Develop Bugs

Response From O2 !!! Re XDA IIs Bugs

Had the following response to o2 as a result of emailing them with a load of bugs in the XDA IIs a while ago. My email to them it still on the end of their response.
Hi Nigel,
Thanks for this detailed and comprehensive report.
Most of your observations relate to the core Microsoft OS or the integration of the WIFI software, and we will pass them on to the right groups.
In response to some of your comments:
- When will O2 be releasing the firmware update that HTC have already made available to resellers?
* A new ROM image is planned for release in the next few months. We cannot advise a specific date at this time.
- Will this update fix the bluetooth issues
* We are looking to include a new version of the Bluetooth software from the Vendor, Broadcom.
- Will this update include mobile media player 10 as recently made available to integrators by MS
* WMP10 is planned for a later release of the software, later in 2005
- Have any of the hardware faults above been fixed on later units, have you managed a software work-around for the microphone issues?
* O2 reviews all customer feedback with it's supplier, and changes to device manufacture are made from time to time. We cannot comment on what changes are made or when, but we are aware of your observations and are actively discussing with our vendor.
Regarding the yellow screen: our experience is that if Cleartype is enabled, this will significantly affect the quality of the screen display. Please disable cleartype if it is enabled. If the screen is still visibly yellow then you should discuss returning the unit for repair under warranty with your service provider.
thanks,
O2 Product Management
-----Original Message-----
From: Nigel Webber [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 04 January 2005 11:54
To: [email protected]
Subject: List of issues discovered on O2 XDA IIs
Hi
Having owned an O2 XDA IIs for 6 weeks now, I have discovered a huge number of bugs - its actually the most buggy product I have ever purchaced, and I do buy alot of gadgets. I am a programmer by trade, so you can rest assured that these issues are genuine and not 'finger trouble' on the part of the user.
Anyway, I suspect MS/HTC have fixed most of these by now, I note that both QTEK and IMATE have released firmware updates based on new firmware from HTC for the Blue Angel. We are yet to see the same from O2.
Connectivity Problems
---------------------------------
Add a new profile to connection manager and then add a 'modem' to that connection. Go and fiddle elsewhere for a while. Often when you come back to change the settings for that connection the 'modem' has dissapeared. (its still there, a soft reset will cause it to re-appear).
Skype does not work with the XDA IIs. This is not a skype issue, but rather an issue with the WiFi implementation on the XDA IIs. Using skype with the XDA IIs (more than 10 metres from your AP) will cause the XDA IIs to drop the connection, and worse still, the WiFi system on the 2s locks up completely requiring a soft reset. No app should be able to cause WiFi to crash like this! This is fully repeatable on Skype versions 1.00.14 and 1.00.20 (latest).
Often, after setting connection manager to always use certain profiles, and then encountering a problem, you head into connection manager and find that your selections never stuck
VPN connections do not always stick when set, they dissapear from the menu (aka the modem settings)
I have tried for ages and failed to make a VPN connection over anything GPRS, WiFi etc. VPN was one of the reasons that I bought the device (access to home and work networks), but it just does not work. Additionally, the instructions with the unit offer no help about how to get it working. Perhaps O2 can offer an FAQ on this feature.
IMAP support is very very bad. Its quite common for an IMAP server to not store mail folders in the root. In decent clients you can specify the root imap folder, not in pocket outlook, it ends up pulling the entire dir struct from your home dir!! I rebuilt the imap daemon on my linux box to compile in a default root folder. This solved the previous problem, but the imap support is not suitable for use away from wifi cause its so damned slow. It does not just look for new messages, and there is no way to tell it to do this. Also, when you send an item it ends up in the default sent items, not the imap sent items. Imho, the main reason to use imap is to keep your emails intact (be able to see what you sent from the mobile device from a desktop). I realise that this is an MS issue, but its pretty naff. (Outlook 2K3 on the desktop has the same issue re sent items btw, but at least that supports rules so you can put it right.)
MS wrote pocket outlook for connecting to an exchange server, which, I suspect only 50% of the devices purchaced will ever do. Pocket Oulook *always* starts pointing at the exchange folder structure, not your POP3/IMAP account, and there is no way to config this. Unessesary taps required. Why can I not DELETE the default exchange folders if I dont need them? I have a work-around for this, perhaps O2 should FAQ it. Changing the shortcut for outlook in the appbuttons folder makes the outlook button on the device start outlook in a user specified mail folder. Just change the shortcut to: 19#"\Windows\tmail.exe" -service "ServiceName"
Sending/recieving MMS messages is unrelable. I seem to have to go into the connections manager and manually select 'MMS Network' in the Work and Internet sections, then I can send/recieve MMS messages. After this, I then have to reset Network Connections to what they were before. MMS should automatically select MMS network when the user is sending/recieving an MMS message and automatically put the original setting back afterwards. There is an option in pocket outlook asking the user which connection to use. This is set to MMS network, but it keeps asking for a password all the time, and fails to remember the password when told, and fails to retrieve the MMS message. To get MMS to work, I have to manually select MMS network in the Connections Manager.
WiFi
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WiFi Reception is **attrocious** my laptop will tell me that I have a full signal and the XDA IIs will barely register when at the same location. Even holding the 2s 1 ft from the AP does not cause the signal indicator to go past 40%. I have tried the unit with several AP's all with the same result. Did someone forget to fit a WiFi patch antenna on the Blue Angel??!
Refuses to connect to a network that is not broadcasting the SSID. In general, when you want to add a new box, you can set AP to broadcast SSID, it will then find the network, after it has connected, you can hide the SSID. For future connections from 'pre-registered' boxes, no SSID is required. Not so for the XDA IIs, refuses to connect to a base station that is not broadcasting an SSID, or in some cases, creates a new connection with the name "" (i.e nothing) (which again refuses to connect).
Right, now, if you have 2 wifi networks listed in PPC settings, it will sometimes sit there for ever failing to connect, do a soft reset and it connects.
Another one: you have two connections in the 'configure wireless networks' dialogue, one is 'connecting' other is 'unavailable'. The one that is connecting is obviously not gonna connect despite 100% correct settings, so I select 'remove' it does not dissapear!!! If I had written this software, the user would see a dialogue box thus 'This network is connecting/connected, are you sure you wish to remove its settings?' Selecting yes, would either terminate the connection attempt, or terminate the connection and then remove the damned setting with no further agro!
In network settings, I often get some *stupid* status info. It sometimes says that my home network is 'available' or 'connected' when I am at work, and that the AP thats 3 ft away is 'unavailable' Clearly it isn't, wifi does not travel 10 miles! Soft reset solves (it connects to the AP thats 3 ft away).
Sometimes, when Wlan is disabled, and I enable it, it stays disabled. i,e I try and re-enable it and the tick has dissapeared again. This continues until I give up and soft reset the device. This seems to happen more when there are two networks present, and more still when the disable WLan after X mins of inactivity option is used.
BlueTooth
---------------
When you use bluetooth, for network access, all the stuff in connection manager gets reset. If this needs to be changed to facilitate bluetooth network access then I would expect it to return to the old settings once the BT Network access session was ended.
Sometimes bluetooth fails to start complaining about insufficient driver space. I write windows KMD's all the time, I suspect its somet daft like a lack of available stack space, or stack recursion. Soft reset cures
Also, sometimes when I try to start bluetooth, I get a daft message saying that the licence for the bluetooth stack has expired!!! It then starts BT and all is OK.
Most usefull application of bluetooth is the headset. Unfortunately, no headsets work with the XDA IIs. It says it supports bluetooth, but it does not. When will this be fixed and will O2 be releasing a bluetooth stand-alone patch like Imate have?
Applications
------------------
The bundled O2 active stuff is very flaky. Take the end programs applet - it often crashes its self while trying to force an app that is 'not responding' to stop. The built in 'stop app' applet (which they burried in settings) seems to work but...
- If you reconfig your shortcuts (so you can find stuff!) Then the applets 'camera' and 'O2' always seem to copy themselves back out into the root of StartMenu-->Programs again. *why?*
Go into the find applet and get it to do a search that takes some time. Wait for it to get going and then click stop. PDA hangs. It does come back eventually (2-3 mins later), but remains sluggish until you do a soft reset. Trying to suspend while its hung just switches the backlight off!
There are a load more issues as well... I currently do around 10 soft resets/day. My basis is that a wait of more than 10 secs means that the device has crashed. Perhaps if I was willing to wait 5 mins all the time for it to get its arse into gear then the number of soft resets could be reduced!
Hardware Issues
------------------------
Microphone: No one can hear a word I say to them on the phone. This is especially bad with the built in microphone, but also present with the supplied headset. Is this a hardware/software issue? do I need to return my unit to be exchanged for one with a working microphone?
Keyboard slider mechanism: This gets progressively looser until it starts flopping around. Has this issue been solved on later units?
Yellow screen: The screen takes on a yellow hue when view off angle (by say 10 deg). XDA II did not suffer from this problem. Is there a fault with the LCD on the 2s?
Questions
---------------
Since my device is basically a door stop due to the huge number of issues above, I have some questions:
- When will O2 be releasing the firmware update that HTC have already made available to resellers?
- Will this update fix the bluetooth issues
- Will this update include mobile media player 10 as recently made available to integrators by MS
- Have any of the hardware faults above been fixed on later units, have you managed a software work-around for the microphone issues?
If you require any more info on the above problems, let me know. The XDA IIs could be a decent unit, there aint ought else like it which is why I am documenting my problems rather than buying a competitors product. I would like to see these issues fixed.
Regards
Nigel Webber

