Related
I am very unhappy with the latest (1.40) ROM update and this has finally pushed me to this post. I thought I would provide some general thoughts/comments after about 6 months of use. I keep hoping and praying that each ROM release will actually fix some of the devices more serious issues but it never seems to happen. Certain things actually get worse through the updates.
Overall the level of integration and the sheer amount of things our device accomplishes is staggering. However, the reliability and robustness is terrible, about as good as an "alpha" release, but certainly not a production device. You may argue that I should be happy with what I have and I guess I am because I keep carrying my PDA2K. I love not having to carry so many devices but almost always feel like I have the worst of each. My "relationship" with my device is absolutely love/hate.
As background I use my device as a phone, camera, video camera, mp3 player, movie watching, internet, e-mail, gps/navigation, games, Metro subway maps, weather, pdf reading and of course all the std. windows goodies like Excel, Calendar, Contacts, etc. However, the device performs most all of these functions poorly. As a small bit of background I am not a programmer nor hardcore techie but do consider myself a power user and am comfortable with registry editing, ROM upgrading and most features/functions of all of the standard software. I do also install a fair amount of 3rd party applications. I do not see how you can get by without doing this. I use the device for work as a sales professional and also for personal use.
The phone is much less robust and reliable than almost all cell phones I have previously owned, just buggy in general, often not functioning despite a good signal and often will not connect nor hang up properly. The camera is plain terrible, nowhere even close to a decent 1MP camera, good only for a small caller ID photo taken in perfect lighting conditions. Networking in general is almost unusable: Bluetooth during navigation always disconnects when a call comes in, WiFi will almost never start with out a soft reset, and sometimes the same with GPRS. General system stability/robustness: terrible! With a device such as this it should not be possible to have spontaneous hard resets where you loose ALL data. I have them fairly often (without Sprite, I would truly throw my device away). I have also had spontaneous loss of SD card data. MS Voice Command is fantastic, except the first use of every day always requires the name to be repeated twice. The built in e-mail software is really poor, the invisible items that show up in various mail folders which require a complete cleaning out of all mailboxes to fix is beyond annoying. The long 20 second or so delay when opening the Calendar to show days with appointments really causes me delays at the most inopportune times. I suppose I could go on and on but I will wrap up this summary/gripe session
Again, the level of raw capability, variety of useful programs and integration is truly amazing. The speed when operating well is fine. However I am often nearly crippled by hard resets, poor phone, WiFi, GPRS and Bluetooth, usability and robustness and the need for soft resets. I guess this is the price one pays for being on the cutting edge, but again I can not help but feel this device is nowhere close to the reliability and performance any reasonable user would expect. From spending a lot of time on this board and other similar ones I expect to hear some quite similar echoes of my thoughts.
I do eagerly look forward to some similar comments (or different), fixes, general experiences or suggestions from the community.
Well put, some of the issues I have, some not.
Lets have a look at the hardware.
Well the case is metal which is great as it can take some punishment however the Keyboard, well.....
My Keyboard has a life of its own, I have the device in my hand and talk on the phone and it drops down. I pull the device out of my pocket and it comes out first screen then keyboard. I never use the keyboard as me fingers are to big so given a choice I would not have it.
If you hold the screen in one hand and the back plate in the other you can turrn the whole thing a good 3mm as its so loose. You can even lift the screen up away form the Keyboard at the bottom of the device and stick a piece of carboard into as a form of a break to stop it dropping.
Sound of calls is bad, tiny and to low.
Yup its a love/hate relationship and I love to hate the thing.
I too look forwared to a device that has camera which is useful (I still carry around a small 5 meg sony).
The only thing I feel that is realy good about owning a BA is this board, if I had not come here I would still have a german CE and be reseting the bugger every day.
love it
Probably, I am cheap and easily pleased.
I bought my IIs almost the same time with yours. I too have updated my ROM to 1.40 (stockROM 1.4Asia). Only the barest software I need are installed to maintain stability: KBattery, psShutXp, AgileMobile, Skype, VCard, Pcoket TV, GSPlayer, and Avantgo. For games, I only installed Smartfall, Chess, and BF Mines - not much of a gamer. IIs is too expensive for me to destroy its button playing games.
I love it very much except for some performance hiccups like restarting by itself. However, this only happens when I am using skype or agilemobile for sometime. Hard Reset rarely happens. in six months, I only remember it to happen to me once and I could not remember what I did then.
I love it because I could check my email whereever I am either thru WIFI or GPRS. In fact, I use to check my email thru XDAIIs rather than waiting for my PC to start in the morning before leaving the house. With so many "leaking" free WIFI around, no phone should be without.
I f---kng HATE the keyboard. A week after I bought mine it was already broken. Yes, it will open on its own. It was repaired though free of charge by Brightpoint Philippines. Now, I barely open it because constructionwise, it is so flimsy and I know will easily be broken again. Now, I know why they remove the keyboard in the IIi.
Will buy it again. YES, It is so neat and convenient that I could do emailing, IM and chat on the go. Of course, it is a great electronic photo album to show my family pictures to friends with MP3 background playing.
Before this phone, I was using NOKIA 9210 Communicator. It was a great phone during its time. WHAT I WOULD REALLY WANT NOW IS A NOKIA COMMUNICATOR 9500 RUNNING WM Ver.5. DREAMING....
So you guys say that the keyboard is a piece of s**t?
I'm asking because I'm going to buy BA or Nokias 9500. And if the keyboard sucks a** i'm not gonna buy BA, because I need the keyboard because I do lot of work in MSN and in IRC. So the phone must be capable to these specific applications. I know that Nokia 9500 is...
When I was still using my old trusty Nokia 9210, I sent literally hundreds of text messages per day. I love its built in keyboard. It was a breeze typing text in that old phone. I could even schedule sending text messages - what a neat feature.
The tiny keyboard of IIs is hard to use. Even painful to the fingers after long use. Now I sent few text messages because it is very hard to do so with the tiny keyboard (II's rehabilatated me, I am NOT text addict anymore). The tiny soft keyboard using the stylus is just as difficult to use.
If you will do lots of typing, I recommend you buy one of those external keyboards. Although, personally, I hate carrying extras like that. I dont want to look like Inspector Gadget carrrying with me that external keyboard. My Bluetooth suffered same fate. I dont carry it anymore. Too troublesome carrying two gadgets.
I use my IIs mainly as a communicating device (which should be) so the killer applications for me are:
Agile Mobile for IM like ICQ, MSN, AOL and yes YAHOO.
Skype for VOIP (yes, it works for me just dont expect quality calls. It's free who am I to complain)
AgileMobile will run on both Nokia 9500 and IIs BUT the SKYPE will not.
That is the deal breaker for me why I decided to go for the XDA path. Every one and then, I still do glancing look at that Nokia 9500 though.
If you will go for the XDA path and cannot wait anymore, get the IIi. The keyboard really sucks. Hard to use and easy to get loose.
