Develop Bugs

Solution? low voice level issue

Hi,
has anyone found a fix or an app or something to the low voice level issue during phone calls? we already know that a BT headset is a "workaround" but i was really hoping for a solution for the devide itself...
thanks in advance.

Press and hold the answer call button to enable the speakerphone. Should get your volume up to more than you need.

I hear ya about the voice problem. TERRIBLE.. Read my latest thread about the so many faults I found on the PDA2K..
'Blue Angel'.. LOL... I Would call it Dark Angel.

Try to replace the device
You should try to replace (change) the MDA III. Newer models does'nt have this issue. After 7 weeks of trying (...and crying), i've decided to bring the MDA III back to the T-Mobile Shop and asked for a replacement. 2 days later, i've got a new MDA III, now without any issues.

No Solution???
Thanks for your replies so far.
What i can´t understand is, why can´t we do something about it, a fix or a setting or an app... since it´s not an hardware problem ( the voice level when recording a video for instance is quite acceptable ((...well AVI not MP4...). After all, this is a developers forum! is it impossible to fix that issue?
I Think this is a very important feature for the Phone usability of the blue angel! must the 1000´s of units already sold be returned and exchanged?
ps - thanks 1234 but the voice level i´m talking about is from my own voice (the mic) and not the loudspeaker! other people when i´m in a phone conversation always say that i seem to be very far away and they hear me very low...!

This problem seems to be caused by the placement of the mic in a tiny hole next to the reset hole. Everyone complains that you sound faint when you're talking. If you try talking 'directly' into the hole or even hold the phone in your left hand things seem to improve ( closer to your voice-box? ) . You can also see this problem when making a movie with the phone. It sounds very quiet when compared to the same test with an XDA II. The XDA II had a mic in a much better position, next to the direction pad.

I think, it's a hardware issue
As i know, it's a hardware issue with the mic.
The position of the mic is bad, that's true, but some Shops will replace the MDA III against never models with some changes.
A Sales rep in a T-Mobile Shop told me, that devices with the voice issue WILL BE REPAIRED (mic change or something like this).
So, it may be a good idea to replace the device against a never model.

It's strange,
for me there are problems with cable headset.
If it's a problem with the phone mic, why I had the same problem, but only sometimes, with the headset ?
I will try also another headset.
bye
Manuel

Audio level - intolerable
Hello All,
I'm new to this forum but am a very frustrated PDA2K owner.
I cannot tolerate the issue of people complaining that my voice is too low during phone calls. The device has cost me an arm and a leg.
I bought it thinking it was the best PDA/Phone on the planet. The issue is there is no IMate service center in Egypt. I had it sent to me from Dubai...
If a software solution exists, then I would be very greatful for it.
PS. koponet says that he/she replaced their device. Has the microphone location been changed? Or is it still in the same spot?

Position is still the same
The mic position is still the same after the replacement , but the voice level is much better.
Before the replacement, the voice level was bad using the MDA III WITH or WITHOUT the cable headset (thats included).
After the replacement, the voice level is still bad using the MDA III WITH the cable headset (thats included), but much better WITHOUT this headset.

CALLING all Developers
I Think this is beacoming THE brain test for all the developer community out there...
If someone could come up with a software solution for this issue i´ll bet there would be several 1000´s of users ( all of QTEK, XDA, I-mate owners worldwide) thanking and respecting the "ONE"...
thanks,
Vega.

I would be happy if somebody could for sure tell whether this is a hardware issue or not.
For me, it can't be a hardware issue. Recording with the same mic and phone calls with Skype work well. Why should the same mic not work for GSM voice ???
A

I've contacted the italian distributor of Qtek 9090 about this issue.
They told me that they will release a patch in the next few days !!!
However, IMHO, it's a software issue, not hardware one because:
- the same mic with non-GSM apps works well
- With the mic in the cable headset you will experience the same problem.
bye
Manuel

fixed with new ROM
I've installed the new ROM with radio version 1.06.02
I've made a few calls and the mic problem seems over!!!!
However I'll made some other calls to see if it's really solved.
bye
Manuel

Manuel, can you send me the upgrade for radio?
thanks
[email protected]

You could always take the pointed end from a sharp x-acto knife and cafefully 'drill' out the mic hole making it bigger. Drastic? Yes. Does it help? Yup.

