2008-01-31

More useful links for W960i

These websites may be of interest to SE W960i users

The UIQ Evangelist

Mobile-Review.com Forums

2008-01-29

Some good (and bad) W960i websites

If you are interested in the SE W960i then these links might be useful.

The W960i on the official SE site...
Sony Ericsson W960i Details

Sony Ericsson Application Shop
http://applicationshop.sonyericsson.com/

The W960i is a Symbian phone - also lots of downloads...
my-symbian.com

Lots of discussion - a must read...
my-symbian.com - forums

Gangsta's and bros which I don't understand but useful info...
http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_ericsso...views-2008.php

Very little discussion so far here...
Mobile Planet - Sony Ericsson W960i Walkman Support Forum

A not very useful site but dedicated to the W960i...
http://www.w960.co.uk/

Installing Google Maps On My W960i

Google Maps is a great application but the bad news is that if the Vodafone (UK) website is to be believed then the Google Maps is not available for your Sony Ericsson W960i.

Read on to find out how to install the Vodafone version of Google Maps which contains the specific functions to work out your current location using Vodafone base stations (mobile phone masts).

Google Maps from Vodafone

Google Maps customised by Vodafone
Google Maps customised by Vodafone...

If you are with another mobile phone provider then you should use their version of Google Maps.

If you install a generic version of Google Maps or one from the wrong mobile phone provider then I think that the maps will work but the location feature will not work.

If you are abroad and you have the Vodafone version of Google Maps then I think that the maps will work but the location feature will not work because you will be using a roaming network.

One thing to bear in mind when you are abroad is that the data download for the maps may not be included in your monthly data allowance so it could get very expensive.

Download the Vodafone Version of Google Maps

The good news that with a little effort Vodafone (UK) users can download Google Maps for free. Here are some simple instructions for SE W960i users to use for installing Google Maps from Vodafone (UK).

Using your desktop PC open Internet Explorer and go to http://www.vodafone.co.uk

Click on Mobile Internet followed by Manage My Mobile Internet then in the menu on the left side of the screen click on Mobile Applications.

You will now be treated to a tantalising list of available mobile applications including eBay, MusicStation and Google Maps (drool).

The first problem is that Vodafone won't let you access any of the applications until you identify the make and model of your phone so go ahead and choose the SE W960i. But wait, disaster, there is no SE W960i available to select.

The solution is to choose a different phone.

Certain applications only work with certain phones but if you choose the SE W900i then at least the bar on Google Maps is removed and you can drag the Google Maps icon over to the screen of your phantom W900i.

Once Google Maps appears in the screen of your fictitious SE W900i you can enter your mobile phone number into the box and click the Send to my phone button.

Get the SMS From Vodafone

Clicking the Send to my phone button will cause Vodafone (UK) to send your real W960i phone an SMS text message which contains a link to allow you download Google Maps. The link is probably the same for all users but I won't spoil the fun by giving it out here.

Download Google Maps To Your W960i

You can now open the link by selecting Options and Open in browser.

Once you have opened the link the Google Maps application will be rapidly downloaded to your W960i and you can select Install.

Run Google Maps On Your W960i

Google Maps needs to connect to the Internet and I had equal success using the Vodafone Contract Wap, Contract Internet or WLAN (WiFi).

I have to say that Google Maps on my W960i is an amazing application which almost alone justifies the purchase of the phone.

See Using Google Maps On My W960i to see Google Maps for Mobiles in use including the amazing almost GPS like location finding feature which shows your position on the map with an accuracy up to 1000 metres. Truly amazing!!!

I really can't understand why Sony or even Vodafone (UK) don't promote Google Maps for Mobile a little more.

Please note that although Google Maps for Mobiles is free to download and the software is free to download from Vodafone (UK) it does require a data tariff to use Google Maps over a 3G connection. The current location feature will only work if you are connected using Contract Wap or Contract Internet. The maps work perfectly with a WLAN (WiFi) connection but the current location feature does not work with WLAN.

To set the data connection for Google Maps for Mobiles go to Tools -> Control Panel -> Security -> MIDlet accounts. Select Google Maps and set the Internet Account to Contract Wap.

2008-01-28

IMEI Code

Press *#06# on the keypad of your phone to display your IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) code.

It might be advisable to make a note of this number in case your phone is lost or stolen and the IMEI number can be used to block or deactivate your phone.

Sitefinder (OFCOM)

Sitefinder is a website provided by OFCOM (in the UK)

The url is http://www.sitefinder.ofcom.org.uk/

Sitefinder shows the location of mobile phone base stations in the UK.

