Have not posted in a while... But this will be my next phone... :-)
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Zapmix Light Blue for CM7 RC1
I will be adding more devices in the next few days... Nexus S first
This is still a work in progress like CM7... Enjoy!
UPDATE: All the below devices are now available...
Zapmix for Nexus S
Zapmix for Nexus One
Zapmix for Evo
Zapmix for G2
Zapmix for MT4G
This is still a work in progress like CM7... Enjoy!
UPDATE: All the below devices are now available...
Zapmix for Nexus S
Zapmix for Nexus One
Zapmix for Evo
Zapmix for G2
Zapmix for MT4G
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
An open letter to TMO executives
Why?
Its a difficult question to answer. Most of the time. Usually, its because we all know the answer, but the person answering just doesn't know how to say it.
And I suspect that this is why TMO has not ever commented on the concerns of power users.
Or simply, T-Mobile just doesnt get it.
As most of you know, I am now 99% sure that I will leave TMO this year. Its a sad, and angry moment. Sad because I have been with TMO since the Voice Stream days. Its going on 10 years.
Angry because I am now forced to break that relationship, pay a lot more money, and switch my 5 lines of service to Verizon. And of course, other will follow...
Its been a long time coming. Those of you who follow on Twitter have seen the rants since last year about why TMO cant release a device that is 4.3", Android and in the super phone category.
It started around spring last year after the announcement of the EVO. Friends of mine pointed me to the upcoming release of the G2. I thought that this may be the redemption. A worthy successor to the original.
Turns out, I, and many others were wrong. The G2 was a huge disapointment. First with the specs, then with the lock down, non root mentality, which was worthless as it was rooted anyway.
Ahhh, but there is hope my friends said... There is the MT4G coming... Great! I thought... Maybe that one will be worthy... 4.3", super phone, worthy successor of the MT3G...
Again... Huge disappointment.
And then there is the Vibrant. Great phone, but still 4", and of course, saddled with the slow updates from Samsung.
Then there was CES... There is hope I thought.
And TMO released..... the Cliq2... Wow... Another mediocre, 3.8" phone.
For those of you reading this far, you must understand that this is written from the point of view of a power user. I have 5 lines, and most of my 10 yr TMO stay I have paid dearly for phones and service. It wasnt until TMO went with the EMP plans that I can say my plan is affordable. Just since the G1, I have purchased 10 Android smartphones, about 12 feature texting phones for my other lines, all at FULL price.
In that same period, most TMO users have purchased about 1 phone per line, under contract. This is the kind of user I am.
And sadly, TMO has finally convinced me that T-Mobile does not want, or care about users like me.
I have waited for over a year for TMO to convince me otherwise, while I watch other power users leave TMO for the same reason... My friend @breakthecycle2 being a good example. My twitter stream in the last few days is filled with about 50 lines of service that are fed up also and willing to leave in the next couple of months.
CES was the straw that broke the camels back. Even ATT announced 3 super phones, 4", 4.3", dual cores, even a 4.5" Samsung. VZW also went heavy, with Bionic, Thunderbolt, Revolution, and the i520. T-Mobile went with 4G speeds and the Cliq2. Im still laughing about that... The Cliq 2. Im sure its a great phone. But its a great phone for some soccer mom on a 2 yr contract. What about users like me?
Want to see what the reception of the Cliq2 has been? Go look at the forums on TMO. Lots of love there huh?
Half the problem is of course that I love TMO and the service that they provide for me at an affordable price. Maybe if I didnt care it would be easier... Just shut up and leave for another carrier.
So, dear T-Mobile... WHY?
Why cant you keep your "value", and "family", and "affordable", and yet give your power users one or 2 truly leading edge, high end, 4.3"+ devices?
Verizon seems to do it right the other way around. They seem to cater to the high end, while keeping an extensive line up of value, cheap android smartphones.
So why cant you do the opposite? Cater to the value, family line and still have a CHOICE for your power users?
I know the Optimus 2X is coming to TMO, but basically, here we go again, with another 4" device... Yes, dual core, etc, but really... Another 4" device. One. I have 4 to choose from on Verizon. All with WAY better specs...
People tell me to wait... Wait some more... Maybe TMO will have one...
I have been waiting since the EVO was announced. How much longer do I have to wait.
The wait is almost over.
But I would still like an answer.
