Garmin 'Mobile XT' - General Topics

Ok i got the usual spam through the hotmail account today but one thing caught my eye. Garmin have release a new software product for pda's called 'Mobile XT'.
First thought was great to see some competition for the likes of TomTom and since Garmin has a very good world data base of maps it could be a very useful tool any where in the world. Now I'm not saying that will be available in this product but so far I haven't found anything saying no?
Oh but wait, one BIG But!!!! (This is a lesson on 'always read the small print')
In the small print it tells you the software is only available on MicroSD card but you can't / NOT allowed to copy onto a larger memory card!
Its obvious their designers have never used a pda! I have a Touch and there is no way I would consider pulling my memory card in & out every time I want to use 'Mobile TX' We now have 8GB Micro SD cards which is great I have all my music, TomTom(inc. all of Europe) and a host of other applications and files at my finger tips. with out changing a single memory card.
Anyway would love to here other opinions or some experiences of this product.
Olly183

This product is not new, but there are some (illegal) serial key generators which will allow you to move the data from one card to another.
Such a post would not be permitted here.
I do have the program though and can say the coverage of NJ is decent, but not the best. Even with the 2008 maps that I have, there are a few streets in my area that other systems have and garmin does not. It's a good application though and gets you from A to B if your lost.

Related

NavMan Smartst on SD card - phone only has miniSD!

Does anybody know how I can solve this problem: I have a (LEGAL!) version of NavMan Smartst 3.50 that came with the Spin 100 GPS BT receiver I purchased. Unfortunately the software is on a SD card, while my Wizard only takes MiniSD!
When copying the contents of the SD card to a MiniSD, Smartst tells me to activate the software by inserting the SD card.
This wasn't an issue as I actually only wanted the GPS receiver to use with Memory-Map - I do a lot of hiking - but I figured while I HAVE the software I may as well use it! Except I can't, of course!
Called NavMan's support, who were about as helpful as a bikini in Siberia and essentially told me to sod off and purchase another license. Not very neighbourly of them, I thought!
Any suggestions would be most welcome, but please note I can't be having all sorts of contraptions and expanders, etc. dangling from my phone, so I'm looking for a software-only solution.
Many thanks in advance!
Unfortunately it would be illegal for anyone on this forum to help you (also against forum rules).
Apps like NavMan and IGO that come on SD cards are protected by locking on to the SD serial number. What you essentially asking for is a crack for the software and we do not deal with this kind of thing here.
I realize you just want to you your legally purchased software, but unless the vendor is willing to exchange the card or transfer your license there is no legal way to do it through software.
Fair dues and thanks for the reply!
Now, seeing as I'm quite obviously going to have to purchase different software to use for in-car satnav, can you suggest anything OTHER than a Navman product? (While the receiver's pretty good, I might as well avoid products from a company that doesn't allow me to install and use legal software!)
In fact, I might just start some sort of boycott against Navman! Can you imagine if all software vendors had the same attitude as them!
I've been pretty happy with Route 66. It has TMC capability, so if you have a data plan, you can get TMC data over the net. Lots of people also swear by TomTom.

A couple of queries

I got a new xda orbit (WM6) at the end of August, and am delighted with it. There are a couple of minor niggles, and I am wondering if anyone can help?
1)I cannot find a way of finding out how much space is available on my storage card. The properties in File Explorer, Active Sync and even Total Commander all gave a zero value for the card, which I know isn't true, coz I've lots of stuff on the card and am using it, and the individual files are displayed!! Perhaps there is a freeware replacement for file explorer that would do the job, but it would also be nice if it could cut and paste, which was why I installed TC. Taking the card out and putting it in a card reader is a no-no, given its position behind the sim card, as you all know!
2)Are there any walkers out there(not car drivers) -esp. in UK, who have actually tried some of the gps freeware on a walk? There seems to be a few around and wondering which is best. All I want is a latitude/longitude and/or grid ref. though maps would be nice!
For info, I've been expirementing with various bits of software, available on the internet, and can recommend the following - No Data(to prevent the orbit using a chargable data service, when you are in a free wireless internet area) Flashkeys-touch screen keyboard, cut and paste to documents Boxworld and Freecell (Board Games) Alarm Clock (yes, its just called that, by GreenSoftware) Acrobat Reader, Conversion (by Mammoth Software) Magic Button (to make sure programs close) VSPAinterLE, Plamp and Pocket Flashy (find your tent and your friends in the dark at festivals!) I'm still testing Alreader which came highly recommended(you need to look hard for the English version, but the Russian one works a treat and the basics don't need translation)

[Q] Office Mobile fully functional?

