HTC Wildfire S A510e

Bought HTC Wildfire S A510e Android OS 2.3.3 (Gingerbread) mobile phone. It has 5MP autofocus camera with flash. There is also a built-in GPS for geo-tagging and navigation.

Factory/Hard Reset

1. Power off
   
2. Press and hold the VOLUME DOWN button, and then briefly press the POWER button.
3. Wait for the screen with the three Android images to appear, and then release the VOLUME DOWN button.
4. Press VOLUME DOWN to select Clear Storage, and then press the POWER button.
   

or

Tap Settings > SD & phone storage > Factory data reset > Reset phone > Erase everything

Dial Codes

1. Diagnostics - *#*#3424#*#*

Samsung Galaxy Ace GT-S5830

Bought Samsung Galaxy Ace GT-S5830 Android OS 2.2.1 (Froyo) mobile phone. It has 5MP autofocus camera with LED flash. There is also a built-in GPS for geo-tagging and navigation.

Factory Reset

1. Power off phone
2. Press and hold the power & home buttons at the same time
3. Wait for menu, choose "Factory reset". Use the volume up/down button to scroll up/down to select and the menu key to confirm selection
4. Select "Reboot now" to finish
   

or

*#7780#

or

Tap Applications> Settings > System > Privacy > Factory data reset > Reset phone

Screen Capture

1. Press & hold Back button then Home button
   

Dial Codes

1. Diagnostics - *#0*#
2. Hard reset - *2767*3855#
   
3. Phone info - *#*#4636#*#*
   
4. IMEI - *#06#
5. Vibration/Back Light/Alert LED test - *#0842#
6. Sound test - *#0673#
7. Battery - *#0228#
8. Touch screen - *#2664#
   
9. FTA SW Version - *#1111#
10. SW Version - *#1234#

LG Optimus One P500

Bought LG Optimus One P500 Android OS 2.2 (Froyo) mobile phone. It has 3MP, 2048х1536 pixels and autofocus camera. There is also a built-in GPS for geo-tagging and navigation.

Hard Reset

1. Turn power off.
2. Press and hold for over 10 seconds: Power key + Home Key + Down volume key.
3. When the power turns on, release these keys.

or

Tap Applications -> Settings -> Privacy -> Factory data reset -> Reset phone

Safe Mode (recover from malfunction state of phone)

1. Turn off phone and reboot. While phone is powering back on, press and hold the Menu key during LG logo is displayed. Phone will boot all the way to the main screen and display "safe mode" in lower left corner.
2. Select Settings -> Applications -> Manage applications and choose the application then select Uninstall.
3. After uninstalling application, turn off and reboot phone.

Diagnostics Codes

1. 3845#*500#
2. *#*#4636#*#*
   

Samsung Galaxy 3 GT-I5801

Bought Samsung Galaxy 3 GT-I5801 aka Samsung Apollo Android OS 2.1 (Eclair) mobile phone. It has 3MP, 2048х1536 pixels and autofocus camera. There is also a built-in GPS for geo-tagging and navigation.

Hard Reset

*2767*3855#

or

Tap Applications> Settings > System > Privacy > Factory data reset > Reset phone

Dial Codes

1. Diagnostics - *#0*#
2. IMEI - *#06#
3. Vibration/Back Light/Alert LED test - *#0842#
4. Sound test - *#0673#
5. Battery - *#0228#
6. FTA SW Version - *#1111#
7. SW Version - *#1234#

Garmin Asus nuvifone M10

Bought Windows Mobile 6.5.3 Professional Garmin Asus nuvifone M10 PDA mobile phone. It has 5MP, 2592х1944 pixels and autofocus camera. A vehicle power cable and suction cup mount are bundled.

Hard Reset

1. Hold Power button to turn off phone
2. Hold Send key, volume down & power button until message appears
   
3. Press on Send key to delete all settings and files in system or do nothing to abort

or

1. Press Start menu key > Settings > System > Default Settings
   
2. Enter "1234" to restore default settings
   

Configure Opera

1. Type “opera:config” in the URL
2. Under Disk Cache, select Empty on Exit
3. Under User Prefs, deselect Enable Referrer

Budget Navigation Phone - Nokia 2710 Navigation Edition

Bought Nokia 2710 Navigation Edition for $209. This is a non-smartphone running the latest S40 6th Edition. It is a 2G quad-band (850/900/1800/1900) phone with 2MP camera, 2.2" display, bluetooth, FM radio and GPS.

It comes with lifetime global drive and walk navigation license with Nokia Maps 2.1 (Series 40) and the bundled 2GB microSD card contains maps for countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Australia etc. In drive mode, turn-by-turn voice navigation is supported while in walk mode, a digital compass is available.

