iphone slider unlock. There is an iContact application that lets you scroll through your contacts using your finger (very nice feature to have and show off ). There is the PocketCM Keyboard with a black skin and a VGA patch (much cooler and more usable than the iphone keyboard). There's also the HTC Default black theme to give the whole PPC an iphone look and feel! If you're even more of an iphone GUI fan, you can take it a step ahead an install new icons and tweak some of the other UI elements to have fun!
You can find all of the above mentioned stuff at www.freewareppc.com.
Good luck with it

mamaich said:
false
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True
mamaich said:
false. Memory is drained by apps you use. OS memory footprint is nearly the same as for WM5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
memory footprint nearly same on reboot, after a period the memory gets sucked somewhere even if you aren't using any apps. Now that somewhere is the question area.

zeeshansohail said:
It's actually alot of different mod's and patches! There is a Slider application with a VGA Patch and a Configuration App to have the iphone slider unlock. There is an iContact application that lets you scroll through your contacts using your finger (very nice feature to have and show off ). There is the PocketCM Keyboard with a black skin and a VGA patch (much cooler and more usable than the iphone keyboard). There's also the HTC Default black theme to give the whole PPC an iphone look and feel! If you're even more of an iphone GUI fan, you can take it a step ahead an install new icons and tweak some of the other UI elements to have fun!
You can find all of the above mentioned stuff at www.freewareppc.com.
Good luck with it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, mind pm me the application list? I dunno where to start
Thanks for the effort!

/b/-TarD said:
Hmm, mind pm me the application list? I dunno where to start
Thanks for the effort!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Do a search on this forum for "Htc Default.tsk" to get the black theme for PPC. Put that in your "Windows" directory to see it in the "Today" settings panel
2) Download PocketCM keyboard (+Theme & VGA Patch) and install that
3) Download iContact and install that
4) Download Slider (+VGA Patch) and install that
5) Apply icons!
Lemme know if you find something else!

zeeshansohail said:
1) Do a search on this forum for "Htc Default.tsk" to get the black theme for PPC. Put that in your "Windows" directory to see it in the "Today" settings panel
2) Download PocketCM keyboard (+Theme & VGA Patch) and install that
3) Download iContact and install that
4) Download Slider (+VGA Patch) and install that
5) Apply icons!
Lemme know if you find something else!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Funny, the iContact doesnt works on my uni, it just shows a black screen
For slider, i use S2U2 ( Slide 2 Unlock 2 ) the slider + VGA patch that u mentioned doesnt looks correct in landscape
The whole afternoon i was playing with the Touch Commander application ( emulates Touch FLO )
Where to find a working iphone launcher application for Universal?

/b/-TarD said:
Funny, the iContact doesnt works on my uni, it just shows a black screen
For slider, i use S2U2 ( Slide 2 Unlock 2 ) the slider + VGA patch that u mentioned doesnt looks correct in landscape
The whole afternoon i was playing with the Touch Commander application ( emulates Touch FLO )
Where to find a working iphone launcher application for Universal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using Mo3ulla's OS 5.2.1933 Build 18533.0.7.0 ROM 2.11.09 G4M RADIO 1.18.00 ... pretty much the best i could find, iContact works fine on it!
Slider and S2U2 are separate apps and both mess up in landscape I don't use landscape so that didnt ever bother me, sorry
I haven't heard of the Touch Commander, i'll see into that ... seems interesting!
And i'm still looking for an iphone launcher cant find one yet!

and create a new thread if there's more to say regarding iphone skinning I don't want people getting bothered on this thread!

what vga iphone theme are you using ? where is it found? .... even if just a frontend....

