Posts tagged dream
Canadian HTC Magic Gets Sense UI and 911 Fix
Jan 25th
The first of 2 upgrades to the Canadian HTC Magic is officially underway. The two updates spoken about in an earlier post stated that the first of the 2 updates would be a 911 fix and the much appraised HTC Sense UI. The second which will be released mid-summer is the full upgrade to Android 2.1 to keep it up-to-date with the latest Android version. The update is available on the Rogers website and requires a little more than a basic knowledge of the computer to install it. Thankfully Rogers Wireless has included instructions that make the process “bearable” to say the least. The instructions specifically state that you should put 20 minutes aside for this process; although with the internet connection I’m on right now it looks like it’s going to be 20 min to just download the update! The link to the update is here. *Win7 and Mac users please see your special directions below. Choose your phone as either the HTC Dream or Magic.
While this update has some people cautious about downloading it, wondering whether it will affect their “rooted/modded” status, most will be happy to find out that they will receive a one month’s credit of data fee’s due to the inconveneience. A big point of controversy for this upgrade is that users who do not upgrade quickly enough will have their data services disconnected until the update is completed.
Enjoy your Sense UI! And working 911 calls! Woot Woot!
Win7 and Mac Users Upgrade Instructions:
Requirements:
Rogers Magic Battery Level of 50% or more. Do not start upgrade if battery level less than 50% MicroSD card formatted in FAT32, please note cards formatted in FAT will not work. Installing the Update via MicroSD Card:
Part1
The first part will prepare the device for the actual update but will not upgrade the Operating System, the upgrade itself will be performed in Part2.
1) Download the HTC_Magic_Update_File1.zip and extract the file within, SAPPIMG.zip to the root of the memory card in this form, do not extract it’s contents and please do not change the file name.
2) Backup your personal data: All personal data (contacts, applications, photos, bookmarks, etc) stored on the device will be lost after the update process. There are also 3rd party applications on Android Market place to back up your applications and personal data.
3) Power off the device.
4) Remove the existing microSD card from your device (if there is one already installed), press in on the microSD Card to eject it and then remove it from the slot.
Insert the microSD card with the SAPPIMG.zip on it in the microSD slot, slide it into the slot until you feel a “click”.
5) Press and hold the Volume Down Button and the Power buttons until the display turns white.
6) The update will begin installing, please follow any onscreen instructions, press the trackball when prompted to press “Action”
7. Once the update is complete, “Press Action to Complete” will be displayed on the screen, press the TrackBall for the device to reboot and complete the first part of the upgrade process.
8. Power off the device to prepare for the step 2 below.Part 2
Upgrading the device.
1) Delete the SAPPIMG.zip from the microSD card
2) Download the HTC_Magic_Update_File2.zip and extract the file within, SAPPIMG.zip to the root of the memory card in this form, do not extract it’s contents. Please do not change the file name.
3) Follow the same instructions as in Part 1 – step 3 TO 8.
4) Delete the SAPPIMG.zip file from the card.
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Latest AdMob Report Shows Android Drinking Microsoft’s Milkshake
Jan 21st
The latest AdMob metrics report is out today and it’s nothing we haven’t seen yet. To sum it up quickly, Android continues to grow both here in the US and abroad. In the span of one year Android traffic (in the AdMob network) has grown from 1% overall to 16% for North America and Western Europe.
Here in the United States, Android handset now accounts for 7 out of the top ten smartphones that hit AdMob’s network. The Droid is the most popular, followed by the Dream/G1 and Hero. If you take a look at Android’s growth over each of the last four quarters, it’s immediately obvious that the platform is eating into Windows Mobile’s share. This time last year year, Windows Mobile accounted for 12% whereas now it sits at 3% right next “other.” Ouch.
To view the full AdMob report, head to their website.
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Canadians, Your Free Magic Won’t Dial 911 As Well
Jan 21st
So after my last post, I wish to update Canadian Android’ers that the HTC Magic is experiencing the same GPS/911 problems currently affecting the HTC Dream. Rogers is letting customers know via text message that 911 emergency calls will not complete due to a bug when GPS is enabled. Rogers asks that all Magic owners (and Dream) that you disable your phone’s GPS until further notice. You can do this via the following instructions:
- Click on your settings icon
- Click on “Wireless Controls”
- Uncheck “Enable GPS Satellites”
I write out these almost unnecessary instructions to impress upon all Canadian Dream and Magic owners that you should actually turn off your GPS for the time being because emergencies can happen instantly. So play it safe until Rogers sends out an update.
(via @IWMOPS)
@MatthewPatience
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Rogers HTC Dream 911 Warning
Jan 16th
Last night I received a text message from Rogers regarding an issue involving 911 calls. This screw up can only be described as HUGE! Rogers is informing all of their HTC Dream customers of an issue that does not allow 911 emergency calls to complete while the GPS receiver is enabled. Rogers asks that all customers turn off the GPS receiver, until further notice, so that all emergency calls complete by doing the following: On your phone go to Settings -> Location -> Uncheck “Enable GPS Satellite”.
The full text message is below:
Rogers/Fido service message: URGENT 911 Calls: Please disable GPS location on your HTC Dream device to ensure all 911 calls complete. HTC is urgently working on a software upgrade and we will provide details shortly so you can re-enable GPS.
Instructions: Select Menu – Select Settings – Select Location – Uncheck Enable GPS Satellite
Message de Rogers/Fido : URGENT – Appels 911 : Veuillez désactiver la localisation GPS sur votre appareil HTC Dream afin de vous assurer que tous les appels 911 soient acheminés. HTC développe le plus rapidement possible une mise à jour du logiciel et nous vous fournirons les détails sous peu afin que vous puissiez réactiver la fonction GPS.
