My MANGO UPDATE!!

This morning, I received 3 Updates! Not 1, but 3!

This is rather interesting and very exciting!

Update 1: ‘Update for Windows Phone 7 for ISV beta (7720)’

After that the phone went on to search for Additional Updates:

Then it found it.. Update 2: ‘Mango ISV beta Bundle: Cleanup’

and just as i was getting happy, a 3rd UPDATE!!

It is simply AMAZING!

Currently, my phone information is as below:
Model: LG LG-E900
Carrier: OPEN
Software: Windows Phone 7.5
Total Storage: 14.94 GB
Available Storage: 7.31 GB
OS Version: 7.10.7720.68 (previously i was on 7712)
Firmware revision number: 1.0.6.10
Hardware revision number: 1.0.0.0
Radio Software version: 1.0.6.10
Radio Hardware version: 0.3.5.0
Bootloader version: 1.5.1.0
Chip SsOC version: 0.30.2.0

WhatsApp for WP7 is close to come.. Beta Version Available..

  
After waiting for some time now, whatsapp is confirmed here.
There is also leaked beta which some people grabbed it from its private beta (download only made available to selected few..
Here’s some screen shots of it on WP7..

Note: This is not my photo.. took it from the web (www.mobiletechworld.com)
After using the beta for a few days, besides being laggy (its still beta, what do you expect?), the toast notifications and live tile works great! really looking forward to its full release in marketplace.
For those who can sideload apps, you can get the XAP file here: http://www.mediafire.com/?xnmxhktj6sk46w9

Board Express for Tapatalk- WP7

Board Express Pro for Tapatalk allows you quick access on more than 8000 forums that are supported by Tapatalk. With Board Express Pro you may access to forums, threads and personal messages, furthermore, you may also post into existing threads as well as creating new threads and send personal messages.
Features
• Access to more than 8000 forums (vBulletin, IPBoard, phpBB and SMF)
• Read and create posts, threads and private messages
• Optimized for your Windows Phone 7 screen
• Tapatalk is traffic-efficient, because it allows you to quickly access the information you want
• Ability to use the search function in forums
• Search for threads in which you posted
• Search for unread posts
• …and much more



[Link Removed]

Weave- Best RSS Reader Available for WP7

RSS Evolved Presenting Weave – the world’s best news reader, exclusively for Windows Phone 7! Featuring an attractive interface and lightning-fast performance, Weave offers a fresh take on RSS. Try it now for free!

Full list of features:
• 33 pre-loaded categories including world, financial, deals, fashion, videogames, technology, and sports news just to name a few!
• Add new categories at any time
• Over 180 pre-loaded, high-quality news sources including CNN, Wall Street Journal, ESPN, Engadget, USA Today, NY Times, IGN, Entertainment Weekly, and many more!
• Feed search – you can search for new feeds by topic or website name
• Easily manage your feeds and categories via the settings screen
• Preview articles with a touch of a finger
• View full articles at your leisure
• Share articles with your friends, via email!
• Post an article to your Facebook wall!
• Tweet an article to your Twitter followers!
• Send an article to Instapaper!

We pre-loaded Weave with 33 categories of interest – from sports to technology, politics, world news, videogames, wine, comic books, art, celebrity gossip, movies, travel – just to name a few! For every category, we went and found the highest quality blog and news sources, the ones with the best content, the most interesting articles, and the best images.

As soon as you open Weave the first time, you select the categories you are interested in, and within seconds you have created what is essentially a high-quality magazine that is catered just to you! A virtual magazine that is always updated with fresh articles – without you having to do anything at all!

Download (Via Sideloader)

How to Install Mango Beta 2 on Windows Phone 7- without developer account..

Ok.. I was telling myself, I would wait until the official update comes..

But I just cannot wait anymore.. So I took the plunge and updated my NODO WP7 to Mango Beta 2 WP7.

