Mobile Phone Upgrade

Well, my HD2 has been with me for nearly 2 years. While that's sounds like the normal life cycle of a mobile phone these days, it's been like dog years for my HD2.

From cracking the screen, to being flung in a drain to being dropped on gravel roads, my HD2 has been through a lot. However, its performed beyond expectations with me having loaded about 15 different WinMo 6.5 ROM's onto it. Then came Froyo, which was nice change. Finally, Windows Phone 7 to which it ran a lot smoother than Froyo.

Alas, it is now overheating for no reason, unlocking itself and uploading pictures of my armpit to Facebook and not responding at times. While I am sure a software refresh would fix it, its best to look at the available upgrade paths.

First up, we have the currently available HTC HD7 running Windows Phone 7. I loved my WP7 experience on my HD2 eventhough it was limited due to the hardware. Since I already have a Galaxy Tab running Android, it would be nice to have a phone running something else, just to add some flavour to life. A summarised run down of the specs below show that this is quite a beast of a phone :

1. Released October 2010
2. 122mm x 68mm x 11.2mm
3. 162g
4. LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
5. 480 x 800, 4.3 inches
6. 16GB with 512ROM and 576 RAM (No expandable memory)
7. HSDPA 7.2Mbps, HSUPA 2Mbps, and WiFi (b/g/n)
8. 5MP, 2592 x 1944 pixels, AF and dual-LED Flash
9. 720p recording
10. No secondary camera
11. 1Ghz Scorpion processor, Andreno 200 GPU
12. 1230 mAh battery

The rest of the specs are what you usually find on a higher end mobile phone these days. Full review can be found here.

At one point, this was a no brainer. However, Samsung had to come along and spoil the fun. The Samsung Galaxy S II was announced at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) and will be available soon. Specs below:

1. To be released Q1 2011
2. 125.3mm x 66.1mm x 8.5mm
3. 116g
4. Super AMOLED Plus capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
5. 480 x 800 pixels, 4.3 inches
6. 16GB/32GB Storage with 1GB of RAM (MicroSD expandable memory)
7. HSDPA 21Mbps, HSUPA 5.76Mbps, and WiFi (b/g/n), DLNA and Bluetooth 3.0
8. 8MP, 3264 x 2488 pixels, AF and LED Flash
9. 1080p recording
10. Secondary 2MP camera
11. Dual-core 1Ghz ARM, Mali - 400MP GPU
12. 1650 mAh battery

The HD7 loses on every single count. On the software end, the HD7 is running the latest and greatest Windows Phone 7. The Galaxy S II will be running Gingerbread.

The HD7 is currently going for RM 1,388 with a 24 month, 3GB data plan with Maxis.

Sigh...

Rooting your Android device

Couple of people have been asking me how I got Skype and a bunch of other apps on my Galaxy Tab when they cant see it in the Android Market.

Reason being, the market is limited by region. As such, you have to Root your device. Think of it as something similar to jailbreaking an iPhone/iPad. The process is not harmful to your device nor is it permanent. Removing the root can be something as simple as restarting your device.

Here goes:

Getting the files needed

1. Download Z4Root from here. Thanks to the RyanZA from XDA forums for this.
2. Copy the file onto your device.
3. Go to the Android Market and look for File Expert. Find it and install it like any other app you have in the past.
4. Download MarketAcess from here.

Remember to only install File Expert. Do not install any of other files yet. Follow the steps below once you have done the above.

Rooting

1. Launch File Expert.
2. Browse to the location where you saved Z4Root. Tap Z4Root to install it.
3. Go to your settings page. Go to Applications. Go to Development. Select USB debugging
4. Go to your applications and launch Z4Root.
5. Select Temprary Root.
6. Let it do its thing. After a while, it should say Temporary Root Successful. You have now successfully rooted your device.
7. Next, launch File Expert again. Browse to the location you copied Market Access to and install it.
8. Launch Market Access.
9. Select Backup Value. After the confirmation pop-up, select the Providers tab at the top. Select T-Mobile [US].
10. YOU'RE DONE !!!

Now you can go to the Market and have a look at a plethora of additional apps including the all time favourite, Skype.

* Please note that this apparently doesn't work with the latest firmware update from Samsung. This just serves as a guide and I am not responsible for any damage caused to your device.

HD2 Windows Phone 7

Things you will need

1. HTC HD2 that is charged to at least 50%.
2. Data sync cable.
3. If you are on Win XP, you must have Active Snyc installed. Vista and Win7 dont need additional software.
4. SD Card (the card will be formatted!).
5. Only some Radio's seem to work. I used 2.15.50.14 (Download from here).
6. Download the WP7 ROM and MAGDLR from here.
7. Make sure you have HardSPL on your HD2. You can read about what it is and download it from XDA Forums.
8. Bottle of Mountain Dew.

