is HTC Desire Telstra version compatible with NZ network and NZ MarketPlace???

Forums › Android › is HTC Desire Telstra version compatible with NZ network and NZ MarketPlace???

harrylin

324 posts

Ultimate Geek

Topic # 66328 17-Aug-2010 10:35

hi, im so interested in this htc desire 850mhz but its telstra branded and unlocked. here:

http://www.mobicity.com.au/htc-desire-nextg.html

i dont wanna buy a 900mhz version because vodafone 3G signal here really sucks.

i dont know whether i can use NZ MarketPlace on that telstra branded desire because its a telstra one and all the telstra rubbish, so i am afraid i will be forced to use australian marketplace and aussie dollars to pay for apps.
im not familiar with android. and i dont know if i can update its firmware to 2.2 froyo or not because its a telstra branded, im afraid there will be lots of problems... or maybe i can install a custom rom extracted from the international version of the desire.
... im choosing between this phone and a iphone 4...

please give me some more advice on andoid thanks...

eXDee

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Reply # 368651 17-Aug-2010 13:53

I have this phone. Its the A8183. The 900mhz version is the A8181.
Im currently running LeeDroid 1.8 on it which isnt specifically made for this device, in fact it makes the model number show up as A8181 in the about page. But it works perfectly fine and i had no issues flashing the ROM.

Before flashing, yes there was telstra crap on there that you couldn't remove, but you could mostly hide it out of the way.

In terms of marketplace, there is no NZ dollars marketplace. You pay for apps in the authors currency, so theres a mixture of euros, pounds and USD for all apps. The marketplace appeared to work fine before flashing a custom rom. After flashing, theres a marketplace unlocker which opens the device up to even more apps out of your region (i didnt notice anything in particular, but i suppose it gave more options?)

harrylin

324 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 368667 17-Aug-2010 14:13

And, how do you install apps?? I heard that the internal memory is very low, so you can't install many apps. Lol.
And, wil the update to froyo be pushed OTA?
And is the screen very sensitive to touch? My iPhone screen is very very sensitive.
And how about the gps?

Behodar

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Reply # 368685 17-Aug-2010 14:38

I have a Nexus One, which I believe has the same screen as the Desire. It's not as good as the iPhone screen; the "touch resolution" doesn't seem to be as high and therefore it's more difficult to accurately touch small items.

Deadpool

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Reply # 368698 17-Aug-2010 14:58

I brought the 850MHz telstra Desire from mobicity, I got it yesterday heaps of Telstra branding, I have rooted it today and that has removed all of the branding except for a quick splash screen when you first turn the device on.

qraider

374 posts

Ultimate Geek
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Reply # 369058 18-Aug-2010 08:33

Deadpool: I brought the 850MHz telstra Desire from mobicity, I got it yesterday heaps of Telstra branding, I have rooted it today and that has removed all of the branding except for a quick splash screen when you first turn the device on.

Got mine from mobicity too, works well on XT.

I've tried rooting it to get rid of the Telstra apps (shortcuts really) but got Error[140]: BOOTLOADER VERSION ERROR which is stopping me atm :(

Current Phone:
- Android: Samsung SM-G900F Galaxy S5 (XT)
- Win Phone 8: Samsung ATIV S (XT)

Current Tablet:

- Acer Iconia 7" Android Tablet

Twitter: qraider

Giggs

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Reply # 369106 18-Aug-2010 09:26

Telstra are updating to 2.2 in September if the scuttlebutt on Whirlpool forums is to be believed.

To update before that you either need to root the phone (google Unrevoked) or use a gold card to flash another (european) ROM which will then automatically update. Have a look at this link:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=7448321#post7448321

The Telstra phone works fine in NZ on XT.

Cheers

Linuxluver

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Reply # 369124 18-Aug-2010 09:46

harrylin: And, how do you install apps?? I heard that the internal memory is very low, so you can't install many apps. Lol.
And, wil the update to froyo be pushed OTA?
And is the screen very sensitive to touch? My iPhone screen is very very sensitive.
And how about the gps?

If you buy the Telstra Desire then it would be upgraded to Froyo whenever the Telstra Desires get upgraded. Your location and the network you're on won't matter.....it will even update over wifi...so the telco isn't relevant.

Froyo will ease the app storage issue a little as more and more app makers are learning to allow at least part of their apps (like the data) to be saved to sdcard instead of held in internal storage. Especially big games. But to REALLY get everything on sdcard and have effectively unlimited space you'd have to root the phone and load an alternative ROM.

Be very careful with the Desire as they have moved from AMOLED screens (from Samsung) to a different kind of screen (Super LCD) as HTC has been having supply problems with Samsung launching their own range of phones with AMOLED screens. A co-worker here flashed the "Clockwork Recovery" onto his Desire...and the screen was blank as the Clockwork Recovery did not have driver support for the new screen type. He also flashed a ROM that didn't support the new screen....and his phone booted up blank. If you called him, his phone rang - it was there and running - but there was nothing on the display. This was fixable, but annoying. Research this side of any software you flash onto the phone to be sure you won't be flying blind afterward. The latest ROMs for the Desire at Modaco.com appear to now have support for the new screens.....but DO CHECK.

If you do flash an alternate ROM, then you'll get Froyo right away, lose all the Telstra crap and gain wider market access....and the Apps2SD issue will effectively be resolved at the same time - provided you pick the right ROM. Again, check modaco.com. :-)

Take your time. Learn the phone. Learn how it's put together. Read the forums. understand the issues and opportunities and who knows how to fix any.....There is no reason to hurry. People who hurry mess things up and undergo needless stress....and of course blame the phone.

Two guys in my office have the Telstra Desire on Telecom XT and they love it. Both have now rooted their phones and are running Froyo.

I have a Nexus One. I'd recommend it as it is MUCH easier to mod....but you'd have to get the AT&T/Telecom XT flavour from mobicity.

To buy an app, you find it in the market. Touch "Install". If it's a paid app, the first time it will prompt you for credit card details and (effectively) create a Google Checkout account for you linked to the gmail address you logged into the phone on. The price is shown in the currency of the author (USD, Yen, UKP and Euros) and there will be an NZ$ estimated amount on the display if you decide to purchase. Just follow your nose and the app purchase will be authorised and the app downloaded an installed. The Market remembers...so if you flash you phone, you don't have to buy the app again.....ever. The CLOUD KNOWS. :-)

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