AC's PC Services

Vodafone UK finally issued a formal response of some use today by issuing the below statement -

Posted 20th August 2010

HTC Desire: Firmware Over The Air (FOTA) Update to Android 2.2

The Android 2.2 update for HTC Desire will start to be available to Vodafone customers from Monday 23 August.

Our priority has been to make sure that the software does what we said it will do. This meant testing took a little longer than anticipated.

Customers will receive an alert telling them that their handset is ready for an update and this alert will be phased over a two week period.

If you did not download the Vodafone 360 update, follow the first set of instructions below to download the Android 2.2 update when prompted to.

If you did download the Vodafone 360 software, once you have the 2.2 update, these guidelines also explain what you need to do to remove that content from your device, depending on the current software configuration of your HTC Desire.

Customers who still want to use Vodafone 360 services can visit the Android Marketplace, where a number of 360 apps are available. We will also be issuing an optional Vodafone 360 update for HTC Desire users at a later date.

*Please note: The following steps will only work once you have downloaded the 2.2 Android update*

Finding out which software your HTC Desire is running

To check the current software version of your HTC Desire, go to Settings->About phone->Software information and look for the entries “Android version” and “Software number”.

Your software should either be 1.19.161.5 if you haven’t downloaded the recent Vodafone 360 software, or 1.24.161.3 if you have accepted the update.

Instructions for users who have not downloaded the Vodafone 360 update (1.19.161.5)

Follow the instructions on the device once you are prompted that an update is available for your phone.

Any applications you have downloaded from the Android Marketplace will be retained, including 360 People and Vodafone Music if you’ve chosen to download them to your handset. In addition, if you have modified the browser homepage, bookmarks or home screen layout, this will remain unchanged by the update.

Instructions for users who downloaded and now want to remove the Vodafone 360 update (1.24.161.3)

If you have downloaded the Vodafone 360 update and want to remove it from your device, you will need to follow one of these two approaches, depending on whether or not you have accessed and updated the “360 Updates” or “Shop” apps pre-installed in the 1.24.161.3 update.

If you downloaded the Vodafone 360 software but chose not to update these applications – which you would have been prompted to do on opening them for the first time - installing Android 2.2 will remove the Vodafone branding and apps from your device.

Please note:

- The icons for “Shop”, ”Music Shop” and “MyWeb” will still appear on your device’s home screen, but will no longer work. To permanently delete them, you will need to drag the icons into the bin.
- Your browser homepage, bookmarks and home screen layout won’t be changed by the update. This is to ensure that any changes you’ve made since the Vodafone 360 software download are not removed by the FOTA update. You can manually change these settings on the device.
- Although it won’t be necessary following the Android 2.2 update, a factory reset of the device would also remove the Vodafone customisation, but you should ensure your device is backed up to avoid losing your content through this process.

Customers who have accessed and updated the 360 apps since downloading the initial Vodafone 360 software can also follow these guidelines for removing the content from their phone. However, in order to remove the “360 updates” and “Shop” applications you will need to do the following:

1. Go to “Settings->Applications->Manage applications->360 updates” and tap on “uninstall updates”.
2. When asked “Do you want to uninstall the updates to this Android application?” Select “OK” and then “OK” again.
3. The phone will show the message "Uninstall not successful". This message is incorrect and in fact the application is fully removed. Select “OK”.
4. Go to “Settings->Applications->Manage applications->Shop” and tap on “uninstall updates”.
5. The user will be presented with the message “Do you want to uninstall the updates to this Android application?” Select “OK” and then “OK” again.
6. The phone will show the message "Uninstall not successful". This message is incorrect and in fact the application is fully removed. Select “OK”.
7. Restart the phone and the two applications are permanently removed.



Posted 10th August 2010, 10:46 AM

Hi everyone

We’ve listened to feedback from customers on a number of points around the recent 360 Android 2.1 update and made some changes to the roll out plan.

The Android 2.2 update for Vodafone HTC Desire users will be based on the HTC open market version of the software and we will customise it to ensure our network settings are installed.

For customers who have downloaded the recent 360 update for Android 2.1, we can confirm that the Android 2.2 update will remove the 360 applications and will leave the homepage and bookmarks on your current settings.