Installation Steps

1. Connect your HD2 to your PC. Make sure the Connection Type is set to ActiveSync (these options usually pop up on your phone when connect the cable.
2. To check if its connected via ActiveSnyc, Windows Mobile Device Center should pop up (for Win7 and Vista users) or MS ActiveSync should pop up (for XP users).
3. Open up the folder where you saved the Radio. Double click the CustomRUU.exe
4. Follow the on-screen instructions.
5. After the reboot, open the Win7 ROM file you downloaded above. There should be 2 folders. Open the MAGLDR112 first. Run the ROMUpdateUtility.exe.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions.
7. Once it reboots again, it will go into MAGDLR...after a few seconds, you will see a list of options. Use the Volume rocker to move down to the 5th option (USB Flasher) and select it. It will then say "Waiting for USB"
8. Open up the Win7 ROM rar and open the LEO70_ROM folder. Run DWI.exe
9. Follow the on-screen instructions.
10. If you did all of the above, when the last step is complete, the phone should boot into Windows Phone 7 !!! Enjoy...

Troubleshooting

Here are some of the problems I ran into whilst flashing

1. When it was loading WP7, on the phone it goes through 4 steps...mine failed at step 4...some formatting error. To fix this, you need to re-load your original ROM and start again from step 1 above. Before proceeding, take out your Micro SD and plug it into your PC and format it. That helped me.

Revival

Almost a year since I posted...seemed like flashing my HD2 to Windows Phone 7 would serve as a good revival of this blog.

I have had my HD2 for about 14 months only. Since then, it has seen varied WinMo 6.5 ROM's like Chucky, Artemis, Stellar and others. A couple of months ago, I loaded Froyo 2.2 on it and have been dual booting. Froyo is pretty cool. The icon set is brilliant for the display. There are some lag issues but seeing as how the phone isn't even supposed to have Froyo on it, the lag issues were tolerable.

Windows Phone 7 was released a few months back and with a slew of new phones. I had my eye on the HTC HD7 but before it got launched, I made an impulse buy of the Samsung Galaxy Tab (hope to review that too) and my purchase was put off.

However, thanks to the members of the Dark Forces Team, a new stable WP7 ROM has been released for the HD2. A guide and my feedback will appear in the Reviews section shortly (if all goes well!)

3 for 3 ?

So, it was recently announced the governments proposal for the GST is postponed.

This comes after the cancellation of the tiered fuel system and the reintroduction of the RPGT late last year.

As far as I can see, things aren't looking good for the current administration. The infamous Khir Toyo came out saying that our PM is smart for trying new things and postponing them after listening to the voices of the Rakyat.

While I do agree with the concept of new ideas to help, especially the lower income groups, what I don't understand is suggesting something that even a common person can tell you is a crazy idea. Even the MyKad is not perfected. I can't find one person who agreed that the tiered fuel system would have been a good idea. How much time and money went into that?

Toll Traffic...

Now that I work in Glenmarie, I have to use the toll twice a day and there is something that baffles me. The queue at the cash lane.

I don't get it. Fine, if you want to argue that the SmartTag cost about 100 bucks to get, I understand. But as far as I know, the Touch N Go card is virtually free. Why don't more people just get that?

I save AT LEAST 20 minutes of travelling time by not paying cash and using a SmartTag.

Surely the queue can't be caused purely by people wanting receipts or not having enough on their Touch N Go?

Molotov-ing and Stonings...

Are you guys nuts ?

Seriously, what does this damage accomplish? You're angry over the use of a word Allah? I can relate to the anger if people were using it wrongly or in an insulting manner but because just because a non-Muslim is saying it?

So, that means you should result to violence? And that does what for you? Push you up to a higher plane? You think your God is pleased at your actions?

I read a comment that I thought was very spot on from a buddy of mine :

"Burn a church, burn a mosque, burn a temple, burn a gudwara, heck burn it all, label it a 1Malaysia excercise. Muhibbah eh? Then you'll all be even. Job done."

What the hell is going on...

NameWee Goes After TNB...

Typical response from TNB...

HTC HD2

Is there a point where your mobile phones' screen size just becomes ridiculous ? Not for me...that's why im drooling over the recently announced HTC HD2.

Packing a processor that matched the first DELL I ever bought, a 1GHz Snapdragon and the usual connectivity options - 3G, 7.2MBPs HSDPA, GPRS, EDGE, WiFi, BT 2.1 and GPS, the specification that really stands out is the ginormous 4.3inch 480x800 WVGA screen.

