XV6700 update and DUN

There is alot of talk about the new software update from Verizon Wireless for the XV6700 and if the DUN is going to work. I am happy to report that it work fine!
- Started the wmodem application (still hidden in the windows directory)
- Connected the USB cable to the computer
- Dialed the #777 connection, same as it was before the update
I was connected, no problem

Manos Megagiannis

XV6700 software update

Verizon Wireless finally released an update for the XV6700.
The nearly 40 MB download will zap your current install so back everything up as there is no way to restore your old ROM install. For the most part, many are reporting easy without-a-hitch installs. However when I was doing my update, somehow the link to my computer got lost, living my phone "briked" displaying only "Serial" when the phone was not connected to the computer and "USB" when it was. Had to restart the upgrade and after the looooong update, everything came back to normal.
One of the features added, is the VoiceDialing (about time). Not the most advanced, but it does the trick.
Also a lock selection was added on the Today screen.

Manos Megagiannis

Registry hacks for the XV6700

You will need a registry editor for that. I use the one that comes with the Resco Explorer, but you can use any registry editor. You may want to take a look at "PHM Regedit"

Speed Up Your PocketPC
1. In the registry editor, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\GDI\GLYPHCACHE\
2. Change the value of 'limit' from 8192 to 32768
3. Close registry editor and soft reset.

Enable WIFI & Phone to work at same time
1. In the registry editor go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SERVICES\WirelessMGR
2. Edit the key called mutexflag change the value from 1 to 0
3. Accept the changes, close the program, and WAIT 5 minutes or so.
4. Soft reset

Enabling network time synchronization
1. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\OEM\PhoneSetting
2. change HiddenTimeSync Page to 0
3. Soft reset
4. Go into Settings > Phone > Services > Time Synchronization > get settings and enable network synchronization.

Manos Megagiannis

Enabling Dial Up Networking on XV6700

1. Go to the PHONE application
2. typed in ##3328873
3. then hit send
4. screen pops up with a Please Enter Unlock Code and a white box
5. enter code 000000
6. new window pops up Named "ESPT"
7. There are two options that read diabled Enable WModem and BT DUN
8. Highlight the the first item then click edit on the bottom
9 Choose enable
10 Hlight the the second item BT DUN then click edit on the bottom
11. Choose enable
7. Push Save / OK
8. Push Ok
9. follow the prompt to restart your device

BTW wmodem is now pre-installed on the xv6700. It is hidden in the windows directory. You may want to make a sortcut to it.
I got my XV6700 to work as a wireless modem on windows and on MacOS-X. Instruction comming up in a new post the next couple of days

Manos Megagiannis

Changing the Voice Codec on the XV6700

Since your phone is digital, it uses a codec to determine how the voice data is compressed to digital. 13k (Qualcomm's Purevoice) is the highest voice rate. EVRC (Enhanced Variable Rate Codec) benefits the carriers because it uses a reduced rate, which means less bits to stream, more calls to go around. EVRC is supposed to sound as good as 13k, but most haven't experienced this to be true.

How to change Voice Codec from EVRC to 13k on the xv6700

- First dial ##778
- Tap on "Edit"
- Enter Unlock Code 000000
- Tap on arrow to upper left hand of screen to reveal drop down menu where it says "Display"
- Select "CDMA Settings"
- Click and hold on the "EVRC Enabled" line under the Settings column
- Select "Edit"
- Switch to "Disabled"
- Then press "ok"
- Click and hold on the "Home Page" line under the Settings column
- Select "Edit"
- Switch to "Voice 13k"
Repeat for "Home Orig" and "Roam Orig"

Manos Megagiannis

Hard reset for the XV6700

WARNING! - WARNING! - WARNING!
You WILL lose all your added software and data.
You may need tree hands to do it!

- Hold the two - buttons to the left and right of the windows
- Press and hold the ok button
- And then press the reset button with the stylus.
Then press Y for yes to hard reset and restore it back to factory.
You don't have to provision the phone with your cell company. You WILL lose all your added software and data.

