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I'm planning to get a unit next week. I've been checking out the forum for quite some time, it seems that there are a lot of complains. Are there any satisfied user of xda IIs? How's the construction of the keyboard? Is it very fragile?
My opinions may not be as valid as those who have used the IIs for longer time as I have been using it for just a week now, but as far... I'm very pleased with the IIs, sure it has software stability issues but not until the point it's unmanageable by myself.
The thumb board and the slide up screen area is not as fragile as people think it is (most likely they never use it for a long period of time). Just yesterday, I write an article using the thumb board, while playing MP3 and some sms chatting with my wife on the IIs, not as smooth as I wanted to, but it gets the job done without problem
Wi-Fi connection is great... Although the range could be better, I connect via Wi-Fi at the office to transfer my work to the server and browse the internet with it. Bluetooth is also fine.
What do you want more? It's my first ever device which made my laptop and computer almost obsolete.
That my friend... Coming out of an ex hardcore Palm OS user 8)
Regards,
Miki
I am not pleased at all. I think the XDA IIs is the biggest heap of junk known to mankind. Don't slide it down more than five times otherwise it will just drop all the time and never stay in its original place. What a pyle!!! I would get the XDA IIi or wait for the XDA VI
After using Xda IIs for more than 1 month, I find this device to be much much better compared to my previous Xda II, especially in term of battery life and stability (actually stability depends on the softwares you've installed and your knowledge of balancing different kind of programs). About the thumb board, honestly, i don't mind since i seldom use it.
If you are a previous user of Xda I or Xda II, you'll aprreciate Xda IIs as much as I do.
cayotte said:
(actually stability depends on the softwares you've installed and your knowledge of balancing different kind of programs)
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Click to collapse
I wouldn't say that stability is left to the user alone, my 2nd day with the IIs reaffirms me that Microsoft needs a competitor so it can deliver better product... While playing around, my IIs restarts itself when I click on the start button. Well, so much for the legendary Microsoft stability. This also happens when I try an earlier built rom IIs and II Mini (the restarting itself issue) but the final built rom seems more stable.
Mikee4fun said:
Don't slide it down more than five times otherwise it will just drop all the time and never stay in its original place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I work as an IT journalist, and before I bought the IIs I personally reviewed it and subjected the most horrific things people can do to an electronic device. One of the torture test I applied to the IIs is playing the slider like a yo-yo toy. While holding the screen portion I tuck the IIs down and it opens under its own weight. I even slid open and close the device indefinitely for 10 minutes (my colleague helps). It's a bit lefty loosy, but still manage to hold on none the less. What we have is the prototype from HTC, it's grey like the MDA III, but has O2 marking on the top left. Probably our test subject is the "reviewer edition" with extra strong build, but I have faith.
What I like more about the IIs is the 4 extra hard button. After seeing the rumoured Windows Mobile 2005 has function like the Smartphone edition (context sensitive button), a WM 2005 compatible option is good to have. That 4 extra button seems to correspond well to the WM2005 (but probably I'll be buying another PDA Phone when the new OS is available down the line).
Sorry for the long post... My occupation forces me to
The XDAIIs is a great little device. Like all "bleeding edge" technology, it suffers from the occasional hicup, though nothing that affects me in normal day to day useage and I've had mine for three months.
Build quality appears to be fine. I'm sure there are some dodgy units out there, but then, I'm sure the odd Rolls Royce comes off the production line with less than perfect build quality. If you do buy an XDAIIs and get one that doesn't seem quite right, take it back and swap it for another. It's very simple and far better for your blood pressure than allowing yourself to get all frustrated and annoyed and trying to put everyone else off getting one!
I use it as a PDA (for both work and personal use), as an MP3 player, as an eBook reader for novels, enclyclopeadia and dictionary, I watch the odd funny video clip I've downloaded off the internet, I use it for exchange rates, in-car GPS navigation, Bluetooth headset, spreadsheets, quite a lot of e-mail and I use it with my wifi connection at home and in airports, bars, hotels etc. Plus, I play the odd game on it, I have the weather forecast for several cities, I read the news on it and get regular stock market updates. I keep my wedding photo's on it and have quite a few photo's from my honeymoon (in Finland!) which I enjoy looking at in the odd sentimental moment. Oh, and I use it as a phone as well; though not often - I'm just not a "Mobile phone" kind of person. Which is another reason I love it. I can have a mobile phone with me all the time, without having to carry a mobile phone with me all the time - if that makes sense?
And with all that useage, I occasionaly get a message saying bluetooth couldn't start due to insufficient memory (probably once a week), so I reboot it (it is windows, after all!). I've noticed maybe three or four times that, when switching from landscape to portrait, the screen doesn't quite re-draw itself correctly, so I do it again, and it fixes itself.
And there are probably one or two other things that require me to reboot it, but they happen so infrequently, I really can't remember what they are.
But all in all, it's a cracking little device that does what it's meant to with little fuss. Treat it with respect and care (i.e. don't put dodgy cracked or warez software on it, don't fill up the memory so it has non left to work with, back up often just-in-case) and it'll serve you well.
Wow! xda IIs is not bad at all quite excited to have one soon, hope the soon to be released rom would make the device even better
What Bassey said....
..except for the stuff about his honeymoon in Finland.
Mines has been a bit glitchy but the positives far outway the negatives. The biggest complement I can give it is that I use it all the time intuituvely. Since its always to hand it always gets used.
Dont forget, forum users are far more inclined to moan about stuff than praise it, especially when the need a solution to something.
yeah, thats true how about posting some positive experience about xda IIs, otherwise it will seem a horror movie just to use the device. :lol: I could just imagine owning a device with problems in all aspect.
IMO, if you are into tinkering firmware, beta testing, love using window 3.1(in terms of reboot couple times a day and re-install once very few weeks), etc., you can't go wrong with the IIs. Sorry, I am a bit negative with my IIs. :?