Why?
Its a difficult question to answer. Most of the time. Usually, its because we all know the answer, but the person answering just doesn't know how to say it.
And I suspect that this is why TMO has not ever commented on the concerns of power users.
Or simply, T-Mobile just doesnt get it.
As most of you know, I am now 99% sure that I will leave TMO this year. Its a sad, and angry moment. Sad because I have been with TMO since the Voice Stream days. Its going on 10 years.
Angry because I am now forced to break that relationship, pay a lot more money, and switch my 5 lines of service to Verizon. And of course, other will follow...
Its been a long time coming. Those of you who follow on Twitter have seen the rants since last year about why TMO cant release a device that is 4.3", Android and in the super phone category.
It started around spring last year after the announcement of the EVO. Friends of mine pointed me to the upcoming release of the G2. I thought that this may be the redemption. A worthy successor to the original.
Turns out, I, and many others were wrong. The G2 was a huge disapointment. First with the specs, then with the lock down, non root mentality, which was worthless as it was rooted anyway.
Ahhh, but there is hope my friends said... There is the MT4G coming... Great! I thought... Maybe that one will be worthy... 4.3", super phone, worthy successor of the MT3G...
Again... Huge disappointment.
And then there is the Vibrant. Great phone, but still 4", and of course, saddled with the slow updates from Samsung.
Then there was CES... There is hope I thought.
And TMO released..... the Cliq2... Wow... Another mediocre, 3.8" phone.
For those of you reading this far, you must understand that this is written from the point of view of a power user. I have 5 lines, and most of my 10 yr TMO stay I have paid dearly for phones and service. It wasnt until TMO went with the EMP plans that I can say my plan is affordable. Just since the G1, I have purchased 10 Android smartphones, about 12 feature texting phones for my other lines, all at FULL price.
In that same period, most TMO users have purchased about 1 phone per line, under contract. This is the kind of user I am.
And sadly, TMO has finally convinced me that T-Mobile does not want, or care about users like me.
I have waited for over a year for TMO to convince me otherwise, while I watch other power users leave TMO for the same reason... My friend @breakthecycle2 being a good example. My twitter stream in the last few days is filled with about 50 lines of service that are fed up also and willing to leave in the next couple of months.
CES was the straw that broke the camels back. Even ATT announced 3 super phones, 4", 4.3", dual cores, even a 4.5" Samsung. VZW also went heavy, with Bionic, Thunderbolt, Revolution, and the i520. T-Mobile went with 4G speeds and the Cliq2. Im still laughing about that... The Cliq 2. Im sure its a great phone. But its a great phone for some soccer mom on a 2 yr contract. What about users like me?
Want to see what the reception of the Cliq2 has been? Go look at the forums on TMO. Lots of love there huh?
Half the problem is of course that I love TMO and the service that they provide for me at an affordable price. Maybe if I didnt care it would be easier... Just shut up and leave for another carrier.
So, dear T-Mobile... WHY?
Why cant you keep your "value", and "family", and "affordable", and yet give your power users one or 2 truly leading edge, high end, 4.3"+ devices?
Verizon seems to do it right the other way around. They seem to cater to the high end, while keeping an extensive line up of value, cheap android smartphones.
So why cant you do the opposite? Cater to the value, family line and still have a CHOICE for your power users?
I know the Optimus 2X is coming to TMO, but basically, here we go again, with another 4" device... Yes, dual core, etc, but really... Another 4" device. One. I have 4 to choose from on Verizon. All with WAY better specs...
People tell me to wait... Wait some more... Maybe TMO will have one...
I have been waiting since the EVO was announced. How much longer do I have to wait.
The wait is almost over.
But I would still like an answer.
Why?
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Gingerbread theme for Nexus One CM 6.1
Here you go people...
First edition...
One minor inconvenience... Menu item lettering is still dark so you cant read it when the menu is up unless its highlighted.
Working on fix, but this will do if you can stand that little annoyance...
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
ZapmixN 2.3 for Nexus One CM 6.1RC2
The old classic returns for RC2...
The deep dark blue theme that you always loved...
You MUST use Amon Ra 2.0 or Clockwork to flash. It is NOT signed
Get it here!
The deep dark blue theme that you always loved...
You MUST use Amon Ra 2.0 or Clockwork to flash. It is NOT signed
Get it here!
