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Submitted by Stanley on Wed, 02/08/2006 - 21:33. Q&A with HTC

HTC America have agreed to do regular Q&A sessions for the HTC Wizard Web. This is a call to all HTC Wizard Web members to suggest questions they would like HTC America to answer.

I am aiming at 10 questions per session, with a different general topic for every session. Since this is the first session, I have decided on the topic for the first round of questions.

The general topic for the first Q&A session is: HTC, the company and its products. It is a broad topic (devices, support, development, HTC and the community etc.), so there should be no problem for members to come up with a list of good questions.

Please suggest your questions for HTC in a comment on this posting. On august 15th, I will pick the 10 final questions that will be sent to HTC America.

While we are waiting for HTC's answers, I will start another topic in this forum for members to suggest the general topic for next months Q&A. That should result in a new topic by the end of the mont, allowing for another 15 days of suggestions for questions about that topic.

Summary:

From now till August 15th: gathering questions about HTC, the company and its products
August 15th: ten questions will be sent to HTC
August 15th till August 31st: gathering of suggestions for a general topic for next months Q&A
September 1st: decision about the general topic for the next Q&A
September 1st till September 15th: gathering questions about the new topic
etcetera

I will be looking into installing some sort of voting mechanism in order for the community to be abled to vote on topics as well as questions, since I don't feel realy comfortable in my role of dictator :-) For this month's Q&A, you'll have to rely on my decision, which can of course be influenced by discussion in the forum.

For now, please start brainstorming and let the community and HTC know what you would like to know about HTC, the company and its products.

--
HTC Wizard Web, aiming to become the number 1 resource for information for HTC Wizard owners.

Q&A with HTC

Submitted by Drevil666 on Wed, 02/08/2006 - 22:27.

The HTC Star Trek is a great phone - the main thing is it's slimness - how much further can a smart phone be slimmed down or are HTC reaching the maximum already - if they are what do they see as the next major feature in pocket pc/smartphone design?

My antenna question

Submitted by Rudy on Thu, 03/08/2006 - 04:04.

The only thumbs down I have about my 8125 is the poor reception in some areas due to the antenna design. What I would like to know if there is a plan to improve the antenna design for newer models and also a kit to replace the current ones that have just a piece of copper foil with no real radiative elements?

--
If it aint broke no fix it!

implications of HTC branding

Submitted by drthomasho on Thu, 03/08/2006 - 16:38.

I am interested to know more about the implications of HTC selling its devices under its own brand. For example, I have always been willing to buy an UNlocked phone IF I could get "affordable" services from a carrier, but I have felt that I might as well buy a subsidized phone from the carrier since I have to sign a contract anyway in order to get the services (especially data such as EDGE) that I want. In other words, I really don't understand how HTC intends to break the "stranglehold" that the carriers have over the device manufacturers and its end-user customers!

Inconsistent memory card hardware.

Submitted by WarezAppz on Thu, 03/08/2006 - 21:03.

I have a MDA vario. My question is: How does HTC plan on addressing future product memory card variances. In other words, I would be more-than-willing to buy a Unlocked HTC Tytan right now, IF, I could use the MiniSD cards that I've already invested money in with the Tytan. Is HTC planning on sticking with a Memory card technology, or are they going to do like everyone else and randomize the technology with every product release and further discourage consumers from buying their products?

maybe off topic but i just

Submitted by boxer82003 on Sat, 05/08/2006 - 07:05.

maybe off topic but i just purchased a HTC TYTN love it LOVE IT
only 1 issue so far my delete key is a bit sticky i have to press it twice as hard as any other key as well as the L key. So i do a bit of research and i find this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=57130&highlight=mms+folder

oh and look everyone is having issues with the keyboard. this upsets me as i pay good money every year for minor upgrades, one reason i upgraded was for this keyboard, i like the layout and the bigger keys.
but since there are so many issues i think this requires excellent support and HTC should have anyone with this issue be allowed to replace or fix this under warranty. I understand bleeding edge has its flaws ie software but such a major hardware issue common.

