We live in the age of tech-overload. We buy it just to have it. But can you actually use it? Here's some great tips & answers in plain-English from e-guru Kenny Jahng on getting the most out of the gadgets & technology that surrounds us.
Time to stop holding your breath.
It’s finally here! Samsung Blackjack users now can officially upgrade to Windows Mobile 6 on their Samsung i607 handsets!
If you have no clue why you should be upgrading if at all, check out this handy comparison chart of Windows Mobile 5 vs. Windows Mobile 6.
Here’s the “official” highlights of WM6:
On February 12, 2007, Microsoft announced Windows Mobile 6, a major upgrade of Microsoft’s mobile operating system that provides significant improvements for both consumers and business customers. The following improvements are available with Windows Mobile 6:
Improved messaging and collaboration, including ability to read HTML email, calendar ribbon, keyboard shortcuts, integrated Windows Live experience and more.
For example:
Shortcut keys to mimic desktop experience Mobile Office for Word, Excel, PowerPoint OMA DM supportThe following improvements all require Exchange 2007:
> Exchange search for email
> HTML support in email
> Fetch mail i.e. download an email without doing a full send/receive Improved GAL searchWM6 has a few improvements and better integration with dialer, scheduling, etc.
> View status of all attendees for a meeting> Meeting Request Improvements
> Out of Office Assistant Reply and
> Forward Meeting Appointments
Increased integration with current infrastructure: For example, seamless connectivity to SharePoint server for access to intranet documents. Windows Mobile 6 will take advantage of new features in Exchange Server 2007.
Improved security and device management: Windows Mobile 6 allows information on a storage card to be encrypted and is to be wiped remotely, provides enhanced policies, Information Rights Management and more.
More powerful development platform: The new, more powerful .NET Compact Framework 2.0 is now included in all Windows Mobile 6 devices as well as the new SQL Server Compact Edition which provides a full SQL database engine including file-level encryption and merge replication.
Windows Mobile 6 includes new naming conventions:
Windows Mobile 6 Standard (formerly Smartphone) is a non-touch platform designed for handheld useWindows Mobile 6 Professional (formerly Pocket PC Phone Edition) is designed for touch screen for flexible input
Windows Mobile 6 Classic (formerly Pocket PC) designed for devices with no cellular radio
Basically, you get HTML email support, better Office apps to open and edit documents in Powerpoint, Excel, Word and Outlook. There’s internet sharing which should be available, but I haven’t tested to see if that’s been throttled by AT&T. (As you may be aware, AT&T recently killed the ability to use the Blackjack as a modem with the MediaMax data plans - you have to pay the full $50/month for the unlimited PDA data plan for that). There’s a bunch of other neat features, that are yet to be discovered…
Here’s the requirements before you attempt to begin any of this stuff . . .
YOUR COMPUTER
THE BLACKJACK HANDSET
OTHER
Here’s a quick FAQ rundown:
OK, I’ve upgraded 2 different Blackjack’s at this point, and now familiar with the WM6 upgrade process. Here’s some details to help you get through it — it’s quite easy actually. The instructions and screenshots on the upgrade page (link above) are quite useful. The instructions might look intimidating, but it’s basically broken down into: 1) back-up your phone, 2) set-up the phone and pc to upgrade by checking for modem driver and putting the phone into download mode, 3) run the upgrade program.
Here’s a little more details of the process broken down into 10 steps for you:
1) BACK UP THE DATA ON YOUR PHONE. You have to back-up your data on your phone if you care through ActiveSync and your USB cable. Even if you don’t need the data, you should sync once to make sure your connection is working and the software can talk to your phone.
2) MAKE SURE YOUR BLACKJACK MODEM DRIVER IS INSTALLED. You need to make sure the Blackjack modem driver is installed (which it should if you’ve installed ActiveSync through the installation CD that came with your phone. On your Blackjack, go to START > SETTINGS > CONNECTIONS > USB > Select MODEM. Then you connect your phone to the PC with the USB cable. The upgrade page gives you details on how to go into you device manager to check to see if it sees the modem and if there: Basically, on your PC go to: START > RUN > devmgmt.msc (Click OK) > in the Device Manager window, click on the + sign next to MODEMS and you should see the Blackjack Mobile Modem Driver. If not, the upgrade page has a download link to the Modem Driver installation software. Next, you go down to PORTS and click the + sign and you should also see the SAMSUNG MOBILE MODEM DIAGNOSTIC SERIAL PORT. If so, close the window and you’re all set to upgrade.
