KaioneSoft SprintDB has not offered a solution for WM6. They still sell a patched version of their PPC2003 software that sorta works with WM5. At the KaioneSoft website there no signs of life since August 06 and I believe they are no longer active(except to collect money selling obsolete software).
My questions to the group:
Have you migrated out of KaioneSoft SprintDB?
If so what did you migrate to?
Thanks for your help,
N2O2
I am currently helping them with a WM6 version - as you would be aware, the major issue is the difference in the synch, otherwise SprintDB works well in WM6 - think we are reasonably close to a solution... dont worry, I was getting mightily frustrated myself with this lack of movement. I now have the ability to synch - albeit not quite as elegant as previously.
Thanks for the response. And thanks for helping out SprintDB project.
Unfortunately a database solution without synchronization is not useful to us. For our application to function we need to share data...
My concern with SprintDB is that they move so very slow. So ok, thanks to you, we are near a solution for WM6. Where will be when WM7 hits? Lost again? The newer operating systems are addressing some windows mobile shortcomings like security. These type of improvements more then interest me a little.
I've tested all the latest versions of our software on WM6 and SprintDB is the only one that won't function for us.
It would be good if KaioneSoft would keep us updated through their website, instead of pretending that the issue doesn't exist. Forcing their long time users to wade around the internet forums for solutions. I can't understand why they don't make the issue known on their website, unless they expect to sell to WM6 customers. I'm sure they refund unsuspecting WM6 purchasers, but not being forthright about the issue is more then a little shifty. I'm questioning if this software vendor is responsible enough to trust my databases to.
I have stopped further development with SprintDB and we are testing other solutions. So far Syware is the leading candidate and appears to be a very active company. Has anyone other opinions on database software for WM6?
Long time SprintDB user losing confidence,
N2O2
Hi, I've been using a SprintDB Pro database I developed a couple years ago, and now I'm looking at upgrading to a new device with WM 6. I use this app everyday, now have over 8000 records, and I was so bummed to learn that (1) ActiveSync 4.5 it seems does not support sync'ing databases anymore, and (2) SprintDB doesn't sync on WM 6. I would hate to have to ditch this thing and start over on another db product.
Any advice? Without the ability to sync on WM 6, then what? Can I at least back up my database? Would there be some other way to convert the cdb to something i can edit on the PC?
Any idea *when* SprintDB will fully suport WM 6? (Call me cynical, but hearing "I think we're reasonably close" does not sound to me like a release will happen very soon.)
Does anyone know more about this ActiveSync 4.5 limitation? Does that mean I just need to stay with an older version, or is there more to this?
Finally, if it does come to switching products, any other suggestions besides Syware (which I will check out)? Do any allow me to convert my forms, macros, etc. from SprintDB?
Thanks for any answers or advice!
Sprint DB
Wow, an impressive set of questions.
First off MLK is correct the program itself functions properly under WM6, the issue is with the sync. The sync issue exists because M$ removed Mobile Access support starting with WM5/ActiveSync4. SprintDB developed a work around that made AS4 function with their program that was designed for PPC2003. That work around no longer functions WM6. because M$ further slashed AS4.5
WM6 requires at least AS4.5 or Vista.
SprintDB told me in March 07 that a WM6 sync fix would be available in July 07. We are still waiting. In SrintDB's defense: I think this task is substantial, they are attempting to develop an Activesync type database sync with a deliberate slash of support by M$ in AS4 and 4.5.
It sounds as if you don't need to merge your PC database(mdb) with your WM database(cdb). If you can get away with simply converting your cdb to mdb and back to cdb, although a bit clumsy a program like "Access Converter" free from Kaisoft may be a work around. You could then stay with SprintDB saving the development cost of a migration.
http://www.pocketkai.net/asp/en/index-en.html
If you need to manage two databases the merge their contents ie WM6 <-> W2K the only solution I see is ODBC. This has the advantage of syncing your data via cell or Wifi connection. Unfortunatly this will involve having to redevelop your forms queries structure in another DB program such as Syware. I'm not aware of conversion utilities to migrate from SprintDB to another aplication. (Hint to developers reading in: You could gain the entire customer base from SprintDB if you offer such a function.)
I'm still looking for other DB options if there are suggestions.
Hope this helps. Good Luck.
Thank you N2O2, that was a very thoughtful reply and quite helpful.
The word I got from KaioneSoft Support is they expect to have a new version with sync for wm6 in about 1 month. If that happens, I'll be happy. Meanwhile, it sounds like Access Converter will let me squeak by until that release.
