[Q] Suggestions for used WiFi-only smartphone... - Upgrading, Modifying and Unlocking

Hi there,
A friend of mine is low on funds and I'm suggesting he find a used android smartphone that he can make and receive calls in the US via WiFi (with no wireless carrier service).
What's a good choice that will definitely have an unlocked or unlockable bootloader? I would like to set him up with something that runs CM12 nicely - he'll be using Google Hangouts for phone calls and VOIP video conferences, maybe Skype for video calls now & then too. I don't care which carrier since it won't be activated.
My own experience with Verizon has me gun-shy about anything that's gotten a firmware update that firmly locks down the bootloader.
Thanks,
-- brian

Related

[Canada] Dell voice - free VoIP with Canadian number

Have you guys used Dell Voice? Being a Canadian, Google voices limitations have left a lot to be desired, but I came across the app Dell Voice and have been using it for several days with much success. The best part... You get a free Canadian number . This alone puts it ahead of Skype.
I'm not getting voicemail notifications through it, however, but I think that's just a bug they need to fix. Audio on wifi is top notch. Haven't tried it on my regular data plan.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.fongo.dellvoice
I've noticed a lot of negative reviews, and not experiencing the problems being reported. Battery use via wake locks is less than 0.5% according to betterbatterystats .
Share your feedback
wait so lemme get this straight, this app allows you call long distance for free???
collindubya said:
wait so lemme get this straight, this app allows you call long distance for free???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In Canada for free. Worldwide on paid credits... Never tried worldwide calling.
I've used this companies service before - for years, but they never had a mobile service... It use to be through PC software.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
i see to the free calling cities, thats awesome tho, i call home to victoria from vancouver all the time.. this is wicked!
Yes I signed up for the service as well and am happy with the call quality and options. With the number option you can forward your calls to the number of dellvoice and get service without changing your number, where its difficult to get signals. would recommend this.
Just installed and tested a couple long distance calls.... Good call quality! A keeper for sure
Dell Voice kicks ass. I am going to call my provider (rogers) and drop my voice to the lowest plan the have 40min for $13 and cancel caller id and keep my 6 gig of data. Then I can use this for all of my calling. No more long distance calls and the best part is the call quality is actually good. better then I ever got through Skype. And receiving calls to your own assigned number. Only thing it is missing is SMS which they claim is in the workings and will be added in the future.
I heard about it earlier but installed today
Its working great but I am using Wifi connection at the moment
will test with 3G mobile network..
good stuff, thank you
with 6gb plan + call forwarding i can reduce my voice plan
Has anyone got this working with their bluetooth headset? It's not working at all with the blueant z9.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
apk please??
Hey guys, got my account set up, but can someone please upload the apk?
does the voicemail work for other? on the website I get an error message whenever I got to the voicemall tab
this is awesome, thank you OP for letting us know!
Works nicely and quality is nice
Im with Virgin mobile, tried calling 3 numbers, all worked, 1 didnt, for some reason, not sure why, all local numbers. Still, love it!
I'm loving the Dell VOIP service. Since I cancelled Call Display & Voice Mail with Rogers, I now forward incoming calls to my rogers# to the Dell#, free call display and voice mail. It amazes me that Rogers gets away with charging $10+/m for it.
apk please. shows incompatible with my device on android market.
Pretty cool service considering Google Voice is technically not available to Canadians.
Anyone knows more about their future plans? Bait and switch from free to paid services? Turn off service if not well received within the next few months? etc.
I like the Dell voice.....
APK Please
Yes, This is a great App. I used it for years on computer.
Can anyone upload the Apk?
Thanks a lot.

International HOX on AT&T

Hi all,
I've got a few quick questions that I was not able to find the direct answer to in other threads.
1) I'm using an unlocked international HOX on AT&T. I'm on firmware version 1.5 and am unable to get the phone to update. Do I have to do something out of the norm for the phone to see an update?
2) I saw the answer the other thread about Google Wallet being disabled in the States. Is there an APK or something I can load that will allow google wallet to work?
I'm coming from an Iphone 4S and this phone rocks!
Thanks for the help guys!
brashebb said:
Hi all,
I've got a few quick questions that I was not able to find the direct answer to in other threads.
1) I'm using an unlocked international HOX on AT&T. I'm on firmware version 1.5 and am unable to get the phone to update. Do I have to do something out of the norm for the phone to see an update?