One of these days, I would love to meet the person that come up with stuff like that!

Manos Megagiannis

XV6700 from Verizon Wireless

After over a year of using the XV6600, i figured that it was time to upgrade my cell phone to the XV6700.

First impression:
- Smaller (5.2H x 2.32W x 0.93D)
- Smaller screen
- Buttons look differant and are moved to the lower part of the phone
- Built-in WiFi
- New version of Windows Mobile (WM5)
- Faster Processor (416 MHz Intel PXA 270 XScale)
- Bigger keyboard sliding on the side
- Built in 1.3Mpix camera with flash
- Mini SD slot

Starting to use it:
- The new GUI of WM5 getting some getting used to it but it looks more functional (once you get used to it) (+)
- The new button location is very user friendly. A bit small if your fingers are like sausages, but I can live with it. (+)
- Althoug the screen is smaller, the quality is really good! The problem is that pressing the screen using your fingers.... not really happening anymore. And that was very usefull for dialing number quickly, without taking out the stylus. (-)
- I love the new, bigger keyboard! (too bad it's still missing the CTRL and ESC buttons, so I can actually use it for SSHing easyer) (+)
- Turning on the WiFi, turns off the phone connection! Who came up with THAT brilliant idea? (-)
- Running vbar crashes the phone, and had to hard reset and reinstall. I love that utility. I am going to miss it. (-)
- Upgrading to ActiveSync 4.1 and getting it to work with Outlook was a challenge. Actually had to remove and reinstall Outlook!!! Only MicroSoft...!!! (-)
- The camera is better than most phones. Not 100% yet, but getting there (+)
- The Xten-Pro software for VOIP actually works now (+)
- It does not come with a beltclip case. (Thankfully, it fits perfectly on my old case for a P800) (-)

Conclusion:
The XV6700 out of the box, is significantly improved and definatly a nice PDA/phone. After spending a whole day hacking, I got it to do be everything I deamed off, and it became a perfect phone. Definatly the best phone on the market, but you have to hack it to take it to that level. I hope, next time the manufacturer will be nice enough to have it configured right from the factory.

Manos Megagiannis

MyVoiceGreeting.com

Introducing MyVoiceGreeting, a technology enabling and empowering users to send a personalized audio message along with a greeting card. Users can choose from a selection of pre-designed cards, or they can upload their own photos and artwork.

How it works

With a MyVoiceGreeting account in place:
1. Upload a card or select one that is ready made.
2. Enter the recipient's email address and write a short message.
3. Dial the phone number displayed on the screen, from any phone, and record your VoiceGreeting.
Upon completion, an email is sent to the recipient along with a link to both the card and the recorded greeting.

Market Need/Benefits

Online greeting cards CAN be creative. Up to now they have NOT. MyVoiceGreeting wants to change all that. Enabling users to send photos and cards along with their voice. Adding an unheard level of intimacy in the unimaginative world of pre-fab greeting cards.

Telepohone vs Microphone

Although computers these days come equipped with soundcards capable of recording audio, many do not include a microphone. And even when they do, it is still a challenge for the average user to successfully make a clean recording. However, leaving a recorded message using a telephone just feels natural… That’s what MyVoiceGreeting is banking on.

The Technology

MyVoiceGreeting pioneers the seamless integration of voice and data communications, at the telephone switch level with a web API (Application Programming Interface). Thus the platform is highly customizable across different industries. Developed to integrate and improve upon products and services, at the application level, where intimacy and personalization will set them apart from the competition.

Usage scenarios

Photo blogging
Invitation services
Dating sites
VIP customer service

WTC Videos

Over the years there is a lot of talk about the WTC attacks and the videos about them.
Many make references to my videos. The latest one is:

An Extremely Good Fake?

