I thought it would take me ages to get used to not having a keyboard on my HTC Sensation that I bought back in October, it has limited some of the things I’ll do on my phone – but that’s not necessary a bad thing!

I took my phone out of my pocket in the office last Thursday only to notice some dust on the screen, perfectly normal I’ll just wipe it off… Except it won’t come off and some careful tilting of the device with white wallpaper up shows that the dust is in fact under the screen!

I could open it up and clean it but that would invalidate the warranty. So I contacted Expansys who I bought it from to explain the situation and ask whether it was covered under warranty – with the obvious (at least in my mind!) implication that I’d like it fixed as this is a sealed unit I don’t expect dust to be on the inside! I got this reply:

Please be reassure that your phone is till cover by warranty.

That’s nice (and quite an irritatingly short response!), but how do I go about getting it fixed? A couple of emails later I have the phone number for HTC.

I’m expecting the worst given my email exchange so far with Expansys, it could not have gone more smoothly!

They’re sending a UPS courier to collect the phone (minus battery, SIM, back cover, SD) and it will be factory reset for data protection as soon as it gets there (I’ve done it myself anyway).  They’ll check it’s covered under warranty and fix and return in 7-10 working days, if it’s not covered under warranty they’ll advise a repair price via email, I can then opt to have it repaired or not (if I opt to not have it repaired they’ll return it to me for a fee!).

That all sounds reasonably fair, I did query the 7-10 working days based on this article on The Register. They were quite happy to admit they’d had major problems (and even asked if I’d seen the TV programme about it!) but discussed the fact they’d changed service centre’s and turnaround time was circa 10 working days now.

So, my phone is boxed and ready to be collected – and I have my trusty Motorola Milestone back out… I’m just hoping I don’t get too addicted to having a keyboard again! If I do HTC better release the HTC myTouch 4G slide or equivalent over here quick smart!

Update 18th January 2012

My phone was collected on the Tuesday as blogged about and I had it back on Monday, with what looks like a new screen! I had to take the photo above of the box as I was so impressed with the box!

Parts Replaced (according to the returns sheet):

Sub-Assy to 82H Lamination, LCM+Touch Window, GENERI

Conductive Fabric, PCB to chassis, PYD

Chassis Pre-Assy, TW-LCD-Chassis,AUO,PGS,Generic Co

If anyone can tell me what the above means I’d be very grateful!

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• HTC Touch Pro (or No!) on Orange
• Playing with my Orange SPV M700 / HTC Trinity (Part 1 of X)

Having installed the WhatsApp app, I half expected all my old messages to just come down from “the cloud”, no such luck!

It took me half an hour of googling to work out how to restore the WhatsApp Chat backups! So here it is for anyone else who’s interested…

WhatsApp takes regular backups of your messages and chat history and copies them to your SD card (in /sdcard/WhatsApp/) you need to copy this  directory from your old phone your new one.

However, it’s not quite as simple as that – it won’t work once WhatsApp is installed!

So here’s how we did it:

1. Uninstall WhatsApp on the new phone (if you’ve installed it).
2. Copy the directory and it’s contents (/sdcard/WhatsApp) to your new phone in the same location.
3. Reinstall WhatsApp
4. Walk through the setup procedure, in the last step it will ask you if you want to restore a backup

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Losing your phone is one thing, it’s probably insured and you’ll either get your phone back or a replacement, great – you have a working phone, but aren’t you forgetting something?

What about the content on your phone?

Your photo’s? Your picture messages? Your diary? Your videos? They’re what make the phone yours aren’t they? It’s not just a loss that will mean you don’t have these but all manner of accidents!

I’ve just spent the morning extracting data from a phone that was dropped, and the screen completely died.

In the normal course of events I’d plug it in to a computer, get off what I could (photo’s by treating it as as memory card and hope that contacts and text messages would sync to the Motorola or Nokia suite as appropriate).In this case there was some bad, and some good luck!

First the bad, the phone wasn’t set into sync mode – it just wanted to be treated as a memory card. I knew this was an option in the phone, but with no screen how was I going to turn it on? A stroke of good luck… The phone was a Nokia N85!

What’s so special about it being an N85? The N85 has two slots on top, a USB Sync/Charge and a Video-Out! 1 cable later (and some rearrangement of furniture) the TV is in the office and I’m able to use the TV as a screen for the phone!! It was quite impressive!

I successfully extracted all the data except photo messages, I had to go into each individual photo message and save the image to the memory card then copy that back to the computer.

Now what?

Well we’re not going to lug a TV around to use as a screen are we? I rang up a local phone repair shop and dropped it in just over 2 hours ago. It’s ready for collection already… New LCD and new Lens all fitted… Hurrah!

For reference Swindon Phone Fix on Commercial Road, Swindon did this!

photo credit: Glen Bowman

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I’ve used my Windows Mobile in the past as a tethered modem for my eee pc when out and about without WiFi, it’s not always been easy but has been handy to have around!