2) I saw the answer the other thread about Google Wallet being disabled in the States. Is there an APK or something I can load that will allow google wallet to work?
I'm coming from an Iphone 4S and this phone rocks!
Thanks for the help guys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. No, updates are pushed out in batches so your batch must not have received it yet.
2. If you have Google Wallet it will work just fine, it does on the Nexus.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
joshnichols189 said:
1. No, updates are pushed out in batches so your batch must not have received it yet.
2. If you have Google Wallet it will work just fine, it does on the Nexus.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As stated in the other threads, I'm able to download Google Wallet but it says that it is not available in my region (SE United States). I'm wondering why the Nexus and other phones are able to use Wallet on AT&T but the international/unlocked version of the One X isen't.. Strange..
In regards to the update, has anyone in the US been able to upgrade past 1.5?
Thanks all!
brashebb said:
As stated in the other threads, I'm able to download Google Wallet but it says that it is not available in my region (SE United States). I'm wondering why the Nexus and other phones are able to use Wallet on AT&T but the international/unlocked version of the One X isen't.. Strange..
In regards to the update, has anyone in the US been able to upgrade past 1.5?
Thanks all!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same thing with me and Google Wallet.
It says not available or certified in my country. (USA)
Anyone got it working in the US?
brashebb said:
I'm on firmware version 1.5 and am unable to get the phone to update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The shipping version was 1.26 and the current version is 1.28. The earliest version is 1.20. Are you sure you're on 1.5?
http://www.filefactory.com/f/7cc7b2fbdd03c031/
Is there an APK or something I can load that will allow google wallet to work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Do a Google search as that's how people got it working on the VZW GN early on. A word of caution. Using the hack leaves all of your GW data open to any apps you have running on your phone. I want GW but, IMHO, it's not worth the risk.
just tried to download. installs, but won't open - not yet certified on device/carrier. i'm on at&t prepaid. wonder if anything will change once at&t lte is widely sold? not a biggie for me personally, but something to think about when it comes down to deciding on which version of the one x to purchase.
1earful said:
just tried to download. installs, but won't open - not yet certified on device/carrier. i'm on at&t prepaid. wonder if anything will change once at&t lte is widely sold? not a biggie for me personally, but something to think about when it comes down to deciding on which version of the one x to purchase.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really, how are you speeds on At&T prepaid?
Are you on the $50 unlimited dumbphone plan?
Can you send and receive MMS?
Thank you.
methodz said:
Really, how are you speeds on At&T prepaid?
Are you on the $50 unlimited dumbphone plan?
Can you send and receive MMS?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i am too much of a noob at this to have truly useful info. i'm in hawaii. i bought a micro-sim off amazon and signed up for the minimal $2/day when used unlimited talk/text plan plus a small data package, because i don't talk/text very much and i'm usually at home, where i have my own wi-fi set up. so having at&t is a fallback for when i'm out and about. that being said, phone calls are clear. checking email and, for example, pulse news service via at&t has been excellent. the one x is notably faster than my acer tablet. haven't tried mms, but i think it should work pretty well; email with a downloaded file that had been pdf'd whizzed through to my laptop, as did a screen cut of photos using dolphin, though that was off home wi-fi. don't see why at&t wouldn't work as well. what i'm waiting for now is to find out if i can get a good bluetooth headset to work (voice commands and all). if so, i may move to another plan so i can use the phone more extensively and downgrade my landline service to the absolute minimum.
All right. Sent a couple of photos via mms from my net10 phone to the one x w/ home wi-fi off. Net10 is running off Sprint in Hawaii. No problemo. Everything came through fine - and quickly.
Looks to me like the big issue for some of the non-techies like me who aren't about to fumble with rooting might be accessing U.S. only apps. Hoping that won't apply to bluetooth headset usability too.
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA
BarryH_GEG said:
The shipping version was 1.26 and the current version is 1.28. The earliest version is 1.20. Are you sure you're on 1.5?
http://www.filefactory.com/f/7cc7b2fbdd03c031/
Yes. Do a Google search as that's how people got it working on the VZW GN early on. A word of caution. Using the hack leaves all of your GW data open to any apps you have running on your phone. I want GW but, IMHO, it's not worth the risk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the heads up. I got my One X directly from a contact at HTC and it has been in a closet for a while I think... I have firmware 1.15.401.1. Should I include a screenshot or am I on some beta ish? It still won't let me manually update.
brashebb said:
Thanks for the heads up. I got my One X directly from a contact at HTC and it has been in a closet for a while I think... I have firmware 1.15.401.1. Should I include a screenshot or am I on some beta ish? It still won't let me manually update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kinda makes me wonder what bootloader you have on your device.