[email protected] said:
The word I got from KaioneSoft Support is they expect to have a new version with sync for wm6 in about 1 month.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
KaioneSoft sends this answer every month, does this whenever you send a message that requests the solution to this problem.
Sorry guys, meant to correct this ages ago & only just noticed... new version is out & works with full sync - not as good as previous in that you have to initiate the sync, but at least it works.
Further to this, if the PPC has low memory, or the DB is "of a size" then sometimes the sync can incorrectly report a successful sync - I have another beta I am testing that looks to resolve this, so go 4 it, it looks like they have come through at last.
Works about 95%
Go for it, SprintDB is back & working better than the betas - have been using it noe for a few months without a hitch, save the odd refresh (thats why the 95% - think it gets tired every so often, mind you that be because my PPC is a memory hog & something is chewng it up without my knowledge - not SprintDB, something else I havent tracked as yet)
SprintDB working great but...
HI all,
I have been using SprintDB for years and love it. The new version seems to be working well, but I have sent in 4 support questions to KaioneSoft over a week ago and received only one response in the last few minutes.
I backup my data by exporting the data tables to csv files throughout the day. Twice now I have gotten an "Out of Memory" error at the end of a day, and the program crashes. I have tracked my memory use after each csv export and see that 1M of memory is added after each csv export and never released. So my memory gets eaten up all day long until I run out. Of course the workaround is just to close the program occasionally and reopen. But since you can lose your most recent changes I wanted to warn others about this problem.
Also, I noticed that I get an error message after about the second time I sync data, yet the data seem ok and I can't tell what is causing the error.
Anyone else with this issue?
Thanks,
Pat
phmurphy said:
HI all,
I have been using SprintDB for years and love it. The new version seems to be working well, but I have sent in 4 support questions to KaioneSoft over a week ago and received only one response in the last few minutes.
I backup my data by exporting the data tables to csv files throughout the day. Twice now I have gotten an "Out of Memory" error at the end of a day, and the program crashes. I have tracked my memory use after each csv export and see that 1M of memory is added after each csv export and never released. So my memory gets eaten up all day long until I run out. Of course the workaround is just to close the program occasionally and reopen. But since you can lose your most recent changes I wanted to warn others about this problem.
Also, I noticed that I get an error message after about the second time I sync data, yet the data seem ok and I can't tell what is causing the error.
Anyone else with this issue?
Thanks,
Pat
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which version are you using - this sounds very much like an old beta I had a while ago. FYI, I am using 1.5.0 (Build 1920)
Related
I am posting this again as my earlier message has been deleted (by accident, of course)
Occasionally when I want to activate bluetooth by clicking on the
system tray (bluetooth settings icon), it takes about 30-40 seconds
for it to come up. I am not sure why.
This problem is inherited to PZP and PBT as well.
Plus I have some problems with PZP and PBT, so I want to avoid them.
Anyone has a simple application that can turn BT off/on toggle?
Some small EXE will do. Appreciate if you can share this with us.
Bluetooth Tools is probably the app you're looking for.
If you do a search you'll find a link to it in here.
Cheers
Anthony
As I said, I am trying to avoid PBT (POCKET BLUETOOTH TOOLS) due to its problems as highlighted in previous discussions.
i hope someone has a simple EXE to switch BT on/OFF
hey mate,
if you're using tdlaunch or an app which allows you to put shortcuts on your today screen; then you can use this...see attached. it's the link to the bluetooth app of the pocket pc; it's still the same app as the one on the bt icon opens but it might work faster for you as compared to clicking the one on the tray. hope that helps.
cheers
rob
Thanks Rob, but unfortunately the delay of 30-40 seconds is still there even when I use your link.
I am still puzzled by this delay.
I have exactly the same problem on my m-1000, I have tried three different ROMs, and it still occasionally takes a while before the blueotth screen pops up. It is really annoying as it is not another piece of software causing it, as I have tried a hard reset and used it with no other software installed and it still kept hanging for 30 seconds or so. If anyone can find the cure I will make a hefty donation to this site as this problem is really irritating!!! :evil:
Bluetooth Toggles
Exclusive order is ready!
PM me when it stops working e.g. trial expiration
Bind with hotkeys to achieve fastest speed (Settings->Butons)
I can't seem to get it to work Winhex.
Actually I installed the program 2 days ago but
I forgot to try it (a phone call came in just after I installed
it and I forgotten about it altogether).