If you go for Nokia path, please lend it to me sometime (hehehehe)
xcalibur said:
The tiny keyboard of IIs is hard to use. Even painful to the fingers after long use. Now I sent few text messages because it is very hard to do so with the tiny keyboard (II's rehabilatated me, I am NOT text addict anymore). The tiny soft keyboard using the stylus is just as difficult to use.
If you will do lots of typing, I recommend you buy one of those external keyboards. Although, personally, I hate carrying extras like that. I dont want to look like Inspector Gadget carrrying with me that external keyboard. My Bluetooth suffered same fate. I dont carry it anymore. Too troublesome carrying two gadgets.
I use my IIs mainly as a communicating device (which should be) so the killer applications for me are:
Agile Mobile for IM like ICQ, MSN, AOL and yes YAHOO.
Skype for VOIP (yes, it works for me just dont expect quality calls. It's free who am I to complain)
AgileMobile will run on both Nokia 9500 and IIs BUT the SKYPE will not.
That is the deal breaker for me why I decided to go for the XDA path. Every one and then, I still do glancing look at that Nokia 9500 though.
If you will go for the XDA path and cannot wait anymore, get the IIi. The keyboard really sucks. Hard to use and easy to get loose.
If you go for Nokia path, please lend it to me sometime (hehehehe)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that's the thing...those are the programs I would also use plus I need an IRC client (Nokia has s2putty which is great), so this is going to be a real hard decision.
It seems in a operating system level, Windows/qtek9090 kicks Symbian80/Nokia9500 ass, because Nokia has a pretty slow processor and Symbian80 is a little bit greedy, but so is windows.
Nokias online time should be better than Qteks so that's important fact (going to use Wlan a lot). Nokia also has much better keyboard if I have read reviews right.
But...Qtek/WM2k3 has a lot more apps if I'm right and it's hardware is better than Nokias.
But the bigges issues are still on the fact that how does the device handle Instant Messaging and IRC environments. In IRC i'm in a few VERY active channels so would like to know how well does the BA handle IRC messaging, viewing etc....
Is the keyboard slider going to loose very easily? I have read that in some models it's big issue? Or is this only problem with branded phones(i mean like T-mo etc)? Qtek 9090 is the only one which they sell here in Finland.
xcalibur, yeah sure i'll borrow you the 9500, if you come to visit Finland someday =)
The above fact is the only thing keeping me away from ordering BA...
I don't want to keep on ranting against IIs.
Yes, the keyboard will easily get loose. We have here two units and it is the same. I talked to the Brightpoint service people, they say almost all IIs they repaired is about the loose keyboard.
And yaiks, I noticed now that my IIs keyboard is misaligned by a millimeter or two. I cant stop looking at it now. I hate it.
Consider also after sales service of XDA there in Finland. These things do break down. I am sure Nokia will have superb service there in Finland as they have already excellent service here in Philippines. In fairness, Brightpoint too has good service here though their location is not so good.
My keyboard experience
I have had no problems with my keyboard. I like it, use it and it has not developed any problem with the keys themselves nor the sliding mechanism. Perhaps you guys talking all about Nokia vs HTC could move that topic to a separate thread?
Keyboard's great! However, other than for impressing your friends this phone is horribly unreliable. Also, windows is not as polished as Symbian. You will find yourself installing so many 3rd party apps (which make an already unstable handset even less stable) just to perform basic phone functions.
In my opinion, XDA IIs is truely an ingenius device. However, Ias much as I hate to agree with most of you, I share the same sentiments of hating/loving it.
I really dislike the part whereby I receive/dial a call and no sound comes out of it. Also when my IIs hang the moment I exit from Bejeweled 2. I dont use a bluetooth headset, so the bluetooth bit doesnt affect me so much. I also detest the so very prominent gap between my keyboard and screen.
However, on the other hand, my IIs had helped me in so much many other ways, so much so its advantages exceeds its disadvantages. Despite the small keyboard, it had been extremely useful, and having compared with the onscreen keyboard and Transcriber, I personally found that it is so much faster and efficient to key text with the keyboard. Despite haing mid-sized fingers, with good practice, keying in text can be so much of a breeze. I especially liked its soft touch and blue iluminous glow.
Also, the calander feature of Microsoft CE is great. With appropriate 3rd party software, and its extremely ease/stability to sync with Outlook, my contacts and appointments are always at my fingertips. Tho the ringer is quite soft, I have no problems with it as I have always been using traditional ringing ringtones, which are much louder than fanciful mp3 music. Besides, I can see that O2 is doing its fair share by providing support thru O2 connect as well as the after sales service. O2 plus beta had been a great software. I had used it to replace phone alarm and pocket plus. I especially liked it phone profile feature and the part whereby my IIs vibrate upon receipt of call response. I no longer have to hold my device against my ears waiting for the other party to pick up the call.
Another comment is that the screen is clear and even using 10% backlight, I can view the screen to great details, even under sunlight conditions. The extra 4 hardware buttons for today, messaging, IE and OK had been great and it had aid me in single-handed operations with my device.
Overall, all I can say is, its been a great device. You choose to hate / like it. Cheers. Just my two cents worth...
I also came to the XDA series from the Nokia Communicators and have always been looking for a communicator with MS OS.
Can't wait for the Universal
a wonderful use of keyboard! + comments abt XDA IIs overall
hi all,
i have a very very good argument in favour of the keyboard on XDA iis and a big -ve for the absence of it in XDA IIi:
i live in india where the roads at times tend to be a bit bumpy. on such roads keying in with a stylus becomes frustrating! (those who have tried it will know). it is on these roads that u appreciate the inbuilt key board the max.
2ndly, by the grace of GOD, till date i have had NO SOUND issues with my XDA IIs.... so no probs about that..
with 1.40 update i have seen that wifi wont connect usually without a soft reset but thats not very bugging! also there is some camera application brightness control bug and thats also ignorable.
But overall i think that XDA IIs is overall a very good buy... better than XDA IIi and Mini.... NOKIA is ****ty in front of this and looks more of a brick!
i suggest you all not to load any 3rd party apps for password lock and dialler except smart dialling included in mini rom. and must haves are pocket plus, pocket informant,pocket music, skype, phonealarm, alarmtoday and 1-calc. dont forget norton anti-virus and sprite backup as the very very very imp. 1st loads.
All the best to XDA lovers... LONG LIVE XDA IIs... Doom to Nokia!
At one point I used to carry an iPAQ 3870, a mobile phone and a collapsible keyboard. With my suit on, some people thought I was a bodyguard due to my swollen breast pockets. I also also had a Navigator 3000 GPS sleeve and the WiFi CF card.
The iPAQ made me love the Pocket PC. However carrying two or more devices was cumbersome.
I then discovered the Blackberry. Look mum, no wires. Over the air synchronization using the GPRS network was great. The keyboard is also excellent. No GPS and a lack of good application was a minus. Furthermore any interesting application would be pricey.
… but I still missed the Pocket PC.
Then came the Blackberry Connect embedded in the Blue Angel. That is the best of both worlds. My dream was to have a Pocket PC with push email and WiFi with an embedded keyboard.
