SGH-I617 – BlackJack II - Update to Windows Mobile 6.1

To download and install Windows Mobile 6.1 for the BlackJack II, click the URL below:

http://www.samsung.com/us/i617/windowsupgrade

If clicking this link does not work properly, please copy and paste the URL into the Address Line in your browser.

NOTICE: You will need to disable any PopUp blocker you may have currently enabled on your system in order to accept the terms of the End User License Agreement (EULA) in order to download this update. Remember to re-enable your PopUp blocker after the process is completed.

ENJOY BLACKJACK II USERS!!! Let us know here if the update fixes any of the original ROM's shortcomings. :D

I would like to take this opportunity to expose the thief in our midst...

(obviously this user will be banned for life from MoDaCo... but I am leaving his account active for now in case he would like to reply to this post!) :)

I know many of you will be wondering how the phone was stolen, and how we tracked him down, so - I present to you - a short story by me!

Saturday 20th August, the day of the MoDaCo Summer Event...

Mono, Orange and Microsoft arrived early, and set out all of the stuff for the event... including the raffle prizes. The prizes were, foolishly it seems, laid out in the corner... footballs, kites, goodies and an SPV C550!

We are not entirely sure at which point the phone was stolen... but a number of people witnessed what appeared to be the C550 being wrapped in a cardigan and placed in a bag along with a couple of other items including an Orange football, and a kite that was apparently discarded.

At some point, probably prior to the raffle, the thief or his companion probably left the building, and took the C550 somewhere for safe keeping.

As those present at the event will know, when the theft was discovered, Monolithix (who should be commended for staying calm!) offered the thief every opportunity to return the phone with no comeback, pointing out the phone would be useless anyway as it would be blocked on all UK networks... but nobody came forward. Having spoken to 'cocky', he said he was afraid to come forward.

At this point, there was not a lot more we could do... we liaised with the staff at the Microsoft building, and determined that although there was no CCTV in the room, there was CCTV in the foyer.

On the following Monday, I contacted Orange to ask for the IMEI of the stolen phone so that we could conduct investigations, which Orange duly provided. I also investigated whether we could determine whether the stolen phone had been used with an Orange SIM (99% necessary if the thief unlocks the phone), and Orange confirmed that they could do this, albeit with a 1 week delay. This provided us with one possible avenue... although for Data Protection reasons, pursuing this route would have required the action to be taken with the Police.

I considered it very likely that the thief would have tried to unlock the phone... so armed with the IMEI of the stolen phone... I contacted the key players in the C550 unlock scene, Florin from IMEI-check and zone-mr from SPV-Developers.

Florin confirmed that the phone had not been unlocked with IMEI-check... however zone-mr couldn't confirm immediately, as he only retains an temporary backup of encrypted data from the phone, which he wasn't sure included the IMEI ;)

A couple of hours later, on Monday evening, zone-mr contacted me to let me know he WAS storing the IMEI... and we had a match! Our thief HAD unlocked his C550... at 10:30pm on Saturday in fact! Even better news... careful analysis of the server logs on the spv-developers unlock server gave us the IP address of our thief!

The next step was to find out as much information as possible about the thief. We determined their ISP and some other information, and thought about how to proceed. On an off chance that the thief was foolish enough to unlock the phone from the same connection they used to browse MoDaCo... I checked out the MoDaCo logs, and the MoDaCo sessions table.

Success!

Our thief was logged on, and the logs were full of the IP address in question... all pointing to one user.... COCKY!

Cross matching this address with the Event registration list confirmed that cocky HAD attended the event... and not only that... upon further consultation we determined that cocky was the person that witnesses had cast suspicion on.

The next step was how to decide how to proceed, armed with the evidence that we were sure conclusively led us to our thief. I stayed up late on Monday night and prepared a dossier of evidence, with excerpts from server logs, witness statements etc. to pass to the Police. After a late night... I decided to sleep on it before deciding how to proceed.