Bxsteez said:
Kinda makes me wonder what bootloader you have on your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me know how to find out and I'll let you know. My build number is also 1.15.XXX.
methodz said:
Really, how are you speeds on At&T prepaid?
Are you on the $50 unlimited dumbphone plan?
Can you send and receive MMS?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an international GSII on the $50 unlimited Go Phone plan.. yes I can send/receive MMS. I plan on cutting my sim down for my One X when I get it
joshnichols189 said:
I have an international GSII on the $50 unlimited Go Phone plan.. yes I can send/receive MMS. I plan on cutting my sim down for my One X when I get it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uhh..I want that too . Any way to do it w/o losing your number?
brashebb said:
Uhh..I want that too . Any way to do it w/o losing your number?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know, I was on T-Mobile prepaid but switched to Go Phone for the sgsii/hox but I know for T-Mobile you couldn't pick your number for prepaid.. I would assume the same for Go phone
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
i updated the other thread re non-availability of certain apps on non-us htc one x, but for those on at&t like me with unrooted phones, i will add the info here as well. i managed to download google voice on my one x (at&t prepaid) by using dolphin hd browser to google search "google voice." when the results page came up, i clicked the link that took me to the play store and downloaded. the app opened and seems to be working fine. i was unable to download it by going to the play store directly, so the browser may add some kind of filter which makes this possible?
i can't be totally sure that all google voice options will work, because i chose to install the "lite" version - i only wanted my voicemail kicked back to my phone to avoid having to use the phone to check voicemail. (i'm on the $2/day unlimited text/talk plan and if i have to use the phone only to check a random voicemail, i'm throwing my money away.) called my one x from my landline phone and a still-in-use net10 phone and left messages. seems to work. i used my gmail account as the voicemail recipient. no google phone number.
additional info for anyone planning to use a sophisticated bluetooth headset like blueant q2. i purchased one that was at&t branded. does not function completely. the most critical features - voice commands, voice dialing - are not supported in ics, so while the blueant will pair and one could presumably answer an incoming call, the other key features are unavailable. this appears to be a function of ics and not of at&t, though i assume at&t could tweak its own branded htc one x's to overcome that? i have a jawbone era coming in maybe next week and plan to purchase one of the apps available in the play store to test both headsets at the same time. the app's developer told me he has been trying to get his app to work smoothly with ics. it already handles the blueant in other versions of android.
1earful said:
i managed to download google voice on my one x (at&t prepaid)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It must be unique to pre-paid accounts. It showed up in the market for me (post paid) and installed without issue.
additional info for anyone planning to use a sophisticated bluetooth headset like blueant q2. i purchased one that was at&t branded. does not function completely. the most critical features - voice commands, voice dialing - are not supported in ics.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using a Q2 also. The problem isn't ICS; it's HTC. They left "voice dialer" out of thier ROM. I found APK's from other ICS devices but they don't work. Either a dev has to create one or HTC has to include one for native voice dialing to work. In the meantime I'm using Vlingo. When you use the "in car" mode the phone listens for commands over BT after you say "hey, Vlingo." You can also dictate texts and have incoming texts read back. When you activate it on the Q2 by saying "phone command," it starts up and is listening even though the Q2 says "feature not available." It's not too battery friendly though. Not perfect, but workable.
thanks for the info. is your phone rooted?
everything i found on the net elsewhere says it's android that is the problem re voice dialing - that development was dropped even before ics. does vlingo support announcing incoming caller id on the q2? and follow through on the answer/ignore response? (really, for someone who doesn't use the call function much, i am being very picky. but sophisticated means it should do all things well.)