I checked http://www.sitefinder.ofcom.org.uk/ and the mast near where I live is shared by Vodafone, O2 and 3.

I just found Sony Ericsson Application Shop

Sony Ericsson Application Shop http://applicationshop.sonyericsson.com/ I just discovered an official Sony Ericsson software download site called Sony Ericsson Application Shop. The Sony Ericsson Application Shop seems to have more software than the main Sony Ericsson site. I do have to criticise Sony Ericsson for the terrible organisation of their information. It is very difficult to discover what software is available for any particular mobile phone and more importantly to find out what specific functionality is actually available. Today I received an email newsletter from Sony Ericsson which amongst other things announces a new product called RDM+: Remote Desktop for Mobiles. This is certainly a product that I would be interested in. It mystifies me why Sony Ericsson Application Shop is not referenced from the main Sony Ericsson website http://www,sonyericsson.com/. Perhaps it is and I just haven't found it before. Unfortunately Sony Ericsson Application Shop does not recognise my login from the main Sony Ericsson so I had to create yet another user account and password. Another problem was that initially I was able to view lots of lovely software but all of a sudden the list of available software just disappeared. The site seemed to suddenly object to my chosen phone or my currency or location. I could have given up there and then but I exited Internet Explorer completely and reloaded and suddenly the list of available software was visible again. It certainly is a full time job keeping up with my Sony Ericsson Smart-phone...

Wake me up with a W960i alarm



The multiple alarm feature on my SE W960i is really useful.

I can set up 3 separate alarms and each alarm can be given a name and can be set to ring in lots of different configurations such as specific days, daily, weekly or just work days.

I have setup my 3 alarms as follows 06:20 Workdays
07:30 Saturday
08:00 Sunday


I now have a ready made lie in on Sundays. Woo hoo

To make sure I actually get out of bed I have setup a phone charging point on the landing so now I have to get out of bed to stop the alarm.

I keep missing calls !!!

Here is the situation...

My SE W960i rings and I try to answer the call.

The bottom of the screen displays Answer? and and a virtual [Yes] button is displayed bottom left.

I am supposed to press the virtual [Yes] button but it's not a real button and simply out of habit from my old phone I often press the nearest key on the key pad.

Unfortunately the nearest key on the key pad is the [back] key which causes the caller to be cut off.

Oops...

2008-01-27

Restarted in order to "improve performance"

This one incident is probably the reason why I decided to start this blog...

I had a damn annoying thing happen today with my W960i.

I was running a java app (which was Google Maps, more about this later), when I received a voice call. I managed to answer the call and carry on a conversation but after about 1 minute the phone went dead during the call.

When I realised that nothing was happening I looked at the screen and I was just in time to see the W960i turning itself off.

I let the phone finish shutting down and waited for 30 seconds before turning it back on.

After the W960i had restarted it displayed a message saying that it had restarted in order to "improve performance". What the hell?

I must say I was a just a little bit annoyed.

Hence I decided to document my experiences of using my new Sony Ericsson W960i for the benefit all.

My Sony Ericsson W960i Smartphone



I have never blogged before so be kind to me.

After first hearing about the W960i in July 2007 and waiting very very patiently I finally received my unit in early January 2008.

The W960i is unlike any phone I have ever owned before and although I do love the phone it has been a real battle to get used to.

The purpose of this blog is to document my successes and frustrations and other hints and tips as I get to know my new Sony Ericsson W960i Smartphone.

My W960i was supplied by Vodafone in the UK.

Hmm... I wonder if anyone will ever read this?

SE W960i Specifications

OS
Symbian OS v9.1, UIQ 3.0

Screen
240x320 pixel 262,144 colour, touch screen

Memory
RAM 124.8 MB (approx)
Phone Memory 160 MB
Media Memory 7,831 MB (approx 7.6 GB)
ROM Memory (for firmware) Unknown

Ringtones
Polyphonic (40 channels), MP3, AAC

Browser
WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML(Opera 8.0), RSS reader

Data
GPRS Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 - 48 kbps
HSCSD No
EDGE No
3G Yes, 384 kbps
WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11b
Bluetooth Yes, v2.0 with A2DP
Infrared port No
USB Yes, v2.0

Battery
Standard battery, Li-Po 900 mAh (BST-33)

Size
109 x 55 x 16 mm (4.3 x 2.2 x 0.6 inches)

Weight
119 g (4.2 oz)

Available colours
Vinyl Black

Networks
UMTS 2100 (this is the 3G bit)
GSM 900
GSM 1800
GSM 1900