This is a long rant manifested by my anger from the last few days event dealing with BestBuy China and HTC
I've tried to summarize my problem at the bottom if you don't feel like reading through the horrors of buying a smartphone in mainland China.
Story
-----------------------------------------
I recently decided to say goodbye to my samsung galaxy spica when it was stolen a few days ago. I live and study in China so I head over to BestBuy to get myself a new phone (yes, china has BestBuy). Once I enter the store and announce that I am in a search for a cellphone I am swarmed by five or six cellphone experts. I love android so I tell them I want the HTC desire HD; this temptress of a phone which appeals to my most inner desires. The best buy cellphone guys assures me that the phone is in English and that everything will be to my satisfaction. It is a fine day for spending credit and I am psyched as I draw my golden credit card from my back pocket as a modern warrior. I swipe my card elegantly and fast, as if I am a man who have made purchases of this magnitude many times before. I tell the lady behind the counter, who by the way does not speak a word English:
"Today is the day I am reborn!!"
I grab my newly purchased baby and throw myself into a taxi. I force the phone out of its wrappings and switch it on as soon as I'm done telling the taxi driver to take me home. The HTC logo appears "quietly briliant" it proclaims. After a few seconds of that the phone asks me weather I want English or Chinese? As my English is substantially better than my Chinese I went with English, cool enough! As I get home in range of my wireless I enter my google account details and I'm set! I tell this baby to automatically sync everything I got. I receive my first email after only 3 minutes of syncing and can see my entire inbox, really cool! My contacts and calendar is probably right around the corner but since it's kind of late I go to bed, I'm a very happy first time HTC customer and I dream a happy dream about flowers.
You can probably guess that this is the paragraph where it all turns to ****. Correct. I wake up and find that neither my contacts nor calendar have been synced. Probably a glitch. I enter the sync settings and find that my google account isn't there. Probably something I've missed. I press "Add account" and find that there is no option to add an google account at all, not cool. I search high and low for an answer, read cryptic texts translated by the mighty google translate. People keep saying to just look press "add account" and add my google account and follow the on screen instructions. Since I know I'm following the instructions correctly I just figure I give HTC a call to finally just fix this minor issue. I hit up HTC Hong Kong (HTC China doesn't have a English site so it's hard to navigate). They tell me that I have a Simplified Chinese rom. Ok, well that figures, I think to myself.. So how can I sync my google account? "I'm sorry sir that's not possible, you can however try to sync your gmail account to Microsoft outlook 2003/2007 and manually sync contacts every time you connect to your computer."
(excuse my language but I don't know any other way to express my feelings at that time other than...) "What the ****!?"
Is it not an android device I am wielding in my hand? Do I need a workaround to sync my google account? The tech support-guy asks for my email "to check if my device has that function (read: sync google accounts)" and he will contact me later. Turns out I can sync my contacts and calendar semi effectively through exchange activeSync. Alright, not exactly what I wanted but, pheeeew!! I can work with this.
I start customizing my DHD and think to myself, would it not be nice with some apps to go with this phone? Yeah, it would! I head over to the android market and install all the apps I could ever dream of. No wait, where is the android market? Oh there it is.. it's just called 'HTC Marketplace', figures, since this is an HTC device I'm holding. I head over to the HTC Marketplace.
HTC Marketplace greets me:
"I will provide you with the best application to your specific device, son!"
"Great, like apps that are customized to fit the DHD?"
"No, apps that are in Chinese."
"Oh, so how do I access my regular apps, like barcodescanner, facebook, youtube, spotify, etc? You know, the good ol' apps I've come to love over the years?"
"Sorry son, I don't know why, but that's just impossible for me to do for you, because my programming tells me I hate you"
Since HTC marketplace hates my guts I hit up HTC tech support again. My conversation goes a little like this:
"Hello, I'm having trouble with the android market"
"Yes, you want access the android market?"
"Yes"
"I'm sorry to inform you that you that you cant access the android market, but you can however access the beautiful world of 'HTC marketplace', a world of possibilities and anime!"
"I wish I bought an iPhone 4..."
Yeah well, I guess it just wasn't meant to be, I should just return the DHD to bestbuy and order one from America or europe. What do you know? In China there is no such thing as a return policy. And the cellphone guys who told me I would be more than happy with my new DHD can't understand why I possibly can be unhappy with it and they suggest stuff like "Go on the internet", "Try calling HTC and ask them to open your phone for american internet access" and my favorite "You can call and send messages? Yes? Then no problem with your phone, go home"
So now I'm stuck with the most expensive phone I've ever purchased which China ruthlessly ripped the heart and soul out of, only to sell it to me and tell me the phone is more than good enough since it can make calls and send messages.
Sure to say, I had the worst day..
I should have ordered from Hong Kong.
/rant
-----------------------------------------
Problem
In short, I have a Chinese DHD without the ability to access the android market and it is generally crippled. This is apparently because of the Traditional Chinese rom it comes with. I would ultimately like to have a generic/stock DHD rom (I'm not quite sure what you call them but vanilla, out of the box, etc in world wide english) and I have no idea if this is possible or where to start my journey towards fixing this.
