Lothar's Smartphone Thread

[lothar]

I think I have that case. it is actually really snug and solid. but I use this one now

http://www.amazon.com/SGP-Samsung-Ga...7269594&sr=1-4

it's nice. ...certainly more than I ever thought I'd be willing to pay for a case, lol.
I wouldn't bother with a screen protector.

I'm still rocking my 8gb microSD from previous phone, will replace with 32gb when they are half current price...or less.

also, several people are confirming that the brand new ($300?) xc sd cards from sandisc, currently "only" 64gb, are working with the sgs2 (international, anyway).

same form-factor, but need a re-format (they do not work with FAT32)

this new class of SD is specc'd to go all the way to 2TB.....whoa.

Samsung just released a 2000mah battery. I wanted to get the more expensive case with a kickstand, but I later reconsidered since there was no guarantee that it would fit with the extended battery(if I ever decide to get one).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1239719
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1274045

I have never wasted my time with screen protectors and I never will.

$300 is out of my price range for an SD card that isn't guaranteed compatibility for the phone or anything else I might use it for.
Even I think the 32GB price I paid is too much. I was thinking of buying 16GB but my brother said...you never know, it's only $15 more. Meanwhile, my brain told me that this 32GB card will be sold for $25 next year. I chose not to listen to my brain.
And yes, I(maybe I should say My brain does) already know that the prices of SD cards depreciate faster than the speed of gravity.

 

[ponyo]

You did your homework. The 32gig SD card was a mistake but you know that.

I wouldn't mind being on Straight Talk. I could use my Vibrant and 3g AT&T Galaxy Tab and get 3g data on both.

 

[zinfamous]

I briefly considered, but am not terribly interested in the extended battery. With some tweaking, and I'm sure there is more to come, the stock battery is plenty fine--you expect to recharge every night, anyway, right?

Then again, I'm not a constant user--so it's fine for my needs. I do currently have a super thick screen protector on mine:

http://www.amazon.com/ArmorSuit-Mili...7325351&sr=8-2

I didn't realize what this was when I ordered it--I just liked that it was american made, heh. I'm not using the "super skin" that comes with it, and I'll be removing the protector soon enough--serious and obnoxious rainbow effect, and it's starting to bubble at the edges for some reason (after 2 weeks)

 

[abaez]

Straight Talk $45 plan is unlimited or is there a cap? What kind of speeds do you get?

Edit: nm found it

 

[Aikouka]

From what I heard, carrier LTE's are inoperable.
Meaning AT&T's LTE won't work in Europe or any other place outside the US regardless of the frequency because they are using different versions over there, no?

LTE from carriers in the United States are not operable with each other, but I don't know about foreign markets.

 

[pm]

Verizon and AT&T LTE are on different and incompatible blocks of 700MHz. They could work together, but there's not a lot of incentive for them to do so... and so far they aren't.
Sprint LTE will be on their 800MHz iDEN network (as they discontinue iDEN)
The EU LTE is mostly on 2600MHz, but are planning on open up 900MHz and 1800MHz as well, and once analog TV vacates the 700-850MHz bands in the EU, the EU will likely open up 700-850MHz as well.

So theoretically in the long term we could have a bunch of LTE phones that are in the ~700-850MHz bands that are largely cross-planet compatible. We'll see. The key for this is that a lot of TV was put on ~750MHz because it has good long-range and building penetration characteristics and as broadcasters switch to much more densely coded digital signals, there is room for LTE on those bands. So the long-term view is not too grim. But it's a ways out there.


See:
http://www.motorola.com/web/Busines...tatic Files/LTE's Spectrum of Opportunity.pdf

For now, to the best of my knowledge, there is very little LTE worldwide, and those that are are using it for data (not voice) and even for those, there is no international roaming.

 

[lothar]

I did the exact thing you did back in February.

Ported my number to Google Voice.

Signed up with Straight Talk $45/month.

My E71 has been collecting dust since then, but Straight Talk has worked great with every AT&T phone I've tried. I'm currently using an Atrix, but I'll pick up an SGS2 when they are reasonably priced on the used market (under $400).

The Atrix is a capable handset. It's rooted, unlocked, Tegra 2 running at 1.3GHz.

Care to do some speedtest samples to show me what 3G speeds you're getting?

I just got back from work and I'm opening the boxes now.
I won't be able to do anything tonight unfortunately because the phones need to charge and I'm not willing to stay up all night for it.
Should have done that before I left the house this morning, but I didn't have the time to.

 

[jpeyton]

About 2000kbps down, 1200kbps up, 200ms pings. I've seen as high as 4000kbps down and 2000kbps up.

 

[zinfamous]

any updates?

I'll plow through the XDA forum soon, but I find those threads require a heavy investment in research and time for me to figure out what the fuck anyone is saying.

So, why would I need to port my number to Google voice before making such a maneuver?