SPB Mobile Shell 3.0 Launched (BUT NOT OUT YET)

SPB Mobile Shell 3.0 Launched......... WWWWOOOWWWW
http://www.solopalmari.com/news/pocketpc/5720-in-arrivo-spb-mobile-shell-30-per-pocket-pc.html

A bit more information here:
http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/pre...t_to_light_at_mobile_world_congress_2009.html

looks like it might be interesting will have to check it out

nice, thx 4 your info Boss

onisto said:
SPB Mobile Shell 3.0 Launched......... WWWWOOOWWWW
http://www.solopalmari.com/news/pocketpc/5720-in-arrivo-spb-mobile-shell-30-per-pocket-pc.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From Spb's press release:
Spb Mobile Shell 3.0 has gained a thrilling 'wow' factor...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess they weren't kidding!

Where to get it ?

I guess it hasn't technically launched yet.

onisto said:
SPB Mobile Shell 3.0 Launched......... WWWWOOOWWWW
http://www.solopalmari.com/news/pocketpc/5720-in-arrivo-spb-mobile-shell-30-per-pocket-pc.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think thats a screenie of 3.0 or if they are even saying thats a screen of it--cause that's the spb panel for xperia.

That's just from the Xperia...

Well if they'll speak to me I'll check it out when I'm there at GSMA

I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how this plays out. I've tried most of the various shells/skins, but keep coming back to Mobile Shell.
I'm particularly curious to see how the Facebook integration will play out. As we all know too well, there's no really good Facebook apps for WM (although I know some here have tried and continue to try.) It'd be nice to have it integrated directly into my phone's UI instead of having to use the iPhone-optimized site.

Grogck said:
I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how this plays out. I've tried most of the various shells/skins, but keep coming back to Mobile Shell.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do the same. I just hope they add the most requested feature: "Allowing the Mobile Shell to display appointment notifications".

Mobile Shell 3 Video
Presentation video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2AOukFSz5o
I want it!!!

Duplicate post...

That looks great. I wonder when it will be released? I hope they fix the bug (in 2.1) regarding notifications. Then it will be perfect.

It is slightly confusing, I hope it will not be overcomplicated.

Like anything else, I think once we get our hands on it, it will make sense. From what I have been reading it looks like deployed to OEM partners at the end of Feb, and to end-users in March. End-users that purchased with 90 days get free upgrades (that would be me! )

bah.
mobile shell had several problems, and still remains imho. No sms suite, too much battery-draining fancy effects (will see...), poorly documented, poor customizations and ridiculous integrations even with spb other programs (phone suite 1st of all). As far as i see, 3.0 doesn't improve any of these... adding some kiddish inutilities like a "facebook integration"... Did they mean something like "ehi, I'm really bored to upload on my phone contact pictures, now I will left manila because with ms3.0 I can download from facebook! ". Guys be serious
I will try it, but sounds crap like previous version

guap said:
bah.
mobile shell had several problems, and still remains imho. No sms suite, too much battery-draining fancy effects (will see...), poorly documented, poor customizations and ridiculous integrations even with spb other programs (phone suite 1st of all). As far as i see, 3.0 doesn't improve any of these... adding some kiddish inutilities like a "facebook integration"... Did they mean something like "ehi, I'm really bored to upload on my phone contact pictures, now I will left manila because with ms3.0 I can download from facebook! ". Guys be serious
I will try it, but sounds crap like previous version
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even the old version(s) blow Manilla out of the water. Landscape mode anyone?

This you tube video is alot better
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7fBRUwOYUM&feature=channel

Is there any windows mobile 6.5 for herald yet ...???

Too soon, maybe in a couple month, I guess!

Microsoft already asked the main cook to remove the WM6.5 image. The ROM is still floating around minus all the cool 6.5 gui which makes it just a useless buggy build. So: patience, my young grasshopper, patience.

ivanmmj said:
Microsoft already asked the main cook to remove the WM6.5 image. The ROM is still floating around minus all the cool 6.5 gui which makes it just a useless buggy build. So: patience, my young grasshopper, patience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay thanks. I was getting a bit worried and starting to think that the Wing gets no love. Everyone's busy building stuff for the Kaiser HD Diamond etc but nothing for the Wing..

undying1983 said:
Too soon, maybe in a couple month, I guess!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks all .....i will wait ....and i hope it will be so soon ,,,

Here is a video of the new wm6.5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=US&...ideo-feature-tour-hits-youtube/&v=RAq5lFQFyMI
It's a beta yet, but it shows a lot of of improvements hoping for a better performance.
I hope we will see it really soon on our herald!