I've been reading about rooting for two days now and I still am unsure as to what I should do and where to start. Please, help a fellow out, I'm having a really bad week.
My phone:
Android version: 2.2.1
Build number: 1.75.1400.4
Software number 1.0.0.A9191
(If you need any other info from me please do tell me)
Impossible to do anything, as rooting not possible.
Chinese user with a HongKong DHD
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
In theory, you could install WWE (world wide english) stock ROM, but unfortunatelly, not with your software version as it is not rootable yet
Bloody hell that sounds bad, is this will all Chinese Desire HDs then? It's almost like one of those knock-off phones although you have purchased it genuinely. Don't know how things work in China but if you cant root it then give HTC a call and demand a replacement from Europe/America.
Again, don't know how things work in China but i would so furious that i would cancel my credit card and tell them to go screw themselves. Speak to a lawyer if you intend to do that..
if you really cant give the phone back, try to sell it.
perhaps anyone else will buy it.
than get one from europe or the US.
thats so damn pity, caus the phone os realy godlike i think.
if u cant sell it and dont have enuff money for a new nice phone, wait a little until an root hack for your version comes out.
thats really bad, i know
sry m8!
Just wait around for the root to come out for the software just like the rest of suckers who updated! ;p
Would the Goldcard method work here?
It should in theory work. I'm not sure you need root access to just flash a ROM from a different region. I did it on my previous Desire which I got from Hong Kong. Flashed a WWE ROM when Froyo was released.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
The problem is with Google, not China or HTC. Just like most of the 3rd world countries can't buy anything on the Android Marketplace (nevermind that fact that we cant even develop a paid app to publish on the market).
hehehehe ... i just read through your rant ... made quite a read .. ok now to fix your problem
Root your phone .. its no biggie follow this link and you will be all set
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=841076
next go to the development section , choose a rom of your liking .. suggest android revolution hd or leedroid .... read instructions and flash your phone .. .that should pretty much fix your problem ... do let us know how it went
Edit: Oops just saw that your build is 1.75 ... Sorry mate , no root for the phone at the moment
Maybe you should re-read his post, especially the end.
The latest HTC update has been applied, there is no root or ENG HBOOT options at the moment.
A little update
I've been emailing HTC asking them to fix (read: let me return) the phone ever since I realized I wouldn't be able to return the phone to BestBuy and I just got a call from HTC.
First a guy who could only speak Chinese called, sure to say that wasn't a very productive conversation as my Chinese is very basic. I then recieve a second call late at night from someone at the Hong Kong office who speaks English. After about 5 minutes of telling me that he understood my situation, could feel my pain, was sympathetic to my problem and would do everything in his power to help solve it, I thought things were looking up! The conversation progresses like this but gradually he starts saying stuff like "help you make use of your device as best as we can" and "make it easy for you to operate". This was when I realized this person was not going to help me. I knew that if he was going to actually help he would have told me by now that I could return the phone, not this about "easing me into the phone". Finally the guy gets to the point and says "But although we understand your problem, there is nothing wrong with the hardware itself and we can not help you return the phone. Your perceived problem is with the software."
Christ..
To this I of course reply "Even though the problem is software related it's not any less of a problem, it has rendered the phone completely useless to me and I don't think the phone fulfilles the vision I got after reading reviews and watching the ads before buying it" ...And here we go again with the appoligizes and general willingness to help me use the phone as it currently is. He even asked me which applications I was missing so he could try and find Chinese "replacement apps", or Chinese apps that would fulfill my needs.
I'm not giving up yet, I'm sure HTC is willing to help me with this if I could only reach the right people in the organization. This is has turned into a genuine nightmare first time experience with HTC..
@RED_ I think this is how all Chinese DHD works, yes. And I don’t think I want to risk seeing the inside of a Chinese prison by cancelling my credit card although it is very tempting :\
@Eddie1506; tranceonline; momavujistic; irteza_h, I guess I have to wait for someone with the know-how to make my version rootable. I’m turning off automatic updates on my phone to prevent it from further updating.
@leppie, I can’t even access the free applications. I think HTC (or google) made this ‘HTC marketplace’ to be accepted by the government. When I was speaking with HTC today I asked why there was no access to the android market in the first place. They told me “because your phone is Chinese and the market you can access is specialized to your location and the customers in that location”. Which I think means that they can’t sell phones with the open android market in China because of government restrictions. The real android market works down here though, I could access it through on my European Samsung Galaxy.
andyharney said:
Would the Goldcard method work here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
olivierlee said:
It should in theory work. I'm not sure you need root access to just flash a ROM from a different region. I did it on my previous Desire which I got from Hong Kong. Flashed a WWE ROM when Froyo was released.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you guys saying it might work? If there's a chance I will try. How can I test this? Or is it safest to wait for someone to come up with a way to root this device?
How long does it generally take for a new root technique to be ready? Also, I've seen people complaining because they updated to version 1.72 or something. I have 1.75, does this mean 1) that I have to wait a lot longer or maybe 2) that my phone has some kind of special software?
hey there,
after reading your messages through this morning and everything, you should be able to flash a WWE Rom using this guide --> here <--
i hope this helps you liberate your DHD, if you need any help with this guide let me know ill guide you through
its the goldcard method.
