Vodafone Egypt HTC Magic: Rooting and Upgrade

Hello back! Long time since my previous post about the major pros and cons I encountered with the HTC Magic offered by Vodafone Egypt.

With no long introductions, here is the story of this new post...

A couple of days ago, I took the risk and started the process of rooting and flashing a new Android image to my HTC Magic. There were two major things in my mind then: First, I wanted to upgrade from Android 1.5 (Cupcake) to Android 1.6 (Donut). Second, I wanted to release my phone from the Vodafone Network Lock.

So after all, what did I win? and what did I lose? This won't be a full list.. It's only the major things I experienced during this short period after the upgrade operation :) Again as I said in the previous post, this can differ from one to another (depending on usage and interests)..

Let's start by the loss to keep the good things for a good ending :D

1 - I still couldn't UNLOCK the phone. It looks like I need to obtain an unlock code from Vodafone itself.

2 - I lost the Arabic support. Applications now display Arabic as symbols. However I could still install an "Arabic Keyboard", an application for sending and reading SMS in Arabic "Mirsal" and some other applications that display Arabic very well. (All from Market).

Well, I didn't experience any more troubles (Thanks Allah). I won some things that I really appreciate and making my loss inconsiderable :)

1 - Android 1.6 with many cool new features over Android 1.5.

2 - By the first sight, I couldn't wait to try this "speech recognition" feature. You can search by voice instead of typing keywords. Or you can tell the phone to dial someone or some number instead of typing.

3 - Android Market. Yes, now I have the official android Market application. This itself is a big great advantage. Now I can browse, search, download and install more and more applications. One application that I couldn't try before having this "Market" application is the Google Goggles application.

mmm, this is all I wanted to tell you for now. But I believe there are more to enjoy ;)

I still didn't tell you how? Well, before you proceed I've to state this disclaimer: "Please make sure to take your own responsibility and risk before applying or trying anything of the following steps on your phone. If anything went wrong, there is no one to blame but yourself :)"

Okay, I don't like to make a copy/past articles. So follow this link for step by step procedure. btw, it is a good practice to read it all and download everything you'll need before starting.

Good Luck :)

Vodafone Egypt: HTC Magic with Android 1.5

Recently Vodafone Egypt has announced its superiority to bring an Android device into Egypt for its lovely customers ;) This device is the neat HTC Magic in its white suit.

Details of the offer can be found on Vodafone website, including the specs of the phone...

By nature everything has advantages and disadvantages... So let's start by.... mmmm, ok disadvantages first :) Here are the major disadvantages I encountered, it may differ for someone else ;) Even though they are listed as disadvantages, I don't have much blame for this..

• Hmmm, How will I browse the application store (Android Market)?! I need to download applications from there to my phone.. Well, there should be an application called Market for this purpose. This is the official one by google. Unfortunately, this one is not there.... Don't despair, SlideME is here.. SlideME is a community for Android developers and is an Android Market too.. This phone is packed with SlideME application :)
• 3G connection and WiFi are really working great.. The problem is, WiFi only works with networks conducted through a router or an access point. Adhoc networks aren't that easy :( I couldn't connect to an Adhoc wireless network at home.. Searching the web, I found a way through.. but it requires me to root my phone!! May be later I'll find an easier way, but it'll stays a limitation till then.
• I've been told while buying that it is locked for Vodafone network.. I can't testify this fact, I only have a Vodafone SIM card :)
• You can use bluetooth to connect your mobile to a headset, but not for data transfer.. It's not that bad, you actually get a USB data cable with the phone... You can use it for this purpose, or for debuging your own developed applications on the phone ;)

However, you can overcome some of these disadvantages by giving up your warranty and start doing some hacks to root your device (i.e, gain a root access) which will enable you to install more applications, flash a new Android image to your device, or even more; You're the master then ;) This one itself is a big advantage, your limits are the hardware.. You can play with the software as you like, even the OS “It's open sourced ;)”

I didn't build an enumerated list for advantages, but this HTC Magic is really doing great.. It's fast performing, it has google apps (gmail, gtalk, maps) installed.. You can use GPS or Wireless Networks for determining location.. Connect to the internet through 3G or a WiFi connection.. Enjoy 3.2MP camera with auto focus and video capture abilities.. Synchronize your contacts, mail and calendar with google account.. Customize it and make it yours.. Download and install applications for free from the Market.. Or even develop your own applications.. Enjoy working with the touch screen.. There is more for this list :)

Really, I'm loving it ;) Check videos on YouTube for more demos :)

Ubuntu Upgrade.. Easy as a Click

Yes... It's just few clicks to upgrade your current version of Ubuntu to the newest version Ubuntu 9.10 which is given the name 'Karmic Koala'

As stated on Engadget.. This new version is featuring a faster graphical boot sequence (no more scary text scrolls), a revamped audio framework that improves sound control across multiple applications, and a new Software Center that visually simplifies the Add/Remove Applications tool. Firefox 3.5 also comes with this upgrade...

