lvlolvlo

So if you’ve read my previous post you know that for the Windows Mobile 5 I love the one Faria at xda-developers has pieced together. Recently, however, I have been using Windows Mobile 6 more and more and after a few dozen ROMs I have finally found one that I must say is the one. Yes…the one. This ROM made by Anichillus, is simply well done! I was about to give up and make my own when I came across this ROM titled WM.06WWE_X-plore. It has all the basic functionality of a clean ROM with a few a couple of extra applications that are useful (i.e. Smartskey, Total Commander, BatteryStatus and TaskManager).

Since I am using T-Mobile here’s how I have this ROM setup:

• The above mentioned ROM
• Office OneNote Mobile
• OctroTalk
• DAT MailTrigger (T-Mobile Mail Trigger Software)
• Google Maps
• Spb Backup - sorry no file link for this as the version I have is registered and not a trial.
• TCPMP with All Plugins
• Resco Explorer with FTP and Registry Editor
• PocketPutty
• PHM Traylaunch
• A couple of minor registry tweaks (Diasble Roaming Indicator, and Enable Roaming Sync for Mail Triggers and Active Sync)

Did I mention that it does NOT do that annoying auto-wake thing every few minutes that happens with majority of the WM6 ROMs.

When I get back to this post I’ll put up the links for the above mentioned software, along with the registry tweaks that I applied so that you can enjoy the bliss that I feel.

So now you have Windows Mobile 6 working on your device, but you don’t have your mail triggers working? Well either you don’t have it installed or you set it up incorrectly.

1. Download T-Mobile Mail Trigger Application
2. Install it on your device
3. I would recommend the soft reset (power off wait 30 seconds and switch back on).
4. Configure you client (since you already had it once on your device simply select the option “Download settings for existing My E-mail accounts.”
5. Okay that’s it. It is installed now.

Now you might face this problem if you’re using a ROM that makes your device thinks it is “roaming.” To remedy this do the following:

1. Navigate to HKLM\Software\DAT
2. Open the folder to your e-mail account (i.e. lvlolvlo.net)
3. Create a new DWORD value: SyncWhenRoaming
4. Set the value to 1

If you have more e-mail accounts do the same for those accounts as well. And proceed with a soft reset, and then verify that they key is still there in HKLM\Software\DAT\YOURMAILACCOUNT.

That’s all you should be able to enjoy your triggers now.

Well a few weeks ago the tinkering within me to play with WM6 took over and commanded that I revert back to Windows Mobile 6 (a.k.a. Crossbow) and in doing so I have had the opportunity to do some pretty interesting things.  Recently, however, the most interesting/alarming thing I did was use my phone despite the password lock.

Now those of you who are familiar with the Windows Mobile platform you know that you can go to Start—Settings—Lock and input either a simple password or a complex password to lock your device after X minutes.

So as my phone sat next to me and the password lock screen came on, I just wanted to know what my battery status was but was feeling a little lazy to actually input my password just to read my battery status.  So I said, let me just try using the voice command function to check my battery status. So I push the button it beeps (letting me know it is ready for my command) and I say, “What is my battery status?” and it replies, “The battery level is 85% and charging.” I was impressed, so I thought….”hmm… let me try calling someone.”  So I pushed the button again and said, “Call Voicemail,” immediately I heard the dialing noise and was connected to my voice mail asking me to key in my code. So I thought…this can get interesting.  Next I thought could I run an application? So I pushed the button again and this time said, “Start PowerPoint” and what do you know the password lock screen was sent to the background and PowerPoint came to the foreground. At which point I was now able to tap on the Start Menu and go to Programs or even Settings and fiddle around until my hearts content.

So now I’m thinking, well this is Windows Mobile 6 and since it’s technically not final it just might a bug that Microsoft will work out once it is released, but then I started thinking, what if it isn’t a bug in Windows Mobile 6… What if it is a bug in the Voice Command software?

Now the most secure thing Microsoft could do is when the password lock screen comes on disable all buttons except the Accept Call, End Call, and Power Buttons, or disable voice command from being called when the screen lock is on.  But in both cases I thought Microsoft might not want to shoot themselves in the foot too quick.  I thought how can this possible vulnerability be turned into something that would help Microsoft…simple only allow specific functions of voice command to work in the even the password lock screen is activated. Specific commands that should be allowed would be to call, or request the status of your battery level, or signal strength.

Well that’s enough for now, I hope this will be corrected or I don’t think too many corporate/business users would like to have voice command on their units since it allows them to by pass the password functionality giving a potential malicious user access to all the devices data.

Just imagine this video but instead of the device wiping itself or the finder/theif being deterd by the password lock screen imagine them saying “Call Voicemail” (and for those who don’t have password security enforced on their voicemail) being able to listen to one’s voicemails, or even saying “Show Contacts” or “Start Notes” or…. well you get the idea.

