vB Easy Archive - Is the new T610 Firmware really worth it?

Pages: 1

Is the new T610 Firmware really worth it?
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)

Posted by: TheBigLebowski

Anybody have their phone flashed recently? What firmware version is it? Have you noticed any improvements? More importantly, have you noticed any setbacks?

Also, let's say I flash my phone and unlock it, and then maybe the hardware just bugs out. I won't very likely be able to take it back to my T-Mo rep and get it replaced, will I?

Grazie mates.

Posted by: Nomotiv4all

i would also really appreciate the info , i currently have FW version r1s001 and also wondering the same thing.

Posted by: TheBigLebowski

Looks like either no one else cares, no one else has a newer version of the firmware (unlikely), or we're just shmucks and this question has been asked (and answered) a hundred times already . . .

Oh well, when I upgrade (I bought a dongle, etc.) I'll post here what, if any, the advantages/disadvantages are.

Till then . . .

Posted by: MoeSzyslak

chances are, today is Sunday and no one cares.

Posted by: skagen

From what I read on this and other forums the menu & SMS writing response is defintiely faster, the RF reception is a subject of debate. Also I think the saved files of camera pics are smaller, thus giving you more room to take pics.

General concensus seemed to be: if you don't have a problem with your T610 as it is, don't waste time on flashing it, especially if you're an amatuer and risk frying your phone with the terminator cable . Actually, someone posted here earlier this weeked that he just did that with his T610. Poor fella.....

But if you are experienced with flashing or have access to someone who does, then sure what the heck - go ahead and flash it. It will be marginally improved and you have nothing to lose.

Posted by: TheBigLebowski

Somebody fried their phone? Yikes. Do you happen to remember where you saw that post? Man, even though I got my phone for free, I'd still rather not fry it . . . Thanks for the heads up.

Late.

Posted by: Atken

I just flashed my T-Mo phone from R1S to R4C. Its only been a few hours, but here are some immediate observations.

Menu and SMS speed is definately improved. I was amazed! Quite a while back I flashed some T68i's because everyone said the new firmware fixed a bunch (like menu and SMS speed) and I saw no difference. The T610 was the opposite. I noticed the speed difference right away.

I assume that you users of R1S have a T-Mobile branded phone (I don't know if there is a generic R1S out there). So some other differences that would apply to T-Mobile phones would be...

GPRS indicator now works. T-Mobile firmware disabled this but now it works. I pretty much know when I don't have GPRS service (cause I don't have coverage at all) but its nice to see the indicator - SE felt the need to put it on the phone in the first place so I don't see why it would be disabled even if it doesn't do much.

The menu looks different. There are a few different icons and a few (like the phonebook and message menus) are moved.

You can now send SMS through GPRS (and not be charged for your outgoing SMS). That was something T-Mobile had disabled.

The hardcoded T-Mobile wap settings will be removed and you will need to enter them again (or use the SE configuring tool on their site...I hear T-Mobile also has one now, but never used it). But all the pages that were in the phone are gone. So instead of the homepage going to T-Mobile, it will go to SE. You can make the internet button on the side go to any page you want (like HoFo!). And there are direct links to the SE page for games from the games and more menu. Not a big deal...but still cool.

Now it could just be my imagination, but it seems that the camera is slightly improved. I find the T610 camera to be next to worthless (especially since I have used the Nokia 3650) and have been disappointed by every picture taken. Well, I took a few pics yesterday and while they are not spectacular, they were better than I remember. But like I said, maybe I am imagining things.

I can't comment on RF yet, but I doubt that it is improved. RF is based mostly on hardware, not software. SE could have allowed more power to the internal antenna so it would pick up signals better, but I don't know that it would be enough for a noticeable difference. Personally though, I don't have RF issues with this phone anyway.

So I haven't had much time to test it all out yet, but those were the initial changes I noticed. I will post more when I know more.

I think it was totally worth the price of the cable and the time. I was a bit worried about messing up the phone, but just read the instructions and you SHOULD be fine. I don't know how big of a deal this is (it was a HUGE deal with the T68) but I made sure IR and BT were turned off and did a master reset before flashing the phone.

Good luck to anyone else that flashes and post back with some results.

Edit: Another difference I noticed is that there is now an alert when new email is recieved. Just like an SMS message you can have the phone make a sound and vibrate when a new email is downloaded from your email server.

Posted by: Atken

Already edited my other post...so I will just post a new one....

Also, the game Q*Bert is now loaded on the phone. This was a big deal 9 months ago when the phone came out. T-Mobile software didn't include that game.