Customers who want to access the 360 services will be able to do so once the Android 2.2 compatible version is available and, in the meantime, can now download apps like 360 People from the Android Marketplace.

We plan to make the 360 apps available in a separate update for the HTC Desire at a later date, giving customers the choice to download it.

We will let you know when the date for delivery of the Android 2.2 update is finalised, but, subject to testing, we expect this to be in 7-10 days time.

Thanks

Administrator
Vodafone eForum


Source - http://forum.vodafone.co.uk/topic/70251-htc-desire-firmware-update-100810/

There are still some questions surrounding this statement, such as whether or not, Vodafone will be honouring the warranties of those customers who have been forced to 'root' their handsets in order to get basic functionality, such as text message notifications. We for one believe this would be in Vodafone's best interests to ensure their customers are looked after.

Another question on the Vodafone eForum is that of, when Vodafone do release there future update with the 'option' of installing the Vodafone 360 suite, if customers choose not to install this update, will they then not be notified of future updates or be forced to download this update in order to get access to future updates?

Vodafone released an update for HTC Desire owners this morning, who were expecting it to be the imminent upgrade to Android 2.2, or Froyo as it's also known.

Froyo, which was rolled out on the Nexus One back in June in the UK, comes with a considerable speed boost, full Flash support, and device tethering amongst other goodies.

However, it seems that the 2.2 update isn¡¦t quite ready yet, and this was the 2.1 Update1 patch, which many customers installed believing it to be Froyo.

It is, in actual fact, a package of Vodafone 360 bits and pieces, including new apps (a music store and web browser) and a new splash screen. What has really annoyed people, aside from the fact that there was no Froyo to be had, was that the update altered their home page and added various miscellaneous bookmarks.

And with some of these bookmarks and applications reportedly being for adult rated dating sites, there is plenty of noise being made about this being inappropriate for business users, or indeed anyone whose other half finds these links on their handset as well as young people who may be using a contracted hadnset from their parents, ironiclly in order to ensure there security.

Interestingly enough, the thread full of complaints highlighted by The Register which we were perusing moments ago on the Vodafone forum has just disappeared. This is not a new technique Vodafone have used on their eForum, this often occurs, this was seen more recently when Vodafone customers were upset once again, over the past 10 months when Vodafone decided to block all media streaming. Details can be found here.

At any rate, one poster on that thread said they asked Vodafone if this update would be required to receive Android 2.2 when it was made available, which Vodafone replied wasn't the case. So you can certainly give 2.1 Update1 a miss. Whether or not Vodafone's Froyo will come with all this stuff bundled anyway is, of course, another question. However, this is expected to be the case.

We'd imagine it will, as Vodafone told TechRadar: "When we announced the HTC Desire we said that the device would be pre-loaded with 360 services."

"Unfortunately, there was a delay in bringing these services to the Desire so that is what the latest over-the-air update brings."

However, in the original press release by Vodafone and HTC, it was advertised that the HTC Desire would be a vanilla, open source unbranded handset. The original press release available here stated that -

"HTC Desire
HTC Desire is the richest way to visually experience news, friends, photos, favourite places and whatever else is important on a mobile phone. With one of the most advanced displays available on a phone today, HTC Desire is designed with a large 3.7 inch AMOLED WVGA display to enhance and maximise content, whether it is pictures and videos, browsing the Web or checking on friends¡¦ status updates. HTC Desire is powered by a one gigahertz Snapdragon processor and is Adobe Flash 10.1 ready. As with the HTC Legend, the HTC Desire also includes an optical joystick.

Patrick Chomet, Group Director of Terminals for Vodafone said, HTC is a valued partner for Vodafone and has made a strong contribution to the growth of the mass market appeal of smartphones. Vodafone endeavours to offer our customers the widest and most compelling choice of smartphones and to that end the HTC Legend, the HTC Desire and the HTC HD mini will be ranged in selected Vodafone markets across our footprint. I'm particularly pleased that through our collaboration with HTC, Vodafone customers will experience a differentiated experience on the HTC Legend which will come customised for them with pre-loaded Vodafone 360 Internet services."