I don't know... but after watching that video wm6.5 don't seem to impress at all, except the start menu that is laid-out differently.
Well we can say something about PIE but there are many better options out there. Also the scrolling is easily achieved by TouchFlo (which is default in all the roms posted here), and the large menu buttons can be achieved simply by using a larger font (through advance configurator).
Where is the novelty? Same old apps, and the screen that shows the list of documents when opening the pocket word program still reveals the fundamental finger-unfriendly side of wm6.x.
Wm7 then it's be more attractive IMHO. Just my 2 cents.

wearefree said:
I don't know... but after watching that video wm6.5 don't seem to impress at all, except the start menu that is laid-out differently.
Well we can say something about PIE but there are many better options out there. Also the scrolling is easily achieved by TouchFlo (which is default in all the roms posted here), and the large menu buttons can be achieved simply by using a larger font (through advance configurator).
Where is the novelty? Same old apps, and the screen that shows the list of documents when opening the pocket word program still reveals the fundamental finger-unfriendly side of wm6.x.
Wm7 then it's be more attractive IMHO. Just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree but if it performs better like WM6.1 did for me I will happily upgrade. But the main thing I am looking forward to is the Today Plugin. I sure hope someone puts it out there in cab form. But right now most of the roms here are fast and put together so well our expectations will be high for any official release from M$.

hey ivanmmj !!! i am a great fan of your roms... i just wana ask dat is there any way through which i can expand my ram and rom through hard-spl.... my herald doesnot support flashing through storage card....

hemans said:
hey ivanmmj !!! i am a great fan of your roms... i just wana ask dat is there any way through which i can expand my ram and rom through hard-spl.... my herald doesnot support flashing through storage card....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cmonex is currently working on making us a new HardSPL that allows flashing of my ROMs and other lite ROMs.

http://m.pcw.com.cn/thread-5029632-1-1.html
here is 6.5 chinese build

xufeng said:
http://m.pcw.com.cn/thread-5029632-1-1.html
here is 6.5 chinese build
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You sure this is for the Wing/Herald? Does it have English language support? Can you post some screenshots?

[Q] Downgrading to WM6.5

It's just crossing my mind this idea to downgrade from WP7 to WM6.x. Yes, it has been told that this two platforms are completely different thing, on hardware and software base. But, after looking at the HD2 forum that is dedicated to HD2s update from WM6.5 to WP7 the idea just could be right.
Switching from WM6.5 to WP7 made me nostalgic for WM6.5 and it's programs, settings... Well, I guess that, as a lot of people, I haven't asked around about WP7 enough to see how it works and what it gives. But, I do like this phone, and especially 1GHz processor, 5MP camera, touch screen and other things (o yeah the battery is much better) that it comes hard to me to have this mighty thing that is all locked up. It could be that in a year or so, from now, it will be better than WM6.5 but considering all that time needed to get it close to WM6.5 and original idea to create WP7 (to make it easy-to-use and lot less custom) it stands on this OS just like gray cloud.
Just wanted to write this, and if someone shares my opinion I would be most glad to hear about it.
Maybe it will be possible to get to WM6.5...

nope cant be done sorry. just install the mango beta it blows wm6.5 out of the water.