The cherry on the cake came with Skype. I use desktop Skype a lot and I love it. As I am an international self-employed consultant, my cellphone bills amount to at least £300.00 ($550.00) a month. Skype on the BA will save me money but I need to find a good noise cancellation headset. So what if the sound quality is not that good, my customers would expect that from a roaming mobile phone anyway.
As for the camera, at its current resolution it is a gimmick. I would rather have a lighter BA with no camera. My 5.1 Mega Pixel camera will have to stay.
I agree with everyone that says the keyboard has a bad build. The MDA III and the XDA IIs I have seen at the T-Mobile and O2 shops had the keyboard sliding out on its own as soon as I picked up the device. I had already arrived to the conclusion that the keyboard will break down even before reading this thread.
I know that I will miss the stability of the Blackberry software but the advantages I get from the BA far outweigh the disadvantages.
I don’t thing anyone of us on this board will ever find a device that is perfect in every aspect. This is technology.
I will be moving from the Blackberry to the BA XDA IIs this weekend and I am sure that most if not all on this board will encourage me.
i agree with you
hey,
i agree with you fully... no technology can be perfect... but still XDA IIs is the best bet!
just a doubt: how did u manage to get a BA with blackberry connect? any software for that available for asian users too?
Re: i agree with you
studdocs said:
just a doubt: how did u manage to get a BA with blackberry connect? any software for that available for asian users too?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The T-Mobile MDA III supports Blackberry Connects. The XDA IIs should support it soon. I will be using the XDA IIs but I am hopping to use the MDA III software.
hoping 4 the best!
i am just hoping that XDA IIs supports it soon!
the earlier the better!
You have two choices...
1. Purchase an old used XDAII and upgrade it to WM5.0. Very stable and flawless communications and Bluetooth.
2. Wait for the new WM5.0 devices this summer.
(my 2 cents)
I fully agree with the love/ hate, as per others - I to have experianced neumerous resets, lock ups no sound etc. after two weeks I returned it to the shop and swapped my XDAIIs for another one (it was clearly faulty) - loaded it up with exactly the same applications as the previous one and since then I have only experianced the no sound issue twice in the last month, my unit runs on the "stock" O2 firmware loaded in using Corporate mode. I love the flexibility of the device and my ipaq-4700 is now rarley used as the XDA does everything I need of it with the addition of the phone functionality - great idea and concept, but I still feel it is nowhere near the level of maturity that it should be - Mike
Hi guys,
could you guys tell me where can I download for the latest firmware for my O2 XDA IIs that are going around currently? and is it true that updating firmware will results data losts ? thank you
A hard reset will allways result in data loss, but if you back it all up onto the SD card you should be able to return the unit to the same condition - note I say "should" its probably wise to re-install the lot from scratch to gain the true performance, as yet I have not tried the 1.140 ROM but I am tempted - you don't state whice service provider you are with - try their web site for a download to see if you are upto date - my philosopy is that the service provider should provide a functional device, in pratice the HTC unit is a bit hit and miss - but if you load up anything other than official firmware then taking it back and complaining is out of the window - I am on my second handset from O2 and this apears to work OK - at least it does for the demands I make of it, this includes running bespoke "home" created software scripted using Labview and it performs quite well - mike
I really was excited about the Artemis, here's why I am taking it back:
1) I got mine from T-mobile Germany, and they have purposefully crippled the device, and gone on the record to say that they removed the wifi chipset to a) give people a reason to buy the Vario, a higher end model, and b) make customers use the web n' walk feature they sell. In other countries and markets, this phone has wifi, T-mobile actually had to go out of their way to remove this functionality; just to make a buck.
2) Even though on the after-sale website at t-mobile.de, it shows the Artemis being used with an english OS, they do not offer an english ROM; I had to pay 35eur to unlock the CID and put on the UK rom.
3) The camera is the worst camera I have ever seen in any device; even worse than the first generation of black and white webcams. Everything is blurry, and it cannot resolve anything within 4 feet of the device. My old HTC SDA had a far better camera than the trash they put in this. Please dear god someone tell me I am wrong, and I didn't see the 'don't take ****ty pics' button, because this is one of the main reasons I am taking this device back. This is just unforgivable, it makes me wish there was no camera included at all, that would be better than one that takes blurry, sad pictures; ruining any moment you wanted to capture. But hey; I can scale the images down from 1200 to 320 and they look crisp! But I may be wrong, I have only taken about 30 pics in varying conditions.
3a) The buttons on the side rails are way too hard to find or press. They do not stick out at all. You can't just pop out the device for a sec and turn it on to check the time, you have to feel around for the damn button first. Also, the camera is so bad and you have to hold it so still that using the camera button to take a picture is almost useless because you have to press pretty hard and it makes you move the device.
4) The trackball was a great idea, but it just doesn't register sometimes. The click wheel is really loose and lint/dirt gets stuck in it. I want a phone to keep in my pocket, not to keep on some lame leather belt protector. Lots of apps do not support the trackball, and even more the wheel. T-mobile says that you can 'scroll around maps' not in the map software i own. Also, the scroll wheel is imprecise, you almost always overshoot the item you want and have to go back.
5) For a serf star 3 shipset, it takes 1-3 minutes to get a fix sometimes. There is no support for anything you would want to do with a phone+cam+gps device. I haven't been able to find any geocoding apps, or anything that would take advantage of the hardware in this phone.
6) A personal thing, but I hate PPC, I got this because T-mobile DE no longer offers a windows smartphone. I find it so pathetic that you can't do things like enlarge buttons or font size. I want to use my device without the stylus; which is why I got this to begin with. I have having to take out the stylus to click some small. I wish there was a 'smartphone' mode that had profiles, even something ismple like holdinga button to lock the device needs special 3rd party software... or SHOWING THE TIME LARGE ON THE TODAY SCREEN... needs a 3rd party plugin. I finally got my artemis somewhat how i want and it's just this house of cards, this glued together mess of mismatched hardware/rom or 3rd party utilities and tools to do what the damn thing should when you buy it. Why should I have to go into the REGISTRY to add an icon to the launch bar at the bottom? Or to change which direction the screen turns when you go to landscape view? For how much code and time has been dumped into this OS, it is so unconfigurable through a decent UI; almost everything needs to be done in the registry or through 3rd party software. What a complete mess.
Anyway; my two cents, I am going to go through the complete hellish ordeal of taking it back on tuesday, so if I am wrong about some of this stuff, let me know; I would like to keep it, I really want to like it; I just can't.
Hi,
1) No real argument here, it should have had Wifi, but it doesn't. You must have known this before you bought it though. Personally I can count on one hand the amount of times I used Wifi on my JAMin so not a major concern personally.
2) I am lucky to stay in the UK so got an English based OS anyway.
3) The camera is average. So was the camera on my JAMin, personally I woudl never buy a Pocket PC for the camera, my Canon does that job. Overall all Pocket PC cameras are poor compared to other phones.
4) Trackball works fine for me and I think it is a great idea. Yes the scroll wheel is a bit loose and it does overshoot. I am sure this is a design that will improve over time, one of the problems of being an early adopter!! Overall though I find it a great phone to use with these two options.