I reinstalled my eee today, and was looking around for how I’m going to achieve this same functionality with the Milestone on Android, almost everything screamed “root your device” at me. I’m not a fan of rooting it for a lot of reasons the biggest being I don’t want to brick the device – so that’s a non-starter.

Then I spotted a handy guide from linux magazine on Tethering Android, it didn’t work straight off which was a little disappointing. So a little more digging on the Android forums, produced some additional instructions. I’m producing them here for my own benefit as well as yours – as I’m bound to forget.

1. Install “Proxoid” app from Marketplace.
   
   
2. Turn on USB debugging mode on your phone:
   
   Settings – > Application -> Development -> Enable USB Debugging
   
   
3. On your Ubuntu machine create a 90-android.rules file:
   
   gksudo gedit /etc/udev/rules.d/90-android.rules
   
   
4. Add the following to it (note this is the difference from the linux magazine tutorial):
   
   
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0bb4", ATTRS{idProduct} =="0c01", MODE="0666", OWNER="*insertyourusername"
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0bb4", ATTRS{idProduct} =="0c02", MODE="0666", OWNER="*insertyourusername"
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="22b8", ATTRS{idProduct} =="41db", MODE="0666", OWNER="*insertyourusername"

   * insert your username as appropriate!
   
   
5. Download and unpack the latest release of the Android SDK: http://developer.android.com/sdk/
   
   
6. Connect the phone to the Ubuntu machine with your USB cable and start Proxoid on the phone.
   
   
7. Open a Terminal, navigate to the tools directory in the Android SDK folder and run the following command:
   ./adb forward tcp:8080 tcp:8080
   
   

The proxy server should now be running, but to be able to use it with Firefox, you have to modify the browser’s proxy settings:

1. In Firefox, choose Edit -> Preferences and switch to the Advanced -> Network section.
   
   
2. Press the Settings button in the Configure how Firefox connects to the Internet group.
   
   
3. Select the Manual proxy configuration option, then enter localhost in the HTTP Proxy field and 8080 in the Port field. Press OK to save the settings and close the window.
   
   

Now you can browse the Web using the created connection.

Given that I’ll need to remember how to do this, when I don’t have a connection. Here’s a handy PDF with the above guide to tethering android to put on your android device!!

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I want a backup battery for my Motorola Droid/Milestone, I’ve already got one for my iPod Touch and it’s invaluable – but I figure if I get one with a straight USB out it can charge almost any of my devices with the right cable! This makes far more sense to me, so today I went hunting. Would you believe how hard these things are to find?

I’ve been offered rechargable batteries, battery chargers, spare batteries for the phone all sorts of things – none of which were quite what I wanted, I think this boils down to not knowing what to search for – generally most of what I found was listed as:

“Rechargeable Backup Battery Pack USB”

I’ve found to, one by an unknown manufacturer (PINES) and one by Kensington, so I start doing a little comparison on them, the features I need are:

• Small
• Light
• Capacity

Shouldn’t be that hard really, nobody can play with dimensions or weight (although there will probably be trade-offs for capacity!) but they’re pretty much standard:

Almost sold then, Kensington tell me lots of information about their pack and it’s 7wH capacity, compared to Pines 4800mAh?
Wait a minute…. Are we comparing apples with apples and beans with beans here?

What are wH and how do we convert them to mAH?

I found a useful link on camerahacker with conversions, so let’s crunch the numbers.. It’s probably easier to convert the Pines product so it is also in wH

watt = amp * volt

So,

Wh = 4.8Ah * 5.5VDC (Note we've converted the mAh to Ah by dividing it by 1000)
Wh = 26.4

Compared to the Kensington device – that’s huge! 26.4Wh vs 7Wh (and it’s cheaper!)…
Have I got something wrong here?

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I rang Orange the other day to enquire what was currently on offer, and as usual they don’t have a single phone that interests me… The HTC Touch Pro 2 I did fancy is available, but not as an upgrade. I’m not convinced I want an iPhone as I’ve got my iPod Touch and it really does lack a keyboard that I need. Even if they had got a phone I’m not sure I’d upgrade because every contract is 18 or 24 months – what happened to 12 month contracts?

Locking in for 24 months on a contract seems ridiculous to me, Orange did tell me that I’d had my current phone for nearly 2 years! I had to ask them what phone they thought I’d got, they were wrong – that one has been in a box for at least a year! Technology changes so quickly that I want a bit more freedom than a 24 month contract.

So I’m in deep discussions with them at the moment about moving to a low contract Business SIM-only probably with 30 day rolling contract for £15 and a huge data bolt-on, from there I can always upgrade with them at any point I choose…

However, to make sure I have a phone I want I’ve gone SIM Free and ordered the Motorola DROID (yes, I know – for those that know me they’ll know I’ve only just left the company!). So here it is…

More posts to follow on this subject I’m sure…

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Yep, I’m still resisting the iPhone (much as I use my iPod Touch for loads of things now!) as I have the usual concerns:

• Will I have listened to music all day and not have enough juice to make a call or check my email.
• Can’t put a spare battery in it.