• Check stuck pixels

Activate camera and cover the lens with your hand

• Check IMEI - serial number
  

*#06#

• Check firmware

*#0000#

• Check history - serial number, made date, purchasing date, repaired date & life timer.

*#92702689#

If your phone has not been used before, life timer will show 0000:00. This value cannot be changed with restore all.

• Perform 'Settings only' will reset all preference settings. Restoring will not delete any personal data.
  

Enter *#7780# in the standby mode
Enter 12345 as the default Security code

or

Press Menu > Settings > Rest. fact. sett. > Settings only
Enter 12345 as the default Security code

• Perform hard reset (Backup your contacts to SIM or memory card and messages to memory card and remove them first. Programs installed, country, date, time & connection settings, contacts, messages will be deleted)

Press Menu > Settings > Rest. fact. sett. > All
Enter 12345 as the default Security code

• Check date & time

Press any key to look at home screen while the phone is locked

or

Press End key while the phone is locked

or

With the built-in accelerometer, use tap-for-time – a double tap on the phone brings up a analog/digital clock

Using Shinco GM-3512 BEE GPS

You can search using postal code, building or street name. For TTS (Text To Speech) - spoken street names to work, you'll need to change voice to English (TTS). 3D mapping and voice alerts for speed cameras are supported.

In addition, it can play MP3 & WMA (music), MP4 (movie) and view JPEG (photo). You don't need to register to use the maps. The map update is available online and free for 2 years.

Budget GPS Navigation System

Bought Shinco GPS Navigation GM-3512BEE for $189. It has the following specifications:

1. Samsung ARM920T S3C2443 400MHz CPU
2. 64MB RAM
   
3. 1GB internal flash storage
4. Up to 8GB external SD/microSD storage
5. 3.5" 320 x 240 TFT LCD touch screen 65536 colors
6. MTK chipset 32 channel BEE Fix Function (immediate Fix GPS signal)
   
7. Built-in FM transmitter
8. Microsoft Windows CE Version 5.00 (Build 1400)

The accessories included in the box are pouch, car adapter, AC adapter, USB cable, windshield mount and GPS bracket. Both Singapore (SLA MapKing & Malsingmaps) and Malaysia (SLA MapKing, Malsingmaps West & East) maps are bundled.

Nokia 6260 Slide

Nokia 6260 slide is a non-smartphone running the latest S40 6th Edition. The screen is excellent with resolution of 320 x 480 not seen on any other similar price Nokia smartphone. So far, this is the only Nokia non-smartphone with built-in GPS and Wi-Fi. Also, it has 5MP, 2560 х 1920 pixels, Carl Zeiss lens, autofocus and flash camera.

• Check IMEI - serial number
  

*#06#

• Check firmware

*#0000#

• Check history - serial number, made date, purchasing date, repaired date & life timer.

*#92702689#

If your phone has not been used before, life timer will show 0000:00. This value cannot be changed with restore all.

• Perform soft reset to restore all original phone settings.
  

Enter *#7780# in the standby mode
Enter 12345 as the default Lock Code

or

Press Menu > Settings > Rest. factory sett. > Restore settings only
Enter 12345 as the default Lock Code

• Perform hard reset (Backup your contacts to SIM or memory card and messages to memory card and remove them first. Programs installed, country, date, time & connection settings, contacts, messages will be deleted)

Press Menu > Settings > Rest. factory sett. > Restore all
Enter 12345 as the default Lock Code

Using Samsung Omnia SGH-i900

After testing this mobile phone for a few days, I found the following issues for the latest firmware DZIA5 :

1. Sometimes, the phone will turn itself off automatically in standby mode even when the battery is not empty.
   
2. The first letter in a sentence is not capitalized when you create a text message even though the setting under keyboard input is correct.
   
3. Each time you change from default dynamic to static ip address or vice versa, the Wi-Fi setting in Wireless Manager will disappear until you restart the phone.
   
4. The default setting for USB to PC in Start > Settings > Connections is checked to "Enable advanced network functionality" will revert back to checked even if you unchecked it.
5. The default setting for USB Connection Mode is ActiveSync will revert back to ActiveSync even if you choose Mass storage.
   

Samsung Omnia SGH-i900

Bought Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional Samsung Omnia SGH-i900 PDA mobile phone. It has 5MP, 2592х1944 pixels, autofocus and LED flash camera. There is also a built-in GPS. You need to register via SMS, internet with phone or manual with another PC to activate the free Agis NAVFone PPC. The technical specifications are better than LG KS20. The latest firmware DZIA5 can be downloaded.

