Why do I want WM6.5 on my BA?

[interestingfellow]

My apologies if I'm posting in the wrong area...

SO, I recently aquired an SX66 and am deciding on the 2003se Tmo rom, or WM6.5 (or whatever.

I can't find a concise answer: why do I want WM6.5?

What does it do that 2003se doesn't do, or why is it better?

Is it stable?

What are the major drawbacks to using WM6.5 on my BA?

Are there problems with going back to 2003se?

And what are the chances of bricking my device, provided I follow the instructions correctly?

AND what is (are) the most common mistake(s) that will brick my device when upgrading to 6.5 (besides cutting power/usb in process)?

I know some or all of the answers to these questions are out there (I've been looking), but it would be nice to have an idiot's single post to refer to for the most basic questions/answers.

TIA!

[Armazia]

Hi,

if I were you I would never put WM 6.5 on your BA, I don't like 6.5. I would stay 6.0 or 6.1.

But WM 6 Has more compatibility with programs and has more functionality.

I don't know if its stable, because I cant get it on my BA( I have Ran WM 6/ 6.1/6.5 on a Kaiser).

Further someone else will awnser I think :P

[interestingfellow]

Why not on your BA (do you have a ph20b?)?

[cerjam]

im not sure about your taste in operating systems but i'm a XP loving vistahater.

wm6.5 is vista merged with OSX for your 5 year old phone. I flashed one of my BAs with it last night. it was horrible. speed wise, i about threw the phone against the wall. GUI wise? No more start menu, no more programs menu, no more settings menu. it's all been replaced with that ohsowonderful honeycomb gui. sure, it MAY be better for fingers, not that the old style was that hard, but christ almighty it makes doing anything hairpull-hard.

shortversion:

go with wm2003 or wm5. i find they're faster. i prefer 2003, since it runs all in RAM.

as for your brick question, i aint too sure. i'd like to know how exactly you brick one of these meself. i can't find anything on it, the documentation of the BA is surprisngly lacking for most of this.

[cmstackar]

I like the new builds of 6.5 with the big bottom bar, but it is so much less functional. I would definitely go with something besides 6.5, although in my experience I found it faster than any other version of winmo. I have had a few lockups, but mostly just with the comm manager/internet.

[cerjam]

its hard to judge its fastness since its so..hard to navigate. i can't even read the icons, let alone try and use it.

microsoft trying to copy apple does not produce good results, methinks.

and hte new homescreen irks me. its usability is horrible, its better on blueangel but on the hermes it was just bad.

[pdahunter]

I still use WM2003 because:
1. The device is designed for this OS.
2. I don't have needless time to spent for OS experiments.
3. I like small and fast Office versions like the old Word and Excel Mobile.
4. I like the build in encryption in Excel Mobile.
5. I don't like the soft keys (>= WM5), because they replace more usable and faster menus.
6. All applications I need run under WM2003.

I'll change my OS when I change my device (currently hoping for the HTC Thoth.).

[interestingfellow]

You guys are great.

To be hones, I hate M$ (no flaming, please) and have been running Ubuntu Linux for about the last year. I especially hate Vista.

I also appriciate the insight into the feel of the WM6.5 os. I don't care about newest, latest, or greatest. I want "works great", so it looks like I'll be sticking with the Tmo 2003se rom.

Thanks ya'll.

[cerjam]

..why not install linux then? i got linux working on mine. i cant seem to interface witht he actual phone though. perhaps thats tonights project.

interesting thing to play with though.

[aperles]

You guys are great.

To be hones, I hate M$ (no flaming, please) and have been running Ubuntu Linux for about the last year. I especially hate Vista.

I also appriciate the insight into the feel of the WM6.5 os. I don't care about newest, latest, or greatest. I want "works great", so it looks like I'll be sticking with the Tmo 2003se rom.

Thanks ya'll.
I also tried Linux on my BA. It's wonderful and plenty of possibilities but ... only possibilities because the hardware is not open and people needs to hack this device.

I don't want to buy anymore a device that needs the work of some guys like xplode working hard to get these devices running properly.

I don't want to spend thousands of hours getting my 500 Eur. mobile connected to wifi. And when I ask the carrier he says me that they have no plans to solve the problem, so I solved myself the problem (thnks a lot, xda-developers).

No, no and nooo. So I decided to stay with my BA in Windows 2003se wwe and wait ...