Here is the story behind my videos:

The distance is about 6 miles, (according to Google Earth), recorded using a Sony PC1.
After I got a call from a friend of mine about the first plane, I started filming from inside my apartment.
To get a bit better view I went to the roof of the building, and the moment I pointed the camera to the WTC and started recording, without even realizing it I captured the second plane hitting the tower. Actually if you see the original tape you will notice that I move the camera so I can confirm with my own eyes the explosion that I saw through the viewfinder.
The rest is just very basic digital zoom (very amateurish I admit).
The woman's voice, was some tenant in the same building.

The videos have NOT being edited to make the plane disappear or anything like that (as some claim).
One of these days, if I find some free time I may go back to the master and re-master the video.

Manos Megagiannis

Howto use your XV6600 as a modem on MacOS X

About a year ago I posted this. Although this was working fine with MacOS X 10.3, when 10.4 was released was totally broken!
Currently, after afew updates from Apple, it kind of works but you may have to to remove and reinstall the Bluetooth "network port" every time you want to reconnect. I will post about it again as soon as Apple fixes everything and/or I find a way to automate the whole process.

Alot of people are emailing me about it, so here is the post again:

USB vs Bluetooth
On the upside:
# With Bluetooth you don't need any wires.
On the downside:
# Bluetooth is slower; expect to get about 200Kbps max.
# Bluetooth will eat up you battery really fast
Unfortunately there is no MacOSX USB driver for the xv6600 available. (If you know of one let me know)
The Missing Sync may help, I ll give it try the next few days.


Bluetooth

Before you start:
Download wmodem from here Install it on your xv600. Read the documentation etc.
Download the Verizon Wireless modem driver, unzip it and copy the file "Verizon Wireless" in /Library/Modem Scripts

Under Applications->Utilities select Bluetooth Serial Utility
Click on New
Name: xv6600-bt (seams like a good name)
Select Port direction: Outgoing
Click on Select Device
Select Pocket_PC -> Dial-up Networking
Check Require Authentication
Check Require Encryption
Check Show in Network Preferences
Select Port Type: Modem
Close the Bluetooth Serial Utility

Select Apple Menu -> System Preferences -> Network
Will give a message that a new port was found etc...
just agree and click on Apply Now
Select Show: xv6600-bt
Under the PPP tab
Service Provider:
Verizon Wireless
Account Name: XXXXXXXXXX@vzw3g.com
(where XXXXXXXXXX your phone number)
Password: vzw
Telephone Number: #777

Under the Modem tab
Select Modem: Verizon Wireless
Disable Wait for dial tone before dialing
Click on Apply Now


To connect, first run the wmodem on your xv6600 and sellect bluetooth. Then just click Connect on you Mac.


Enjoy

Manos Megagiannis

Hacker vs Cracker

Cracker
The definition of a cracker is one who attempts to break into a system using techniques that he does not fully understand. Most of the crackers are young teenagers who are very malicious and seek to get their kicks from destroying or alternating data on a system.

Hacker
The hacker on the other hand is an individual who yearns for knowledge. Very knowledgeable individuals, that often know several programming languages, work extensively with the inwards and outwards of UNIX, have a firm understanding of all the TCP/IP implementations and protocols and keep abreast on all the security related issues involving computers.
Breaking into a system for a hacker is a thrill, it is a challenge that they take on. The hacker takes much delight in exploring the system from the outside/inside searching vigorously for misconfigurations, bugs, and holes in the operating system that would allow them to break into a machine. Once in the system the challenge has been completed and they have succeeded in breaking in. It is against hacker ethics to alter any data aside from the logs that are needed to clean their tracks. They have no need or desire to destroy data as the malicious crackers. They are there to explore the system and learn more. The hacker has a constant yearning and thirst for knowledge that increases in intensity as their journey progresses.

Yahoo SUCKS less now (part 3)

24 hours after all that craziness and after not getting any reply back from Yahoo, it looks like the emails are going through now.

Bellow is the email that I send to Yahoo:


It takes you 27 hours to send me back a FORM?

The IP mentioned is the new IP for my mail server! A server that has been running since 1996, and has never been black listed for any reason.

