Stock AT&T Tilt ROM - Any reason to stick with it?

[Entropy512]

I'm considering switching to the HTC ROM sooner rather than later (to avoid having to reinstall everything I'm about to install/sync...)

As I see it the reasons to switch to the HTC ROM are:
Less bloat
Less "demoware" bloat
Is WorldCard Mobile in the ROM or on a seperate CD?
Less "pay AT&T more money to use this feature" bloat
Less bloat
Much nicer theme and home screen

Reasons not to switch:
Built-in IM client of the Tilt (How does it compare to IM+? If it's worse I'd be installing IM+ anyway...)
Anything else??? Is there anything the AT&T ROM has that the HTC rom does not that I'm not aware of?

[gregross]

The IM client is OZ communications - not bad. I believe the files you need are visibile in the \windows directory. I think the two you want are:

C_OZPocketPC
OZIM_HomePlug_20Jul07

I'm guessing these are AT&T specific so likely not to work on other carriers.

[e-dub]

that aim client is available here...

eric b

[sirsycho]

not sure if it's just a demo or not but Sprite Backup is on the ATT ROM.

If you don't count Ms PacMan, that's pretty much the only useful difference that I saw.

[Entropy512]

So far no reason to stay. Good, since I now have the HTC rom going through the customization procedure since there was basically no feedback indicating I should stay. :)

Edit: WorldCard Mobile is in the ROM! :)

[mikeeey]

HTC ROM!
its faster, more memory, more everything, except junk!

[robroth]

I'm running the HTC ROM on my 8925 and am considering switching back.

HTC benefits
- Business card scanner
- less bloat
- remap PTT button (can be done on ATT with regedit)
- HTC Today plugin (can be installed on ATT anyway)
- No embarrassing WHOOSH on startup
- TouchFlo!!!

ATT advantages
- more games (i think, unless those are demos that came with it)
- No GPS 'bootstrap' required. I found that with ATT ROM, I could
run any GPS app and it worked. With the HTC ROM, I had to first
run GPSViewer to initialize the GPS before any other app would work.
If I didn't do that first, GoogleMaps would report no GPS hardware detected.
This is why I'm considering switching back to ATT. AFAIK, nobody else
has reported this so perhaps it's just my unit.

Really the ONLY big thing I liked about the HTC was the business card scanner application. OH!! I forgot TouchFlo on the HTC ROM. That's pretty killer as well.

[BeyondtheTech]

Sorry if it sounds n00bish since it's been a while since my last HTC device, and I'm planning on picking up a Tilt shortly...

Are the customizations hardwired in ROM or the Extended ROM that we used to modify and customize with our own CABs? I'm thinking if it's the latter, we'd just pull out files from both to build our own setup of what we like.

[perdurabo2]

OH!! I forgot TouchFlo on the HTC ROM. That's pretty killer as well.

TouchFlo is on the Tilt ROM, too.

[jeffreycentex]

- No GPS 'bootstrap' required. I found that with ATT ROM, I could
run any GPS app and it worked. With the HTC ROM, I had to first
run GPSViewer to initialize the GPS before any other app would work.
If I didn't do that first, GoogleMaps would report no GPS hardware detected.
This is why I'm considering switching back to ATT. AFAIK, nobody else
has reported this so perhaps it's just my unit.

I don't have to do that...

Google Maps will load the GPS, but it will usually timeout the first time while it is acquiring a lock. Hit retry and then you should get a lock fast.

I'm actually getting better success and faster locks with the HTC ROM than with the Tilt ROM...

[robroth]

I don't have to do that...

Google Maps will load the GPS, but it will usually timeout the first time while it is acquiring a lock. Hit retry and then you should get a lock fast.

I'm actually getting better success and faster locks with the HTC ROM than with the Tilt ROM...

good to know. the camera GPS (After enabled via registry) also worked without 'bootstrapping'.

[Bweintraub]

There seems to be a big discrepancy with people that have the Tilt saying that they do not think they have the TouchFLO feature. Is there a difference between the HTC ROM and ATT Tilt ROM for TOuchFLO? Anyone have experience with both?

[robroth]

There seems to be a big discrepancy with people that have the Tilt saying that they do not think they have the TouchFLO feature. Is there a difference between the HTC ROM and ATT Tilt ROM for TOuchFLO? Anyone have experience with both?

I didnt notice it on the Til0 ROM before I replaced it. There should be an icon in settings>system (there is on the HTC)

[tilter]

Just bought a tilt online via business account. I signed up for TeleNav because I was under the impression that this was needed for GPS function. Reading some of the above info, it seems that all I need is Google maps or the equivalent. Is that true?

