Related
3 Players now that work with the external screen:
WMP, Pocket Player, and HTC Audio Manager!
For HTC Audio Manager, go here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=313550
Take the contents of the "AudioManager" Folder and extract them all to your /windows/ directory (NOT just the folder, the files inside the folder need to be take out and put in the windows directory).
Using a registry explorer, go to HKLM\SOFTWARE\HTC\SecondaryDsp
There should already be a registry entry there called "AudioManager", if it's there, set it to "1".
If it's not there, create it and set it to one (I can't say for sure if it'll work or not though).
Restart your phone, and voila! A new, working MediaPlayer!
In the original topic, rickwyatt says "put in on your storage card".
As I have just 4MB storage left, I want to put it on my storage card. Is it possible?
Also, what advantage over WMP does HTC AM have?
yes it is possible to install on storage/storage card, cab-installer made by me is available here:
http://ren.redsys.ru/_private/HTC.Audio.Manager.WCE.BY.cab
But you need to copy all these files to \Windows\ directory to make it on external screen
It seems Audio Manager files should be extracted to \windows, if the external music keys need to work with it. Also the 'AudioManager' registry value is not found by default, so create it as a new DWORD value and assign it with '1'.
Yet I don't see any value this Audio Manager brings over on top of WMP, though it has a nice ipod like interface and supports playlists. Anyone found anything interesting about this new AM?
oh hell no dont intall this program, its not worth it.
Very diffcult to add playlist you have to add files one at a time
I was hoping an equalizer but does not have one
Im struggling to remove and set the buttons back to for WM player.
Damn stupid fucl<ing program
paypalbid said:
oh hell no dont intall this program, its not worth it.
Very diffcult to add playlist you have to add files one at a time
I was hoping an equalizer but does not have one
Im struggling to remove and set the buttons back to for WM player.
Damn stupid fucl<ing program
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing from AudioManager should have overwritten anything else.
Therefore, go to your \windows\ directory and look at the files in the zip archive. There you can see exactly which files to delete. To get the buttons back, go back to the HKLM\Software\HTC\SecondaryDsp\AudioManager and set the value to '0' instead of '1'.
As for advantages, just looks nice imho. I didn't really play with it yet.
Thanks ladies.
I installed and it worked. However I do NOT se any advantage over the WMP. This only looks cool because "dude, it's a HTC soft, dude". I'll stick with my WMP and occasionaly Pocket Player. No need for this
nevermind said:
Thanks ladies.
I installed and it worked. However I do NOT se any advantage over the WMP. This only looks cool because "dude, it's a HTC soft, dude". I'll stick with my WMP and occasionaly Pocket Player. No need for this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
'tis true.
I'm going to play around with it more and if it seems faster or more stable than WMP I'll use it. Otherwise, I'll probably ditch it too.
I love PocketPlayer, but the external display plugin is so slow and just seems terribly unstable.
thelostsoul said:
'tis true.
I'm going to play around with it more and if it seems faster or more stable than WMP I'll use it. Otherwise, I'll probably ditch it too.
I love PocketPlayer, but the external display plugin is so slow and just seems terribly unstable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, PP is very unstable and the plugin makes the whole phone really damn slow.
In the other hand, WMP is quite fast for me. ANd I never experienced even one single crash with it (except using Oxios memory tools before). Only the way of opening files in WMP pis*es me off.
After a day of playing around, I've decided I don't like either WMP or AudioManager...lol
Not sure which I'll be sticking with yet....
thelostsoul said:
After a day of playing around, I've decided I don't like either WMP or AudioManager...lol
Not sure which I'll be sticking with yet....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL
well WM6 does support external screen already. So lets hope for it, coz then we can use any player we want and with small update it should display also informations on the external screen. But guess it's still a looong way
thelostsoul said:
Nothing from AudioManager should have overwritten anything else.
