Setting for Yahoo! Mail on Android handsets

Yahoo Mail can be automatically configured by Windows Mobile and iPhone handsets, but reportedly many Android-based handsets have problem during the set-up process. Copyright 2010 by http://GeekTechPost.com
When you set up a mail account in Android, you cannot choose "automatic" configuration, since the automatic default will setup the POP3 server connection to Yahoo, which usually deny your access. This is due to Yahoo's POP3 connection is a feature of Yahoo Mail Plus, which is apparently not free of charge.  Copyright 2010 by http://GeekTechPost.com
To get around the pesky restriction, instead of POP3 connection, you can set-up an IMAP account with Yahoo using the following parameters:
IMAP Server:

imap.mail.yahoo.com

SMTP Server:

smtp.mobile.yahoo.com

You should be able to connect to the server by now.
Tested working on HTC Hero, HTC Magic, Motorola Milestone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Nexus One.  Copyright 2010 by http://GeekTechPost.com

Nexus One Order and shipment / APN address Hong Kong

Google Nexus One order and shipping arrangement
http://geektechpost.com/google-nexus-one-order-shipping-arrangement

APN addresses for Hong Kong operators
http://geektechpost.com/apn-addresses-for-hong-kong-operators

Screen Capture method for Android, WinMo and iPhone

While it's easy to take a screenshot in Apple iPhone, it seems very difficult to screenshot in an Android handset.

iPhone and iPod Touch

In iPhone and iPod touch, to screen capture:

1) Press Home

2) then press Power
3) the screen flashes white to indicate a successful shot, then you can release both button

This should work for iPhone, 3G, 3GS, Touch 1st Gen and Touch 2nd Gen alike.

Android

In Android, there are two options, both option require some advanced knowledge to achieve.

Option 1) Use the Android System Development Kit, there's a screen capture function, but this will require downloading and unzipping plus a lot of instructions to follow.

Option 2) Just use the App from Market named "ShootMe".  This application requires rooting (superuser request, or SU request).  If you have a custom ROM, chances are you already have it rooted.  This little app not only can take screenshots by shaking the phone or shouting and save it into PNG files in your SD card, it is also capable to record your series of actions as a "clip"! (it will take a series of pictures continously, so you will have to stop the recording once finished)
Download ShootMe in Market with this QR-code:

Windows Mobile

WinMo handsets and WM powered PDAs can try Ilium Softwares's "Screen Capture" (direct link here).  The software is pretty straightforward, just download and install it, run the program and follow the short instruction.  When you press the defined key, a screenshot is made.

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Android 2.1 for HTC Hero

Official Android 2.1 update for HTC Hero not yet available
Early December, a leak of screenshot shows that HTC Hero will get an official 2.1 ROM, and yes, it's later official that an update will be available in early 2010. Quite a wait, yes. For those who are impatient, we recommend a try on a custom ROM done by behnaam.


Unofficial tryout of an unofficial Hero Android 2.1 Rom
This thread on HTCPedia.com forums has the most stable Hero Android 2.1 build around. It's cool to update if you are impatient to try out all the new features, to use apps only availble to latest versions of Android (Namely Google Goggles).As of today (2 January 2010), the latest ROM, "HERO21 Community" v1.8 lacks the HTC Contact feature in the HTC Sense interface. The speed of the ROM is barely acceptable - and become unacceptable once we acquired the Motorola Milestone (aka Droid). You get some, you lose some. A review on the Motorola Milestone is on the way. (Around 388 euros for Motorola Milestone).