[robroth]

Just bought a tilt online via business account. I signed up for TeleNav because I was under the impression that this was needed for GPS function. Reading some of the above info, it seems that all I need is Google maps or the equivalent. Is that true?

you do not need telenav, though it might be better than google maps. you can use any gps software on the phone.

[gregross]

I'm running the HTC ROM on my 8925 and am considering switching back...

the startup animation can be manipulated via the HKLM\Software\HTC\StartupAnimation key.

image, sound, volume. enable/disable

TouchFlo is on the tilt - not the cube but the scrolling

g

[robroth]

the startup animation can be manipulated via the HKLM\Software\HTC\StartupAnimation key.

image, sound, volume. enable/disable

TouchFlo is on the tilt - not the cube but the scrolling

g

No cube on the HTC either, so it sounds like it's the same. There is a flash based cube one can install, but it slows down the phone too much.

[ZzFDKzZ]

I'm using the ATT Rom and I want that Business card scanner! Someone make a cab out of it :-p

[y2whisper]

if you are using the ATT rom then you should already have it world card mobile

[robroth]

if you are using the ATT rom then you should already have it world card mobile

Worldcard Mobile does not come with the ATT ROM.

[t3t5u0]

you do not need telenav, though it might be better than google maps. you can use any gps software on the phone.

FYI... Live Mobile supports the Kaiser GPS fine if you are looking to test or painlesslessy get GPS running.

1. Open mobile browser, go to "http://wls.live-int.com"
2. install for Pocket PC
3. Run cab
4. Go to Start "Live Search"
5. "Menu", "Settings", change GPS to "GPS COM4" (default for Tilt)
6. Go to Live Search Home screen and select "Map"
7. "Menu" and "Center on GPS".

The Kaiser GPS is not always reliable, but it does work. Typically the location arrow will stay gray for 10-30 seconds and it will turn orange and center your current location. Obviously works better outside.

Unfortunately, we (Microsoft) had the new Sprint talking version of Live Search posted as dogfood and it has since been removed from a public link. I'll update if it becomes available again.

This isn't as sexy as TomTom I'm sure, but it is free and small to install and has full search functionality.

Enjoy folks... keep up the great work... this community rocks!

[bigmunny]

good to know. the camera GPS (After enabled via registry) also worked without 'bootstrapping'.

I have used TomTom, Google and the GPS camera with no issues.

[ziddey]

I just switched from att to htc firmware. So far I like it a lot more. This is my first windows phone, and personally I find it a lot more sluggish and less productive than I expected it to be. I was originally wanting to sell my laptop to offset the cost of the phone, but now am not so sure. I'm sure once I learn to appreciate it (fastly coming), it'll be great.

That said, the gps seems to be much better. Before I had to use a program to jumpstart it, and then goto google maps. Now, only the first time, I had a trouble getting gps lock. But after retrying google maps a few times, it's able to lock a signal within the time google maps allots, usually in 10-15 seconds.

I'm sure the gps is coincidental, but it seems to be great. This time around, I did not set google maps to use com4 4800. I just kept it at use windows settings. Maybe that did it.

I also got it unlocked and am actually using it as a phone now.

I have the basic tzones through my dealer plan, which didn't work for most applications back when I used it with my nokia 6682 s60. However, everything seems to be working fine with the windows phone.

I had an issue with email not wanting to work with setting it to use "The internet". However, if I set it to use tmobile, it'll work fine. And when I'm connected to the internet via another source (wifi, bluetooth, usb), it'll still switch over, so no complaints there either.

HTC's app for the today is ok, but I wish it handled more.

Still don't know all too much about this windows mobile. I need to find a way to get the windows media player on the today screen again.

Are there any adapters for the miniusb that'll let me plug into 3.5mm and charge it at the same time? I'm looking to buy a microsd card and a cradle for my phone so I can use it for audio in my car / gps. I'm sure it'll drain the battery fast, so charging would be great.

[alaiwy]

For some reason when i go to the hardware section of the "Device" in the settings i don't see GPS among the chips. I am using the cooked HTC rom on a tilt and it appears as if the GPS chip is not recognized. Any ideas?

BTW: I can't get google maps or WLS to recognize that i have GPS.

[stpete111]

Question for AT&T customers here who have used BOTH the AT&T ROM and the HTC ROM...

With the HTC Rom, have you experienced any issue at all with the phone dropping the call while auto-transitioning from 3G to 2G as you drive? On my Tytn, I am always dropping calls. My route home from work takes me through an area that transitions from 3G to 2G, and without fail, 99% of the time, the call will drop there as it tries to "hand-off" to 2G.

I read somewhere that the phone needs to have an ATT Rom on it to avoid this issue, but I don't know if that's true. That's why I'm wondering if anyone has had both ATT/HTC on the Tilt to know if there is any difference in this regard?