5) Hmmm, I get my fix from the GPS in usually less than a minute, occaisionally it takes a bit longer but I am never in that much of a hurry. Not sure what it is you are trying to use the GPS for. I personally use it with Tom Tom 6 for road navigation and Memory Map for off road navigation and it works faultlessly in both (certainly much better than my JAMin/BT receiver combo). It also works well with the new Google Maps.
6) Can't argue with you too much about the points here. Personally the only thing I would like is bigger text on my Text Message notifications. I like having the stylus option for writing and have found Mousemode on the MDAC3 works well for all other uses. Sure I still have to resort to the stylus occaisionally (afterall it is how the OS is designed) but it is very rare. I could turn this around on you and say that having so many 3rd party apps is a good thing. There are not many devices this size which offer so much diversity in apps. It is just a pain you have to pay for them!!
It sounds like your use is not suited to the Pocket PC in general. Why not sell the MDAC3 on eBay and use the money to buy a suitable smartphone?
Regards
[flame mode, he asked for it]
Do not buy a smartphone. Buy a nokia 1100 and a nikon D70.
My second phone is a nokia 1100:
battery last 1 week
it can receive and make a call
you either push the red or the green button (no thinking, no choices, just push)
you can get it for free if you buy a toaster
Since you are in germany buy a nice beamer or benz, it has wonderful GPS.
PS: next time you buy something INVESTIGATE what it can and cannot do.
[/flame mode]
PS II: my MDA compact III has WIFI and you know what, I never ever use it, I use my LAPTOP for email and Inet...
PS III: why did I buy a MDA compact III? To get rid of the GPS mouse
(I live in Amsterdam beamer and benz cost a fortune here...)
I was thinking about just taking it back to tmobile, I can do that, I don't know much about Europe, can I get a good smartphone and just pop my sim in it? I was thinking about getting the Nokia n73 (sold by tmobile). It has a great camera, and my friend says it syncs to outlook great; just like a smartphone.
I dont have a car, I wanted the GPS for geocoding photos, and for hiking/biking/walking and stuff (recording gps loaction with photos you take)
Check out these pictures taken by the camera:
http://chrisevans3d.com/temp/IMAGE_026.jpg
http://chrisevans3d.com/temp/IMAGE_027.jpg
This is me holding the cam AS STILL AS POSSIBLE.
Hey Bman; you're talking to a guy who has an Axim x51v, and a toughbook CF-W2, I use portable devices a lot, and I know what I do or do not want in my phone; this wasn't my first PPC device. I knew this didnt have wifi when I got it; though at that time no one knew if it was disabled or the hardware was missing.
It is the company coming out and saying their reasoning for nixing the hardware was to make the Vario seem more useful that turned me off.. It's more a problem I have with t-mobile than the device itself. It not having wifi was not a 'surprise' to me. Also, I had heard phones had altered ppc os enhancements, like a dailer and other apps with larger buttons you could press. (I cannot press the buttons on the dialer very well; maybe i have sausage fingers)
As I said I got this because t-mobile no longer even offers a SmartPhone, and I love them. This looked like it was capable of one handed use, which it is for some things, so I picked it. I have a business contract through my company, and it was ~100eur.
I have a good technical head on my shoulders, the crappiness of the cam really surprised me. I mean look at this:
http://chrisevans3d.com/temp/IMAGE_007.jpg
This photo was taken under an array of 5 very bright halogen point lights in the ceiling above. This image quality is inexcusable. Do you not agree?
Maybe the CCD is broken?
CE
pangloss said:
Hey Bman; you're talking to a guy who has an Axim x51v, and a toughbook CF-W2, I use portable devices a lot, and I know what I do or do not want in my phone; this wasn't my first PPC device. I knew this didnt have wifi when I got it; though at that time no one knew if it was disabled or the hardware was missing.
It is the company coming out and saying their reasoning for nixing the hardware was to make the Vario seem more useful that turned me off.. It's more a problem I have with t-mobile than the device itself. It not having wifi was not a 'surprise' to me. Also, I had heard phones had altered ppc os enhancements, like a dailer and other apps with larger buttons you could press. (I cannot press the buttons on the dialer very well; maybe i have sausage fingers)
As I said I got this because t-mobile no longer even offers a SmartPhone, and I love them. This looked like it was capable of one handed use, which it is for some things, so I picked it. I have a business contract through my company, and it was ~100eur.
I have a good technical head on my shoulders, the crappiness of the cam really surprised me. I mean look at this:
http://chrisevans3d.com/temp/IMAGE_007.jpg
This photo was taken under an array of 5 very bright halogen point lights in the ceiling above. This image quality is inexcusable. Do you not agree?
Maybe the CCD is broken?
CE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think th t-mobile firmware degrades the camera function. there are people that can make good pictures with the artemis. But they don't use t-mobile firmware...
I also use a MDAc3 mine is poor as well.
http://chrisevans3d.com/temp/IMAGE_034.jpg
http://chrisevans3d.com/temp/IMAGE_036.jpg
Here are two more pictures. There is green noise all over any picture I take; can anyone confirm this stuff? Any cMDA3 people have photos to send? If you want you can email them to me and I will post them here (that is my site, my email is there as well)
I have even tried all resolutions, thinking that they might have been scaling in software to get the 2MP res. Nope; all resolutions are terrible.
CE
pangloss said:
http://chrisevans3d.com/temp/IMAGE_034.jpg
http://chrisevans3d.com/temp/IMAGE_036.jpg
Here are two more pictures. There is green noise all over any picture I take; can anyone confirm this stuff? Any cMDA3 people have photos to send? If you want you can email them to me and I will post them here (that is my site, my email is there as well)
I have even tried all resolutions, thinking that they might have been scaling in software to get the 2MP res. Nope; all resolutions are terrible.
CE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=33214&d=1168977457
If you have CID unlocked the handset and changed the ROM good look taking it back. Doing that voids the warranty plus your option to return the handset 'in the original condition'
just got a 2016 toyota camry sE , spec edition with Entune Audio Plus package that includes an upgraded 7-inch touchscreen, satellite radio and HD radio.
is there any way to have google maps app work with this system? toyota says no, but there should be a way as other app function with this android integration system. I am currently using a note 3 on verizon and planning on a nexus 6p
as my next phone. the note 3 pairs well for phone and audio. works well with "approved apps" google maps is not approved.
Can google maps be connected to work with toyota entunes plus?
thanks for any ideas or suggestions. i am not real literate so you may need to dumb down your ansers and tell me the type of person who might be able to help me. i am in miami, fl.
I'm pretty sure the answer is No.
Unless you add/change to an aftermarket headunit like Pionerr 4100NEX that supports Android Auto...
Most other auto OEMs are now or soon(-ish) supporting Android Auto and Apple Carplay, which provide navigation, music, messaging and hands free phone calls.
Toyota seems to be the last major holdout. But since just about every other car company is or will be supporting these Google and Apple "infotainment" systems, I think Toyota will have to as well, eventually...
