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Hi !
I just bought an Optimus Chic from Bell in Canada for $250 Canuck. Anyone know how to unlock this thing for free or cheap ? (Yes, I've read all over and find only commercial unlockers who I'm not sure if I can trust.)
It's my first cellphone ever, despite that I've been an embedded Linux developer for the last 14 years, and built and programmed computers with the first generation microprocessors in the mid 1970's. Big LOL ! And yes, the touch interface is much better than a 110 baud ASR-33 teletype...
But it's not just a cellphone of course; all the features at this price point can make it compelling enough that even someone as thrifty/cheap as myself buy one. I hope to own and use the Chic for at least 5 years, but who knows.
I got the Chic, instead of the Optimus One from Telus because I DO hope to use this for many years, and the 5 megapixel cam resolution and higher video frame rate will IMO make it more usable over the years.
The DLNA feature also piqued my interest. I think this will allow more interesting connection capabilities to my TV XBMC computer. Just tried a DLNA browser on Ubuntu but haven't tried a connection yet.
My purchase decision of Chic over One was made despite that the One is a bit older and much more popular, at least so far. There seems to be virtually no development here on the Chic so far, not as compared to the One. Hopefully that will change. The hardware is almost identical so I can't imagine much would need changing.
Only real problem I've noted with the Chic so far is using the FM Radio now causes some strange problems requiring battery removal. Originally this didn't happen; perhaps something to do with station it's now stuck on. So I'm running an Internet Radio app now.
Perhaps some rearrangement of Optimus forums is in order due to all the variants out now or expected soon.
Looking forward to sharing further Chic info, as well as generic Optimus info. I'm considering becoming an Android developer...
Could you please test the touchscreen ? Do you experience something like this ? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLEgJWIs3qA&feature=player_embedded
If you don't experience the same thing and the touchscreen is the same, maybe we'll need some parts of your kernel.
Congratulations for your first phone !
Hi badeaioan.
What app is that ? And can you describe what exactly the issue is ?
BTW, the video is upside down.
Cheers!
I think for the unlock, you need a code for that, which the carrier provides. I do not know whether those unlockers you found has the code or not. I haven't tried unlocking phones yet since I buy mine already open
Regarding the video, he's using a touchscreen tester app, but I don't know the exact name. He's trying to show you the bugs with the Optimus One's touchscreen (not responding at times, etc)
Anyway, can you try to reproduce the problems shown in the video if you have spare time? We would like to see if the O1's brother has the issue fixed, so maybe we could do something about our phones. Thanks in advance
Here's a 20 second video I made that shows the axis inverting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHVSBDPWhQs
EDIT: The app im using is touch test
kpbotbot said:
I think for the unlock, you need a code for that, which the carrier provides. I do not know whether those unlockers you found has the code or not. I haven't tried unlocking phones yet since I buy mine already open
Regarding the video, he's using a touchscreen tester app, but I don't know the exact name. He's trying to show you the bugs with the Optimus One's touchscreen (not responding at times, etc)
Anyway, can you try to reproduce the problems shown in the video if you have spare time? We would like to see if the O1's brother has the issue fixed, so maybe we could do something about our phones. Thanks in advance
Here's a 20 second video I made that shows the axis inverting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHVSBDPWhQs
EDIT: The app im using is touch test
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Click to collapse
LOL, haven't even tried multi-touch on my new phone until a few minutes ago; read about it years ago (on iPhone?) though.
I tried a few touch testing apps, and I'm afraid it seems to have the problem you speak of. With two fingers moving two balls, sometimes the X co-ordinate gets swapped on the balls, but not the Y co-ordinate. Weird !
This problem isn't related to the problem for which there's a new kernel to fix in the last few days, is it ? : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=929941
Or that's just a 100% CPU usage bug ?
Nope. That kernel fixes only the 100% CPU usage bug. I'm contented with that, really. I just wanted to know if there was something we could do about those issues
Btw, thanks for testing it out
Optimus Chic Service Manual:
http://csmg.lgmobile.com:9002/swdata...2_LGDP_dll.zip
I've successfully unlocked my Chic for about $17 Canadian at http://www.fonesunlock.co.uk/ . They seem to have the best Internet reviews and I got my code within 24 hours, although sending a "hurry up please" email may have helped.