Therefore, go to your \windows\ directory and look at the files in the zip archive. There you can see exactly which files to delete. To get the buttons back, go back to the HKLM\Software\HTC\SecondaryDsp\AudioManager and set the value to '0' instead of '1'.
As for advantages, just looks nice imho. I didn't really play with it yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I‘ve already put these files in \Windows and created a DWORD named AudioManager in HKLM\SOFTWARE\HTC\SecondaryDsp and set it to 1, but nothing happened. The external music keys still assign to WMP. Somebody knows why?
You might need the more recent ROM update. The 4.x ones...What version do you have?
thelostsoul said:
You might need the more recent ROM update. The 4.x ones...What version do you have?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a singapore rom 1.32.707.0 in my phone. Where to download a 4.x rom?
Oh. Check with the HTC website for your region or whatever branding is on your phone, their site.
The 4.x ROMs are for USA (not sure if EUR has them yet), but can be downloaded from here:
http://www.america.htc.com/support/3125/software-downloads.html
Note, however, that you may need to unlock your device completely (including CID) before installing a ROM from a different region. Instructions are on this forum.
thelostsoul said:
Oh. Check with the HTC website for your region or whatever branding is on your phone, their site.
The 4.x ROMs are for USA (not sure if EUR has them yet), but can be downloaded from here:
http://www.america.htc.com/support/3125/software-downloads.html
Note, however, that you may need to unlock your device completely (including CID) before installing a ROM from a different region. Instructions are on this forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx a lot, I'll try it.
Hi,
Just a couple of questions to ask.
Fist of all I did install HTC`s audio manager and its no different from the wmplayer. Only better at fast forwarding . Since the external display shows exactly the same things with both the players, I assume it is some kind of seperate driver, that "interconnects" with other software. Who ever wrote that piece of code that controlls the play/prev/next buttons , should be executed for stupidity... Was it SO difficult to add a fast forward ability omg. Does anyone know how to add such a function?
Also, one more thing I have installed PocketPlayer, but I cannot find anything concerning the external display thing... I cannot find any plugins, or options. Can someone please enlighten me?
I absolutely love this phone, (and since it cost me 170 euros...) but I wish I fast forward the player with out having to open the phone...
Thanks
For PocketPlayer you want the WM_Host plugin version 2.0. Once you copy the DLLs to the PP directory, you need to open PP and the Plugin controls panel then configure the plugin. FastForward should be supported in PP.
Thanks so much... I did what you said, I enabled the plugin, but still, no fast forward. Dunno maybe its just a crappy wmp plugin in the first place...
Hmm, you're right. I never really needed it though so I guess that's why I never noticed...
Post what you want on the Conduits forums. They're usually pretty good with filling feature requests. I bugged them about getting support for the External Screen on the StrTrk for a couple months and even though they said it seemed impossible, they finally got it
Hello Friends,
Yesterday i got my NEW HTC S740 smartphone! I have to say that i'm really newbie to smartphones but i love this phone!!
I found all the features of the phone and i have to say that i'm very pleased with it! My problem is that i can't - fear to connect the phone to my computer!!
When i insert the cd of HTC in my computer it asks me to download Flash player. I download flash player and then i install it on my computer but i still can't open the cd!! Also i have installed Active Sync 4.5 on my pc! What i wanna ask is, can i connect the S740 on my pc with only Active Sync 4.5 or i have to install the program of HTC (the one i can't find because i don't have flash player)?? How can i fix the problem with flash player?
thanks in advance
My Activesync has probs with Vista
Not sure if this helps but from memory my activesync didnt work with vista and I needed some other syncing software for vista. I found it pretty easy so do a google search on syncing problems here.
I now sync my TYTN2 to my iMac and it works great as the iTunes all come across with no probs.
Enjoy
My friend i have XP! What about the problem with flash player? Why i can't read the cd?
In fact, if you've installed ActiveSync, you don't need anything else from the CD (maybe except User's Guide from the second disk). It contains (packed in Flash animations) just sync programs and few links. Anyway, if so curious, try to explore the CD and run start.exe directly from there...
