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May 24, 2012 By: FallenWriter
In this modern world, we tend to forget that the primary function of the mobile devices in our pockets is to serve as a cellphone. Their most basic feature is the facilitation of rapid communication with people in the world around us.
XDA Forum Member esword, has made it his mission to ensure that users of Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 platform can dial others with ease. His application, known as RapDialer, does just that through the inclusion of features not normally found in the OEM dialer, including:
Extremely fast launch and search speed.
+ Fast search with T9 keypad (or system keyboard as you like)
+ A contact profile page (open it by tapping contact photo)to share contact’s info easily.
+ Support speed dialing.
+ Support prefix dialing.
+ Support favorites.
+ Support outgoing call history.
+ Plenty of custom options, including three keyboard styles, key tone, keypress vibration and so on.
+ The SMS mode helps you to quickly select multiple people to send a group text
+ Phone number location display, including global country calling codes and localization supports for United States, Canada, UK, Australia, China Mainland and Taiwan.
The list goes on, and the developer actually included several YouTube videos to detail all of the functionality that he built into the app. So head on over to the application thread and give it a spin.
May 22, 2012 By: FallenWriter
A while back, we told you about the Lumia 710 getting its first custom ROM. Well today we have even bigger news: the Nokia Lumia 800 (the 710′s more expensive sibling) has received its first custom ROM, courtesy of XDA Forum Member lucifer3006. Known as RainbowMod and based off of Windows Phone 7.10.8773.98 (Tango), the ROM promises such exciting features as:
Full Unlock from UltraShot
Removed OEM applications (Nokia Drive, Maps, etc.)
Search key remapping
QuickLaunch menu for quick switching state of WiFi, 3G, Flight mode, Power save, etc.
Ability to access file system via WiFi/USB
Integrated Live ID, DppImplant no longer needed, but new key can also be banned
Orientation locker
Added many color themes (screenshots)
Easy installation xap from browser or file manager
The developer has made it extremely clear that this ROM is for devices with Qualcomm bootloaders only, and that failure to follow directions could very well result in your phone becoming an expensive paperweight. Also of note is that the developer created this without actually owning the device.
If you’re looking to get in on the action, head over to the original thread and let the good times roll.
April 30, 2012 By: PoorCollegeGuy
With the large number of ways Android users can modify their Marketplace Settings, it was only a matter of time before Windows Phone 7 users figured out a way to similarly unlock their Marketplace and download applications they wouldn’t typically be able to download. In addition to the region restrictions we’ve seen tackled on the Play Store, WP7 devices face an additional problem, as their Marketplace changes depending on what OEM they have. Well, not anymore.
XDA Forum Member ken52787 has released an application that will switch the settings of the Zune Marketplace and provide WP7 owners with better and unrestricted access to any OEM- or carrier-specific applications. The app is pretty simple to use and install, and the prerequisites are pretty easy. Users require an unlocked WP7 device. Upon installing the application, the application needs to be made a trusted application. Once that’s done, users will have access to a number of features, including:
Change OEM marketplace – Included are Acer, Dell, Fujitsu, HTC, LG, Nokia, Samsung, and ZTE (although only HTC, LG, Nokia, and Samsung have accessible marketplaces)
Change MO marketplace – Included are AT&T, Orange, Sprint, and Verizon (I had a hard time finding other marketplaces. If you are on a carrier other than these, please send me your settings so I can include them, the program will automate this for you with your permission)
Change the maximum file size cap over 3g – Download larger apps and podcasts over 3G without needing a wifi connection
Lock the settings – Prevents your settings from reverting back in a day or two when the marketplace updates itself
This can and likely will solve a lot of issues for many users. The max file size over 3g will allow users to download what they want without needing a WiFi Hotspot, and users who’ve jumped ship to other carriers or OEMs now have access to their previous applications. In a world where things are slowly melting into one giant, compatible software pot, this app certainly does its part to help. It should be mentioned that this app is still in beta, so there may be a few bugs left to iron out. Otherwise, it’s still a fun app to try.
To get started, check out the original thread.