Keyboard

Submitted by sahlsmith on Sun, 06/08/2006 - 02:07.

I have an unlocked T-mobile MDA (HTC Wizard) with a Cingular SIM installed. Works great! The Cingular reception, both domestically (USA) and internationally, has been a big improvement over the T-mobile reception.

Now, I want the 8125 keyboard on my MDA. The 8125 keyboard is far superior to the MDA's. Since I have an unlocked phone will HTC offer an upgrade/exchange program?

Thanks,
Scott

--
Scott Ahlsmith, CTC For behind the scenes travel information visit my blog at www.ahlsmith.com

It might sound crazy but...

Submitted by jcs9000 on Mon, 07/08/2006 - 07:42.

One thing other than a GPS receiver that I wish my wizard had was an AM/FM radio tuner. I wonder if the engineers at HTC have given that any thought. I recently searched for a pocket am/fm radio, nothing more, nothing less and I was very disapointed with the quality of devices that are available. Anyway, if my wizard had a built in digital am/fm tuner, it would truly do everything.

headphone socket

Submitted by thewoz on Tue, 08/08/2006 - 13:56.

Hi,

i've been a great fan of the htc phones ever since the first windows smartphone on orange (the htc canary i believe)
(from spv > e200 > m2000 > c600 > m3100)

with the size/vs cost of flash media, and the functionality of the device, why dont HTC include a full size 3.5mm headphone jack for the headset.

theres been so many times at parties or what ever, and i've wanted to put some music on, or connect up my phone to the cassette tape adapter in a friends car, or use proper headphones rather than the stock 2.5mm headset.

i know adapters are available, but its not like it takes up masses amounts of room on the form factor.

i hate having to take adapters around with me for every device i have. which is why i love the mini USB connectivity as mini usb cables are now more common place, and forgetting your charger is not so much of an issue now if you take a weekend break or something.

thanks very much for supporting Windows Mobile 5. keep up the good work (can i have a free HTC tytn now? hehe)

A decision was made....

Submitted by wm1 on Wed, 09/08/2006 - 03:06.

Just like with all the treo's and other cell phones that play music, a decision had to be made; do they make the phone compatible with existing Handsfree headsets so that you could pretty much have your choice of headset or...do they make it compatible with the Stereo Headphones? Eventually it seems that everyone decided that designing more around the phone usage was the key...people were going to use it to talk more than listen to music. Is it an inconvience for those of us who do use it to play WMA's? Yeah, but, other than the T-mobile/google problem it's just one of the very minor issues I've seen (and there haven't been many). You would be hard pressed to find a cell phone, pda or not, that has anything but a standard Cell phone Jack.

--
Wayne

HTC Stock

Submitted by Biochemlab on Tue, 08/08/2006 - 22:08.

How can americans buy stock in your company? I am having a very hard time with this.

Thank you!

On-board Java and GPS

Submitted by botts on Thu, 10/08/2006 - 23:56.

I have seen from a description of the chipset for the HTC Wizard that it has on-board GPS and on-board Java acceleration. However, at least with the T-Mobile version, Java JDK is not provided and I find no way to allow applications (Delorme for example) to access the GPS.

Can Java be enabled with just a JDK download for Mobile 5, and can Java apps (or commercial apps) get access to the on-board GPS?

Thanks.

GPS?

Submitted by WarezAppz on Fri, 11/08/2006 - 00:02.

Maybe I am wrong here, but since when does the T-Mobile MDA have on-board GPS? I'd like to know how I am missing that (sorry not trying to be smart, I am serious).

TI OMAP850 chipset

Submitted by botts on Fri, 11/08/2006 - 00:56.

No offense taken WarezAppz.

From all reviews I've found the HTC Wizard uses the TI OMAP850 chipset. Going to the chipset description:

http://focus.ti.com/general/docs/wtbu/wtbuproductcontent.tsp?templateId=6123&navigationId=12000&contentId=4679

shows that there is a NaviLink GPS onboard and that the chipset supports on-board Java acceleration. It is possible that the diagram is only showing where a GPS would attached and not that it by deault has GPS (?).

GPS!?