1earful said:
thanks for the info. is your phone rooted?
everything i found on the net elsewhere says it's android that is the problem re voice dialing - that development was dropped even before ics. does vlingo support announcing incoming caller id on the q2? and follow through on the answer/ignore response? (really, for someone who doesn't use the call function much, i am being very picky. but sophisticated means it should do all things well.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm stock. Vlingo lite is free in the Market so play around with it.
mine will hopefully be here Fri, Mon, or Tue. i didn't think to try to get on a free phone's plan, so i'm getting robbed every month paying $70 (7% student discount wow thanks) for 2 GB, 450 mins (over 400 of which i don't use), and zero text. as soon as i can, i'm switching to Red Pocket. i also thought there was some way ATT was catching people with smartphones on gophone cards and turning their data off or something, to force them to come in and get the 4G sim and pay more. if not, good deal. i stay on wifi, but if i'm out and need data and it's too slow, then i won't be happy.

[Q] Where is the LTE version?

I was searching the 32GB + WiFi + LTE on BestBuy and Amazon but I haven't found nothing. Why?
When it will become available?
rampo said:
I was searching the 32GB + WiFi + LTE on BestBuy and Amazon but I haven't found nothing. Why?
When it will become available?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably because Google hasn't released it yet.
Come on, did you really need to ask that question? A simple search would have shown that it's not scheduled to be released for another few weeks, if not longer. The N73G didn't come out until a month or two after the Wi-Fi models did.
phonic said:
The N73G didn't come out until a month or two after the Wi-Fi models did.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry. This is the info I was searching.
rampo said:
I was searching the 32GB + WiFi + LTE on BestBuy and Amazon but I haven't found nothing. Why?
When it will become available?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Email to Larry Page
phuduong said:
Email to Larry Page
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good Job Man :highfive:
Will I be able to use it as a phone?
IamPro said:
Will I be able to use it as a phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No one knows. However, if it's like the N73G, the answer is no.
IamPro said:
Will I be able to use it as a phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Out of the box? According to this link, no.
I use the original Nexus (wifi only) as a phone though with a verizon 4g hotspot. VOIP calling over mobile broadband (4g) is just as good if not better than calls over GSM. Really I'll be surprised if VOIP calls don't become more common than PSTN in 5 or 6 years. Especially since SIP to SIP calls are free (it's really not much different than emailing someone).
Search for tutorials by acegolfer in this forum if you're interested in how to set this up.
VOIP over LTE with, for example, Google Voice plus Groove IP is the way to go. I use that nearly 100% of the time on my phone even plus you have the benefits of switching numbers on the fly (work/personal) and the management features like blocking numbers, do not disturb, etc. are great.
Every single time someone asks about whether the N7 can do voice calling, people always want to chime in with irrelevant suggestions. The question is whether it can make standard GSM calls over the carrier's network, not whether you can make VoIP calls. Of course you can do that, just like you can use Skype, Google Hangouts, etc. - but that's not the question.
That's like someone asking if it can run MS Office and responding back, sure, it can do that if you install an RDP or VNC client and connect to your desktop and launch office from your computer. Two completely different things.
As I said earlier, the N73G can NOT place carrier voice calls. There are two threads in it's respective forum where people, a year later, still think that feature is "just around the corner" - it's not. Whether or not the new N7-LTE can do that is still up in the air. But there is a big difference between using VoIP and being able to make/receive calls natively.
And as someone who works with VoIP professionally (SIP specifically) on a daily basis, I completely disagree that using a VoIP application over 3G/LTE is just as good as a standard GSM call. It's not. If all you care about is making the occasional call to a friend or family member, sure, it's a perfectly fine alternative. But if you are talking about using it as a frequently used method of making and receiving calls to replace your cell phone with - absolutely not. Especially not for business purposes. The call quality will almost certainly not be better than GSM, unless you are using a high bandwidth codec like G711. And even then you will have to deal with common issues like packet loss, jitter, high latency spikes, etc. which will likely negate any benefits. Trying to use it while moving between towers can result in dropped calls if your IP changes. Even having it in standby will cause you to lose registration and thus possibly miss inbound calls. And don't even get me started on the battery life.
phonic said:
Every single time someone asks about whether the N7 can do voice calling, people always want to chime in with irrelevant suggestions. The question is whether it can make standard GSM calls over the carrier's network, not whether you can make VoIP calls. Of course you can do that, just like you can use Skype, Google Hangouts, etc. - but that's not the question.
That's like someone asking if it can run MS Office and responding back, sure, it can do that if you install an RDP or VNC client and connect to your desktop and launch office from your computer. Two completely different things.