Yes, I do try to think like that, and then I realize that I need SatNav. And, no GPS navigation software can't be installed, for time being, there is no Garmin, IGo, TomTom...
I'll definitely stick to this phone, and Mango I'll update. Hope it'll make my life simpler.

mendoza1 said:
Yes, I do try to think like that, and then I realize that I need SatNav. And, no GPS navigation software can't be installed, for time being, there is no Garmin, IGo, TomTom...
I'll definitely stick to this phone, and Mango I'll update. Hope it'll make my life simpler.
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Garmin StreetPilot is now in Marketplace for a hefty $39.99, but unfortunately still does not include fully installed maps. Maps can however be downloaded ahead of time to the phone for the relevant route.
for unlocked device you have Navigon select...

My Arrive came with TeleNav. And the built in Bing stuff does turn by turn (with an upgrade coming in Mango). I don't see GPS apps as being an issue.

Yeap, now the future looks better.

as longer I use WP7 the more I wish a downgrade to WM6.5!!!
Where is my (momentary VERY needed) possibility to use tethering!? How do I synch "get away ALL your music and videos, blahblah..." all my things WITHOUT the scrapy Zune-SW, and (haha!) how I can increase the memory for it!?
****ty menues (just 5 stupid icons -what I there are several, much more options!?!?), it's not possible for the developers to install a dedicated database (so you have to make it "in the cloud") -yeah!!!! It's SO stupid on a MOBILE phone, as there often is the possibility that you're NOT online, or with GPRS or EDGE only -and it is SO funny if you're in a train and all 5 secondy it switsh from G to E to G3 to G to HSDPA. The last ****! :-(
The IE on it often don't work. Hmmm -let's use Opera. Uuuh -damned -I forget: you can't install ANYTHING!!!
OK -exceptional jailbreak, but I never did it before, and I don't want it -but I HAVE to do it, if I want to USE my phone.
I think it's better to reactivate my HD2 -there is ALL functionable, without any problems. And: it contains much data that i need -and there is NO possibilty to migrate SMS (i.e.) to WP7 -VERY poor performance Microsoft!!!!

Groby said:
as longer I use WP7 the more I wish a downgrade to WM6.5!!!
Where is my (momentary VERY needed) possibility to use tethering!? How do I synch "get away ALL your music and videos, blahblah..." all my things WITHOUT the scrapy Zune-SW, and (haha!) how I can increase the memory for it!?
****ty menues (just 5 stupid icons -what I there are several, much more options!?!?), it's not possible for the developers to install a dedicated database (so you have to make it "in the cloud") -yeah!!!! It's SO stupid on a MOBILE phone, as there often is the possibility that you're NOT online, or with GPRS or EDGE only -and it is SO funny if you're in a train and all 5 secondy it switsh from G to E to G3 to G to HSDPA. The last ****! :-(
The IE on it often don't work. Hmmm -let's use Opera. Uuuh -damned -I forget: you can't install ANYTHING!!!
OK -exceptional jailbreak, but I never did it before, and I don't want it -but I HAVE to do it, if I want to USE my phone.
I think it's better to reactivate my HD2 -there is ALL functionable, without any problems. And: it contains much data that i need -and there is NO possibilty to migrate SMS (i.e.) to WP7 -VERY poor performance Microsoft!!!!
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wow where to start. this is probably the most ignorant post I've read on here thus far and with poor grammar at that. my arrive has had wonderful performance since the day I got it and it has improved even further since I installed the mango beta. the live tiles are awesome makes android and iOS seem like nothing but app launchers, the whole concept of apps is overrated and I can do a lot of things without having to even launch an app. and IE9 runs circes around opera. especially the one on WM.

eric12341 said:
wow where to start. this is probably the most ignorant post I've read on here thus far and with poor grammar at that. my arrive has had wonderful performance since the day I got it and it has improved even further since I installed the mango beta. the live tiles are awesome makes android and iOS seem like nothing but app launchers, the whole concept of apps is overrated and I can do a lot of things without having to even launch an app. and IE9 runs circes around opera. especially the one on WM.
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Hmmm... It's not the performance that is question. But, it's functionality. Migrating from WM6.5 to WP7 should, at least I thought, have been compatible, eg. SMS, Connection settings (WiFi, Phone...), Contact (I've had to do it the old fashion way, by typing contacts manual / an then I found out about sync with WLive ).
It feels like I have powerful thing (excellent hardware), but it does non better than Nokia 3310. Just raw speed, for basic things.