Please post the Radio ROM which fixes this issue!

Rom update from qtek seems to fix it
The rom update from this forum http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=14362
seemed to fix my mic level issues. It came with the 1.06 radio version.
Thanks...hope it helps you

sound issue - quiet microphone
I still have this issue, even after upgrading to the latest ROM version (iMate 1.40.176)
Everyone I speak to says I sound distant or quiet, and plugging the standard wired handsfree doesnt seem to help at all. I spend all my time shouting into the phone to be heard!
Has anyone found a solution? should I upgrade the Radio ROM as well?
I have an XDAiis.

If you're using imate 1.40.176, then you should have radio 1.12 which is only one release back from the latest, so upgrading radio to 1.13 won't make a difference. I have an O2 XDA2s with radio 1.13 & sound level is fine, but it was also fine when using radio 1.06 (as shipped with phone)
Sounds like you have a hardware problem

Making/Receiving Calls after couple days and no sound?

I have a problem on my unit that I am curious if anyone else is experiencing. I have upgraded to the latest Seimens rom and to the 3900 bluetooth stack. I use my bluetooth on occasions but also talk on the phone without the bluetooth. After a couple of days I will go to make a call or receive a call and I can't hear the person on the other end and they can't hear me. In order to fix this problem the only thing that I have found works is soft reseting the phone. That's not really a big deal but more of a nuisance when you are trying to receive/make a call.

Andy
You are not alone on this matter if you search this forum. It seems no one knows what the source of the problem.

I wasn't aware that there was a 3900 Bluetooth stack. The last official one I heard of was 3500 and then, only from O2 Asia. O2 Europe have said they won't officially release 3500 until March, and then as part of the new ROM.
Could it be the new stack that's causing the problem or was it happening before you put that on?

Bassey said:
I wasn't aware that there was a 3900 Bluetooth stack. The last official one I heard of was 3500 and then, only from O2 Asia. O2 Europe have said they won't officially release 3500 until March, and then as part of the new ROM.
Could it be the new stack that's causing the problem or was it happening before you put that on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it's been happening even with the older rom.

Yeap.
Same problem here. Since the last updates that this is becoming less of a problem.
Joao Caldeira

I have had this failure to, both with BT stack Build 3500 and now today with Build 3900 (Taken from the FTP).
Dident help to Soft Reset.
When i clicked the Speaker in the top bar it was down to zero, no matter what setting i applied, it would just go to zero by it self again.
Had to Hard Reset, then it worked again.

Phone Call w/Siemens re: SX66 Update & Other issues!

I (literally) just hung up with WAYNE ACHACKA at Siemens San Francisco. I expressed my disappointment with the update in that if did not really fix the problems associated with the device.
The issues I SPECIFICALLY addressed were the lousy BT signal (noisy & short range) and the poor WIFI performance.
He expresses a high level of concern over the issues that I spoke with him about, and it was suggested that everyone who is having problems to call the Siemens call center and put in a complaint/trouble ticket. Only in this fashion can they address the issues and try to get HTC to fix the problems with the hardware.
Here is the phone number (US): 1-888-777-0211 / Toll Free
Website: http://communications.siemens.com/cds/frontdoor/0,2241,us_en_0_76051_rArNrNrNrN,00.html
(you may have to highlight hte text, cut & paste into your browser)
I hope we can all work together to resolve the issues through Siemens - they certainly seem interested in making us happy!
Tom McElvy