As I said earlier, the N73G can NOT place carrier voice calls. There are two threads in it's respective forum where people, a year later, still think that feature is "just around the corner" - it's not. Whether or not the new N7-LTE can do that is still up in the air. But there is a big difference between using VoIP and being able to make/receive calls natively.
And as someone who works with VoIP professionally (SIP specifically) on a daily basis, I completely disagree that using a VoIP application over 3G/LTE is just as good as a standard GSM call. It's not. If all you care about is making the occasional call to a friend or family member, sure, it's a perfectly fine alternative. But if you are talking about using it as a frequently used method of making and receiving calls to replace your cell phone with - absolutely not. Especially not for business purposes. The call quality will almost certainly not be better than GSM, unless you are using a high bandwidth codec like G711. And even then you will have to deal with common issues like packet loss, jitter, high latency spikes, etc. which will likely negate any benefits. Trying to use it while moving between towers can result in dropped calls if your IP changes. Even having it in standby will cause you to lose registration and thus possibly miss inbound calls. And don't even get me started on the battery life.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't have to flip out. They are just trying to be helpful and there are plenty of people who don't realize what they can and can't do. Also, for work, I would much rather use BBM voice over my cdma call.

[Q] Nexus 7 2013 with LTE and 4G

I have got the Nexus 7 2013 with LTE. I have inserted a SIM with full support for voice calls and SMS etc. However there is no default dialer application on the Nexus 7 and there is no link to dial or send SMS from the "Contacts" application.
I have read a bit and it seems that the problem is that the stock operating system and default configuration that is installed on this tablet does not see it as a "phone".
Is there a way to use this tablet as a phone with full support for phone dialer and SMS and is there a way to do this in the least invasive way so that I can return it to the shop if it does not work ?
Thanks
It seems there is a whole other thread discussing this issue.
Zilliman said:
I have got the Nexus 7 2013 with LTE. I have inserted a SIM with full support for voice calls and SMS etc. However there is no default dialer application on the Nexus 7 and there is no link to dial or send SMS from the "Contacts" application.
I have read a bit and it seems that the problem is that the stock operating system and default configuration that is installed on this tablet does not see it as a "phone".
Is there a way to use this tablet as a phone with full support for phone dialer and SMS and is there a way to do this in the least invasive way so that I can return it to the shop if it does not work ?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Question...Are you rooted with the bootloader unlocked or are you just running stock? Then we can go from there,,, I got your back man! lol
thejmannnc said:
Question...Are you rooted with the bootloader unlocked or are you just running stock? Then we can go from there,,, I got your back man! lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, this is standard Nexus 7 2013 LTE from the shop. I have done NOTHING to it so far.
I have installed a few "dialer" and "SMS" applications, but there is no way I can make a voice call or send an SMS. When these applications try to make a voice call there is an error message "voice calling not supported" or "voice calling not allowed" or something similar.
There is another thread here in these forums where a few guys have tried make it dial but no luck so far.
You need a room installed with a native dialer built-in. I'm sure there are other ways but this is the easiest. I have Cm 11 4.4.2 rom installed on my nexus 7 lte and I'm able to make phone calls.
First off, do you want your tablet rooted? It's the only way I know of to allow you to make calls. If so, there's an easy way to unlock your bootloader, root, and install a recovery. But you must do this first in order for it to make calls. You can install dialers all day long but they won't do a damn thing if you're not running the correct software. Again, I'm sure there are other ways but this one is about as easy as it gets and I know it works.
Have you ever rooted a device before? If not, it's not that hard but you must follow the steps carefully. Just let me know what you wanna do and we'll go from there. I don't wanna spend the time explaining everything if you're not interested! Lol..
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
thejmannnc said:
You need a room installed with a native dialer built-in. I'm sure there are other ways but this is the easiest. I have Cm 11 4.4.2 rom installed on my nexus 7 lte and I'm able to make phone calls.
First off, do you want your tablet rooted? It's the only way I know of to allow you to make calls. If so, there's an easy way to unlock your bootloader, root, and install a recovery. But you must do this first in order for it to make calls. You can install dialers all day long but they won't do a damn thing if you're not running the correct software. Again, I'm sure there are other ways but this one is about as easy as it gets and I know it works.
Have you ever rooted a device before? If not, it's not that hard but you must follow the steps carefully. Just let me know what you wanna do and we'll go from there. I don't wanna spend the time explaining everything if you're not interested! Lol..