Prior to spending the $17 I spent much of a day trying to find some free way online to unlock, not so much for the $ savings, but more for the experience of learning more about this phone and unlocking etc.
I believe I've found that there is indeed some way a program on a PC connected via USB can unlock this phone. But AFAICT, this software is only sold with $200 or so of hardware, and that this is bought by commercial phone unlockers.
I've also found there is software for some phones that can determine an unlock code through breaking the code encryption, and at least one such package requires a modern video card for it's calculations. I guess the code would run for many hours at least to crack the code.
Once I got the APN setup for Wind/Rogers I am able to use this phone with a Wind SIM. 2g only, but that's all I get on the Wind phone since this is with a Rogers cell site near my home; presumably some Wind sites would give me 3g.
My original plan was to go with 7/11 Speakout (Rogers) for as little as $25 per year prepaid. And $10 a month for mobile browsing would make the bill $120 per year. But there are no 7/11s near Ottawa and equivalent Quickie store good2go wasn't as potentially cheap as $25 per year.
But I came to the conclusion that Bell/Telus network would cover me better in rural areas where I might and do drive.
So I figured Presidents Choice Mobile (on Bell/Telus network) for $100 per year prepaid would be good, and also a $10 per month browsing plan.
But now I've been reading that smartphones can easily "accidentally" use data and the resultant charges would quickly deplete a Pres Choice balance. I had some issues like this with my Nokia Nuron Wind Phone. At least once it even turned itself on for some reason. Don't like that given at home I'm "Wind Away" and get charged 10 cents every 50 kilobytes.
So I'm thinking now of going with PetroCan at as little as $75 a year, also with mobile browsing $10 per month. It's on Rogers, but I'll check out their service and see how well it suits me. People have been successful lately with mobile WAP browsing on PetroCan and Speakout.
And I'll likely end up with at least one extra Bell/Telus network SIM I could keep in car and use if needed, and as always, 911 is always available even if no SIM or balance on SIM.
So, in conclusion, (for now, LOL) current plan is to test both Presidents' Choice (Bell) and PetroCan (Rogers) and see how they compare.
I currently use the iPhone 4 and never owned any android devices. I have been researching on Google but could not find anyone with the same questions:
1. If I get the Streak unlocked from Dell, can I swap my sim card between the two devices without AT&T locking me out or discontinuing my unlimited plan? Will I get 3G on the Dell?
2. I heard that the 2.2 update has flash working... I only want flash on the Streak to allow me to access my Marvel unlimited subscription (which does not work on my iPhone). Will the Streak successfully be able to display and navigate through digital comics without crashing or being too slow?
If anyone can please help me with answers, that would seriously help me become a convert from the iPhone to Android! I really hope it works!
gman901 said:
I currently use the iPhone 4 and never owned any android devices. I have been researching on Google but could not find anyone with the same questions:
1. If I get the Streak unlocked from Dell, can I swap my sim card between the two devices without AT&T locking me out or discontinuing my unlimited plan? Will I get 3G on the Dell?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The iPhone4 uses a micro SIM and the Streak uses a mini SIM. You would have to use an adapter to use your current SIM in the Streak. Yes you will get 3G on the Streak.
The Streak does not have the N band for WiFi.
As long as you go from smart phone to smart phone the unlimited data is supposed to stay on your account. I do not know if the iPhone has a 'special' data plan (like the Blackberries). AFAIK there is no reson for it to, unlike the BBs which use the RIM servers.
Someone may be able to help with your flash question if you can point them to a sample video for them to test.
Edit: SIM info based on reading from the web. I have no actual experience with an iPhone.
As stated above, you'll need a sim adapter to use your iPhone's microsim in the Streak - about $2 on ebay. Once you have the adapter, the iPhone's microsim works fine in the Streak.
I use my iPhone's unlimited data plan with my Streak with no problems. (I switch back and forth between the two phones pretty often - no issues with AT&T.)
