Tablet, the next big thing?

Acer iconia w500 looks like a very interesting device. With its 32gb ssd the performance should be interesting. When I went to test it out it was quite sluggish but I’m quite sure it will be able to be tweaked to have better performance since it is using windows platform. The down side of this tablet is it has a battery life of 3 to 4 hours oppose to android tabs which has much better battery life. The keyboard does not come with internal battery like the Asus android tab which puts the device down by another point. I’m still asking myself do I need a tab running windows or android? This question finalize anyone’s decision on which tab to purchase.

Samsung Galaxy SL i9003 (Super Clear LCD)

I recently changed from a HTC Desire (SLCD) to a Samsung Galaxy SL i9003, just wanted to share the pro and cons with all of you who are thinking of buying the SGSL.

Pro’s:
- 4″ SC-LCD (same resolution with HTC Desire but really looks better, maybe cause of the gorilla glass?)
- 1650mAh battery with SC-LCD (good battery life)
- 2GB ROM
- Gaming is smooth on this phone. The ROM space might be the one helping.
- Speaker is not as clear but it provides better volume
- Cheap like hell, Senheng selling at 1299, if member got 100points rebate which equals to 100 ringgit. Got mine for 1199
- Lightweight

Cons:
- multitapping seems slower in response, i cant sms just as fast as i could on a HTC device
- quite hard to sms as screen size is quite big and not comfortable in the hand
- hard to find casing and screen protector (soon this model will be obsolete and he replaced by SGSII)
- NO custom roms at the moment and as you all know TouchWiz sucks, can be replaced with launcherpro and lockscreen 2.0
- Facebook sync only sync fb status but does not sync fb picture
- Dialer can only search from front in contacts. For example if you store your contacts as “Apple – Steve Jobs” you must search for apple instead of steve. (Can be replaced by an app called “Dialer2″
- Specs mentioned track pad but when i bought from Official samsung reseller it doesnt comes with optical trackpad

If you realized, all cons are software related. Once AOSP custom ROM is released for this phone, it would be a great phone. For this price range it is the best.

Galaxy S II – Next Generation Smartphone?

Soon to be official in Malaysia is the Samsung Galaxy S II. My guess is this would be the next superb android phone in the market. Its features are near to perfect and its worth the upgrade of your current hardware. The pro’s of the phone is unbelievable and the cons are neglect-able, that’s what makes it a perfect phone.

- Lightweight > 116gram, wonder how the made it with the hardware below. “Amazingly Brilliant”

- 4.3″ Super Amoled @ 1650 mAh battery

- Internal: 8/16gb and most probably with a 2GB rom like Galaxy S > no need App2SD / Data2Ext etc.

- USB on the go like the feature in N8, can connect your usb drive with the help of an extension cable i guess

- 1 GB ram, Advance task killer? Boo hoo

- 8MP > AF > Flash : No dedicated camera button though

- 1080p (Full HD) video recording

- Front side 2mp camera

- Dual core 1.2Ghz with gingerbread  (Read somewhere that froyo doesnt support dual core, not clear about this though)

- Expandable micro SD slot (Up to 32gb)

Papago for Android

Only for android and best for eclair 2.1. This is a random post and totally not for E72. Just to share the crack for Papago X5.

1. Download PaPaGO X5 for android as it is not longer available in market. Install it on your android by using some file manager eg. astro file manager
2. Download File1 – File5 from HERE and extract the contents. You should have a NaviSEA folder.
3. Download the crack file for the software HERE
4. Paste the crack file libpapago.so into NaviSEA folder.
5. Transfer NaviSEA folder into your memory card.
6. Enable GPS on your android device and launch papago. Should work flawlessly.

* Take note this has been tested on 2.1 eclair and 2.2 froyo. I cant confirm that it work on all devices though but it should.

If you want Malaysia maps download it from Malfreemaps and paste into NaviSEA/Maps/MALAYSIA

Secret Codes on E72

There are a few hidden secret menu in our Nokia mobile phone. I do now know all of them but I’ll share what i know. Do post comments if i missed out any. I will update the secret codes here:

1. Talk Time: *#92702689#
2. Software version: *#0000#
3. Serial Number: *#06#
4. Blue Tooth MAC Address: *#2820#
5. WLan MAC Address: *#62209526#

Nokia Messaging @ Gmail

As owners of E72 knows, Nokia messaging is one of the key software for a business phone like this. I would like to share some information about how to use this with Gmail. I do not have any microsoft exchange server account so i cant write a review on that. Anyways if your connection is active all the time you receive mail notification almost immediately with Gmail. Few things i would like to share with you all:

1) How to enable POP3 in Gmail

• Go to your Gmail account
• Click settings which is located on the top right of window
• Click on the “Forwarding and POP/IMAP” window
• Under POP download, select “Enable POP for all mails that arrives from now on”

2) Set email as read-”ed” in Gmail account when it is sent to your nokia messaging

• At the same section below the “Enable POP for all mails that arrives from now on” there is an option “When messages are accessed with POP”, select: mark Gmails copy as read.