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you saying that you have got the Nexus 7 2013 model to make ordinary voice calls? yes I am very , very interested.
So far I have tinkered with my other Android phone, I have "flushed" a new ROM on it, there is a Windows application that connects to the phone and then you can format it and then download a new ROM to it. The trickiest part was to get the USB device drivers to work right, Windows is a bit tempermental.
Given proper instructions I think I will be able to flush some other ROM onto the Nexus 7, if such a ROM already exists.
But first I would like to know that we are talking about the same thing: Nexus 7, 2013 model, with LTE. And we are talking about making and receiving normal phonecalls and SMS, using a phone's SIM - for example when someone dials my number it should ring and be able to answer the call on the NExus, like on an ordinary phone. I am *NOT* talking about making voice calls over the internet, like Viber or Skype or anything.
Edit: It seems you already said you have the Nexus 7 LTE - I presume this means Nexus 7 2013 LTE, the newest model.
I am looking forward to instructions on how to do this and be able to use my Nexus as an oversized phone!
Zilliman said:
Are you saying that you have got the Nexus 7 2013 model to make ordinary voice calls? yes I am very , very interested.
So far I have tinkered with my other Android phone, I have "flushed" a new ROM on it, there is a Windows application that connects to the phone and then you can format it and then download a new ROM to it. The trickiest part was to get the USB device drivers to work right, Windows is a bit tempermental.
Given proper instructions I think I will be able to flush some other ROM onto the Nexus 7, if such a ROM already exists.
But first I would like to know that we are talking about the same thing: Nexus 7, 2013 model, with LTE. And we are talking about making and receiving normal phonecalls and SMS, using a phone's SIM - for example when someone dials my number it should ring and be able to answer the call on the NExus, like on an ordinary phone. I am *NOT* talking about making voice calls over the internet, like Viber or Skype or anything.
Edit: It seems you already said you have the Nexus 7 LTE - I presume this means Nexus 7 2013 LTE, the newest model.
I am looking forward to instructions on how to do this and be able to use my Nexus as an oversized phone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did it work?
nixt said:
Did it work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately not. The quick summary is that out of the box the Nexus 7 2013 LTE does not have a "messaging" application or a "dialer" application, so you cannot send SMSs and you cannot make phonecalls. You can however receive SMS messages, they flash on your screen and all you can do is acknoweldge them, but there is no history, nothing.
If you download and install CM 11 or better they have enabled SMS so you have the default android SMS application and you can send and receive standard SMS messages. I was unable however to send MMS.
You can also enable SMS by doing some other tricks, modifying some framework configuration files. In both cases you need to mess with the bootloader, the recovery and so on.
The main point however is that there is no possibility so far for making or receiving phone calls. Therefore the ability to send/receive SMS is vastly irrelevant : who in their right mind sacrifices a working SIM into the Nexus just for SMS messaging? Until I can make and receice phone calls, my SIM will stay in my phone!
Zilliman said:
Unfortunately not. The quick summary is that out of the box the Nexus 7 2013 LTE does not have a "messaging" application or a "dialer" application, so you cannot send SMSs and you cannot make phonecalls. You can however receive SMS messages, they flash on your screen and all you can do is acknoweldge them, but there is no history, nothing.
If you download and install CM 11 or better they have enabled SMS so you have the default android SMS application and you can send and receive standard SMS messages. I was unable however to send MMS.
You can also enable SMS by doing some other tricks, modifying some framework configuration files. In both cases you need to mess with the bootloader, the recovery and so on.
The main point however is that there is no possibility so far for making or receiving phone calls. Therefore the ability to send/receive SMS is vastly irrelevant : who in their right mind sacrifices a working SIM into the Nexus just for SMS messaging? Until I can make and receice phone calls, my SIM will stay in my phone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thx for your fast answer. im interested in buying the nexus 2013 but not sure wether the wifi or lte version. Too bad you cant phone with it
Actually I would steer clear. There are thousands of posts in various forums about the defective screen. I am 99% convinced it is bad hardware design and not random bad tablets. There are two huge issues:
1) I believe ALL the tablets have grounding issues so that the screen does not register touches properly, ie it misses touches, or it "clicks" in a different place to where you clicked etc. This happens when the tablet is not connected to the USB and when it is resting on a surface. For example this morning I was in bed and had the tablet next to me and tried to reply to a post, and I realised I had to press on each letter two or three times before it would register, it was because of this problem. This is not a "once in a thousand" miss-click issue, this is guaranteed to happen unless the tablet is held in your hands, in which case you are the "earth", or it is plugged in!