Yatlee, I don't mean to be rude or anything, but as there are people on here that are using their IIs quite heavily and without any problems then it would seem that you may have a dodgy unit. Have you tried to return it to where you got it for an exchange or refund?
Im happy with my XDA Iis. Ive had it since november and it is my main phone, with the original rom and bt patch 3500 i had no major problems. Soft resets were mainly due to 3rd party software and I only hard reset to remove software which would not uninstall properly. It has always been stable for me and the new rom has no ill effects so far. I use it for wifi browsing at home, (though ive had the unit lockup on me but this has reduced dramatically with a new router) and use bt with no problems with a Sony Ericsson HBH-200 headset and AVL bluetooth gps. Also no problems with the keyboard getting loose
I've had mine since the end of December.
The only thing that I dislike about the IIs is the damned BT. Quite frequently, approx 25% of the time, the other party can not hear me when I am using a BT headset. Then I'll have to turn off the BT headset and talk directly with the phone. A soft reset fixes things but only for a while.
No voice dialing is a pain too, but I guess I'll live with it. I've tried Vitotech Voicedialer but I didn't like it. Having to turn on the device, then run a program just to do voice dialing is lame. I might as well dial the number myself if I have to do so many button presses on the device.
Other things such as no profiles and no individual ringtones out of the box are mere annoyances. These are easily fixed with additional software.
My unit is fairly stable. I rarely have lockups but this could be because I ALWAYS soft reset it in the morning before I leave for work. I do this to make sure the BT will work on at least the 1st or 2nd call. :lol:
The keyboard is decent. I would prefer a more solid tactile feedback but it's good enough for occasional use. The slider is still tight on mine, but I use it maybe only once a day.
Phone reception is good. It's at least as good as my old SE68i. The wifi works well too. It's a good little device.
Bassey said:
Yatlee, I don't mean to be rude or anything, but as there are people on here that are using their IIs quite heavily and without any problems then it would seem that you may have a dodgy unit. Have you tried to return it to where you got it for an exchange or refund?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My unit is in the repair center after encountering the misterious "I can't hear the other party and vice versa". I love IIs when it's working. Hard reset and reinstall allow the unit to work again, but only temporary. I avoid most of the third party software except for the much have one (such as voice command, my email client, etc.) Plenty of memory left (80+MB).
XDA support is quite disappointing. Maybe microsoft is the company to blame, but every problem they basically point the finger back to Microsoft. I can imagine may be few years down the road, they will get every right and solid (just like how long it takes microsoft to come up with window 2000/XP; some may aruge it's still not perfect).
I am seriously thinking about getting the mobile phone and PDA separate if my problem persist. I can go on, but I stop now. Sorry about the ranting.
I am very unhappy with the latest (1.40) ROM update and this has finally pushed me to this post. I thought I would provide some general thoughts/comments after about 6 months of use. I keep hoping and praying that each ROM release will actually fix some of the devices more serious issues but it never seems to happen. Certain things actually get worse through the updates.
Overall the level of integration and the sheer amount of things our device accomplishes is staggering. However, the reliability and robustness is terrible, about as good as an "alpha" release, but certainly not a production device. You may argue that I should be happy with what I have and I guess I am because I keep carrying my PDA2K. I love not having to carry so many devices but almost always feel like I have the worst of each. My "relationship" with my device is absolutely love/hate.
As background I use my device as a phone, camera, video camera, mp3 player, movie watching, internet, e-mail, gps/navigation, games, Metro subway maps, weather, pdf reading and of course all the std. windows goodies like Excel, Calendar, Contacts, etc. However, the device performs most all of these functions poorly. As a small bit of background I am not a programmer nor hardcore techie but do consider myself a power user and am comfortable with registry editing, ROM upgrading and most features/functions of all of the standard software. I do also install a fair amount of 3rd party applications. I do not see how you can get by without doing this. I use the device for work as a sales professional and also for personal use.
The phone is much less robust and reliable than almost all cell phones I have previously owned, just buggy in general, often not functioning despite a good signal and often will not connect nor hang up properly. The camera is plain terrible, nowhere even close to a decent 1MP camera, good only for a small caller ID photo taken in perfect lighting conditions. Networking in general is almost unusable: Bluetooth during navigation always disconnects when a call comes in, WiFi will almost never start with out a soft reset, and sometimes the same with GPRS. General system stability/robustness: terrible! With a device such as this it should not be possible to have spontaneous hard resets where you loose ALL data. I have them fairly often (without Sprite, I would truly throw my device away). I have also had spontaneous loss of SD card data. MS Voice Command is fantastic, except the first use of every day always requires the name to be repeated twice. The built in e-mail software is really poor, the invisible items that show up in various mail folders which require a complete cleaning out of all mailboxes to fix is beyond annoying. The long 20 second or so delay when opening the Calendar to show days with appointments really causes me delays at the most inopportune times. I suppose I could go on and on but I will wrap up this summary/gripe session
Again, the level of raw capability, variety of useful programs and integration is truly amazing. The speed when operating well is fine. However I am often nearly crippled by hard resets, poor phone, WiFi, GPRS and Bluetooth, usability and robustness and the need for soft resets. I guess this is the price one pays for being on the cutting edge, but again I can not help but feel this device is nowhere close to the reliability and performance any reasonable user would expect. From spending a lot of time on this board and other similar ones I expect to hear some quite similar echoes of my thoughts.
I do eagerly look forward to some similar comments (or different), fixes, general experiences or suggestions from the community.
Well put, some of the issues I have, some not.
Lets have a look at the hardware.
Well the case is metal which is great as it can take some punishment however the Keyboard, well.....
My Keyboard has a life of its own, I have the device in my hand and talk on the phone and it drops down. I pull the device out of my pocket and it comes out first screen then keyboard. I never use the keyboard as me fingers are to big so given a choice I would not have it.