Another new entry is the capacitive touchscreen. The first for a WinMo device. Capacitive meaning the touch interface is like the Samsung Omnia HD or the iPhone as in you use your fingers and not a stylus. A subtle hint that its WinMo 7 or Windows Phone ready...For multimedia, as slim as it is,(11mmx67mmx120.5mm) it still has a 3.5mm headphone jack and a 5MP camera with dual LED flash and autofocus. It also comes with an accelerometer and a proximity sensor.

With all this, what concerns me is the slightly low end 1230mAh battery. For such a huge screen, will the battery be sufficient? or die after 20 mins of using GPS? Also, HTC hasn't been the best with its built in camera's...How will this 5MP pan out? With the limited release set for end of the month, we'll just have to wait for the reviews.

In the meantime, have a look at the pictures and video :)

Summon for Eating while Driving

I think, just like phones, the cops should fine people who are caught eating while driving.

If it's just simple pop in your mouth snacks, then its fine..but as long as you require one hand to be holding the food, I think the cops should be able to stop you. I'm guilty of trying to eat a McD's burger while driving....nearly climbed the curb ! :P

TNT - Tomorrow, not Today

I had a letter that needed to reach its destination by 30th September (tomorrow). I've had mail lost when using POS Malaysia so I decided to use a courier service, in this case TNT.

I called them on Wednesday (23/09) evening and arranged a pickup on Thursday afternoon. (24/09) The guy came early, so I was pleased with that. He gave me the consignment form to fill in but I had an issue because the address I had to fill in was extra long. He offered to fill it in for me. Also, FYI, you better have exact change because the rider will not give you any. Regardless of the difference.

Today morning I get a casual call saying that the letter was rejected from the address because of lack of information. And the cool cat that is calling me has the nerve to say "Actually, the letter came back yesterday, but I'm only calling you today". I am not exaggerating. His response to me telling him that his man filled in the form was "Oh..."

After I give him the extra information, he says he will call them to verify but can only deliver earliest tomorrow morning. The snap I heard would be the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. While I can't give the exact details of the call, it was settled that it will be delivered today, and not tomorrow.

What is the point of using a courier service that emphasizes the word "Express" on their consigment note when it takes them FOUR days just to call me to tell me there was a problem ?

Tomorrow, I will have to call to make sure the envelope was received.

This is definitely the last time I use/recommend TNT.

Cool Sand Art...

Saw this video...thought it was amazing...

Amazing what people can do with just sand and their fingers...

Old Town White Coffee....Bluek

I don't get how they are so popular...

I went to the one in Jaya One recently with my mum and my cousin. It was nice and bright and the smell of coffee was alluring so we went in. I ordered the ice blended hazelnut coffee and curry mee, mum had toast and hot hazelnut coffee and my cousin had asam laksa with ice lemon tea (i think).

Firstly, there were about 6 waiters standing around and none attended to us till we called them and handed the "self-order sheet". Curry mee came first and the waiter just put it on the table and said "Curry". ?!?!?! Then the rest of the dishes came.

My curry mee was bluek. It was watery and the mee, I think, had been in the freezer or something for a while so it tasted weird. I would have taken a packet of Maggi Curry anyday. My mum's toast had 4 blocks of butter just cut and put on top of it. It wasnt melted or even slightly spread on the toast. Cousin's asam laksa was OK except when she asked for the fish paste/sauce that usually comes with asam laksa, the waiter brought the soya sauce.

The drinks were good. Mainly because they OD'ed on the sugar. Looking around, not many people were eating. Mostly were students having drinks and doing their work(free WiFi) and for that I think its an nice place. But I definitely am not gonna eat there again.

Was it just a one off bad experience ?

The Raya Police Checks

Who else has noticed the increase in police checks this Raya season ?

I'm not exaggerating but I can't remember the last time there was a roadblock on the road opposite Jaya One. There has been one there almost every night for the past month. My cousin was dropping me home at about 3 am one night, and they were still there. They didn't stopped us but stopped a lady driving a Myvi. They even have it at peak hours. Just yesterday, during lunchtime, the queue was from the turning into Jaya one right up to the roundabout.

My dad's office buys a lot of paper from a supplier in Old Klang Road. I usually go and collect it. Again, I've never gone through a roadblock there. After the roundabout before going straight to Old Klang Road (coming from PJ Section 6), a long queue had started. I figured it was an accident. Right after turning right at the traffic lights, there they were. Our boys in blue. The jam was crazy.

Went for dinner in SS2 last night, and they were there in full force as well. I'm just curious, where were they all this time? what are they checking for? Will they be there after Raya?

Who else has notice the blocks? Let me know and I will update the list below.