3) Using WiFi to retrieve email:

• First run nokia messaging > options > Settings > Account Settings > Account Information > Access Point > Choose desired connection

Cracked Apps on E72

To install cracked applications, you must first obtain a developer cert to sign the application. I will provide a brief tutorial here to help you guys in obtaining the cert and how to use it. Hope you guys enjoy it. This also works with other symbian phones.

1) Obtaining A Developer Cert:

• Visit: http://cer.s603rd.cn/
• Put your Serial Number A.K.A IMEI (*#06#) in the left box and insert the verification code from the image into the right box
• Click on the button on the right side and wait for 24 hours for your cert to be generated.
• To retrieve your cert after 24 hours re insert your IMEI and verification code from image into the boxes and click the button again.
• You should be able to see a link to your cert and another link for the signer. Download it both

2) Signing an application

• Unzip the signer and your cert & key into a folder (in computer not extract to phone). They must be in the same folder.
• Double click on signtoolV2.2.exe
• When the Menu pops up go to the last tab and click English which will prompt you to reboot the app and walaaa its now in english.
• Click on the first tab name “Sign”
• Select Cer: choose your cert file obtained from the website
• Select sis/sisx: choose the cracked application which you want to sign
• After signing the application you should not have the “Certificate Error” problem while installing the app.
• The signed app will have chinese characters after the original file name and it should be in the same folder of the original application.

3) Where to download cracked apps ?

• www.ipmart-forum.com

4) E72 uses Symbian OS 9.3 Series 60 Version 3.2 UI / S60v3 FP2. When finding for applications make sure it is compatible with the phone before trying it out.

Garmin on E72

Tutorial on how to install garmin on your e72. Other symbian phones may use this method too.

1. Download:
   • Support Files
   • Basemap Files
   • Garmin Files
   • Keygen & SW.unl
   • gmasupp (Malaysia Map, if you got your own country map you can use it instead of this)
   • Latest Maps download the exe and generate the gmasupp
2. Download and put all these files into one folder.
3. Keygen & SW.unl should be extracted and the other 3 files are self installer files which means you should double click support,basemap,garmin files only when your phone is connected via Mass Storage Mode to your PC.
4. Connect your phone to your PC via Mass Storage mode.
5. Install:
   • Support Files:  execute the file and choose the drive your phone is connected as for example E:/
   • Basemap Files: execute the file and choose the drive your phone is connected as for example E:/
   • Garmin Files: execute the file and choose the drive your phone is connected as for example E:/
6. Now safely remove the USB cable.
7. Garmin should execute automatically on your mobile phone, if it doesn’t just go to, Menu > Apps > Garmin. Execute garmin.
8. On first boot it would display a few menu’s, you should choose “Connect to a Garmin GPS”
9. When it says searching for a GPS satellite click cancel
10. In garmin, go to Tools > Settings > About > Card ID > Write this down in a notepad
11. Now exit garmin
12. Execute the keygen and insert your card ID in the Unit ID text box.
13. Now click the middle generate button seen in the window and you should be able to see the “software unlock code” now.
14. Copy the software unlock code
15. Right click SW.unl and choose open with notepad and click ok.
16. When SW.unl is executed paste the software unlock code into the file and save it.
17. SW.unl is the license file to allow garmin mobile XT to use internal GPS antenna.
18. Connect your phone via Mass Storage Mode again and go to your memory card.
19. There should be a folder name Garmin in there. Paste SW.unl and gmapsupp.img inside this location.
20. gmasupp is the map file.
21. Safely remove your USB cable and execute garmin again.
22. Now in garmin when it tries to connect via bluetooth GPS click cancel.
23. Then click on the signal bar and left click disable. When it is disabled you should be able to choose “Use Attached/ Built in GPS”
24. Select that and you are good to go.
25. Remember that GPS connects better at a static state and over clear skies. In your house or somewhere shaded it will be harder to get a lock to the satellite. Please post any comments if you don’t understand. You may help other users and if there is any broken links please let me know via comment/email (navindchitty@gmail.com) thanks.

Garmin Nuvi 1350

Recently I’ve bought this gadget from Digital Mall for RM660 knowing that I could get it from somewhere else for RM600. The two main reasons i bought it at a more expensive price is because I do not want to travel to Seri Kembangan CEX which is 4 tolls and 60km away at least & I could pay installment with 0% interest so its RM110 x 6. All you need is a credit card babeh.