[byrddogx]

For some reason when i go to the hardware section of the "Device" in the settings i don't see GPS among the chips. I am using the cooked HTC rom on a tilt and it appears as if the GPS chip is not recognized. Any ideas?

BTW: I can't get google maps or WLS to recognize that i have GPS.

I second that question..... I get the message on Google maps that your 'GPS receiver does not appear to be responding'.

Any ideas? It is set to COM4 / 4800.

[smayst]

I second that question..... I get the message on Google maps that your 'GPS receiver does not appear to be responding'.

Any ideas? It is set to COM4 / 4800.

My GPS software says the receiver uses COM4 at 9600 baud. Don't think that'll matter, though.

In my (limited) experience, Live Search doesn't work too well with the Tilt's GPS, and that's a bummer for me because I really like the program. However Google Maps DOES work very well with our GPS. If you can't get Google Maps to work with it, something else may be going on.

[jdmba]

Greets,

I see that there is now a cooked ROM out there, making it more attractive to move off of the AT&T ROM. But I have a N00B question that I hope someone is willing to answer ...

If you install the HTC ROM, how do you get all those AT&T specific settings back, so that you can use their network, use the internet, etc?

Thanks!

[ziddey]

Greets,

I see that there is now a cooked ROM out there, making it more attractive to move off of the AT&T ROM. But I have a N00B question that I hope someone is willing to answer ...

If you install the HTC ROM, how do you get all those AT&T specific settings back, so that you can use their network, use the internet, etc?

Thanks!

you can either program yourself or use the connection settings to pick presets

[jdmba]

you can either program yourself or use the connection settings to pick presets

Thanks for the response, but where would I get the settings to program them myself (if they were erased in the ROM change)?

[vasquja]

The HTC stock ROM will detect your network settings and ask to set them for you. It will ask you to reset your device afterward, and you're done.

[jgermuga]

As an FYI, here is what you get out of the box with the AT&T ROM. Note this does not include any of the programs on CD that you must install afterwards. The list includes the full customization and the soft reset before customization programs

AT&T Full Customization Install Menu Tree

Media Net Home
AT&T Mall
-Shop Tones
-Shop Games
-Shop Graphics
-Shop Multimedia
-Shop Applications
-Media Net Home
AT&T Music
-Music Player (Shortcut to WMP)
-Shop Music (Link to Internet Store)
-Music ID
-Streaming Music (XM Radio Demo)
-The Buzz (Music News form Billboard - Trial)
-Community (Link Failed over Wifi)
-Music Video (Link Failed over Wifi)
Games & Apps
-Brain Challenge
-Bubble Breaker
-Get TelNav (Not sure hwy this is under games)
-Jewel Quest 2
-Midnight Pool (Crashed when I tried to start it)
-MobiTV
-Ms Pacman Demo by Namco
-My Cast - Requires Airtime
-My Space Demo
-Shop Games
-Solitaire
-Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2007 Demo (Java Based and small)
Messaging
-Get Blackberry Connect (Link to site. Install went fine. Don't have BB account though)
-Instant Messenger (OZ? Can connect to AOL, MS or Yahoo
Pictures and Video
Tools
-Proxy Manager
-Adobe Reader LE
-Bluetooth Explorer
-Calculator
-Camera
-File Explorer
-Java
-QuickGPS
-Search
-SIM Manager
-Sprite Back Up
-Voice Recorder (HTC V 1.10 (Build 611.711)
-Voice Speed Dial
-Zip
Active Sync
Cellular Video (We are temporarily experiencing technical difficulties)
Notes
Push to Talk
Windows Media
Tasks

Memory Usage
Program In Use 26.77
Storage In Use 27.74


After Install and Cancelling Customizations
Pictures and Video
Active Sync
Notes
Push to Talk
Windows Media
Games
-Buble Breaker
-Get TeleNav
-Solitaire
-Ms PacMan Demo
Adobe Reader LE
Bluetooth Explorer
Calculator
Camera
Comm Manager (Old Wizard Style)
File Explorer
Internet Sharing
Java
QuickGPS
RealPlayer
Search
SIM Manager
Sprite Backup
Tasks
Voice Recorder
Voice Speed Dial
Zip


Memory Usage
Program In Use 28.02
Storage In Use 10.12

[species8472_rules]

Question for AT&T customers here who have used BOTH the AT&T ROM and the HTC ROM...

With the HTC Rom, have you experienced any issue at all with the phone dropping the call while auto-transitioning from 3G to 2G as you drive? On my Tytn, I am always dropping calls. My route home from work takes me through an area that transitions from 3G to 2G, and without fail, 99% of the time, the call will drop there as it tries to "hand-off" to 2G.

I read somewhere that the phone needs to have an ATT Rom on it to avoid this issue, but I don't know if that's true. That's why I'm wondering if anyone has had both ATT/HTC on the Tilt to know if there is any difference in this regard?

