Posts Tagged ‘Mobile Phones’

Updating my Google Nexus One Phone from Android 2.1 to 2.2

Saturday, August 7th, 2010

This is rather a belated post which I should have done last July 6 when at last the long wait for the Over-The-Air (OTA) update from Android 2.1 (which was the default installed version when I got the Google N1) to 2.2 (Froyo). I was trying before to use the update function of the GN1 (Settings->About Phone->System Updates) since I heard the news about the available OTA updates but without success. I have tried downloading several update files and installing them based on the instructions I got after scouring the Internet but again the usual errors. So I decided just to wait when the OTA will be available comforting myself with the thought that at least this is the safest way to do it.

So here it is: just so I won’t forget what I have done and to share to others who might need the info (we need to share, right?). Its actually simple:

* Try entering *#*#checkin#*#* (type *#*#2432546#*#*) into the GN1 phone dialer to force the update.
* Wait for ‘checkin succeeded’ notification
* Then immediately turn the phone off and then turn back on
* Then go to Settings->About Phone->System Updates of your Google Nexus Phone

My Google Nexus One has Build EPE54b 2.1-update1 with Android 2.1 prior to the update.
Its now Android 2.2 with latest Build FRF91.

Thanks to jchocolate99 post at nexusoneforum.net.

BTW, from the comments I read from the forum. There is no guarantee for this work and will depend on your location. At least worth a try especially for people who doesn’t want the tedious other way of updating and of course have the patience to wait.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Android, FOSS Guides | No Comments »

FOSS Android running on iPhone!

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010

Android now running on iPhone. This is good news! I don’t have an iPhone and doesn’t plan on having one precisely because I prefer free-and-open-source-software-based phones. But now this may change :-) .

Here’s the link to Programmer David Wong’s “Linux on the iPhone” blog showing a screenshot of the Android boot and some background on his project.

David Wong also posted on his blog: Android running on iPhone links to pre-built images and sources for those wanting to try running Android on the iPhone and the following youtube video:

Hope a lot like me will be interested in this and will benefit from this sharing. :-)

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Android, FOSS, FOSS References, Mobile Phones, News | No Comments »

Connecting to the Internet thru GPRS / 3G using Linux on a Laptop / Notebook Computer connected to a Mobile Phone (revisited)

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

Some people have been asking me if the posting I did in the past entilted: Setting-up IBM Thinkpad X40 Laptop on Ubuntu Linux to connect to the Internet via 3G/GPRS using Nokia N70 works with newer versions of Linux on other laptops / notebook computers and connected to other mobile phone brands / models.

Yes, it still works with the latest versions of Linux and other laptop computers using different mobile phones. Just to share them to those interested, I will make a listing on what devices it worked and will update this posting once I discover new ones:

Laptop / Notebook Computers:

  • IBM Thinkpad X40
  • Toshiba (forgot the model)
  • Macbook Black
  • Asus EEEPC (701)

Mobile Phones:

  • Nokia N70 (I think this will work on other N series)
  • Nokia E71 & E51 (I think this will work on other E series)
  • Sony Ericsson K700i & K610i

I tried all of them both on Globe, Smart and when I was in Laos, the local network named Tigo. Nowadays I usually use Ubuntu but I’m sure it will work in other Linux distros as well. Aside from the set up I used in the posting: Setting-up IBM Thinkpad X40 Laptop on Ubuntu Linux to connect to the Internet via 3G/GPRS using Nokia N70, I also tried them using GPRSEC (a graphic user interface dialler) and wvdial (command line dialler). I will write on how to do them on gprsec and wvdial next time. GTG. Cheers!

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Hardware, Linux, Linux tips, Mobile Phones | No Comments »

Before: HTC phone with Google Android, Now: Nokia follows with its first Linux phone

Monday, August 31st, 2009

With Google’s Linux-based Android powering the HTC Magic (Now in the Philippines through Smart Communications. I also heard Globe is offering HTC Magic and its available in Globe’s outlet in SM Mega Mall — this has to be verified since HTC Magic is not included in the Globe’s website’s list of phone offerings as of today), Nokia is following suit in the use of Linux for its new phone.

The use of Linux will be in parallel with Symbian in Nokia’s high-end product range. Symbian also an open source software and the main platform in Nokia’s phones “controls half of the smartphone market volume — more than its rivals Apple, Research in Motion and Google put together,” according to the article: Nokia Unveils First Linux Phone in Channel Insider.

Although the celphone giant has kept a stable total market share, it is losing “share among more expensive models to the likes of Apple” and this “high-end products are important for Nokia because the company has not only lost market share there but its average selling prices have declined faster than the industry average.”