Here’s the steps I took and links to the files which is necessary for the update.
Source: http://gadgetfeel.com/how-to-install-wp7-mango-beta-update/

Step 1 : Download the required files.
i. Windows Phone Support Tools. Click HERE for x64 version, and HERE for x86 version.
ii. Updating Tool which can be found here: WindowsPhoneHacker.com.
iii. Beta version for Zune (made for Mango Beta, other Zune don’t work with mango).
Download it here.

Step 2 : Connect your NODO WP7 to PC via USB.
Ensure that Zune pops up (the old Zune, not the beta version)

Step 3 : Close Zune.

Step 4 : Run the Update.bat

Step 5 : Once complete, Zune will automatically launch.

Step 6 : Check for Updates. You will find ‘Windows Phone 7 Build 7401’. Install it.

Step 7 : Once installed, search for update again. You will find ‘Windows Phone 7 Build 7661’. Install it. Thats Mango Beta 2.

Step 8 : Once Mango is installed, you will need to use the Zune Beta version as the old zune will no longer work on your phone from this time onwards.

However, if you ever want to go back to Nodo, use the ‘restore.bat’ to restore your NODO.
Keep your NODO Backup Safe, as you will need it to return to NODO, before you can update to the official Mango and other future updates.

Update 1 Screen Shot

Update Screen Shot 2- This is it.. MANGO BETA 2!

Almost..

DONE ! !

Disclaimer:
i. This is not the official update. Updating to Mango Beta will void your warranty
ii. I am not responsible for any damage, ‘brick’ of your phone
iii. You will need to be at least, on NODO update for this to work

Good Luck and Enjoy WP7 Mango!

IM+ Updates to 1.1, adds support for Windows Live Messenger on WP7

 

IM+ was initially launched for WP7 few weeks ago, with support for Chat in Facebook®, Skype®, Yahoo!®, GTalk™, AIM®, Jabber, ICQ® and MySpace™!

Now, with version 1.1, they added chat in Windows Live Messenger.. making this the best IM offered for WP7 to date (although KIK is smoother, but i only have 1 friend using KIK.. i dumped it)

Features
(Source: http://www.shapeservices.com/en/products/details.php?product=im&platform=wp)

'Always-on' communication across most of public messaging systems

Stay in touch with your your friends in a single buddy list right on your Windows Phone. Anytime, anywhere. IM+ offers ultimate mobile IMing experience with its sleek and polished interface.

Save battery life

Take advantage of Tile and Toast notifications without running IM+ in background.

Take the most out of your Windows Phone

One-tap access to phone dialing and email composing right from IM conversations. Simply tap on phone number or email to contact your buddy outside of IM+.

First multi-messenger application for Windows Phone is finally here

IM+ does not limit your daily IMing to one-on-one chats. Keep in touch with your friends and colleagues in Skype group chats. We will be adding support for other group messaging services in forthcoming updates.

For Unlocked Phones, you can download the XAP file here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?w2yk0sc96vyc5q6

For others, please get from Marketplace..

Angry Birds comes to WP7

Finally, after much delays, Angry Birds is finally here in WP7.

For those who are interested, and have an unlocked phone, here’s the XAP file.
http://www.mediafire.com/?ydy5l5x9vvzi4ix

For those who has the option to buy the application, please go and purchase this app and support the developer. I have no choice as I cannot purchase the app.

WP7- Installing Paid Apps without Paying for it..

Disclaimer: I came across some information from the internet, and decided to post this out to all my friends out there who are in the same situation as I am. As much as I love my WP7, I am vastly disgusted and saddened by Microsoft’s inability to enable most of the people in the WORLD to purchase apps from marketplace, which i have posted in my blog here. I have been using ‘free’ and ‘trial’ apps for a long time, and now, I want to share to people how to get to use the apps for free. Please do take note, that I am willing to pay for each and every app i use this method to download, if the method is make available to me in Malaysia.

This is a short guide on how to install paid apps from Microsoft’s Marketplace and installing them in your phone. Before we begin, you will need a developer unlocked phone, which I have covered here:
1. http://www.haroldchia.com/2011/03/how-to-developer-unlock-wp7-without.html
2. http://www.haroldchia.com/2011/01/unlocking-windows-phone-7-via-chevron.html
Note: the 1st link only works for LG handsets while the 2nd method only works on Pre-NODO update handsets. Those with NODO updates, i am sorry but i do not know how to unlock your phone.