I'll give you a relatively uninformed answer to your Marvel question -- I am not a comics' guy and my sole experience with the Marvel site was over the past three minutes as I looked at a sample comic to answer your question.
It didn't really have a problem loading the Flash content, but I'm not sure it would be an enjoyable experience to try to use it to regularly read comics. The 5" screen is huge for a phone, but tiny for a comic book - it seemed really hard to read the text.
Again - that's my novice opinion.
Good luck!
Thanks for both of your answers!! I had an ipad but gave it to my wife - it was pretty good overall, but lacks flash. I just tried to access a free digital comic from the Marvel.com digital subscription site on someones Sprint Evo 4G, and it seemed to work, but it was a little slow to respond to my screen taps, and it ultimately went to a grey screen with an exclamation point in the middle. I do not mind the screen size, especially compared to my iphone 4, a 5" screen is a great compromise between an ipad and an iphone, but still pocketable. I think I may go for it.
You may be able to try one in person at a Best Buy store to see if the site you are interested in works for you.
I will probably do that tonight. I wonder if most switchers from the iphone 4 to the Streak are satisfied in the long run? I really like the iphone ease of use and the gaming on it, but also would prefer a larger screen.
I swap my micro sim from iphone 4 to my Dell Streak almost weekly. You do not need an adapter. In fact, it is more difficult to use an adapter. Just line the SIM up correctly and away you go.
I swap when I want to use the Dell's mobile hot spot and google's navigation software.
I have a Tmobile value plan with 2gb unlimited data. I am currently using it in an HTC MyTouch 4g phone. When I travel, I would like to be able to put that sim card into a tablet and access my 2gb of data, whether that be web browsing or watching netflix etc.
I know that this could be done in the original iPad, and I am wondering what tablets I could do this with. I would prefer an android tablet to an iPad (and I dont even know if this can still be done with the newer models anyway), ideally around 8" but open to the 10" or 7" versions as well.
I am most definitely a noob, and prefer something that will just work as I am fearful my lack of experience would lead to disaster rooting/flashing/etc.
Thanks in advance for your help, and please let me know if this thread would be more appropriately placed elsewhere.
Greetings.
Question. I have a friend looking to get a cheap android phone to run a couple apps on a pre-paid network (sprint compatable one called kroger iwireless).
I saw two of them that they sell, but they are running Android 2 and im not sure the apps she wants would run on them. Is there a better phone that we are missing out there that she could use, or a better one thats become cheap enough that can be converted? Or does anyone have better ideas?
Shes trying to do this on the cheap.
Hello all, I'm making a thread hoping somebody with far more experience than I in this field can answer some questions that I have.
My current personal smartphone is a Samsung Galaxy Stardust "S766C". It's currently running Android 4.3 Jellybean, and is on the Tracfone network.
Recently, I've noticed a number of apps that I've wanted to install only support Android 4.4 or higher. (Yes, Pokemon GO is one of them). I've checked with my phone's software update, and it doesn't seem any updates are available for my OS, so it doesn't seem I'll be getting any further official updates for this device.
So what I was wondering, is if it's possible to root this phone and install a newer, more compatible OS, such as 5.0 or 6.0? I've also heard custom ROMs can also accomplish a similar feat. Basically, what would I need to do to get these apps installed and functioning normally, without bricking my phone or accidentally discontinuing service?
I've conducted a bit of research, but have been scarce in finding specific tutorials or solutions to my given scenario. I really do not want to upgrade my phone, I purchased it less than a year ago and the hardware is still more-than-enough to meet my needs.
Thanks.
