MDA T-Mobile HTC Wizard GPS Unlock - Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking

Ok forgive me because I am totally new to this whole thing. I have a G3 T-mobile MDA. I really want to use it as a simple GPS. Is there any way to unlock the internal GPS chip and let GPS software out there use that to get the readings? or do you HAVE to buy a Bluetooth GPS. also another thought can you plug in like one of these Chepo Delorme or Microsoft USB GPS devices to the USB port? doubt it but just thought I would ask.

GPS Chip on a Wizard? I don't know about you, but i never heard of Wizard having one.
So you'd need a bluettoth GPS instead. As for USB ones, you won't be able to connect them to the wizard, since its USB port lacks host functionality - you can connect the wizard to a host device, but you can't connect any slave device (like GPS, pendrive, printer, etc) to the wizard.

Hmm I don't know
I thought that the phone had a basic GPS chip in it. you know like that they can track you with like on TV or really I thought that it was the same technology Sprint and Verizon customers can use for directions etc but T-mobile didn't want you to use?

What you talk about is not GPS. Verizon and Sprint probably calculate your phone using data about strength of signal your phone receives from nearby GSM transmitters and positions of these transmitters.
You can get such positioning data in google maps (windows mobile version, not java midlet). But keep in ming that positioning error when using this method can be as large as 1-2km (especially in suburban/country terrain). The more cell transmitters are in your area, the more accurate the tracking.
There probably is some other software that can do this, but nothing crosses my mind right now.
[EDIT]
Here's some info on the subject:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSM_localization
[/EDIT]

Related

GPS without Reciever?

I just read over TOM TOM, etc, and I realize it uses a COM port when you plug it in the reciever (usually in your car), im wondering if this is a required thing. Can't I just install TOM TOM and on the go, connect to GPRS and find where I am? How does this all work?[/code]
TomTom, like all the other nav programs, expects to receive GPS data, usually in NMEA 0183 format (a simple text-based protocol). Most GPS units provide a serial interface, since it's cheap and is supported by just about every computer around, so that's how the nav software expects to read the data.
If you could somehow get location info from GPRS or from the GSM signal itself (look around here for a program called Cell Profiler -- it does something like that), then translate it to NMEA format and spit it out a fake comport that the nav software could read from, that'd work, but it's a lot of work, and won't be nearly as accurate as a good GPS.
GPS units are pretty cheap -- I've seen wired ones in the $40 range, and even the best BT ones can be had for $150. Compared against GPRS charges, it's quite the bargain. I've used an Altina GBT708 BT GPS for several months, and it works very well even with the SX66's subpar BT implementation. I'm about to upgrade to a Globalsat BT 338, which is supposed to have much better GPS reception.
Im afriad not mate. But if you want to use it on the go, i.e. "Foot Patrol" instead of in your car then go for a bluetooth gps reciever. I recommend the new ones that use the SiRF Star III chipset. Heard their meant to be pretty good.
Hope this helps.
globalsat BT-338s work great with a BA

Bluetooth GPS

I've looked for an hour or so now, and I can't seem to find it again...did I see somewhere that someone had turned their Bluetooth capabilities on their Hermes into a GPS receiver for software that used GPS? Maybe I'm just making this up, but if so, can someone please show/tell me where/how?!?!?!
I think you mean that they hooked up with a "bluetooth GPS receiver unit" via BT.
The only two ways I'm aware of is to use your carrier's towers to triangulate your coordinates, and via an external GPS unit (I'm using the Cingular retailed TelNav unit va BT).
As far as I know, triangulation is possible, but it's not widely known how to do it.
The Hermes apparently has the GPS hardware, however it's not "enabled".
Is this what you have heard, or something else?
1. buy bluetooth gps
2. discover it (settings -> bluetooth)
3. add outgoing port
4. set up gps program port in windows (optional)
5. use gps software with port from 3 or 4

Use for water damaged artemis?