Posted by: skagen

Quote:

Originally posted by Atken
I just flashed my T-Mo phone from R1S to R4C. Its only been a few hours, but here are some immediate observations.......

....You can now send SMS through GPRS (and not be charged for your outgoing SMS). That was something T-Mobile had disabled.
..........

........I think it was totally worth the price of the cable and the time. I was a bit worried about messing up the phone, but just read the instructions and you SHOULD be fine...

Few of questions:

1) dont you get charged for GPRS instead? In other words, how does this help one?

2) Care to detail your method of flashing some more? What specific hardware did you use? (Terminator? Sony service Cable? Desktop? laptop?)

3) What flashing software did you use? (which version of DIV or where did you buy logs)?

Thats the detail/user feedback that we never get - and why so many people out there end up frying their phones.....

Posted by: MoeSzyslak

thanks Atken for the details. And more details will be much appreciated.

I am definitely flashing my R1S.

Posted by: TheBigLebowski

Muchas gracias, what a great reply. A few of us were starting to get worried that nobody was going to fill us in.

My cable/software arrived a couple of days ago, so as soon as I get back home, I'll be flashing. I'll try to post a step-by-step procedure, that is, if I don't fry my little T610.

Also, does anyone know about flashing a T226, if there are any improvements? A girl I know has one, and I was thinking I'd offer to flash it for her.

Also, since I'll now have a cable/dongle, if anyone in the LA area (around UCLA) has a SE phone and wants to get it flashed, PM me.

Thanks again mate!

Posted by: Atken

Quote:

Originally posted by skagen
Few of questions:

Quote:

1) dont you get charged for GPRS instead? In other words, how does this help one?

I have a T-Mobile phone and service so many of my observations pertain to those 2 things. T-Mobile offers free unlimited WAP on all plans so for people on T-Mobile it would be free to send SMS if you do it through GPRS. Many Nokia phones have this feature. But to answer your question, yes you would be charged for GPRS useage if you use this option. You can still send SMS through GSM (just like before). You can switch between the two though.

Quote:

2) Care to detail your method of flashing some more? What specific hardware did you use? (Terminator? Sony service Cable? Desktop? laptop?)

I used the Terminator dongle. The dongle I purchased came with software and instructions. In short, plug in the dongle (usb and parallel) then start up the program (a bit more on this later). I pulled the battery from the phone (as I said in my first post...I made sure IR and BT were turned off and did a master reset first). The plugged in the cable (with battery still off) and inserted the battery and cover. DO NOT TURN THE PHONE ON. Just run the software and let it do its thing.

Quote:

3) What flashing software did you use? (which version of DIV or where did you buy logs)?

I used DIV 8.4. That was the software that came with my dongle. There was no need to purchase logs. All of the flash files were also included on the CD for most SE phones that are out right now. There are step by step instructions on cellular-support.com with pictures on how to flash the phone using DIV 8.4. Check that out and read through it before even touching the dongle so you have an idea of what to do.

Posted by: skagen

Thanks!

Posted by: kokeradio

with the >*<<*<* the SW information shows me R1A054. i'm guessing this is the firmware. should i upgrade it or not?

Posted by: Atken

Quote:

Originally posted by kokeradio
with the >*<<*<* the SW information shows me R1A054. i'm guessing this is the firmware. should i upgrade it or not?

Sounds like you have a T616. Newest version out for the T616 is R1B and from what I hear there is a great improvement after upgrading. Many members have found that reception noticeably improved. Although I have not used the T616 I would still suggest upgrading.

Great thing about buying the dongle is that you can flash your phone 3 months down the road when a new firmware comes out.

Posted by: kokeradio

how much would it cost me to buy the dongle, and, i guess the software, too? isn't it safer if i send the phone to a store and they flash it for me?

Posted by: Atken

Quote:

Originally posted by kokeradio
how much would it cost me to buy the dongle, and, i guess the software, too? isn't it safer if i send the phone to a store and they flash it for me?

A dongle would cost you 30 or 40 dollars and most I have seen come with software.

If you don't mind shipping your phone off for a week and paying someone else to flash it, that probably is a safer route to go.

I bought my dongle because I know I will want to upgrade my firmware more than once and I have friends whos phones I will upgrade too.

Posted by: TheBigLebowski

Yeah, after weighing the pros and cons, I also decided to buy my own dongle, and I got it from Ebay for $30, with shipping and software. Here's how I saw the pros and cons for doing it myself:

Pros:
1. Costs about the same as having someone else do it, and I don't have to ship it off.
2. I can upgrade the firmware as many times as I want. (This is also key to me 'cause I was thinking about putting a T630 LCD in my T610, in which case I would need the T630 firmware.)
3. I can upgrade any future Sony Ericsson phones I decide to buy, or any family or friends who need upgrades.
4. I only have to pay once for the dongle.