Yep, try the goldcard method. If it works you'll get a WWE Desire HD. Not sure you need to do all these. You might just try to create a goldcard, have it in your phone, and just run any WWE RUU you want. I'd stay away from the 1.72 one as it seems to be causing alot of problems. However you might not be able to buy apps from the market since buying paid apps from the market is not possible from China. See http://market.android.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=143779 .
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
well there is a liberated market somewhere on the forums for DHD
your phone was 'harmonised' by the communist government
I think you really should gain root access to your device and flash a customised ROM on it, in *should* solve your problem. though you probably want to have a backup before you do so
To be honest scientist, i wish you read earliar he cant root a 1. 75 rom. So he'll have to use the goldcard method
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
His best option is as suggested by flo. Just hours ago a method has been released which will allow him to downgrade to the wwe stock rom 1.32 version. From there he can root and install a custom rom, or if preferred simply keep it at stock and update it to wwe 1.72 version. As far as market restrictions go it is possible to use "market enabler" hacks to allow paid access to the market anywhere.
This sounds like good news!
Yesterday when I wrote the original reply I was kind of drunk and it was 6am I think so I'm just rewriting the entire reply. For all it shortcomings when it comes to smartphones, China do have a lot of opportunities for people (like me) who want to stay out all night singing karaoke and eating popcorn. Anyway, I think the best approach, instead of asking any of you to hold my hand through this is that I just post what I think I should do and then you can tell me if I'm way off target.
Is this correct?
Step 1 - making a goldcard
I think you are saying that I need to make a goldcard and for that I follow the 'creating a goldcard' over at modaco.com. It looks quite straightforward so I don't think this will be a problem. However, I need to venture out into China and find a real SDcard with an adapter (guess I'm heading over to BestBuy again)
Question: In the downgrading thread it says to "Use MMC2!!", what does that mean?
Step 2 - Downgrading
I've extracted the downgrade folder conveniently to d:\downgrade and will open cmd and type inn all the commands I have no idea what actually does (I'm used to this ). Then I will look for "#" and proceed. I will copy PD98IMG.zip to the goldcard and hopefully there will be some instructions of some kind that I can follow.
Step 3 - profit?
If all this works what should I do next? Or more, where am I? What will happen after this? Do I have a stock rom now? And can I just stop there and update the rom and be happy? I do plan to root my device some time later, but for now I will be more than super happy just to have a wwe stock rom with no root, fully updated with the android market. Am I far off?
Success! Got myself a goldcard!
Now what do I do with it? (for real, it's not really clear in any of the guides what I should do with the goldcard microSD). Do I put it into the phone?
Related
Apologies if this appears elsewhere but I have looked without success. If it does then a link to the solution would be great.
Basically I found this site a few weeks ago and since then have been tinkering with my phone. I've tried various roms, added different programs, played about with the settings and so on. Today I have finally got it just how I want it. It is overclocked to run quickly but safely. The today screen is perfect. It contains everything I need including my huge list of contacts. And my theme is spot-on. However usually in life when everything is right something big and hairy appears out of nowhere and dumps on you. Its got to the point where I panic every time I turn it on just in case it crashes and I need to start all over again.
My question therefore is if anyone knows of a utility (or can give detailed instructions) to completely back up the phone. Right down to the user settings, theme and contacts. If possible maybe even to create a rom image of my phone so that if it does ever crash I can reinstall the whole thing from one simple file. I assume this sort of thing must be possible because Kavana and Ricky produce such wonderful roms with various programs, etc pre-installed.
Can it be done? And if so - can it be done by an enthusiastic amateur or do you need to be a tech guru? I should add I don't mind paying if I need to buy a piece of commercial software to achieve this.
GS
Did you even bother to search google for "smartphone backup" ? The very first link that comes up, takes you right to the software you say you need. I apologize for being harsh, but I hate the lack of common sense...
An option
Not sure about the cooked 6.1 Roms. Maybe someone else might know or have tried.
http://www.spritesoftware.com/
I use this and it's well worth it.
if u just mean the saved registry values and what not u can always export the registry so that way if u have to hard reset the phone or if a new amazingly wowlike rom is released and u NEED to flash u can always import the registry values of the chomes and it'll be the way u left it (thats what I do for my myfaves and my programs)
OrganicM said:
Did you even bother to search google for "smartphone backup" ? The very first link that comes up, takes you right to the software you say you need. I apologize for being harsh, but I hate the lack of common sense...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem, and you are entitled to your opinion. however its replies like that which stop people making posts to forums like this. Everyone has to start somewhere, and one man's obvious "common sense" answer is another man's dilemma.
As for using google... yep I could have done that but google links to hundreds of pages, some owned by people trying to sell software which obviously means they won't be objective. Others have methods which could damage a phone and because I don't know the writers how do I know which methods to trust? Ergo I decided to come to site I know, with people whose technical knowhow I trust, and to search the forum and then ask them for advice. To me, that is common sense. Isn't that one of the reasons that places like this exist? So non techheads can ask guys like you for help?