ZapmixN MT4G based theme...For 6.1 RC2 NEXUS ONLY
Here it is...
A few things. Its basic. Meaning the vast majority of apps are not themed.
It is my own personal favorite mix, and a work in progress.
Its based on the graphics off of the MT4G, but with some Vibrant mixed in. Why? They are both light blue based... that matches well with CM...
I have begun the process of updating the rest of the apps...
Also, as convenience grows, my laziness shows...LOL
This is NOT signed. So you MUST use Amon Ra 2.0 or Clockwork recovery to flash.
But hey, at least it gives you something to flash on top of RC2... ;-)
Get it here!
A few things. Its basic. Meaning the vast majority of apps are not themed.
It is my own personal favorite mix, and a work in progress.
Its based on the graphics off of the MT4G, but with some Vibrant mixed in. Why? They are both light blue based... that matches well with CM...
I have begun the process of updating the rest of the apps...
Also, as convenience grows, my laziness shows...LOL
This is NOT signed. So you MUST use Amon Ra 2.0 or Clockwork recovery to flash.
But hey, at least it gives you something to flash on top of RC2... ;-)
Get it here!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
The tethering issue
I would like to think that I am a fair person. In my years on the TMO forums I have always advocated paying for services. And in real life, I have always said that I do not mind paying for things and services.
But I MUST get value for my money.
Value is subjective of course. What I see as value, others may see as foolish. A person definition of value is always different than others.
Which brings me to the topic at hand. T-Mobile's new tethering plan.
We all knew it was coming. For a long while, if you follow the mobile world and blogs, there has been speculation of changes in the TMO data plans, to include tethering and hotspot.
Now that it has arrived officially, it is time to voice my concerns. Which are shared by many.
First, let's talk about pricing and the data cap. Previously, TMO would cap their "unlimited" data at 10GB. If you went over that, they would slow you down to a crawl. While technically unlimited, it was all but unusable. Most people would pay about $30 a month for data. And those with Nexus Ones and rooted G1s and other phones would also have access to tethering and hotspot features with no extra charge.
The balance was achieve because even though the data plan itself was competitively priced, there was no extra charge for overage, or for TH (what I will call the tethering/hotspot from now on).
Enter Nov 2010. TMO has recently cut the cap on data to 5GB and now, they have introduced an extra charge of $15 for TH.
Who in their right mind came up with that one, and did they even bother to get opinions from actual users???
I understand the principle that heavy data usage needs to regulated and the heavy users need to pay more. But TMO's current implementation of this plan is seriously flawed.
Take my account as a perfect example. Me and my wife are not heavy data users. We watch the occasional video, we don't stream movies, and basically, we probably don't get to 1GB of data use combined in 2 accounts in any given month. The problem? We have used the TH feature once or twice...
So according to TMO, I now need to get TH added to my account and pay 15 extra a month because I MAY use TH occasionally. And yet, if there are 50 TMO users in my area, all streaming you tube videos, downloading movies on 3G, etc. they are all using FAR more data than me. Yet they are not required to pay any extra money.
I am in NO way trying to get away with not paying for what I use. But before I do, TMO needs to re-evaluate this plan and make it fair. I am NOT going to pay extra to use a grand total of 1 GB of data a month on my account, when Joe Blow down the street uses 4 or 5GB (without TH) and pays less than me.
Second, let's talk about coverage. TMO is about to embark on a huge ad campaign to advertise the largest 4G network. I am glad. I fully support that and I myself brag about TMO speeds all the time. I am lucky I live in a "4G city".
But this HSPA+ is spotty. VERY spotty. TMO is counting Tampa, SF, and others as 4G cities with millions of users covered. But in real life, it's not that way.
I live in the city of Tampa, yet here in my neighborhood, all I get is around 2500 mbps (on a good day), and most of the time its the usual 800 mbps. If I go to the mall, I can get 3K, and at my son's baseball field I can get 5 or 6K. But if I travel 10 miles north of here... It is EDGE baby....Outside of the little confines of the Tampa Bay area, you are lucky to get Edge... And let's not even talk about heading out into the midwest... Nebraska, Iowa, etc... You want to pay $15 for tethering, with a 5GB cap, for GPRS???