Cons:
1. Seeing as my brain is a bit congested, I MAY fry my phone.

Basically, it comes down to the fact that I'd have to pay $25-30 to get someone else to do it for me, when I can pay $30 and do it myself, which honestly, I like better anyway. I like to keep up on technology and know how to do things like this. If things keep going the way they are, and Bill Gates gets his way, everything in the future will be automated and the end-users will have no idea what's actually going on; all they'll see is the end result. Sorry, don't mean to get on a soapbox, but that's not my thing.

So anyhow, like I said, I'll post once I fr. . . Err, flash my phone, and let everyone know how I did it and what the results were, alhough that earlier post by Atken did a pretty good job covering the advantages.

Peace.

Posted by: gq_fuzion

ony bad part is with div and terminator, you're left behind while fighter users get new flashes earlier... and you've also gotta wait until laser decides to release the software for free and that takes forever unless he's p/o 'd at zulea...

just fork out more $$$ and get div usb 3.1
so much better than the rest

Posted by: TheBigLebowski

Just when I think I'm finally getting a handle on some of these cell phone things (i.e. what it means to flash, what div is, what a dongle is, etc.), you come along and blow me out of the water.

Things I totally didn't understand at all:

1. fighter users
2. laser
3. zulea
4. div usb 3.1

It sounds like you're playing a video game instead of talking about flashing phones.

However, I kind of think I have a clue, so if I'm right in assuming that zulea a company that makes div usb 3.1, while laser makes div 8.4, why is usb 3.1 better, and where should one get it?

Thanks?

Posted by: skagen

I'm guessing "Fighter" refers to SE Fighter which I think I saw on Ebay. Its a software for unlocking these phones, but it was more expensive than the Terminator + Div 8.4.

I'm not sure if SE Fighter is better than this Terminator thing though. I'd love to know becuase it was like $80 and I couldn't figure out why, if the competition is selling for $30-40.

Posted by: MoeSzyslak

Quote:

Just when I think I'm finally getting a handle on some of these cell phone things (i.e. what it means to flash, what div is, what a dongle is, etc.), you come along and blow me out of the water.

Things I totally didn't understand at all:

1. fighter users
2. laser
3. zulea
4. div usb 3.1

It sounds like you're playing a video game instead of talking about flashing phones.

However, I kind of think I have a clue, so if I'm right in assuming that zulea a company that makes div usb 3.1, while laser makes div 8.4, why is usb 3.1 better, and where should one get it?

Thanks?

As far as I know/guess...

SE fighter is some cable for flashing like the Terminator dongle, but you need to buy LOG from SE to complete the job.

laser and zulea are some lagendary guys who cracked div and make the avr files available.

Div USB is yet another method cable for flashing...

Posted by: rdnymllnsktr

Quote:

Originally posted by MoeSzyslak
As far as I know/guess...

SE fighter is some cable for flashing like the Terminator dongle, but you need to buy LOG from SE to complete the job.

laser and zulea are some lagendary guys who cracked div and make the avr files available.

Div USB is yet another method cable for flashing...

SE Fighter is very similar to DIV, except it is much more expensive, but can fix any type of problem for any SE, very easy!

Laser and Zulea, correct. We should also add "Merwin" to that list, because he's up there with legendary.

DIV USB is for the USB version of the terminator dongle, but has been cracked to work with the dongle.

Ethan

Posted by: dav

So is it safe to say that I will be successful in flashing my phone with firmware if I purchase the 8.1 Terminator?

-dav

Posted by: JamaalJ

DIV is about the same price as Fighter. Unless you are talking about buying pirated tools and using cracked software.

Someone like you, who profits off of them, should buy the real thing. If you are going to make money off of someone elses hard work, it only makes sense to pay the guy.

Quote:

Originally posted by rdnymllnsktr
SE Fighter is very similar to DIV, except it is much more expensive, but can fix any type of problem for any SE, very easy!

Laser and Zulea, correct. We should also add "Merwin" to that list, because he's up there with legendary.

DIV USB is for the USB version of the terminator dongle, but has been cracked to work with the dongle.

Ethan

Posted by: JamaalJ

The DIV dongle goes for about $250 now.

Quote:

Originally posted by kokeradio
how much would it cost me to buy the dongle, and, i guess the software, too? isn't it safer if i send the phone to a store and they flash it for me?