Questions before buy the Samsung Epix

[pulsorock]

Hello,

I'm seriously considering in buying the Samsung Epix. I've been using Windows mobile phones since 2004, my first phone was the HTC Blue Angel (also called Siemens SX66 in Cingular). Then I bought the Cingular 8125, then the Cingular 8525, short after that the AT&T Tilt. All of these phones were made by HTC. But after all this time, I'm considering trying something new (hardware-wise talking). I like how the Epix looks... I also like the idea of QWERTY keyboard on front... after 4 slide keyboards phones, I kind of get tired of them, not to mention that all of them were bulky. That's why I'm considering the Epix.

What I liked about the HTC phones was the comunity working on ROMs and updates. I used to change my ROM every few months, and it was like having a new phone. Is there that kind of community around the Samsung line of phones... I guess most programs I'm used to will work normally... after all, is running Windows Mobile 6.1 too.

Does the Epix can be used as external modem using the Windows Mobile's Internet Sharing app? I know that the BlackJack II can, because I look around and there was some CABs that allowed this to be accomplished, but I read in a review about the Epix that Internet Sharing isn't available.

Other thing... How is Samsung about firmware and ROM updates? Does it release them frequently? or do I have to look around for cooked roms like the HTC line?

Any other suggestions or comments, welcomed... thanks!

 

[CeluGeek]

If you like to tinker with new ROMs every month, then the Epix is not for you but then again, none of the QWERTY-bar phones out there would be, either.

What I liked about the HTC phones was the comunity working on ROMs and updates. I used to change my ROM every few months, and it was like having a new phone. Is there that kind of community around the Samsung line of phones...

Someone managed to get the bootloader for the BlackJack 1 and there were a few cooked ROMs for it. This hasn't happened with the BJ II or the Epix. Without a bootloader available there won't be any new ROM's to tinker with.

I guess most programs I'm used to will work normally... after all, is running Windows Mobile 6.1 too.

Not necessarily. Some old programs might not be aware of the 320x320 resolution of the Epix, and would still expect the lower 320x240 resolution of the Tilt, or a higher 640x480 resolution. Old games are are definite no-go. Also icon-intensive programs won't display correctly, unless they have been updated to work with the 320x320 resolution. And yet there are a few programs that appear to work correctly as long as you don't scroll through menus with the d-pad (ahem, the optical pad when the mouse is turned off), which will cause video corruption.

If you can get recent versions of the programs, then you should be fine. If you intend to use older versions and these are not games, then your mileage may vary.

Does the Epix can be used as external modem using the Windows Mobile's Internet Sharing app? I know that the BlackJack II can, because I look around and there was some CABs that allowed this to be accomplished, but I read in a review about the Epix that Internet Sharing isn't available.

CNet reviews are useless. Yes, the Epix does support Internet Sharing so it can be used as a modem. AT&T has locked down the program so only those users paying for the $60 tethering data plan can use the feature, but it can be unlocked via a simple registry setting so you can tether with the $30 or lower data plan as well.

Other thing... How is Samsung about firmware and ROM updates? Does it release them frequently? or do I have to look around for cooked roms like the HTC line?

This is my first Samsung PDA so I can't comment a lot on this. Samsung has already released a patch for an email notification bug, but no full ROM yet.

 

[jwebb56]

In general I cannot help you on the Samsung community question. No real experience. I do know that the XDA Developers commnity supports the EPIX as they patched RealVGA to work properly for the EPIX.

Samsung did fix the email notification bug promptly and released it on their support page. Counting on any major OS updates from Samsung (or anyone for that matter) on a released phone is a pipe dream. It very rarely happens and when it does chaulk it down to good fortune.

 

[jwebb56]

CeluGeek --where can I get details on that registry fix for internet sharing?

 

[jwebb56]

RealVGA will let virtually all exisitng programs run on the EPIX. They may not use the whole screen though and font size can be an issue. Games or any program that writes directly to the screen will not be helped by RealVGA.

 

[CeluGeek]

CeluGeek --where can I get details on that registry fix for internet sharing?

HKLM/Comm/InternetSharing/Settings

Delete the value ForceCellConnection. Save the changes and try Internet Sharing. If the key regenerates upon rebooting the phone (this happens in some phones), then don't delete the ForceCellConnection value, but set its data to "" - blank, remove what's there.

 

[jwebb56]

PDANet is another way to get the EPIX working as an external modem without resorting to a registry fix. PDANet does cost $$ though but in theory it is invisible to AT&T so the only way you get caught tethering is if you use a lot of bandwidth.

 

[CeluGeek]

PDANet is another way to get the EPIX working as an external modem without resorting to a registry fix. PDANet does cost $$ though but in theory it is invisible to AT&T so the only way you get caught tethering is if you use a lot of bandwidth.

That's the same thing Internet Sharing does and it doesn't cost any money, so it's worth taking the time to edit that single registry setting. That is also why AT&T has taking the time to have it locked down out of the box.

 

[jwebb56]

RealVGA correction - I may be wrong on that "writes directly to the screen not helped" comment. I'll defer definitive statements on programs that are not helped by RealVGA to those with direct knowledge. I have not found any yet but then I do not use any games.

 

[jwebb56]

Good tip CeluGeek. Consider adding it to the Tips thread so more people will find it.

 

[empire29]

Here's a link to a CAB file that performs the registry hacks needed to tether the Epix to a windows computer/laptop.

Download Link: Tether your Samsung Epix to a Windows computer