Roadblocks
1. Opposite Jaya One
2. SS2 (turning off from the LDP but they vary)
3. Old Klang Road (under the bridge)

Meter starring Khairy Jamaluddin

Tonight at 12 am...15Malaysia will be releasing their latest short feature "Meter".

Its a 7 minute short film taking place in a taxi cab. The driver, Khairy Jamaluddin, talks about many aspects, mainly whats wrong, about Malaysia. After listening to the interview on the radio on BFM 89.9 at 2 pm today, it looks to be a very interesting piece. For those of you that might think its gonna be purely a boring rant on Malaysian politics, think again because it sounds like its gonna be something that just might split those sides.

I am definitely going to wait up for the release and judging by the popularity of the other films on 15Malaysia (252,804 video files downloaded so far), it looks like I won't be the only one.

EDIT : Just watched it and I thought it was hilarious. Great job ! :) @KJ Great acting debut !

Cow head protesters face charges

Well...as some might already know...the powers that be finally caved and will be pressing charges under the Sedition Act and for illegal assembly against the protestors.

It took them 10 days to DECIDE on this. Mind you, they haven't acted yet. Yet, when a candlelight vigil was held in Dataran Merdeka, 16 people were arrested on the spot. So I am curious...Do we all need to have loudspeakers and severed animals heads and huge banners and threathen bloodshed to be left alone to protest a cause? Yes, it is a great that they finally decided to act. But why only after so much public protest and after so long ? How can you proudly repeat your 1Malaysia ideology when you discriminate so openly?

This news has spread internationally and I can guarantee anyone who has heard about it or watched would think that we are worse off than a third world country. I still can't believe it.

It's big talk about pressing charges and justice and all. I want to see what is the final outcome. What will they finally be charged with...who will be charged and what punishment will they receive.

Barisan Nasional has lost my vote.

I am ashamed to say that at 26 years old, I have never voted before.

However, after the recent deplorable incidents in the country and how the Government's top officials have come out in public defending those degenerates that are an insult not only to their own religion but to others, I will register as a voter just so I can vote AGAINST Barisan Nasional. Aside from this, a lot of people still do not what has happened and what is happening. I will make sure from now and when the elections come by, I will bring this up again to all the family and friends I can get in touch with.

The latest to join the ranks is Selangor opposition leader Dr Mohd Khir Toyo. He claims "the cow's head was displayed because it is a 'stupid' animal, to show that the state government made a 'stupid' decision, and disrupted the peace of Section 23 residents. (It has) nothing to do with religious issues," he stressed.

"I don't know who brought it (the cow's head)... but for me, there is no sensitivity (involved) or link to the animal being holy for the Indians (Hindus),"

Of the hundreds of "stupid" animals, why did they choose a cow?

How can these people make such claims?

The new...transparent...Sony Ericsson Xperia Pureness

Well...I guess you could say they've done all they could with current handphones...HD recording, 10megapixel cameras, all the connections types possible...Is this just the next logical step in handphone evolution ?

News of the soon to be launched Sony Ericsson Xperia Pureness has started to surface. And is this blog title says...it is transparent. Very little information has been released other than this attention catching fact. While some might say it just another prototype, it has already been slated for launch in November 2009.

By the looks of it, I do believe this phone is specifically targeted at a certain market. The one's with deep pockets. My opinion is that art has leap-frogged functionality for this phone...but I could be wrong. We'll just have to wait..

I wonder if they will say its safe to text and drive now that you CAN see the road in front of you while texting.

Check out the video in the meantime...

Your phone, iPhone, My Phone ?

I did say this blog was going to be a whole mess of things and it seems I've been on one track since the beginning...time to move on..

Microsoft has, fairly quietly in my opinion, announced The Windows Phone . Before anyone gets excited, no...Microsoft has not started making phones. Rather, their next big release of Windows Mobile will be called Windows Phone.

Aside from being a major update from the current WinMo 6.1, the Windows Phone will incorporate new applications namely windows marketplace and MyPhone. MyPhone looks to be a pretty nifty feature whereby you can back pretty much any information on your phone, to the Web. Its still in Beta and there are no charges for it right now. You have a limit of 200MB (which I think is a lot of space for backing up a phone) and the cost is the data-transfer during the backup.

The first to launch would be HTC with the HTC Touch2. Of course, there will be many others to follow soon after.

My question is...why an upgrade from WinMo 6.1 to WinMo 6.5 ? What about WinMo 7? Will these devices be able to run WinMo7? How long more till its launched ?

I'm really curious to see how Windows Phone performs. WinMo 6.1 is not the best. HTC even covered up the GUI with their own TouchFLO 3D user interface...Will they need to do it again ?