How subtle is operator branding in WP7 handsets?
I cant see any evidence that my handset (HTC Titan) is a branded handset, but I wondered if there was a way to tell for sure that it isnt.
Sorry for the daft question, I expect the answer will be that a branded device would be obvious, and that means mine wont be. FWIW, I bought it from an on-line phone shop rather than o2 directly.
fivecheebs said:
How subtle is operator branding in WP7 handsets?
I cant see any evidence that my handset (HTC Titan) is a branded handset, but I wondered if there was a way to tell for sure that it isnt.
Sorry for the daft question, I expect the answer will be that a branded device would be obvious, and that means mine wont be. FWIW, I bought it from an on-line phone shop rather than o2 directly.
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Carrier branding would be the logo somewhere on the face of the phone, a splash screen when booting and maybe a few apps preinstalled.
Thanks, that's what I figured. Mine must be unbranded then
mine's direct from Vodafone and apart from their logo upon bootup and the red theme there is no other branding.
Thanks for that, I don't have an o2 splash screen on startup, and the theme was set to HTC green. I guess its an unbranded one..
Related
Ok, so I know the obvious differences in that the O2 & T-mobile require you to sign up to contract and dump a load of their own branded software on the phone, but is that all there is when it comes down to it?
I used the Vario 2 for ages but jacked it in a few months back because I got fed up with it's clunkiness. Only now I need something to take it's place. Obviously I'm posting here so I'm looking at the HTC P3300 (or a contract one). Problem is I've still got 4-months left on my curent contract so I have to buy off-contract so to speak.
So back to the original question, given the HTC P3300 is roughly £100 more to buy compared to T-mobile / O2 realeases (roughly £200 on Eay) which is the better option? Frankly, I'm tempted to stump up the extra because I thought the Vario 2 I had previously was pretty dam slow with all the T-mobile stuff on it but then I'm as well versed in the ins and outs as some of you guys are so what do ya think?
T-Mobile has no WLAN.
And at least for HTC there are two packages, one with TomTom + Maps for Western Europe, car holder & charger and one without.
I believe O2 Germany had the big package, but I'm not sure.
Valen
Valen42 said:
T-Mobile has no WLAN.
And at least for HTC there are two packages, one with TomTom + Maps for Western Europe, car holder & charger and one without.
I believe O2 Germany had the big package, but I'm not sure.
Valen
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No wifi? I hadn't realised that! Seems a bit like a no brainer then
Actually, come to think of it, I am correct in my understanding that I can just plug my T-Mobile sim into this and as long as I configure appropiately I should be able to get it to work?
if you use a non-simlocked device this is correct.
There is the question of styling, which is of course personal. However, I think the Orbit is much prettier which is why I got one. Everyone to their own, tho'
jftilbury said:
There is the question of styling, which is of course personal. However, I think the Orbit is much prettier which is why I got one. Everyone to their own, tho'
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Yes, this is true and I agree but then I think I'd feel a bit of a twit using the O2 model on a T-mobile contract
O2UK ones are unlocked.
You could buy it from eBay or get it on contract from O2, CID unlock it (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=308242) and then flash any ROM you wanted from the collection on this site or elsewhere.
I'm thinking about selling my current phone and getting a Voda TP2 through my gf's contract, but I am on Orange.
Is it possible to sim unlock a Voda TP2?
ordered one today from MPD on vodaphone, the phone comes un branded and not locked to any network
Same here, best way to go if you don't have to upgrade.
Same here got my orange sim card in temporary until my PAC code comes through. anyone Know how long it normally takes orange to send out.
I had TyTN and TyTNII from Vodafone.
Great place to buy as they never give you grief over returns.
Neither of my devices from them came locked. I don't think they ever lock HTC devices.
Paul.
Hi all,
Got a TP2 from Vodafone UK this week. Realy liking the device so far, infact it's probably the first WM phone I have used in ages that I have not splattered with apps just to make it usefull!
My main gripe with Vodafone so far is that the colour scheam they have shosen for the TouchFlow is 'Vodafone Red' with black so the message count bubbles are totaly unreadable!