If you hold the screen in one hand and the back plate in the other you can turrn the whole thing a good 3mm as its so loose. You can even lift the screen up away form the Keyboard at the bottom of the device and stick a piece of carboard into as a form of a break to stop it dropping.
Sound of calls is bad, tiny and to low.
Yup its a love/hate relationship and I love to hate the thing.
I too look forwared to a device that has camera which is useful (I still carry around a small 5 meg sony).
The only thing I feel that is realy good about owning a BA is this board, if I had not come here I would still have a german CE and be reseting the bugger every day.
love it
Probably, I am cheap and easily pleased.
I bought my IIs almost the same time with yours. I too have updated my ROM to 1.40 (stockROM 1.4Asia). Only the barest software I need are installed to maintain stability: KBattery, psShutXp, AgileMobile, Skype, VCard, Pcoket TV, GSPlayer, and Avantgo. For games, I only installed Smartfall, Chess, and BF Mines - not much of a gamer. IIs is too expensive for me to destroy its button playing games.
I love it very much except for some performance hiccups like restarting by itself. However, this only happens when I am using skype or agilemobile for sometime. Hard Reset rarely happens. in six months, I only remember it to happen to me once and I could not remember what I did then.
I love it because I could check my email whereever I am either thru WIFI or GPRS. In fact, I use to check my email thru XDAIIs rather than waiting for my PC to start in the morning before leaving the house. With so many "leaking" free WIFI around, no phone should be without.
I f---kng HATE the keyboard. A week after I bought mine it was already broken. Yes, it will open on its own. It was repaired though free of charge by Brightpoint Philippines. Now, I barely open it because constructionwise, it is so flimsy and I know will easily be broken again. Now, I know why they remove the keyboard in the IIi.
Will buy it again. YES, It is so neat and convenient that I could do emailing, IM and chat on the go. Of course, it is a great electronic photo album to show my family pictures to friends with MP3 background playing.
Before this phone, I was using NOKIA 9210 Communicator. It was a great phone during its time. WHAT I WOULD REALLY WANT NOW IS A NOKIA COMMUNICATOR 9500 RUNNING WM Ver.5. DREAMING....
So you guys say that the keyboard is a piece of s**t?
I'm asking because I'm going to buy BA or Nokias 9500. And if the keyboard sucks a** i'm not gonna buy BA, because I need the keyboard because I do lot of work in MSN and in IRC. So the phone must be capable to these specific applications. I know that Nokia 9500 is...
When I was still using my old trusty Nokia 9210, I sent literally hundreds of text messages per day. I love its built in keyboard. It was a breeze typing text in that old phone. I could even schedule sending text messages - what a neat feature.
The tiny keyboard of IIs is hard to use. Even painful to the fingers after long use. Now I sent few text messages because it is very hard to do so with the tiny keyboard (II's rehabilatated me, I am NOT text addict anymore). The tiny soft keyboard using the stylus is just as difficult to use.
If you will do lots of typing, I recommend you buy one of those external keyboards. Although, personally, I hate carrying extras like that. I dont want to look like Inspector Gadget carrrying with me that external keyboard. My Bluetooth suffered same fate. I dont carry it anymore. Too troublesome carrying two gadgets.
I use my IIs mainly as a communicating device (which should be) so the killer applications for me are:
Agile Mobile for IM like ICQ, MSN, AOL and yes YAHOO.
Skype for VOIP (yes, it works for me just dont expect quality calls. It's free who am I to complain)
AgileMobile will run on both Nokia 9500 and IIs BUT the SKYPE will not.
That is the deal breaker for me why I decided to go for the XDA path. Every one and then, I still do glancing look at that Nokia 9500 though.
If you will go for the XDA path and cannot wait anymore, get the IIi. The keyboard really sucks. Hard to use and easy to get loose.
If you go for Nokia path, please lend it to me sometime (hehehehe)
xcalibur said:
The tiny keyboard of IIs is hard to use. Even painful to the fingers after long use. Now I sent few text messages because it is very hard to do so with the tiny keyboard (II's rehabilatated me, I am NOT text addict anymore). The tiny soft keyboard using the stylus is just as difficult to use.
If you will do lots of typing, I recommend you buy one of those external keyboards. Although, personally, I hate carrying extras like that. I dont want to look like Inspector Gadget carrrying with me that external keyboard. My Bluetooth suffered same fate. I dont carry it anymore. Too troublesome carrying two gadgets.
I use my IIs mainly as a communicating device (which should be) so the killer applications for me are:
Agile Mobile for IM like ICQ, MSN, AOL and yes YAHOO.
Skype for VOIP (yes, it works for me just dont expect quality calls. It's free who am I to complain)
AgileMobile will run on both Nokia 9500 and IIs BUT the SKYPE will not.
That is the deal breaker for me why I decided to go for the XDA path. Every one and then, I still do glancing look at that Nokia 9500 though.
If you will go for the XDA path and cannot wait anymore, get the IIi. The keyboard really sucks. Hard to use and easy to get loose.
If you go for Nokia path, please lend it to me sometime (hehehehe)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that's the thing...those are the programs I would also use plus I need an IRC client (Nokia has s2putty which is great), so this is going to be a real hard decision.
It seems in a operating system level, Windows/qtek9090 kicks Symbian80/Nokia9500 ass, because Nokia has a pretty slow processor and Symbian80 is a little bit greedy, but so is windows.
Nokias online time should be better than Qteks so that's important fact (going to use Wlan a lot). Nokia also has much better keyboard if I have read reviews right.
But...Qtek/WM2k3 has a lot more apps if I'm right and it's hardware is better than Nokias.
But the bigges issues are still on the fact that how does the device handle Instant Messaging and IRC environments. In IRC i'm in a few VERY active channels so would like to know how well does the BA handle IRC messaging, viewing etc....