No offence intended and, for what its worth, you are one of the guys whose advice on this forum has helped me countless times. So thank you for that no matter what. Without your posts I'd never have got this far in the first place! I mean that.
As for the other replies... thanks guys. I will look into the registry stuff. And I will certainly check out the software link. If I do find some info on google, I hope you folks will help me pick the best method to use and avoid bad advice.
Thanks again.
GS
Okay the Sprite software is perfect. And now I've checked it out maybe my question was a stupid one. Still, its nice to have a recommendation from an independent source. I've been burnt in the past by bad google advice.
Sorry if I've wasted anyone's time.
GS
UPDATE:
As of April 23, 2010 HTC Desire users can see / buy protected apps from the Android Market !
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I know, this has been discussed again and again.
We have to wait until Google finished finger-printing the phone firmware and added it to the Market. Something like Google should certify the phone firmware to be able to use the Market.
Granted, no problem with that ... if Google can do it very quickly.
But how long???
This will be a long wait ... or VERY LONG WAIT
Take a look from the official Google Android Market forum support:
Even the HTC Legend is still having this issue (which was released earlier)
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Android+Market/thread?tid=683d89c4f4fd4593&hl=en
After more than 1 month, it is still not fixed !!!
And this is for HTC Hero:
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Android+Market/thread?tid=3529bae358433fcd&hl=en
Started on July 22, 2009 ... Until March 2010 ... Or is it still till now??? Probably on certain firmware from certain mobile operators or whatnot.
I really cannot believe Google screws this great Android platform like this.
Think about the next firmware update, from Google or HTC ... We will AGAIN get this issue ... Then wait again very long.
I am really mad and hate this. The phone is nice, but this? Do I forced to find "elsewhere" (pirated, cracked version of Android apps)?
If one of you guys is capable of writing a good professional article or blog regarding this issue, we could spread the voice all over the internet / twitter / facebook / blogs / news so Google could "end" or "fix" this.
Because this is unacceptable ... will REPEAT (every firmware update) and FOREVER
PS: This is repost from AndroidForums.com by me.
It's staggering really. Particularly like google Earth. I can't get that through the android market!
This should be fixed....
will a rooted desire solve the problem?
mtbmtbmtb said:
will a rooted desire solve the problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think so, since at that point you can change your phone "ID", so the market thinks it is a nexus/G1/X10 etc etc.
If there si a phone with full access to the market, you change your ID to that one et voilá...
how about changing from a T-Mobile ROM to a generic one?
I'm have a desire with the same issue, running the latest generic firmware. I have to source apps I can't find on the market place elsewhere. There really needs to be more urgency put on the finger printing process by Google!
Think Google have their dummy out as the Nexus isnt doing too well lol
Seriously though. This is bad. The iphone/pod does so well because of the apps. Microsoft are doing so badly because of the apps. Google dont shoot yourself in the foot.
Its sad as I told my mate today that the android just lacks big named titles then I go on cryket and there are some cool titles Gameloft & EA but not found on the marketplace when I search.
Really is a pity we have to wait so long.
gogol said:
Think about the next firmware update, from Google or HTC ... We will AGAIN get this issue ... Then wait again very long.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Knowing HTC they probably won't release many updates for the Desire anyway, unless they've realised that in order to sell more units they need to provide fixes!
ritdaw said:
Knowing HTC they probably won't release many updates for the Desire anyway, unless they've realised that in order to sell more units they need to provide fixes!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hahaha, don't be daft now! When do HTC ever really fix issues? Thats why we all love xda so much.
This won't help ... I am using generic one
This issue is silly ... I cant support Android platform by spending money on apps. I want to do this to support Android developers so they will be happy and encouraged to develop more better apps.
If I am a developer, I will be really mad ...
Some apps are in http://www.slideme.org , but not all.
mtbmtbmtb said:
how about changing from a T-Mobile ROM to a generic one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This guy is making work of the market problem. At least for the Legend. So let's hope this will also solve the problem for the Desire.
Otherwise we have to wait for root acces and alter the build.prop file ourselves.
Bart1981 said:
This guy is making work of the market problem. At least for the Legend. So let's hope this will also solve the problem for the Desire.
Otherwise we have to wait for root acces and alter the build.prop file ourselves.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I can gather, he says nothing specifically about the market problem, he's just saying an OTA is underway for the Legend that should fix that phone's specific problems getting apps that need access to the camera.
He says nothing about the missing protected apps, and nothing about the Desire either.
Just got off the phone to HTC:
Apparently there is a ROM update to fix this in the works which will be released in "the next four weeks". She was quite adamant that it wasn't just a Google thing...
I gave her a list of apps that I couldn't download and she said she'd pass it on.
She did say that the more people that call up and report this the better. It then lets HTC know how much pain its causing.
Get calling!
Oh boy ... 4 weeks??? I hope HTC will roll out a very good list of patches!
If it will include "Flash 10.1" with hardware acceleration, then I will forgive them (HTC and Google)
Google IO conference will be on May 19 - 20.
