Problems of typical "closed" phones

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(Added N80 entry. Corrected a typo.)
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  |Many || Many || Many || Many
 
  |Many || Many || Many || Many
  |New models of the handset may have the same hardware but improved software. However, existing users cannot upgrade their firmware
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  |New models of the handset may have the same hardware but improved software. However, existing users cannot upgrade their firmware.
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|Nokia || N80 || Symbian || Operator independant problem
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|Manufacturer sold its model claiming VoIP, but the software wasn't present on the phone to actually use it for, say SIP calls. The following release of the phone (N80ie) included the feature in the software, while the hardware was identical to the former release (N80).
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| Customers had to wait for the N80ie software version to be available, and then use borderline methods to upgrade the software of their N80 to the N80ie version, to eventually be able to use a feature allegedly present in the N80. This operation put the phone warranty at risk.
 
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  |O2 || Orbit || Windows Mobile 6 || O2
 
  |O2 || Orbit || Windows Mobile 6 || O2
  |Handset includes GPS but I bought the cheaper tarrif and this does not come with gps software. GPS capability has been locked by the operator and i cannot use it even with free applications like Google Maps for mobile which can use cell tower interpolation or GPS to provide location info
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  |Handset includes GPS but I bought the cheaper tarif and this does not come with gps software. GPS capability has been locked by the operator and i cannot use it even with free applications like Google Maps for mobile which can use cell tower interpolation or GPS to provide location info
 
  |O2 orbit = HTC Touch (i think)
 
  |O2 orbit = HTC Touch (i think)
 
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Revision as of 12:13, 4 February 2008

This page is a list of “locked” features on “closed” mobile phones listed by members of the Openmoko community. Buying an Openmoko phone will free you from these problems!

Manufacturer Model Operating System Operator Locked feature Comments
Many Many Many Many Handset will only operate with SIM registered to a particular operator Can be “unlocked” but takes some effort or a small fee to someone providing this service.
Many Many Many Many A user cannot develop an application for the phone even if he has the time and skills, or the applications the user can develop are limited in features available to them, speed and visual appearance (e.g. J2ME) That is, no platform SDK is released to public
Many Many Many Many Installable applications that are not “blessed” (signed) by the handset manufacturer are limited in features available to them or trigger annoying security warnings even though you totally trust them
Many Many Many Many New models of the handset may have the same hardware but improved software. However, existing users cannot upgrade their firmware.
Nokia N80 Symbian Operator independant problem Manufacturer sold its model claiming VoIP, but the software wasn't present on the phone to actually use it for, say SIP calls. The following release of the phone (N80ie) included the feature in the software, while the hardware was identical to the former release (N80). Customers had to wait for the N80ie software version to be available, and then use borderline methods to upgrade the software of their N80 to the N80ie version, to eventually be able to use a feature allegedly present in the N80. This operation put the phone warranty at risk.
Many Many Many Many Synchronization, update or other features involving the use of a desktop computer require a certain operating system on the computer, usually MS Windows
Many Many Many Many Music and video can only be added to the media player “library” using certain “blessed” methods, such as downloading them from a preferred online store, or using a certain desktop media library software (e.g. iTunes)
Many Many Many Many An arbitrary audio file cannot be installed as a ringtone. Some operators even charge a fee to install the music you already bought as a ringtone
O2 Orbit Windows Mobile 6 O2 Handset includes GPS but I bought the cheaper tarif and this does not come with gps software. GPS capability has been locked by the operator and i cannot use it even with free applications like Google Maps for mobile which can use cell tower interpolation or GPS to provide location info O2 orbit = HTC Touch (i think)
Many Many Many Many Operators do not allow an Internet Messaging application to be installed that could use GPRS (for those with cheap data plans) or WiFi to communicate with others. This is presumably because they are scared of losing SMS revenue.
Many Many Many Many Operators do not allow VoIP applications to be installed because it's a competition to their primary business
Many Many Many Many Your locked feature here Your comments here
Personal tools

This page is a list of “locked” features on “closed” mobile phones listed by members of the Openmoko community. Buying an Openmoko phone will free you from these problems!

Manufacturer Model Operating System Operator Locked feature Comments
Many Many Many Many Handset will only operate with SIM registered to a particular operator Can be “unlocked” but takes some effort or a small fee to someone providing this service.
Many Many Many Many A user cannot develop an application for the phone even if he has the time and skills, or the applications the user can develop are limited in features available to them, speed and visual appearance (e.g. J2ME) That is, no platform SDK is released to public
Many Many Many Many Installable applications that are not “blessed” (signed) by the handset manufacturer are limited in features available to them or trigger annoying security warnings even though you totally trust them
Many Many Many Many New models of the handset may have the same hardware but improved software. However, existing users cannot upgrade their firmware
Many Many Many Many Synchronization, update or other features involving the use of a desktop computer require a certain operating system on the computer, usually MS Windows
Many Many Many Many Music and video can only be added to the media player “library” using certain “blessed” methods, such as downloading them from a preferred online store, or using a certain desktop media library software (e.g. iTunes)
Many Many Many Many An arbitrary audio file cannot be installed as a ringtone. Some operators even charge a fee to install the music you already bought as a ringtone
O2 Orbit Windows Mobile 6 O2 Handset includes GPS but I bought the cheaper tarrif and this does not come with gps software. GPS capability has been locked by the operator and i cannot use it even with free applications like Google Maps for mobile which can use cell tower interpolation or GPS to provide location info O2 orbit = HTC Touch (i think)
Many Many Many Many Operators do not allow an Internet Messaging application to be installed that could use GPRS (for those with cheap data plans) or WiFi to communicate with others. This is presumably because they are scared of losing SMS revenue.
Many Many Many Many Operators do not allow VoIP applications to be installed because it's a competition to their primary business
Many Many Many Many Your locked feature here Your comments here