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All posts tagged "rom"


Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Windows Update for Windows Phone: This is What You've Been Waiting For

Posted by Jason Dunn in "Windows Phone Talk" @ 04:53 PM

It's a story I need not go into too many details about: anyone who's owned a PDA or phone running Windows Mobile, from the first Pocket PC to the latest Windows Phone 6.5, knows the horrors of device ROM updates. Whether it's a new ROM image designed to fix bugs and enhance performance, or a whole new OS, as buyers of these devices we've always been at the mercy of the device manufacturer and/or the wireless carriers. Who amongst us hasn't raised a fist in anger at being denied a vital software update that would fix a problem with our device? This is how the entire underground ROM scene was born - out of frustration and desperation.

Or, if you were "lucky" enough to have an update offered for your phone, you'd have the pleasure of re-installing and re-configuring everything on your phone; often a process that would take hours. Microsoft's broken model, combined with OEM/carrier refusal to offer updates likely drove more customers away from buying a second Windows Phone than any other factor. We could only look on with envy as our iPhone-using kin happily docked their phones, got an update, and were using it minutes later.

Well, envy begone! Windows Phone 7 solves this pain point once and for all - witness my interview with Andrew Brown, Program Manager for Windows Phone Update, and be amazed...

WPT: Let's start with the best news I've heard about Windows phone 7: how will device updates work now? What will the update mechanism be?

Brown: Like many other things in Windows Phone 7, we're taking a different approach to updates than we have in the past with Windows Mobile. To start with, we're going to leverage the world-class infrastructure we already have with Microsoft Update today and use that to deliver updates directly to Windows Phone 7 phones - no more worries about figuring out where to go to download an update. We're also making it much easier on our partners (OEMs and Mobile Operators) by establishing a single, consistent update process that they can take advantage of, meaning they don't have to be responsible for their own individual update creation and delivery like they've had to do in the past. So it's really a win for everyone.

We've also built in a notification that pops up right on the phone that tells you when an update is available. When you see that, you connect your phone via USB cable to a computer running the Zune client software. At that point it's literally just one click and the update is downloaded and transferred to the phone, a restore point is created, and the update is installed, all done automatically. Read more...


Monday, June 21, 2010

HTC Slaps Cease And Desist Order On Illegal ROM Distributor

Posted by Ed Hansberry in "Windows Phone Talk" @ 08:00 AM

http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/17/...-desist-letter/

HTC has sent a cease and desist letter to ROM distributor Shipped ROMs. According to Engadget, the big deal here is HTC is against the site hosting ROMs that should otherwise be available only on HTC or carrier partner servers. HTC told Engadget that they try to take a hand's off approach to modded ROMs, but they cannot tolerate the distribution of plain vanilla ROMs. Does that make sense to you?

Tags: htc, rom, illegal

Friday, March 5, 2010

Why A Half-Baked Windows Phone 7 Release on an HD2 is a Bad Idea

Posted by Jon Westfall in "Windows Phone Talk" @ 05:00 AM

"We've had it up here with these shenanigans. You're jerking us around, and we're sick of it. We get it, you have a very particular concept of what sort of phones you want running your new Windows Phone 7 Series OS. Not only do we get it, but we're kind of proud of you for sticking up for yourself for once and ensuring some sort of sameness across your platform. Unfortunately, it's not the holiday season yet, so we can't buy one of these fancy WP7S phones yet. Meanwhile, on the other end of town, HTC is bringing the HD2 to T-Mobile in the US this month. Sure, it runs your soon-to-be-outdated Windows Mobile 6.5 OS which nobody wants, but it's also pretty much the best hardware we've ever seen. Bar none."

Paul Miller published an editorial at Engadget yesterday that made me think about the consequences of corporate secrecy and policy when it comes to the geek community. Even as someone willing to play by these rules (as evidenced by my own NDA with Microsoft), I still long for a time where geeks can have what they want, and companies can keep mainstream customers happy. Unfortunately I don't see that happening any time soon for some very practical reasons. And in the end, as frustrating as it is, I think it is for the better.

Read more...


Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Xperia X1 Owners: New ROM For You!

Posted by Jon Westfall in "Pocket PC Software" @ 08:30 AM

http://www.wmexperts.com/xperia-x1-gets-rom-update

We're hearing that a new ROM update for the Xperia X1 brings better performance, better signal, better touch response, heck - better everything it seems. If you're an Xperia owner, head over to Sony Ericssons Update Service to get the goods.

Tags: , sony, xperia, rom

Saturday, April 11, 2009

HTC Touch HD ROM Upgrade Improves GPS, Fixes Bugs

Posted by Darius Wey in "Pocket PC Software" @ 08:00 AM

http://www.htc.com/europe/SupportDo...cat=2&dl_id=533

HTC has posted a ROM update for the Touch HD, which, alongside the usual batch of bug fixes, improves the performance of GPS and emergency call connections, and updates the connection setup database. It's a free download, although you will need to provide your serial number in order to gain access to it.


Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Samsung SGH-i780, Verizon Wireless XV6900 Receive Windows Mobile 6.1 Upgrades

Posted by Darius Wey in "Pocket PC Software" @ 07:10 PM

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/new...ade-thread.html

Both the Samsung SGH-i780 (European version) and Verizon Wireless' XV6900 (HTC Touch) have finally been blessed with Windows Mobile 6.1 upgrades. Visit our Windows Mobile 6.1 upgrade thread for links to these upgrades, as well as many more.


Friday, December 12, 2008

The Windows Mobile 6.1 Upgrade Thread

Posted by Darius Wey in "Pocket PC Software" @ 09:45 PM

There's no shortage of Windows Mobile 6.1 upgrades available for download, so we've compiled and linked to (hopefully) all of them to make searching for that device upgrade just a little bit easier. If you know of any we've missed, hit us with a link and we'll add it to the list.


Thursday, August 28, 2008

ROM Updates for Tilt and XV6800

Posted by Jon Westfall in "Pocket PC Software" @ 01:30 PM

http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2008...ps-locked-down/

"The new ROM for the XV6800, Verizon's version of the HTC Titan, doesn't feature any surprises, but will hook your device up with the usual array of enhancements, including threaded SMS, improved battery life, and more. Sadly, Verizon has kept the GPS functionality locked down so anyone hoping to make use of VZNavigator, or any other 3rd party nav apps will find themselves SOL. Honestly, why Verizon? Why?"

Both the Tilt and the XV6800 recently received ROM update goodness. No GPS for the XV6800 though - VZW simply hasn't figured out a good way to make money off of opening it up, most likely.

Tags: rom

Thursday, August 7, 2008

HTC e-Club Undergoes Changes, ROM Updates Available to (Almost) Everyone

Posted by Darius Wey in "Pocket PC News" @ 05:53 AM

http://www.htc.com/www/support.aspx

There's a fresh breeze going through HTC HQ at the moment. The company has opened up ROM updates to almost everyone. I say "almost", because you still need your device's serial number to download the updates, but that's a heck of a lot better than the notoriously flaky process of registering your device in the e-Club.

With ROM updates available in the Support section, the e-Club now serves as a hub for mobile content. While only twenty ringtones are up for grabs at the moment, they're surprisingly decent. Four of them are the tunes featured in the Touch Diamond promo videos. The rest are a mix of electronic, folk, rock, hip-hop, and new age beats. You do need to be an e-Club member to download them, but it's free for anyone (even non-HTC customers) to register.


Friday, June 27, 2008

Vodafone Releases Windows Mobile 6.1 Update for V1615 (TyTn 2)

Posted by Jon Westfall in "Pocket PC Software" @ 08:23 AM

http://help.vodafone.co.uk/v1615upgrade.php

News today that should make any V1615 Power user a bit happy - the Windows Mobile 6.1 Upgrade for that unit is now available from Vodafone's Website. Having updated my TyTN II to the HTC ROM available a few weeks back, I've generally noticed some good and some bad. It looks like there may be a memory leak somewhere, and I'm not a big fan of Threaded SMS - but a few issues did go away. Anyone upgrading their unit's today?

Tags: rom

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