Tuesday came, and I decided that I was going to contact the Police... and spoke to both our contacts at Orange, and a contact at Orange security, about how to proceed. As the morning progressed however, I considered things more, and following some conversations I had with people 'in the know' - I decided to give the thief a chance, and give him a call on the mobile number he submitted in the event registration. The conversation went something like this...

Me: Hi, this is Paul from MoDaCo.

Cocky: Er, Hi.

Me: You have something of mine, and I want it back.

Cocky: So what do we do now?

Me: Do you still have the phone? Have you sold it?

Cocky: I still have it - minus the box. What are you going to do?

Me: I'm giving you one chance... send me the phone, via Special Delivery, today, and I will not go to the Police. I'm gonna ban your ass for life and expose you on the forum, but I won't go to the police.

Cocky: OK

And that was pretty much it!

A short email exchange followed, where Cocky had the cheek to question if he could trust me not to go to the Police (I told him I am a man of my word, and he really wasn't in a position to question my integrity)... and the phone arrived back at Orange today - it is now being checked over by their Technical team.

True to my word, I will not now go to the Police... technically the phone belongs to Orange, so were we to involve the Police, it'd probably be their call anyway... so that option remains up to them.

I'm very happy that we have the phone back, very disappointed that a member did such a thing, and very happy at how the community pulled together to find the thief.

We will be choosing a random attendee from the event to receive the phone when I am given the OK from Orange.... so watch this space!

The guys over at SOGI have got their hands on the HTC Monet (formerly known as the Trilogy), another of HTC's mobile TV handsets. Unlike the Forseer, however, this device is DAB-IP and what's more, it's the world's first DAB-IP device!

Now, you may be wondering what the hell DAB-IP is exactly? Well...[/teaser]

In a nutshell, DAB-IP is similar to DAB (digital radio) in that the signal is broadcasted OTA (over the air). DAB/DAB+ don't use video codecs though. DAB-IP and DMB on the other hand do, hence why they are suitable for mobile TV. DMB uses an MPEG4 codec. DAB-IP, however, uses a (less efficient) Windows Media codec.

HTC's decision to choose DAB-IP over DMB seems pretty cut and dry but hey, who am I to speculate :)

Anyway, the Monet has the following specs:

• Windows Mobile 5.0 for Smartphone
  
• DAB-IP
  
• QVGA screen
  
• 1.3MP camera
  
• microSD
  

This is all pretty much common knowledge but now there's some nice new real life pictures of the device and some screenies of the OS :)

Babelfish translation of SOGI's impressions of the device and more pictures HERE.

How about if I tell you it's Windows Mobile 6.0 Standard, Tri-band GSM with 64MB RAM and a 2 megapixel camera? No? How about if I tell you that only 8 will be made, there are 4 diamonds on the nav keys (total weight) 0.44K and that the display is 42K hand polished sapphire crystal?

I'm guessing the answer is still 'NO' (and most of us probably aren't really the target audience) but Gresso do make some intriguing devices with Swiss design that are hand made in Russia (!) and using fine materials such as 200 year old African Blackwood.

In the WinMo Week 28 podcast Chris and I have chatted about the devices and their target market, but i'm intrigued to hear your thoughts on the assumedly Vertu wannabes - can the cost ever be justified? Should high end phones have high end specs as well as high end construction? Do you have one and you'd like to tell us why you bought it? B)

P

Via: engadgetmobile

About the application...

DontForget is easy-to-use and highly customizable Windows Mobile application that can repeatedly remind you of unread SMS text messages, unread MMS multimedia messages, missed calls, unread E-mails and missed calendar events by sound, vibration, notification window or hardware LED.

But it is not just an extension for Windows Mobile operating systems which should already be present and preinstalled by the operating system.

DontForget also can do much more. You can also schedule to automatically switch your device to certain profile, switch to the Flight-mode or switch the device completelly off in given time of deactivation and much more. You also can handle or disable standard „on-air“ LED blinking also on devices (like HTC clones) where the LEDs are controled on hardware level. And finally, by purchasing the license you automatically get technical support, upgrades and future enhancements and the income is used to contribute to special school for sightless children.