Manuals

1. Quick Guide
2. User Manual

Hard Reset

1. Hold Power button to turn off phone
2. Hold Call, Cancel & Power button for about 5 seconds
3. Click on the Call button to format or Cancel button to abort

or

1. Click Start > Settings > System > Hard Reset > Memory > Clear Memory
   

Hard reset does not reset internal 8GB storage. Click Start > Settings > System > Hard Reset > Memory > My Storage > Reset

Hard reset does not format external microSD storage card. Click Start > Settings > System > Hard Reset > Storage Card > Format

Agis NAVFone GPS Settings

1. Go to Start > Settings > System > GPS (or External GPS) > Program > Set to Com 3
2. Go to Start > Settings > System > GPS (or External GPS) > Hardware > Set to Com 9, 9600
3. Start NAVFone PPC. When connecting to GPS, set User Define > Com 3, Baud Rate: 9600

Dial Codes

1. Diagnostics - *#0*#
2. IMEI - *#06#
3. Vibration/Back Light/Alert LED test - *#0842#
4. Sound test - *#0673#
5. Battery - *#0228#
6. FTA SW Version - *#1111#
7. SW Version - *#1234#
8. Hard reset *2767*3855#

Configure Opera

1. Type “opera:config” in the URL
2. Under Disk Cache, select Empty on Exit
3. Under User Prefs, deselect Enable Referrer
   

GPS Maps

Most GPS maps including the free MalSing maps will allow you to search by street name and building. But, if you need to search by post code, you'll need Garmin maps, MySGFree maps or MapKing maps. Also, MySGFree maps and MapKing maps support search by block and road.

Nokia N78

After a year of using Nokia E65, it's time to change. With the positive experience, I've decided to stick to mobile phones running Symbian OS instead of Windows Mobile. I chose Nokia N78 rather than the more expensive Nokia E66 which is a replacement for E65.

After testing, Phone, SMS, E-mail, Wi-Fi and GPS are working well except that I'm unable to open saved bookmarks in Nokia browser. The latest firmware available is 12.046 and mine is 10.136. There are 2 ways to use OTA for the upgrade as follows:

1. Key *#0000#
2. Options > Check for updates

or

1. Menu, Tools > Utilities > Dev. mgr.
   
2. Options > Check for updates

Since both methods showed no updates, I downloaded Nokia Software Updater. It took at least an hour to install and upgrade the firmware on a Windows Vista SP1 computer. You need to use the provided USB data cable in PC suite mode for upgrade. A SIM card is required but not the memory card. During upgrade, I even answered a call without affecting the upgrade. After upgrade, your phone records in SIM card are still there. You can confirm the upgrade is successful with *#0000#. But sad to say the bookmarks problem still exist.

Nokia Map Loader Version 2.02

The latest Nokia phone E66 is still not supported. But the good news is that Windows Vista is now supported. You can download from Nokia. This works with Nokia Maps 2.0. Nokia N82 is now supported but it is using the older version of Nokia Maps 2.0_2102_3.1_u.sis. Nokia N96, N78 & 6220 Classic are using the latest version as shown. E66 should work similarly with the version for N82 as both are having the same OS version.

Nokia Map Loader Version 1.3

Now, you can download the full version of Nokia Map Loader Version 1.3 instead of the old version 1.1 previously. It does not support Windows Vista yet. I am surprised that Nokia N82 is not supported since it comes with built-in GPS.
The drawbacks are that you are unable to check which maps you have downloaded to your mobile phone already. Also, the only way to delete any maps is to delete all maps which is inconvenient.

Comparing Nokia Maps with MapKing Maps

Nokia Maps (Tele Atlas & NAVTEQ)

1. Accurate simulation of route from A to B using shortest route
2. Free download for all countries
3. Can search by building names using keyword searches or street names using address
   
4. Can start simulation for any country from route A to B without using gps with voice prompts for turn by turn directions if you have downloaded the country map
   
5. Need to purchase navigation license for use with gps
   

MapKing Maps

1. Can search by post code, building or street names
2. Voice alerts for speed cameras
   
3. TTS (Text To Speech) is supported
4. Free download for Singapore, Malaysia from malsingmaps.com
5. Need to purchase MapKing software for use with pda
   

Testing Nokia Maps on Symbian OS Mobile Phone with Bluetooth GPS

Since I have a Nokia E65 running Symbian OS S60 3rd edition, I decide to test it with Nokia Maps & Holux GPSlim240 bluetooth GPS.

1. Download Nokia Maps on PC & transfer to microSD card of Nokia phone.
2. Install nokia_maps_1_0_s60_3rd_ed.sis on Nokia phone.
3. Select Menu -> Installations -> Maps.
4. Select Options -> Settings -> Network, change Use network to Never so that you won't incur GPRS charges.
5. Select Exit & Yes.
   