Submitted by Majaxu on Fri, 11/08/2006 - 21:27.

I swear to god, if there is any way of adapting a GPS on my Wizard, I WILL keep this phone for the rest of my life! AM/FM Radio would be cool too, but GPS, I´m drooling just by thinking about it...

Did someone say Radio?

Submitted by WarezAppz on Fri, 11/08/2006 - 23:26.

Um, try here

http://www.radio4pda.com/

Thanks for the post. I was

Submitted by nbhor on Sat, 02/09/2006 - 19:25.

Thanks for the post. I was looking for this long time...

-nbhor

New features in next ROM update

Submitted by pmi on Sun, 13/08/2006 - 10:13.

Now we have full wireless stereo profile in New ROM update from T-mobile.
But what new features we can wait in future ROM update for Wizard?
And then?
Thanx for great device.

Jasjar refresh?

Submitted by zan5hin on Sun, 13/08/2006 - 13:46.

I have a Wizard. Now that the Tytn is out, are there any plans to refresh the jasjar? I think the larger VGA screen would be better for the browsing and video playing I do frequently and would be doing even more on HSDPA.

Backlighting and other customization

Submitted by ghoath on Sun, 13/08/2006 - 23:26.

The lowest backlight setting suits my normal needs. It is much brighter than necessary for night use - particularly for reading ebooks for extended periods of time.

Can the backlighting range of adjustment be changed for even dimmer backlighting? Secondly there are many "tweeks" and adjustments that seem to be available from various forums? I would like to see such "inside information" be supplied by HTC, the people that make this great device. Do you plan to add such information for advanced users?

my questions

Submitted by jjjjj on Mon, 14/08/2006 - 20:53.

1. is it possible to use the camera and mic in MSN messenger?
2. how to use the buttons on the BT earphone to initiate voice command, redial or reject the incoming call? they works on other BT phones but not on wizard
3. is it possible to increase the RAM or change the CPU?

Re: my questions

Submitted by WarezAppz on Mon, 14/08/2006 - 23:35.

jjjjj wrote:

1. I do not know this answer
2. to initiate Voice command via BT navigate to registry entry:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\OEM\VoiceCommand] and change:
"Path"="\\Program Files\\Voice Command\\VOICEcmd.exe"
3. Physically for both answers = no. However you can increase the amount of ram you have available by installing applications to a storage card (for those that don't require being installed on main ram). As far as the CPU you can over clock if you wish there are many forum threads for the main overclocker (OMAPCLOCK) and there are alternative apps that make it a little more automated to do so. Google for OMAPCLOCK and you should find many variations of ways to accomplish this.

I hope I have helped with what I could.

Re: my questions

Submitted by jjjjj on Tue, 15/08/2006 - 15:33.

thanks for your answers.

WarezAppz wrote:

it just enables the Voice command (from voice dial) in general. do you have a BT earphone? if so you probably see what I mean: no matter how long we press the button on the earphone, nothing happens.

WarezAppz wrote:

3. Physically for both answers = no. However you can increase the amount of ram you have available by installing applications to a storage card (for those that don't require being installed on main ram). As far as the CPU you can over clock if you wish there are many forum threads for the main overclocker (OMAPCLOCK) and there are alternative apps that make it a little more automated to do so. Google for OMAPCLOCK and you should find many variations of ways to accomplish this.

I hope I have helped with what I could.

I'm asking to increase the RAM, not main storage. some software (say, QUAKE) requires large memory.
overclocking does help a little bit but not too much. and if we overclock too much, say, more than 280MHz, the phone becomes very unstable.

Re: my questions

Submitted by WarezAppz on Tue, 15/08/2006 - 16:29.

Quote:

it just enables the Voice command (from voice dial) in general. do you have a BT earphone? if so you probably see what I mean: no matter how long we press the button on the phone, nothing happens.

Actually I do have a BT Headphone. I have no problems that you speak of. I simply press my button and I can then speak a command. there is a noted problem of the need to press the button on the BT Headset again to ensure that the BT is disconnected (else the phone and the headset stay connected and drain the life out of both ).