If you're a chewin' the fat fan, you'll know what I mean when I say I'm taking a seriously big sniff and there's a hint of something in the air.
Sounds to me like they really are just fobbing us off with standard responses and aren't taking complaints seriously.
* O2 reviews all customer feedback with it's supplier, and changes to device manufacture are made from time to time. We cannot comment on what changes are made or when, but we are aware of your observations and are actively discussing with our vendor.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well thats just pish isnt it?
We cannot comment? Why not? Is it because they would have to acknowledge the product has gone to market well before it should have?
The least they can say is that they have gone to HTC with the list, and what HTC are planning on doing about it.
This is what I got:
Hello,
Thank you for yoru email,
Unfortunatley we don't have any dates at present for an upgraded
Bluetooth stack, we are aware of issues with it and are pushing our
products group for an update or at least a timescale.
I will keep this mail, and as soon as any information is released, we
will let you know.
Regards,
Paul
O2 Data Support UK
-----Original Message-----
Sent: 12 January 2005 01:03
To: O2 Data Support (UK)
Subject: XDAIIs Rom Upgrade timetable
Hi
Have you guys got a timetable for rolling out an upgraded ROM for the
XDA IIs?
I'm having quite a few complaints from callers saying they cant really
hear me well and bluetooth isnt working particularly well either.
From what I've read on the web, this is a known fault with the default
ROM version included as standard.
Also, i'm interested in the Blackberry functionality once it becomes
available, but at present, I'd settle for a handset thats not annoying
colleagues and customers.
Thanks
Darren
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I don't want to seem too critical (after all, if you're really having to reset 6-10 times a day you must be on the verge of killing someone by now) but a lot of the issues you list aren't bugs, they're useability issues. Someone working in a customer complaints department (wouldn't wish it on anyone) is going to take a lookat the list and dismiss most of it as whining because you present personal gripes and subjective observations as bona-fide bugs. It is very tempting when angry to try to oversell parts of a long list of complaints, but this just gives the recipient amo to dismiss the lot.
I also think you should get your unit replaced with a new one ASAP. So few people are having the problems you describe, particularly surrounding the WiFi signal strength and screen, that you do seem to have a barely working unit!
You do have my complete sympathies. To spend so much money on something that SHOULD be as near as dammit perfect, only to end up with a damp squid is hugely frustrating (it has happened to me a couple of times).