Anyway, one strange this with this device is that I seem to have lost the ability to use HTMP email format and also the ability to flag messages etc... I have been told that this is a Vodafone 'thing' so that you want to use their email services... So does anyone know how to turn this back on ???
Thanks
Sci Fi
I have a few questions if you don't mind:
Is the actual phone Vodafone branded in any way, or is it just the software?
Also, did you get it from a Vodafone shop, or was it delivered to your home?
I'm interested in getting one from Voda soon, what deal did you get it on, and did you have to pay much for the handset?
Cheers - hope you're enjoying the phone ;-)
DavidMc0 said:
I have a few questions if you don't mind:
Is the actual phone Vodafone branded in any way, or is it just the software?
Also, did you get it from a Vodafone shop, or was it delivered to your home?
I'm interested in getting one from Voda soon, what deal did you get it on, and did you have to pay much for the handset?
Cheers - hope you're enjoying the phone ;-)
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No, it's HTC branded just voda build of the firmware....for now
Got it delivered direct from Voda, Most of the high street shops will not stock them because of their value
No idea on deals because it is on my company package so it works totaly differently
Hope this helps.
SciFi
Mine should have been delivered from Vodafone today, but it has been delayed until tomorrow.
I got it from the Vodafone business site and it is available for free on any tariff from £30pm (+VAT) I'm getting 500 mobile minutes, 250 texts, unlimited internet and unlimited landline calls - or I will be when it turns up!! It is shown as coming soon on the site but if you eing up they have them in stock
Someone on Beasty's "A Dream just walked in" thread got theirs yesterday and it has a Vodafone theme and a little Vodafone sign on it apparently. I will let you know what mine is like when I get it
Seems very tempting, I may leave T-mob for this!
Do you know what the Vodafone business support is like if the phone goes faulty? I know with T-mob I got next day swap-out, and wonder if Vodafone offer this too?
Also, do you know if it's supplied unlocked?
DavidMc0 said:
I have a few questions if you don't mind:
Is the actual phone Vodafone branded in any way, or is it just the software?
Also, did you get it from a Vodafone shop, or was it delivered to your home?
I'm interested in getting one from Voda soon, what deal did you get it on, and did you have to pay much for the handset?
Cheers - hope you're enjoying the phone ;-)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got mine from Vodafone yesterday and it is dual-branded. HTC at top of screen and Vodafone at the bottom. I agree on the colour scheme as I changed my Pro to black, but the calendar is different on the Pro 2 and I can't seem to find a suitable alternative - any suggestions appreciated.
BTW, my initial impressions are that this phone is a BIG improvement on the Pro and well worth the upgrade.
Anyone have the new Arc on Orange?
Is it Orange branded? How much Orange software/games demos have they loaded it with and can you remove them?
Thanks in advance!
dude orange cripple their fones with the crap they stick on them which you cannot remove unless you root, im leaving them this month to get the arc on a diff carrier, but if you want to stay with orange my best advice would be to upgrade or get it via carphonewarehouse, phones4u or mobiles.co.uk, that way the handset comes unlocked and has no bloatware from manufacturers and will have firmware as its ment to be therefore will get updates far quicker
or reflash to the decrypted ROM in the development section
TheAptPupil said:
or reflash to the decrypted ROM in the development section
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except of course you can't flash to the decrypted ROM cos the phones not rooted yet!..
StickyGeko said:
dude orange cripple their fones with the crap they stick on them which you cannot remove unless you root, im leaving them this month to get the arc on a diff carrier, but if you want to stay with orange my best advice would be to upgrade or get it via carphonewarehouse, phones4u or mobiles.co.uk, that way the handset comes unlocked and has no bloatware from manufacturers and will have firmware as its ment to be therefore will get updates far quicker
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Click to collapse
+1 on that.. always better to go unbranded - you will get more updates and quicker too..
well I had no problems reflashing my ROM on my Xperia X10 and I never rooted it. You just need to use the flash tool that is also in the Development section
TheAptPupil said:
well I had no problems reflashing my ROM on my Xperia X10 and I never rooted it. You just need to use the flash tool that is also in the Development section
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Click to collapse
SE have stated simlocked arcs will have locked boot loaders whereas sim free ala cpw p4u and mobiles.co.uk ones will all have unlocked or unlockable bootloaders which opens up the phone for further advancement with the devs
Thanks all for the comments.