Hi guys,
I've searched this forum and haven't found an answer to my question, so I'm gonna post it here. (Hopefully I did the search right and didn't commit the felony of a double post. )
I'm planning on buying a new phone, mainly because my old HTC Charmer (WM 6.1) doesn't support SDHC cards and the maximum of 4GB of the cards I can use with it is just not enough any more.
So far, I've read quite some disappointing details about Windows Phone 7:
- No more "free" apps (by which I mean apps programmed by someone and offered somewhere, now it's the same sh** as with an iPhone or an Android phone)
- No direct USB-sync, which means you have to send your private information to the cloud in order to sync
- No "real" support for SD-Cards (and getting more storage space is the whole da** point here, otherwise I'm quite happy with my Charmer)
So, basically I thought about getting a second hand HTC Touch Pro II running WM 6.5 AND supporting NORMAL SDHC cards (meaning ALL cards which comply with the standard, not just the ones "certified by Microsoft").
But there might be one killer feature which could make me, well, not really forget, but maybe turn a blind eye to WP7's SHAMEFUL flaws: The new Microsoft Office Mobile. Often, I have some Excel spreadsheets which I need for work at different places. This is the only reason I have to take a laptop computer with me, apart from that my phone would be fine.
Office Mobile in WM 6.1 (or 6.5) couldn't display / make use of all the features the Desktop-Version offered (like extremely complicated formulae or spreadsheets and of course macros), and, moreover, after having worked on and saved an Office document on a phone, the features would even have been removed from the file in the conversion process, so the file was useless on the desktop as well.
Thus, I'm asking the following questions (which surprisingly haven't been answered on the net so far, or am I just too stupid to google it right?):
- Is the Office in WM 7 fully functional, meaning you can work on Excel sheets with the most complicated formulae and macros, or, asked more simple, can you do everything you can do with the Desktop version on your phone as well?
- If it doesn't offer everything the desktop versions offers, does it at least keep everything that was there in the original file after you change and save it on your phone? I mean, even if I can't use macros on the Windows Phone, it might still be helpful to open an .xls file on the phone, make a few changes (which don't require macros), save the file on the phone and after putting it back on a desktop computer having the file "unharmed" (meaning except for the small change I made on the phone everything else is as it was)?
Hopefully, I made my point clear enough, if not, I'm happy to answer questions on what it is exactly that I want to know. I think many users here already having a Windows phone will have tried working on Office documents on their phones and I hope those will share their experiences with me.
Many thanks for reading my post and even more thanks for answering.
Peter
Firstly,in terms of the functionalities of the excel,I don't think WP7 is suitable for you.
Furthermore,personally I prefer USB drag and drop the documents to my device,maybe you can call me old school.I just find the office useless for me since I don't have sharepoint,I don't want create a dropbox account just to upload my file to cloud and download it to my device again and I don't have a data plan.Therefore,until now, I still didn't use the office app once.
In your situation,I think you need an android phone to handle your job this moment,you can just purchase quick office,docs to go,depends on your personal preference.In addition,the only office app available is just microsoft office,no other choices.furthermore,as you said,you want transfer it back to your desktop unharm,therefore it is good to have drag and drop file transfer function rather than rely on dropbox,upload to the cloud and download on your desktop again.
On the other hand,there is no clear information about the mango updates which add more features to the office.So,I'll would suggest you to go with Android or iOS for this moment.
Thank you for the answer.
No more "free" apps (by which I mean apps programmed by someone and offered somewhere, now it's the same sh** as with an iPhone or an Android phone)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Free, in cost, there are plenty. Free as in not first checked by MS, kinda but no. You can developer unlock your device and sideload apps. However, that being said, MS are pretty good, they're only blocking apps which don't meet quality control standards (which I think is a good thing) or, somewhat contentiously, are "adult". They're not playing the same game as Apple.
I'm confused by you saying Android though. You can easily download and install programs (apk) on your device from any source (you just have to choose that option in the settings).
Office in Mango is improving - specifically:
1. Better support for formulae
2. Skydrive sync
So, yes, formulae can be created and manipulated in Excel, though I wouldn't say it's a replacement for the real Excel. It certainly can't run macros.
Skydrive is still "in the cloud" however, you're automatically registered to the free account by the virtue of having a live id. I still believe we should have USB file transfer but at least this is better than nothing.
Casey

[Q] Help me pick a phone. Please.