I agree, most of this list is not bugs that anyone has. Some are even limitations of the operating system.
If you are soft resetting 6-10 times a day you should hard reset your device because it is 3rd party software, do not restore from backup, do not install software and see how it is. If you still have to reset your xda is defective and its time to send it back!
I would agree with some points mostly that bluetooth is a mess and needs to be fixed, the o2 bt patch resolves the connection issues but there still is static issues! But this is not exclusive to the XDA iis but all blue angels. The siemens model SX66 has no update at all!!!
Oh remember when we had our xda II & imates and wanted to dump the microsoft BT stack and would do anything for the widcomm stack. LOL we sure got what we wished for. Bet most of us would go back if we could.

Indeed, got it all of my chest in one go! Trouble is, with PDA's your only point of contact is with your reseller. I dont have a way of contacting HTC, Broadcom, MS separately as I would if this were a PC with faults in several manufacturers programs/hardware.
I am indeed, not expecting the likes of the mail/imap issues to be addressed for the blue angel, I would like to have some mechanism to tell MS where they are going wrong from me (the user's) point of view.
If we have no mechanism to provide feedback then we just end up with half baked kit in the next iteration as well. Perhaps this is why Windows Mobile 2005 will be the 6th? release of what was originally called windows CE, and why 'CE' is now on its third name? And I still doubt whether they will have got it right!
Nigel

I suspect that I just expect too much!!
Its not third party software cause I have hard reset the device, and installed nothing and I still have to do regular soft resets. I doubt very much whether it is a hardware issue either, and all XDA IIs devices have the same firmware. Most of the time, my soft resets are done to pursuade said device to see the wifi ap thats 2ft from it. I regularly use three different AP's in three different locations. I suspect that this is not the case for most people.
I am also very impatient (a device such as this should be quicker than I am!) The PPC OS suffers from 'pregnant pauses' where the whole thing appears to lock up. If they last longer than 30 secs then I am likely to get bored waiting and do a soft reset. Give me a 3GHz PDA with a 10 hour battery life!
My mate is getting one soon, so I will compare his with mine and return mine if the issues have been fixed. I'd hate to return mine and end up with one thats even worse ;-)
Nigel

veletron said:
MS wrote pocket outlook for connecting to an exchange server, which, I suspect only 50% of the devices purchaced will ever do. Pocket Oulook *always* starts pointing at the exchange folder structure, not your POP3/IMAP account, and there is no way to config this. Unessesary taps required. Why can I not DELETE the default exchange folders if I dont need them? I have a work-around for this, perhaps O2 should FAQ it. Changing the shortcut for outlook in the appbuttons folder makes the outlook button on the device start outlook in a user specified mail folder. Just change the shortcut to: 19#"\Windows\tmail.exe" -service "ServiceName"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you explain this workaround a bit more. Are you just changing the name of the shortcut within \windows\appbuttons or is this some sort of programing? Sorry if I'm missing something obvious but I'd really like to get this one working.
Thanks, JD

@jdee246
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=13755&highlight=

I agree with Nigel on the issues with the XDA2s some i have not seen because i dont use it to its full. I also rest probly 5-10 times a day. I got my first XDA2s on 5th November i am now on my 5th one and in a few days i will be changing for a new one. I simply ring them and go over the list of faults, and then remind them that the device they send me will be no better than the one i have and i will be calling again soon to change it. They told me as long as its less that 28 days since the last one was sent to me it can be changed. So i will keep swoping it for new ones until they get me a working one ( we know this will never happen) but at least the new ones dont slide open on there one when you pick it up for a couple of weeks. So i asume i will contine to do this untill the XDA2i is released then i return the current XDA2s (probley number 20 by then) and do a up grade to the new XDA2i

veletron said:
@jdee246
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=13755&highlight=
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Veletron. That worked like a charm. Thats been hacking me off for ages.
JD

@applecom
How long does O2 take to send you a new unit, and whats this 28 days thing? Surley if its faulty then they are obliged to sort it as long as its within the 1 yr guarantee.
You are saying that apart from the keyboard not sliding open, the new ones are no better? If thats the case then there is no point in my sending mine back cause I'll get one with the same problems.
My screen is only yellow when viewing the unit from an angle, and the keyboard does not fall open (although it is very sloppy).
Any idea if the wifi reception is better on the later units that you have had?
Nigel