Working ActiveSync should sit (greyed) now in the System Tray on the right side of the XP's bottom Taskbar. Right click over the icon and choose Connection Settigs... On following dialog first check the box Allow USB Connection.
When you'll connect your Rose to the machine now, it will start working without hassles. If any problems, first check the manual and if lost anyway, let us know again.
Ok i will try to connect with Active Sync!
WOW it worked!! thank you my friend!! Does the cd contain anything else useful?
Not really... Just links to WM 6.1 Home on Microsoft... Have a look there on TotalAccess, they're some freebies avalable.
On little trick for other places - open the connection dialog (as above) again and have a look, if the last box (Allow wireles...) is UNchecked. If so, hanged on USB your Rose will connect to internet trougth PC - it's faster and 100% "free".
And have a look on your built-in mobile favourites on Rose - you'll find a HTC page with few links. One little warning - you'll find there a link to Adobe FlashLiite, which does not work on Rose... Good tip is to check Google Maps application and maybe SkyFire (alternate browser with YouTube support).
As Pocket Internet Explorer tends to ignore WiFi connection, alternate browser is good to have anyway. Another, very solid option is Opera Mini. Just be aware - it's Java application. After installation you'll find it in Java console (it's in Accessories folder).
Enjoy!
thank you me friend for giving me these useful tips! It's really helpfull and will help me understand better my smartphone!!
P.S. How can i see youtube and generally streaming videos on my S740? I visited youtube but i couldn't watch videos!!
Until Adobe will understand, that WM 6.1 Standard has no limitations in that (the FlashLite just denies to install), as far as I know, the only way I see is the SkyFire browser as mentioned above. Just read Privacy statement on their site first, you'd probably not like info they're collecting...
Oh ok! And something last...
I want to buy an extra card because i need more space! What kind of card does it take?? Micro sd or Mini sd?? Confusing!
Micro. Don't be confused, on commercial photos they look the same, because usually sold with adapter in Mini size (micro is then just delivered inserted in the adapter).
Crossfingers with inserting card into the slot as this is only thing which drove me insane on early beginning...
Therefore I would recommend you the largest possible card to avoid a need to change it. As Rose supports the latest standards of SD Cards, you can use any size up to 32GB. Speed of the card isn't really critical - major snail in file operations is Windows Mobile file system. But this is area of little wizardry, because it depends on size, brand etc. With hight probability the most critical operation from this POV is video capturing by built-in camera.
So my recommendation is - don't spend money for useless speed, prefere size (otherwise you'll after few changes of cards in the slot throw Rose against the wall ;-) ). And if possible, just for sure, try to record some video on the card in highest size first directly in the shop and you'll see...
So, what i need is a Micro Sd card 32GB? Right?
Yeap. First word of my previous post...
Obviously, smaller sizes works as well and some (1-2 gigs) are today sold for nothing...
Maybe it's time to open 2nd CD with the manual (promise - no flash, just PDF file). I understand first confusions if somebody meets first Windows Mobile phone and enthusiasm (especially in combination WM + Rose ;-) ) should be supported.
Nevertheless in this stage manual would be faster than me (leaving for single malt "dinner" with friends ).
Ok my friend. Thank you for all your help! I will open the manual!!
WM6.5 for HTC Surround
I know it is a little too early to ask this question but here it goes:
Is there a way to flash a WM6.5 custom ROM into the HTC Surround?
WP7 limit the full potential of the HTC Surround's excellent hardware.
No, there is not and I doubt there ever will be.
Not sure if you have even played with WP7, but if you haven't, go give it a shot. I thought it's restrictions would affect me, but I haven't had any problems.
XeNoMoRpH1030 said:
No, there is not and I doubt there ever will be.
Not sure if you have even played with WP7, but if you haven't, go give it a shot. I thought it's restrictions would affect me, but I haven't had any problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an HTC Surround since the last couple of days. I'm "upgrading" from an HTC Touch PRO with an Energy WM6.5 Custom ROM.