Key features include:

• wide range of monitored events (SMS, MMS, missed calls, calendar events, unread e-mails, voicemails)

• choose sound to play for reminder notification (5 sound samples included)

• manual or automatic (according the profile) sound volume

• selectable repeat time interval and repetition rate

• selectable vibration and LED alert (device specific, read further down)

• wide range of deactivation setting (in selected profile, in the Flight-mode or specified time period)

• highly customizabled deactivation and re-activation actions (action scheduling) like:

• switch off the device

• switch the device to the Flight-mode or back to GSM mode

• switch to selected phone profile

• execute or open selected application or file

• scheduled reboot (soft-reset) to automatically reboot your device in preset weekdays and time to keep your device healthy

• Flight-mode switching and automatic reboot feature is working even the device is locked or secured by the SIM PIN

• main LED handling (set frequency of the blinking of LED or disable it completely (device specific, may not work on all devices, just try it!)

• multilanguage support (English, German, French, Dutch, Spanish, Czech, Slovakian, Polish, Russian and Chinese)

You can find more information and the file download at the application page.

• Windows Mobile 6 standard
• TI OMAP1030 260 MHz CPU
• Quad Band 850/900/1800/1900MHz
• 2" QVGA screen
• 2.0MP Camera
• 128MB ROM / 64MB RAM
• microSD expansion
• Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR
• WiFi with optional UMA support
• 108mm x 46.3mm x 13.8mm (it's small!)
• 88g
  

...the E72 is a pretty smart little device in a world largely devoid of Smartphones. The E72 is particularly interesting as eXpansys are now offering it at a bargain £99.99 [aff], and that's before the £10 MoDaCo voucher discount!

I don't have mine any more, but I do like to have a Smartphone around as a backup device, or when I need a device that is super-small to take to the pub. Anyone else have one of these babies?

P

Pictured here courtesy of ADVERT LINK REMOVED, the GW550 packs...

• Windows Mobile 6.1 (upgradeable to 6.5)
  
• 2.4" QVGA display
  
• 7.2Mbps HSDPA / HSUPA
  
• Quad band EDGE
  
• 3 Megapixel camera
  
• WiFi
  
• FM Radio
  
• 1300mAh battery
  

I think it looks classy AND it has a proper directional pad, hurrah! :D

Watch out HTC Snap / Samsung Jack / Samsung OmniPro... there's a new player in town... ;)

P

[Addition images via ePrice]

The 'whoodjameEeseventywhatsit' I hear you say? Well, that's an understandable reaction, but the E72 is a very interesting device (for me at least). Here's why! :D

First things first, this unit is one of the first retail boxes to ship, and is delivered to me directly from Taiwan. Secondly, it's a Smartphone (we like those), and thirdly - and here's the biggie - it's quite groundbreaking.

Let's look at the specs...

• Windows Mobile 6 standard
  
• TI OMAP1030 260 MHz CPU
  
• Quad Band 850/900/1800/1900MHz
  
• 2" QVGA screen
  
• 2.0MP Camera
  
• 128MB ROM / 64MB RAM
  
• microSD expansion
  
• Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR
  
• WiFi with optional UMA support
  
• 108mm x 46.3mm x 13.8mm (it's small!)
  
• 88g
  

So what's exciting? First off is the price point. When this baby hits our markets (which is rumoured to be happening in Q1 this year), it'll be aimed at a price point you've not traditionally seen Smartphones at, and it's supposed to take the fight squarely to the mass market featurephones. This is made possible by the first WM implementation of the low cost TI OMAP1030 chipset, which brings considerable price v performance v power improvements over other alternatives. Finally is the size. It's a 2" screen, the smallest we've seen on a Smartphone, but that's because the device itself is so darned small! Check out the unboxing below and see it next to the T-Mobile Shadow to see what I mean. :)

I'm glad i have it as a companion to my more powerful devices, and hope it can succeed where the HTC S310 has failed... in the low cost Windows Mobile market. What's your take on the device?

