T610 unbranding

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valaqui

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#564 27-Sep-2003 08:10

Hi,

Can anyone advise on the best way to get this done in NZ, ie remove Vodafone icons etc.

Also is it 'safe' ?

Thanks

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70 posts

Master Geek

#2038 30-Oct-2003 21:47

HI,

One would ask why???

Vodafone Live Rocks!

The problem if you find a Sony Ericsson web site and actually manage to upgrade the firmware it would also void the phone warranty and if the phone was ever serviced it would end up with V Live software anyway. Also bear in mind as these types are phones can have a better user experance by way of software upgrade for games etc you would miss out on this.

I have seen some phones imported into NZ that dont have the V Live software and when serviced they will get the V Live software.

I say why fight it as V live is global and the Jave games etc are being written for V Live optimised software and having a V Live phone well give you a better user experance.

muppet

2566 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2255 24-Nov-2003 14:28

I don't know what planet you're on, but Live! does NOT rock.
It's a laughable joke.

valaqui: I have the equipment to debrand your phone if you're intereted.

Tim

Audiophiles are such twits! They buy such pointless stuff: Gold plated cables, $2000 power cords. Idiots.

OOOHHHH HYPERFIBRE!

Mobileguy

70 posts

Master Geek

#2256 24-Nov-2003 15:57

Hi everyone,

Be warned that unbranding your phone may void your service warranties and if you do have to take the phone in for servicing it will generally get updated with the V Live software.

See these guys for advice:

MobilefoneRepair.com Limited Free Calling:
0508 REPAIR or
0508 737247
Auckland
09 917 4797
09 917 4700
89 Carbine Road, Mt Wellington

Wellington
04 473 3530
Plimmer Lane, Level 4, Plimmer City Tower

Christchurch
03 366 0015
81 Moorehouse Ave, Christchurch

Accord Customer Care Solutions
Free Calling:
0800 2 FIX FONE or
0800 2 349366
Auckland
09-526 7900
09-526 7901
590 Great South Road, Ellerslie

Wellington
04 471 5720
04 471 5721
Level 1, Accord Centre 330 Lambton Quay

I personally would ignore previous comments on V live as one users experience is not the norm. I personally use V live and it’s an awesome service compared to other WAP services and what was the previous Vodafone offering. V Live is what is coming in the way of 3G and it’s only the beginning of a whole new customer experience.

It is always a case when one person berates a service without saying what they find wrong as it generally ones experience is not everyone’s experience and the amount of users for V Live is anything to go by its a huge success for Vodafone and users.

muppet

2566 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2257 24-Nov-2003 16:29

Valid points.

Yes, unbranding your phone will most probably invalidate your warranty.
Certainly don't get it done if you are worried about these sorts of things, or if the phone isn't yours to get debranded (ie belongs to your company)
My phone has developed a hardware fault so I'll be taking it in for servicing. I'm interested to see if they claim the software upgrade/debranding I've done somehow has invalided a hardware warranty. I suspect they answer will be yes.

I tried to get my phone debranded at one of the shops you listed (MobilePhoneRepair.com) and they said they can't do it because they don't have unbranded firmware. I spoke to Vodafone, they confirmed that all T610s sold in NZ must have Vodafone Live software on them. I've even heard of people taking their Australian purchased (and unbranded) phone out there for a firmware upgrade only to get it back with Vodafone Live all over it.

Let me justify my comments on Vodafone Live!

As a service I don't have any problem with it, it has it's place and it offers things that I guess a number of consumers will want. I can't really fault the service, it does what it says it does and it does it with relative ease.
I have found much better (free) wap sites, ringtones, themes and games on the web than what Live offers you, and I can't think of anyone that uses Live but my experience probably isn't the norm and isn't really my point anyway.

My major complaint with Vodafone Live and the T610 is that the firmware is so terribly butchered by Vodafone. The nice SonyEricsson icons in the main menu are gone, replaced by the most ugly of Vodfone Live! icons.
There are 3 seperate buttons on the Live T610 that by default that take you to Vodafone Live with a single press, not to mention that "More Themes" and "More Sounds" all send you off to Vodafone Live.
The right button on an unbranded phone offers a quick menu to turn on and off your Bluetooth/IR. This is turned into a Live! button with the Vodafone firmware. Why? The button o the side of the phone does exactly the same thing. Both are easy to bump. Indeed, I think the button on the side is a design fault, it will always take you to your default WAP site.

Vodafone are shoving Vodafone Live! down your throat, regardless of the fact you probably don't want that. They make it as hard as possible to go to other wap sites, and charge $3 for "polyphonic ringtones" which are nothing more than MIDI files you can easily upload to your phone anyway.
There is no doubt Vodafone Live has a place in the consumer market. When I purchase a T610 however I don't want it shoved in my face, as to me it's not something I use.

So if anyone else feels the same, feel free to contact me and I'll fix your phone. All I charge is some beers, I'm not in it for the money, I do it because I think what Vodafone have done to the T610 is pathetic..

Tim

PS: I'm curious, what services that Live offers do you think rock? I've played with it a fair bit and I can't see anything on there that's much good. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough though, or is it because I'm not willing to pay any money? ;)

Audiophiles are such twits! They buy such pointless stuff: Gold plated cables, $2000 power cords. Idiots.

OOOHHHH HYPERFIBRE!

Mobileguy

70 posts

Master Geek

#2258 24-Nov-2003 17:02

Hi everyone,

Wow what a great post and some good info.

I cant comment on why Vodafone have changed the logos but I do now is that all Vodafone screen logos are the same on all V Live handsets and on all the Vodafone V live networks so they all have the same Vodafone brand and feel.