I'm having a difficult time managing email file attachments, contacts and applications. WM6.5 allowed me to receive and store files in the SD card for future use.
How I store a received email attached file for later use? I don't want to keep the whole email in the inbox just to have the attached file available.
WM6.5 allowed me that, in addition I was able to connect the phone via USB and transfer that same file to any PC. WP7 can't be reconized by PCs.
That is in my opinion a major drawback gattech. I have not found a way to make the phone be reconized by my PC and found alot of people complaining becasue you can't use outlook to back up you contact and such. I would guess this is to stop people from hacking the phone but them trying to keep people from as the android boys would say rooting or the iphone guys jailbreaking is causeing the phone to be lacking a bit. I hope someone can figure out how to do it I like using outlok to keep calander and contacts backedup.
I think you have to use the Zune software for synchronization with PCs
You do use ZUNE and you can only sync with it so music pics and apps I want to put files on my phone and use them when I get to another comp or sync to outlook. When I plug my phone in it does not show up under computer it only tells me in ZUNE that a device is connected. This is a great example of Microsoft wanting to be like apple.
There is a registry hack that you can do that will allow you to throw files on to it. You still need the Zune software I believe, but it should work.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/18/registry-hack-allows-for-direct-loading-of-media-on-windows-phon/
I think if we give this phone/OS a little bit of time the developers will make this an AMAZING device.still pretty much in its infancy.
I agree i would love to see a fully functioning version of 6.5 with sense 2.5. Although slide out speakers seem kinda lame to me. id rather it been a keyboard
spl180db said:
I agree i would love to see a fully functioning version of 6.5 with sense 2.5. Although slide out speakers seem kinda lame to me. id rather it been a keyboard
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
still can not violate the rom the phone? I have it in another language ... I hope you will be able to flash .. Not to mention if it is a Windows 6.5, would be very happy
So here's what I'm thinking...
Two days ago I got my nearly free HTC Surround up at AT&T... And so far, I'm so unimpressed that I've gone back to my Topaz.
Stepping up to WP7 from WM6.5 is in reality stepping down for me, because of the complete control that MSFT has kept thus far over the operations of the phone. True, several cracks and unlocking routines have emerged already, but I truely miss the root customization and the ability to do almost anything you want that came with WM6.5. So here's my question:
Is it possible now, or might it be possible, to port WM6.5 over to WP7 devices? I ask this because IMHO, this device has the hardware specs that could only have been dreamed of in WM6.5 phones and unless I'm mistaken, this phone could run WM6.5 flawlessly (In terms of the video, processor, internal storage, etc.)
Is this a possibility? Is there a chance my Surround can find some redemption in my eyes? Thanks in advance, and I hope that Surround users will start/continue to work to unlock the many hinderences of this phone (Donations! )
I'm in the same boat as you. I would love to go back to WM6.5 right now. My wife got me the SUrround when it 1st came out. I have to admit it's been incredibly stable but I can't help but wonder if the hardware will run WM6.5. I would imagine the UI would have to tweaked due to the absence of some hard keys. I really just want internet sharing and voice guided GPS Bing Maps back and I would be happy enough for now.
gattech said:
I have an HTC Surround since the last couple of days. I'm "upgrading" from an HTC Touch PRO with an Energy WM6.5 Custom ROM.
I'm having a difficult time managing email file attachments, contacts and applications. WM6.5 allowed me to receive and store files in the SD card for future use.
How I store a received email attached file for later use? I don't want to keep the whole email in the inbox just to have the attached file available.
WM6.5 allowed me that, in addition I was able to connect the phone via USB and transfer that same file to any PC. WP7 can't be reconized by PCs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Open the attachment, then choose Save or Save As. It then saves a copy to the local phone memory instead of just within the email.
vel0city1 said:
Open the attachment, then choose Save or Save As. It then saves a copy to the local phone memory instead of just within the email.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, I saved the document in phone memory. I deleted the the original message from the Inbox and Deleted Items folders. Now I want to send that same PDF file to a friend via email. How I do that? How do I attach a PDF file to an email in WP7?