Alternate build for HTC Hero
After a couple of hours of experience last week, we reverted the Hero to the ROM by MoDaCo, which can be found here. (WaveSecure is a great app addition in the ROM)

How to install custom builds to HTC Hero
- Install a patched recovery image (Read how and download here in MoDaCo's forum)
- Download the ROM and copy in to the Micro SD card. Download the latest Radio ROM if necessary.
- Boot the HTC Hero in recovery mode: Start your phone with the home button pressed. Use the Recovery Image to run a "nandroid backup"
- After running a "nandroid backup", wipe the machine, and apply the zipped Radio ROM. If you apply the Radio ROM, after applying, reboot the device, and enter the recovery mode again.
- Apply the zipped custom ROM, reboot after done.
Warning, the above customization might void the warranty of phone. It might also has a chance to brick your phone if some steps were not followed. Use at your own risk.


Click on the respective links for the buying info for HTC Hero white / silver or Motorola Milestone (GSM only, they are not CDMA ones, sorry American friends)

Order status from ComputerUniverse

Remember we have ordered two HTC Heroes (White and Silver) from the German online store ComputerUniverse.net last month? (Click here for the article) Once we received the items, we have been playing with it, and unaware about the promised feedback on the order. Thanks to our reader, Rykel, for his kind reminder.

We heard about this company from a user from Hong Kong, and heard that the company ships quite fast. So when Expansys had its absurd price increase after we placed the order, we quickly turned to Computer Universe.

Price: At the time of purchase, it’s 20% cheaper than the market price in Hong Kong. At the time of arrival, it’s around 5% cheaper. Can’t ask for more when the official launch here in Hong Kong is 1.5 months later, on 19 September.

Delivery time: Upon payment, we quickly get a track code on 6 August. With the track code we were able to trace the item with impatience on DHL Germany site. On ComputerUniverse’s side, they do ship quickly, as reflected on the track time on DHL post. It took seven calendar days for the parcel to arrive Hong Kong (13 August), plus one day for the Hong Kong Post to deliver (14 August). Eight days is a pretty standard time for normal air mail.

Package protection: The package we received is well wrapped carton box. The box is a bit large to store the two HTC Hero machines, but there were enough paper ribbons for adequate shock protection. So, when we receive the package, the two boxes are undamaged.

Product: Standard package in Germany, just like the unboxing videos on YouTube, with handset, battery, back cover, adaptor, 2G Micro-SD card with backgrounds and MP3 and driver, 3.5mm hands-free, USB-ext cable, USB adaptor, printed matters. So it is incompatible with the UK plug using in Hong Kong. Fortunately an USB charger is easy to come by, just beware that the lower Ampere ones cannot fully charge the Hero.

Overall: All in all, a hassle-free experience. As simple as shop-checkout-shipping. Reasonable priced and good delivery. Definitely would recommend buying from them.

Product search

Note: computeruniverse.net = computeruniverse.de

Note 2: quote the coupon code (voucher code) for €5 off your purchase: FW8TY5K

Several Tecnhiques for Android Phone (Google G1/HTC Magic/HTC Hero/Samsung Galaxy)

During the daily use of Android phone we have encountered problems and we actively sought solutions, and here we now give you several tips on your Android phone according to our experience:

Custom ringtones/alarms/notification sounds
- You can enable custom ringtones, alarm sounds, notification sounds by simply making folders in your SD card:
Telephone ringtones: /ringtones
SMS/MMS/other notifications: /notifications
Alarms: /alarms

Ringtone file format
- Android supports mp3 format for ringtones, but you can't use any mp3 music as notification or alarm sounds, you

will have to use ogg or wav files.

How to not scan voice files/navigations/recordings in music player
- To avoid all media files from getting scanned by a player, make a file called .nomedia and put it onto the folder. But if you put that file into your ringtones folder, you can't set your custom ringtone as well.