If nothing is happening for you:

Check your pairing to ensure that they are properly paired.

Make a voice call manually and see if you are able to use the BT Headset to speak on that call.

Quote:

Overclocking to 240 is the most I would recommend setting the CPU to. I have also noted that overclocking usually intereferes with wireless and Bluetooth connectivity (fluctuations may vary). You need to test out what is a stable clock speed that will suit your needs.
Move all cache and non essential programs to a storage card. Usually programs will cache to a location where they are stored (e.g. uses the available ram).
An example of this is: MemMaid (which I use) clears all local cahes or whatever you specify to free up ram and keep your system running smoothly. (note: I have a 2gb MiniSD installed that is partitioned 50/50 e.g. Storage Cad & Storage Card2) - Everything that I could install to the Memory card has been and these reg entries reflect that. - Also note that I believe it would be best served if you PM me in lieu of replying in this Q & A forum as I believe we are off subject and may prove disruptive to the purpose of this thread.

For your covenience I will list the reg entries I use on my MDA that significantly help out with ram as well as various other features.

Increases cache to enable faster screen refresh/Draw



[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\GDI\GLYPHCACHE]

"limit"=dword:00008000

Enables Cleartype fonts in Internet Explorer[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings] "ClearTypeText"=dword:00000001

Move Internet Explorer Cache(s) to Storage Card[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders] "Cache"="\\Storage Card2\\pIE\\Cache" "History"="\\Storage Card2\\pIE\\History" "Cookies"="\\Storage Card2\\pIE\\Cookies"

Enables Voice Command useability from the BT Headset[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\OEM\VoiceCommand] "Path"="\\Program Files\\Voice Command\\VOICEcmd.exe"

Increases the volume of Voicecommand responses (announce incomming call)[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ControlPanel\SoundCategories\VoiceCommand1] "InitVol"=dword:00000028 "AttenuationCategory"=dword:00000001 "Script"="p" @=""

Creates a 'Today Item' Showing Status of BT; Wireless Connection and Phone Signal/connection[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Today\Items\"Wireless"] "Order"=dword:00000001 "Options"=dword:00000000 "Flags"=dword:00000000 "Type"=dword:00000004 "Enabled"=dword:00000001 "DLL"="netui.dll"

Enables original (MS) backlight Control panel applet[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ControlPanel\Backlight] "Redirect disabled"="Backlight.exe" "Group"=dword:00000001

Enables original (MS) Contrast Control panel applet[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ControlPanel\Contrast] "Redirect disabled"=""

Turns on the Caps/Control Notification for Keyboard usage[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ControlPanel\Keybd] "EnableIndicator"=dword:00000001

Increases Cache size for fielsystem (allegedly increases speed)[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\StorageManager\FATFS] "CacheSize"=dword:00001000

This is where default Favorites for IE is stored.[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\FavoritesEntries]

Another cache that when properly tweaked increases speed of unit[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\StorageManager\Filters\fsreplxfilt] "ReplStoreCacheSize"=dword:00001000

Disables windows animations (increases performance)[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\GWE\Menu] "AniType"=dword:00000000

Increases Storage Card performance[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Drivers\SDCARD\ClientDrivers\Class\MMC_Class] "BlockTransferSize"=dword:00000100

Places time with AM PM indicators on the taskbar[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\nls\overrides] "S2359"="Pm" "S1159"="Am" "STFmt"="h:mm tM"

Increases Storage Card Performance[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Drivers\SDCARD\ClientDrivers\Class\SDMemory_Class] "BlockTransferSize"=dword:00000100

What type of phone and

Submitted by ZzFDKzZ on Tue, 15/08/2006 - 23:47.

What type of phone and features can we expect in the future?

Your responses

Submitted by WarezAppz on Sat, 02/09/2006 - 20:02.

jjjjj wrote:

it just enables the Voice command (from voice dial) in general. do you have a BT earphone? if so you probably see what I mean: no matter how long we press the button on the earphone, nothing happens.