Is the keyboard slider going to loose very easily? I have read that in some models it's big issue? Or is this only problem with branded phones(i mean like T-mo etc)? Qtek 9090 is the only one which they sell here in Finland.
xcalibur, yeah sure i'll borrow you the 9500, if you come to visit Finland someday =)
The above fact is the only thing keeping me away from ordering BA...
I don't want to keep on ranting against IIs.
Yes, the keyboard will easily get loose. We have here two units and it is the same. I talked to the Brightpoint service people, they say almost all IIs they repaired is about the loose keyboard.
And yaiks, I noticed now that my IIs keyboard is misaligned by a millimeter or two. I cant stop looking at it now. I hate it.
Consider also after sales service of XDA there in Finland. These things do break down. I am sure Nokia will have superb service there in Finland as they have already excellent service here in Philippines. In fairness, Brightpoint too has good service here though their location is not so good.
My keyboard experience
I have had no problems with my keyboard. I like it, use it and it has not developed any problem with the keys themselves nor the sliding mechanism. Perhaps you guys talking all about Nokia vs HTC could move that topic to a separate thread?
Keyboard's great! However, other than for impressing your friends this phone is horribly unreliable. Also, windows is not as polished as Symbian. You will find yourself installing so many 3rd party apps (which make an already unstable handset even less stable) just to perform basic phone functions.
In my opinion, XDA IIs is truely an ingenius device. However, Ias much as I hate to agree with most of you, I share the same sentiments of hating/loving it.
I really dislike the part whereby I receive/dial a call and no sound comes out of it. Also when my IIs hang the moment I exit from Bejeweled 2. I dont use a bluetooth headset, so the bluetooth bit doesnt affect me so much. I also detest the so very prominent gap between my keyboard and screen.
However, on the other hand, my IIs had helped me in so much many other ways, so much so its advantages exceeds its disadvantages. Despite the small keyboard, it had been extremely useful, and having compared with the onscreen keyboard and Transcriber, I personally found that it is so much faster and efficient to key text with the keyboard. Despite haing mid-sized fingers, with good practice, keying in text can be so much of a breeze. I especially liked its soft touch and blue iluminous glow.
Also, the calander feature of Microsoft CE is great. With appropriate 3rd party software, and its extremely ease/stability to sync with Outlook, my contacts and appointments are always at my fingertips. Tho the ringer is quite soft, I have no problems with it as I have always been using traditional ringing ringtones, which are much louder than fanciful mp3 music. Besides, I can see that O2 is doing its fair share by providing support thru O2 connect as well as the after sales service. O2 plus beta had been a great software. I had used it to replace phone alarm and pocket plus. I especially liked it phone profile feature and the part whereby my IIs vibrate upon receipt of call response. I no longer have to hold my device against my ears waiting for the other party to pick up the call.
Another comment is that the screen is clear and even using 10% backlight, I can view the screen to great details, even under sunlight conditions. The extra 4 hardware buttons for today, messaging, IE and OK had been great and it had aid me in single-handed operations with my device.
Overall, all I can say is, its been a great device. You choose to hate / like it. Cheers. Just my two cents worth...
I also came to the XDA series from the Nokia Communicators and have always been looking for a communicator with MS OS.
Can't wait for the Universal
a wonderful use of keyboard! + comments abt XDA IIs overall
hi all,
i have a very very good argument in favour of the keyboard on XDA iis and a big -ve for the absence of it in XDA IIi:
i live in india where the roads at times tend to be a bit bumpy. on such roads keying in with a stylus becomes frustrating! (those who have tried it will know). it is on these roads that u appreciate the inbuilt key board the max.
2ndly, by the grace of GOD, till date i have had NO SOUND issues with my XDA IIs.... so no probs about that..
with 1.40 update i have seen that wifi wont connect usually without a soft reset but thats not very bugging! also there is some camera application brightness control bug and thats also ignorable.
But overall i think that XDA IIs is overall a very good buy... better than XDA IIi and Mini.... NOKIA is ****ty in front of this and looks more of a brick!
i suggest you all not to load any 3rd party apps for password lock and dialler except smart dialling included in mini rom. and must haves are pocket plus, pocket informant,pocket music, skype, phonealarm, alarmtoday and 1-calc. dont forget norton anti-virus and sprite backup as the very very very imp. 1st loads.
All the best to XDA lovers... LONG LIVE XDA IIs... Doom to Nokia!
At one point I used to carry an iPAQ 3870, a mobile phone and a collapsible keyboard. With my suit on, some people thought I was a bodyguard due to my swollen breast pockets. I also also had a Navigator 3000 GPS sleeve and the WiFi CF card.
The iPAQ made me love the Pocket PC. However carrying two or more devices was cumbersome.
I then discovered the Blackberry. Look mum, no wires. Over the air synchronization using the GPRS network was great. The keyboard is also excellent. No GPS and a lack of good application was a minus. Furthermore any interesting application would be pricey.
… but I still missed the Pocket PC.
Then came the Blackberry Connect embedded in the Blue Angel. That is the best of both worlds. My dream was to have a Pocket PC with push email and WiFi with an embedded keyboard.
The cherry on the cake came with Skype. I use desktop Skype a lot and I love it. As I am an international self-employed consultant, my cellphone bills amount to at least £300.00 ($550.00) a month. Skype on the BA will save me money but I need to find a good noise cancellation headset. So what if the sound quality is not that good, my customers would expect that from a roaming mobile phone anyway.
As for the camera, at its current resolution it is a gimmick. I would rather have a lighter BA with no camera. My 5.1 Mega Pixel camera will have to stay.
I agree with everyone that says the keyboard has a bad build. The MDA III and the XDA IIs I have seen at the T-Mobile and O2 shops had the keyboard sliding out on its own as soon as I picked up the device. I had already arrived to the conclusion that the keyboard will break down even before reading this thread.