3) GET YOUR PHONE READY TO UPGRADE. DISCONNECT your phone and TURN IT OFF. Take out you SIM CARD (under the battery)
3) BLOCK ACTIVESYNC FROM INTERFERING. Open ActiveSync, go to FILE > Connection Settings > and UNCLICK “Allow USB Connections”
4) START THE UPGRADE PROGRAM. Now double click on the WM6 Upgrade file you downloaded and you’ll have to input 2 passwords - 2649 & 4954
5) SET YOUR BLACKJACK TO RECEIVE THE UPGRADE. Now, you have to switch your phone into DOWNLOADER MODE: Press BOTH the RIGHT SOFT KEY (the right “…” button) and the bottom button on the side of the phone under the jog dial. WHILE HOLDING BOTH DOWN, turn on the phone at the top edge of the phone. You can let go of the 2 buttons when you see the DOWNLOADER SCREEN show up.
6) CONNECT & UPGRADE. At this point, connect the USB cable again and then click OK on the dialog box on the PC to start the process.
7) WAIT. WAIT. WAIT. You’ll wait a couple of minutes while it goes through 3 phases.
When it’s all done, your phone will auto shut-down and re-boot with WM6 installed.
You’ll see the AT&T logo and the new WM6 Window start-up screen and then finally the new “desktop”
8) DOUBLE CHECK. AT&T recommends that you check to make sure the version of the software is correct - instructions are again available on the upgrade page. Just click *#1234# from the home screen
9) COMPLETELY WIPE OUT THE PHONE. It also recommends that you do a complete sytem reset to ensure all legacy memory is cleaned out.
10) SMILE. You’ll all set! You can sync your phone again to restore all your contacts, email, calendar, etc. And of course you’ll then go to download GoogleMaps, LiveSearch, Yahoo!Go 2.0, AlphaDialer, set-up your email accounts in MobileOutlook and . . . .
Here’s a video explaining the upgrade process as well. . .
Enjoy!
February 11th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
got to pint where update v 1.6.4 screen is, used the alternate link, and when start option comes up it asks me for select an image to download.
the phone is still on the boot_ok_ping
heeeeeeelp
February 12th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Alex,
Try powering down the phone completely again. Then restart the upgrade program on the pc, enter the passkeys. Turn on the phone in downloader mode. Connect USB cable and continue the process. It should work…good luck!
Kenny
February 20th, 2008 at 1:22 am
I had the same problem with my desktop. I tried it on my laptop and it worked no problem. The one thing I noticed was that on the desktop it never asked my for the keys and it did on the laptop. I have no idea what the problem was. Crazy.
February 20th, 2008 at 5:50 am
Another issue might be anti-virus and firewall. Make sure that you turn both off before doing the upgrade.
February 28th, 2008 at 12:47 am
I could not get the Samsung Modem Driver to download on my computer, but i went ahead with downloading WM6. Everything goes smoothly until phase 3 (updating the phone). I just stopped the downloading and my phone works fine with WM6! But when i check to see if the version is updated (by typing “*#1234#”), the PDA code is updated but not the phone’s code
but so far it still works like normal!
March 10th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
I do not get the Screen for the Passwords.. It goes srtaight to the Start downloading screen and then I try and DL and I get “Select an Image to Download”.
There is no way this can be that dang hard to do!
I have been on the phone with Tech Support and Level 3 and they just Pi** me off because I can not understand them..
Someone help me with this PLEASEEEEEEE
March 13th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
I have done the reboot on my pc and blackjack, when I try to update with the WM6 it ask for to select an image?
I have downloaded all the modem drivers and everything. Still not able to get WM6???
Any real help out there?
March 14th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
I had issues as well and found it to be the firewall I was using. The install went smooth, but have noticed that the phone seems to freeze or lock up if it looses signal and you try to send a text message. Basically you have to restart the phone to get signal back. Kinda strange, and not happy about that. Any ideas? Anyone else having an issue like this?
April 13th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Yes, turn off the firewall software, then it allows me to enter the ID and KEY, otherwise, it didn’t prompt me.
If you have McAfee SecurityCenter, just select the “Configure” tab, then the “Internet & Network” link, and in the “Internet & Network Configuration” panel, select the radio button to turn Firewall protection Off.
After that is done, you can run the Upgrade program just fine and it should prompt you for the ID and the KEY.
May 10th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
I can see the AT&T logo and the new WM6 Window start-up screen but after this, “goodbye” and off.