Instructions : Sélectionner Menu – Sélectionner Paramétres – Sélectionner Location – Désactiver les satellites GPS
For the time being, Rogers has stopped all sales of the HTC Dream until the probem is resolved. This raises the question of how far this defect goes. Could it also affect all other HTC Dream users in other countries and G1 users, or is it just limited to Rogers. For such a large security issue it would be best to find out sooner rather than later.
@MatthewPatience
Canadian Dream Owners Get Free Magics, No Joke!
Jan 13th
Some Strings Attached…
It’s true, Rogers has officially announced that all Canadian HTC Dream owners can upgrade to the HTC Magic free of charge. For background information on this story, please go here and here. The catch is that you must resign your 3-year contract as of the day you order your Magic. This resigning is just like any regular upgrade through Rogers, meaning your old contract is void and the new one is 3 years from the day you order the Magic. For those who still don’t understand (I know you’re still confused because I worked in the wireless business for a while), this means your contract will be extended the number of months since you signed for the Dream. If you payed full price for your Dream, then you will need to sign a contract to get the Magic, sorry.
This comes as great news because if you are willing to sign for the couple extra months(7 or less) then not only do you get a free Magic, you also get to keep your Dream. Yes it’s not a joke, you get 2 Android phones… you could switch them up like outfits! There are two ways to get the Magic which are either by telephone(1-888-Rogers1) or online from MyAccount at Rogers.com. The offer will NOT be available in stores. I personally have already put in my order for my Magic and I would have to suggest the online method, not only for Rogers CS’s sakes, but it is extremely easy and your account has already been flagged for the promotion.
The offer is only valid from January 12 – January 26, 2010. So be quick to get your order in if you would like to take advantage of the offer. I would also point out that it is not mandatory that Canadian Dream owners get the Magic if you are already satisfied with your device and it’s functionality. Now I cannot promote and tell you about this offer without thanking the efforts of IWMOPS (IWantMyOnePointSix) and Michael Schmidt(IWMOPS Spokesperson). It is the IWMOPS group that put in the time and effort to come to this resolve so that HTC Dream owners would not have endure the rest of their phones lifetime with outdated Android 1.5(Cupcake) software. So once again thank you to them and if you would like to give them your own thanks, Michael Schmidt the spokesperson can be reached on Twitter @IWMOPS.
For full official details and the press release from Rogers please visit: www.iwantmyonepointsix.com.
Canadian Dream Owners Getting Option To Switch To Magic!
Jan 9th
Either IWMOPS (I Want My One Point Six) are some of the most persuasive and influential people I know or Rogers is one of the nicest, most customer-oriented wireless providers (Oh, that was weird, did I just use “nice” and “mobile company” in the same sentence?). The title of this article says it like it is, Rogers HTC Dream owners will have the choice of exchanging for an HTC Magic.
What sparked this decision by Rogers is that my previous article regarding IWMOPS explained what updates each of the latter HTC devices would be receiving. In short the HTC Magic will be receiving Android 2.1 software and the HTC Dream would be getting nothing due to hardware constraints. Again IWMOPS complained and asked for a resolve and what they got was the decision to switch devices to the HTC Magic. Although many will not take the offer because the main feature separating the two devices is the Dream’s physical keyboard, which for some is a must-have. The official quoted statement is as follows (@RogersMary):
It’s great to hear that everyone is pleased by HTC’s agreement to upgrade Magic to 2.1. We pushed hard on your behalf and are pleased with that part. When it comes to Dream, we share in your frustration that the device does not have the required on-board memory for an upgrade. We’ve reviewed this internally and believe that Dream users should be able to have the same HTC Android experience as those who purchased the Magic. So, we are offering our HTC Dream customers a limited time opportunity to upgrade from their current HTC Dream device to the HTC Magic.
We’re working on finalizing the details of that promotion now but wanted to let you know the great news as soon as possible. Please be patient as this is not yet available in-store, online or through customer care. I will be back next week to provide you with more information.
(via AndroidForums)
Stay tuned for more information here.
Your Canadian Correspondent,
@MatthewPatience
Canadians Complained, HTC Listened
Jan 7th
So it would appear that the “IWantMyOnePointSix” (twitter:@IWMOPS) group has had their voices heard. In the coming months, both HTC Dream and HTC Magic owners will be seeing upgrades to their current software.
The updates that HTC has so far decided on are only minor for the Dream due to hardware limitations, although the Magic will be given a full update to Android’s latest and greatest 2.1 which was officially announced yesterday at the Google Android Conference. Although this at first appears to be good news, those who are reading and currently own a Rogers HTC Dream are slightly shocked that their brother/sister device is getting upgraded to 2.1 and they are not. So I would assume that IWMOPS’s purpose is still not complete.
It is hard to believe that HTC would think we would believe them when they say the Dream has hardware limitations when many of us, including myself are already running 1.6 without any loss in speed or functionality. Following this news we are sure to see an even larger outcry from this group that will most likely continue until they get what they want, so stay tuned for more information regarding this issue in the coming weeks.
Set release dates and known details are as follows:
In the upcoming weeks
- Both Dream and Magic will receive minor updates to Android 1.5
- Magic will receive HTC Sense experience software.
By Mid-Year(June-July)
- Magic will receive full upgrade to Android 2.1
Although a long time away for Android 2.1, it’s something to look forward to and shows that Canada may not be as behind as it has proven to be in the past.
Also congratulations to IWMOPS for your victory.
Your Canadian Correspondant,
@MatthewPatience