Unfortunately it does not look like there are any options to update your phone, whether officially or unofficially. That's one of the downsides to having a less popular phone on a less popular network. Tracfone and Samsung couldn't care less to update a $100 phone as it's hard enough for them to keep up with the Galaxy S and Note lines while the developers that are into modding phones don't have the inclination or the source code from Samsung for devices like these to be able to make newer versions of Android run properly on older devices. As far as Pokemon Go, you might want to keep an eye on this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/help/to-patch-pokemon-to-4-3-jelly-bean-beta-t3412608, though be warned that there are some unofficial versions floating around that might have some spyware included: https://blogs.mcafee.com/mcafee-labs/trojanized-pokemon-go-android-app-found-wild/.
es0tericcha0s said:
Unfortunately it does not look like there are any options to update your phone, whether officially or unofficially. That's one of the downsides to having a less popular phone on a less popular network. Tracfone and Samsung couldn't care less to update a $100 phone as it's hard enough for them to keep up with the Galaxy S and Note lines while the developers that are into modding phones don't have the inclination or the source code from Samsung for devices like these to be able to make newer versions of Android run properly on older devices. As far as Pokemon Go, you might want to keep an eye on this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/help/to-patch-pokemon-to-4-3-jelly-bean-beta-t3412608, though be warned that there are some unofficial versions floating around that might have some spyware included: https://blogs.mcafee.com/mcafee-labs/trojanized-pokemon-go-android-app-found-wild/.
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Click to collapse
I see, that's unfortunate, I was really hoping there would be at least some sort of option available to give this phone some extra life, but I guess I'll have to look into upgrading sooner than I originally thought.
I'll keep an eye on the Pokemon GO thread, but it doesn't seem like they're getting anywhere too quickly.
Iron124 said:
I see, that's unfortunate, I was really hoping there would be at least some sort of option available to give this phone some extra life, but I guess I'll have to look into upgrading sooner than I originally thought.
I'll keep an eye on the Pokemon GO thread, but it doesn't seem like they're getting anywhere too quickly.
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Not sure what kind of budget you're working with, but if you know someone with an Amazon Prime account, you can get the new Blu HD R1 for $60 with 2 GBs of RAM, 16 GB storage + SD card slot, quad core Mediatek processor, 5" 720P screen, 8 MP camera, and 6.0 Marshmallow. It's nothing special and the discount is because it has lockscreen ads, but it's an upgrade over your current phone in most every way, and is unlocked for any GSM network (Tracfone has GSM and CDMA options). You can remove ads by just replacing the lockscreen with a 3rd party app. Got one coming this week to give to my mom.
es0tericcha0s said:
Not sure what kind of budget you're working with, but if you know someone with an Amazon Prime account, you can get the new Blu HD R1 for $60 with 2 GBs of RAM, 16 GB storage + SD card slot, quad core Mediatek processor, 5" 720P screen, 8 MP camera, and 6.0 Marshmallow. It's nothing special and the discount is because it has lockscreen ads, but it's an upgrade over your current phone in most every way, and is unlocked for any GSM network (Tracfone has GSM and CDMA options). You can remove ads by just replacing the lockscreen with a 3rd party app. Got one coming this week to give to my mom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do have Amazon Prime, but only the student version. I get free shipping, but I suppose this deal is not included. Total for that phone comes to $109, out of my budget range by about a mile.
I also couldn't find any confirmation that it worked with Tracfone, only Verizon, AT&T, and Net10. Theoretically, it'll just work if I purchase the $1 BYOP Tracfone kit?
Iron124 said:
I do have Amazon Prime, but only the student version. I get free shipping, but I suppose this deal is not included. Total for that phone comes to $109, out of my budget range by about a mile.
I also couldn't find any confirmation that it worked with Tracfone, only Verizon, AT&T, and Net10. Theoretically, it'll just work if I purchase the $1 BYOP Tracfone kit?
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Click to collapse
There's 2 versions of the phone - regular and the one with ads that is $50 off. I'm not sure about whether that is an option for the student version of Prime or not.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H2E0J5M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - see if that link works for you.
But yea, works on Tmo or ATT and I think Tracfone can support either, if I remember right. ATT network for sure.
es0tericcha0s said:
There's 2 versions of the phone - regular and the one with ads that is $50 off. I'm not sure about whether that is an option for the student version of Prime or not.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H2E0J5M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - see if that link works for you.
But yea, works on Tmo or ATT and I think Tracfone can support either, if I remember right. ATT network for sure.
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Click to collapse
Yep, same link that I followed, I can purchase it even though it says "only for prime members", but for $109.
Lame. Have to befriend someone else with a regular Prime account.