Hi Guys,
I've nabbed a damaged Artemis from work...
Reportedly, this unit was dropped in the bath, and o2 say it's the internal battery charging circuit that's been damaged.
Because of this, the unit wont charge, though it works fine when connected to external power.
What I'd like to do is use this as a tethered GPS device...
1. Hardwire a car charger into the car for power
2. Have the phone automatically turn GPS on
3. Insert a data-contract sim
4. On recieving a specific command via text, transmit it's gps position over the data card or via sms
Basically - use it as a vehicle tracking system.
Does software that'll even remotely do anything like this exist, or maybe one of you programming guru's here could write some sort of script to do this?
Just an idea before I resign and bin this puppy...
Was this device legally "nabbed" or stolen? - Mike
Google for and download Vito FindMe. Its free but requires activation.
Install and specify a secret word that triggers the app to activate gps and send the devices gps location to the sender.
Make sure you set up your QuickGPS to update automatically.
Buy a spare battery and charging stand! lol!
mobile justice
mobile justice is a much better program and is dead easy, even if some sod finds the phone and swaps the SIM Mjustice will tell you the new number allowing you to send a wee txt to it and gain exact GPS location, if you build the MJustice in to the ROM even a hard reset will leave it working, if they reflash it then all methods are no good.

Parrot Asteroid

Anyone know anything about this stereo -
http://www.parrot.com/usa/products/bluetooth-hands-free-car-kits/parrot-asteroid
Even, where it can be bought, how much it is? What OS it runs for that matter?
well it says that it has Android embedded, so the OS is Android
it looks pretty interesting too...
as for when/where/how much, the site says "Coming soon in 2011", so I'm guessing that it is yet-to-be-offered and they may not have decided their MSRP yet.
William
First, I don't know if I can post links yet. Second, I'm too lazy to dig it up. They had an article on Androidpolice during CES that included a speaker from Parrot showcasing it. I think he said a Q2 release. I'll be getting this the second its released, regardless of price.
anyone have any more details on this? Q2 is all they're saying...
I want one now!!
For the European markets, they say May. Hopefully the beginning of May
Hope they didn't get a developer team from Motorola, then it's going to takes at least another year
next week
i was infomrmed dynamicsounds expected to be stocked next week
wonder if its worth getting
i am currently considering getting it as i need a car kit any way
apperantly they are avalible as of today at 289 euro in the netherlands
I have one
I currently have an Asteroid sitting on my desk here
When I find some time tonight I'll take it for a testdrive and let you guys know!
Excellent. Please let us know.
What apps are available at the moment?
Im hoping for Spotify and proper navigation once the sdk is released...
Yay, someone that has the Asteroid!
Please, let us now!
And, tell us how the music player works.
I want to hook a big memory card, or if there's room a 40GB laptop harddisk to the unit.
Also, streaming from Bluetooth from your phone. Btw, what kind of phone do you have?
(And hmm.. Gorinchem.. That's not that far from my weekly commute.. )
Asteroid
Been driving around with the Asteroid for a while now and it's a pretty neat radio but not perfect.
Building it into the car was a breeze. With the radio came all the needed cables, like a 3,5mm jack, iPod cable, USB cable for usb-sticks, GPS dongle and microphone for the carkit. All cables were pretty long so you should have no problem routing them to whatever place you want them in your car.
Soundquality is pretty good and there are plenty of connections for subwoofers and external amplifiers so it should suffice even for cars with loads of fat speakers.
Connecting my phone, an HTC Desire with CyanogenMod 7.1 (nightly build), was easy through bluetooth and streaming music over bluetooth went without problems. Answering phonecalls and navigating the menu is pretty easy.
A few problems I ran into though. To use internet on the radio (for google maps, internet radio, coyote speed camera alerts) you can either use a 3g USB dongle (which costs you at least 10€ a month where I live) or tether your phone through bluetooth (maybe usb works, haven't tried yet). To do this, your phone needs to support the bluetooth DUN profile which android lacks. Nokia phones should be no problem though. I've tried using 3rd party apps like PDANet but to no avail.