I wrote an article about it as suggested and its up
http://www.rcrwireless.com/article/...121/htc-desire-has-android-marketplace-issues
We should spread this out.
But, why do you only mention "unbranded" ??? Because this issue happen on ALL HTC Desire devices released till today.
And also HTC Legend ... and some HTC Hero still.
Read my #1 post.
Gr3m1in said:
I wrote an article about it as suggested and its up
http://www.rcrwireless.com/article/...121/htc-desire-has-android-marketplace-issues
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Retweeted your article, can all Twitter users do the same (and Digg/ReTweet all similar articles!).
Gr3m1in said:
I wrote an article about it as suggested and its up
http://www.rcrwireless.com/article/...121/htc-desire-has-android-marketplace-issues
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good. Thanks for the article.
But I have one of the first T-mobile Desire's bought direct from T-mobile (1.15.110.11) and I still can't see protected apps like Tapatalk, Google Earth, etc. So the problem isn't restricted to unbranded phones as your article suggests.
gogol said:
We should spread this out.
But, why do you only mention "unbranded" ??? Because this issue happen on ALL HTC Desire devices released till today.
And also HTC Legend ... and some HTC Hero still.
Read my #1 post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There had been reports that it works on SOME branded Desires
and your thread wasn't the first written about this issue, it was raised a few days before you did it just wasnt published until now the original thread I came across only mentioned the Desire
meson1 said:
Good. Thanks for the article.
But I have one of the first T-mobile Desire's bought direct from T-mobile (1.15.110.11) and I still can't see protected apps like Tapatalk, Google Earth, etc. So the problem isn't restricted to unbranded phones as your article suggests.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was the editor, I requested the update it hasnt happened yet so I apologise
it was supposed to say some unbranded devices
is this the same issue why i cant see Google maps in the market place on my phone? i'm in ireland.. unlocked unbranded desire.. tried both o2 and meteor networks
I just woke up to a white screen telling me it wants to charge me 2 dollars a month to tell me where a call is from...
I tried to go to applications and uninstall it but I didnt see any uninstall option...
Sent from my ADR6300 using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk
Without access to the /system (ie root) then no...no we can't! ****..this lame as application is gonna ruin this phone isn't it?
I saw that too and wasn't happy. I hate to have to root my phone and image it just to get rid of that application. It hasn't asked again since the first time. Hopefully it wont ask again!
noelk01469 said:
I saw that too and wasn't happy. I hate to have to root my phone and image it just to get rid of that application. It hasn't asked again since the first time. Hopefully it wont ask again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same here it only has asked me once!! so... hopfully its done!! verizon how could u do this put shareware with a 2 day trial on such a great phone!!
I knew it was too good to be true when they said no verizon bloatware in the reviews... i didnt plan on rooting the phone for 6 months if I ever do at all...
Sent from my HTC Incredible using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk
two_cents said:
I knew it was too good to be true when they said no verizon bloatware in the reviews... i didnt plan on rooting the phone for 6 months if I ever do at all...
Sent from my HTC Incredible using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not verizon i had it on my alltel touch pro and i think it just puts the city name when someone you don't know calls you. It never stopped doing that for me after the trial was up and it never popped up saying i need to pay. So it might just be an extra icon you have ti live with.
It is defiantly always running in the background!
-ebby- said:
Its not verizon i had it on my alltel touch pro and i think it just puts the city name when someone you don't know calls you. It never stopped doing that for me after the trial was up and it never popped up saying i need to pay. So it might just be an extra icon you have ti live with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just because it isn't exclusive to Verizon, doesn't mean its not crappy bloatware.
+1 on getting rid of this when root is achieved.
I'm new to Android to so I apologize if this is totally out there. CityID is part of the ROM so it is protected. But I imagine that Cequint must be able to push out an update for CityID or their libraries from time to time.
What if we made our own version of CityID with the same manifest that did nothing and installed it using "Unknown sources"? Would Android see our newer version and use that instead?
Is this possible or do we need to wait for root access?
If you ForceClose it the trial returns to 15 days LOL.
There are some reverse lookup apps that show the name of the caller. Skydeck is well reviewed and I'm testing it.
When my trial period ended it asked if I wanted to keep my subscription and I hit no. It then allowed me to uninstall. Has anyone else had this happen for them?
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Sent via the XDA Tapatalk App
shwayzee said:
When my trial period ended it asked if I wanted to keep my subscription and I hit no. It then allowed me to uninstall. Has anyone else had this happen for them?
-------------------------------------
Sent via the XDA Tapatalk App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess I have 1 day before it expires, hope your right.
I wander if the idiot that designed the program actually gets money from people.
I have been trying to get rid of this piece of crap since I made the mistake of installing it . Dont think that I've bewn. Billed yet
-------------------------------------
Sent via the XDA Tapatalk App
Ok my free trial ran out last night, but this lame excuse of a program still runs for no reason, but to spy on my phone.
I was not able to remove the program.
This is a good reason to root this phone.