The changing of the menu items maybe something that needs to be looked into and I am sure Vodafone will take onboard your comments and perhaps you should contact them for a response.

I have personally downloaded the Big Bass fishing game and so has everyone else in our office. We actually started up an office challenge to see who could get the biggest fish. The winner of the trophy was a rather large 90.6 kg fish. I only got to 20 + kg so sad. This game once you started was challeng and once the competitive nature kicked in it was no holds barred kick arse action.

At the moment Laura is the new challenge.

Yes admittedly the current games are like early dos games for your PC but look where they have ended up. I remember Duke Nukem on my PC that is like the current Laura Croft game on the phone and with 3G next year from Vodafone the Java games will start to mirror what has happened on your PC at home.

Check out www.java.com

Glazza

279 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#2267 25-Nov-2003 19:21

I have had my T610 completely debranded and its great.

You go from having a poor quality 4 colour Vodafone Live icons on your menu to have the original Sony Ericsson icons on your menu.

Also post debranding you can apply themes to the phone which don't look out of place because of the red Live! button, you don't accidentally connect to Live every 5 minutes, and the live button becomes a very useful More button.

The phone also seems to run a little faster, and have better battery life.... this could also well been the case as the vodafone 'enhancments' could well slow down the phone.

Anyway, just my two cents.

JamBoy

14 posts

Geek

#2332 2-Dec-2003 23:53

How would I get my T610 unbranded here in Oz? The side button is starting to annoy me, and going into the menus to turn BT on/off is a real pain.

JamBoy

Equinox IT

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gremin

1 post

Wannabe Geek

#2388 9-Dec-2003 20:19

Does anyone know how to do this in NZ? And my 2c: Vodafone live is crap: It should be a service you opt for not get given and cannot turn down/.

Glazza

279 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#2439 16-Dec-2003 15:49

I know someone who can do this for you.

If you email me your details (click on the email button below), I will get him to contact you.

Are you in the Auckland area??

Hugo

23 posts

Geek

#2469 18-Dec-2003 11:19

Hey Unison

A friend of mine wants go get his SE unbranded. Would be great if you could drop me an email, I can't seem to get yours through the site.

Cheers,
Hugo

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

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Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#2531 25-Dec-2003 17:02

The Live! branding ruins a great fone. The biggest annoyance as others have mentioned is that the right function button should take you to the SE shortcuts menu, instead you have to push the joystick and then '3' to get to the same menu. The button on the side already takes you to the Live! menu so it seems rather pointless having 2 buttons doing the same thing!

The unbranded phone also lacks some of the crap photos which take up a lot of space and also doesn't crash constanantly in WAP like the R3B Live! software. I believe the R3C software runs slightly faster and solve some issues but I've been meaning to go into Mobile Fone Repair for quite some time to see if they have the new software.

peteremcc

250 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#2533 26-Dec-2003 00:21

I have contacted vodafone with the following message, comments welcome.

-------------------------------

Vodafone Live Customised Mobile Phones

I'm e-mailing you regarding the customisation of mobiles by Vodafone to connect them to Vodafone Live.

In many cases, for some people, this customisation can have a negative impact on the phone.

In specific I will refer to the Sony Ericsson T610. Three buttons on the phone link to Vodafone Live not to mention multiple links within the menu. The buttons on the phone are easily accidentally pushed and would surely be used better such as the "TURN OFF/ON BLUETOOTH/INFARED" which now leads to the Vodafone Live Homepage and can only be done now by navigating the menu.

Within the phones Operating System, many high quality Sony Ericsson Logos which match the color schemes in all the profiles have been changed to Vodafone and Vodafone Live logos which are low quality and frankly stand out like a sore (RED) thumb, ESPECIALLY when themes are changed to other colors.

I have no probles with customisations which benefit the user but they should not remove functionality from the phone and as mentioned I have no problem with a Vodafone logo instead of a Sony Ericsson logo as long as enough effort is put into its design to make sure it looks good in all themes/places in the phone.

Finally I have heard (un-confirmed/tested) that the Vodafone customisation can actually have a detrimental effect on the performace of the phone. I would certainly hope that this was not the case and the customisation would be pointless if it were true.

Thank You

Peter

--------------------------------------

Mobileguy

70 posts

Master Geek

#2640 6-Jan-2004 15:04

Hi all,

I have contacted Vodafone on unbranding of the Sony Ericsson t610 and this is their reply.

"This handset has been customised specifically for Vodafone live! in conjunction with the manufacturer" to offer the user the best experience of Vodafone live! and the services offered on it.

Vodafone have had very positive feedback from customers on how easy Vodafone live! is to use.

Vodafone appreciate the feedback we receive regarding the usability of this specific handset and will ensure that it is passed on to the handset design team for future Sony Ericsson Vodafone live! handsets”

If you have any further questions or feedback please contact us.

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/contactus/index.jsp

Glazza

279 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#2641 6-Jan-2004 15:07

When you use both the Live! and standard SE T610... you will never want to use the Live one again!

Vodafone try to protect there product... but every vodafone person who has played with my unbranded T610 thinks it is better...

sbiddle

30853 posts

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Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#2651 7-Jan-2004 18:24

Did you really think Vodafone would say any different? The people that answer their customer service emails are hopeless anyway, I've emailed them several times over the past 2 years trying to find out an answer to a coverage issue (poor coverage in a particular sector of a cellsite which is probably a fault with the site) but I suspect most emails probably get a stock standard form letter and don't go any further..:-(
I also sent an email asking how the local cellsite here managed to die around 8 or 9 times last year, typically crashing late at night and taking until mid morning to restore coverage. Vodafones response was that they weren't aware of any issues. I don't believe their network monitoring people are that useless..

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