Enjoy :D

P

• Tools for Thought (15th April to 19-April)
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• Gear Live (10th May to 14th May)
  

I'm not going to rehash the whole topic, but a few days ago, in this thread I posted some files that activated the GPS on the Blackjack II for use via regular COM port access.

I'm pleased to say that the same process has now been carried out and tested on the Motorola Q9H (AT&T) :( Check out the topic linked above for the background, or read on to get started!

The activator is vailable as either a 'over the air install' or a PC based install or an on-device CAB install (choose one or the other to suit), the activator provides the all important missing COM port for GPS access. After installing (and rebooting), you'll find you have a new COM5 port, and you can use any GPS application you like to your hearts content.

Enjoy people, and spread the word to fellow Q9H owners!

P

PS As a little bonus, this package also application unlocks your device, letting you do things like reorder the Start Menu how you like, etc!

PPS Don't forget our Q device discussion area, online now at http://Q.MoDaCo.com!

Over the Air Install: Enter 'http://modaco.com/gpsactivatorq9h' in your device browser!

On device Install (registered members): MoDaCo.SmartphoneGPSActivator.COM5.CAB

On PC Install (registered members): Setup.MoDaCo.SmartphoneGPSActivator.COM5.EXE

On device Install (mirror): http://Content.MoDaCo.net/MoDaCo.Smartphon...ivator.COM5.CAB

On PC Install (mirror): http://Content.MoDaCo.net/Setup.MoDaCo.Sma...ivator.COM5.EXE

Upon starting to use his device however, Nick came across the problem that every Blackjack II owner is facing... the GPS implementation on the device is, er, interesting.

As some of you may know, when Microsoft designed the GPS Intermediary Driver for Windows Mobile 6, they created a user interface to configure it for Pocket PC, but not Smartphone. The GPSID is a driver that sits between the GPS hardware and the application that is using it, providing access to the GPS hardware and doing clever things such as allowing multiple applications to use the connection. All good, but there is a problem with the implementation on the Blackjack (and in fact the Moto Q9H I understand, a device I believe this patch will help with too). The problem is that although the GPSID is configured and applications such as the built in Telenav and Windows Live Search can use the system fine, there is no COM port exposed to allow the vast majority of applications that use this connection method to use the GPS. DOH! And with no UI to configure it, you quickly hit a brick wall.

Nick was obviously quite annoyed at this (what with the GPS being the most significant upgrade to the old device, and the one he particularly wanted), so I set to work on solving the problem, and i'm proud to present my 'MoDaCo Smartphone GPS Activator' ;)

Available as either a 'over the air install' or a PC based install or an on-device CAB install (choose one or the other to suit), the activator provides the all important missing COM port for GPS access. After installing (and rebooting), you'll find you have a new COM4 port, and you can use any GPS application you like to your hearts content. Nick has tested it on his Blackjack II and it works a treat, i'm keen for someone to give it a go on their Q9H.

I'm at a loss as to why the feature wasn't in there in the first place (I'm guessing to try and tie people into Telenav?), but i'm real glad i've been able to fix the problem in this way.

Enjoy people, and spread the word to fellow BJII owners!

P

PS As a little bonus, this package also application unlocks your device, letting you do things like reorder the Start Menu how you like, etc!

PPS I've also just created a Blackjack II device discussion area, online now at http://i617.MoDaCo.com!

Over the Air Install: Enter 'http://modaco.com/gpsactivatorbj2' in your device browser!