- Having problem making a .nomedia file in Windows because it forces you to make a

file name? Try this:
Program File -> Accessories -> Notepad : Now you are in the Windows Notepad
File ->Save As : Now you get prompted on file name/type, enter these:
File Type "All types" -> Enter ".nomedia" on File Name -> Click Save
You will see the .nomedia in the background

How to share internet connection
- You can share the connection of the phone to your laptop/desktop computer by USB cable. Such sharing is also known as "tethering". To do this you will have to
1) install the driver into the computer (should be bundled with the phone in a CD or in the micro-SD card).
2) go to your Android phone: Settings -> Wireless controls -> Tick the box in Mobile Network
3) connect your Android phone to the computer with a USB cable.
You can also achieve tethering by wi-fi, yet we do not recommend wi-fi tethering - you will have to root your phone first (rooting is not for new users and can brick phones ), plus this will consume battery really fast and make your phone hot.

How to add multipe Google accounts / how to change the Google account linked to your Android Phone
- Sadly, a Google phone doesn't support multiple Google accounts. You will have to sign out in order to sign in for another account.
Settings->Applications->Manage applications->Google Apps->Clear Data

Android app recommendation 2 - Locale

Phone modes isn't quite covered by an Android handset - sure you can set to flight mode to disable all connections, but apart from that, other modes are not easy to come by, so a third-party app is necessary to make Conference Mode, Work Mode and Outside mode etc...

With Locale, a free Android app found on the Market, we can set up different situations with appropriate settings, take our example below, we set the ringtone into silent during sleep hours, disable wi-fi when battery is low, and change ringtone from pop-songs to generic rings.

We can set different criteria on each situation according to one or a combination of the five settings:

Battery - triggers at below or above certain % of battery, or depends on if the handset is charging

Calendar - triggers when you have certain event in your Google Calendar

Contact - triggers when specific person of your contact list called, mute them,

Location - detects your location, draw pins on map, triggers if you are in the range

Time - triggers in a specific time of day and/or day(s) of week

When the criteria is met, we can change the certain settings:

Display - Changes the brightness and time-out of idle screen

Network - Switches Bluetooth and wi-fi on or off

Notification - Notifies you that the mode has changed

Ringtone - Changes the default ring-tone

Volume - Changes the volume of ringtone and notifications

Wallpaper - Changes your wallpaper

Android Market Keyword - Locale

Official Site: http://www.twofortyfouram.com/

Android app recommendation (1) - NetCounter

We have received the HTC Hero from Germany (computeruniverse.net) and have been loving the machine. In addition to the very people-centric interface of HTC Hero, of course we install more apps from Android Market for maximize fun. From today on, we will introduce to you some free apps we use and worth recommending to users of any Android phone, Google G1, HTC Magic, HTC Hero, Samsung Galaxy etc.

We take the Network Traffic Counter as our first post in the series. This freeware is capable of keeping track of the actual data usage of the phone, which makes NetCounter a must if you have limited data usage.

Apps Market Keyword: NetCounter

Picture 1: Breakdown of usage of today, 7 days, and monthly. Tapping any stats will show the Received and Sent data.

Picture 2: Menu -> Export to csv will make a detailed .csv delimited usage file in your SD card. (csv files can be opened with text editors like Notepad or spreadsheet program like Excel, you can even view csv file in your browser.)

Comparison Table: (Hero) Dream vs Magic vs Hero vs (Samsung) Galaxy

Never buy from Expansys! Bad shopping experience for HTC Hero

Europe has the release of HTC Hero first, Orange and T-mobile were the first operators offering the phone. We decided to get a phone for extensive testing.

We quickly placed a pre-order from Expansys UK, and the order was quickly expired with their rep' asking us to buy in Expansys Hong Kong instead. We followed their advice and pre-ordered in Hong Kong for HK$4,812 excluding shipping.

After the launch delay, when the product was finally available (more than one week after Orange's Hero Graphite was available, one week after T-mobile's white version was available, Expansys Hong Kong had been raising the price from $4,812 (no VAT in Hong Kong) to $4,868 to $4,951 to $5,231 to 5,332 as of 5 August 2009.