XDA IIs Customer Services Response
Hi
As an addition to this subject I contacted the company I bought my XDA from re the poor microphone issue and they asked if I had read up on the issue via any support websites as they (she) did not think the issue had been resolved and I wouldn't gain by receiving a new product.
I agreed that I didn't think it possible yet but wanted to keep within the 28 day replacement window for as when they did.
The response was to:
A) Open up the 28 day replacement window on this problem for a further 3 months and
B) State that if a fix was forthcoming then a recall would take place and I would get a replcement anyway.
On this basis I decided to hold for the moment to see what happens.
In all maybe an easy solution for them but it suits me for the moment! :wink:
veletron
The 28 day window is for an immediate (a few days?) replacement
with a new unit, after this period your unit is taken away for repair with no replacement and no estimate of when it will be returned/replaced.
pvb

they replace it same day, I recieve it by courier the next day and give them my old XDA2s, some times i do a restore from a backup and some i reinstall my software from fresh. But no they are all the same i am hopeing for one that has newer rom and thus might work correctley

Agree with all the problems above, the few that really frustrate me are...
- Floppy keyboard slide, should latch back in?
- Hands Free needs to be louder, could someone build a preamp util?
- Annoying that picture contacts seems to be a separate app to regular contacts?!
- Still slow, thought the faster CPU would mean no delays!!
Cheers, Ash

XDA IIs Battery issue
I have just upgraded from an XDA II to a IIs and other than the normal unlock problem I have just brought a second battery, when I changed the batteries the unit did a hard reset, I thought this was because the new battery was fully discharged.
I did some further testing and found that when ever you remove the battery and replace it the unit does a hard reset (all batteries are fully charged).
Any comments or do I have a unique unit?

Hello to you all.
I have just read all the above with great interest as I am seriously thinking of buying an XDAIIs this week. I will be moving from a Treo 600.
I am very concerned about all the problem you seem to be having and I am starting to think that buying one may not be the best idea. The other phone I am looking at is the Nokia 9500. I already have an HP 4150 and so I really dont need all that the XDA IIs has to offer.
I would be interested in hearing peoples comments on the phone to help me make my mind up. I do have to say that when the Treo came out loads people reported a lot of problems but I had mine for a year and it worked perfectly for 10 months then the screen gave up. It appears that nearly all these "Smart/PDA" style phone have teething problems that are mostly down to the product being shipped before it is really ready.
What do people think? Should I take the plunge?
All the best.
Raymond

XDAIIs Battery Issue
I have two batteries and swap them regularly. Your backup battery is either not charged or faulty if the unit hard-resets when you swap them - I think a warranty claim is likely.

Time To Modify IIWPO Theft Control.

hey guyz..
the scene is set, dont want to tell anyone where it happened by whom and ofcourse who got robbed but here's the story.
User had an o2 Xda II, customized rom, with IIWPO Theft Control installed in the rom, so that means hard reset wont wipe IIWPO out of the pda.
Robber comes puts a knife on the user's throat takes away cash and the pda, user gives it happily thinking she will get a msg on the other number with all the info of sim changed.
4 days pass by no info come's and the pda is sold or forwarded to someone else or whatever. END OF STORY.
now how did the user not get a msg of the new sim info.
1. SIM WAS NOT CHANGED.
2.SIM CHANGED BUT NO CREDIT IN NEW SIM.
3.BATTERY TAKEN OUT PDA TOTALLY DEAD TILL NEW CUSTOMER GETS IT. ETC ETC.
WHAT CAN BE DONE.
ok guyz this is the part where i would like allll the geeks & gurus to put in some effort, i know it will be tough but i have a feeling its not impossible.
CAN UR,LL UPDATE IIWPO IN SUCH A WAY THAT WHEN WE ARE FEEDING OUR NAME AND OTHER INFO IT WILL ALSO ASK FOR A SECURITY PASS TO BE PUT IN, SO THAT WHEN ROBBER CHANGES SIM THE IIWPO RECOGNIZES THE SIM CHANGE AND LOCK'S THE PDA AND ASKS FOR THE PASS, AND WONT UNLOCK TILL PASS PROVIDED, REBOOT WONT HELP.
Now ofcourse the robber can be anyone, so the robber plans to hard reset and still the device would recognize the sim change and ask for pass now so annoyed he plans to flash the device and what happens after that all of us know.
To prevent this THE GEEKS & GURUS can just build a small security patch that can wont allow flashing of device till pass given, it would work like this, we flash our device for the first time install IIWPO and the NEW SECURITY PATCH (with passwords) device is robbed, robber changes the sim gets pass error he gets pissed and tries to flash the device and that clever software would not flash the device till pass provided, this would prove that all the efforts the robber made to steal the device are gone to waste.
And ofcourse someday someone might put in a sim with credit and we would get the info.
NOT FORGETTING CHARLES WARNER FOR THE GREAT WORK HE'S PUT IN FOR ALL xda-developers.com USERS and also giving the IIWPO to us for free, REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR WORK SIR !! THANKS ALOT.

no one interested in being secured ?

I think the IIWPO idea can definitely be improved, BUT: It will never protect you from being robbed.
The true advantage of IIWPO in its currect form is to be able to get track of the 'new' owner of a nicked device. In the end: someone will put in his/her sim and then its just bing!
All other enhancements will just make sure noone else gets to use the device. Sure an improvement, but less important to me: I just want my device back and get the thief nailed!