Ok so im new here and im new to the smartphone user crowd but I am pretty good with computers and think I may have found a way to remove City ID (and any other apps preloaded or not) from the Incredible. I was playing around last night and found an "Uninstall" button for City ID but I being a new user to Smartphones and honestly not yet willing to destroy my baby hehe was afraid to press it. Anyways for those (if any) of you out there are willing to try it and see what happens (im not held liable for anything if it goes wrong this is strictly your decision)..here is how you find the button:
1) Enter Astro File Manager (by default it takes you to your SD Card)
2)Hit the "UP" button, it will take you to your phone storage directory.
3)Choose the "System" folder.
4)Choose the "app" folder.
5)Scroll to "City ID". Click on it.
6)Choose "Open App Manager".
7)Voila..there is your button.
Please post if this works..alongside with any side effects etc..it would be greatly appreciated. Hope this helps someone.
Also posted this on XDA-Developers. Look there for replies too if it works. i sure hope so anyways. Search "City ID... how do you uninstall?".
EDIT: Also posted this on androidforums.com. Look there for replies too if it works. i sure hope so anyways. Search "City ID... how do you uninstall?".
No, it doesn't work. We have root now, so you can uninstall it. Someone posted directions somewhere. You just use the rm command from the terminal.
With this removed, do you still get city/state information (I imagine you would as Verizon advertises "Caller ID" as one of it's services). Was this just some moot/redundant app left in to try and make some money off of suckers?
CityID
DeeBG said:
With this removed, do you still get city/state information (I imagine you would as Verizon advertises "Caller ID" as one of it's services). Was this just some moot/redundant app left in to try and make some money off of suckers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Caller ID is name and phone number.
The translation from phone number to City/State is what CityID does. When removed, there is no display of City/State, but you still get Name and Phone number. As the translation of phone number to City/State for mobile phones is patented by the makers of CityID, Verizon can't provide that service without using the CityID application.
Well after reading the forums I found a lot op people complained about not beeing able to push an app to the SD card. And you don't have to root your phone for it. it will give you access to the 'Move to SD' button regardless if the programmer adapted his program for 2.2 yet.
With ADB you can do so very easy !, and there is no root required.
Perform the following steps :
1. Install HTC Sync (see : http://www.htc.com/ (select your device, download, and install ))
2. Install Android developers kit. (See http://htcevohacks.com/htc-evo-hacks/how-to-install-android-sdk-and-adb-drivers-for-htc-evo-4g/ for a detailed how to.)
Start ADB.
Use : adb shell pm setInstallLocation [option]
Where option is one of:
0 [auto] Let the system decide.
1 [internal only]
2 [external]
And you are ready to go.
Maybe you should have a read of the official documentation from google : http://developer.android.com/guide/appendix/install-location.html
to understand what you are doing. And what you should not do (Like moving apps that run as a service to the SD card....)
I did this on my Phone and went to the settings and moved every app to SD. On this moment I have 70 MB free where previously i would have the ugly notification saying I needed to free up space. So this trick really seems to work.
Not everything is moved to the SD card, but about 50% to 70% of an app can be moved. The only app that left a substantial footprint on the device is Navigon. This one dropped from 20 MB to about 18 MB.
Everything is still functional and i have not noticed any negative effects so far.....
Reserved for future use
Just an FYI, but it does appear that there are still some apps that can't be moved to SD card using this method.
Skies of Glory is one that I've found that doesn't give you the option to install to sd, regardless of what you've set the install location to be.
Regards,
Dave
So can you confirm what option you chose? Did you choose option 2? If so, does this set the default, so any new app you install automatically goes to the SD card?
jedininja666 said:
So can you confirm what option you chose? Did you choose option 2? If so, does this set the default, so any new app you install automatically goes to the SD card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes I put it to 2.
This will do two things....
1. This will give you the abillity to move ANY application to SD. Not completely, but for a big part. (some files remain in phone rom).
2. Any NEW app you install will automatically install on SD.
For sure there are exceptions, and for sure there will be apps that cannot be moved. But it freed up about 80 MB on my phone, so now i have room for more apps.
Fantastic! Exactly what I was looking for, thanks!
I'll try this with Google Earth tonight. Thank you.
I talked to HTC today about this and they said if I do that what u told here that the 2 year-guarantee will be screwed. So thx but no thx! They also said that in future, when other app-makers will make an new app, it will be the only way to make them via FroYo and then all new ones will be able to move to SD-card. So have patiance before U screw up the guarantee.
ill try it out tonite
hey is there any list of apps and games available online which would tell me the list of apps which support sd card save option.
i tried searching the market for "sd" "froyo" yet i dont think this shows the complete list
/rant/ said:
I'll try this with Google Earth tonight. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you mean google maps, sorry cannot be done, this is part of OS and cannot be moved.
however :
Google sky map drops from 1.78 MB to 320 KB
Layar drops from 2.76 to 1.06
Systempanel drops from 1.07 MB to 556 KB
etc
Norsehawk said:
I talked to HTC today about this and they said if I do that what u told here that the 2 year-guarantee will be screwed. So thx but no thx! They also said that in future, when other app-makers will make an new app, it will be the only way to make them via FroYo and then all new ones will be able to move to SD-card. So have patiance before U screw up the guarantee.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well i don't know who you talked to at HTC, but there is nothig illegal and it is IMPOSSIBLE to break your phone with this.