-Hum: HTC blackstone. Very nice but Windows. No more Windows, please.
-Hum: Neo Freerunner. Open but no future.
-Hum: Iphone. Very nice. Very closed. No, thanks.
-Hum: HTC Dream. Linux but hiddenly closed Android on top capturing my traffic. NOoo.
-Hum: Palm pre. Linux but WebOS in the same way that Android or Iphone. No, thanks.
-Hum: Nokia's N900. Linux debian. Open. May be this is my phone. I will wait a couple of months to see your opinions.

Regards,
Àngel

[jilaxzone]

Why WM 6.5?
because sooner or later, it will have more compatibility than the old OS.
more compatible with the new apps, games, tools, hardware like gps, a2dp support,wifi type N,and many more.
maybe today WM 6.5 maybe still craps, have a lot of bugs,etc, but newer OS is designed to be better from the previous one, it's just about time whether m$ can make it better or just make another mistake like vista..we'll see

[cerjam]

that isnt entirely relevant to the blueangel though.

yeah. wm6.5 is the new wmstandard, so new hardware will have drivers for it and not for the others.

but we're not talking new hardware here. we're talking a device built in 2004 for wm2003, there is no new hardware for it. as for new appz and gamezzzz, wm6.5 is mostly a new interface from what ive gathered. the OS core isnt changed to the point of changing older APIs. programs should work both ways.

and sooner or later? its supposed to be replaced in a year. methinks nobody is going to jump on the bandwagon that fast.

pointis, its bad. unless you like the new interface, its no different. except slower.

[interestingfellow]

I flashed on the newest tmo uk rom for 2003se, and I'm happy with it. I"m used to the 2003/se OS, and all the progs I know about and have a copy of, work on it.

Linux seems like a great idea, but I don't have time to spend getting it right.

I might try WM5 or 6/6.5 after I get my hands on the universal that's on it's way, but I need my phone to work, and work well, right now.

[cerjam]

..i hate you. the universal needs to drop a few hundred bucks in price so i can grab 3 of them. it seems like a nicephone, i want it. damnit.

if you want i can DD my linux SDcard and upload the image. just dd it to a sd, pop it in and run haret. methinks it should work. actually im going to do that.

[cerjam]

it was quick, feel free to better clean up the article but i have created a quickstart guide using my image for linux on hte BA.

http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=BlueAngel_Linux

i'm tired and fizzled out, so anyone feel free to rewrite it to more easily understandability.

[interestingfellow]

Kind of off topic, but the linux for the BA is ran off an sd card? Kind of like a live cd that doesn't touch the roms and storage(s); just pop out the sd and soft reset, and everything is back to WM? I would totally advertise that aspect of it... it might get more people into linux for the HTC devices (or maybe I just caught up to the bandwagon)

[cerjam]

of course. thats how all linux is ran on htc phones from my knowedlge, i havent heard of anyone actually replacing WM with it.

[koalauk]

Is it stable?


Yes both 6.1 and 6.5 is stable enough.

I tried every rom and tested throughly and decided to stick to Sun Dreams 6.1 as it is very stable

What are the major drawbacks to using WM6.5 on my BA?

None


Are there problems with going back to 2003se?

Nope, as long as you dont repart you ll be ok to go back to 2003 (someone pls correct If I am wrong) But I dont think you would wanna go back to 2003se as most of the todays apps designed to run on wm5 and later

And what are the chances of bricking my device, provided I follow the instructions correctly?

Slim

Make sure no ones using the microwave washing machine and the dishwasher whilst they are hoovering :) you ll be fine. Just read the instructions over and over till you are ok with it. Patience and make sure both batteries device/laptop whatever charged up and Use XP as it makes things easy.


AND what is (are) the most common mistake(s) that will brick my device when upgrading to 6.5 (besides cutting power/usb in process)?

make sure you have the right rom !!! you ll be fine


I know some or all of the answers to these questions are out there (I've been looking), but it would be nice to have an idiot's single post to refer to for the most basic questions/answers.

I remember my first time I was totally scared !!!

[cerjam]

i wasnt scared.

i was more scared when i realized i had a flash going on my harrier and had just popped out the battery. bricked to shit.

and 2003 is better than them. faster. and fuck appcompatibility. OS speed matters more.