You can make Vodafone aware of your concerns either via there eforum or by emailing Guy Laurence the Chief Exec of Vodafone UK Directly as well as making a complaint directly to the telecomms industry impartial ombudsman directly, either oFcom and Otelo who Vodafone are both members of.

You can show your support against the bloat ware forced on to HTC Desire customers by Vodafone by joining a Facebook group called "Say No To Vodafone 360 Spamware On The HTC Desire"

This story is currently being posted by various media outlets, including -

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/08/04/vodafone_desire/

http://www.techwatch.co.uk/2010/08/04/upset-vodafone-htc-desire-owners-get-360-update-not-froyo/

http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/vodafone-users-annoyed-at-htc-desire-360-update-707461

http://www.fonehome.co.uk/2010/08/04/htc-desire-vodafone-firmware-update-explained-android-2-2-still-on-the-way/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/mobile-phones/7930061/Vodafone-angers-HTC-Desire-owners.html

http://www.t3.com/news/vodafone-htc-desire-froyo-update-stokes-anger?=47767

http://www.electricpig.co.uk/2010/08/04/htc-desire-froyo-update-vodafone-firmware-leaves-android-fans-fuming/

AC's PC Services accepts no responsibility for any damage caused to your handset as a result of the artciles, videos or audio featured on this blog. Rooting any device is done at your own risk and may void any warranty currently valid with the device.

How To - Create a Goldcard (www.TheUnlockr.com)

How To - Root the HTC Desire (www.TheUnlockr.com)

How To - Load a Custom ROM on the HTC Desire (www.TheUnlockr.com)

How To - Unroot the HTC Desire (www.TheUnlockr.com)

Additional information and step by step details can be sourced here

Link: /failedupload

EveryTrail is the best way to share trips, connect with other travelers and find great new things to do.

Map a trip route with your phone or GPS
Add trip photos to your map instantly
Add maps & photos to your blog or website
Explore and share in the EveryTrail community

EveryTrail is available for the following handsets -

Android (Google)
BlackBerry
Windows Mobile Pocket PC
iPhone

A bug has been discovered that when uploading across 3G, if it lags or switches to wifi (such as when roaming) during upload, this can cause the uploaded files and stats to become corrupt and not produce the stats and trail route correctly. Once the trip is deleted from the EveryTrail profile/account, the user cannot upload it once again from the phone.

However, the .gpx file from the phones data storage card can be accessed and the file then copied to your PC and uploaded via the EveryTrail account manuall with your PC.

Go to the storage card on the phone, one is called ".every trail", click on it. Then you will have to find in which directory your trip is. If it is your last trip recorded it is going to be the directory "trip_" (or just used the modified file date to define your selection) with the higher number. In this directory you should find a file called "gpx.xml". Once you have copied this from your phone to your PC then you can upload this file to your EveryTrail account.

Hope it is going to help.

http://www.everytrail.com/

Recommendations for Facebook settings -

Introduction -

ID fraudsters target Facebook and other social networking sites to harvest information about you. We have searched the internet in order to find the best advice, tips and tricks in order to ensure you have secured your Facebook profile. Within this post, we have included various videos showing exactly click for click how to secure your profile as well as links to trusted third party sources where you can get further details from

How to adjust your settings -

This guide walks you through Sophos-recommended privacy settings in Facebook, and shows you how to set more secure levels of privacy and reduce the chance of becoming a victim of online identity theft.

General security tips for Facebook -

Adjust Facebook privacy settings to help protect your identity
Unlike some other social networking sites, Facebook has provided some powerful options to protect you online—but it's up to you to use them!

Read the Facebook Guide to Privacy -

At the very bottom of every page on Facebook, there's a link that reads "Privacy." The linked page is "A guide to privacy on Facebook," which contains the latest privacy functions and policies. For example, with the latest changes in May 2010, Facebook discloses information that it sets as visible to everyone and that you cannot make private. This information includes sensitive information like your name, profile picture, gender and networks.

When in doubt, use the "Preview my profile" button on any privacy settings page to check how your information appears to others.

Think carefully about who you allow to become your friend -

Once you have accepted someone as your friend they will be able to access any information about you (including photographs) that you have marked as viewable by your friends. You can remove friends at any time should you change your mind about someone.