I know that I will miss the stability of the Blackberry software but the advantages I get from the BA far outweigh the disadvantages.
I don’t thing anyone of us on this board will ever find a device that is perfect in every aspect. This is technology.
I will be moving from the Blackberry to the BA XDA IIs this weekend and I am sure that most if not all on this board will encourage me.
i agree with you
hey,
i agree with you fully... no technology can be perfect... but still XDA IIs is the best bet!
just a doubt: how did u manage to get a BA with blackberry connect? any software for that available for asian users too?
Re: i agree with you
studdocs said:
just a doubt: how did u manage to get a BA with blackberry connect? any software for that available for asian users too?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The T-Mobile MDA III supports Blackberry Connects. The XDA IIs should support it soon. I will be using the XDA IIs but I am hopping to use the MDA III software.
hoping 4 the best!
i am just hoping that XDA IIs supports it soon!
the earlier the better!
You have two choices...
1. Purchase an old used XDAII and upgrade it to WM5.0. Very stable and flawless communications and Bluetooth.
2. Wait for the new WM5.0 devices this summer.
(my 2 cents)
I fully agree with the love/ hate, as per others - I to have experianced neumerous resets, lock ups no sound etc. after two weeks I returned it to the shop and swapped my XDAIIs for another one (it was clearly faulty) - loaded it up with exactly the same applications as the previous one and since then I have only experianced the no sound issue twice in the last month, my unit runs on the "stock" O2 firmware loaded in using Corporate mode. I love the flexibility of the device and my ipaq-4700 is now rarley used as the XDA does everything I need of it with the addition of the phone functionality - great idea and concept, but I still feel it is nowhere near the level of maturity that it should be - Mike
Hi guys,
could you guys tell me where can I download for the latest firmware for my O2 XDA IIs that are going around currently? and is it true that updating firmware will results data losts ? thank you
A hard reset will allways result in data loss, but if you back it all up onto the SD card you should be able to return the unit to the same condition - note I say "should" its probably wise to re-install the lot from scratch to gain the true performance, as yet I have not tried the 1.140 ROM but I am tempted - you don't state whice service provider you are with - try their web site for a download to see if you are upto date - my philosopy is that the service provider should provide a functional device, in pratice the HTC unit is a bit hit and miss - but if you load up anything other than official firmware then taking it back and complaining is out of the window - I am on my second handset from O2 and this apears to work OK - at least it does for the demands I make of it, this includes running bespoke "home" created software scripted using Labview and it performs quite well - mike
Figured I'd post this here as an FYI since I didn't see a thread on it already. I just bought a 2012 Ford Focus and I was surprised at how well my HTC Arrive worked with it after hearing how small the list of phones that are fully functional with it is. I don't know if it started with Mango or if it worked well in NoDo already. I can see my battery life and signal strength from the dash. When someone texts me it kicks right into the voice from the phone that asks if you want to read it or ignore. I can reply back and send texts via voice as well. If I hit media on the touchscreen it shows my phone as an option and starts playing the music, all without needing to plug anything in. My friends iPhone4 and my wife's EVO Shift 4G running the latest official GB update don't do this, they only get the phone call ability really. Here's the latest official tested list, as you can see almost none of the devices are rated for audio streaming and SMS, but mine works.
http://www.nsapp.fordtechservice.dealerconnection.com/sync/usEN/sync_us_EN_iop_2_00.pdf
If you don't know what MyFordTouch/Sync is, here's some info and videos of it in action, it's pretty sweet:
http://www.ford.com/technology/sync...1b08c08d000632e00f00g05h00j00k26m1n0p20110107
The voice I hear though is the same one that comes out of the phone, the TellMe system, not the robotic voice in the videos above.
Glad to know it works, the focus 2012 looks awesome, I'd get one if I could.
That'll be because Ford and Microsoft are major business partners.
The OS that the Touch screen runs on in the new Ford Focus (well, the ST due out next year anyway) was developed by Microsoft, so no surprise at all that they work incredibly well together.
Also just to be pedantic, how can you have bought and own 2012 Focus when we are still in 2011?
Audio said:
That'll be because Ford and Microsoft are major business partners.
The OS that the Touch screen runs on in the new Ford Focus (well, the ST due out next year anyway) was developed by Microsoft, so no surprise at all that they work incredibly well together.
Also just to be pedantic, how can you have bought and own 2012 Focus when we are still in 2011?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WP7 and the Sync software share much DNA.
As far as the 2012 comment, the new Focus is a 2012 model being sold in 2011:
http://www.ford.com/cars/focus/?intcmp=fv-hpbb-dflt-40mpg-focus
Audio said:
That'll be because Ford and Microsoft are major business partners.
The OS that the Touch screen runs on in the new Ford Focus (well, the ST due out next year anyway) was developed by Microsoft, so no surprise at all that they work incredibly well together.
Also just to be pedantic, how can you have bought and own 2012 Focus when we are still in 2011?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thing is that I've seen people complain that the first release of WP7 supported only the voice dialing so I was prepared to be disappointed and then was pleasantly surprised. Figured I'd report in on it. I might do a video review just to get the word out and show it off a little.
Am I the only one that's extremely upset that you have to have a Ford to have this functionality? Wouldn't it be best for Microsoft to make their software available to aftermarket dealers?
You dont need a ford to get what hes talking about...
Most of what he described is standard bluetooth capabilities. With the exception of voice reply and read text messages my JVC unit does all else. I do get a message that says I have a text however. I imagine when I get mango and actually have the read and write through voice functionality It will work seamlessly as well.
Of course the ford system is fancier overall but as far as functionality from the phone as he describes it, its the same.
I am curious though, does the focus have a usb plug? Can you plug the phone in and actually control the zune software? Or is it just bluetooth control?