[dashauns]

Yeah, there are no linux or android flashable roms... yet, but in regard to reasons to upgrade

1.smooth flick (or kinetic) scrolling basically everywhere in the operated system
2.some built in app are updated i.e. internet explorer, contacts app
3.compatibilility with newer programs, alot of newer programs wont run on 2003
4.new today screen with bigger font and new plugins

If any1 would like to add feel free to do so.

[interestingfellow]

I don't want 6.5 on anything. My God, that user interface feels like pulling ground glass glued to twine out of my ass (no, I haven' actually experienced that, but it's what I imagine it would feel like).

I'm going to be looking around, but whats the newest OS that still looks or feels like 2003se? 6.1?

Thanks, and TIA!

[cerjam]

wm5. however they all feel slower, wm6.1 is just 6 with threaded SMS, which is slow.

and yes, i believe that sums up 6.5s experiance quite well.

[GilesTheAlmighty]

I got my BA on ebay for 10 pounds by accident, and i couldnt stand that all my data was lost when you take the battery out (i think the backup battery in mine is gone, as even the quickest battery change over results in data loss).

6.5 isnt for everyone, its much more finger friendly (i've lost the stylus) and is much more compatible with apps and my kaiser and windows 7.. 2003 is more if you're an 'xp kinda person'

i havnt experienced ANY of this slowness you guys talk about, try updating your radio? i just wish this thing had edge at least!

ps if you follow the instructions to the word you can't go wrong, and still there are even ways to save it! For me personally i did it after a week, for 10 pounds its no loss ;)

personal choice, you can downgrade there are guides on the Wiki!

[cerjam]

younoob is a good description of you my friend, no offense of course.

a) yes, it sounds like a flakybackup battery

b) finger friendly and god awful interface. i handle just find using my fingernail on WM5 in place of a stylus, i dont need a fucking UI that looks like its built to be used by a penis. i think most people would agree with me here, specially since it takes away from the usability of the OS.

C) more COMPATIBLE? its the same shit as wm5/6. just a new interface, and slight codechanges. the only "better compatibility" you could be talking about, would be for newer programs which usually blow anyway since any decent dev would make it for all os's rather than just one. 2003 isnt the XP of wm, WM5 is. it's clean, and runs well without bloat. if it had the ram filesystem, itd be perfect.

D) upgrading..your radio..for lag in OS. i'm sorry you must not understand the difference between software speed and internet speed. i havent even used data on my BA, but when i had 6.5 the entire OS lagged and i about threw it at the wall. opening a SMS? lolwait30seconds. opening phonedialer? LOLWAIT10SECONDS. on wm2003/5? 2s for a sms, and dialer instantly.

[interestingfellow]

I like you cerjam!

But I just tried to dial a phone number with my penis on my Sx66 2003se.... thankfully, I don't have a needledick, so I had to use my prince albert....

I'll be honest, I can't figure out how to do anything on that friggin 6.5 crap. I see a bright white spot, and what should be a start menu icon, and what wants to feel like an iphone something or other .... but I can't figure out how to do shit. I feel like a mental giant over here.....

[edit] aparently... I don't know... I'm going back to wm5.

[cerjam]

irlol DAMN RIGHT.

..

the fact that you have a prince albert is slightly disturbing to me. robin would be proud. you should watch robin williams live on broadway, it has a entertaining little bit on that.

and yap, thats about the functionalkity of wm6.5. i couldnt even navigate the settings, let alone programs. i've come to realize though, if you ever have a bluetooth anything? staywith 2003. its bluetooth functionality is 10000x better than wm5. wm5 wont even connect to my gps, completely useless.

[interestingfellow]

I also have two towel holders and a toungue "bolt".

Can't be bothered to bad, you knew what it was.

Hey, cerjam, answer this for me : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=581585

please

[ebsbow]

I think 6.5 is great.
All that nonesences about looking like Vista an Mac is just bullocks.
My BA is going six years, and with WM 6.5 and al the new apps availible, t looks and works great.
I have been through the whole range of OS versions, been back to 6.1 after an unstable 6.5, but went back to 6.5 with the new release.
I am very happy with it.
Its fast, sleek, easy to use, it all works.
Need more power, then overclock.
Just needs an camera boost.
If you want to go old skool, then go WinCe ;)
After 10 years, WinMo 6.5 is an gush of fresh air.
Then again so is the new HD2.

[interestingfellow]

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