Is it because it's expired? How long is the trial period anyway?
Sorry I could not test it for you.
BTW why did you put an expiration trial?
Are you going to sell it?
After findus has made his/her 'hefty donation', would you
make it available for all of us for free?
Cheers
I haven't tested it yet either, will do this weekend unless the expiration date has been and gone. Thank you for your hard work in advance though. Out of interest, I take it you intend to sell this software after it has been tested- how much were you thinking of?
John Smith - I said I would make a donation to this site - I have been a member for a couple of months now and I haven't donated yet, so I thought it would be a good opportunity. If the person who has spent time designing their own application wants to charge for it, then that is their right surely! I know we would all rather have things for free, as there is a load of free useful software on this site, but still...!
Spoke to 02 Blackberry Support this morning regarding a few issues with the XDA IIs.
Due to current list of bugs (ie, bluetooth etc) Blackberry is quite low on the list to be including in a Rom update. He felt that it would be Mar-Apr 05 before such a update is released!
It seems that even they are directing people to www.smartner.com to try there solution out rather than have to wait!
I think Smartner could be onto a winner here!!!!!
Pylon Anywhere is a better and cheaper product than Smartner's.
You can download an eval from www.ianywhere.com/products/pylon_anywhere.html
Anonymous said:
Spoke to 02 Blackberry Support this morning regarding a few issues with the XDA IIs.
Due to current list of bugs (ie, bluetooth etc) Blackberry is quite low on the list to be including in a Rom update. He felt that it would be Mar-Apr 05 before such a update is released!
It seems that even they are directing people to www.smartner.com to try there solution out rather than have to wait!
I think Smartner could be onto a winner here!!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cheers for the update!
I mailed O2 data support last night so it'll be interesting to see what they tell me.
What I really find peculiar is although they are directing people to smartner, and the smartner website lists O2 as a partner, why aren't O2 listing Smartner as a service offering?
I'm going to check out the other product offered here, but between xmail and smartner, I've pretty much got my "push" (really pull) mail solutions sorted out for a few months.
Nighthawk said:
Pylon Anywhere is a better and cheaper product than Smartner's.
You can download an eval from www.ianywhere.com/products/pylon_anywhere.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With Smartner's product, it is simply software for your PPC, which is configured via an web based interface at their end. Priced at $50 per year is pretty reasonable for push email.
How much does Pylon Anywhere cost ? Have looked at their website, but it's not exactly clear. Also I get the impression that users also need to install a 'server' type client - is this correct ?
Cheers
Mark
I'm downloading it now and it is a server based installation, so if its for your work you would have to get your IS department to test and certify the software before deployment. Looking at the site its restricted to Exchange/Domino environments only so those of you with Pop3 or Imap access are out of the picture.
LIke I say, i've got a test exchange environment at home so I'll configure onto that and see how it performs, but I doubt its for the end-user.
Hmmmm, I think at $645.00 for the Pylon software, I'll stick with Smartner for time being!!!!! WOW - I have picked myself back up off the floor now!!!! :shock:
Remember, thats not counting the price of the software to run the mailserver as well as the time taken to learn how to configure it.
Pylon Anywhere is a server and client solution, not a hosted service like you mention ($50 per person). You need your own server, just like Blackberry Enterprise.
For the price, you get five users (buy in bundles of five users). This includes the server software and client software for Pocket PC, Smartphone, Palm, Symbian and even desktop XP and more.
The client software installs on your device USING THE DEVICES APPS, not some custom solution, allowing you to use any application available for the Pocket PC (PI/AF for example). It is TRUE push; I can push calendar, mail, contacts, tasks and memos if I choose to (only do calendar and mail). You can then also setup what's called ReadySync sessions that occur at scheduled itervals that sync everything (you select) that you don't want pushed (in our case contacts, memos and tasks).
You can also manually sync your device. It also supports SMS Push for those who like having this service (SMS triggers your device to sync - sound familiar).
Fully encrypted, from end-to-end. Users can install the solution themselves via a web interface system, it also provides access to all their e-mail etc (like OWA) if wanted (can be disabled). User can also install via a CAB file and full install program as well.
You can say what e-mails to push and what not to, like HIGH PRIORITY only etc. You can sync your GAL or portions (filtered) of it.
What else do you want to know?
Dave
As i understand it you can use the blackberry client from the extended rom of the XDA II. You could either add it to your extended rom , or simply run it as a cab file.
Where can I get the cab?
z0mbi....where can I download the cab file for Blackberry Connect?