Plus it does mean leaving Orange after almost 15 years as a customer.

So, I was quite excited when I heard Orange were getting the HTC Touch Pro 2, a really nice looking device and quite an upgrade on the original HTC Touch Pro! A 3.2 MP Camera is still a bit of a failing on it – but I’m not buying it for the camera, it would be for that great slide-out QWERTY keyboard…

Orange were very much in a state of “It’s coming”, “It’s coming”, “It’s in test”, “We’re testing it”, “We’ll be getting limited stock next week”, “We’ve sold out of current stock” all the usual when a great new handset comes out…

I did get them to quote me for a handset whilst it was out of stock and it was only £50 cheaper than buying it SIM-Free!!

So whilst debating whether I’d be better buying it SIM-Free (and not getting tied into a new contract), Orange have discontinued the HTC Touch Pro 2 already.. It’s almost like it never launched…

Most disappointed, now I have the SIM-Free or Switch to Vodafone debate to have!

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HTC Touch Pro

But I have a minor problem, Orange aren’t being forthcoming in offering it Whilst on it’s own this isn’t unusual, they are generally last to market with new handsets after they’ve Orange Simplified (read “rebranded and Orange Software’d”) it, the mixed messages that I’m getting from Orange ARE unusual.

• On a recent shopping trip I popped into the Orange Shop at Cabot Circus, and whilst my wife was looking at handsets I asked once of the loitering assistants if there was any news on the Touch Pro?
  A couple of weeks I was assured, pop in here then!

  Great, I thought – I still hadn’t even seen one in the flesh, but looking at the feature list I’d be daft not to go to it!

• I rang Orange Business Support the following week, who did a quick search for me… No nothing of that name on the system… hmmm… No news is good news right, it’s still in test probably?
• On Saturday I popped into Vodafone, and just picked up the fake plastic version to show it to Emma – who immediately said “That’s the phone for you”.So I ring Orange Business Support again… “No we have no phone by that name”, great ok – no news is still good news right? “I’ll just do a search for you, no can’t see a Touch Pro – the Touch HD and S740 are coming soon if that means anything to you?”.

It does mean something, it means they’re releasing later handsets and might possibly skip the Touch Pro altogether

• The HTC Touch HD has a better screen, but no keyboard I believe?
• The HTC S740 is a candybar phone *with* a slide out keyboard, but not a big enough screen to warrant it in my opinion!

So it’s:

1. Wait it out on Orange – I’ve been with them a long time, have multiple handsets with them and know the system!
2. Switch to Vodafone – Port my number, not sure about getting the whole account over there!
3. Buy it off conract/SIM free for circa £500 – but then any faults and it won’t be back to the network!

I simply can’t decide!!

At least I’m not the only one looking for this handset (see below) maybe if we make enough noise we’ll get noticed?

• MobileTechAddicts – See Joshua White’s comment that this will not be released.
• CoolSmartPhone (and forum) -Appears to rumour it’s still coming… But Joshua White (I assume) again says no to the pro!
• XDA Developers
• Expansys – Someone appears to be getting mixed messages as well!

Update 28/10/08:

I dropped Orange Business Support a mail after writing this post, and whilst it appears the HTC Touch HD is now available on Orange (or coming soon – November), Business Support still aren’t officially saying so – see below:

Our information is that the HD and the S740 are under review, but we have no
information at all regarding the Touch Pro.

Even handsets that are listed as “coming soon” can be pulled at the last
minute so, personally, I wouldn’t hold out for a handset that isn’t even at
that stage yet.

Sorry we can’t be more specific.

Fortunately, I may have found one….. I’ll update you soon

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• Touch Pro 2 – Been and gone on Orange?
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buy Hounddog

But it has probably just convinced me, exactly why I want a HTC Touch Pro over the iPhone! This video was a texting challenge, set by osmio between the two handsets.

Don’t get me wrong I still love my SPV M700/Trinity, I just fancy a change! Only last week I was inches away from upgrading to the HTC Diamond whilst on the phone to Orange.

It’s not that my phone doesn’t do almost everything I want it to – I just fancied a new toy with a bit of speed!

The HTC Diamond looked perfect barring it’s lack of memory card, but that’s all been resolved on the HTC Touch Pro (and then some!)- and the only thing it’s spec seems to be missing is an Infared port (not that I need one!)!

Now I just have to wait for Orange to provide it -or buy an unlocked one for £500!!!

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I’ve looked at these, and although they ‘re a nice phone (and even nicer with the 3G option) I think I’ll give it a miss at the moment…

I’m still loving my HTC Trinity, but might be tempted into the HTC Touch Diamond in the not too distant future (I’d be more tempted if it had a memory card slot – actually not just tempted – I’d want one right now!!!).

As an aside – check out Lisa’s hunt for Harry Potter with her G3 Canadian iPhone in London!

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