April 27, 2012 By: PoorCollegeGuy
Apparently, for some older Windows Phone 7 devices, especially on Sprint, there are certain limitations on SMS and MMS. To be limited to the standard 160 characters in SMS is not fun, especially when trying to get a full thought in before someone texts you back. MMS limitations have never popular either. While most devices on most operating systems can bypass the 160 text limit rather easily, the MMS limit is usually boosted as high as possible, but there’s still a limit.
For those on the HTC Arrive, you can now have unlimited SMS characters and essentially unlimited MMS size thanks to XDA Senior Member mapaz04. This will most likely also work on other Windows Phone 7 devices, but it untested at the current time. The mods require different methods to implement, but neither is very complicated. For the SMS to go above 160 characters, users simply need to change a value from 0 to 1. Says mapaz04:
1.) Go to HKLM\Comm\Cellular\SMS\Router\CDMA and change the Contantenation entry from a 0 to a 1
2.) *** Very important thing (as of now)*** Select the EXIT from the Registry Editor (DO NOT BACK OUT of the app, press MENU then EXIT)
Then test to be sure it worked. Nothing too hard.
For the MMS it’s much the same process but a different value.
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\ShortMsg\MMS\Profiles\Spri nt\MS
The MS entry should have a “Value Data” of “2000″, change this to “51200″ press “OK”
Now granted, saying that the MMS is unlimited maybe stretching it a bit, but is does appear to be set at 512MB as opposed to 2MB.
For additional information and the full method, can check out the SMS thread and the MMS thread.
April 27, 2012 By: egzthunder1
One of the beauties of being able to tinker with our devices is how it allows us to have flexibility. Most countries around the world have several choices when it comes to mobile service, and among them you have the ones that will welcome you with open arms and that ones that simply do not want to let you go. How do the latter accomplish this? They lock the phones to their networks so that they cannot be used on others. Because of this, ever since XDA has been XDA, we have striven to do away with this ridiculous concept that is the carrier lock. The reason is simple, you pay good money for your device, you should be able to use it wherever and with whomever you see fit. XDA Forum Member fatclue had this idea as well and after searching far and wide he came across a guide, which he posted on xda-develoepers about how to get the Samsung Focus onto the no-contract carrier Straight Talk in the US.
The procedure is very well explained and goes into very deep detail regarding what tools are needed to get the device working on the network. The only real block on this is the fact that the procedure will require the device to be Interop-unlocked due to the low level tools that are required for this operation, such as WP Root Tools as well as access to the registry. The Focus is a device that can be unlocked by following this guide by XDA Recognized Developer Heathcliff74.
So, if you feel like getting out of an expensive contract and still be able to use your beloved Focus while saving some money in the process, please follow the steps in the guide, and leave some feedback for the dev as well.
This is a reprint of a working solution I posted on WPCentral.com
Okay, I’m going to try to list the steps to get internet sharing and MMS working with Straight Talk, Please bear with me since I’ve only been playing with WP7 for a couple of weeks, I’m a webOS refugee and I seek asylum within the Windows world.
You can find more information in the original thread.
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April 23, 2012 By: egzthunder1
In the world of mobile device hacking there are several very well known, terms, most of which are things that hackers, regardless of platform are familiar with. Some of these include, S-OFF, unlock, root, and gold card. The last one was born several years ago, and allows members to flash things from a specially formatted microSD card, also known as a gold card, to any device when the regular flashing methods do not work.
In the world of Windows Phone 7, the gold card method can actually be used for things such as downgrading the SPL version of a device when a downgrade cannot be flashed via RUU or PC. However, this method tends to be overly complicated, with one of its variants even requiring the use of an Android device or even a Windows Mobile device for the process. Well, if you are pure WP7 and don’t posses any of the aforementioned devices, XDA member MarysFetus decided that he would provide a guide that involved the use of neither of them.
The method actually involves using a specialty three pronged cable, a USB gender changer, and a microSD card (and a reader). The dev has provided a very specific guide that guides anyone on a step-by-step journey to get the device flashed in no time. The dev also provides any and all required downloads in the thread, so it easily becomes your one-stop shop for all your gold card needs.