On device Install (registered members): MoDaCo.SmartphoneGPSActivator.COM4.CAB

On PC Install (registered members): Setup.MoDaCo.SmartphoneGPSActivator.COM4.EXE

On device Install (mirror): http://Content.MoDaCo.net/MoDaCo.Smartphon...ivator.COM4.CAB

On PC Install (mirror): http://Content.MoDaCo.net/Setup.MoDaCo.Sma...ivator.COM4.EXE

Not expect to ship until March at the earliest (after it's official unveiling at CEBIT), the M930 features:

- Windows Mobile 6 Standard

- TI TI2431 processor at 450MHz

- 3G + HSDPA

- QVGA 2" Screen (external) + 2.6" WQVGA screen (internal) - 400x240

- Internal QWERTY, external 12 key keypad

- 256MB ROM

- 64MB RAM

- WiFi / Bluetooth 2.0

- 2.0 Megapixel Autofocus Camera

- microSD expansion

- 158g

- 113mm x 54mm x 18.7mm

Not bad specs i'm sure you'll agree, and a very innovative form factor that provides an interesting alternative to the more commong sliding keyboard (a-la-HTC Vox). I think the device looks quite nice, and could offer the best of both worlds. It of course shares a lot of it's specs and design with the Nokia E90.

What do you think of the M930?

P

[source and pics courtesy of our friends at Mobinaute (en Francais)]

• Windows Mobile 6.1
• 2.4” QVGA screen
• Qualcomm 7201A 528MHz Processor
• 20-key keyboard
• WLAN 802.11b/g with WPA2 security
• Bluetooth® 2.0 with EDR
• Tri-band UMTS (900/1900/2100 MHz), HSDPA Category 8 (up to 7.2Mbps downlink) and HSUPA Category 5 (up to 2Mbps uplink), Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
• GPS with aGPS
• 3.1 Megapixel autofocus camera
• 256MB ROM, 128MB RAM
• 1260 mAh Lithium-Polymer battery
• micro-USB connector
• 50mm x 13.6mm x 114mm / 107 g
  

...pretty decent i'm sure you agree?

As an added bonus, you can now buy the device from the TotalPDA sale for a bargainous £129.99! You can even get 4.5% cashback if you also use Quidco!

Visit Total PDA [aff] for more details...

Nice! :D

P

Deets are very thin on the ground currently (and i'll update this post as more info surfaces), however specs include:

- HSDPA /UMTS / EDGE

- 2MP Camera

- 2.3" QVGA screen

- Windows Mobile 6 Standard

- 116.7 x 50.8 x 11.8 mm

I've posted the press shot and also a sizeasy size comparison below (after the jump for news page readers!) Edit: Now with video hands on! Device DEFINITELY doesn't have WiFi, and is quite a nice, simple Smartphone! I am pretty sure this was running WinMo 6.1, but with the 'About' page removed...

Enjoy! :)

P

The HTC Vox derivatives are great devices, and it's no secret that i'm a fan.

I was lucky enough to have a pre production HTC S710 for a while and when the device was released, I was first in the queue to splash out my hard earned on a production unit. I know that many readers also own a HTC Vox based device, particularly the SPV E650 variant from Orange.

While the E650 has been generally well received, there has been overwhelming feedback from the community that the device has 2 faults. Firstly the ugly, half-baked and non-removable Orange customisation (colour scheme, icons, start menu layout etc) and secondly the problem with installing software on the device that would cause it to hang.

Ever since this feedback came to light, I have maintained that when I got hold of a SPV E650, I would do my best to provide a fix for these issues. I'm therefore proud to present the MoDaCo SPV E650 de-Brand + Fix Pack 0.5.

Firstly, an apology - this pack has been a while coming, and there is a very simple reason - I only got a E650 last Friday. Despite repeated assurances from Orange that they were doing their best to get me a handset (and an Orange Samsung i600 for that matter), nothing has materialised. It seems that unless you're writing for a broadsheet and can get something in print, you're low down the pecking order. Go figure! As I know members are desperate for this package, I bought a SIM free unit in order that I could deliver as promised.

So, what does the de-Brand and Fix Pack do? Changes include but are not limited to...