Expansys contacted us thru email and said they cannot offer the product for $4,812, which was clearly a lie, since Expansys UK has been selling at 347.82 pounds (ex VAT) with 30 pounds voucher rebate. One of their rep' called Agnes Chan had said ". . . we can lower the price to HKD4,812 . . .", implying the offer is a boon to us and we should be very appreciated for their "kind" offer. And this Agnes Chan subsequently ate her words and said minimum price must be $5,000. We have immediately replied her email with her own email clearly indicating that they agreed to sell at $4,812.

Another rep called Chilli Kum (weird nice name by the way) insisted that the price was a very low price (which is not), and urged us to confirm the order with that offer. Meh. We urged them back to make sure they expire our order, instead of holding our credit card charges in the "pending confirmation" status. We are preparing the documents to follow up the case in Consumers' Council, and of course, WE RECOMMEND READERS NOT TO ORDER FROM EXPANSYS.

Then we turn to computeruniverse.de, a German site selling electrical gadgets. We had heard about this company from users who bought some Sagem phones which were otherwise unavailable to Hong Kong (As a side note, the distributor in Hong Kong for Sagem mobiles was closed down.), and the user had very good comments on this company in terms of shipping time and product choice, we decided to give it a try.

We have just ordered an HTC Hero weiss (White) and an HTC Hero silbergrau (Silver) (Quote coupon code: FW8TY5K for €5 off), and no VAT to countries outside EU means we save 75 euros on the price, offsetting the extra shipping charges incurred. We will update this blog to recommend ComputerUniverse if we receive the product in satisfactory condition.

"Geeksphone" - android phone by the Spanish

http://geeksphone.com
Hey, look, this site's slogan says "the phone revolution begins", but we have difficulties reading Spanish. Would some readers figure out how this Samsung i900 Omnia with an Android O/S can cause a revolution? Without careful thoughts one might easily mistook this "GeeksPhone" as a poorly made mimic from unnamed hidden factories in mainland China. . .

http://blog.geeksphone.com/

Most important reason to buy a HTC Magic (HTC G2) in Hong Kong instead of UK.

If you somehow visit Hong Kong in the next few weeks, you might be interested in getting the Taiwanese phone HTC Magic, aka the HTC Dream without keyboard.

According to various sources, HTC is upgrading the ROM of the Hong Kong version HTC Magic to 288MB RAM. In contrast, the European version only has 192MB. This is a whopping 50% difference. Such difference in hardware configuration might contribute to a more feasible program capacity and stability. All version should have 288MB RAM, and this is official.

The MSRP of HTC Magic in Hong Kong is HK$4,680, without contract. Same price for English and Chinese version. Local service provider Smartone-Vodafone is already accepting pre-orders and they will ship on early June (link in English).

Read more on the RAM size:
The spec in Hong Kong, by Smartone Vodafone: http://www.smartone-vodafone.com/jsp/phone/english/detail_v3.jsp?id=1061
The spec in UK, by Vodafone: http://shop.vodafone.co.uk/shop/mobile-phone/htc-magic it has still been showing "192MB" RAM as of today (22 May 2009), apparently Vodafone misleads us

HTC Magic (G2) out in April 2009

Vodafone has it confirmed that the second Android handset from HTC, "Magic", will be out in UK in April 2009. Rumor says that HTC Magic will also be available in Asia at the same month. But no official press releases on that at this moment.

eee Phone (eeePhone) to be announced on March 2009

The Taiwanese computer manufactuerer ASUS had enjoyed tremendous success in the launch of eee PC (eeePC) in late 2007, and new products have been stylish and popular, from eee Box (eeeBox) to eee Top (eeeTop). It has been rumored that ASUS will be launching its eee series for PDA phones. We now have the news.

From tradition, ASUS has been producing PDA phones with Windows Mobile. This Open Handset Alliance member is expected to annonuce the rumored eeePhone (name not final), an Android-based cellphone really soon. Quoting Johnny Shih, the CEO of ASUS, there will be an "astonishing announcement" on March 2009.