Please leave any feedback if the thread itself is useful or if you would like to add anything to this already fantastic guide.
What’s so special about this guide?
- no custom wires needed
- no android/win-mobile needed
- all files included
You can find more information in the original thread.
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April 20, 2012 By: JimmyMcGee
This Week in Development, XDA TV Producer and all-around great guy, Jordan covers all the exciting stories you need to know from the XDA-Developers forum. In addition to Chevron Unlocker’s flip-flop, he covers the Ice Cream Sandwich updates for the for the Sony Xperia Line and the Samsung Galaxy S2 GT-i9100.
Jordan then mentions the changes in Google Play and the Facebook SDK vulnerability. Additionally, XDA Elite Recognized Developer AdamOutler and XDA Forum Moderator and Recognized Developer shenye‘s video on Setting up Eclipse and the Android SDK and rooting the HTC One X are discussed. Along with other exciting stories found right here on the XDA Portal.
Check out the video below.
April 18, 2012 By: PoorCollegeGuy
While Windows Phone 7 is still gaining somewhat of a name development traction despite questionable actions from Redmond, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t time for some fun. While most consider fun to be playing games, taking pictures with camera apps that make things look goofy, and even theming tiles, there are other ways to get creative with your Windows Phone 7 device. XDA Forum Member jbkkd has found one of those ways in the form of an application that will randomize your ringtones.
The app, known as RandomRingtone, will shuffle your custom ringtones, and will change them randomly every half hour so your calls always sound different. While a fun little app all it’s own, it’s the future releases that will eventually make the app even more fun. Such future plans include:
Optional Toast notification when ringtone is updated
Ability to randomize from built-in ringtones as well
Random SMS Tones
Release of source code(It currently looks like a mess, I’ll probably make it pretty and release it soon)
New Icon
So while shuffling custom ringtones for calls may not excite everyone, this app promises to eventually randomize every noise that comes out of your WP7 device. And with the release of the source code, it will allow other app developers to add this goofy app’s functions into their own, potentially goofier applications. The application has only been tested on a couple of phones, but there’s no reason why it shouldn’t work on more. If you want to try it out and your phone isn’t on the list of the officially tested, give it a try anyway. Worst case, you’ll have to reset your ringtone.
For more information and the .XAP download, check out the application thread.
April 18, 2012 By: PoorCollegeGuy
Benchmarks are, whether anyone wants to admit it or not, an important part of the mobile phone world. After all, looking at which devices have the fastest graphics and highest number crunching ability can help factor into the decision of choosing one phone over another. It’s not the end-all be-all, but it’s something to consider.
While processor and GPU are two important features on a smartphone nowadays, another feature that’s increasingly important is the camera. Since photos taken on modern smartphones often rival those taken on low- to mid-range point-and-shoot cameras, it’s only natural to want to compare one device’s camera to the other. Android and Windows Phone 7 users can now do exactly this thanks to XDA Forum Member hulkkii. CamSpeed is a multi-platform camera benchmark that will measure the speed your device’s camera can shoot photos. CamSpeed measures camera speed in a few different ways. To break it down:
Measured variables are
- Focus Time. Time from focus call to successfull focus event.
- Capture Start/Shutter Time. Time from capture call to the moment when the capture sequence has started.
- Capture Image/JPEG Available. Time from capture call to the moment when an image is available.
- Capture Completed. Time from capture call to the moment when the capture sequence is complete.
This is no simple benchmark that simply times how long it takes from hitting the camera button to taking a picture. All of the necessary variables are tested from focus time to capture time. This can not only tell you which devices have the fastest camera, but which devices can focus the fastest and which devices will allow you to look at your pictures the fastest. While it may not seem so important, there is a lot of processor-related instances in these measurements, such as the time from capture call to the moment when the image is available. This can give users a real world example of how the processor handles tasks without using graphics-based benchmarks to determine processor speed.
Of course all the benchmark staples are there, such as uploading your results and comparing them with those obtained by other devices and users. For more information, you can check out the WP7 thread or the Android thread. Keep an eye out though, as hulkkii is promising that this app will also be available for MeeGo users soon as well.