It depends on the trim level I think, mine has two USB ports though. I think I've read that it controls via USB as well. Here are some other things possible:
http://www.syncmyride.com/Own/touch/entertainment
Found this:
http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3742033&postcount=6
just got a 2016 toyota camry sE , spec edition with Entune Audio Plus package that includes an upgraded 7-inch touchscreen, satellite radio and HD radio.
is there any way to have google maps app work with this system? toyota says no, but there should be a way as other app function with this android integration system. I am currently using a note 3 on verizon and planning on a nexus 6p
as my next phone. the note 3 pairs well for phone and audio. works well with "approved apps" google maps is not approved.
Can google maps be connected to work with toyota entunes plus?
thanks for any ideas or suggestions. i am not real literate so you may need to dumb down your ansers and tell me the type of person who might be able to help me. i am in miami, fl.
I'm pretty sure the answer is No.
Unless you add/change to an aftermarket headunit like Pionerr 4100NEX that supports Android Auto...
Most other auto OEMs are now or soon(-ish) supporting Android Auto and Apple Carplay, which provide navigation, music, messaging and hands free phone calls.
Toyota seems to be the last major holdout. But since just about every other car company is or will be supporting these Google and Apple "infotainment" systems, I think Toyota will have to as well, eventually...
Beyond this, you could mount a phone or tablet in your car, while being careful not to breach the distracted driving laws in your location.
Unfortunately Toyota continues to keep their head buried deep in the sand and market the Entune "FRUSTRATION" system as a real solution for Infotainment.
They will be following the pack to use Ford Sync sans Android Auto or Apple Auto. their strategy is to keep driver distractions to a minimum and frustration to the maximum.
As a new owner of a 2016 RAV4 Hybrid, (and my last Toyota), I have made numerous calls and sent numerous emails regarding the uselessness of Entune. I can use a Phone hanger on the screen and attach my phone and get much better performance since Entune neglected adding WiFi capabilities to the unit and Cell service thru Blue tooth is required for any "INFOTAINMENT" with the exception of XM, that does not work well either.
I am visiting the lying dealer that sold us the RAV4 this morning they claim they can make some adjustments to Entune to make it more palatable..
IMHO Entune is a lost cause, Voice recognition does not well at all, Navigation requires far to many button pushes and the constant nagging voice and commentary for every turn renders the system more than frustrating. The fact Navigation should be called NaviLost as it seldom find any accurate route to travel.
I could rant on for hours, call Toyota and email your complaints if enough Sucker, I mean buyers complain they may eventually listen.
Thanks for listening..
++++++++++++++++Update++++++++++++++++
The Toyota Dealership could not anything but a full reset, still no change in Voice recognition dysfunction.
I am working directly with Toyota on the issue, I have requested a refund for the cost of the entune system. will update this thread once I have more information.
E-Mail call and bug Toyota to get Entune working. you may get some traction.
I too want to bash the stupid entune system. 2016 RAV4 hybrid limited, love everything about the car except the headunit.
1) they screw up the polarization of the display by 90 deg. When you put on polarized sunglasses, the screen is dimmed out compare to the display between the speedometer.
2) voice recognition is slow and retarded. > Half of the time it guesses wrong.
3) it will freeze on you occasionally and you have to hold the power button to reboot
4) USB support sucks. no playlist support, no search by folder
5) JBL greenedge is lame...bass is not rich even with the subwoofer. My prius with JBL kicks ass in comparsion.
6) And of course they lock you out of destination input while driving...but why can't I search POI via voice while driving? (same as my prius though)
These are just off top of my head, I am sure there are more...
lettcco said:
I too want to bash the stupid entune system. 2016 RAV4 hybrid limited, love everything about the car except the headunit.
1) they screw up the polarization of the display by 90 deg. When you put on polarized sunglasses, the screen is dimmed out compare to the display between the speedometer.
2) voice recognition is slow and retarded. > Half of the time it guesses wrong.
3) it will freeze on you occasionally and you have to hold the power button to reboot
4) USB support sucks. no playlist support, no search by folder
5) JBL greenedge is lame...bass is not rich even with the subwoofer. My prius with JBL kicks ass in comparsion.
6) And of course they lock you out of destination input while driving...but why can't I search POI via voice while driving? (same as my prius though)
These are just off top of my head, I am sure there are more...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have 2015 Prius V- trim 5 and DON't even get me started on the navi/entune system. Everyday I can't imagine they EVER attempting a product test and have this thing ever "pass." All I can say is be grateful... grateful you didn't buy your vehicle a year earlier. The 1st gen of that headunit would randomly turn off at daytime temps above 75F. Toyota put out a TSB and the entire cluster%^&* took 3 months in supplier (Panasonic) delays in fixing. FYI - check your map date... it should be at least a year old. They update them in the fall and for you to get it updated I've hear it costs HUNDREDS of $$ @ the dealer...just to load an SD card.
Miralink would definitely fix your problems so as far as a solution...
I have found 2 wiring options but tried none as of yet.
A company called CRUX makes an adapter to free up the A/V input and allow A/V inputs to be ran while vehicle is in motion (VIM)
The adapter for my vehicle - and likely yours - is part # VIMTY-05 (I'd post direct links but I'm not sure about url rules... it should be easy to find). $100
I've also found a company out of Russia called "car-solution" that supplies a similar product with part # 843116 that should do something similar as well. $45 + shipping (select HK warehouse, not EU)
From there both kits should allow you to connect a 12VDC miracast w/ analog a/v inputs and allow you to connect Apple/android devices via wifi.... these are commonly available on Amazon/ebay for $60-$100 range
Total cost to do it yourself should be less than $200.