Hi eric -I'm not a native speaker (english) -but give us some probes from your netherlands, german and french
But as I can see, you're able to read what I wrote, and thats what matter.
But back to topic: What sense is in a phone that is unusable in much functions DIRECTLY. For everyone -not just for people which have the time, the skills und of course the desire to make an jailbreak (which causes lost of guarantee), rebuild the phone several times, have so read several manuals, howtos and search for betas, previews.
I'd tried the Desire Z (just because of the same why I buy the 7 Pro -it's a type & touch) -and send it bach 2 days later to amazon. It's exactly what you wrote: just app-launchers! I hate apple., because of their "we tell you what to do" -and with WP7 it cames to me. I don't wanna do a jailbreak -but I didn't have an alternative (if I want to USE the phone) :-(
Maybee other people have the possibility and time to try the mango beta -and it seems that I MUST do it, or I have to sell the phone (what will make me very sad -a VERY good piece of hardware!!)

Groby said:
Hi eric -I'm not a native speaker (english) -but give us some probes from your netherlands, german and french
But as I can see, you're able to read what I wrote, and thats what matter.
But back to topic: What sense is in a phone that is unusable in much functions DIRECTLY. For everyone -not just for people which have the time, the skills und of course the desire to make an jailbreak (which causes lost of guarantee), rebuild the phone several times, have so read several manuals, howtos and search for betas, previews.
I'd tried the Desire Z (just because of the same why I buy the 7 Pro -it's a type & touch) -and send it bach 2 days later to amazon. It's exactly what you wrote: just app-launchers! I hate apple., because of their "we tell you what to do" -and with WP7 it cames to me. I don't wanna do a jailbreak -but I didn't have an alternative (if I want to USE the phone) :-(
Maybee other people have the possibility and time to try the mango beta -and it seems that I MUST do it, or I have to sell the phone (what will make me very sad -a VERY good piece of hardware!!)
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odd,i didn't have to do any of that when I got my Arrive. just open the box, enter my live ID and I was good to go. wp7 is not an app launcher as almost everything can be done without even having to go into an app. with the mango beta which is easy to install i can identify a song that's playing, a product for the best price,get directions somewhere (even in malls),find something to do in the area, buy movie tickets,search the web and watch html5 videos in HD quality,check my Facebook,chat on Facebook and check in. and many other things. install the mango beta and u'll feel much better about it.

Hold on. The core of any smartphone are applications. Staring with earliest versions of WM, Symbian, iOS, Android, Droid, WP7, they all the same with a final porpoise, and that is an application/s.
Therefore calling other systems "apps launcher" is contradiction. Because doing anything with a WP7 is being done via apps. Home screen is, just as in any other mobile system, a pile of shortcuts with a weather and the clock. The truth is that some systems are doing it, app launching, better than the others.
Correct me if I'm wrong.
With all of its hardware, as WP7 requires to run, this phone, or any WP7, will in the future be something good.

If you've played with WP7 enough, you'll find that the live tiles really preclude you from needing to actually launch the associated apps unnecessarily. Because of this, the commenter was calling the other Mobile OS versions more of an "app launcher" because, in general, you need to launch the app to interact with it. (Google has widgets, but those widgets aren't quite the same.) With WP7, you can glance-and-go (one of the tenants that MS imparted into the Metro design) and only launch apps when there is a required interaction. It really is a different approach, and one that I think works very well.