April 16, 2012 By: egzthunder1
Something that has left me speechless just happened this past Friday. I have been at a loss for words about quite possibly the last (note the usage of “last” rather than “latest”) downfall for Windows Phone 7. In case you don’t have a Windows Phone 7 device or simply if you think I am mumbling nonsense (again), let me pull a little background for this so that you understand what is going on before I go into the article itself.
Sometime right around the launch of Windows Phone 7, many developers were concerned about the multiple layers of security that Microsoft had added to their new OS, the successor of the immensely popular (at the time) Windows Mobile platform. A few devs had tried to get old known methods such as HSPL to get the device to become more developer- and hacker-friendly, but the efforts were met with a brick wall, and that brick wall was WP7′s entire system.
The device was protected enough that you couldn’t install apps in the device in the way we were used to: download a .cab, click on it and let it run. First and foremost, applications no longer were in .cab format, but rather in XAP format. Second of all, WP7 lacks a file manager, so even if you somehow managed to make a cab to place it in the device so that you could run it, you simply would not be able to access it (same story for the XAP files).
Rafael Rivera, Chris Walsh and Long Zheng then released ChevronWP7, which essentially allowed anyone to unlock the device and side-load apps. In other words, users could now install apps by simply installing the XAP from their PCs, similar to what was possible in Windows Mobile with ActiveSync. This allowed for other “missing” things to be installed, such as a Registry Editor, and much more. The world was happy and seriously leaning towards the smooth UI, which had now been unlocked thanks to the efforts of these selfless devs. However, Microsoft, in their infinite wisdom, decided to do what any good company with a deemed “impossible to hack” OS would have done. They grabbed some lawyers and went straight into the dev’s house. Shortly after, (with a few letters for C&D), the unlocker utility simply stopped working.
A few months after that, the guys responsible for Chevron made an announcement that they were in fact in talks with Microsoft to bring the tool back under their command and control. They claimed that the tool would indeed get them closer to developers for whom they seemed to care for, considering the exploding popularity of Android. Fast forward to 2011 and sometime towards the end of the year, after a long period of silence, the Chevron team gets back in the spotlight announcing that the planning with Microsoft had gone great and that the unlock service would go back online. Now, mind you that by this time, Mango was already out with even stricter rules and protections such as INTEROPLOCK, which basically would shut down any attempt to install an app to do anything fun with the device, such as, again, a Registry Editor. The way the system was set up was as follows:
Anyone willing to make apps and who wanted to test them on the device rather than an emulator encountered a brick wall. So, Microsoft decided to release the “App Hub”, which is a $99 per year service that allowed the devs to unlock the devices so that they could install their creations in the devices before they were uploaded into the Market. Chevron was set up in such a way that the economic barrier was not putting down potential developers, so the service was released for $9 (a token that would allow the device to have apps side-loaded). The other alternative method was to actively be a student and you could register to App Hub for free, but lets face it, lots of us are way past that stage. In any case, Chevron was back!! And the best part is that there was light at the end of the tunnel in a world where WP may actually be an interesting contender for Android and Apple. After many glitches, Chevron service went live and shortly after that, about 10,000 tokens were sold.
So, here we are today with a set of news that was a complete shocker for all the people who had unlocked their device with Chevron. It turns out that, according to Chevron’s blog, this was never meant to be a final fix, but rather a “test or trial” to see how many people they could get unlocked and how many of these unlocked people would develop and publish something. Since the results were lower than expected, Microsoft decided to order Chevron to discontinue the “experiment” and as a result of that, every device unlocked with this method will revert back to normal in 120 days. This means that if you have any app that were side-loaded on the device, they will simply stop working.
Enraged enough yet? Wait, there’s more! It turns out that since they don’t want to be mean to people who innocently bit into their bait, devs will be given a “free” App Hub account… for one year. This means that at year 2, you have to fork out $99 again. And yes, I said “again” purposely. This is because the App Hub account is not opened for free right away. If you want to take advantage of this, you must pay the $99 up front and have it refunded afterwards. In my humble opinion, if the money comes back in a way other than a credit back to your bank/credit card—such as credit towards Microsoft products—as irate as I would be, I wouldn’t be surprised. Heck, it is bad enough that it will take them an entire 2 months to refund the money, with up to an additional 60 days for the card to process the credit.