• Reset of icons to default Windows style
  
• Reset of icon layout to a more traditional Windows layout
  
• Reset of colour scheme and home scheme to default Windows style
  
• Reset of icons in call related screens to default Windows style
  
• Reset of Camera dialogues to grey
  
• Reset of Security policies to match that of the HTC S710
  
  • Fix install bug (installs hang when keyboard is out or input is not in XT9 mode)
    
    
  • Fix TomTom device ID bug (TomTom reports changed device ID after Orange app unlock)
    

  ...it's a very extensive tweak! I'm proud to say that the CAB file to install the tweak is my most advanced yet, however due to the fact that absolutely everything has been accomplished using registry tweaks, shortcut tweaks and one small compressed file update, it comes in at under 60k!! :rolleyes:

  Installation Instructions

  To install, carry out the following steps. Please note that this pack is intended ONLY for UK SPV E650s. Installation on other devices may produce unexpected results.

  [*]Hard reset device (using the 'Clear Storage' option on the Start Menu, or by tapping the power key from off while holding the two soft keys, then pressing 'Green'). This step is highly recommended, although nothing terrible should (theoretically) happen if you do not hard reset before install.

  [*]Install the PREP CAB by copying to your device and launching using File Explorer: MoDaCo_SPV_E650_de_Brand___Fix_Pack.PREP.CAB

  [*]Install the MAIN CAB by copying to your device and launching using File Explorer (be patient, after clicking it takes a short while to get going!): MoDaCo_SPV_E650_de_Brand___Fix_Pack_0.5.CAB

  [*]Reset (power off / on) your device when prompted - This step is essential.

  It's as simple as that :P

  I've included some before / after screenshots below. Please note that this pack has performed as intended in my testing, however if you find some remaining branding or continue to have install problems, please let me know so I can provide an update.

  FINALLY, I would ask that if you find this pack useful (or indeed not), you reply in this topic. Doing so will make it easier for me to show Orange that they really should try and furnish MoDaCo with the devices they promise.

  Thanks and enjoy! :D

  P

  PS This pack does not have an uninstall option - you can reverse it's effects my hard resetting again.

  PPS I have also attached below a Pack to fix, but not de-Brand, for those that like the Orange icons, or perhaps don't want to do the app unlock (it shouldn't be required for the fix only).

  MoDaCo_SPV_E650_Fix_Pack_0.5.CAB

  

  

I've been fortunate enough to have been using a Windows Mobile 6 Standard Landscape Smartphone for a little while now, and I really like it. A couple of things bug me though, and the key one is the fact that Microsoft, in their infinite wisdom, removed the 'New' functionality from Word Mobile and Excel Mobile. No matter I thought to myself, rather than messing around doing this 'Save As' thing all the time, i'll just rustle myself up a little application to make it easier... should only take half hour.

And it did, kinda.

I was using my Windows Mobile 6 Pocket PC as my dev device (big mistake), and I had it finished in next to no time at all. Brilliant! Success! So I then tried running it on my Smartphone. It b0rked :D On further investigation, I discovered that the 'Save As' dialogue in the Compact Framework is not implemented in Smartphone. DOH! The solution? Writing my own 'Save As' dialogue... rather a lot more work.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, i'd like to introduce you to 'MoDaCo DoNew'. This first version of DoNew is for Landscape WM6 Standard devices ONLY, and restores the 'New Document' functionality i've been missing so much, and you will all be missing when you start getting your hands on devices!

I've included some screenshots and the install CAB below, and i'm open to feedback and tweaks on what is a very quickly knocked-up application.

Enjoy, feedback welcomed! If you use the CAB, please consider donating £1 to my 'quidapps' effort to develop cheap, useful applications and tweaks - click here to donate. Donations will be used specifically to buy development tools to enable slicker and more advanced tweaks and applications in the future while retaining a £1 price point!

P

donew.cab

[Edit: WM6 Professional (Pocket PC) version also available here]

[Edit 2: Now compatible with portrait devices!]

[Edit 3: Now with DOCX / XLSX support!]