It could only void warranty if HTC could prove it was not their fault.
Since this is just a system setting invented by google and exposed by google, and documented by google, made possible thanks to HTC's own sync program, it seems very unlikely that HTC can revoke their warranty.
Before they can do such a thing they have to prove that what you did broke the phone. I doubt that they can EVER make it stick.
They also said that rooting would void warranty. But that's no longer the case either !. rooting is legal !.
Norsehawk said:
I talked to HTC today about this and they said if I do that what u told here that the 2 year-guarantee will be screwed. So thx but no thx! They also said that in future, when other app-makers will make an new app, it will be the only way to make them via FroYo and then all new ones will be able to move to SD-card. So have patiance before U screw up the guarantee.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you want to reclaim your phone just use same command with 0 value
to topic : do not try to move widgets to SD card.. you will broke them
well0549 said:
!. rooting is legal !.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes but that doesnt mean that you cant lose your waranty
well0549 said:
Well after reading the forums I found a lot op people complained about not beeing able to push an app to the SD card. And you don't have to root your phone for it. it will give you access to the 'Move to SD' button regardless if the programmer adapted his program for 2.2 yet.
With ADB you can do so very easy !, and there is no root required.
The steps you have to take to make this possible :
1. Install HTC Sync (see : http://www.htc.com/ (select your device, download, and install ))
2. Install Android developers kit. (See http://htcevohacks.com/htc-evo-hacks/how-to-install-android-sdk-and-adb-drivers-for-htc-evo-4g/ for a detailed how to.)
Start ADB.
Use : adb shell pm setInstallLocation [option]
Where option is one of:
0 [auto] Let the system decide.
1 [internal only]
2 [external]
I did this on my Phone and went to the settings and moved every app to SD. On this moment I have 70 MB free where previously i would have the ugly notification saying I needed to free up space. So this trick seems to work.
Not everything is moved to the SD card, but about 50% to 70% of an app can be moved. The only app that left a substantial footprint on the device is Navigon. This one dropped from 20 MB to about 18 MB.
Everything is still functional and i have not noticed any negative effects so far.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thaaaaaaaaaanks a million. the no memory alerts and apps to internal memory only android crap / official froyo way of apps2sd is doing my head in. time to check out how to do this now without rooting and keep my warranty.
may you win the lottery millions this week...... and me win the next week
well0549 said:
Well i don't know who you talked to at HTC, but there is nothig illegal and it is IMPOSSIBLE to break your phone with this.
It could only void warranty if HTC could prove it was not their fault.
Since this is just a system setting invented by google and exposed by google, and documented by google, made possible thanks to HTC's own sync program, it seems very unlikely that HTC can revoke their warranty.
Before they can do such a thing they have to prove that what you did broke the phone. I doubt that they can EVER make it stick.
They also said that rooting would void warranty. But that's no longer the case either !. rooting is legal !.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I have heard the other side of the coin as well. Even if I gave u a name of the person I spoked with (it was swedish support) it wouldn't give u any kind of clue at all. But he has spoken with HTC-technicians and they all said that if u root it or as much as change something in the cmd-prompt, it will be f-cked up and 2 year-warranty will be screwed. I talked with him today, maybe an hour ago and I doubt that he talked bs.
So if the day comes and u have to send ure phone for repair, I think they can see what u have done with ure phone. I'm just saying that this thing that u wrote and tell everyone, maybe u shall speak with HTC first and get their approval BEFORE u tell everyone here what to do? It's kind of risky u know.. I have paid 470 EUR for the phone in april, so what makes u think that I will root it or change something in cmd-prompt?
And btw, HTC did also told me that in the future all app-makers will make their apps for FroYo, wich means that in the upcomming future every app will be removable to the SD-card. Kind of stupid to rush things up, don't u think? But okay, it's ure phone do whatever u want...
Tomaco said:
yes but that doesnt mean that you cant lose your waranty
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
The waranty is 2 year long, so I don't think that I will root it at all.
Norsehawk said:
Well I have heard the other side of the coin as well. Even if I gave u a name of the person I spoked with (it was swedish support) it wouldn't give u any kind of clue at all. But he has spoken with HTC-technicians and they all said that if u root it or as much as change something in the cmd-prompt, it will be f-cked up and 2 year-warranty will be screwed. I talked with him today, maybe an hour ago and I doubt that he talked bs.
So if the day comes and u have to send ure phone for repair, I think they can see what u have done with ure phone. I'm just saying that this thing that u wrote and tell everyone, maybe u shall speak with HTC first and get their approval BEFORE u tell everyone here what to do? It's kind of risky u know.. I have paid 470 EUR for the phone in april, so what makes u think that I will root it or change something in cmd-prompt?