(long post warning...I'm placing the summary first for those who don't care to read the whole thing)
***
In summary, I want a mobile platform that I can tweak until I get it exactly as I like it; that will sync with Windows desktop and server platforms (this is a strong preference, not a "must"; upon which I own things and don't have to worry about them being stolen or broken; that doesn't tell everyone and their mother where I go and what I'm doing; and on which I can listen to Sirius radio; and to which I can transfer data back and forth via USB without any permission based cloud interface. It must also be compatible with Slingplayer software and I have a strong, strong, preference for a slideout QWERTY keyboard, but I'd sacrifice that if I have to for the above functionalities. I'm currently on ATT, but it doesn't have to be that way
***
I am thinking about purchasing a new phone. But the market is a bit more complicated than when I purchased my current phone (HTC Diamond), so I hope that you guys can give me some advice.
I have been a Windows Mobile user since 5.0. What I loved about WM is that I could come here and read about the various hacks, mods, and custom roms and generally find something to address any problems I had, or find a way to modify the phone to meet my preferences.
I love the mobile version of Office and I use it constantly for work purposes. I especially like being able to sync outlook contacts on both phone and device, and that I can make presentations from the phone, and can open and manipulate Word and Excel.
I was also using SiriusXM 6 by tcbush over on Geekstoolbox to listen to satellite radio. Unfortunately, Sirius has taken down their legacy servers that streamed content to third party providers. So it does not appear that I can listen to satellite radio any longer via my mobile device.
It is this turn of events (Sirius radio) that is my main motivator for seeking a new phone. I could listen to Sirius via the web, but that requires a Flash player and I can't find a version of flash for WM 6.1. I have both Opera Mini and IE. So, if any of you know a way for a WM 6.1 device to listen to Sirius, you will have solved my immediate problem and saved me some money. I would really appreciate that.
But on the larger scale, I know that one day I will have to replace my beloved Diamond. Her slideout QWERTY is starting to jiggle, there are a few scratches on her beautiful face even though she hasn't gone a moment without a case and screen protector. Every now and again her D-Pad loses its way, and I have to reboot. Alas, I fear the end is near. *sigh*
So, in looking over the current landscape, I see three options: iphone, Android, and WM7.
Apple products to me are out for personal preference reasons.
That leaves Android and WM7.
Problem 1:
I enjoyed my prior experience of owning a WM phone supported by a network of generous, friendly developers who found ways that we could modify our phones to our hearts' content. I also like the fact that I own my phone and all its content. Once I install or tweak something, then that's it unless I decide to change it.
But the current market seems to be based on a top-down control model. From what I've read, owning a phone with the current tech is like owning a home on leasehold property or in a HOA: You pay full price for ownership but you do not enjoy the rights of control normally associated with that ownership. It seems that the devices are locked, difficult to unlock, find ways to re-lock, and that a Nanny-server may at times uninstall or disable software that it doesn't like.
I just don't get it. Has the culture embraced a model where a user pays a provider only to be told by that provider what he can and cannot do with the property he has purchased?
Of course, my perception of these issues could be incorrect. I recently went back to school and have unplugged from most external things. I haven't been following the "insider info" on xda for nearly two years. If I'm wrong, please tell me.
Problem 2:
User tracking. Sounds Orwellian.
I get it that the cell provider can locate you. I understand the technology reasonably well for regular Joe, and I understand that the network needs to know where you are. But until recently, the cell provider could not release those records without a warrant or some emergency confirmed by law enforcement like a lost person, etc. I actually worked with Sprint in conjunction with the police to attempt to track a stolen phone. However, it now appears that the manufacturers themselves and many app developers are bypassing the law by tracking users without their consent. Am I right on this?
I've read a number of articles on the Apple and Android tracking problems - generic apps tracking you and reporting your movements to Apple, Google, etc. Apps turning on the mic or camera at intervals and tracking your surroundings or conversations. Route these concerns through the awfulness of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, the Patriot Act, and the fact that both the post-digital presidential administrations (Bush II and Obama) seem intent on eroding what remains of our privacy, and it makes me uncomfortable. To make it worse, Google and Zuckerburg are both in bed with the Obama administration, and stories of their privacy infractions are epidemic.
Yet none of the progs I use on my WM 6.1 device use tracking (that I know of). So, in a very short time, it appears that the culture of mobile communications has gone from an ownership model with Constitutional protections to a free-for-all where you essentially pay big brother to track you.
I have heard many of my younger friends who have grown up in the big-government era use the default: "If you have nothing to hide, then you have nothing to worry about." But that's exactly backward. The law presumes your privacy and allows infractions only after due process. The current culture seems to presume lack of privacy, and treat privacy-seekers as an anomaly. And the tech seems to reflect the culture rather than the law.
Am I crazy? Even if I am crazy, is there a way to block this tracking? And, if so, does Android or WM7 better lend itself to blocking this tracking?
Problem 3:
USB data transfer.
WM7 doesn't support smart cards. But, the devices seem to have adequate on-board storage for my needs. However, from what I've read, I'll need to use Zune (on WM7, don't know about Android) to move data back and forth. Is that correct?
I currently use Windows Mobile Device Center to transfer files back and forth via USB or Bluetooth, and I really want to keep that functionality.
Thank you if you have read this far. And, given those criteria, what are my best options?
Droid X2. Get it.
Droid X2
Droid X2. Get it.
+1
Thanks for the responses. I've done a bit of research on the phone you recommended, and some research in general. I really need to spool back up
It looks like there are apps out there like WhisperMonitor that will help with my privacy concerns. Actually, it looks like there are Android Apps to address most of my concerns.
I'll keep researching that to determine how much functionality I'll have to sacrifice. And I appreciate the responses. Love the dual core structure of this phone. From what I've read, the benchmarks don't differ too much from single core phones, but it looks like the dual core really helps with load distribution and multi-tasking.
It will be hard to leave Windows...been with it since it was Pocket PC 2000. But atm, it appears that Android may work best for me.
I agree Droid X2, although VZW is expensive, its the best network
Off the basis of wanting a slide out QWERTY and Windows Phone 7, I would go with the HTC Arrive for Sprint. You still have Windows Phone, you can get Sling Player from the Marketplace, and it has a slide out QWERTY that when it slides out, angles the screen for better typing the way I look at it.
samsung galaxy s2
or atrix
If you QWERTY I'd wait till my4g slide if it launches with s-off. I don't imagine you'd be keeping the os in tact.
The g2 is also a beautiful phone. Amazing specs for the good hardware.
T-Mobile is also cheapest, I find, of the four carriers.
The epic 4g seemed nice. Hummingbird (Samsung 1ghz processor) is very nice and has a great gpu.
If you're looking to use google talk video chat, avoid nvidia tegra 2 chips.
Google's suite of software is pretty sweet. Google docs works nice, and there's an app for that.
As long as you download from android market you're good from malware. (If you do get it from market, google does pull the app from the store AND your phone, that's the only time I heard them doing this, and that was once instance.)
Besides... Supporting your developers is a great thing.
Did I miss anything?
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
IMO almost any of the android phones would work for what you have in mind. As you pointed out in your follow up post there are apps out there for your privacy concerns. I've had a Moto Droid and now the HTC Thunderbolt. Both have been synced with my works exchange servers with no issues, google apps work great with Office docs, and the available roms and other customizations are almost endless.
Also, don't get hung up on a QWERTY keyboard. I swore I would never have a phone without one, but now that I do I actually don't really miss it.
Edit:
USB data transfer - very simple to do with android. Install a driver for the phone and then connect to your pc with a USB cable. Your pc will recognize the sdcard as removeable storage. Just select it in My Computer and drag and drop anything you want to move like you would for moving any file around in Windows.