I was choosing between the Papago R6100 and Garmin Nuvi 1350, having faith in the manufacturer whom is much longer in the market I chose Garmin, but this model has let me down. And this is why:

1. No 3d view of buildings which Papago has
2. Junction view and lane assist only works with MSM which has less Points of Interest compared to MSM
3. Current software version V2.80 has bugs viewing traffic lights, so I cant view it and sometimes I dont know to turn before of after the junction.
4. Does not have avoidance for minor road like in Garmin Mobile XT, only can avoid unpaved roads.
5. Scrolling is not smooth to see map ahead, my android device with papago scrolls better.

Papago has a price tag of RM600 for R6100 which has a 5inch display opposing to the 4.3inch garmin nuvi 1350. Anyways the Papago R6100 has less avoidance setup, only toll and uturns, thats one of the reason i chose garmin 1350. Sometimes you do not want to go through unpaved roads or take a ferry across to somewhere hence you could do it on Garmin 1350 but not the R6100.

If you could bear with less POIs, use Malsingmaps which is garmin’s official map. Then the chance of you getting lost is less due to the junction view and lane assist. You can get lifetime updates for malsingmap if your set is a my/sg set. 1 year from shop and lifetime from garmins website.

Anyways, some tips for you guys. Malfreemaps (gmasupp.img) should be placed in newly created folder name “Map” either in x:/Garmin/Map or x:/Map. x drive denotes the drive of your garmin device when plugged into your computer.

So, which one would you choose? Nuvi 1350 or Papago R6100?

E72 Tips & Tricks

Prolong Battery

Use bluetooth instead of cable to prevent unwanted charges as you know new mobile phones will auto charge via USB and there is no way to disable this feature. Lithium does not have memory effect but from what i have seen charging every time you plug in your usb cable will shorten the battery lifespan

Prolong Battery Usage

1. Use GSM network instead of 3G. To change, Menu > Control Panel > Settings > Phone >  Network > Network Mode > GSM
2. Reduce screen brightness. To reduce, Menu > Control Panel > Settings > General > Personalization > Display > Light Sensor
3. Exit applications running in the background. Hold the home button to see active apps running in the background. There should only be “Menu” and “Standby”.
4. Off bluetooth when not in use.
5. Do not leave WLAN scanning on.
6. Not advisable to leave 3G/Edge running all the time.

GPS vs. A-GPS

• E72 supports Integrated GPS, Assisted GPS, Network GPS and bluetooth GPS.
• Integrated GPS is the one really needed.
• Network GPS should be disabled to save cost unless you are on a 3G plan. This uses your 3G or GSM network to navigate some sort like google maps.
• A-GPS should be enable in my opinion as it takes up a few cents to get a much faster lock. After it gets lock onto the GPS satellite it doesnt charge any more until the next boot up to get a signal.
• Bluetooth GPS should be enabled if you want to use an external GPS device and not use the integrated one.
• To enable or disable these GPS options, Menu > Control Panel > General > Positioning > Positioning Methods > Check those you want to enable and uncheck to disable.
• If you are the person who doesn’t want any charges during the usage of GPS disable all and leave “Integrated GPS” check.

Pairing Bluetooth Devices for Seamless Connection

Tired of all those prompting to allow your computer to connect to your phone? You can authorize your computer as a trusted devices to prevent all the prompting. To do so, Menu > Control Panel > Connect > Bluetooth > Second Window, press right button once > Highlight your laptop name > Left click (options) > Set As Authorized

Clock

When your phone is locked, and you want to see the time (some people use mobile phones as a clock) just press the optical track pad and hold it, a large clock showing the time will appear. Make sure the phone keypad is in lock mode then press and hold the optical track pad.

Optical Track Pad

Disable Optical Track Pad: Menu > Control Panel > Settings > General > Personalization > Optical Navi Key > On/Off
Change its Sensitivity: Menu > Control Panel > Settings > General > Personalization > Optical Navi Key > Sensitivity > Low / Medium/ High
Breathing lights config: Menu > Control Panel > Settings > General > Personalization > Notification Lights > Adjust it
Activate Big Clock: holding any directional of the optical track pad also activates the big clock, not only pressing the optical track pad. Pressing DOWN also activates the big clock and make sure your keypad is locked :)

One Touch Access Functions.