If video goes off line for some reason, you can download it from here:

Download: Final-MobilityV7-300K.zip - you might need VLC Player to view this.
*UPDATE*

Well as it turns out it was just a fluke that this happened. I continued to tinker with my device (trying to get the T-Mobile Mail Trigger Settings to work without the annoying prompt) and a few soft-resets later the device no longer responds to the Voice Command application launches. It will now function like it should, meaning that you can check battery status, signal strength, and call your contacts. You can still launch applications; however, they will NOT come to the foreground replacing the password lock screen.

And just in case you were wondering about the T-Mobile Mail Triggers, yes I did get it to work.

Okay so it’s been awhile since I’ve done any phone experiments, and or browsing in the field. So recently, I ventured over to XDA-Developers and oh man have BIG things come about!

Let’s start with the leaked version of Crossbow, Microsoft’s next Windows Mobile platform (a.k.a WM6). So I loaded it up played with it, and I must say I liked it… Enjoyed it for the most part but due to application incompatibility I had my fill of fun and was done with it. So if any of you really want it then the theory of 6 degrees of separation holds true…you’re only 6 clicks away… and if you know me then you’re really just a click and paste away uh oh..I think I have said too much… (Hint: The one I played with was called 1.Crossbow_Underground_Edition.exe or was it .zip can’t remember)

Next up, WM5 AKU3.3…now I must say I love this cooked ROM by Faria, Molski, Dr. Puttingham, rkwhyte2, and Kyphur. I must say I really love this ROM (oh wait…I already said that). It has all the pretty GUI from WM6 (Crossbow) with the added benefit of being WM5 so applications work. Plus the added applications are just amazing. I mean before I had applications that were doing these tasks, however, the fact that there are freeware alternatives that work well and to top it off BUILT-IN just sweetens it on the whole! Now of course I can only praise this ROM so much but if you have the T-Mobile MDA (HTC Wizard) then you should really give this ROM a try, I can say with near certainty this ROM will not disappoint you. For more information about this ROM head over to XDA Developers directly.

If I’ve already sold you on the upgrade to this ROM then just go ahead and grab it and start using it!

Windows Mobile 5 AKU 3.3 Beta ROM

So now for those who of you who don’t like using either the T-Mobile Tiggers, or Cingular Express Mail client to get your GMail emails there’s good news….GMail Java!

Using GMail Java you can check your e-mail without having to worry about receiving mail that you send or mails disappearing randomly (like how they did with the mail triggers). Take it for a test drive see how you like it…

Download GMail Java Application

Remember you’ll need the Java Manager/Midlet Manager

Okay so apparently T-Mobile has launched their Hotspot@Home or T-Mobile @Home Service in Seattle, Washington. I have been waiting for well over a year now, and finally it’s out…well at least somewhere…

Basically what it is…you have a cell phone with built-in wifi and what it does is connect to T-Mobile’s server via the internet and let you call using you cell phone. In other words it’s basically a wifi phone and a cell phone combined. So when you’re using the wifi you have unlimited calling for $20/month then when you’re out and about in the car and calling from the regular GSM it’s coming out of your minutes at whatever rate plan you have. Pretty awesome if you ask me…

Think about business’ or families…Generally families take lower anytime minute family plans because they just want to stay in-touch with each other so mobile to mobile helps out. Now just imagine when they get home and turn on their wifi they have virtually unlimited calling from their own private line….how awesome is that!

In all seriousness let’s put it this way…if you have a T-Mobile Family Plan with myFaves you’re paying the following..

$69.99 - 700 Anytime Shared myFaves
$19.99 - Unlimited Messaging
$19.99 - T-Mobile Hotspot @Home
———
$109.97 + tax

This is assuming you have two lines, if you have more than two lines then it’s just $9.99/line. So now you’re paying ~110 for two people so that’s 55 /each. The typically family has 3 lines on a shared plan so that’s ~120 between 3 people…roughly $40/each. Now can you tell me where can you get a deal like this? You have unlimited home calling (so pretty much a land-line which easily costs $25(Vonage)/50(Regular)+ per line) then you have the convenience of it being your cell phone so you can keep in touch (your initial reason for getting it. Cheapest plan available from any carrier is at least 10-15$ more per month). And to top it all off it’s just one number whether you want to use the @Home service or you want to use your minutes! Did I mention it uses wifi so if you have crap reception at home you can still use it!

So call me a T-Mobile “fanboy” or what you like….but the point is still made T-Mobile is rocking and is going to continue to rock through next year. 2007 is going to be very exciting at T-Mobile!

More information on the @Home service can be found here:

T-Mobile Hotspot @Home