Beyond this, you could mount a phone or tablet in your car, while being careful not to breach the distracted driving laws in your location.
Unfortunately Toyota continues to keep their head buried deep in the sand and market the Entune "FRUSTRATION" system as a real solution for Infotainment.
They will be following the pack to use Ford Sync sans Android Auto or Apple Auto. their strategy is to keep driver distractions to a minimum and frustration to the maximum.
As a new owner of a 2016 RAV4 Hybrid, (and my last Toyota), I have made numerous calls and sent numerous emails regarding the uselessness of Entune. I can use a Phone hanger on the screen and attach my phone and get much better performance since Entune neglected adding WiFi capabilities to the unit and Cell service thru Blue tooth is required for any "INFOTAINMENT" with the exception of XM, that does not work well either.
I am visiting the lying dealer that sold us the RAV4 this morning they claim they can make some adjustments to Entune to make it more palatable..
IMHO Entune is a lost cause, Voice recognition does not well at all, Navigation requires far to many button pushes and the constant nagging voice and commentary for every turn renders the system more than frustrating. The fact Navigation should be called NaviLost as it seldom find any accurate route to travel.
I could rant on for hours, call Toyota and email your complaints if enough Sucker, I mean buyers complain they may eventually listen.
Thanks for listening..
++++++++++++++++Update++++++++++++++++
The Toyota Dealership could not anything but a full reset, still no change in Voice recognition dysfunction.
I am working directly with Toyota on the issue, I have requested a refund for the cost of the entune system. will update this thread once I have more information.
E-Mail call and bug Toyota to get Entune working. you may get some traction.
I too want to bash the stupid entune system. 2016 RAV4 hybrid limited, love everything about the car except the headunit.
1) they screw up the polarization of the display by 90 deg. When you put on polarized sunglasses, the screen is dimmed out compare to the display between the speedometer.
2) voice recognition is slow and retarded. > Half of the time it guesses wrong.
3) it will freeze on you occasionally and you have to hold the power button to reboot
4) USB support sucks. no playlist support, no search by folder
5) JBL greenedge is lame...bass is not rich even with the subwoofer. My prius with JBL kicks ass in comparsion.
6) And of course they lock you out of destination input while driving...but why can't I search POI via voice while driving? (same as my prius though)
These are just off top of my head, I am sure there are more...
lettcco said:
I too want to bash the stupid entune system. 2016 RAV4 hybrid limited, love everything about the car except the headunit.
1) they screw up the polarization of the display by 90 deg. When you put on polarized sunglasses, the screen is dimmed out compare to the display between the speedometer.
2) voice recognition is slow and retarded. > Half of the time it guesses wrong.
3) it will freeze on you occasionally and you have to hold the power button to reboot
4) USB support sucks. no playlist support, no search by folder
5) JBL greenedge is lame...bass is not rich even with the subwoofer. My prius with JBL kicks ass in comparsion.
6) And of course they lock you out of destination input while driving...but why can't I search POI via voice while driving? (same as my prius though)
These are just off top of my head, I am sure there are more...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have 2015 Prius V- trim 5 and DON't even get me started on the navi/entune system. Everyday I can't imagine they EVER attempting a product test and have this thing ever "pass." All I can say is be grateful... grateful you didn't buy your vehicle a year earlier. The 1st gen of that headunit would randomly turn off at daytime temps above 75F. Toyota put out a TSB and the entire cluster%^&* took 3 months in supplier (Panasonic) delays in fixing. FYI - check your map date... it should be at least a year old. They update them in the fall and for you to get it updated I've hear it costs HUNDREDS of $$ @ the dealer...just to load an SD card.
Miralink would definitely fix your problems so as far as a solution...
I have found 2 wiring options but tried none as of yet.
A company called CRUX makes an adapter to free up the A/V input and allow A/V inputs to be ran while vehicle is in motion (VIM)
The adapter for my vehicle - and likely yours - is part # VIMTY-05 (I'd post direct links but I'm not sure about url rules... it should be easy to find). $100
I've also found a company out of Russia called "car-solution" that supplies a similar product with part # 843116 that should do something similar as well. $45 + shipping (select HK warehouse, not EU)
From there both kits should allow you to connect a 12VDC miracast w/ analog a/v inputs and allow you to connect Apple/android devices via wifi.... these are commonly available on Amazon/ebay for $60-$100 range
Total cost to do it yourself should be less than $200.
Both option will likely void some warranty... just like going aftermarket... and as I mentioned before... I haven't verified it YET. MY frustration is getting to the point I might make this a project this week.
oldman_58 said:
Unfortunately Toyota continues to keep their head buried deep in the sand and market the Entune "FRUSTRATION" system as a real solution for Infotainment.
They will be following the pack to use Ford Sync sans Android Auto or Apple Auto. their strategy is to keep driver distractions to a minimum and frustration to the maximum.
As a new owner of a 2016 RAV4 Hybrid, (and my last Toyota), I have made numerous calls and sent numerous emails regarding the uselessness of Entune. I can use a Phone hanger on the screen and attach my phone and get much better performance since Entune neglected adding WiFi capabilities to the unit and Cell service thru Blue tooth is required for any "INFOTAINMENT" with the exception of XM, that does not work well either.
I am visiting the lying dealer that sold us the RAV4 this morning they claim they can make some adjustments to Entune to make it more palatable..
IMHO Entune is a lost cause, Voice recognition does not well at all, Navigation requires far to many button pushes and the constant nagging voice and commentary for every turn renders the system more than frustrating. The fact Navigation should be called NaviLost as it seldom find any accurate route to travel.
I could rant on for hours, call Toyota and email your complaints if enough Sucker, I mean buyers complain they may eventually listen.
Thanks for listening..
++++++++++++++++Update++++++++++++++++
The Toyota Dealership could not anything but a full reset, still no change in Voice recognition dysfunction.
I am working directly with Toyota on the issue, I have requested a refund for the cost of the entune system. will update this thread once I have more information.
E-Mail call and bug Toyota to get Entune working. you may get some traction.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found this thread trying to solve the same problem for the same car. No solution. Entune and Toyota's navigation and voice system is an abomination. Similar threads on forums for all model that offer the system.
CalypsoDroid said:
Found this thread trying to solve the same problem for the same car. No solution. Entune and Toyota's navigation and voice system is an abomination. Similar threads on forums for all model that offer the system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I pushed back hard and got an 8 year platinum warranty at no cost. I e-mailed everyone I could find at Toyota and finally got national sales to get involved.
The dealer offered to buy back the car at very big loss... At any rate The Toyota engineers indicated the unit is working as designed... When I can get the cash together I will be replacing that abomination of a "Infotainment" system.
This is interesting.