I need to order via Orange - I have a couple of contracts with them and am due for upgrade. None of the retailers can get close to what they have offered me.
I currently have an Orange branded Desire - hence my original question.
I dont really want to flash it (yet) - so back to my original question;
Does anyone actually have an Orange branded Arc and what have they loaded on to it?
discos7u said:
Thanks all for the comments.
I need to order via Orange - I have a couple of contracts with them and am due for upgrade. None of the retailers can get close to what they have offered me.
I currently have an Orange branded Desire - hence my original question.
I dont really want to flash it (yet) - so back to my original question;
Does anyone actually have an Orange branded Arc and what have they loaded on to it?
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Click to collapse
bit too early for people who buy direct from orange, the reason is that they havent released it yet... officially, i think its only available for upgrades right now
Orange stores were selling them from last Friday.
OK - well I'll have my Orange supplied Arc with me tomorrow.
So I'll report back and share the love (info) !
I'm waiting for one as well
the guy on the phone told me it should not be sim locked and branding is questionable, since Gingerbread is new, there's possibility it's not yet branded - only the startup logo..
let's see if it's truth
hnupek said:
I'm waiting for one as well
the guy on the phone told me it should not be sim locked and branding is questionable, since Gingerbread is new, there's possibility it's not yet branded - only the startup logo..
let's see if it's truth
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Click to collapse
No way in he(( it's not branded. If you get it through the carrier, it's definitely got the branding!
I should have it today, will keep you posted
if it's branded, I will return it - I didn't mess with flashing yet, don't want to crash my phone ?
ok, finally got mine from Orange (Slovakia)
and the guy was right !!
no logo on chassis
no startup Orange screen
no Orange custom icons
no Orange menu
NOTHING !! It was worth, I saved 300€
Update:
Branded as expected...
-Boot screen
-Orange App Shop
-Orange Backup
-Orange Games
-Homescreen selector (choose between Orange and SE)
-Orange Maps
-Orange Plus
-Orange TV
-Orange Wednesday
-Orange Photo Upload
-Your Orange
Also has some games demos, but I suspect they might have been put on by SE - I was able to uninstall them.
In the (Orange branded) box:
-Arc (with Orange logo on rear) & battery
-USB cable/mains charger
-2 x screen protectors (1 fitted to the screen, 1 spare)
-8GB card (was already installed in the phone)
-Earphones
-HDMI cable
I presume this is SIM locked too... but what's the quickest/easiest way of telling?
(I only have Orange SIM cards in my household!)
FYI - This is Orange UK
wow... so I guess I got lucky - I heard they are going to brand Orange SK as well, but it takes time since Gingerbread's new (Froyo is branded here)
discos7u said:
I presume this is SIM locked too... but what's the quickest/easiest way of telling?
(I only have Orange SIM cards in my household!)
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Find a mate that's on a different network and borrow their SIM?
@discos7u,
I'm interested to hear how the Orange-branded version seems to work. What have they nobbled?
Presumably there's no (wifi) tethering available (which I understand the unbranded versions have got)?
[I can probably then justify to myself that it's worth shelling out the extra cash for an unbranded version!]
Cheers!
mwardm
I upgraded my Orange contract from CPW last week, free phone on £30 pm contract. Ordered the phone last Thursday, delivered at home Friday. CPW are the only ones stocking the silver one which I think looks much better than the black/blue one.
Sent from my Xperia Arc using the XDA App
Im getting mines directly from o2-UK and im wondering if it will be branded physically on the phone or will it just be things like the splash screen?
If you get a branded version then it will only be firmware. You don't get a network logo on any of the UK One X's.
If it is branded then you'll have to wait for O2 to approve firmware before it'll be pushed out to you as an update.
Ah ok cool.. Ordered my phone on Wednesday and the wait is killing me
I want to play with it!!!!