Some time ago I have come across a success story of "Car locator" app for Android. I never bought it although sometimes I need it desperately as I am the kind of person who often times, if not always, forgets where he leaves his car. My personal rule of thumb about paid apps is that I buy absolutely necessary apps. While this one seems like necessary one, I never got it for some reason.

A week or so ago, on my way to Florida, I managed to score a Daytona 500 ticket as I was passing by Daytona area, so I went to watch the race. As I entered a parking lot I realised that no matter how hard I try to memorize, I will never find my car without some sort of assistance. That's how bad parking lot was organized. I believe it was parking lot 7 in Daytona Beach,FL. All the while, I couldn't afford to get lost, as I had to meet my girlfriend in West Palm Beach airport who was flying down from Boston later that evening.

With time of an essence, I had to rush to the raceway, while doing some improvisations to find the car easily after the race:

• I parked the car in my desired spot;
• made sure my current location on Android Google Map was current;
• clicked and held on my current location until it loaded a custom marker;
• then, I clicked on custom marker and chose "Share this place";
• next, I emailed myself my own location.

Then, later on when I needed the car, I opened my email and clicked on the google map url that I emailed myself. Car was exactly on the spot that map brought me to. I was on my way shortly and on time. This can probably be done on iPhone as well; I did this on Android phone.

"Android is an operating system." Pretty stupid statement, is it?

Well, I keep finding myself saying this over and over again to friends of mine who have bought either Motorola Cliq or Motorola Droid, both of which are Android devices. Folks never seem to stop being amazed that my G1 device has same menu system and tons of other interface elements.

Here are some of the the questions and statements I've seen, with their corresponding explanations in parenthesis:

• You have Verizon phone? Interface looks just like my Droid. (No, this is G1 phone that only works on T-Mobile GSM network. Verizon is CDMA. The reason it looks the same is because your phone and mine have the same operating system.)
• This phone has cube navigation, not sure I like this phone. (It's Samsung Behold II, it's Android operating system phone, you can get rid of the cube.)
• You have G1, but Cliq has so many apps! You should look into it. (Cliq and G1 are both using Android operating system, hence same apps will work on both devices.)
• There are not many apps for Droid, perhaps because it's brand new phone. (Phone is brand new, but operating system is not.)
• I'll take Droid and use it on T-Mobile. (No, Droid is a phone for CDMA networks, T-Mobile is GSM network. Android is an operating system that runs on the phone. Because T-Mobile has Android phones, doesn't mean you can take Verizon or Sprint phones and just use them on T-Mobile network.)
• I hear Android nowadays, what is this an application? (No, Android is an operating system.)

In addition, cell phone companies in USA aren't helping Android cause either. For example, Sprint calls their phones "Google phone", they do not mention "Android" in the ads.

The problem is clearly observed. A while ago, my friend said that he's worried for lack of identity/direction of Android. I dismissed that notion then, but now I am starting to have some thoughts about that as well.

I reckon it would be proper to mention this once again for closing — Android is an operating system.

As I am looking at my ugly G1 phone, I have positive and negative feelings about it, especially in light of two of my friends having purchased Verizon Motorola DROID and three of my other friends having purchased T-Mobile Motorola Cliq. Certainly one of the good things about G1 is that there are many various solutions and hacks available for my phone; among many is the fantastic turn-by-turn Google Maps.apk. I spelt out the .apk package on purpose. Many people get confused and think that Google Maps with turn-by-turn comes/created exclusively on Verizon's DROID phone. This is not so, this is a fully native evolved Google Maps app that will be, sooner or later, available on all devices that currently run Google Maps native app (with some exceptions like hardware restrictions or legal issues such as iTunes store prohibition).