Wingnutt54 said:
You do use ZUNE and you can only sync with it so music pics and apps I want to put files on my phone and use them when I get to another comp or sync to outlook. When I plug my phone in it does not show up under computer it only tells me in ZUNE that a device is connected. This is a great example of Microsoft wanting to be like apple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm with you Wingnutt54 . Not being able to transfer files and documents from phone to PC and vice versa via direct USB connection is one of the biggest drawbacks of WP7. I "upgraded" from and HTC Fuze (Touch Pro) to the HTC Surround and really miss its flexibilty.
I am an IT Specialist and I like to carry all my files, documents and software handy at all times. What better place to have them than your phone? USB drives get lost all the time but you never lose your phone, do you?
well its mostly impossible
1. no WINCE 5.2 bootloader
2. no wince 5.2 Kernel
3. no wince 5.2 AMSS ( qualcomm virtual machine configuration files ). new hardware revision . amss from HD2 will not work
in the end = impossible
mo3ulla said:
well its mostly impossible
1. no WINCE 5.2 bootloader
2. no wince 5.2 Kernel
3. no wince 5.2 AMSS ( qualcomm virtual machine configuration files ). new hardware revision . amss from HD2 will not work
in the end = impossible
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, there is no hope for the HTC Surround to be flashed with a custom WM6.5 ROM somewhere in the future?
Looks like I'll sell my Surround and go for the Telstra HTC HD2. Hope they are going much cheaper these days.
mo3ulla said:
well its mostly impossible
1. no WINCE 5.2 bootloader
2. no wince 5.2 Kernel
3. no wince 5.2 AMSS ( qualcomm virtual machine configuration files ). new hardware revision . amss from HD2 will not work
in the end = impossible
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you have tried to use these tools? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=884239
gattech said:
So, there is no hope for the HTC Surround to be flashed with a custom WM6.5 ROM somewhere in the future?
Looks like I'll sell my Surround and go for the Telstra HTC HD2. Hope they are going much cheaper these days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wm 6.5 ( wince 5.2 ) does not compatible with WP7 (wince 6). at ANY part . os booted different way .. os working different way . in the end ..
1. no kernel
2. no drivers
3. no bootloader
also surround and half of surround ( mozart ) have NEW EXTERNAL TOUCH ( Cypress ) AND EXTERNAL SOUND CODEC ( TEXAS INSTRUMENTS ) hardware. so thats part will require drivers written from a ZERO . which is dead way if you does not have sources or chip papers .
manu81 said:
you have tried to use these tools? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=884239
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you can even personalize .. a breakthrough would be to insert other languages ... I have the Spanish, I'm watching it with the tools that you go ..
If you can, please let me help. "
Greetings
I am looking for a Smartphone with a particular form factor, the form factor is shared by the P3600, the Aria & the HD Mini. I have the 3600 but it is time to upgrade
I’ll be honest I’d rather get a HD Mini than an Aria, but I want to stick with Tel$tra and Next G is on 850 Mhtz,
So Aria it is.
Now looking at the ups and downs of this proposition it looks like it will do everything I want out of the box (Give or take a bit) the only concern is the ability to run apps from the SD which doesn’t appear to be available until upgrading to 2.2.
If I want the phone unlocked and free to do as I say, I obviously can’t go downloading a carrier specific Rom, so need either a factory default or Home baked number.
So… What Android 2.2 ROM is available that is as close to the Unlocked factory default as possible? Or can you download the Unlocked Factory Default from HTC direct (I have tried and failed)
You're looking for gene Poole's liberated 2.2.2 or attn1 fr008.
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App
mtnlion said:
You're looking for gene Poole's liberated 2.2.2 or attn1 fr008.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
You want Gene Poole's Liberated 2.2.2
Also, how and where are you getting your phone?