6. Download Microsoft .Net Framework 3 & Nokia MapLoader on PC.
7. Install dotnetfx3.exe & MapLoaderSetup.exe on PC.
8. Connect Nokia phone to PC using data transfer mode.
9. Ensure PC is connected to Internet.
   
10. Run Maploader and follow instructions to upgrade MapLoader from version 1.1 to 1.3.
    
11. Run Maploader.
    
12. Choose maps & voices to download which will automatically transfer to microSD card of Nokia phone. (Singapore - 2.6MB, Malaysia - 14.8MB, Australia - 104.1MB, Netherlands - 73.8MB, Germany - 320.1MB)
    
13. Select your country on the map shown and select Options -> Use this place.
14. You can zoom in & out using * & # respectively.
    

If you don't have a GPS, you can still see turn by turn instructions or simulate a route from A to B with voice navigation and find place using address, keyword search for building names or nearby.

But, even with a GPS, you still need to purchase the navigation feature before you can add navigation for turn by turn voice instructions. I can test the connectivity between phone & GPS using bluetooth and obtain the GPS fix after several minutes. You can see the GPS status as well as current location.

Comparing Garmin Map with MapKing Map

After testing the maps in Garmin and MapKing formats, I come to the following observations:

Garmin Map

1. More up to date
2. Not latest but free download for Singapore, Malaysia from malsingmaps.com
3. Free download for Australia, Netherlands, Germany etc
   

MapKing Map

1. Can search by post code, building or street names
2. Voice alerts for speed cameras
   
3. TTS (Text To Speech) is supported
4. Free download for Singapore, Malaysia from malsingmaps.com
   

Testing Garmin Map on Windows Mobile PDA with Bluetooth GPS

I am using Qtek 9100 PDA phone running Windows Mobile 5 with Holux GPSlim 240 bluetooth GPS.

1. Download Garmin Que for Pocket PC ver 2.90 (10 May 2006)
2. Download GPSProxy 2.2 (25 May 2006)
3. Download Singapore/Malaysia map or other country map in Garmin format (gmapsupp.img) and copy it to garmin folder of SD card.
4. Install Garmin Que to PDA
5. Install GPSProxy to PDA & ignore message about OpenNETCF.SDF.ppc3.ARM.CAB being required.
   
6. Turn on bluetooth on PDA & turn on GPS. Pair them
7. Run GPSProxy & click Menu
8. Click Virtual COM Ports & Add
9. COM7 will be added & click ok
10. Click Menu & Extensions
11. Under GPS Provider, select NMEA Input & click Configure
12. Under GPS COM Port, select COM6 (Microsoft Bluetooth) for COM Port, 57600 for Baud Rate & click ok twice
13. Under Extensions, select Garmin Protocol Output & click Configure
14. Select COM7 for Application COM Port, 57600 for Baud Rate & click ok thrice
15. Wait for GPS fix whereby the bluetooth & GPS indicators on Holux will blink alternately.
    
16. In GPSProxy, click Start
17. Run Garmin Que
18. Click Menu -> System Setup -> Interface
19. Select GPS Device as GPS 10 Bluetooth & Communications Port as GPSProxy Virtual Com Port & click ok
    
20. Select destination
    

Testing MapKing Map on Windows Mobile PDA with Bluetooth GPS

I have a Qtek 9100 PDA phone running Windows Mobile 5 and Holux GPSlim 240 bluetooth GPS. Going to test them with 3 days trial MapKing software.

1. Download Microsoft ActiveSync 4.5
2. Download MapKing 2007 Pocket PC Version V2007(build 0131) 16 Jan 2007 and country map or MapKing!G10 V10.2(1115) 15 Nov 2006 and country map. I prefer MapKing!G10 since it has newer map for Singapore. Singapore_PPC_Eng.m7a for MapKing 2007 (19 Dec 2006) or Singapore_PPC_Eng.G10 for MapKing!G10 (10 Apr 2007).
3. Install ActiveSync 4.5 on PC and reboot.
4. Connect PDA to PC & install MapKing on SD card.
5. Copy country map eg Singapore_PPC_Eng.G10 to My Documents folder on SD card.
6. Run MapKing
7. Click Tools -> Open Map & select Singapore_PPC_Eng.G10. I use Mapking map as it provides POIs for post code or speed camera unlike Malsing map even though it has the latest update (1 July 2007 on MapKing website or 25 Dec 2007 on Malsing website).
8. Click Tools -> Options -> Voice, change Instructor to Digital for TTS to work
9. Turn on bluetooth for PDA and turn on GPS. Pair them by creating a new partnership. The passkey is 0000 and select serial port.
10. Create a new outgoing port under COM Port and add it to the device Holux GPSlim240.
11. In MapKing, click GPS. Tap anywhere and click Destination.
12. You can choose destination via Recent, Favorites, Routing or Find (post code, street or building name).