Just got a 2016 Highlander Limited Platinum AWD for the wifey and was thinking about this. OEM i know toyota won't do this. Coming from Jeep forums as i have a 14 JGC there are a few hacks. But someone has to do it. And the hack is part software and there is an adapter you have to connect at the back of the radio. Meaning you have to get behind the Dash. Luckily for the GC getting to the back of the radio is simple as you need to simply remove the trim around the radio and ac vents, unscrew a few screws, unplug a few things and plug in the adapter. The adapter is straight plug and play and enables the text input while driving, provides video for up to two video outputs for cam or anything you want to play on your head unit. I have it and set it up with a push 2 tv so i can mirror my android screen.
Will need to speak to them and see if they can get into the entune system. Its really based on demand though. I'm sure its not cheap to do so.
2018 And nothing has changed.
What a huge bungle on Toyota's part. My 2018 Highlander XLE with the "Premium" Entune is still abysmal. Toyota is giving everyone a good reason to my a Honda.
oldman_58 said:
I pushed back hard and got an 8 year platinum warranty at no cost. I e-mailed everyone I could find at Toyota and finally got national sales to get involved.
The dealer offered to buy back the car at very big loss... At any rate The Toyota engineers indicated the unit is working as designed... When I can get the cash together I will be replacing that abomination of a "Infotainment" system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you give me a call or text me please? similar issue... 614-446-9725
You must move to the UK to send google map directions to a Toyota
bob52r said:
just got a 2016 toyota camry sE , spec edition with Entune Audio Plus package that includes an upgraded 7-inch touchscreen, satellite radio and HD radio.
is there any way to have google maps app work with this system? toyota says no, but there should be a way as other app function with this android integration system. I am currently using a note 3 on verizon and planning on a nexus 6p
as my next phone. the note 3 pairs well for phone and audio. works well with "approved apps" google maps is not approved.
Can google maps be connected to work with toyota entunes plus?
thanks for any ideas or suggestions. i am not real literate so you may need to dumb down your ansers and tell me the type of person who might be able to help me. i am in miami, fl.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Based on a YouTube video (which I'm not allowed to post, because I'm new here) , if you live in the UK, it is possible to send google map directions to a Toyota navigation system. I guess Toyota USA is not smart enough to do this.
Hey I got one of these to do some hacking on - well, I got several of them, because taking one apart is very much a one-way trip.
As posted elsewhere, it's made of:
A 128x32 white OLED ( cdn-shop.adafruit.com/datasheets/UG-2832HSWEG02.pdf )
NRF51822 BLE chip (16K ram version)
Atmel ATmega16U2 (I assume to read the accelerometer at low power, but it also has USB - which appears to not be connected to the USB port unfortunately)
An accelerometer (STM C3H)
Azoteq IQS263 touch sensor (senses swipes and taps)
24C256 EEPROM connected to the Atmel
75mAh Lipo
..and some other stuff like a Lipo charger, vibration motor etc.
Typical cost is $15-$20 on ebay etc.
The cap-touch screen is quite good - detects swipes and taps reliably.
It's very well sealed - completely closed plastic molding. It looks to be fully waterproof to me.
Well... waterproof until I took a hacksaw to it. There's no way to disassemble it other than to (carefully) hacksaw/dremel the case open. Mine is still working fine, albeit in pieces..
I didn't see many photos of the guts online (just a couple) so or anyone else planning to hack on firmware for it, I found very convenient SWD and UART testpoints (under the OLED)...
Was figuring I might be able to find the time to do some alt firmware for it, because I quite like that Nordic chip, and it's a pretty decent waterproof BLE wrist-display with reasonable battery life (~7days people have said) and touch-sensor at a very attractive price.
I'll let you know what else I figure out about the hardware but first some teardown pics;
FULL PICS:
(oh man **** this forum not letting me post URLs... ok whatever, you figure this out..)
imgur.com/a/qTrSN
Samples images attached...
NOTE that test test points "RESET" and "CLK" are regular Cortex M0 SWDIO and SWDCLK, so just bust out the ST-Link/J-Link and have at it. Nice to have UART TX+RX too. Very civilized.
If I have time to get further into it I'll post more hw details on here.
Cheers,
DrTune
Yep J-Link works fine
Nice, works fine connected to a J-Link, can program it with NRFgo Studio, debug with Keil uVision, etc. Cake.
Ok when I have a sec I'll do some custom firmware for this thing, personally I'm going to use it as a user interface for a GPS+radio project for Burning Man - the I5+ should be perfect for the Playa as it's completely sealed, has vibration, decent battery life, nice OLED.
I really like this bracelet as a programmable toy - nice CPU, great price. I doubt I'll ever get around to programming the Atmel in there or using the accelerometer (it's not what I'm after) but as a two-way messaging device it should fit the bill nicely.
Well done my friend! Can't wait to see what you will come out with! Cheers
Do something perfect ? thank you
Sent from my E2333 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Hm just thinking about it there's quite a lot of fun little things you can do with a cheap watch w/touch sensor that vibrates that are a bit awkward to do with a phone... bear in mind I'm super busy (I do this kinda thing for a living) and the BLE range is probably pretty poor, but...
a) Finder for those absurdly cheap ($3 or so) "finder" keyfobs, just display RSSI (signal strength) and it'd be somewhat useful; at least to give you a "warmer/colder" feedback on your distance to the tag.
b) Vibrate when your friend comes into range (or any BLE device that's advertising) and let you send simple emoticon messages (again the range won't be great, but enough for when you're in a bar or whatever), kinda like a really basic emoticon walkie-talkie. This would suck down quite a lot of battery (b/c of scanning for advertising packets) but it's a thought
c) some sort of basic morse-code style tapping messager
d) unlock your front door (use any old BLE device, e.g. a $4 CC2541 BLE-to-serial dongle hooked up to a FET or a relay)
e) assuming I can sort out reading the accelerometer, you've got basically a button/slider (the touchscreen) plus a very rough motion sensor; maybe make it a GATT HCI device like a mouse or keyboard (not sure what the OS support is like for those but it's doable)
f) You could certainly interface it to a Banana Pi (with a CSR BLE dongle) or a C.H.I.P. (which has built-in BLE)...
g) then there's all the stuff you can do with modern android/iOS phones and BLE; caller ID etc etc - much of this is covered by the current IWOWN firmware... Haven't look at it a huge amount but there's sure to be some fun stuff not yet done by the stock fw...
h) Depending what OSes have HID-over-GATT keyboard support, you could tap your watch to enter passwords (fairly insecurely, but hey it's a fun hack)..
i) Trivial to make the thing act as an Apple iBeacon (or any vendor beacon really, it's just a custom advertising packet) - and that would have excellent battery life. You could make it a beacon detector also but the battery life would suck horribly (I guess you could tap the watch to scan and it could buzz when it found an iBeacon and display some txt from it )
j) BLE scanner, probably most useful to have it scan for specific GATT profiles or ad packets or MAC address ranges or whatever; same battery life caveat applies but there might be a fun application.