And “analysts see Linux as a key for Nokia to gain back ground in the coming years” since the focus of business now have shifted from just selling phones to providing “services and software following Apple and Google’s entrances to the market in the last two years.”

Reference: Nokia Unveils First Linux Phone in Channel Insider

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Linux, Mobile Phones | 1 Comment »

Trolltech now made open source the full-package of its Linux-based mobile phone

Wednesday, September 19th, 2007

Before, the open-source edition of Qtopia Phone does not include some components that were present only in its commercial development license. Now the full package will be available under version 2 of the open-source General Public License (GPL).

“Trolltech also said it’s ported Qtopia to the Neo1973 mobile phone from the Taiwanese electronics manufacturer FIC. The effort employed software from OpenMoko, a company that’s working on building a phone based on open-source software.”

Read more: Trolltech’s full monty with open-source phone software

Related news: Second open Linux phone goes on sale

Photo credits: OpenMoko

Tags: , , ,
Posted in FOSS, Linux, News | No Comments »

Making Sierra Wireless AirCard 775 work in Ubuntu 7.04 and Connect to the Internet via GPRS/EDGE/3G

Monday, July 30th, 2007

Referred to also by Linux.com July 31, 2007 (3:00:00 PM)

A nephew recently bought a PLDT WeRoam Wireless kit containing among others a Sierra Wireless AirCard 775 pcmcia card with antenna. He asked me to help him in installing it to his WinXP laptop. Later I thought of trying it also on my IBM x40 laptop with Ubuntu 7.04.

The Sierra Wireless AirCard has newer models now but this is the model PLDT WeRoam currently issues for a prepaid kit. The AirCard enables a laptop to connect to the internet using GPRS/EDGE technology. This is the technology used by mobile phones which means wherever there is a cell site it is also possible to connect to the internet. While the connection is quite slow (around plus or minus 225 kbps) compared with a DSL link, it is better than having nothing at all especially if you’re on the move and you need to connect to the internet once in a while.

The PLDT WeRoam kit costs PhP 10,860 (US$231) and includes the Sierra Wireless AirCard 775, CDs for Windows install (plus anti-virus) and a free 3 months unlimited GPRS/EDGE connection plus a 3 month wifi (803.11) connection where there is an Airborne Access. After 3 months you need to “load” your account around PhP 1,700 (US$36) monthly to continue using both types of connection. Not bad compared to a link using Globe or Smart which charges per mb and per 30 minutes respectively which are more expensive in the long run.

Initially, I got some info from the Ubuntu Community Docs: Sierra Wireless AC850 wireless card installation in Ubuntu url: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/AirCard8X0. Since the documentation is about a different model of the AirCard, I decided to revised/customized the steps/configs to suit the AirCard model we have. I also tried a different script to connect to the internet, which I already tried with my Nokia N70 (see earlier related blog). Later, I also tried GPRS Easy Connect, a GUI-based software for internet connection using cellphones and similar wireless pcmcia card.

Here are detailed steps:

(more…)

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Hardware, Linux, Linux tips, Ubuntu | 13 Comments »

Setting-up IBM Thinkpad X40 Laptop on Ubuntu Linux to connect to the Internet via 3G/GPRS using Nokia N70

Monday, January 29th, 2007

Nokia N70Setting-up Nokia N70 (Mine is a Music Edition but will work on other versions of Nokia 70).

For other Phone Models that are reported to work, see reference/sources below at the end of this article.

1. I am using kernel 2.6.17 provided in stock Ubuntu 6.10 Edgy Eft (Though my set-up were previously upgraded from Ubuntu 5.10 Breezy to Ubuntu 6.06 Dapper then to Edgy Eft). Based on the BitUbique Site Article by Xiao Feng, this works also in kernel 2.6.15 provided in the stock Dapper and should work with other 2.6 kernel. Xiao Feng says he has no idea whether it will work on 2.4 kernel though.

Hardware set-up:

IBM Thinkpad X40
Nokia 70 connected via USB cable

For the complete details,
(more…)

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Hardware, Linux, Linux tips, Mobile Phones, Ubuntu | No Comments »

At last a new blog site!

Monday, January 15th, 2007

Just installed and have WordPress up and running in just a few minutes (uploading 10 mins + few seconds configuration – That’s how easy it is).
This is a continuation of my old blog.To follow will be:

Working with ThinkPad X40 on Ubuntu Linux

  • Software (Breezy, Drapper, Edgy)
  • (Working) Peripherals: Connecting my JVC Video Cam

Working with Nokia N70

  • Transferring files between Linux laptop and Nokia N70 using bluetooth
  • Linux laptop internet connection GPRS/3G using N70 on USB cable
  • Symbian OS compatible apps installed

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Linux, Ubuntu | No Comments »