Furthermore I found that the device lacks some tweaking capabilities. For example, when i'm navigating my contacts from my phone, the device tries to "read" the contacts for me using text-to-speech. I've found no way to turn this off. Furthermore I could find no option in the settings to turn off the traffic announcements from radio. The device now switches to radio when i'm listening to music from my SD card to bring me the traffic information (Which can be skipped by pressing the "back" button). Finally, the device came with a Dutch language setting and i've found no way to turn this to English, which is the language I prefer.
Please note, I have only used this radio for a short while and I might've missed some things! I think this is a very nice radio though and since it is the first model and only out for a week or so now I think there will be some updates from Parrot's side, perhaps expanding the capabilities of this device. The only major drawback is the lack of internet connectivity if you have an Android phone. This is not Parrot's fault though but rather Google's. I heard though that Honeycomb supports Bluetooth PAN and I think the Asteroid supports this for Internet tethering so i'm keeping my hopes up for Android Icecream to bring this feature to my phone.
Pro:
- Lots sources for music: Radio, USB stick, SD Card, iPod, 3.5mm Jack line-in
- Android with Google Maps
- Speed camera Alerts
- Large screen (for a single DIN radio unit)
- Lots of cables came with the Radio (With a Pioneer your need to buy overpriced iPod cables separately)
- Its a handsfree carkit, and Parrot knows how to make those by now
- Lots of tweaking possible with the sound
Con:
- Internet does not work with Android phones (yet)
- Lacks certain tweaking possibilities in the settings menu
Feel free to ask any questions
Thank you for the excellent review.
Those drawbacks are major issues,
but Im hoping Parrot will come up with some patches
soon.
The Asteroid is not on sale here yet, and it might take a while.
But I am going to Holland later this month..
Anyone know a place close to Schiphol that sell Parrot equipment?
I also have the Parrot Asteroid for a few days now. But I can't get thetering trough Bluetooth working on my HTC Desire Z (Android 2.2).
I used an app called "PdaNet" or something, with that I can enalbe "Dun - Dia-up Network". And I can make a connection with the parrort trough Settings > Network > Bluetooth. But as soon as I try to use an application that uses internet, it won't work and says I need a internet connection.
Anyone know how I can use DUN or PAN, because an Asteroid doesn't have WiFi and can't tether trough USB ??
Thanx!
RobertR21,
Android does currently not support PAN or DUN so using that is probably not possible without any 3rd party software. I tried PDAnet aswell but it did not work.
You might try connecting your phone to the 3G dongle port on your asteroid through USB, as android supports USB tethering, I have not tried this myself. I can verify though that DUN works, I tried it with my Nokia and it worked flawlessly.
I hear there's rumours on the Internets though that Android icecream is going to support PAN though, so maybe then we can use our android phones. Maybe before that time Parrot will find a solution.
Does anyone know which 3g USB dongles work with the Asteroid?
In my case: I have a Trekstor/Huawei MiFi which can also be used as a "Stick" - Will this work via USB? My Asteroid Device ships in (wish me luck) tomorrow. Pimpin' my Ride is planned at Saturday ;-)
ThX
Hi, I've got the this Parrot Asteriod also.
And For you guys I can use bluetooth internet though my old HTC Hero. I can do it also with other phones. but there is a trick for it.
First root your phone, this is absolutely nessasary.
Then download from the market 'Wireless Tether for root users'(it is a free app).
This one has internet tethering through bluetooth.
Go to menu and select bluetooth instead of wifi.
then go to access-control and eneble it.
Make the bluetooth visible in the tether program.
On the asteroid go to setting and then network and then bluetooth is will find your phone(again) and press the nice parrot butten and it connects.
then on your phone again give it authorization to use the tether and you have your internet.
One problem is that you have to connect manually every time. (your carkit does it automaticly) but not the internet. But at least you can then enjoy your live radio and google maps if you want to.