Thanks
Same questions here.....where can we get the cab file????
And do we have proof this works???
Blackberry CAB file
I have BB Connect working on an XDA II succsessfully, Although we now have an XDAIIs i want to get it going on. So can someone please post the CAB file or tell me how i can extract it from the XDAII ext rom pleeease
Shannon
Desparately seeking the Blackberry CAB
Somebody please help us all!
I have it going on my XDA2 and have extracted the cab and tried it on my PDA2K I-mate .
It installs ok but wont work
I have also got it from the MDA III german version this also installs and runs but RIM detects it as a illegal pin. There must be some sort of checking that it is in the correct rom version.
If i knew german i would be right
Looks like we just have to wait for a english rom with it installed .
Pole99
The CAB
Apologies for the no reply, I forgot to check back on this thread...
I haven't tested this personaly as I don't own a 2s but it works on my SE'd II
Anyhow please find the attached cab
Thanks... do you have the Desktop configuration tool sw?
Thanks so much for sending this along... Still trying to get it working.... looks like it also requires some desktop-based software.
Would you mind posting?
Thanks in advance!!!
BLACKBERRY XDA IIS
Hey Guys,
Thanks for the Cab file really apprecicate it ... next question, I have got it installed alright however when it is running, active sync does not work . So has anyone actually got it to work on the XDA IIS?
Maybe i need a newer rom for the XDAIIS although i think there is only the launch going round ?
Shannon
I installed it but it screwed up my blue angel - it had the memory errors (i.e. no more memory available to run programs), so I tried to uninstall it but could not - hard reset after that
It installed on my Verizon Harrier, but it doesn't register... It's possible that I need to have a Blackberry account, so I'm going to call them tomorrow to see.
You might not need a blackberry account from your provider to make this work, you probably just need an account on any BES
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
-----
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.
Hi all
I just got myself sent a Hermes the other day and I was looking around here, my favourite XDA resource, for nifty things I could do with it. One thing that seems to be all the rage is upgrading to WM6. Now, I'm all in favour of upgrading and the amount of information and material here is, well, staggering. Overwhelming even. But, for all I read, I miss one critical thing: why do we upgrade to WM6? What does it give us that WM5 doesn't?
All I see, at the moment, is a swankier interface and a faster operation. But neither of those are big sellers in themselves and don't justify the bricking and incompatibility risks. So, what's the big appeal that I've missed? I guess I'm looking for an excuse to do this
Lastly, as I mentioned, there's almost too much information about all this. i can follow the guides and tools for installation but one thing will vex me if I was to upgrade - and that's which ROM to use. Now I'm certain every one of you has a favourite and so I'm not looking for a definitive recommendation, but what the hot ones that I should look into at the moment? As I see it, the "XDA Live" and "Black" see pretty popular..
Cheers!
Three reasons for me.
1. TomTom doesn't occassionally freeze
2. Easier to set as a modem
3. More responsive menus, button presses, etc
By the way WM6 is more like WM5 second edition rather than a brand new system.
wywywywy said:
Three reasons for me.
1. TomTom doesn't occassionally freeze
2. Easier to set as a modem
3. More responsive menus, button presses, etc
By the way WM6 is more like WM5 second edition rather than a brand new system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty much says it all. I never soft reset anymore. More memory, faster than WM5, better tweaks, and has some things WM5 didn't cooked in to the ROM. As for the risk of bricking, that's an extremely low risk, very minimal actually, if you follow the guide and wiki.
and html email is not to be sneezed at.
Because we can!
Mobile Office 2k7 can read o2k7 native formats. You will never see this on WM5 unless some imgfs God with a lot of time on his/her hands ports it there....
Native SD card encryption is Huge. The A2DP stack is a thing of wonder too....
JasenR said:
Because we can!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
exactly!!!!!!!!
My softbank x01ht came with WM5 and the only upgrade I did was the radio upgrade to 1.40.
May be it is my luck, but my x01ht seems really stable in its original ROM version (WM5 aku 2), I have never hard reset and the machine seems really stable. So my need to upgrade to WM6 to avoid system hang is not really existing.
Also, I use a lot of BUILT-IN functions such as Push Email, Wifi and Chinese support (my x01ht was flashed with a Hong Kong version 838 pro ROM before sold to me). If ANY one of such functions is WORSE in WM6 than in WM5, than WM6 is a no no for me. I can't stand any frequent freeze of the x01ht because I now depend solely on it for my daily phone/PIM use. If I don't have it working 100% normal, then I will lose many important phone calls.