Nevertheless, I was convinced that I don't need my stand-alone GPS navigator anymore (which at this very moment is listed for sale on craigslist) and I was thus determined to make this Google turn-by-turn run on my G1 using a solution from xda-developers forum. There, I found even simpler way to go about it, with a simple bash script:

#### Begin Script ####
echo "Mounting /system read write..."
mount -o rw,remount -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock3
 
echo "Cleaning out old Map software from /system for"
echo "installation of Google Navigation" 
find /system -iname "*Maps.apk*" -exec rm -vf {} \;
 
echo "Copying MyFaves and new Google Maps to /system/app"
cd /sdcard/apks
#cp MyFaves.apk Maps.apk /system/app/
cp Maps.apk /system/app/
 
echo "Modifying /system/build.trout.prop for Google Navigation"
sed -i 's/tmobile\/kila\/dream/=verizon\/voles\/sholes/g' /system/build.trout.prop
 
echo "Mounting /system back to read only..."
mount -o ro,remount -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock3
#### End Script ####

If you dare to do this, make sure you go to xde-developers forum for full instruction and pre-requisites.

It was a matter of time before something had to be done about known issue of G1 phones and its battery weakness. So in anticipation of my upcoming #aycj trip I figured I'd buy myself an extended one.

Extended High Capacity 2200mAh Phone Battery for Google Android G1.

Figured I wouldn't want to spend more than $20, my choice ended with Amazon's Extended High Capacity 2200mAh Phone Battery, which was $19.66 shipped. When I got it, I decided to take it through two full charge cycles. I didn't even know if that was needed or effective, I just heard that it's good for a new battery. But even for the sake of testing, I did that, just to get a feeling how long it lasts. From initial charge, I was impressed. Battery lasted one full day with almost all essential options (including GPS and auto-sync) turned on. I had maybe 1 hour phone conversation, 1 hour music playback in the car, and few hours playing with various apps. Auto-sync was on at all times as new email came in and calendar events arrived. After one full day of such operation, I decided to leave screen on all the time to try to drain the battery. It took about few hours to discharge.

To conclude, it appears to be good investment. It is cheap and it does what is expected of it. One thing remaining to see is how long this battery will live.

So about three days later I finally receive so-called UNLOCK code:

T-Mobile Sim Unlock Request
Sim Unlock Reference: ********
IMEI: ***************

Unlock Code: ********

Thank you for taking the time to contact T-Mobile. Below you will see the Instructions for unlocking your HTC device.

1. Insert the foreign SIM card
2. Power on the device and the display should read "Please input unlock code"
3. Enter the unlock code and the device should display "Phone is unlocked."
4. Allow the phone to scan the network (or manually click on the antenna icon to do this)

It is very important that the instructions and SIM unlock code are entered correctly as listed. If you receive an error message while performing the instructions do not make any further attempts to unlock the handset. Please be aware that if an excessive amount of incorrect attempts are made, the phone will be permanently locked. You will need to verify the IMEI by pressing *#06# and contact Customer Care for support.

Thank You,

Sim Unlock Department
T-Mobile USA, Inc.

Now I still cannot unlock the phone, because I don't have foreign SIM card. Gotta find someone with AT&T or Verizon SIM card. Also, I recall having AT&T SIM card somewhere, the one I got with iPhone purchase, but cannot locate where it is.

So I guess there _will_ be part IV of this ordeal.

Update: No part IV will be needed, I got a hold of AT&T SIM card and managed to unlock this phone in under few mintues! I took a quick video of it too, crappy quality though.

This morning, I received a slightly discouraging email from T-Mobile but not giving up just yet:

T-Mobile Sim Unlock Request
Sim Unlock Reference: *******
IMEI: ***************

Thank you for taking the time to contact T-Mobile. We have forwarded your request to the manufacturer. These requests normally take 24-48 hours, but may sometimes take longer based on circumstances that are not under our control. Please allow 14 days before submitting a duplicate request. If no response has been received after 14 days, please submit a new request.

NOTE: Since T-Mobile is requesting an unlock code from the manufacturer we cannot guarantee the response time or that a unlock code will be provided.

Thank You,

Sim Unlock Department
T-Mobile USA, Inc.