I've gotten the impression that the BT problems are more hardware-related than software. Having gone through several BT patches, upgrading from 2400 to 3500 to 3900, I've noticed no significant difference in BT performance.
Two things that make me think it's a hardware issue:
Someone else has posted either here or over at HoFo that the antenna in the BlueAngel is poorly positioned; this may also explain the poor WiFi performance, as both BT and WiFi use the 2.4 GHz band, so it'd be possible to use one antenna for both.
I've used a couple BT devices (headset & GPS) with both the BlueAngel and my laptop, and the range with the laptop is at least twice that of the BlueAngel.
If the problem is in the hardware, there may not be an easy solution, although it may be possible to devise some kind of antenna booster that would help.

That is correct! It is a hardware issue. As for the device turning on automatically, that in fairness was a bluetooth stack issue. All the "BlueAngel" Devices should be recalled and everyone given a refund! They are crap!!!
Mike

Quality of Blue Angel Bluetooth Audio - Definitive Answer?

Hi all,
I bought my SX66 from Cingular two weeks ago and so far I LOVE IT. Bluetooth, WIFI, PDA, phone, and a QWERTY keyboard all in one slick package.
However, as you all know, the bluetooth audio has MAJOR issues. I have upgraded my radio to 1.13.00 and my bluetooth stack to 3900. The volume level of my bluetooth headset has improved, but one thing remains - the HORRIBLE snap, crackle and pop (noticeable on both ends of the phone call).
Because the radio ROM and bluetooth stack updates have not helped, I am beginning to fear that the problem is a hardware design flaw. However, I'm hoping that some bluetooth headsets may compensate for this better than others.
I have read through all the forums but have yet to come accross a consensus for the best bluetooth headset (the one that has the least crackle and pop interference).
So here's the question - has ANYONE used a bluetooth headset with the Blue Angel that does NOT suffer from the audio problems described above? I would love to settle this once and for all.
I hate to have to spend money on a new bluetooth headset when my Motorola HS820 has worked fine in the past with other phones. However, it would be even more of a shame to turn my SX66 into a glorified $500 PDA and go back to using my Motorola V600 for phone calls.
Thanks in advance for any advice. Also - I am a new member of the XDA Developers forums and I want to say that they have been INVALUABLE to me. The SX66 users manual from Siemens is nothing more than an overview of the Pocket PC 2003 OS. These forums (and the wiki pages) tell me how the SX66 REALLY works.
Cheers,
Warwick

Bad news. I tried with 4 diferents blouthoot head set with the same problems (including the new jabra BT800). I use a cable headset and if I need my hands free I use my Sony Ericson phone.
So from now their is no good option to solve this problem.

FYI - I sent the following e-mail to Siemens customer support, just to see what they'd say:
"I recently bought an SX66 Pocket PC Phone from Cingular.
Everything works great, with one exception - the audio quality on my
bluetooth headset is TERRIBLE. Specifically, there is non-stap crackling
and popping. According to a web site devoted to SX66-like devices
(www.xda-developers.com) there is no known fix for this issue, and it is
a problem with the bluetooth antenna itself. Is this true? If so, the
product is defective and I will be returning it to Cingular for a full
refund. While it is a great device, it is useless to me if I can't use a
wireless headset to talk on the phone. P.S. I have already installed the
latest driver updates on the Siemens Web site."
Their response:
"Dear Mr. Webb,
Thank you for contacting Siemens Customer Care. I would like to thank you
for your trust and support by inquiring about the SX66. I will be glad to
assist you.
I understand that you are having problems with static while using a
Bluetooth headset.
Please understand that there are no settings on the phone that will improve
the function on the Bluetooth on the phone. It either works or it doesn't.
I would recommend trying to pair up another headset to see if the problem is
with the headset or the phone. If another headset gives you the same
problem the phone may be defective. Before taking it in for repair, you
will want to first try a hard reset on the phone. A full device reset
clears memory, deletes all data and restores the SX66 to its default
settings. Programs installed at the factory remain, erasing all data that
you have created and programs you have installed. To full reset the SX66,
press and hold the power button, and then use the stylus to press the soft
reset button at the same time.
**NOTE** Be sure you have backed up all your data in a SD card or on your PC
before performing a full reset!
If this does not resolve your issue and your phone is less than a year old,
then it can be repaired by Cingular. Please take your SX66 to your local
Cingular store for a warranty exchange or repair.
I hope this has brought resolution to your issue and that I was able to be
of assistance. Your case number is XXXXX. If you need further assistance,
please reply to this e-mail. If you reply, please ensure that your reply
contains a copy of this e-mail.
You can visit us on the web at http://www.siemens-wireless.com. We also have
our Customer Care Hotline available Monday through Saturday from 8AM until
7PM Central Time at 888-777-0211.
Thank you for choosing Siemens; have a nice day.
Sincerely,
Siemens Customer Support
"
It either works or it doesn't. GREEEEAAAAAT.