Most of us (it seems) in this forum got our phones when they were running 2.1 and we were able to easily root them with unrevoked. People who have gotten the Gratia or warranty replacements recently with the official 2.2 system in place have not been able to root.
FALCON-LORD said:
I am looking for a Smartphone with a particular form factor, the form factor is shared by the P3600, the Aria & the HD Mini. I have the 3600 but it is time to upgrade
I’ll be honest I’d rather get a HD Mini than an Aria, but I want to stick with Tel$tra and Next G is on 850 Mhtz,
So Aria it is.
Now looking at the ups and downs of this proposition it looks like it will do everything I want out of the box (Give or take a bit) the only concern is the ability to run apps from the SD which doesn’t appear to be available until upgrading to 2.2.
If I want the phone unlocked and free to do as I say, I obviously can’t go downloading a carrier specific Rom, so need either a factory default or Home baked number.
So… What Android 2.2 ROM is available that is as close to the Unlocked factory default as possible? Or can you download the Unlocked Factory Default from HTC direct (I have tried and failed)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that mtnlion. I thought this was my last hurdle but then I considered the implications of syncing outlook contacts and calendars… It appears that you need a third part application to do that. FFS why can’t someone port WM6.5 to the Aria HW? It would make life so much easier.
Is it time for me to start learning to cook ROMs?
Thanks for the update stoneship. So it isn’t all as easy as it seems on the surface. SOD…
Maybe I just have to cross my fingers and hope that HTC keeps supporting the small form factor and wait for there next round of releases, and hope something fits.
I haven't used it in quite awhile but I'm pretty sure the HTC sync software will sync outlook and calendar when you plug in your phone.and there are apps on the market also.
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App
Thanks again mtnlion, but this still leaves me with the issue highlighted by stone ship that some systems won’t let you root break them and put on non official ROM images. The Aria as a solution is so close I can taste it… But I am just not confident it is going to be without issues.
Ahhh Screw it… I have bought one… How much trouble can it be???
Well... after rereading your post it seems that you may not be aware of this.
The phone you purchased will most likely (if new) come with software preinstalled from the factory that will prohibit you from rooting it via software methods.
You will need to send the phone to someone else to downgrade it for you. Then you can root it and install the software above.
Hope that made sense, I'm running on fumes... :-/
FALCON-LORD said:
Ahhh Screw it… I have bought one… How much trouble can it be???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cross your fingers that you got one with 2.1 on it so you can root it easily. If not I can point you to someone who can s-off it for you.
The Aria is a great little phone and once you get things sorted out I think you will find you can do what you need with it. Syncing outlook contacts and calendars should not be an issue either through activesync or HTC sync regardless of official or cooked rom.
You say Active sync or HTC sync??? Does that mean that M$ Active sync can sync with an Android device? That would be weird.
The device is advertised as unlocked and 2.1 As long as it is unlocked then I am good even if it is 2.2 I don’t expect to need it rooted in the immediate term, though I do expect I am going to have to hack around a little to get the Audio on my Cardo Scala headset sorted (it doesn’t support A2DP) so I may be eating those words in short order.
Though in the words of the great tosser Jeremy Clarkson… “How Hard can it be?”
Seeing I am asking these questions I may as well outline the Bluetooth issue I have and see if any one can shed any light on the Android solution.
As I said in my previous post my Bluetooth headset doesn’t support A2DP, so to get music playing on it (or get GPS spoken directions) I need to perform a couple of hacks
The first one is to combine the stereo channels so on my Windows mobile I do this by applying the following to the registry.
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Bluetooth\A2DP\Settings]
"UseJointStereo"=dword:00000001
The second (And more important) is to change the Bluetooth channel behavior which is done by making the voice command attribute do nothing (remove the path of the executable) and keeping the channel open for an indefinite amount of time (VoiceCmdDuration being a large number)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\OEM\VoiceCommand]
"LaunchApEnable"=dWord:1
"VoiceCmdDuration"=dWord:15180
So… In Android, what files do I need to tweak, and how do I need to tweak them to achieve the same results?