Both option will likely void some warranty... just like going aftermarket... and as I mentioned before... I haven't verified it YET. MY frustration is getting to the point I might make this a project this week.
oldman_58 said:
Unfortunately Toyota continues to keep their head buried deep in the sand and market the Entune "FRUSTRATION" system as a real solution for Infotainment.
They will be following the pack to use Ford Sync sans Android Auto or Apple Auto. their strategy is to keep driver distractions to a minimum and frustration to the maximum.
As a new owner of a 2016 RAV4 Hybrid, (and my last Toyota), I have made numerous calls and sent numerous emails regarding the uselessness of Entune. I can use a Phone hanger on the screen and attach my phone and get much better performance since Entune neglected adding WiFi capabilities to the unit and Cell service thru Blue tooth is required for any "INFOTAINMENT" with the exception of XM, that does not work well either.
I am visiting the lying dealer that sold us the RAV4 this morning they claim they can make some adjustments to Entune to make it more palatable..
IMHO Entune is a lost cause, Voice recognition does not well at all, Navigation requires far to many button pushes and the constant nagging voice and commentary for every turn renders the system more than frustrating. The fact Navigation should be called NaviLost as it seldom find any accurate route to travel.
I could rant on for hours, call Toyota and email your complaints if enough Sucker, I mean buyers complain they may eventually listen.
Thanks for listening..
++++++++++++++++Update++++++++++++++++
The Toyota Dealership could not anything but a full reset, still no change in Voice recognition dysfunction.
I am working directly with Toyota on the issue, I have requested a refund for the cost of the entune system. will update this thread once I have more information.
E-Mail call and bug Toyota to get Entune working. you may get some traction.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found this thread trying to solve the same problem for the same car. No solution. Entune and Toyota's navigation and voice system is an abomination. Similar threads on forums for all model that offer the system.
CalypsoDroid said:
Found this thread trying to solve the same problem for the same car. No solution. Entune and Toyota's navigation and voice system is an abomination. Similar threads on forums for all model that offer the system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I pushed back hard and got an 8 year platinum warranty at no cost. I e-mailed everyone I could find at Toyota and finally got national sales to get involved.
The dealer offered to buy back the car at very big loss... At any rate The Toyota engineers indicated the unit is working as designed... When I can get the cash together I will be replacing that abomination of a "Infotainment" system.
This is interesting.
Just got a 2016 Highlander Limited Platinum AWD for the wifey and was thinking about this. OEM i know toyota won't do this. Coming from Jeep forums as i have a 14 JGC there are a few hacks. But someone has to do it. And the hack is part software and there is an adapter you have to connect at the back of the radio. Meaning you have to get behind the Dash. Luckily for the GC getting to the back of the radio is simple as you need to simply remove the trim around the radio and ac vents, unscrew a few screws, unplug a few things and plug in the adapter. The adapter is straight plug and play and enables the text input while driving, provides video for up to two video outputs for cam or anything you want to play on your head unit. I have it and set it up with a push 2 tv so i can mirror my android screen.
Will need to speak to them and see if they can get into the entune system. Its really based on demand though. I'm sure its not cheap to do so.
2018 And nothing has changed.
What a huge bungle on Toyota's part. My 2018 Highlander XLE with the "Premium" Entune is still abysmal. Toyota is giving everyone a good reason to my a Honda.
oldman_58 said:
I pushed back hard and got an 8 year platinum warranty at no cost. I e-mailed everyone I could find at Toyota and finally got national sales to get involved.
The dealer offered to buy back the car at very big loss... At any rate The Toyota engineers indicated the unit is working as designed... When I can get the cash together I will be replacing that abomination of a "Infotainment" system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you give me a call or text me please? similar issue... 614-446-9725
You must move to the UK to send google map directions to a Toyota
bob52r said:
just got a 2016 toyota camry sE , spec edition with Entune Audio Plus package that includes an upgraded 7-inch touchscreen, satellite radio and HD radio.
is there any way to have google maps app work with this system? toyota says no, but there should be a way as other app function with this android integration system. I am currently using a note 3 on verizon and planning on a nexus 6p
as my next phone. the note 3 pairs well for phone and audio. works well with "approved apps" google maps is not approved.
Can google maps be connected to work with toyota entunes plus?
thanks for any ideas or suggestions. i am not real literate so you may need to dumb down your ansers and tell me the type of person who might be able to help me. i am in miami, fl.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Based on a YouTube video (which I'm not allowed to post, because I'm new here) , if you live in the UK, it is possible to send google map directions to a Toyota navigation system. I guess Toyota USA is not smart enough to do this.
Hey peeps, came from another thread labeled "Can you pair Pixel XL with car?" But we may have narrowed down to GM vehicles so I wanted to create a more specific thread. We're getting tons of other vehicle manufacturers owners replying they aren't having issues when we really need to know who is having issues.
In that thread there's two of us Silverado owners that can pair our pixel with our vehicle but it only connects for about 5 seconds then disconnects. It will not reconnect or stay connected. I've contacted support they had me do some lame typical scripted steps that did nothing to help. I've forgotten all BT devices rebooted , tried adding just my vehicle. I've rebooted in safe mode did the exact same steps. I've done a factory reset and before doing anything jump straight to my BT and try again. All with the same results. Other user has opened a bug report and I've sent feedback from the device.
I'm hoping we can get GM vehicle owners in here to reply to whether or not they have issues instead of non GM owners saying they are having no issues.
Please, if you're a GM vehicle owners give us your feedback on your BT connection. Maybe year and model info will help.
I own a 2013 Silverado. Other guy has a 2010 Silverado. In the bug reports I've read at least two other GM vehicles ( or people having the exact same issue ) Terrain and Equinox.
Hopefully this issue can be addressed or it will be a deal breaker for me and I'll have to return my pixel.
Btw I own the pixel XL. This other guy owns both pixel and pixel XL.