Dear, dear Microsoft. What, just what in the name of technology were you thinking? Are you that eager to lose your entire user base (or what’s left of it)? Your numbers compared to Android and iOS are non-existent and getting worse by the quarter. Locking out developers is likely NOT the way to make your OS flourish. We understand that you are not Android, and that you indeed are making a closed source OS. Fine, we can live with that and in fact—we have done so since early the 2000s. But, what you did here by offering an olive branch and taking it away is revolting. On top of all this, you decide to do it right upon the launch of a few more WP7 devices into the market (HTC Titan 2, and a couple of Lumias. I am sure that HTC will thank you for crippling their sales efforts with this). The only ways I can read this move are:
I am not going to blame the people at Chevron, because this is obviously your doing and not theirs. If it was up to them, the original Chevron unlock would have never been stopped and people would be gladly developing applications for your OS in an attempt to make it into something more appealing for the masses. I mean, seriously, your entire market is flooded with “fart noise makers”, flash light, and sound board apps (I don’t mean to disrespect anyone with this). The ones that are remotely useful are paid apps, generally from rather large software developers trying to bridge the gap between Android and WP7. Want to know why? Because you are not letting devs do anything. For the love of everything holy, you cannot even change the color of the live tiles or the background without being at least interopunlocked. My old EVO 4G loaded with Launcher7 gave me a much richer WP7-like experience than my Titan did. Do you honestly think that this is right?
Finally, I sincerely hope that your lawyers are on their A-game. I have a very strong feeling that you will get sued left and right for this. I purchased a token myself for my Titan. At no point in time did either Chevron or Microsoft tell me anything remotely related to a ToS disclosure, nor that this is a test. All in all, if your numbers are right, you essentially just cheated approximately 10,000 people out of $9 a piece, which, if I still remember my math, basically you just made US$90,000 out of virtual sugar pill placebos. Want proof of what I am saying? The token is meant to give you unlimited uses for the device it is purchased for. Unlimited as in: “as long as I need to use it, I will be able.” This post in particular tells me right away that you just monumentally shot yourself in the foot:
After registering, users will have the ability to purchase and manage what we’re calling “unlock tokens”. One token equals one unique Windows Phone device registration. (You get unlimited re-registrations of that device should the need arise.)
Congratulations. If anyone can point me to a EULA, ToS, or anything in written from when the program came out stating that this was indeed a timed trial, I would appreciate it because to be perfectly honest, I do not recall seeing anything at all regarding this, and I would have not spent the money if I knew that this was going to expire. Oh, and since you are willingly giving away “free” licenses for the App Hub, you are actually admitting guilt, congratulations. You are not doing this out of good will, but rather to try and cover your posterior from the hordes of developers that will come after you for lying. One last thing, do not try to blame it on Chevron as you will likely try to do because it was YOU who took over the project, almost taking them to court for cracking open your OS.
All in all, you just loaded yourself with a monumental amount of bad PR and a potential class action lawsuit as you have about 10,000 angry devs (professional and aspiring) cursing your existence right about now. Sit back and enjoy the ride.
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[Thanks andyharney for the tip!]
April 15, 2012 By: PoorCollegeGuy
The Windows Phone 7 platform has been slowly and, for the most port, silently gaining momentum since the release of the first Windows phone. With Windows 8 right around the corner, one can only assume that development for these devices will continue to grow as more devices become available and MetroUI becomes even more widely appreciated. For those carrying the Nokia Lumia 710 and 800, the development has been pushing along just fine without Windows 8.
XDA Senior Member biktor_gj has recently released a ROM that is supported by the Lumia 710 and 800 that is the first of its kind to support NAND Access and InteropUnlock which is a huge push forward for ROM development.