Interesting...
But I think you have misunderstood how IIWPO works.
IIWPO does not detect if someone changes the SIM card. It ONLY acts when the someone changes the Owner Information (Start/Settings/Owner Information), so no matter what SIM card there is, as long as it has credit it will send an SMS to the recipient's phone number. That's the beauty of it, that it silently sends the SMS with the 'new' users data so there is a slight chance of knowing who's the 'new' owner.
But! This is by no means fool proof. It's what they call 'protection by obscurity', so if a savvy robber knows how to reflash the device it will get away with it no matter what features we can integrate to IIWPO.
That's one of the cool new features of WM5.0, that we can at least know for sure that our data is SAFE by wiping the info remotely if necessary.
Just a thought.
Rayan

edsub said:
The true advantage of IIWPO in its currect form is to be able to get track of the 'new' owner of a nicked device.I just want my device back and get the thief nailed!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rayan said:
so if a savvy robber knows how to reflash the device it will get away with it no matter what features we can integrate to IIWPO
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ofcourse this is why we all love IIWPO cause it sends use a msg, and ofcourse even if someone was to modify IIWPO iam sure that this feature would'nt wipe out.god forbid you get robbed u get a msg frm the cell but you for some reason cant track the person or some other c#@p...and the pda is gone....WHY caz it only sends sms it does not block the screen....if you were to have a feature which would jam or freeze the pda on change of the name then the pda would be useless to the robber nothing much he could do....unless he knows how to flash it...now comes a part where we can do something about not flashin the device with out a pass....this would totally make the pda useless to the robber and would also keep sendin us msgs and secondly the robber maybe maybe next time might think twice before robbing a pda and might go for something else

How about a device that would be installed internally to the xda and if it is stolen and a different sim/different user info is entered and the person makes a call it fires a large captive bolt which nails the phone to the head of the user, it then adjusts itself to full volume with all lights flashing and announcing "This is a stolen phone...call an ambulance...or hearse".,

cruisin-thru said:
How about a device that would be installed internally to the xda and if it is stolen and a different sim/different user info is entered and the person makes a call it fires a large captive bolt which nails the phone to the head of the user, it then adjusts itself to full volume with all lights flashing and announcing "This is a stolen phone...call an ambulance...or hearse".,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tht would be great..... are u goood enough to build something like tht ?

Rayan said:
But I think you have misunderstood how IIWPO works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I perfectly understands the IIWPO functionality. It was me who put together IIWPO for other devices than Wallaby.
Let me explain how my earlier post should be interpreted: Sure it is triggered by the change of owner info, but most thieves (or buyer from a stolen device) will put in another SIM (simply because they dont have the pin of the stolen sim or because the stolen sim is blocked by the network). Thus: As soon as the 'new' owner puts in a SIM AND he/she has changed the owner info (and every one does that!) the sms is sent.
Also: Eventually a thief might flash a device, but ost certain a thief (or buyer) starts it up to test whether its working or not.
Imho IIWPO can be improved, but practically chances of getting a device back will not significantly improve

edsub said:
Rayan said:
But I think you have misunderstood how IIWPO works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I perfectly understands the IIWPO functionality. It was me who put together IIWPO for other devices than Wallaby.
Let me explain how my earlier post should be interpreted: Sure it is triggered by the change of owner info, but most thieves (or buyer from a stolen device) will put in another SIM (simply because they dont have the pin of the stolen sim or because the stolen sim is blocked by the network). Thus: As soon as the 'new' owner puts in a SIM AND he/she has changed the owner info (and every one does that!) the sms is sent.
Also: Eventually a thief might flash a device, but ost certain a thief (or buyer) starts it up to test whether its working or not.
Imho IIWPO can be improved, but practically chances of getting a device back will not significantly improve
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry edsub, I should have specified to whom I was refering to (zairyaab) when I wrote that comment.
Best regards,
Rayan

np m8

edsub said:
It was me who put together IIWPO for other devices than Wallaby.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you explain what should I change in the cab to make it work on other devices (Like ETen M500/Torq P100)?
edsub said:
Imho IIWPO can be improved, but practically chances of getting a device back will not significantly improve.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, but still I would feel somewhat better if I can at least call the thief/buyer and shout some expletives if he/she refuses to cooperate!!! :twisted: :lol:
Best regards,
Rayan

i have my girlfriend's number as my report number.. what if were together and we got robbed both our phones are taken away.. a multiple report number would be a good addition to IIWPO