Your questions are totally retarted! Why send emails to yahoo users? Because thats where people, including ME, have email addresses!

Blocking mail servers for SPAM, I understand! But blocking servers for NO REASON, I am sure will be an interesting case for lawers and the media!

I do NOT send SPAM!
I do NOT allow mail relaying!
I am NOT blacklisted by anyone!
I DO expect you to treat my mail server as the legit server that it is!

Yahoo SUCKS! (part 2)

Of course I am not the only one with that problem with Yahoo:

Yahoo Bulk Folder
Bulk Mails
Company email entering to BULK folder of yahoo
E-mails Sent into Bulk Folder
and many many more

And all this from one for the main sources of SPAM on the Internet!
A service provider that is blacklisted all the time!

For example right now their servers 209.191.87.84 - 98 (atleast those 14) are blacklisted from spamcop, spamhaus, openrbl, sosdg and I am sure many more!

Email or Ymail! aka Yahoo SUCKS!

After moving my mail server to a new IP number, I noticed that when sending emails to Yahoo they where going to the bulk folder.
Looking at the full headers showed a filed: X-YahooFilteredBulk

I figured that I should send an email to yahoo to see what’s going on.
Although I had included all required information, first they asked for more information, message headers etc. I did send them all the information. 27 hours later, they send me the email at the end of this posting!

This has to be the most retarded application I have ever seen!
What can you possibly answer to questions like:

1b. ... please explain your purpose for sending email to Yahoo! users.


I guess Yahoo’s answer to SPAM is:
Everything is SPAM! Unless you answer 17 totally stupid questions and if we feel like it, we may deside that we will accept mail from your mail server.

Blocking mail servers for SPAM, I understand! But blocking servers for NO REASON???

I do NOT send SPAM!
I do NOT allow mail relaying!
I am NOT blacklisted!
I DO expect you to treat my mail server as the legit server that it is!

In a world full of Yahoos I guess I am asking for too much.



Hello,

Thank you for contacting Yahoo! Customer Care.

NOTE: If you are not the administrator for the mail server (domain)
affected, we encourage you to contact the email system administrator so
they can address the possible issues regarding mailings from the mail
server. Your mail server IP reverse DNS should reflect your domain in
the name.

If emails sent by your servers are having delivery problems or being
delivered to the Yahoo! Bulk Mail folder and you would like to prevent
this from occurring, please complete the following application below to
help us determine where your email is most appropriately delivered. We
ask that you provide responsive, complete and truthful information.
Please note that by submitting this information to Yahoo!, you agree to
adhere to the Yahoo! Terms of Service (TOS). You may review these
Terms
by visiting:

http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

If you use a shared mailing service and do not have an IP address
solely
dedicated for your email, please forward this questionnaire to a
representative of your mail service provider, as we will need to
evaluate their overall mailing practices and policies rather than
yours.

In addition, this application process is not a guarantee for delivery
to
our users' Inbox. Individual user filtering preferences may override
system-wide settings. If Yahoo! is made aware of any indication that
your answers are false or inaccurate, or that your mailing practices
have changed, we may, in our sole discretion, take appropriate action,
including but not limited to directing email to the Bulk Mail folder
and
refusing to evaluate any future questionnaire submissions for a period
of six months.

Please know if your application is missing any answers or if your mail
servers or IP addresses are configured incorrectly, it may prolong the
application process.

To begin this application process, we would appreciate you taking the
time to provide us with the information requested below:

1. Do you rent, lease, buy or otherwise obtain email addresses from
companies, individuals, organizations, or websites (other than those
you
own) that do not indicate the recipient will receive email from you or
your organization?

a. If yes, do you explicitly send an opt-in confirmation email to
the
email addresses you have acquired?
i. If yes, please send a text-only example of this email.

b. If no, please explain your purpose for sending email to Yahoo!
users.

2. How do you verify that the true owner of the email address you have
obtained has agreed or subscribed to receive your mailings?

3. Do you offer list management or email services for other companies
(i.e., as an ASP)? If so, please provide us with your standards for
accepting your clients' email lists.