 

[lothar]

any updates?

I'll plow through the XDA forum soon, but I find those threads require a heavy investment in research and time for me to figure out what the fuck anyone is saying.

So, why would I need to port my number to Google voice before making such a maneuver?

You don't need to.
People port numbers to Google Voice to take advantage of free texting with the major carriers. For example: AT&T now only offers the unlimited texting plan for $20/month(or is it $10?, I forgot.).
We already have free unlimited texting with Straight Talk so there's no need to do that.
However if you do change your mind and decide to leave and rejoin the major carriers, it would be wise to already have that free texting in place so you won't go through the hassle of telling all your contacts "call me on this number, but text me on this number".

I ported my main number so I would keep my options open. If I do leave Straight Talk, it's just as simple as me throwing their number away and getting a new number from AT&T since my main number is now with Google.
If I didn't port to Google Voice, I would have to go through the hassle of porting from Straight Talk to "insert major carrier here" of which a million things can go wrong along the way.

I have a 12 hour shift tomorrow, I cant stay up till 3AM like before but will answer any questions you have when I return.

I will either update tomorrow night or Friday.
Good night.

 

[lothar]

About 2000kbps down, 1200kbps up, 200ms pings. I've seen as high as 4000kbps down and 2000kbps up.

What are your APN settings? I only use only one for both 3G and MMS.
Name: Straight Talk
APN: att.mvno
MMSC: http://mmsc.cingular.com
MMS proxy: proxy.mvno.tracfone.com
MMS port: 80
APN type: internet + mms

All other sections I skipped were left at default.


Here are my results:

I've seen 3Mb/s once but that was probably a fluke considering I've done about 10-12 speedtests using the cell towers.
Most of my speeds range between 1.5-2.5Mbps for downloads and ~1Mbps for upload. Looks like AT&T must have a hard 1Mbps upload cap or something.

These tests were all done in Owings Mills, MD.
When I travel to Houston, Texas in 2 weeks for a wedding, I will do some speedtests there as well since Texas supposedly is AT&T's front porch.

 

[lothar]

I'll plow through the XDA forum soon, but I find those threads require a heavy investment in research and time for me to figure out what the fuck anyone is saying.

Reading those threads on XDA was a chore for me...Especially for someone like me that has zero smartphone and Linux experience.

But I can say that I finally did it all by myself...I've been rooted since Wednesday.
If Lothar can root, anyone can root.

Are you rooted? What version of phone do you have? Post a screenshot.

The only thing I don't like as much is that I have the Italian phone version which doesn't get early access to official firmwares like the UK and other European versions.
I'm not sure how safe it is for me to go from "KG"1 to the "KI" series by flashing in Odin, but I will stick to "official" firmware releases for now until Cyanogen releases a "release candidate" Rom along with them fixing Bluetooth. I'm not interested in trying Villain, Lightning, Batista, or any other Roms for now. It's Cyanogen or nothing for me.

Before I updated my firmware in Samsung Kies, I was previously XWKE7.

If you're not yet rooted, I will post how I did it(along with the links on XDA so you can follow them).

 

[zinfamous]

no, I'm not rooted because like you, I've had trouble plowing through the XDA forums. I give it an hour or so, then just give up, lol.

the thing is--I'm really liking Touchwiz overall, but I would like to change some things up. I want to get a real backup service (like Ti) working, but I need root for that.

I want to install the newest Gingerbread 2.3.5, I think, as people have said that improved battery performance. I'm not sure which version my SGS2 is--it loaded in English when I first powered it up, so assume it is UK or Aussie version? I was expecting Spanish based off of Amazon reviews.

But the main thing, is that I think I need a factory reset because after installing this and trying it a few times, all of my MMS seems to be fucked up. Can't send or receive picture texts. (get sms that only says "downloading," and these will repeat several times per day) whenever someone sends me a picture. I don't have data right now, but that only effects video.

odd thing, soon after trying that app out, I got a bunch of random calls from T Mobile, then after answering one, they ask "Is this John Thomas?" I'm like...no wrong number. WHat is that about?

They later call to confirm if this is me--it is, then ask how I like my service. That's it--no attempt to upsale or sign a new contract or anything. My contract did end in July, so I don't know if they are just calling everyone, or installing my SIM in this international phone has tipped them off, or they are on to that Smozzy ap, which I only tried to use 3 times, then uninstalled.

weird.

 

[lothar]

no, I'm not rooted because like you, I've had trouble plowing through the XDA forums. I give it an hour or so, then just give up, lol.

the thing is--I'm really liking Touchwiz overall, but I would like to change some things up. I want to get a real backup service (like Ti) working, but I need root for that.

I want to install the newest Gingerbread 2.3.5, I think, as people have said that improved battery performance. I'm not sure which version my SGS2 is--it loaded in English when I first powered it up, so assume it is UK or Aussie version? I was expecting Spanish based off of Amazon reviews.