The changes I'd like to see done to IIWPO include:
a) not using "IIWPO" or 'xda-developer' in the registry (user customisable registry key)
b) user customisable executable file name (IIWPO_startup is like a dead giveaway)
c) not storing owner name & number 'in the clear' (a simple XOR to hide it would be just as effective)
d) a hash of the entire owner info page (not just the last name) so unit will resend an SMS if any info changes
e) a new sms is resent after a preset time (eg: every 24/48/120 hours for example), regardless if owner info has changed or not.
I also like the idea of multiple number reporting.
a,b,c) Considering the concept of IIWPO is 'security by obscurity'; it will help if one could hide it more effectively. (no one is going to bother too much about bluetooth.exe or msn_update.exe in the startup folder for example...)
d) Most people get their name right; then meddle with the other bits of information as time goes on - it'd be good to get 'updated' info as and when it happens.
e) Consider it a 'keep alive' thing, so we'll know the unit is still in use, and can continue to keep in touch with the new owner =) I've no moral issues burning up the credit of someone who refuses to give me back my property either. =P
If nothing else, we'd be able to know when the unit gets reflashed, and can quiety say goodbye to our unit after not hearing from it for a while... =(
Is IIWPO still being maintained by the author, or anyone on xda-developers? If not, is the source available? I might be interested in following up on it (time permitting...)
Edited to add: A really vicious version of the IIWPO would possibly send out:
a) phone numbers stored in the SIM card
b) phone numbers stored in the addres book
c) recently dialed/received phone numbers
d) recently sent/received SMS phone numbers
Not all in one go; but in bits and pieces (eg: every 20 startups; send phone numbers of last 5 SMSs sent/received + last 5 phone calls dialed/received).
That would allow us get in touch with his friends and would possibly aid in getting the unit returned (use your imagination... probably easier to get them tell you who/where he is, rather than to get them convince him to return it...)
Probably this would add too much bloat to IIWPO; but hey, could be useful... =P

WOW, ok.
First of all - I registered 2 this forum less than a week ago,
and great job for doing these kind of things.
second - where can i d/l the prog?
and last another idea: when some1 steals ur pda he's usually gonna sell it over. meaning he made his money.
HOWEVER - if even after a HR after changing sims (maybe even without) there will be a picture message saying:
"You cannot use this phone"
"This phone can only be used by me - *name*"
"However, Im willing to buy this phone back from you. call +......"
there wont be a place on the screen to enter the code.
however - the phones' user knows he can type his password and unlock the phone. you might even integrate a handwriting recognition programm for signature or somthing but that will be super hard, i know.
another option is that when seeing this message user has to touch 4 corners of the screen with the stylus in a specific order, then he'll have a please enter password screen.
any comment?
is it do-able?

http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=IIWPO

Some thoughts of the Official O2 WM6 ROM

Although the User Interface is not as good as B&B, But I like to keep it simple.
After hard reset:
Storage Total: 54.09 MB, In use: 6.33MB, Free: 47.76 MB
Program Total: 47.90MB, In use: 23.18 MB, Free: 24.72 MB
Pro:
Faster than WM5, programme switch speed, opening Windows folder is much more quicker than WM5. Battery looks last longer than WM5 (or might have a problem with the battery indication software, consumed 6% on standby over 7 hours.)
Con:
1, still has the Wireless connection problem that will not be able to disconnect WIFI throught Today's screen.
2, very irritating that MSN messenger has to download my MSN email contacts to the phone's contacts.
3, X-Button not available, the HTC X-Button 1.5 not working properly with this ROM, causing system crash.
4, First charge stucked at 88% and orange light, soft reset, back to 100% and green light.
Still testing.......
Edit: Pro: I like the new phone "contact" system. a new number can be added to my existing contact more easily. Also, the contact's total call time and number of calls is very impressive!
Edit: Neutral: MSN issue, updated on page 4.
Edit: Pro: you can add an unknow missed number to your existing contact.

Hmm - my experience on installing the new O2 UK WM6 ROM:
Con:
1) Noticeably slower than WM5 to do almost anything
2) Wasted a whole evening reinstalling and reconfiguring all my applications
3) No useful new functionality
Pro:
Nothing yet.

I installed it yesterday evening, after installing it, it seemed a bit slow. Now i got it all set up it is pretty fast and works allright. Only software I installed extra was spb diary.
Only thing i find annoying is that you can't disable wifi from the icon on the today screen. But there is a shortcut to the com manager on the o2 plug in so it makes up for it.
o2 rom has got some nice tools on the today screen like the profiles, meters, you can see the last call on the today screen also there is a today plug-in that shows the applications that are running, you can also end them from there. So its same as x-button. You can find it under the custom 02 today plug-in setting.
But still waiting to try out B&B4.0 with the touch flow.
Greetz,
Dushman.

betaexpert said:
2, very irritating that MSN messenger has to download my MSN email contacts to the phone's contacts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
any workaround for this ?

Can you tell me does your smart dialling work ? i ask because i have flashed this rom twice now and when i get the dialpad up there are no contacts in the top half, so i can't scroll through my contacts ! And all the smart dialling options are enabled by default.
Thanks....

anothe rthought of O2 WM6
Well, I before I went to bed aroudn midnight (UK time) I thought I check the O2 site and bingo the link is back there. 5 minutes download and 10 minutes later WM6 running on my XDA ORbit.
1- much much snappier. Opening folder, program, setting, contact, emails, explorer etc... has a whole lot new feel to it.
2- GPS works faultless with tomtom.
3- got rid of O2 phone skin and restored the OEM phone skin. Prettier and snappier.
4- I dont want the the x button to close application. I do keep few running such as email, explorer, contacts, and calendar. O2 provides a simple application to view/close running applications. I also, use Explorer 2007 which has the same functionality.
5- cannot close wifi from today screen. Minor inconvenience.
6- Office applications updated.
7- Explorer still works (LOL) and believe I tried Opera and other and I always go back to Explorer. It renders the screen better. Sure no tabs but I dont use them on my mobile, on my desktop yes.
8- Emailer you can now see html - a great boost for me as I need it (you can still block images if you wish) and very useful. Previosuly I use Qmail which I think is the best but lets give the emailer a chance.
9- I heavily use msn and voip and they work faultless (even when conncted to Activesync) I can still sue my wifi for voip.
10- battery comsumption seems to be the same. Battery Was 95% when went to bed (tested email,explorer, windows live etc...), 9:30 am it is still 88%.
11- I like the encryption facilities and finally I can encrypt my files on the storage card natively. Previously I used Cryptainer LE (free).
12- Internet sharing works (just make sure your connection is secure).
13- wireless security are all there as before (wpa-wpa2-wpa2-psk etc..).
thats it really. No major new things, just improvements and the OS definitely faster and less memory hungry.
Still testing it of course ...