Today, I decided to try my luck, for second time, with unlocking Android G1. First time happened at the Burlington Mall T-Mobile Store, where I was told that G1 phones are simply unlockable according to T-Mobile policy. Among the reasons were its dependency on google online services, and that when unlocked, some secure information could be submitted to a foreign provider, something along those lines if I recollect correctly.

Well, today I decided to call customer support instead — 1-800-TMO-BILE. A very friendly customer representative listened to me. I briefly stated that I was their customer for nearly half a decade and that I really like them. Even if I manage to unlock my device, I am not going to run away from them. Without any hesitation, she proceeded with the unlock procedure. Quite easy and painless. She took my information down and wished me a good night, saying that I should receive an SMS shortly confirming request.

Indeed, just now, SMS was received:

"+14845505129: Your SIM Unlock Request number is *******. The request will be processed within 24 hours. Please allow 7 days before submitting a duplicate request. Response time is not guaranteed. Sent: Jul 31

At this time, I just have to wait to see what happens next. Hopefully, I'll get my unlock code and instructions within 24 hours.

I had a little bit of a scare today after no less than dozen attempts to restart my gaming desktop (Windows XP) with plugged-in G1. The start-up process wouldn't go beyond BIOS screen with keyboard and mouse having no USB power.

First thought was that motherboard fried. Then I noticed G1 plugged in. Having disconnected that, computer went into normal boot process! Wheew!

If anyone cannot tell that I am f1 fanatic (by looking at the domain name of this site), I am going to submit this right now.

This weekend is a first F1 race in Melbourne, Australia. I cannot really watch the race without watching qualifying session first. In fact, for me qualifying session has become more exciting than race itself, ever since they've moved to knock-out style. Anyway, I am on the road and do not have a good access to internet. I have my mobile broadband card from Sprint and Android G1 data plan. Both are completely unlimited in traffic.

I spent entire morning nursing my laptop downloading qualifying session. First I tried to Sprint mobile broadband card. But it was too slow for too long. Then, I've enabled my tethering app on Android and speed went up. I think averaged 100kbs, with peak of about 145kbs. So I left my laptop in the car with download in progress. USB cable was powering Android from laptop battery. I went to grab a coffee in Miami Lakes and briefly spoke with real estate agent. Must have been no more than 30 min. I returned back to the car to find Android completely dead, despite it being fed power from laptop. I guess it must have gone to infinite loop of sorts or something that the drainage was so high that USB power from laptop wasn't enough :)

So I went back to Sprint mobile broadband card and finally finished my qualifying session download. Overall it must have taken about 6 hours between the time I started this endeavor.

Too bad there isn't an app for Android yet that will just download torrent. I may try to install command line shell package for that. Tomorrow, I may have to go through the same to download the actual race... I need to find a better _mobile_ process for doing this. Now off to somewhere in Miami Beach, grab food or drink and watch qualifying!

Since my adventure with Android began, I haven't found two things I needed for it: (1) good mount/holder, (2) good case. Why car mount for Android? Well, with Android came new things that I started to use. Among others it's streaming radio and GPS trail, so it's useful to have this thing mounted on dashboard.

Recently, I found RadioShack's Superlock Fasteners that I purchased long time ago to mount my GPS navigator. I never actually ended up doing it, but decided this could be useful now for Android G1.

Clear hook-and-loop Superlock™ Fasteners to hang and mount objects in your home or workshop.

I have said many times that G1 Android is ugly and I still stand by what I have said. However, the day before yesterday I got tired of trying to attempt unlocking my iPhone and I started to consider Android.

Ever since I bought iPhone 3G, I could not unlock it successfully. First it was Turbo SIM, which did not work 100%; then it was so-called yellowsn0w, which did not work at all after many hours invested.

So perfect opportunity came and I said screw it. I went ahead and bought G1. Yes I had to sign 2yr t-mobile deal. But that is why I never went to AT&T because I had always been happy with t-mobile.

So far, quite happy with Android, especially its google account dependency. Time will tell but I don't think I will miss iPhone much!