And btw, HTC did also told me that in the future all app-makers will make their apps for FroYo, wich means that in the upcomming future every app will be removable to the SD-card. Kind of stupid to rush things up, don't u think? But okay, it's ure phone do whatever u want...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry but this is utter hogwash! As long as you haven't changed your HBOOT from what it was at the time you got your phone, and can find the ROM which takes your phone back to what it was, there is NO WAY HTC can tell you've done anything whatsoever. Apart from maybe use a SIM Unlock code (which I bought).
jedininja666 said:
Sorry but this is utter hogwash! As long as you haven't changed your HBOOT from what it was at the time you got your phone, and can find the ROM which takes your phone back to what it was, there is NO WAY HTC can tell you've done anything whatsoever. Apart from maybe use a SIM Unlock code (which I bought).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well why don't u do that and then send ure phone for repair just for "fun"? Do that and then come back and write what has happend and if there is any warranty left - or not.
Norsehawk said:
+1
The waranty is 2 year long, so I don't think that I will root it at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't know what country you are from. But I know here in holland we consumers do have rights. And I will always win if we went to court !
Furthermore i think the person you spoke with really doesn't know what he is talking about. This is not only a HTC issue but will work on any Froyo phone.... It's just part of the android OS.
If they would not allow it they could have taken it out. HTC froyo is not stock froyo. Some things are modified in the OS to make Sense behave like it does. They could have taken this out but they didn't.
Would be like toyota saying their warranty is lost if you drive with the boot open. Your statement and claims are utter NONSE.
That the person you spoke with doesn't like this setting is totally clear to me. Cause now they cannot sell that 'new phone exactly like the desire but this time with 8 GB internal memory allowing for enough apps to be installed' they were thinking of.
Norsehawk said:
Well why don't u do that and then send ure phone for repair just for "fun"? Do that and then come back and write what has happend and if there is any warranty left - or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent my rooted phone back for a warranty repair and it was fixed without issue.
Regards,
Dave
Simple (and maybe stupid) question...
I was looking for a rom, and google show me this:
http://www.lollipop-roms.org/mp3-0/acer-iconia-tab-a100-3841.html
Just for curiosity tried to download it, but fail...
Anyway... i don´t believe about that page... but can someone check about it?
Thanks!!!
Since the second line is "I rewrite this tutorial from forum.xda-developers.com" and it is clearly NOT from here, I think you can assume the rest has very little truth to it.
It's definitely fake. The text looks like it's been generated with some bot and just filled in or then copied from another, similar text, and then they just added those scam links. You need to complete a survey which means paying money for like an SMS service or app download that will charge you a lot of money. A friend fell to one of those, and he got 3x45 euros bill from his operator for trying to download a pirated APK through a similar site. He got to the download all right after entering his phone number, but the apk he got was malware that installed ad downloaders and tracking apps on his phone, added shortcuts and sent his logs somewhere to China (Southern China if I remember correctly).
So yeah, anything that looks fishy and is not from a popular, widely-used site like XDA forums or the other similar forums, is mostly always a fake in this case too...
I was also looking for a Lollipop ROM for the Iconia and stumbled upon this, noticed only now how old the thread is, but whatever
kanttii said:
It's definitely fake. The text looks like it's been generated with some bot and just filled in or then copied from another, similar text, and then they just added those scam links. You need to complete a survey which means paying money for like an SMS service or app download that will charge you a lot of money. A friend fell to one of those, and he got 3x45 euros bill from his operator for trying to download a pirated APK through a similar site. He got to the download all right after entering his phone number, but the apk he got was malware that installed ad downloaders and tracking apps on his phone, added shortcuts and sent his logs somewhere to China (Southern China if I remember correctly).
So yeah, anything that looks fishy and is not from a popular, widely-used site like XDA forums or the other similar forums, is mostly always a fake in this case too...
I was also looking for a Lollipop ROM for the Iconia and stumbled upon this, noticed only now how old the thread is, but whatever
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi there, I still have a A100, very robust tablet, it never gave me any headaches... I recently installed a A500 Omniron 5.1.1 and it booted, went to the initial android setup screen and stucked there because the touchscreen driver does not work on A100... but all buttons, wifi, usb seems to work well, only the touchscreen is the matter... does anyone here knows how to solve that ? I read some threads about compiling the kernel, but if that is the solution I would need tips or help... at least there is yes a light in the end of the tunnel to make A100 work with Lollipop 5.1.1....
nunesfl said:
Hi there, I still have a A100, very robust tablet, it never gave me any headaches... I recently installed a A500 Omniron 5.1.1 and it booted, went to the initial android setup screen and stucked there because the touchscreen driver does not work on A100... but all buttons, wifi, usb seems to work well, only the touchscreen is the matter... does anyone here knows how to solve that ? I read some threads about compiling the kernel, but if that is the solution I would need tips or help... at least there is yes a light in the end of the tunnel to make A100 work with Lollipop 5.1.1....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it's a good little device!
Impressive that they work! Bluetooth too?
The last time I compiled the kernel was for Android 2.3.7 and that was ages ago But you could maybe try to find the touch driver location on the device through ADB shell (exploring it's contents) or the downloaded package. Then after that's found, you could try pushing the working drivers from an earlier version, like 4.3, through ADB also and then reboot the device to see if it does anything! I can't for my life remember how they're supposed to be put there the real way but this is just a quick thought..lol.. anyone else have ideas?