Upgrading is really easy. The time it takes just depends on your internet connection. Just open the update manager from the system menu...

Near the top, you'll get a new release notification.. Click the Upgrade button and follow the instructions.. You'll reach soon :)


The coolest thing is you can still use your computer while the upgrade is in progress.. I still had my browser opening many tabs, my chat client is still working showing my buddies, a song is playing...etc You don't have to take your work off for the upgrade.. You will only need to restart when it's done..

Have Ubuntu 9.10? Enjoy... Older version? Go upgrade... Don't? Go get it and enjoy Linux for human beings :)

P.S. I made the upgrade from Ubuntu 9.4

The bitter truth

During a moment of thinking I just stated this rule :D

One disadvantage of joining this lovely Computer and Systems Engineering department in Alexandria University, Faculty of Engineering is:

"99.999999% you've no chance to NOT serve at army"..

Usually our specialty is selected on the top of the list of the required specializations ;)

This applies for only guys satisfying military service conditions:

• Boys..
• Healthy..
• Have one or more brothers..
• Father is under 60 and able to work and gain living..
• You have no sever national security issue (This doesn't work all the times)..
• ...etc

Last year after my graduation, I wished this rule was broken, but I realized the bitter truth :D :D

Never lose hope

Today I listened to an amazing song.. I really liked it.. The song just let you keep optimistic and form a good picture of tomorrow...

Here are the lyrics:

Every time...
You feel like you can not go on...
You feel so lost and that you so alone...

All you see is night..
And darkness all around..
You feel so helpless.. You can't see which way to go..

Don't despair and never lose hope..
Because Allah is always by your side..

Inshaa' Allah.. Inshaa' Allah.. Inshaa' Allah you'll find your way..
Inshaa' Allah.. Inshaa' Allah.. Inshaa' Allah you'll find your way...

And here is a link on youtube for the song performed by Maher Zain..


At the end... Never lose hope :)

Thoughts!!

The ship is about to anchor in the harbour..
The plane is about to land in the airport..
The train is about to stop in the station..

Whatever you ride, you're going to reach soon.. Those were just my thoughts since I put my first leg inside that ship ;)

The trip, or more precisely the adventure, started about eleven months ago.. Since then, passengers are struggling, fighting and bearing all the odd stuff on the way.. They are looking for their goal.. They are thinking of their target.. They are keen not to miss their destination.. I am really excited about my last stop..

The good sign is.. The ship took off just after “Eid El-Adha” of the previous Hijri year 1429 and will reach the destination just before “Eid El-Adha” of this Hijri year 1430 En Shaa' Allah.. It is a trip from feast to feast.. Whatever the hard times in between, you just left from happiness to land on another happiness..

Cheer up :) It is soOOOon En Shaa' Allah

That was a year!!

Hello, Long time & no see... Let's start :)


It is not just a year.. It is not just twelve months passed.. It is not just that simple so called 365 days year!!

It was a crowded year.. A year full of actions.. A year full of events; good and bad ones.. Or may be there were no bad ones, it is just our little and limited view of things..

Events of that year started last July on 2008...

That was the year that celebrated the graduation of my class from the lovely CS department at Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University, on July 2008..
Later on the same year on October I missed the graduation ceremony held at faculty due to being at army :(

That was the year when I've been selected as a soldier in the army!! The event that partially took me off awesome civilian life until end of November 2009.. (AlHamdolelah anyways.. & Great Thanks to Allah, end is really approaching soon In Shaa' Allah)

That was they year when I spent two of the coolest trips with awesome friends to Matrouh on July 2008, and May 2009..

That was the year that set me on my career path.. First as Software Developer at Ejada on July 2008, and then holding a position as Software Engineer at BadrIT since February 2009..

That was the year when I finished three of required courses for my Master's degree.. All with grade "A".. Thanks Allah..

That was the year when I got a chance for a TA position at Math & Engineering Physics department.. Which brought to me a lot of confusion... What do I want? What's my goal? Where to go after army: Academia or Software industry? And much more questions...

And Finally.. Great Thanks to Allah.. Now, I'm ONE YEAR EXPERIENCE :)
Yes, It's One year experience developing web applications using Oracle ADF.. Developing and doing maintenance for Oracle forms and reports.. Doing few administration for Oracle database.. Creating applications using Flex and Ruby on Rails and Enjoying an Agile process...

Before leaving for another day of stress.. I would like to say Congratulations to all my class for the One Year Experience and Best Wishes for your upcoming life and career..