vB Easy Archive - General question re: Cingular ROMS for Windows Mobile

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General question re: Cingular ROMS for Windows Mobile
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Posted by: lmychajluk

I just read a post in another thread that said something along the lines of "Now that HTC has an updated ROM, Cingular will be releasing thier version soon".

Is Cingular generally pretty good about releasing ROM updates for thier WM phones? Specifically, will they release multiple updates over the life of the phone, and do so in a timely manner?

I've been a PDA user for a long time (since the original Palm Pilot, then Windows Mobile since the IPAQ 3600), and a PDA/Phone user with VZW for about 2 years (xv6600 & i730). As an early adopter, I don't mind dealing with minor issues in the short term, but I'm getting tired of VZW keeping us WM users waiting for updates under the pretenses of 'testing' and 'quality assurance', only to be delivered an update that doesn't address anything (if we get one at all!), so I'm considering coming over to Cingular and would be interested in your comments on this.

Thx!

Posted by: Omega2008

It really doesn't matter what carrier you have, there are ROM updates for many PPC phones, You can use an offical one from your carrier or download one that isn't. xda developers is your friend.

Posted by: lmychajluk

Well, first of all, my question was about how good is Cingular, as a carrier, in providing 'official' ROMS for their devices, so referring me to my carrier to get an official ROM doesn't really answer that.

As for XDA-Developers.com, they're great over there, but the CDMA versions of the ROMS seem to be much harder to come by. I don't know if this is because there are more GSM devices out there, and hence a larger developer base, or if it's just easier to work with GSM phones.

For instance, my original PDA/Phone device was the VZW xv6600 (HTC Blue Angel / Harrier, CDMA). In the FAQ for this device on XDA-Developers is this statement right at the top:
"The WM5 English ROM Version 5.1.1700 Build 14343 does not work on PH20A2 (Harrier) / CDMA device"

If I could've got support for this device, preferably officially, but even unofficially, I would probably still be using it. Same holds true for my Samsung i730 (which VZW gave me because they couldn't fix the issues with the xv6600) - I think the hardware is solid, but just needs some 'patches' to keep it going strong, but I'm not getting that support from VZW (or Samsung, for that matter...), and it's getting to the point where it's annoying, especially for a device that I pay as much for as I would for a full-blown PC, so now I'm trying to get a feel for if there are other providers that may be more in tune with the fact that these are advanced devices that sometimes need more than a CSR telling you to do a hard reset in terms of support offerings.

Posted by: Omega2008

I see sorry I miss read your question, well Cingular does release ROM's...but they do take there sweet time and yes sometimes they are pretty useless or fix one problem just to bring other problems. It all depends. However since you have noticed that ROMs for GSM based phones are easier to come by, this could be to your advantage since you will have more to choose from. To be honest Cingular tech support is for the most part clueless about these devices, and just like verizon or sprint you are on your own. Sometimes you will get a knowlegable CSR but most of the time you won't, they will be quick to get you to exchange your device rather than troubleshoot it for you.

Honestly support for these devices I have found is slim to none from the carriers and the manufactures. Its sad, but its the truth.

Posted by: lmychajluk

Thanks. That's what I was looking for...though not really what I wanted to hear. I think I'm going to try a 8525 anyway, just because there does at least seem to be much more of an independant support base for HTC GSM devices. I used to be a AT&T customer a long time ago, but I don't think they were GSM at the time (may have even been analog...), so this might take some getting used to for me...

Posted by: Omega2008

You won't have a problem. If you have used a WM PPC before like you said you have it should be a smooth transition

Posted by: lmychajluk

I wasn't worried so much about the PPC aspects og the phone as learning the ins and outs of the GSM coverage in the areas I frequent.