Next, you will need a very handy tool, from Microsoft themself, called ‘Application Deployment’ which is part of the Windows Phone Developer Tools 7 (get it here free: http://create.msdn.com/en-us/home/getting_started)

Next, you will need Zune, required to enable your PC to communicate with your handphone.
http://www.zune.net/en-US/

Alright, next you will need this 2 application, one to download apps from marketplace, and the other to ‘patch’ the XAP file.
1. WP7-MktPlace (http://s317073502.onlinehome.fr/b.a.s.e/?p=225)
2. WP7-app (http://www.mediafire.com/?qv7y567p6r27yg4)

The steps is rather simple.
1. Install all the software mentioned above.
2. Make sure your phone is connected to PC via USB, and Zune detects your phone.
3. Use WP7-app to search and download the XAP file of the software you intend to install.
4. Use WP7-MktPlace to patch the XAP file (the steps to do that is covered in the place where you download it)
5. Use the Application Deployment tool to send this to your phone, and DONE, you have the app in your phone.
Note: From personal experiance, this method doesn’t work for larger XAP files and most of the LIVE games. However, you CAN find and download the XAP for those games already on the internet. Just google it.

Good Luck!

Microsoft Windows Phone 7 Team’s Ignorance & Arrogance..

Here is a short rant that i have been keeping to myself, and recently seeing an application i really want to buy, i cannot take it anymore..
Being a proud owner of LG Optimus 7, I was disappointed when i first open the box. After a day or 2, got used to the phone and started to love the phone for its simplicity, ease of usage the obvious research and development Microsoft have put in this phone’s predictive input (much better over iPhone, Android & Symbian).

I am extremely disappointed, however, being unable to purchase ANY apps from the market place on my wp7 in Malaysia. This is something i do not understand. I can make credit card purchases online, via MasterCard or visa almost everywhere.. why cant i make app purchase online just because my country is not supported? why do you need to support Malaysia in the first place? Amazon does not support due to shipping reasons (amazon does not ship to Malaysia), its not like Microsoft is going to ship their applications to Malaysia.. so what is the problem with Malaysians (and a lot other 'non-supported nations').


Best thing is, i see from tech forums around the world saying apps developers is unhappy to the low sales of their applications.. WELL, the sales could have been MUCH better if WE COULD PAY for them, rather than relying on trial versions..

first, the delays in updates. This i do not understand, because my phone is not branded, not locked.. and my network operator doesn't even test it unlike many other operators.. so the delays, are solely Microsoft.. WHY THE DELAYS?! i would have received NODO update only 2 weeks ago if i didn't use the Canadian gateway method to update my phone.

Now this.. I am stuck with free apps (i am lucky to be using LG, due to their large amount of free apps for LG phones) and trials. I cannot even enjoy a decent game! for example, PES, NFS.. i love those games.. and would love to buy them.. but i cant. for some reason, when trying to enter my credit card details, the billing address field for 'country' is locked to Singapore!! since my card is Malaysian, it is obvious why my card failed its authentication.

emails to Microsoft fell on deaf ears.. even postings in their forum produced no help, except 'Microsoft's marketplace team is hard at work to bring support to more countries'.. can they be more specific? How long has wp7 been out? I personally have been using since last Christmas.. do i have to wait for the next Christmas? or the one after this?

there is tonnes of great, cool & useful applications in the marketplace, but i cannot use any of them due to being unable to pay for them. Some of those tools are really cheap and wont even cost a dent to my wallet yet I am not able to use them..
In modern days, the sole difference between smartphones, besides the OS (the O/S is all similar nowadays), is the applications and support. Looks like Microsoft has a lot more to improve before it could ever catch up to Apple or Google.. including revenue. It is always bad for business to ignore potential paying customers..
by this Christmas, if they do not fix the marketplace app, I'll b selling off this phone.. no point in keeping it if i cant even purchase proper apps. I love this phone, but the inability to purchase apps is killing me. Android & iPhones has no problems with their payment gateway.. why only Microsoft? and support for customized ringtone comes in 3rd party jailbreak & hacks.. this is nonsense.. unable to play video's sound via BT headsets.. this is another major issue that should have been address in NODO.. not sure if its even IN mango update..