For those who don’t know what InteropUnlock is, it is best explained by the Windows Phone Hacker Wiki:
Interop unlock is a term that refers to the ability to deploy applications using the interop capability on devices updated on Mango or above. Prior to Mango, applications using interop drivers, such as registry editors, could be deployed if the device was unlocked. In the Mango update, however, Microsoft chose to block the capability, preventing the deployment of these applications.
The installation process is pretty complicated and, until someone can port the process to Windows, requires users to be in Linux. Users are also having problems with making sure they have unlocked bootloaders first, as many who do have them are getting incorrect information when plugging them into their Windows PCs. It does take some diligence, and will likely frustrate some, but the end result is well worth the hassle.
For additional information, download links, full instructions, and troubleshooting posts, hit up the original thread.
April 6, 2012 By: egzthunder1
If you ever thought that the lockscreen on Windows Phone 7 devices needed some love from our devs, and quite obviously lots of work, you are probably correct. It may be the simple fact that Android has provided smartphone users with very content-rich experiences with the lockscreen and thus we are used to seeing and being able to do more with them. However, when Microsoft created the one for WP7, they simply went with the “metro” or simplistic approach that a lockscreen is just that, a way to prevent your device from accidentally becoming active while in your pocket, with accidental touches, etc. They threw in some basic information such as missed call, e-mail, sms notifications, as well as weather information, and time, but it is as plain as the day is bright. If you jumped from Android to WP7 and miss a more functional screen, then read on.
If you have ever used lockscreen replacements such as Widget Locker, or any of the lockscreens ported from other frameworks such as the lock ring from Sense, then you will certainly like what XDA Forum Member jayjojayson has found for you. It seems that XDA Recognized Developer jaxbot has been hard at work trying to improve the overall feeling of the lockscreen (as well as several other parts of the OS). He release Lock Widgets and much as its name implies, it will allow you to pin several apps that will fill your lockscreen with all the goodness that you are used to seeing the moment you hit the power button. You can see weather, RSS feeds, information about the available RAM, and much more. Moreover, the widgets can be set to update automatically every 30 minutes.
There are a few requirements such as the need for the device to be dev unlocked, interop unlocked, and rooted via WP7 Root Tools 0.9. So, sorry fellow HTC Radar and Titan owners, but no love for us just yet. Please leave some feedback for the dev.
You can pin weather, rss feeds and ram-info on lockscreen. If someone has problems with tranparent lockscreen, uninstall dynamic background and try it again.
You can find more information in the original thread.
April 6, 2012 By: egzthunder1
Ultimate control over our devices is what we all struggle to obtain here on XDA-Developers. Microsoft has done an amazing job in making sure that this does not happen for owners of Windows Phone 7 devices (some of them anyways) by implementing security measure on top of security measure, and all this in the name of data privacy, protection to the end user, and protection of IP. This is likely one of the reasons why this platform never really got off the ground. Old time WM users will agree that playing with the registry to unlock functions (802.11g on the HTC Wizard anyone?) and to improve the overall feeling over the device and control is what probably kept WM alive and well for as long as it did. On WP7, all that was lost.
Having said that, there are some brave developers out there who put out tools that will enable those missing features and capabilities once again. XDA Recognized Developer Heathcliff74 is one of them and has recently revamped his infamous WP Root Tools to version 0.9, in which he did a complete re-write of the code, thus giving you that “new tool scent”. The set includes a file explorer, a registry editor, policy and permissions handler, and much more. Moreover, he added a SDK (on version 0.1 currently) for those who would like to expand this a tad further by adding their own tools to the mix.
Because of the rights and permissions required to use this app, your device must be dev unlocked and interop unlocked, which means that Nokia Lumia users as well as 2nd generation HTC devices cannot use this. The tool will work for both custom and stock roms, so if you have a device that can accept these, please be sure to take these for a spin and reclaim your God-given right to mess your registry into kingdom come!
WP7 Root Tools 0.9 brings true Root Access to devices with stock ROM’s, but it also works on devices with custom ROM’s and Full Unlock. Your device needs to be Interop Unlocked to use WP7 Root Tools!
You can find more information in the original thread.
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