Where's the terminal services client? Have they removed it? I've seen a seperate install for it somewehere.
Also, I assume I don't need the storage card fix from HTC for this?

Don't have anything new to add that hasn't been said already.........except that i don't like it. Been using B&B3.7 until last night. O2 WM6 seems like a step backwards from this ROM, not sure why.

terminal services
Terminal services gone and rightly so. What is the use of it on a phone without a keyboard and 320x240 screen (YMMV) ? Now, if I am using the king of phones (XDA Exec )with the best keyboard then I will miss it.
Well I have 2 GB sotrage and I am keeping an eye on it. Lets hope we dont need the fix ;-) (Of course I have backed up everyhting three times just in case.
magnumforce2000 said:
Where's the terminal services client? Have they removed it? I've seen a seperate install for it somewehere.
Also, I assume I don't need the storage card fix from HTC for this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

The WM6 build from O2 contains the Sd card fix so no need to add this to the build. The issue with not being able to turn wifi off from today screen is in all WM6 builds not just Orbit.
Cheers
LB

oops silly me, forget my smart dialling problem, there is'nt one, just me being dumb. http://forum.xda-developers.com/images/icons/icon11.gif
Red face
Ok im pleased with this new 02 rom now, but i will have to try the new B&B 4.0 when i comes out. can't wait for that.
I have noticed one very small odd thing though, when you go to select a new text message alert, there are 2 x dogbark, 2 x ding and 2 x alouette ?
otherwise fine....

Updated no problem, got the wifi problem from the today screen, also my bluetooth isnt working, anyone else got this problem?

Lazarou said:
Updated no problem, got the wifi problem from the today screen, also my bluetooth isnt working, anyone else got this problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I am afraid it is not possible to disablethe wifi from the today screen, you will have to use the comm manager.
What problems u have with bluetooth?
I have beentesting it, like sending files, images, headsets and no rpoblems at all.

redjupiter said:
Yes I am afraid it is not possible to disablethe wifi from the today screen, you will have to use the comm manager.
What problems u have with bluetooth?
I have beentesting it, like sending files, images, headsets and no rpoblems at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for replying but it seems to be fine now after a soft reset

Lazarou said:
thanks for replying but it seems to be fine now after a soft reset
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just one thing, you probably know that, receiving files via bluetooth is disabled by default. You will have to enable it via the registry.
cheers

does anyone know how to turn off gprs

fei said:
does anyone know how to turn off gprs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.modaco.com/FREE-Utility-t246171.html

fei said:
does anyone know how to turn off gprs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never setup the GPRS, when it asks on first hardset screen, I always unticked the option. Though, I think you can turn it off by:
O2 Operator Settings--> tick the "i want to do auto configuration now", and scroll the underneath menu down, choose "remove all settings".--> click the top right "OK", done.

and to think that no one has mentioned abotu the new looking solitaire? are your priorities not right??? (just kidding )
Phone working great on WM6 for me - some real response improvments in places. TomTom working good from SD card too - new reinstall required there. Hell - I even like the 02 additional software for a change (like I did with WM5 on the orbit - unlike their today screen stuff on XDA2i....)
So that's at least 1 happy customer...
(and in fairness - their billing dept has been very helpful to me since a billing error - I really can't fault them there)

fei said:
does anyone know how to turn off gprs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Press the Call 'End' (Red Color) for 3-5 Seconds and it Disconnects GPRS.

For guys girls who didnt know about RemoteTracker - Antitheft software by Joubert

Guys/Girls since we are equipped with an expensive piece of phone i guess this software is very useful! After all its Totally FREE!
Check it out! it is released by a guy called "Joubert Vasconcelos"
on XDA he is known as 'joubertvasc'!
I guess we all should have this on our HDs i have on mine already totally awesome and working!
this is where you can download the app.
http://remotetracker.sourceforge.net/
this is where you find support
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=394203
A word from the Original Site:
"This is an Antitheft software and you can use it to track your Windows Mobile device when it was lost or stolen.
It works catching a formated SMS sent from any phone, MSN, AIM or web sites and then send useful informations back. These informations can have GPS coordinates, list os contacts, owner informations and more.
You can use it to others objectives, like keep your eyes in your child. Use your imagination!
To use all features RemoteTracker has, your device must have GPS and GSM capabilities. If your device does not have a built in GPS receiver, you can get the position based on the Cell Tower it is answering. Please visit OpenCellClient project for more details.
If the thief change your SIM card, you will receive a SMS alerting you and you still can track your device. All you need to do is set an emergency cel number."
Enjoy!

i've been using this app.. really great stuff

UPS this is COOOL !!
I am always hanging around with an expensive piece of hardware, you´re damn right !!!
This will help to make me feel more comfortable with my SEX1
THANKS !!!

you are welcome!