How to ‘Developer Unlock’ WP7 without Chevron, and keep it Unlocked- for LG WP7..

Source: http://www.lg-phones.org/lg-optimus-7-hidden-menu.html
Source: http://www.wp7forum.com/windows-mobile-store/lg-unlock-and-prevent-relocking-using-mfg-app/

1.   Enable the hidden menu ‘MFG’
In call menu enter ##634# and press call button
in the application menu use MFG and enter the password: 277634#*# and press enter

2.   Go to Engineer Menu -> Other Settings -> Edit Registry
3.   Set your ROOT PATH to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE"
4.   Set your input path to "\Comm\Security\LVMod"
5.   Set your input key to "DeveloperUnlockState" and set to DWORD
6.   Hit Query. Output result should return a "0". If it does continue.
7.   Set your input data box to "1" and hit SET. Output result should be 1

How To Keep Your Phone Unlocked

You can keep your phone unlocked and prevent Zune from re-locking it.

1.  Open the MFG app and use the password to open it. If you don't know it's (appmfg#*#)
2.  Go to Engineer Menu -> Other Settings -> Edit Registry
3.  Set your ROOT PATH to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE"
4.  Set your input path to "\Software\Microsoft\DeviceReg"
5.  Set your input key to "PortalUrlProd" and set to DWORD
6.  Hit Query. Output result should return data. If it does continue.
7.  Keep your input data box empty and hit SET. Output result should be 0
8.  Keep this screen open and continue to Part 2

NEXT

1. Set your ROOT PATH to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE"
2. Set your input path to "\Software\Microsoft\DeviceReg"
3. Set your input key to "PortalUrlInt" and set to DWORD
4. Hit Query. Output result should return data. If it does continue.
5. Keep your input data box empty and hit SET. Output result should be 0
6. Backout to the password screen and shutdown the phone via powerbutton.
7. Reboot and sync. Your phone should stay unlocked.

How to Re-Lock your Phone

1.   Open the MFG app and use the password to open it. If you don't know it's (appmfg#*#)
2.   Go to Engineer Menu -> Other Settings -> Edit Registry
3.   Set your ROOT PATH to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE"
4.   Set your input path to "\Comm\Security\LVMod"
5.   Set your input key to "DeveloperUnlockState" and set to DWORD
6.   Hit Query. Output result should return a "1". If it does continue.
7.   Set your input data box to "0" and hit SET. Output result should be 0
8.   Your phone is now locked. To Unlock the phone redo the above steps but set back to "1"

After making these changes, chevron will not see device to relock or unlock..

4th & Mayor- Alternative Foursquare App for Windows Phone 7

Source: http://www.4thandmayor.com/

Embarrassed to say, the official FourSquare app for Windows Phone 7, has never ran well. There is many complaints at the review page in market place, but looks like no one has taken any initiative to get it fixed (until recently, foursquare announced they will be launching a new app for windows phone 7, after launching its new version for iPhone & Android). The bugs are: unable to log in, crashes (the crash is so severe that you have to re-install the app to get it running again. I myself must have re-installed this app 5-6 times before giving up)

But currently, the foursquare app doesn’t work anymore. We can’t even log on to foursquare.

It is then, we found 4th & Mayor. A 3rd party FourSquare app developed by Jeff Wilcox.

Jeff Wilcox is a software developer who lives in Seattle and loves client software development. Passionate about tech, great user experience, and a good challenge, he can often be found traveling the world speaking at conferences and meeting with technical developers everywhere - checking in to foursquare along the way.

Jeff maintains a blog dedicated to Silverlight and Windows Phone development. You can find that online at http://www.jeff.wilcox.name/, and Jeff's on Twitter as @jeffwilcox, too.