Thanks
Well I now have my aria in my greasy little hands, and for better or worse… It has 2.2 loaded.
Starting to sort my way through the maze of setup now…
Patience.
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App
The Limitations of Android are really annoying. (Unrooted)
I can’t Leave the device Synchronizing and also copy files back and forth (I Can in WM5)
I can’t copy files directly to the device only to the SD Card (I Can in WM5)
I can’t access the SD card from the device while I am accessing it from the PC (I Can in WM5)
I can’t edit configuration files to alter how it interacts with things such as Bluetooth (I Can in WM5)
I can’t store resources such as ringtones on the device, only on the SD card (I Can in WM5)
I can’t control the phone from my desktop computer such as MyMobiler (I Can in WM5)
And these are just the limitations I have found in 3 days when comparing it to a 6 year old Operating system.
And because it came pre installed with 2.2 I can’t root it…
It really appears that if it isn’t rooted it is pretty F#$ked.
Android is not really designed to be synchronized over USB. Yes, you can do it, and HTC makes a program for it specifically, but I suggest abandoning that habit and getting used to wireless syncing instead. The only reason I ever connect my phone to a computer is to copy a file, and even then I sometimes choose to do it with Dropbox instead, or send the link to the phone through ChromeToPhone.
Even if you don't want to use Google Calendar/Contacts as your primary calendar/contacts manager, you should be able to set up Outlook on your computer to synchronize with them. I don't personally use Outlook so I can't say what the best method for doing this is, but perhaps someone else can chime in with a suggestion.
As for the SD card, I don't think there is really any significant disadvantage to storing files on the SD card. Assuming you just leave your SD card in the phone, what's the difference? Some Android phones do have internal memory you can use for copying files to though.
As for the bluetooth issue, yes, that sucks. Good luck finding a solution for that if one exists.
Well An Update…
My Blutooth issues are managed by this app
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.bedoig.BTmono_Donate&feature=search_result
It is O.K. But does have a nasty habit of rebooting the device if you don’t shut it down properly before disconnecting the bluetooth connection.
It still doesn’t allow me to initiate actions from the headset other than picking up calls, but at the end of the day this is all I require.
After my torrent of negatives I have found a few starters for what Android is doing better…
When you mount the SD card to the computer it is fully available, you can read & edit files not just copy to and from (I Can’t in WM5)
Once you throw a file manager on the device it browses UNC paths well
Though It does appear I am getting some really weird $hit happening with my Outlook calendars.
And I have noted that I can’t have different screen timeout behavior dependent on weather it is plugged in or not.
If I could have the best of WM, and the best of Droid, I would be a happy little camper.
Coming from my Nexus S to the Galaxy Note, the PC to Phone file transfering experience is a lot different. I do not like what Samsung (or ATT) did to it.
It constantly asks me if I am sure if I want to transfer files to my phone. "Do you want to copy XYZ.xyz to your device? Your device might not be able to play or view this file." It's quite annoying when I'm trying to copy over files that are not all the same file type. Any way to get around this?
I'm on Windows 7 and I prefer to view all my files in the "Details" view type. However all the directories (that I haven't changed) on the phone are defaulted to something different and there is no way to change this but go into EVERY folder and modify them. There has to be an easier way. Is there?
On my Nexus S I had about 1100 music files. Prior to switching phones I copied all the information from my Nexus to my PC so I can transfer to my Note. When I copied the files from my PC to my Note I only had 750 songs and a good amount of my albums were missing 50% of the songs. Is this a limitation of file types supported with the Note?
Can these issues be resolved if I use a microSDHC card reader to put my files on the card?
These issues baffle me because they're both made by Samsung. Only thing I can think of is that the Nexus was Google's baby and they didn't want limitations put on it, but the Note wasn't.
Thanks for reading.
-Chris