Conclusion? TMO has now lost the advantage. Completely. It used to be that TMO had that "you get what you pay for" advantage. Against Verizon, it was easy... You have to pay $50 at Verizon for data and TH. On TMO it was $25-$30 for data only, no charge for TH. But TMO's network has a lot less coverage. Give and take.
But now? Here is where we stand: At TMO you now have to pay $45 for a data line with TH. And you get capped at 5GB. That is only now $5 less than Verizon. Except Verizon has NO CAP on data usage (reg 3G. They do cap TH), and ALL their network is 3G... Really? Only a $5 difference?
Tethering and hotpost could have been a HUGE advantage to TMO... Combine that with your "4G" network and it could have been a hit.
But in my humble, personal opinion, you blew it T-Mobile.
But I MUST get value for my money.
Value is subjective of course. What I see as value, others may see as foolish. A person definition of value is always different than others.
Which brings me to the topic at hand. T-Mobile's new tethering plan.
We all knew it was coming. For a long while, if you follow the mobile world and blogs, there has been speculation of changes in the TMO data plans, to include tethering and hotspot.
Now that it has arrived officially, it is time to voice my concerns. Which are shared by many.
First, let's talk about pricing and the data cap. Previously, TMO would cap their "unlimited" data at 10GB. If you went over that, they would slow you down to a crawl. While technically unlimited, it was all but unusable. Most people would pay about $30 a month for data. And those with Nexus Ones and rooted G1s and other phones would also have access to tethering and hotspot features with no extra charge.
The balance was achieve because even though the data plan itself was competitively priced, there was no extra charge for overage, or for TH (what I will call the tethering/hotspot from now on).
Enter Nov 2010. TMO has recently cut the cap on data to 5GB and now, they have introduced an extra charge of $15 for TH.
Who in their right mind came up with that one, and did they even bother to get opinions from actual users???
I understand the principle that heavy data usage needs to regulated and the heavy users need to pay more. But TMO's current implementation of this plan is seriously flawed.
Take my account as a perfect example. Me and my wife are not heavy data users. We watch the occasional video, we don't stream movies, and basically, we probably don't get to 1GB of data use combined in 2 accounts in any given month. The problem? We have used the TH feature once or twice...
So according to TMO, I now need to get TH added to my account and pay 15 extra a month because I MAY use TH occasionally. And yet, if there are 50 TMO users in my area, all streaming you tube videos, downloading movies on 3G, etc. they are all using FAR more data than me. Yet they are not required to pay any extra money.
I am in NO way trying to get away with not paying for what I use. But before I do, TMO needs to re-evaluate this plan and make it fair. I am NOT going to pay extra to use a grand total of 1 GB of data a month on my account, when Joe Blow down the street uses 4 or 5GB (without TH) and pays less than me.
Second, let's talk about coverage. TMO is about to embark on a huge ad campaign to advertise the largest 4G network. I am glad. I fully support that and I myself brag about TMO speeds all the time. I am lucky I live in a "4G city".
But this HSPA+ is spotty. VERY spotty. TMO is counting Tampa, SF, and others as 4G cities with millions of users covered. But in real life, it's not that way.
I live in the city of Tampa, yet here in my neighborhood, all I get is around 2500 mbps (on a good day), and most of the time its the usual 800 mbps. If I go to the mall, I can get 3K, and at my son's baseball field I can get 5 or 6K. But if I travel 10 miles north of here... It is EDGE baby....Outside of the little confines of the Tampa Bay area, you are lucky to get Edge... And let's not even talk about heading out into the midwest... Nebraska, Iowa, etc... You want to pay $15 for tethering, with a 5GB cap, for GPRS???
Conclusion? TMO has now lost the advantage. Completely. It used to be that TMO had that "you get what you pay for" advantage. Against Verizon, it was easy... You have to pay $50 at Verizon for data and TH. On TMO it was $25-$30 for data only, no charge for TH. But TMO's network has a lot less coverage. Give and take.
But now? Here is where we stand: At TMO you now have to pay $45 for a data line with TH. And you get capped at 5GB. That is only now $5 less than Verizon. Except Verizon has NO CAP on data usage (reg 3G. They do cap TH), and ALL their network is 3G... Really? Only a $5 difference?
Tethering and hotpost could have been a HUGE advantage to TMO... Combine that with your "4G" network and it could have been a hit.
But in my humble, personal opinion, you blew it T-Mobile.
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