4th & Mayor was initially created to be a ‘Premium’ foursquare app for windows phone 7, but unfortunately, with the sudden death of foursquare official app since 11th March 11, Jeff Wilcox decided to make the app, free.. Which, to me, is damn good.

Here’s some screen shots.

     

This app is currently awaiting pending Marketplace Approval, but is available for public download (for those whose phone is unlocked or ‘Developer Unlocked’)

Please click here for instructions to unlock your phone

Please click here to download the XAP file for 4th & Mayor by Jeff Wincox

Enjoy!

Custom Ringtones on WP7.. using ChevronWP7 RingTone

As promised, this is my guide on how to create your very own custom ringtones.

NOTE, YOU WILL NEED TO UNLOCK YOUR WP7 BEFORE YOU CAN CUSTOMISE YOUR RINGTONE.
if you still have not unlock your phone, here’s a guide I’ve written yesterday on how to unlock your phone: http://www.haroldchia.com/2011/01/unlocking-windows-phone-7-via-chevron.html

Okay.. lets start with the guide.

First of all, you will need the following tools.
1. Zune Software (http://www.zune.net/en-US/products/software/download/default.htm)
2. Chevron WP7 Ringtone (http://www.mediafire.com/?j816yv06f07fhox)
3. Windows Phone 7 SDK (http://create.msdn.com/en-us/home/getting_started)
4. Microsoft Expression Encoder 4 Free Edition (http://www.microsoft.com/expression/products/Encoder4_Overview.aspx)

Step 1: Choose what songs you want. You can select up to maximum of 5 ringtones everytime you send it to your phone.
Step 2: Run Chevron WP7 Ringtone application. It will then build a xap file named: ChevronWP7.Ringtones.xap
Step 3: Connect your phone to your PC via USB. Make sure Zune is running in the background and is connected to your phone.
Step 4: Run the application ‘Application Deployment’ (Free application that came with Windows Phone 7 SDK)
Step 5: From ‘Application Deployment’, select the XAP you created earlier and click on DEPLOY.
Step 6: Go to your WP7, look for the application ‘Chevron WP7 Ringtone’. Run the application.
Step 7: You can now see the custom ringtones in your list of ringtones.

VIOLA! its that simple.

Repeat steps 1 to 7 if you want to add more ringtones.

Unlocking Windows Phone 7, via Chevron Unlocking Tools

After several weeks of using windows phone 7, I really cannot stand using this phone without custom ringtones.. they built-in ringtone is really bad..
But I’ll touch on that subject later. First, let me guide everyone through unlocking your Windows Phone 7. I tested it on my LG Optimus 7 E900. And no problems occur.
Background : This works on my system, Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit System and LG Optimus 7.
First of all, this is a list of tools you will need.
1. Zune Software (http://www.zune.net/en-US/products/software/download/default.htm)
2. Chevron WP7 Software [Link Removed]
3. Chevron WP7 Cert [Link Removed]
4. Windows Phone 7 SDK (http://create.msdn.com/en-us/home/getting_started)
Step 1: Install Zune Software on your PC
Step 2: Install Windows Phone 7 SDK
Step 3: Email Chevron WP7 Cert (The Cert File itself, and not the zip file) to your own email address linked to your Windows Phone 7
Step 4: Open the Chevron WP7 Cert file from your phone to install it to your phone
Step 5: *Restart your phone*
Step 6: Connect your phone to your PC via USB. Make sure Zune starts up and can detect your phone properly
Step 7: Disable your phone’s locking screen via settings –> System –> Lock & Wallpaper –> Password –> Off
Step 8: Run Chevron WP7 Software
Step 9: Select both ‘Ensure your phone isn’t PIN-locked’ and ‘Install Certificate blabla..’
Step 10: Click on ‘UNLOCK’
DONE ! !


Troubleshooting: What if I encounter the following screen:

Solution: Make sure it IS connected and that ZUNE is running in the background of your PC and ZUNE can detect your phone.


That’s it.. isn’t it easy? Now I can enjoy an unlocked WP7 device I paid for.
Now your device can handle custom ringtones. My guide on that coming soon.