I see WM6 really as an evolution of WM5. In WM6, MS has fixed many bugs that were in WM5, for example:
- Crappy A2DP
- WiFi now supports WPA
- HTML email
- Faster and more stable
- I'm sure MS has updated little things here and there to make WM6 more telco-standards (GSM, etc.) compliant
Well, are you still using Windows 95 on your PC?
My reasons for upgrading have been for (in order of importance) the speed, bug fixes, better memory management, the X button actually closing the app not just minimising it, Office updates, better compatibility and usability in the new Internet Explorer, etc.
When I bought my TyTN I was shocked by how slowly it responded to user input compared to previous Pocket PCs I'd owned.
After the developments that started occurring here a few months ago, there really was no turning back. I upgraded and now the OS is quick and very responsive. WM6 has been a godsend. The phone application also doesn't take 3-4 seconds to load when I press the call button to answer a call like it used to!
WM6 also has a much more polished look to it I think.
hold on, TomTom still freezes on mine with WM6 !
I still love it though (tomtom that is and wm6)
Let me know if this is solved will ya ?
ta
bb
I did it simply because WM5 was a little unstable and I love experimenting / playing with stuff like this.
A side benefit which I didn't know I would get is the LVSW version that I installed allows WPA2 & WPA2-PSK authentication on the Wi-Fi. That meant I could run my Hermes at the same security as my network and didn't have to modify my wireless router and other PCs.
There's probably still a few other good reasons that haven't been mentioned in this thread yet.
Cheers, Oggy.
Bug fixing, more speed,...
With WM5 I had issues like the phone applicatoin reacted too slowy on an incomming call. so i missed the call. Or sometimes it even didn't ring.
WM6 works in that point.
bingobob said:
hold on, TomTom still freezes on mine with WM6 !
I still love it though (tomtom that is and wm6)
Let me know if this is solved will ya ?
ta
bb
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you install TomTom 6.03??? As of that version I never had freezes anymore...
I to have tomtom lockup and sloooooowwwww to get map directions. Please I miss my fast tomtom 6. I am using 6.03. I wonder if i did something wrong. I never had this problem with wm5.
What about support?
One benefit of wm6 is that the hackers, tweakers, rom cookers, and random slackers such as myself keep this hermes wm6 forum active (albeit sometimes unforgiving to newcomers). If you have a question about wm6 on a hermes, it is probably already answered here. Can as much be said for the wm5 forums?
Just works
Personally I was about to ditch my TyTN. The default OS was infuriatingly slow, buggy, and had me resetting several times per day. If I hadn't stumbled upon XDA-develoopers and started flashing WM6, I would probably be a Nokia user again... WM6 just works. I've flashed maybe 10 different versions now, also the radio, and it's completely worth it. No big risk of bricking if you do your homework first.
F*SH said:
... faster operation. But neither of those are big sellers in themselves and don't justify the bricking and incompatibility risks. So, what's the big appeal that I've missed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think anyone with half a brain has bricked their phone doing an OS only upgrade (especially if they read the wiki etc etc)... and you answered your own question... who doesnt want a faster device?
LazPL said:
Personally I was about to ditch my TyTN. The default OS was infuriatingly slow, buggy, and had me resetting several times per day. If I hadn't stumbled upon XDA-develoopers and started flashing WM6, I would probably be a Nokia user again... WM6 just works. I've flashed maybe 10 different versions now, also the radio, and it's completely worth it. No big risk of bricking if you do your homework first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel the same way as LazPL in that I was about to stop using the phone.
What I hated most about WM5 was a lack of real integration between the phone and contacts funtions, eg.:
. If you chose a call from the recent call list you could not access the contact directly (eg. if you just tried calling someone on their fixed line and wanted to try their mobile, you could not just click on the recent call you just made and select a different type of number, you had to select the name again from the list). In WM6 you can do this
. If you saved an unknown number from your recent call list it would automatically create a new contact, instead of giving you the option to save it in an existing contact (and choosing what type of number it was) or creating a new contact. In WM6 you can.
For me these 2 were just basic everyday usability features that I can find in the cheapest phones, and totally unacceptable to be missing in a €600 device. On the basis of these 2 alone, upgrading to WM6 was worth it.
In addition, my original Orange ROM had some bugs that were just pathetic (although these could have been cured with a newer ROM, or perhaps were due to the original radio ROM - which I also upgraded - and not the OS):
. Calls to busy numbers started blaring the busy tone through the loudspeaker (very loud)
. Trying to answer a call waiting would freeze the phone and require a soft reset
Hope that helps.