Show "limited friends" a cut-down version of your profile -

You can choose to make people 'limited friends' who only have access to a cut-down version of your profile if you wish. This can be useful if you have associates who you do not wish to give full friend status to, or feel uncomfortable sharing personal information with.

Disable options, then open them one by one -

Think about how you want to use Facebook. If it's only to keep in touch with people and be able to contact them then maybe it's better to turn off the bells and whistles. It makes a lot of sense to disable an option until you have decided you do want and need it, rather than start with everything accessible.

Source - http://www.sophos.com/security/best-practice/facebook/

Additional Resources -

FREE Home Web Filtering from K9 Web Protection

AC's PC's ONline Safety Resources

10 Privacy Settings Every Facebook User Should Know

Top Facebook Tips for the Professional

Child Exploitation & Online Protection Centre

Childline - Social Networking

Safe Families

Need-2-Know...

We aim to provide articles which we feel will be of benefit to clients and visitors in one easy to find place.

These include -

Discussion Topics
You Tube - DIY PC Clips
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If you have any information which you feel is relevant to AC's PC Services Blog, please do not hesitate to email us all the dirt you've got. We will be more than happy, once through the moderation process, to publish you news, comments as well as images and videos to the blog to ensure that all of our customers are the informed consumer.

When you’re done, simply click on the link below to navigate back to the main website.

www.acspcs.co.uk

It's not like us to go 'off topic' when it comes to PC discussions and information. However, we at AC's PC Services are extremely fond of our cycling and mountain biking and have recently come across an act of sabotage on a popular north east cycle way, cycle route 72, which is part of the national cycle network and also links into the C2C route.

This sabotage has been ongoing since April 2009 and has involved an individual or group of, deliberately dropping carpet tacks and pins on shared cycleway way, causing punctures to push bikes and injuries to the horses, walkers as well as their dogs which use the shared bridle way.

This is affecting both the north side of the route known as Hadrian's cycleway, as well as the south side, Keelman's cycleway.

There are now a number of agencies and organisations involved, including Newcastle City Council, Gateshead Council, Northumberland County Council and Northumbria Police. Sustran's, the UK's leading sustainable transport charity, has also taken a keen interest in regards to this act of sabotage.

We would ask that anyone with information contact any of the above named organisations, or alternatively, contact Ac's PC Services, who will be happy to pass on any information you feel is relevant.

We would like to urge people to take extra care when using the route, when cycling the route, ensure you are equipped with at least 2 spare inner tubes, puncture repair kit, tyre levers and a pump.

Also, take extra care when walking young children, dogs and horses on the route and ensure you wear footwear with a think soul.

Further information in relation to this can be found -

http://www.prudhoelocal.co.uk/cycle_track_sabotage_is_feared_1_588964?referrerPath=home

Keeping you and your family safe online as an internet family is a must, that is why we strongly support the use of K9 Web Protection, a completely FREE web site filtering programme for you and your family.

Visit us at - http://acspcs.co.uk/Online_Safety.html

Installing K9 Web-Protection for you & your family -

How to configure K9 Web-Protection for you & your family -

An Online Safety Guide for Parents, Young People and schools is now available for download from AC's PC Services Website.

Within this guide we have also included some recommendations, such as home website and content filtering software as well as a comprehensive installation and configuration guide in order to assist in installing and configuring a website filtering solution for your internet family.

ALL OF THE SOFTWARE RESOURCES WE HAVE RECOMMENDED AND COMPELTELY FREE FOR HOME USE AND TO DOWNLOAD FOR LIFE.

You can download your free copy of the Online Safety Guide from the link below:-

http://www.acspcs.co.uk/Online_Safety_Guide.pdf

You can get additional information and resources from our website at -

http://acspcs.co.uk/Online_Safety.html

Well, the all new Microsoft Operating system, Windows 7 will be released on the 22nd October 2009.

So what different versions are available and what's difference between each one?

Compare each edition of Windows 7

About Windows 7

Were you one of the many millions of people who pre-ordered a version of Windows 7 just like the team at AC's PC Services?

If so, let us know which version you ordered and what your thoughts are before and after the release. We'll post the best comments here to share.