My NZ experiences with the Google N1 Phone

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1841 posts

Uber Geek

#293531 27-Jan-2010 17:02

OK, I tried CoPilot and returned it. The were inaccuracies in the map, directions tended to be given late and overall, I found the interface quite messy to use.
Google maps is not really an option unless you have someone reading out the turn instructions and it does not orientate to the direction of travel.
I suspect that with the announcement from Nokia recently, it wont be too long before Google make Navigation available for the rest of us but it remains to be seen how expensive this will be in terms of data use, has anyone done any tests on this?
My ideal solution would be to see Garmin produce an Android version of Mobile XT, a nice piece of software with the huge advantage that NZ maps are available for free and are updated every week.

I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

jamesyb0i

86 posts

Master Geek

#293533 27-Jan-2010 17:09

If you try to use navigation by saing "navigate to auckland museum" etc it will start navigation and although it says 'not available in your area' it will create the following on your sdcard:
google_maps_navigation\cache.

lchiu7

6476 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#293620 27-Jan-2010 20:32

I agree with most of the comments on CoPilotLive but for $88 to get a reasonable GPS device for both NZ and Aus it's hard to beat. So long as it doesn't get you lost, it should be okay!

As for when the Navigate function might work outside of the US, here is Google's official response

http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Google+Mobile/thread?tid=5f5674323c92ca9e&hl=en

Data charges might kill you and in NZ where there is spotty cell coverage between the main centres, it might not be that useful anyway.

[EDIT]

Just got a tweet from Copilotlive saying they have just released an upgrade to the software that corrects a number of problems with the Android platform. I downloaded it (coudn't do it from the Apps store for some reason) and so will be testing that out.

http://blog.us.copilotlive.net/?p=271

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

helicrew

77 posts

Master Geek

#295328 2-Feb-2010 10:46

Loving my N1 so far, battery life seems pretty darned good compared to my old Octa! I'm going through a conditioning cycle to get the max out of it.

Anyone know if the OTA updates will be available to us in NZ? I am running it on 2 degrees at the moment - until our company changes to VF in a couple of weeks. Then I may be looking for some 3g setup advice.

Handcent is a great app for SMS too.

jamesyb0i

86 posts

Master Geek

#295786 3-Feb-2010 17:55

Hey guys and, gals? Nexus One update is here if you didn't notice! Doubt OTA (over the air) update will come to NZ so I'm writing a little method although im sure you'll figure it out yourself, note this probably will wipe your phone to factory setup in the process

http://android.modaco.com/content/google-nexus-one-nexusone-modaco-com/301729/02-feb-ere27-full-new-update-in-main-update-zip-radio-update-zip-insecure-boot-image-and-superboot-image/

Steps:

1. Download the files (just the first 2 if you don't want root permissions) as well as the Android SDK ( http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html )
2. Download a custom recovery ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=611829&highlight=RECOVERY )
3. Install the SDK (to your root drive, like C:) and get your PC to recognise your phone (make sure in your androids settings under applications usb debugging is enabled)
4. Plug in to USB and Copy the two update files to your phones SD card (main update and radio)
5. Shutdown the phone, reboot while holding the trackball down to get into fastboot mode
6. Your PC should detect and install some drivers, this is why we need the SDK, if it fails try direct your computer to the SDK directory (android-sdk-windows/usb_driver)
7. Open up command prompt (windows key + R, type cmd)
8. Type 'fastboot devices'. you should see something returned, if not, drivers aren't quite there yet..
9. type 'fastboot oem unlock' WARNING THIS WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY - and add a padlock symbol to your boot logo (this step is probably not necessary if you just want the update and not root access)
10. In CMD navigate to where you downloaded the recovery.img file in step 2 and type 'fastboot flash recovery [recovery.img]' (should be recovery-RA-nexus-v1.5.3.img)
11. Now you're set, navigate in the fastboot menu on your phone, and select HBOOT
12. in HBOOT you should see 'recovery', choose that. It will load the custom recovery image we flashed.
13. Once in the recovery menu, hit update and choose the first file in step 1, this will install the new update.
14. Do the same with radio update, it will ask you to reboot during this process
15. Now you should have the new update and the new radio - enjoy multitouch maps, gallery and browser
16. Get the phone back into fastboot mode if you got the boot image files for root access
17. Go back to CMD and make sure you're in the same directory as the files
18. Type: 'fastboot flash boot boot.ERE27.insecure.img' and when that's done type 'fastboot boot boot.ERE27.superboot.img'