My HS810 set has worked great with limitations. The phone has to be in close proximity to the headset. I have static issues when I have the phone hooked to my belt and am walking briskly. But as far as using the headset in my car with the phone sitting on the passenger seat it is great. I bought a secong set of HS810's and had the same good results.

HBH-300
I'm using the HBH-300 with very little static. The headset has noise-cancellation features which seems to help a lot... according to the folks on the other end of the conversation. Like the previous poster, the SX66 has to be in line of sight to the headset, otherwise I experience static. So for instance, if I carry the PDA in my left hand w/ headset in right ear, I need to make sure my body doesn't block the "line of sight". When the SX66 is on the desk, I have no problems, again as long as I don't block the line of sight.
Shouldn't be this way, but it solves most my problems.... I'm using Radio 1.13 and still 1.40.

WM6 Upgrade Stopped Nokia CK-1W Bluetooth Kit Working

Hello,
I've had the Nokia CK-1W Bluetooth hands free kit in my car for a while. I started out with a Nokia 6310i so it seemed the perfect choice when I got it.
Last year I joined the HTC revolution. I got a Wizard and this worked fine with the kit. I'm not a heavy user as I don't drive as part of my work, but didn't encounter any issues the times I did use it.
I lost my Wizard on a train and got the Hermes as a replacement (thanks household contents insurance). Connected it up to the kit in the car and once again I didn't have any trouble. I have only had it a few weeks so the device wasn't really setup, I didn't have voice tags or anything, but I was receiving calls OK and could make calls from the device.
So I took the plunge on Sunday and updated my O2 Hermes to the WM6 Rom from O2. I was really quite pleased with it, seems to be more responsive and generally a pretty good upgrade.
I didn't expect to have any issues with the car kit. Silly me. Connected up fine. When I pressed the button to invoke the voice tags, I didn't hear anything out of the speakers. This was a bit strange as before you would hear either the "Peep peep" noise to tell you to speak or the "You don't have any voice tags set, idiot" noise that you get otherwise. I didn't think much of it. Yesterday it got it's baptism of fire. My friend called me, I hit the button to answer and heard.....silence. The kit was connected, the call was answered and I could hear bugger all. Most amusingly my friend could hear me perfectly and started having a conversation with me until I pointed out that I couldn't hear anything.
So has anyone got any ideas? I am guessing that something has changed in the BT stack between WM5 and WM6 but any ideas what? I know a lot of people have written a lot of threads regarding BT car kit issues but I hadn't seen one quite like this.
Any help would be really appreciated!
Cheers
Ian

School boy error
It seems that it wasn't anything to do with the phone at all.
Coincidence struck and it just happened that the day after I flashed my phone, a wire came loose connecting the hands free kit to the stereo!
I worked this out when I tried my old Nokia on it just to make sure it was a problem with the phone. When I couldn't hear anything on that I knew there was a problem elsewhere!
After I took out the stereo and replugged everything back together it all worked fine again.
Sorry about that!