Please give some comparison for WP7 and other mobile OS (mOS).
As hard as I try, and I do like to play around with WP7, I just can't find anything that makes WP7 better than other mOS.
Eg. When email or SMS arrive, on WP7s homescreen shows a count of these items, and on the other hand, Symbian do just the same. So, where is the difference?
So far, the only thing that is obviously better are things-apps that have something to do with the internet (Windows Live, Email, Internet Explorer, Youtube) or with the 1GHz processor (apps do work better with stronger processor, so by having stronger processor apps work better and it isn't because of WP7).

you sound like you're determined to be underwhelmed by wp7. yes, when you get an SMS, the homescreen tells you that you have one....that's what phones do. What more is there for a phone to do with an sms?
WP7 is highly innovative from a UI standpoint. What you seem to be interested in, however, is the menu-heavy micromanaging style of old school winmo. If you want to be able to micromanage every last little thing about your phone go to a different platform. WP7 does everything it is purported to do, if you are not getting what you wanted, then you didn't do your homework before you dropped god-knows-how-much on a phone. these days, it's not about which platform is better, it's about preference. It's getting to the point where every platform can do all the really important things really well. so how do you want your phone to look? that's what you're buying.

Don't get me wrong, but what you are saying is what I've been saying. That is, WP7 as any other mOS is not new in functionality but it is different in GUI. Other qualities are not available to be seen, since there are no apps which can show it.
For now, WP7, only offers basic features.

I have been wondering the same thing since the 1 st rumors of windows phone 7 but still a no go. Its ironic ms stripped away so many of the things that made wm only to get beat out by the former clone of themselves....android. I love the form the tp2 & wish they wouldve released an hd2 with a keyboard. They shouldve stripped the name windows,hired a special team that managed themes system wide so that u have eye candy without it being resource heavy & hired a marketing team that would make apple & google have nightmares.

pimppoet said:
I have been wondering the same thing since the 1 st rumors of windows phone 7 but still a no go. Its ironic ms stripped away so many of the things that made wm only to get beat out by the former clone of themselves....android. I love the form the tp2 & wish they wouldve released an hd2 with a keyboard. They shouldve stripped the name windows,hired a special team that managed themes system wide so that u have eye candy without it being resource heavy & hired a marketing team that would make apple & google have nightmares.
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that's what they are doing with the mango update that's near release and the beta is already out and I find that im able to do just as much if not more than WM6.5 and android (former TP2 owner and loved it, had an EVO **** for a week and hated it).

Hi,
I followed eric12341's suggestion and have the mango-beta installed (and have buyed a developer account, to make side-loads possible). And some things were better (slow was it not before -hey, it have a 1GHz CPU, it HAVE to be fast ), but there are so many things which waste time. If I want to have a (exact) look of charging, I have to go through some menue-points. As I often in transit by railways, I have to set date several times, and the WM-calendar (and to set the time) is MUCH more effective, as I didnt't have to use the annoying slider-gadgets. Maybe it looks nice, but it waste much time. Before it was just 3 tips, no it's an orgy -the possebility to change the style would be great! And local database for apps -to find the connecting-train while you have no network (and EVERY thing have to be found over network when you want to set start and target of you travel, because of the impossebillity of local databases) is a horror! Before: 10 seconds, now 3 minutes -or longer, as often there is no network in the train. :-(
And unfortunately many very good (sideload)-apps will not longer work after mango. And when I can make a backup from my data, if I want to upgrade memory, or have to change it (because of defectivs, i.e.). And not all of my friend have Zune installed, but they have good music, pdf's or anything else for me. The next thing I was wondering: why I can only set my own ringtons for calling? What'a about SMS, email, and so on?? ^^
Sorry for the bad english -hope it was not to hard to read. :-(

Groby, thanks for the info. I was looking for some info about Mango.
Navigating via online updating is absolutely annoying. It takes for ever to download map, and there are no detailed maps, but only hi-ways and few byways.
I looks like this operating system is way out from it's time, for about good year or so.
If developers could make downgrade to WM 6.x, it would make this phone a dream.