Have not tried HTC ROM but the ATT does not drop calls during the transition from 3G to 2G.. Unforunately LIVE 2 blocks from 3G coverage in South San Jose but the rest of San Jose (and most of the Bay Area is 3G - but at work in Milpitas, 3G is hit or miss around our building for some reason - never a both with transition)... I am always on the phone when transitions happen and the call is never dropped (same for DATA). :) Hope this helps..

L8

[stpete111]

Have not tried HTC ROM but the ATT does not drop calls during the transition from 3G to 2G.. Unforunately LIVE 2 blocks from 3G coverage in South San Jose but the rest of San Jose (and most of the Bay Area is 3G - but at work in Milpitas, 3G is hit or miss around our building for some reason - never a both with transition)... I am always on the phone when transitions happen and the call is never dropped (same for DATA). :) Hope this helps..

L8

Thanks a lot for your answer. I'm going to pick up the ATT Tilt in about an hour, and I'm going to stick with their ROM for at least 30 days in case I decide I want to return it (I highly doubt I'll return it, but you never know).

I'll be hesitant to switch to the HTC Rom until I hear that a few people experience the same performance as you on the HTC Rom (inthat it doesn't drop the call during the transition). I honestly can't remember where I read that non-ATT roms will always exhibit this problem, but I just can't see how it would be true since HTC knows that the majority of people who use their phones in the US are going to be using them on ATT. But, I must say, I've experienced it firsthand with my Tytn. Hopefully the issue has been addressed in the Tytn II Rom.

[ziddey]

I remember back in the day with motorola phones, people were saying how flashing out would cause handoffs between attws and cing to have issues. Not sure what the resolution was.

[strikeIII]

I just use the ATT ROM minus all the customizations...did a soft reset before they got installed...then installed whatever I needed...it doesn't Run any faster or slower that the HTC ROM it's pretty much the same...no real reason for me to switch to the HTC ROM yet...there are HTC ROMs that people cooked with more memory available but what i got is plenty for my needs plus i have a 6G microsd card for games and bigger apps...

[galenmd]

... The list includes the full customization and the soft reset before customization programs...


Don't forget that either way, you still get a bunch of useless aac files (for ringtones and notifications) that take up about 7MB

[rhaert]

Thanks a lot for your answer. I'm going to pick up the ATT Tilt in about an hour, and I'm going to stick with their ROM for at least 30 days in case I decide I want to return it (I highly doubt I'll return it, but you never know).

I'll be hesitant to switch to the HTC Rom until I hear that a few people experience the same performance as you on the HTC Rom (inthat it doesn't drop the call during the transition). I honestly can't remember where I read that non-ATT roms will always exhibit this problem, but I just can't see how it would be true since HTC knows that the majority of people who use their phones in the US are going to be using them on ATT. But, I must say, I've experienced it firsthand with my Tytn. Hopefully the issue has been addressed in the Tytn II Rom.


I have a new Tilt with no mocifications and live on the edge of 3G coverage and have a lot of problems with dropped called as the phone switches back and forth. Sometimes the phone stalls and talks a couple of minutes to find service and lock on. This is while sitting in my house where there is a strong Edge signal and a two bar 3G signal.

What has been your experience since you got your phone?

[Alemaker]

I have a new Tilt with no mocifications and live on the edge of 3G coverage and have a lot of problems with dropped called as the phone switches back and forth. Sometimes the phone stalls and talks a couple of minutes to find service and lock on. This is while sitting in my house where there is a strong Edge signal and a two bar 3G signal.

What has been your experience since you got your phone?

Same problem here, exact-live on the edge of Edge and 3G and couldn't get a signal in my house most of the time,then I flashed Kyphur's XDA-Live with a newer radio than the stock ROM. The newer radio is sweet. Don't get 4 bars, just 2 in the house,but now my phone gets and makes calls from inside.

Alemaker

[nmtgman]

good to know. the camera GPS (After enabled via registry) also worked without 'bootstrapping'.

Hi All,

I am definitely a new to this forum, so sorry for my dumb question.

I have heard/seen several people talking about the "Camera GPS" or "GPS Camera" and was wondering exactly what this is. I would greatly appreciate any enlightening that I can get...Thanks.

[bumblefreak]

I use the AT&T ROM with the touchflow added. After taking off the bloatware it works well. One thing that you should be sure to change is your SIM card. I had an older SIM card I was using with my Treo 650, but kept experiencing dropped calls. As soon as I replaced the SIM card for the Tilt-specific one, my call/3G quality improved 100%.

I've tried the WorldCard Mobile trial software, but it doesn't export to Contacts. Without the export version, it's pretty useless as a demo version.