That should be it. Correct me if I'm wrong

Kickass

292 posts

Ultimate Geek

#295802 3-Feb-2010 18:53

Thats a bit over the top to apply the update.

just download the right zip file from xda dev (use google)
and change it to update.zip place in SD root DIR and reset phone in bootloader and install....

twistadias

26 posts

Geek

#295828 3-Feb-2010 20:45

Just found these instructions for installing the update without rooting

http://forum.xda-developers.co...

Hi,

I have found out a way to update the Nexus One to the new OTA that Google is pushing through, the one including multi-touch everywhere.

Go to the URL below:
http://www.mediafire.com/?rgnj...
and download.

Then save on to your sd card, not in any folders, and rename it update.zip (windows users just rename it update, .zip will come by itself)

1) Turn off your phone.
2) Turn on by holding down Power and the Trackball
3)Select Bootloader (Selection instructions on the top of screen)
4)Select recovery
5)An Android-Bot will come standing next to an open box
6)Press down Power and Volume Up
7)Select apply update.zip
8) Enjoy!

All the credits go to Fabolous from AndroidForums.com

EDIT: yay it works :D

Sharesies kids

Free kids accounts - trade shares and funds (NZ, US) with Sharesies (affiliate link).

lchiu7

6476 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#295830 3-Feb-2010 20:48

Here are the full instructions

http://androidcommunity.com/guide-to-manually-updating-the-nexus-one-20100202/

I think I will give it a shot. We won't ever get notified because apparenlty Google sends out a text message to you to say an update is available

[edit]

OK I did it. Firmware now shows 2.1-update1. Not sure what difference there is but will start playing

OK - a quick one. The pink tinge from the camera has gone and now multitouch works :-)

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

jamesyb0i

86 posts

Master Geek

#295834 3-Feb-2010 21:08

twistadias: Just found these instructions for installing the update without rooting
http://forum.xda-developers.co...

Wish I knew about that before I did all those steps lol... When I chose recovery I didn't know what to do when it showed the logo of the android and the unpacking box

lchiu7

6476 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#295975 4-Feb-2010 10:28

OK. How many N1 users here have applied the update and what is your experience?

For my it's mostly positive. The camera is good now, I don't see to get so many spurious popups and it seems the keyboard is more accurate than before. But it's not perfect - I still occasionally have to press buttons more than once. I do find that the menu keys often work better if you slide your finger over them, rather than just press them.

Still what it signals is, that the problems appear to be mainly in software so another firmware release might provide even more fixes.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

jamesyb0i

86 posts

Master Geek

#295987 4-Feb-2010 11:04

I don't think they keyboard calibration is fixed I noticed the bug one time after update.

Anyways, what you guys think of this?

FoxyLad

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#296921 7-Feb-2010 22:10

My Nexus got the update automatically. Multitouch now works in Gallery, haven't noticed any other differences.

If anyone has difficulty getting outbound SMS going on Vodafone, see http://www.geekzone.co.nz/foru... which explains how to get it working. Otherwise everything worked as soon as I popped in my Vodafone SIM, including 3G.

lchiu7

6476 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#296967 8-Feb-2010 08:57

No problem with SMS inbound or outbound - just popped the SIM as you describe. I did have to fiddle about to get MMS to work though but I am not entirely sure why since the settings looked okay to me.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

marak210

17 posts

Geek

#297047 8-Feb-2010 13:48

Wonder why they didn't implement a front facing camera, i dont use video calling often but it would have been nice.

In any case video calling should be possible, as a Nokia E63 doesnt have a front facing camera but allows video calling through the main camera.. not too practical but hey thats what mirrors are for!

helicrew

77 posts

Master Geek

#297621 10-Feb-2010 12:12

What is everyone using for screen protectors, I just got a 'Skinomi' one from the US but it says not to turn the phone on for 12 hrs after fitting it! Can't wait that long in my profession, so are there other/better ones?

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