...there's a lot of simple projects basically, it's quite a nice toy in some limited ways.... well like I say I don't have time to implement a lot of this but if I can stick some code up on Github maybe people will take the ball and run with it...
drtune said:
Hm just thinking about it there's quite a lot of fun little things you can do with a cheap watch w/touch sensor that vibrates that are a bit awkward to do with a phone... bear in mind I'm super busy (I do this kinda thing for a living) and the BLE range is probably pretty poor, but...
a) Finder for those absurdly cheap ($3 or so) "finder" keyfobs, just display RSSI (signal strength) and it'd be somewhat useful; at least to give you a "warmer/colder" feedback on your distance to the tag.
b) Vibrate when your friend comes into range (or any BLE device that's advertising) and let you send simple emoticon messages (again the range won't be great, but enough for when you're in a bar or whatever), kinda like a really basic emoticon walkie-talkie. This would suck down quite a lot of battery (b/c of scanning for advertising packets) but it's a thought
c) some sort of basic morse-code style tapping messager
d) unlock your front door (use any old BLE device, e.g. a $4 CC2541 BLE-to-serial dongle hooked up to a FET or a relay)
e) assuming I can sort out reading the accelerometer, you've got basically a button/slider (the touchscreen) plus a very rough motion sensor; maybe make it a GATT HCI device like a mouse or keyboard (not sure what the OS support is like for those but it's doable)
f) You could certainly interface it to a Banana Pi (with a CSR BLE dongle) or a C.H.I.P. (which has built-in BLE)...
g) then there's all the stuff you can do with modern android/iOS phones and BLE; caller ID etc etc - much of this is covered by the current IWOWN firmware... Haven't look at it a huge amount but there's sure to be some fun stuff not yet done by the stock fw...
...there's a lot of simple projects basically, it's quite a nice toy in some limited ways.... well like I say I don't have time to implement a lot of this but if I can stick some code up on Github maybe people will take the ball and run with it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually i don't think that there will be anyone who doing after you so i ask you to do some of them. Another question the screen has to coler white and blue can we change it i really like white one
Sent from my E2333 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Errrr.. no the OLED is whatever color it is. It's a cheap monochrome OLED. The only way you could change it is to take the device apart and there's no way you can ever put it back together properly again (it's solid molded plastic)
Nice work.
if it's any help.
Softdevice and bootloader i5PLus.
http://www.mediafire.com/download/uc5ugaqrjcg58w3/i5plus_softdevice.hex
http://www.mediafire.com/download/z3oe2544uayec6h/bootloader.hex
thx but the Nordic publicly available stuff is fine. I pulled the firmware etc from mine and reflashed it already. There's nothing difficult or problematic, just a case of finding time to do new fw (and I'm super busy)
There was a distant feature in oldest firmware but they removed many asked to get it back can you do it in your firmware ☺
Sent from my E2333 using XDA-Developers mobile app
by "distant feature" do you mean distance, i.e. it tracked how far you have walked/run? I can see how that would be unreliable, there's just an accelerometer in there and you can't really figure out distance from that. Accelerometers just tell you which way is down (i.e. they measure gravity) plus the acceleration/deceleration as you move it around. So, they're ok for detecting walking, better for running, but not good for figuring out how far you've actually travelled, the best it could really do is just guess from the number of footsteps it detected, which is going to be pretty inaccurate.
In general I'm not planning to do anything with the accelerometer (I doubt I'll have time), I'm thinking about using the I5 for other things like radio messaging and as a phone peripheral.
I don't expect to produce anything that duplicates the current firmware in terms of function, I want to do completely different things. Once I've written some code I'm happy to put it on github (which will have basic stuff like driving the OLED, reading the touch sensor, using the BLE radio etc) and maybe someone else will build some firmware that works as a fitness tracker.
drtune said:
by "distant feature" do you mean distance, i.e. it tracked how far you have walked/run? I can see how that would be unreliable, there's just an accelerometer in there and you can't really figure out distance from that. Accelerometers just tell you which way is down (i.e. they measure gravity) plus the acceleration/deceleration as you move it around. So, they're ok for detecting walking, better for running, but not good for figuring out how far you've actually travelled, the best it could really do is just guess from the number of footsteps it detected, which is going to be pretty inaccurate.
In general I'm not planning to do anything with the accelerometer (I doubt I'll have time), I'm thinking about using the I5 for other things like radio messaging and as a phone peripheral.
I don't expect to produce anything that duplicates the current firmware in terms of function, I want to do completely different things. Once I've written some code I'm happy to put it on github (which will have basic stuff like driving the OLED, reading the touch sensor, using the BLE radio etc) and maybe someone else will build some firmware that works as a fitness tracker.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really it doesn't need any adding or creating for it. Just like calorie and step measure it was measuring km. You just need to get it from old firm and add it to the new one ?
Sent from my E2333 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Right, and without even having seen it I can tell you it won't work very well at all, because (...see above info about accellerometers and distance tracking).
Like I said I'm not planning to support any of this stuff.
If you personally want to "just get it from old firm and add it to new one" go for it!
drtune said:
Right, and without even having seen it I can tell you it won't work very well at all, because (...see above info about accellerometers and distance tracking).
Like I said I'm not planning to support any of this stuff.
If you personally want to "just get it from old firm and add it to new one" go for it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well done bro thank u for your work i hope to see it soon
Sent from my E2333 using XDA-Developers mobile app
@drtune
The reason why we're "clinging" on you is because you seem to be the only one here who can really play with these things at a developer level. With the Chinese manufacturer not caring about the abroad markets (they did not release the v2.x firmware and the "full" v3 Android app outside of China), we're kinda stuck.
I, for one, do not regret spending $16 on this thing at all. v2.0.1.8 firmware - customly flashed thanks to @roninzgz's thread - brings everything I was hoping for (vertical display and the ability to keep the time synchronized even while turned off), albeit with the trade-off of a slightly less responsive touchscreen. For crying out loud, I have Fitbit sporting coworkers that are envious at what this bracelet can do for its price. Their only hope is that mine will eventually break or fry due to poor manufacturing quality.
With all that going for us, getting you aboard would be a bit too much luck. Thank you for all the research and here's to hoping that someone will pick up from what you will share. *raises beer*
Sure, thanks.
I do this stuff for a living (not actually fitness trackers, but embedded systems hardware/software) so I have all the equipment and experience to make this a fun little project ; on the minus side I have quite a backlog of paying work to finish so taking time off that (and my family) to do this feels like I'm playing hooky from school
Anyway, like I say I have a pet project for this wristband in mind - and it doesn't really involve it doing much of what the existing firmware does - but at least I'm mildly committed to it now (ordered another six I5+'s and have one gutted and wired up for debugging here).
For anyone wanting to play with building new firmware you'll basically just need a hacksawed-open I5+ and a $4 ST-Link programmer; it would be interminably boring trying to debug by downloading new code OTA each time you make a change. Obviously once one has something reasonably ready to test it's easy enough to package it so it can be downloaded by other people with the regular Nordic OTA tool.
I can imagine it'd be possible to have an error in the firmware that bricked a device, but you'd put some reasonable safeguards in there wherever possible - really it's just about doing your best to ensure a user can get it back into an OTA-programmable state again.
drtune said:
Sure, thanks.