“The Envelop button instead of Email becomes Messages”
Menu > Control Panel > Settings > General > Personalization > One Touch

Default Connection of your choice

1) Go to your e72′s default browser.  Left click options > Settings > General > Access Point > Set to Always Ask

2) Control Panel > Settings > Connection > Destination > Internet > Change Priority to your Desired connection

3) Nokia messaging > options > Settings > Account Settings > Account Information > Access Point > Desired connection

Select multiple

1) Hold uppercase and press the optical track pad, doing this will select that particular picture/song/etc.

2) Hold uppercase and press down button will select multiple line of text too, when multiple lines of text is selected the word copy will appear on the left hand side of screen. Pressing it will copy that specific highlighted text. Holding uppercase again will make the word “paste” appear on the right side of screen. Pressing paste will paste the copied text.

3) Hold rightmost control button also known as the silent button and scroll down in messages (SMS) to select multiple messages.

View here for pictorial help: Which Buttons To Select Multiple

Flash Light

1) Keypad Unlocked: Holding space bar enables torch light indefinitely.
2) Keypad Locked: Holding space bar enables torch light until you let go of the space bar button.

E72 Pro’s & Con’s

If you are reading this part of the blog, I assume you are deciding whether to buy this phone or not. Although I love the phone a lot, I will be giving honest review on the functionality of the phone. Let me begin with the advantage of this phone.

Advantages:
1) Battery Lifetime : i will write on how to get the most out of the battery in my post, here i would tell you that it can last approximately 3~4 days on heavy usage which includes GPS, Wifi, Little Music, Moderate calling, Heavy texting. For those who use the e72 as a organizer with moderate texting and low calling you will get up to 5 days approximately.

2) QWERTY keyboard is very easy to adapt to, I’m new to the QWERTY keyboard phones yet i mastered using it in 2 days or so. I have big thumbs and it is still easy to text with it.  When you type too fast a letter may go missing which may be cause by the firmware or it is suppose to be like this. Overall has a very good mini QWERTY keyboard. You might want to think about this feature if you do blogging via your phone. It is much easier than using a touch screen.

3) Call Quality is superb without using the loudspeaker. The loud speaker is crab will let u know in its disadvantages. When you are talking the phone doesn’t heats up fast and the call quality is very clear and crispy.

4) 600Mhz processor smooth-en  things up. Even calculating the path in garmin takes faster time. The ram is still 128Mb ram but you will see the difference in performance if you have used 3xx Mhz and 4xx Mhz processor for symbian.

5) One Touch Keys as in almost all E-Series phone, really ease things for people who fully utilize the phone. Short press and long press these buttons gives different functions. For example pressing the calendar key takes you to the calendar but if you hold the calendar button it creates a new meeting in your calendar. Same goes for the contact button and the rest. Really useful buttons.

Disadvantages:
1) Optical Track Pad is crab with any sensitivity it still sucks because this is mainly used for web browsing and auto focusing the camera. In web browsing it is acceptable but when using it for auto focusing it is the worst idea anyone could come up with. T-Focus in E71 was a much better idea. Under sunlight it is very hard to auto focus and sometimes it focuses by itself because of the light emitted to it. Somehow it focuses by itself before you even touch the track pad (it doesn’t focuses till the green rims). Hope T-Focus would be implemented in later firmwares.

2) Loud speaker is crab, better listen to music with your headsets (luckily it came with 3.5MM port). Even during a call you try to use your loudspeaker, you can hardly hear the other side. Its really that bad.

3) Camera quality is not good, but acceptable. Sometimes the foreground is too dark and the background is too bright, the flash doesn’t help much. The picture quality are most of the time distorted indoors with artificial light. But the outdoor pictures look good and the colors are nice.

4) S60v3 FP2? We want Symbian^3 Nokia yes we want it.

5) Reception antenna is not as good as the one in 5800XM but i guess it emits less radiation. The reception signal in closed area are lower than 5800XM but similar to N97, Omnia HD, HTC Diamond2, etc.

E72 Hardware

External

1. Top: On/Change Profile/Off button
2. Left: Memory card slow & Micro USB cable slot.
3. Right: Volume rocker & Voice Dial button
4. Bottom: Charging port & Key chain slot.
5. Front: Secondary camera for 3g Call (VGA)
6. Back: Primary 5mp camera with video recording capability of VGA resolution @ 15FPS
7. 2.36inches Wide Screen 320 x 240 pixels
8. Mini QWERTY keypad with buttons popping up for better typing with fat fingers.
9. One Touch Access buttons: Home, Calendar, Contacts, Email / Msg. Functionality of these buttons can be modified.
10. BP-4L 1500mAh battery

Internal

1. 600Mhz processor
2. 128Mb ram
3. 250Mb internal Storage
4. Accelerometer for silencing calls and snoozing alarms