Thanks
ko0ky said:
Hey peeps, came from another thread labeled "Can you pair Pixel XL with car?" But we may have narrowed down to GM vehicles so I wanted to create a more specific thread. We're getting tons of other vehicle manufacturers owners replying they aren't having issues when we really need to know who is having issues.
In that thread there's two of us Silverado owners that can pair our pixel with our vehicle but it only connects for about 5 seconds then disconnects. It will not reconnect or stay connected. I've contacted support they had me do some lame typical scripted steps that did nothing to help. I've forgotten all BT devices rebooted , tried adding just my vehicle. I've rebooted in safe mode did the exact same steps. I've done a factory reset and before doing anything jump straight to my BT and try again. All with the same results. Other user has opened a bug report and I've sent feedback from the device.
I'm hoping we can get GM vehicle owners in here to reply to whether or not they have issues instead of non GM owners saying they are having no issues.
Please, if you're a GM vehicle owners give us your feedback on your BT connection. Maybe year and model info will help.
I own a 2013 Silverado. Other guy has a 2010 Silverado. In the bug reports I've read at least two other GM vehicles ( or people having the exact same issue ) Terrain and Equinox.
Hopefully this issue can be addressed or it will be a deal breaker for me and I'll have to return my pixel.
Btw I own the pixel XL. This other guy owns both pixel and pixel XL.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a Pixel XL and a 6p. I have a 2015 Silverado. Both phones pair and work just fine with the truck. I have not had any random disconnects with the 6p and have used it with the truck since July of last year. No issues with the Pixel XL so far either.
2015 Equinox with no issues pairing and maintaining connection to Pixel XL
Is there any updates available for your radio? I don't own GM but have Dodge with uconnect and download updates for maps and radio to usb drive then update my system. Just a thought.
I was having bluetooth issues on my uconnect when going to android 6.0.1 so updated radio and was good.
2015 Impala, I have no issues with it connecting, it just takes a few seconds longer than my previous phones.
2016 Hoe and no problems but it's because it auto paired when I connected physically to android auto in the head unit.
Sent from my Pixel XL using XDA-Developers mobile app
I have a 13 regal gs and no issues with 6p. i will update when i get pixel
'16 Suburban here, no issues with a Pixel XL
Can't connect – Buick Regal (late 2012)
Pairs without a problem, but drops connection within 2-3 seconds every time.
Same car without any issues in the past with: iP6, N5X, N5, Galaxy Nexus
After very simple and scripted troubleshooting with google store support I believe they are sending a replacement. I however am not confident the issue will be resolved with a replacement phone. I'll keep updates on any new information.
I also own a 2013 volt that I CAN pair and stay connected to. So maybe it's just certain radios. I have a standard gm radio with Bluetooth nothing fancy. I'll upload a photo of the radio unit in a few hours.
Thanks for all the replies
nrage23 said:
I have a Pixel XL and a 6p. I have a 2015 Silverado. Both phones pair and work just fine with the truck. I have not had any random disconnects with the 6p and have used it with the truck since July of last year. No issues with the Pixel XL so far either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I tried everything you listed, I'm on chat right now with Google about this but I don't have high hopes for an easy solution. I'll post back if I find something
jawmail said:
So I tried everything you listed, I'm on chat right now with Google about this but I don't have high hopes for an easy solution. I'll post back if I find something
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Spent 2+ hours on chat, no solution, nothing worked. He said it got escalated to the next tier group and they will get back to me in a day or so.
I've added a photo of my radio head unit.
I've got a Vauxhall/Opel Insignia in the UK (still a GM car) phone connects fine to the satnav system in my car, but there is a good chance Europe and US use different radio systems.
ko0ky said:
I've added a photo of my radio head unit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's my exact head unit too.
The car is a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox with the factory handsfree OnStar equipment I can pair but as soon as I'm off the pairing screens, it no longer connects although it seems to think it is, given it shows the vehicle in Paired Devices and shows in the car as a paired phone.
My Nexus 6P, prior to it getting the 7.1 upgrade, paired and connected to the car the first time and flawlessly thereafter
Both 6P and XL paired with my Sony SRS-X3 and Fitbit Surge and my Nuvi GPS, which copied over contacts and handled handsfree nicely
Tried Safe mode - no difference from non-safe mode.
Did a factory reset. No resolution. Didn't fix a thing. Phone worked (or not worked) as it did before, same as safe mode.
Lots of GM problems in the link below:
https://productforums.google.com/fo...!msg/phone-by-google/SZrziPyWiHw/g-mkTUyzBwAJ
If nothing is said soon, I'd suggest that folks do like I did and use the support function of the phone (it's part of what you paid for) and report the bluetooth issue that way as well. You get to it by opening Settings and you should see the Support tab. I called and opened up an issue. Then it moved to email. It's one way to get the issue some focused attention.
Google support had me video the issue with my car and I showed it happened with my Pixel and Nexus 6P, both running 7.1. I then rolled the Nexus back to Android 7.0 and tested again. And it worked perfectly and as expected, so the issue is related to Android 7.1 and some of the GM head ends. Bur reports were generated for the 3 situations.
jmcging said:
Google support had me video the issue with my car and I showed it happened with my Pixel and Nexus 6P, both running 7.1. I then rolled the Nexus back to Android 7.0 and tested again. And it worked perfectly and as expected, so the issue is related to Android 7.1 and some of the GM head ends. Bur reports were generated for the 3 situations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool, it looks like it is generating some interest with Google so I hope we get a resolution quickly. I sent them an email this morning with a bunch of questions they had asked me to answer. I also filled out a bug report on Google bug site.
https://code.google.com/p/android/i...ner+Summary+Stars+Reporter+Opened&cells=tiles
My Nexus 6P sucked and would skip while playing music to my 2015 Chevy Equinox but happy to say MY Pixel XL pairs and streams music great to my car
2012 Camaro ss same problem. It pairs then immediately disconnects