2) From Amazon reviews it seems the screen matrix is very fragile and very susceptible to tiny cracks, almost invinsible, however when it happens the screen then stops registering touches and you must replace it. It has happened to many people who claim they have not dropped it and have not mis-handled it in any way.
So I am returning mine today and will wait for a quality product like a Samsung to come to the market. In the meantime the Samsung Note 3 is smaller at 5.6", but it does have the HD resolution 1920x1080 and it is a phone!!! and it does not suffer silly quality issues like this.
Exact version of your CM 11?
thejmannnc said:
You need a room installed with a native dialer built-in. I'm sure there are other ways but this is the easiest. I have Cm 11 4.4.2 rom installed on my nexus 7 lte and I'm able to make phone calls.
First off, do you want your tablet rooted? It's the only way I know of to allow you to make calls. If so, there's an easy way to unlock your bootloader, root, and install a recovery. But you must do this first in order for it to make calls. You can install dialers all day long but they won't do a damn thing if you're not running the correct software. Again, I'm sure there are other ways but this one is about as easy as it gets and I know it works.
Have you ever rooted a device before? If not, it's not that hard but you must follow the steps carefully. Just let me know what you wanna do and we'll go from there. I don't wanna spend the time explaining everything if you're not interested! Lol..
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I understood from your post that's possible to make GSM calls from Nexus 7 2013 LTE. If so, could you tell me the exact version of CM 11? I'm asking this because I can't make calls from my CM 11 4.4.4 snapshoot version.
Thanks for your time, Sasho.
Nexus 7c / LTE / 2013 / razorg model is a failure
stanceski said:
Hi,
I understood from your post that's possible to make GSM calls from Nexus 7 2013 LTE. If so, could you tell me the exact version of CM 11? I'm asking this because I can't make calls from my CM 11 4.4.4 snapshoot version.
Thanks for your time, Sasho.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firstly making a phone call needs hardware support. They provided the SIM slot so that you could use the LTE / 4G / 3G / 2G data plan and not for making calls. (This is because the entire development team did not like using WiFi :cyclops: and thus used a second SIM card for data usage )
Anyways, now no matter which software you install, there will not be any voice calling (except Skype / Viber) for sure!
Such a waste!
d3digvijay said:
Firstly making a phone call needs hardware support. They provided the SIM slot so that you could use the LTE / 4G / 3G / 2G data plan and not for making calls. (This is because the entire development team did not like using WiFi :cyclops: and thus used a second SIM card for data usage )
Anyways, now no matter which software you install, there will not be any voice calling (except Skype / Viber) for sure!
Such a waste!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's actually not quite that clear cut. Most 3G/4G (LTE) tablets have all of the hardware required to make it happen today. There have even been reports of some folks getting SMS working on certain tablets, and at least on Verizon, it's known that they block SMS/MMS and voice on tablets specifically. There just isn't that much difference between a Samsung Galaxy Tab and a Mega, for instance, except that the Tab is considered a tablet and the Mega a phone. The N7 uses a different chipset, but that chipset is also used in phones...
When VoLTE finally becomes a thing, this will get a lot more interesting. While tablets technically have the hardware to place calls and texts now, once we get VoLTE support, it's going to be a lot more obvious that it's a carrier issue.
nexus7 sms app
Hi,
I was able to make an app that can send SMS from stock android on Nexus tablets that have a SIM (still can't receive though).
No luck with GSM/USSD yet though.
I'm not able to post the Play Store link, but you can find it if you search for "Nexus7 SMS"

Samsung Smart Call

I've got unlocked Note 10+ and I flashed the U firmware because of video calling that's missing on U1. Now I found that on T Mobile version there is no Smart Call and it is replaced by T Mobile NameID, which I consider inferior and I'd have to pay for full functionality.
Anybody knows if there is any way how to get the stock Samsung dialer with Smart Call back? I'd hate to flash the U1 ROM and go through the restore process again. Even with Samsung cloud, Google and SD backups it took me almost half day to get it set as I had it before.