But the main thing, is that I think I need a factory reset because after installing this and trying it a few times, all of my MMS seems to be fucked up. Can't send or receive picture texts. (get sms that only says "downloading," and these will repeat several times per day) whenever someone sends me a picture. I don't have data right now, but that only effects video.

odd thing, soon after trying that app out, I got a bunch of random calls from T Mobile, then after answering one, they ask "Is this John Thomas?" I'm like...no wrong number. WHat is that about?

They later call to confirm if this is me--it is, then ask how I like my service. That's it--no attempt to upsale or sign a new contract or anything. My contract did end in July, so I don't know if they are just calling everyone, or installing my SIM in this international phone has tipped them off, or they are on to that Smozzy ap, which I only tried to use 3 times, then uninstalled.

weird.

I'm rooted and still using Touchwiz.
You don't have to get rid of Touchwiz to root.

Go to Settings >>> About phone to find out.

 

[zinfamous]

mine is .UHKG7

never paid attention to that part, but I did notice that you are Gingerbread 2.3.3? Mine shipped with 2.3.4.

Maybe that's simply a regional-specific thing?

so I can keep touchwiz and simply choose it with the other list of launchers after root? even if I install Cyanogen Mod later, once available?

that's cool to know. I was following one of the threads for rooting the other day, but I'd like to know what worked for you; even though I imagine this might be version-specific? I'll post a screeny in a second.

 

[lothar]

mine is .UHKG7

never paid attention to that part, but I did notice that you are Gingerbread 2.3.3? Mine shipped with 2.3.4.

Maybe that's simply a regional-specific thing?

Looks like your phone is from the Latin America/Caribbean region. (either Panama, Venezuela, Trinidad/Tobago, or Argentina)
Maybe Trinidad/Tobago since "English" is their official language unlike the other Spanish speaking countries there?

Install "Samsung Kies" on your computer and try to hook your phone up if you want more information.
It will give you more detailed information about your phone.

Mine shipped with 2.3.3
Italy is still on 2.3.3 today as far as I'm aware. Of course I can probably change that if I wanted to, but I don't feel like it at the moment.

 

[zinfamous]

I actually have to install Kies? I've simply been using it through the browser to download the files on my phone.

...though if it is for firmware updates, I can see using it with USB would be best.

 

[lothar]

so I can keep touchwiz and simply choose it with the other list of launchers after root? even if I install Cyanogen Mod later, once available?

that's cool to know. I was following one of the threads for rooting the other day, but I'd like to know what worked for you; even though I imagine this might be version-specific? I'll post a screeny in a second.

I don't think you can keep Touchwiz and Cyanogen Mod.
I was saying that you can root and still keep Touchwiz if you want to.

There are many ways to root. Here are important sources:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1075278
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1103399
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1118693


Here's what I did:
1.) Install Samsung Kies on your computer.
http://org.downloadcenter.samsung.c.../20110512115717796/Kies_2.0.3.11082_152_4.exe
2.) Connect your phone and update firmware to latest official Samsung firmware on Samsung Kies if available. Once you update(if new firmware is available), Pay attention to the version number. In this case, mine is "KG1".
3.) Download Odin v1.85
http://www.multiupload.com/1RTGSE061G (Same exact link in the XDA thread referenced above)
4.) Download original "stock" firmware version for your phone and save on your computer in case you need to re-flash if something goes wrong, etc...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1101671
5a.) Unzip the attached CF-Root-xxx-vX.X.zip that matches your version.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1103399 (Pay special attention to Post #3,4,5,6 and pick the specific version that you need)
6.) Power your device off.
7.) Boot into Download-Mode using Volume Down + Home + Power
8.) Hit Volume Up to accept the warning
9.) Start Odin
10.) Click the PDA button, and select CF-Root-xxx-vX.X.tar
11.) Connect your phone to your computer.
12.) Press the start button.
13.) The CF Root file you flashed is already rooted, therefore there is no need to root using SuperOneClick.


Alternative Method:
Follow steps 1-4 listed above.
5.) Download CMW recovery.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1118693
Follow steps 6-9 listed above.
10.) Choose "GT-I9100_ClockworkMod-Recovery_X.X.X.X.tar" as PDA (no repartition)
11.) Connect your phone to your computer.
12.) Press the start button.
13.) After reboot you can easily root your device using SuperOneClick

 

[zinfamous]

ah, cool. thanks for the info. I think that's the same thread that I was following. A little reinforcement never hurt.

 

[lothar]

I actually have to install Kies? I've simply been using it through the browser to download the files on my phone.

...though if it is for firmware updates, I can see using it with USB would be best.

You need Samsung Kies to install USB drivers for the phone.
Even if you don't use Samsung Kies for firmware updates, you still need it for the USB drivers to be able to browse your phone on your computer I believe.

 

[lothar]

More speedtest results.