4. Do you rent, lease, sell, or otherwise give email addresses to other
companies, individuals, organizations, or affiliates without providing
notice to the email users that they will be subscribed to the buyer's
specific email list?

5. Please indicate the information below pertaining to sending email.

a. How frequently do you send mail to Yahoo! users in a given month?

b. If you send email to multiple addresses, how many addresses are
sent to, for an average mailing?

c. If you are an ASP, what has your average client mailing frequency
been over the past six months?

d. Are you emails informational and subscriber based (newsletters)?

e. Are your emails for marketing to other than existing customers?

6. Please specify your policies pertaining to both soft (4xx) and hard
(5xx) SMTP response codes or bounce messages.

a. Do you remove email addresses from your distribution list if
emails to them bounce?
Soft:
Hard:

b. How many bounced emails are required before you consider an email
address to be inactive and discontinue communication?
Soft:
Hard:

i. After an email address reaches your bounce limit, how long
(i.e., minutes, hours, etc.) does it typically take to remove the email
address from your distribution list?
Soft:
Hard:

c. Are the any circumstances under which you ignore the standard
definitions of 4xx being temporary and 5xx being permanent, and instead
apply your own non-standard interpretation? If so, when/what/how?

7. If a user requests removal from your distribution list, how long
(i.e., minutes, hours, etc.) does it typically take to remove the email
address?
When user clicks an unsubscribe link (if applicable):
When user requests removal:
Other:

8. If a user is removed from your distribution list, what happens to
that email address in your database?

9. Please copy and paste a text-only example of a recent mailing,
having
the delivery issue, INCLUDING full Internet headers. Include the
entire
error message if email is being returned or undeliverable.
This header should include the "received by: server IP" for the mail
server you want whitelisted.

Please do not send the example as an attachment as we will be unable to
access it.

Within a Yahoo! Mail account, you can display this information by
clicking the "Full Headers" link located within the message in the
bottom right-hand corner.

In Microsoft Outlook, header details are located inside the message, by
selecting "View", then "Message Options". You will be able to cut and
paste the entire "Internet header:" detail from the window into your
reply to this email.

10. Please provide all of the ACTIVE email IP address(es) and domain
names you are currently using to send your mailings including notes
with
regards to dedicated or shared status for each. We do request email
administrators to describe which of their clients corresponds to each
IP
address. Please submit this information in the following format:

IP Address: xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx
Mail Server Domain Name: server_name.domain.com
Notes: dedicated IP, shared IP, shared domain/list server

At this time we can only consider active and correctly configured mail
servers/IPs for possible addition to the whitelist.

11. Are these IP addresses dedicated solely for your company's
mailings?
If not, please specify which IP addresses of your email servers that
are
used only by your organization. Please use the following format:

IP Address: xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx
Mail Server Domain Name: server_name.domain.com
Notes: billing, employee newsletter, company in-house information
only

12. Are you planning on utilizing DomainKeys
(http://antispam.yahoo.com/domainkeys) to authenticate your mailings?
If so, when do you plan to fully implement and use DomainKeys?

13. Please provide the "From" address(es) in the mailings you send.

14. Please provide the URL of your web site.

15. Please provide the URL of your Privacy Policy and other relevant
policies.

16. Please provide the URL of the site at which users opt-in to receive
your mailings.

17. Finally, please provide the following contact information:
Company name:
Postal Address
Street:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Country:
Key contacts
Name:
Title:
Email address:
Phone number:
Contact email address for important service announcements:

Once you have completed your application, please send your answers to:

mail-abuse-bulk@cc.yahoo-inc.com

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Due to security purposes, our custom messaging
system is unable to access attachments. As such, as opposed to sending
an attachment, we will need you to copy and paste a text-only copy of
any sample email that you are providing us.

Thank you again for contacting Yahoo! Customer Care.

Regards,

Brian

Yahoo! Customer Care - Mail Investigations
http://abuse.yahoo.com