Pastings WIFI keys!!!
I've not been able to paste a wifi key in my WM05 ROM somone told me it was security...
rubish i think M$ to implement the copy/paste code.
Modem -> Bluetooth PAN is HUGELY more stable, my connection used to drop all the time in modem mode, i can now sit for 2 hours on my laptop at coffee shops and surf the web, whithout paying silly 1 day WIFI pass prices!
I was over the moon when I heard I could load WM6 on my TyTN....
my phone is now slower than it was before.......why would this be?
battled to get active sync working again. MS Active Sync 4.5 installed Outlook 2002 but it has not serial number....where do I get this from?
I was hoping they would release GPS software for this phone but it dont like it.... Anyone know if there is GPS software available? I know about the navigate software but that's the same as having a map book or street guide.
What has your experience been after upgrading your TyTN OS to WM6?
What are the new features in WM6? To me it still looks the same in terms of functionality.....
Bless u...
but u know almost every Tytn got slower when upgraded to WM6(it's not real WM Version6 but a Second Edition of WM5). According to a developer of Microsoft in Asia Research Center, WM5SE has a memory limit which only allows 32 process in a row therefore we can see WM5SE(the so called WM6) cannot handle memory well.
That's the reason why Tytn got slower...
can i downgrade to WM5 again?
sure
downgrades are don like upgrades...
Is there any GPS software available for the HTC?
where would I get WM5 from? HTC site or google?
bradlesliect said:
Is there any GPS software available for the HTC?
where would I get WM5 from? HTC site or google?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTC site is a better choice...
bradlesliect said:
I was over the moon when I heard I could load WM6 on my TyTN....
my phone is now slower than it was before.......why would this be?
battled to get active sync working again. MS Active Sync 4.5 installed Outlook 2002 but it has not serial number....where do I get this from?
I was hoping they would release GPS software for this phone but it dont like it.... Anyone know if there is GPS software available? I know about the navigate software but that's the same as having a map book or street guide.
What has your experience been after upgrading your TyTN OS to WM6?
What are the new features in WM6? To me it still looks the same in terms of functionality.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure why your upgrade seems slower, but my upgrade from the official WM6 upgrade from the HTC site went smooth as butter and everything seems faster for me. I've also noticed that it boots up a bit faster and I don't get errors from Xpress mail upon boot ups. The only thing I did notice was that it used up a bit more memory than WM5. My bluetooth head piece connects faster/better, I don't have to soft reset nearly as often as I did with Wm5 either. The messaging program has a few new features that I like too. I actually like my Tytn now. Unfortunately, Youtube still doesn't work out of the box and requires the flash bundle upgrade and that other video player TMCMP or what ever its called.
I use SPB Mobile Shell and SPB Pocket Plus and they work flawlessly with WM6. Overall, this was the best thing to happen since I got this phone in August.
Itsdarts said:
Not sure why your upgrade seems slower, but my upgrade from the official WM6 upgrade from the HTC site went smooth as butter and everything seems faster for me. I've also noticed that it boots up a bit faster and I don't get errors from Xpress mail upon boot ups. The only thing I did notice was that it used up a bit more memory than WM5. My bluetooth head piece connects faster/better, I don't have to soft reset nearly as often as I did with Wm5 either. The messaging program has a few new features that I like too. I actually like my Tytn now. Unfortunately, Youtube still doesn't work out of the box and requires the flash bundle upgrade and that other video player TMCMP or what ever its called.
I use SPB Mobile Shell and SPB Pocket Plus and they work flawlessly with WM6. Overall, this was the best thing to happen since I got this phone in August.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Clearly either I have done something wrong, or there is something wrong with the phone. Is there a particular order in which this upgrade should be done?
My PDA is slow opening applications and I am battling with Active Sync 4.5
It displays an error each time and I dont know what it means. I have tried to google the error but cannot pick up anything.
I want to downgrade to WM5. Where can I download it from? I only find the SDK version of WM5. Any ideas where I can get WM5 from. I dont see it on HTC website either
Any help will do.
Thanks
I'd begin by reading Mr. Vanx's downgrade guide
You can use some registry tweaks/settings to improve responsiveness of your device if your flash goes ok. Official release ROMs are slower than cooked ROMs - so your choice also matters. For me the performance of WM6 has always been superior in comparison to WM5.