[the_gaffer]

Hi all,

I've had a trusty Sony Ericsson T68i (James Bond edition)since January 2003.

As you can imagine, it's getting old and some of the buttons are getting a bit temperamental so I'm thinking of changing.

I've always had Ericsson phones. The list being:
- T29
- T39
- T68i

I think that I want to return to clamshells as I always have the phone in a back pocket and tend to sit on it a lot so "candy bar" types keep making me check if the keypad is locked or not...(I know you can autolock it, but still).

Anyway, I've seen the V800 that doesn't look bad (even with all the Vodafone branding all over it).

I went to try it in a shop and it seemed ok, less "plasticy" than the T68i (is the V800 made of plastic or some kind of metal?).

I do have some questions though:

- Is it possible to open with one hand and operate with one hand?
- Is it a good phone?
- Is it sturdy?
- It says that it has 72 voices, what does that mean? Could I have mp3 (real) ringtones? Can I load mp3s onto it and use it as an mp3 player? Would the limit depend on the size of the memorystick inserted?
- Could I use any headphones or just the ones provided?
- If I download a game/theme/screensaver, where will it go? On the memorystick or the internal memory?
Is there a memorystick included?
Does it respond quickly (problem I had with T68i)
- Is there not a newer model around the corner?

- Would you get it?


Thanks all,

gaffer

[dreamypuma]

Hi, I quite like the new SE range. Not familiar with the V800 but this link might be helpful: GSM Arena
It has a lot of user opinions on it. Looks like a smart phone. I really wouldn't worry about a newer model if it's what you want.

[the_gaffer]

Thanks,

I've been reading a few things on forums that as the phone is Vodafone-only, there were loads of annoying features such as you can't upload mp3s without converting them first...or something...
There's apparently a firmware going around that replaces the Vodafone firmware with a Z800's...
Is it advisable to do this?


gaffer

PS: I'd still like answers to my other questions...

[jagger2k]

if you unbrand it (Remove the voda software) and put the original sony ericsson software The phone will now be a z800i and you can use it on any network etc. But i would recommend the k750i or w800i.

[stephen1980]

Is it possible to open with one hand and operate with one hand?
Yes.

Is it a good phone?
I think so, may be a little bit chunky

It says that it has 72 voices, what does that mean? Could I have mp3 (real) ringtones? Can I load mp3s onto it and use it as an mp3 player? Would the limit depend on the size of the memorystick inserted

72 voices, I think that just means the polytones should sound really good. The one that come on the phone are rubish my old S700 had much better tones.
MP3 player, yes you can. I have a 2GB memory stick it my. So have lots of music. With the Vodafone sofeware you can only use ringtones and MP3's that have a copyright key. 100's of music and tones are advaible from Vodafone. If you have the Vodafone softwear remover then any MP3 can be a ringtone.

Could I use any headphones or just the ones provided?
The headphone can only plug to a "old style" handsfree socket butSony Ericsson Stereo Audio Adapter letts you use any headphones. I belive that newr sonyericson phones have the handsfree designd that you plug you headphones into the "mic" part of the heandsfree which then plugs into the phone.

If I download a game/theme/screensaver, where will it go? On the memorystick or the internal memory?
Games are on the phone, eveything else is on the memory card, unless you move it.

Is there a memorystick included?
Yes a small one.

Does it respond quickly? I feel it does.
The camera can be a bit slow, but not to bad.

Is there not a newer model around the corner?
There is allways a newer model around the corner.

Would you get it?
I have it, but if I was to be buying now I would thinkabout the W550 or W900.

[the_gaffer]

Thanks guys.

I might go and check it out this afternoon.

I'd be interested in using it as an mp3 player too, so if I get a larger memorystick, can I just transfer music over via usb?
Am I correct in saying that I will need to DRM them before transfering them on the phone for listening, how do I do that?
If I was to buy a game, would it go on the phone's memory?

How would I go about removing Vodafone's software?

It doesn't have Edge, what's Edge?
Will it work in the US?

What's the difference between Z800 & V800?

Thanks

gaffer

[jagger2k]

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_gaffer

Thanks guys.

I might go and check it out this afternoon.

I'd be interested in using it as an mp3 player too, so if I get a larger memorystick, can I just transfer music over via usb?
Am I correct in saying that I will need to DRM them before transfering them on the phone for listening, how do I do that?
If I was to buy a game, would it go on the phone's memory?

How would I go about removing Vodafone's software?

It doesn't have Edge, what's Edge?
Will it work in the US?

What's the difference between Z800 & V800?

Thanks

gaffer

Ok to debrand the phone you need to use a online server called Total multi server. This will remove the voda crap from it and it will load the original firmware.

If you dont debrand it you will have to use the DRM thing to convert the songs before you put them on, where if you debrand it, you just drag the song to the memory card.

If you download games they get saved on the phone memory.

I dont think the phone has edge technology.

And the diffrence between the v800 and z800i is, the v800 is voda branded where the z800i isnt not.

[the_gaffer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jagger2k

Ok to debrand the phone you need to use a online server called Total multi server. This will remove the voda crap from it and it will load the original firmware.

If you dont debrand it you will have to use the DRM thing to convert the songs before you put them on, where if you debrand it, you just drag the song to the memory card.

If you download games they get saved on the phone memory.

I dont think the phone has edge technology.

And the diffrence between the v800 and z800i is, the v800 is voda branded where the z800i isnt not.

Thanks
Didn't have chance to go to shop.
Will go after Christmas or in the New Year.
What are the legal/warranty implications about debranding?
Where would I get firmware from?

gaffer

[jagger2k]

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_gaffer

Thanks
Didn't have chance to go to shop.
Will go after Christmas or in the New Year.
What are the legal/warranty implications about debranding?
Where would I get firmware from?

gaffer

its not illegal to debrand the phone but i think it would invalidate your warentee. You can download the firmware throught the TMS server.

[the_gaffer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jagger2k

its not illegal to debrand the phone but i think it would invalidate your warentee. You can download the firmware throught the TMS server.

Right,
Can you give me the link please?
Is there also the original firmware if I don't like it?
Is it made by SE or a third party?

gaffer

[jagger2k]

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_gaffer

Right,
Can you give me the link please?
Is there also the original firmware if I don't like it?
Is it made by SE or a third party?

gaffer

the software is made by 3rd party but it has the original sony ericsson files. am sure there are the original vida files on the server but i can promise you, you wont go back to the voda crap after.

http://www.totalmultiserver.co.uk/