Does anyone know how to cook this into the touch HD ROM?? as this will prevent anyone doing hard resets

dagg3r said:
Does anyone know how to cook this into the touch HD ROM?? as this will prevent anyone doing hard resets
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I read this post, I thought the same, this should be cooked in all roms.

javielo1974 said:
When I read this post, I thought the same, this should be cooked in all roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah they should actually. the guy who made this app is even giving out code to have it cooked in Roms.
My only question is even if they do cook this into roms, after a hard reset by the guy who steals the phone how will the settings be loaded again to the program? (such as the Number to SmS) hmm.. if they have a workaround on this too it will be so great!

for true tracking & protection and to be "cookable" it needs to be stupid on the device. By that I mean all it knows how to do is call home and report the phone IMEI & Location info. For example:
On hard reset it is set to run as a service in the background.
On New SIM Detection it calls home and report phone number & IMEI.
Server side has info for registered owener of the IMEI. Forwards the message to your e-mail.
If the phone was taken you can send SMS to the number to enable "active tracking" which sends location reports to home on a regular interval. All message sent home are forwarded to registered owner.
If a developer did this they might even be able to make a deal with providers so that the Call Home function is directly to the carriers and it gets built into the Stock Roms.

I use Sprite Terminator. Has the option to remove all your important data.

Usefull thread. but only missing small how to cook this into the touch diam/pro or HD ROM. The main problem is how to make that shortcut fo SMS

kyphur said:
If a developer did this they might even be able to make a deal with providers so that the Call Home function is directly to the carriers and it gets built into the Stock Roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if your phone get stolen, you'll going to buy a new one. No deal for them

SMS through PC

So, I'm looking for an app that allows me to send and recieve SMS through my PC, with my Dash connected via activesync.
Many people recommend Jeyo, but I want to try another one. Any suggestions?

This is relevant to my interests, seeing as my house is possibly the BIGGEST DEAD ZONE in my area.

Pocket Controller

phuKKah said:
This is relevant to my interests, seeing as my house is possibly the BIGGEST DEAD ZONE in my area.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, if you live in a dead zone, then you have a slightly larger problem. Just because you can connect to your computer doesn't mean you can do whatever you want.
For instance, I use(d) mDesktop ... awesome app, but what it does is use the PHONE as a "Network Router" (That is my term, basically it will act as a connection to the network) ... so no signal = no signal. The computer will not compensate. If you live in a deadzone, complain to your company and toss around a couple "You know [ANOTHER COMPANY] has great service here and a great price too" if you need to, and maybe the company will get some action done (then again, that isn't all too likely since towers tend to be shared for multiple purposes).
If you live in a dead zone, either complain, or try to find some sort of Online SMS service, because I am positive they exist, or build some sort of amplifier for cell signal (i would check instructables.com).

orb3000 said:
Pocket Controller
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!
I've tested it. There's a small issue. It allows keyboard input from the pc but some letters don't work. here's an explanation from one of SOTI's support team:
"we have tested Pocket Controller-Pro with Dash-equivalent devices (HTC-S620 / Excalibur) and it works without any problems.
The problem is observed on devices that are running the T-Mobile branded firmware, which is customized for T-Mobile and responds differently to input compared to devices running a standard firmware (with a standard keyboard input driver). "
I'm curently running 3VO's ROM.. any ideas?
UPDATE: same happens with "MyMobiler"

Cyclonezephyrxz7 said:
Well, if you live in a dead zone, then you have a slightly larger problem. Just because you can connect to your computer doesn't mean you can do whatever you want.
For instance, I use(d) mDesktop ... awesome app, but what it does is use the PHONE as a "Network Router" (That is my term, basically it will act as a connection to the network) ... so no signal = no signal. The computer will not compensate. If you live in a deadzone, complain to your company and toss around a couple "You know [ANOTHER COMPANY] has great service here and a great price too" if you need to, and maybe the company will get some action done (then again, that isn't all too likely since towers tend to be shared for multiple purposes).
If you live in a dead zone, either complain, or try to find some sort of Online SMS service, because I am positive they exist, or build some sort of amplifier for cell signal (i would check instructables.com).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha I've been *****ing to T-Mo forever about it, but they won't do anything. The best I can do is AIM by adding phone numbers to it, but I would much rather be able to use my wifi and be able to text through my phone. Oh, the downfalls of technology :/

jgrv said:
Thanks!
I've tested it. There's a small issue. It allows keyboard input from the pc but some letters don't work. here's an explanation from one of SOTI's support team:
"we have tested Pocket Controller-Pro with Dash-equivalent devices (HTC-S620 / Excalibur) and it works without any problems.
The problem is observed on devices that are running the T-Mobile branded firmware, which is customized for T-Mobile and responds differently to input compared to devices running a standard firmware (with a standard keyboard input driver). "
I'm curently running 3VO's ROM.. any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Change ROM if you can
Here it´s working perfect

I use mymobile works great

orb3000 said:
Change ROM if you can
Here it´s working perfect
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how sad is that haha
- Maybe I'll make my own app

If you do it please share it with us!

Its funny that you post this because I recently stumbled upon such a program,
look up : Jeyomobile
its an application that uses microcoft outlook with your active sync its
been awesome, and made it way easier to not only reply to text while im chillen on the computer but also delete **** loads of them.

thanks! but my problem with jeyo is that's not sending sms.. just receiving..
also I would like a stand-alone program and i Think Jeyo is a Outlook plugin. Activesync should consider sms sync and interface