I do this stuff for a living (not actually fitness trackers, but embedded systems hardware/software) so I have all the equipment and experience to make this a fun little project ; on the minus side I have quite a backlog of paying work to finish so taking time off that (and my family) to do this feels like I'm playing hooky from school
Anyway, like I say I have a pet project for this wristband in mind - and it doesn't really involve it doing much of what the existing firmware does - but at least I'm mildly committed to it now (ordered another six I5+'s and have one gutted and wired up for debugging here).
For anyone wanting to play with building new firmware you'll basically just need a hacksawed-open I5+ and a $4 ST-Link programmer; it would be interminably boring trying to debug by downloading new code OTA each time you make a change. Obviously once one has something reasonably ready to test it's easy enough to package it so it can be downloaded by other people with the regular Nordic OTA tool.
I can imagine it'd be possible to have an error in the firmware that bricked a device, but you'd put some reasonable safeguards in there wherever possible - really it's just about doing your best to ensure a user can get it back into an OTA-programmable state again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Drtune did you done anything ?
Sent from my E2333 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Not yet have a ton of work on right now and will be busy for a while on that - just very short of time right now.
Honestly don't expect anything useful to you as a consumer any time soon; when I get some code done (which will be for my project and not directly useful to an end-user) I'll post on here and github.
Hi,
Does anyone know if it's possible to customize this device and turn it into a ibeacon?
I'm looking for a wristband that is able to switch between On/Off which enable the device to broadcast iBeacon signal.
I'm looking for somebody who can help me with it, i'm willing to pay a small fee for his expertise
(I'd like to learn how to code a firmware of this device too)
Thanks
What am i trying to do?
I hope to develop a solution where i will like to enable Teens to have a SOS button on their wristband. It would then be able to code a android/iphone app that would listen for such signal, if the ibeacon signal is on their range, it will alert the mobile user that there's a surround person is facing danger.
Current wristband that i found would require user to pair it with a phone, i'm looking at broadcasting feature instead.
If any developer is able to do this for me, please PM me i'd pay a fee for your expertise.
Yes the I5 (or, even cheaper, a TW64 watch) can do simple iBeacon (or similar) advertising, it's not difficult..
However you are making two very common mistakes; scanning for BLE devices uses as lot of power so no mobile OSes will let you do it all the time (for good reason). Everyone overlooks this and it's a huge issue.
Secondly the range of BLE is very limited.
I am not interested in doing this for you (I don't work for small fees) but it's not a difficult task for someone who knows what they're doing.
Hello early adopters!
Ok, my Gemini is in my hands now, and I have a day's worth of dinking around Android on it. Eventually I want to either make it a pleasant dual-booting PDA, or leave the Android stuff to live on my phone.
I have some questions to start off:
Q1: For dual booting linux/Android, how is the storage partitioned, and is there a shared partition where I can put my files? I have text files, pictures, spreadsheets etc that I have kept under my own control all these years. These contain passwords, lists of contacts, accounting info, bookmarks, journals, etc that I have never entrusted to the 'cloud' or someone else's walled garden..
Q2: Honoring the P in PDA, is something like 'FreedomBox' for debian feasible? Perhaps this q is better asked elsewhere. Someone tell Eben Moglen about the Gemini.
Q3oes the linux side of a Gemini have access to the Android file system? Lets say I wanted to share a bookmark to Android directly, without external services like Google or email.
Q3:What is the plan for the phone services in a dual-boot setup? I assume for now the phone wants to run in Android, but it could be independent of either OS, or depend on a particular linux flavor. I had planned on a wifi-only Gemini, but apparently thought better of that and ordered a 4G one. I have not decided whether to buy a sim for it, or wait and transfer from my existing fone, or get a dumbfone now that I have a Gemini.
drakester said:
Hello early adopters!
Ok, my Gemini is in my hands now, and I have a day's worth of dinking around Android on it. Eventually I want to either make it a pleasant dual-booting PDA, or leave the Android stuff to live on my phone.
I have some questions to start off:
Q1: For dual booting linux/Android, how is the storage partitioned, and is there a shared partition where I can put my files? I have text files, pictures, spreadsheets etc that I have kept under my own control all these years. These contain passwords, lists of contacts, accounting info, bookmarks, journals, etc that I have never entrusted to the 'cloud' or someone else's walled garden..
Q2: Honoring the P in PDA, is something like 'FreedomBox' for debian feasible? Perhaps this q is better asked elsewhere. Someone tell Eben Moglen about the Gemini.
Q3oes the linux side of a Gemini have access to the Android file system? Lets say I wanted to share a bookmark to Android directly, without external services like Google or email.
Q3:What is the plan for the phone services in a dual-boot setup? I assume for now the phone wants to run in Android, but it could be independent of either OS, or depend on a particular linux flavor. I had planned on a wifi-only Gemini, but apparently thought better of that and ordered a 4G one. I have not decided whether to buy a sim for it, or wait and transfer from my existing fone, or get a dumbfone now that I have a Gemini.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android telephony is shared with Linux. See this video
jah said:
Android telephony is shared with Linux. See this video
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, that helped. Interesting thought they presented re the possibility of downloading a phone number.
Also, finally a nice piece of hardware with opensource bootloader and kernal, that can boot off usb.. Should be fun.
it´s possible with the 4g version to use the gemini as a mobile phone? calls and sms work with sim card inserted?
Yes. I use a Plantronics BT headset but you can use the speaker and mic built into the top/bottom of the device.
so this is also a mobile phone, i don´t understand why they don´t explore this as a mobile phone with dual boot linux capability, because "pda" didn´t manage to survive especially because of old hardware and didn´t have gsm capability
this is indeed great device, little expensive, but i understand the price, if this have a external small lcd with touch ability + a decent camera, i will defenitly buy this, i will manage to survive without external lcd, but camera this days is fundamental, it can be not so good as the google pixel camera, but at least ok
this can be a mobile phone + personal small computer, you will don´t need tablet or netbook anymore
this is the future by the way, love to see gadgets like this or the gpd pocket
The Gemini is very much an Android touchscreen smartphone with a QWERTY keyboard.
They probably call it a PDA because smartphone keyboards tends to be rather lacking, making people think of BlackBerry or the Nokia E-series, while the very reason the Gemini exists, is to offer a keyboard on which you can actually type a few pages per day in relative comfort. The keyboard design is very much a replica of the Psion Series 5mx keyboard, which in its day was considered to be pretty much the best keyboard on a device you could (kind of) fit in a shirt pocket. While the Gemini is a lot sleeker, the keyboard is the same size. The Psion keys had significantly more resistance. Personally the "lighter" keys of the Gemini suits me better, but that's just my opinon.
There is no external screen, but there is a set of five RGB LEDs that supposedly can be made to flash for various events, once the software for that becomes available. The built in camera is a fixed focus, user facing 5MP video telephony camera. There is a slot behind the lid cover, where an add-on 5MP rear-facing camera can be installed, when available. Since it hasn't shipped yet, I can't comment on its quality, but given the size of the slot, I wouldn't hope for much. As photography seems to be an important part of smartphones these days, that's maybe another reason they call it a PDA.