Yes, I do have a BT Headset, and no I do not see what you mean. When I press the button on the earphone I get the beep signifying 'state your voice command'. As I stated the only wish I'd have for that to work better is BT actually disconnecting after you use it to initiate a voice command. Instead it is necessary to press the button on the headset again to end the BT connection.

jjjjj wrote:

Well, by moving cache's off of the main ram area you do increase ram (not physically) by way of not using available ram. If you mean to physically increase the ram, I am afraid there isn't a way that I know of to do that.
As far as the 280MHZ, perhaps I wasn't clear - you need to test to see what speed is stable. I have never heard of anyone clocking over 260 successfully. you may do well in checking into the forums at XDA-Developers.com regarding overclocking.

Once again I urge you to PM me in lieu of posting to this thread: I believe it to be spam-like to carry on a conversation in a thread which other people may be viewing in search of non-pertinent information to what is being posted (by us).

True Dual Core Coming Soon?

Submitted by smakusdod on Wed, 16/08/2006 - 01:53.

Does HTC plan on implementing a true Dual Core processor/chipset in future models? What about dedicated video and/or audio chips?

Reminder problems

Submitted by eweaver on Fri, 01/09/2006 - 00:06.

I am absent-minded and desperately need a trustworthy reminder function. I have missed appointments while depending on my HTC Wizard (Cingular 8125).

Is there a way to have it so that:
a) you can turn off repeating reminders once they happen
When I have asked my pda for a repeating reminder, I had hoped to be able to turn it off once it starts. Nevertheless, no dialog box comes up so that I can dismiss the reminder and a screen tap won't stop the sound. This can cause embarrassment during meetings broadcast by speakerphone.
b) you can set up a reminder to go off the same hour and have it work.
For some reason, reminders seem to refresh once a day or something and there is no guarantee a reminder set to go off in 5 minutes will work.
c) you can guarantee that the sound you set up is the sound you'll get?
My machine keeps resetting to its own choice of vibrate or ring tone or alarm, no matter how carefully I set it up in Settings.

I am contemplating giving up on this device as a result of these problems.

I note that there are others on this forum who have these issues, but that nobody has answered their concerns.

Any suggestions?

I did find this on the web at howardforum, which suggests that the problem is that some reminders don't get dismissed for some reason:

http://www.howardforums.com/printthread.php?t=839691&pp=30
-----
Posted by: rcmccart

I think I did it! No hard reset required.

As mentioned in the last post, I was sure that it was something with a hanging reminder. I set the time one week in the past, to when I didn't have the problem, and did a soft reset. I then moved the date one day ahead, soft reset, and dismissed all notifications.

Repeat.

Go through advancing each day, dismissing all reminders after you change the time, and again after the soft reset. I did this until I reached the present, and it all seems to work! I finally dismissed the alarm that caused the glitch.

I think I will still download ScaryBear's software. I've noticed my system bogging down, so there may be some notification build-up in there. I'm assuming this works OK on WM5?

now to fix my constantly mis-aligning screen issue...
---------------

Is it me or is it GPRS?

Submitted by mandelbe on Wed, 06/09/2006 - 00:10.

When I am on an active call and my e-mail application (Intellisync) wants to use the GPRS connection it simply terminates my call and gives priority to the GPRS app. I've looked for other individuals having this problem and I have found a few -- mostly using pocket weather apps that update periodically.

Have I set a connection option incorrectly or is this a firmware issue that HTC plans to resolve? I did not have this issue with my Blue Angel.

This is a problem on

Submitted by nKrypteD1 on Thu, 28/09/2006 - 00:27.

This is a problem on Cingular 8125 with the latest AKU's, it's not really requesting or attempting to use GPRS but polling the connection that creates the problem, there is a fix for this, released by HTC.

Change the following registry key

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Drivers\BuiltIn\RIL]

"GPRSStallWorkaround"=dword:0

you'll find it currently stands at 1.

The problem is now, when GPRS Stalls you'll have to manually restart it.

overclock

Submitted by ktbater on Sun, 10/09/2006 - 17:16.

What is the maximum speed that HTC recomends for overclocking of the processor and what do they feel the negative effects are when running at that speed.

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