Time to stand together !!!

I am one of the unlucky who've bought a new phone, unaware that android 4.xx contained even major changes compaired to the earlier versions. My phone is a HTC DESIRE 816, bought only because of the 8 gb internal memory and the promise that the phone supported additional 128 GB of memory
This has resulted in many of my programs no longer work because Android now blocks the direct access to the SD card and to the system.
What I find reprehensible is that these phones are sold without the producers inform us about this limitation, and I actually find that we have taking a step backwards concerning user freedom.
Furtermore HTC expresses thet they are 'excited to see what you are capable of. HTC eagerly anticipates your innovations'and also containes a complet guide to how to root your phone.
This, I find is hypocritical as they at the same time refuses to give us S-Off or to edit the platform.xml giving us access to our self paid SD CARD, and at the same time in their AD's makes a big deal about the fact, that we can add 128 GB of additional memory, but doesn't mention that we have no say over it.
A few Of my paid programs that doesn't work anymore:
Navigon, because of the amount of data it require you to DL.
My expensive Firewall / Antitheft.
My GPS tracking App
Nandroid,
Callrecorder
several of my paid Backup programs
many Jrummy App
etc etc.
We have to stand together an demand that the prducers find a solution, and we have to face up to Google, their excuse that it has to do with security don't hold water in court, they must have had other choices, but they chose the easiest and the one which made most trouble for their users.
Maybe instead they could have chosen to have apps that needed the R/W to apply for a signed certificate to get access to this and as the experts Google is to gather information, it wouldn't have been hard to monitor those apps who was awarded with the certificat to control if thet was abusing this.
This is just one solution, but I'm no expert, but guaranteed, there must have been lots of ways to solve and to achieve their goal.
Regards Sc0rpio

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