You only have to have the tether active and connect only through the radio other steps are not needed anymore after.
Internet through usb with your doesn't work, to bad.
One issue that I've encountered with this radio the front panel will become pretty hot after playing an half hour on a high volume. does anyone else have this problem also?
Hi,
I am also considering getting an Asteroid. I have several questions:
- Is there also offline navigation available?
- Can any app from the normal market be installed? Or is there a special Parrot market?
- What Android version is installed?
- Anyway to root it? (What ever functionality this would add?)
Greetings
karlv
Dysphoria said:
Furthermore I found that the device lacks some tweaking capabilities. For example, when i'm navigating my contacts from my phone, the device tries to "read" the contacts for me using text-to-speech. I've found no way to turn this off. Furthermore I could find no option in the settings to turn off the traffic announcements from radio. The device now switches to radio when i'm listening to music from my SD card to bring me the traffic information (Which can be skipped by pressing the "back" button). Finally, the device came with a Dutch language setting and i've found no way to turn this to English, which is the language I prefer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For disablieng the traffic information go to tuner, select a radio station then press the menu button there you can edit if you want traffic information on or of.
text to speech, try the menu button in the app contacts you can change it there. I like that so I didn't look at it yet.
The most options regarding a app can be found in the app it self. try to look for tweaking option there.
karlv said:
Hi,
I am also considering getting an Asteroid. I have several questions:
- Is there also offline navigation available? NO, not yet at least
- Can any app from the normal market be installed? Or is there a special Parrot market? Special Parrot market, apps that are avaible can be found on the parrot site then put on usb stick and then install.
- What Android version is installed? Android 1.5
- Anyway to root it? (What ever functionality this would add?) No, maybe also later.
Greetings
karlv
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everyone can correct me if I'm wrong
anyone already tried getting in touch with the radios file system?
I assume those usb ports only are usb hosts?
there's a new firmware out:
http://download.parrot.com/Parrot_Asteroid_soft_update/asteroid_update_fr_FR.plf
It's nearly 90 MB, so it looks as a complete android software build.
can we get this extracted? modders, come on
EDIT:
there exist some plftools for other Parrot Devices. Maybe they can be used to extract useful stuff out of the Asteroid firmware files...
Links:
http://embedded-software.blogspot.c...howComment=1311293537224#c8852365956008835373
http://sites.google.com/site/repurposelinux/df3120
EDIT2:
part of the firmware update file:
parrotparts=nand0:256K(Pbootloader),16M(Pmain_boot),4M(Pfactory),241408K(Psystem) console=ttyPA0,115200 loglevel=8 update
maybe it is possible to divide the plf file into parts and mount them somehow? (http://plugcomputer.org/plugforum/index.php?topic=478.0)
EDIT3:
Serial output of AR Drone Update, wich also uses plf update files and is based on linux:
http://kapejod.org/download/ardrone_install.txt

[Q] External GPS Transmitter - non BT

Ok so I am starting to work on creating some apps with Android. Without giving away my idea I just want to describe basically what I need just to see if it even exists or I'd have to find a way to make one.
So what I need it a GPS unit that can be remote from my handset (I'll be using my Nook Color for dev in this case). Now normally you'd say, ok just use a bluetooth one, however I need its range to be far beyond what BT would provide. so I need something that would transmit signal over maybe RF to some sort of receiver that then I can hopefully connect to the USB port (or via blutotth) on the Nook or whatever other device. I need its range to be about a mile or so. Anyone know of something that exists like this?
If I were to build the device myself I would really only need it to transmit data every time the GPS unit crosses over a specific set of coordinates. This is why how it operates dictates how I will program this thing.
Any other suggestions of how to do this or ideas on if something like this even exists?

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