Stank0 said:
I've got unlocked Note 10+ and I flashed the U firmware because of video calling that's missing on U1. Now I found that on T Mobile version there is no Smart Call and it is replaced by T Mobile NameID, which I consider inferior and I'd have to pay for full functionality.
Anybody knows if there is any way how to get the stock Samsung dialer with Smart Call back? I'd hate to flash the U1 ROM and go through the restore process again. Even with Samsung cloud, Google and SD backups it took me almost half day to get it set as I had it before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My past experience with Samsung Smart Call, was that i found that even though, its baked into Samsung Firmware, it is Service Provider depended. to "activate /work".
I might be wrong, but i personally believe so, based on my experience.
Just to recap, my experiences with my old Note 8 and my Note 9 (both devices not rooted)
I also flashed Stock Samsung firmware .. different CSC onto these devices.
I found on both occasions i lost the function of th Smart Call.
( Hiya services), also Volte function etc etc.
I could see the Smart Call settings in firmware, but it was greyed out.
Could not enable it at all.
When i flashed my old Samsung Firmware (Service Provider CSC) Smart Call (Hiya services), was enabled again and working.
I'm sure in your case, you'll will find it's Service Provider depended.
Good luck.
willcor said:
My past experience with Samsung Smart Call, was that i found that even though, its baked into Samsung Firmware, it is Service Provider depended. to "activate /work".
I might be wrong, but i personally believe so, based on my experience.
I'm sure in your case, you'll will find it's Service Provider depended.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thing is, after I purchased and set up the phone on stock Samsung firmware, VoLTE and Smart Call worked perfectly fine. But stupid me wanted to try the video calling. I found that the video calling is not different than Google Duo and I will NEVER use RTT texts. I see no real advantage from using T Mo firmware in comparison with stock Samsung (provisioned for T Mo of course)
Actually quite the opposite. For me, the signal strength and battery life is practically the same on both and again, FOR ME Smart Call is much more useful than video call and RTT.
If anyone knows any benefits from keeping T Mo firmware over stock, please enlighten me. I really don't want to go through the flashing the whole thing and restoring dance again, but I'm afraid I will have to.
Stank0 said:
The thing is, after I purchased and set up the phone on stock Samsung firmware, VoLTE and Smart Call worked perfectly fine. But stupid me wanted to try the video calling. I found that the video calling is not different than Google Duo and I will NEVER use RTT texts. I see no real advantage from using T Mo firmware in comparison with stock Samsung (provisioned for T Mo of course)
Actually quite the opposite. For me, the signal strength and battery life is practically the same on both and again, FOR ME Smart Call is much more useful than video call and RTT.
If anyone knows any benefits from keeping T Mo firmware over stock, please enlighten me. I really don't want to go through the flashing the whole thing and restoring dance again, but I'm afraid I will have to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ha, your post reminds me,
that when i flashed
my branded Samsung Firmware ( Voda CSC) with the Samsung unbranded Firmware,
The reason, was also to get video calling working.
As my branded device did not have video calling option on dialer.
I could only activate video, if someone else, video called me... only then the video option, would appear.!
I then afterwards, realized that i lost my Smart Call functions. and flashed back to the branded software.
This was on my Note 9.
So i had no video call option on dialer ,but Smart Call.
Now...
again, with my branded( Voda CSC) Note 10 +,
i see that my device has video calling on dial pad.....!
So, the Service Providers, chop and changed.
A year back, they disabled video calling option, from dial pad.
Now video calling is back on the dial pad plus Smart Calls is working fine.
Good luck
So.... I bit the bullet and flashed back the U1 firmware. The only thing I lost is the video calling. I still have RTT button on my dialer. Whether it works or not I haven't tried yet. I know it wasn't there on the original dialer when I purchased the phone. Maybe because I didn't flash USERDATA? Who knows.
I'm happy I've got Smart Call back.
CSC N975U
Good afternoon, I have the n975u model, my question is what firmware should I install, to get the smart call and video calls by duo?. Or is csc the one that has these functions active?
Thanks!!
excuse my english, google translator.
I have a Verizon Note10+ running Android 11 (3.1) I paid my cell off 4 mo ago. Verizon confirmed for me that my cell is carrier unlocked. I've tried everything to get the Smart Call app on my phone to work. The only thing I haven't tried is rooting it cause I don't know how. I have 3 versions of the apk and can't make them work. Can anyone help?

Categories

Resources