Okay, so I am not cutting edge on this one, but I have made the move to MOTO’s latest update to the Q (December 16, 2006).  This update is said to make the following changes:

Before Update:
E911:
When device is locked, user could not dial 911 without using Alt key in between the numbers.
After Update: Supported without using Alt key

Before Update:
Master Reset:
Did not remove all user content
After Update:Complete end user data wipe supported

Before Update:
BT Dial Up Networking:
VZ Access manager did not support BT Dial Up
After Update: BT Dial up supported through VZW Access manager

Before Update:
Windows 2000 Support:
Not Supported
After Update: Supported, including Dial up

Before Update:
VZW Download Icon:
After Update: Changed “Downloads” icon has been changed to “Get Applications” for VZW based on their request

Before Update:
BT volume control through Jog Dial:
Volume control through Jog Dial while on BT Headset not supported
After Update: Supported

Before Update:
Display Backlight: Timed out during incoming call
After Update: Backlight will not timeout until call is accepted or goes to voice mail

Before Update:
Speaker Phone:
Speaker phone key inactive during a call when device/keypad locked
After Update: User can enable or disable speaker phone while on a call.

Before Update:
Incorrect Letters During Text Messaging:
When initiating a new text message and when adding a name from contact list, you press certain letters like “h” and instead of bringing up names starting with “h”, it brings up names starting with the wrong letter “w” or in some cases it brings up nothing
After Update:
Names will be brought up with correct letter

Before Update:
Voice recognition feature to send text messages does not work consistently:
It will bring up the phone number of the person to text, but in the email application, rather than the text message application.
After Update:
When using Voice recognition.. Correct application will be opened ( email, text message)

Before Update:
Web Browser- www.hp.com not working:
When going to http://www.hp.com with MOL1 on the Q— go to IE on Q & enter hp.com, after the page loads it will either take you to home screen or the start menu
After Update:
Web site can be accessed successfully in MOL2.

This list is from this rockin’ walkthru. I just did the update and found it to be completely painless.

1.  Downloaded the update from Motorola.

2.  Backed up my pictures; I ActiveSync Exchange so contacts, email, calendar, and tasks were safe.

3.  Performed final Sync.

4.  Performed a master reset.

5.  Executed the installer (see the walk-thru for detailed steps).

6.  Performed a master reset.

7.  Synced and restored pictures.

8.  Adjusted settings to pre-update state, and enjoyed the latest update.

A colleague accidently changed his voicemail preset to dial only “*8.” While looking for a solution for him, I came across this helpful timesaver.

Your network stores the voicemail messages you receive. To listen to your messages, call your voicemail number.

Note: Your service provider may include additional information about using this feature.

When you receive a voicemail message, your phone displays the voicemail message indicator and New Voicemail.

To check voicemail messages:

Press and hold the key.

Note: You can store a p (pause), w (wait), or n (number) character in your voicemail number followed your password to avoid having to manually enter your password everytime. Press Start > Settings > Call Options. If your password is 1234, change ‘Voice mail number’ to *86pp1234#

Likewise, you may program work voicemail retrieval by applying similar logic. Collectively, this little hack will save me approximately 5 hours per year (5 seconds per call X 10 voicemail checks per day X 365 days)–not to mention the safety benefits of allowing me to only focus on email while driving.

I don’t mean to complain…
A while ago, I posted a complaint about TDOT’s inability to hang signs correctly.  While exiting from 129 N (Alcoa Highway) onto Kingston Pike, the warning sign for the red light is hung upside down.  As noted in that piece, not only is the sign upside down, a crew had to go back to this sign to affix a warning sign about the traffic cameras AND STILL DID NOT FIX THE OBVIOUSLY CARELESS JOB.

This week while driving down Vanosdale/Buckingham to Kingston Pike, I saw the second sighting of TDOT’s carelessness.

Of course, I immediately had to pull the car to the side of the road and snap a quick shot of the sign because I could hardly believe it was happening to me.  I am probably the only person in the city/state/country that cares about such carelessness, but I could not help but find some delight in spotting the sign.  I pulled the car to the side, plopped on the emergency signals, and readied the Q for a blogtacular capture.

After some thought about the matter, I realized that this is really not TDOT’s fault.  In fact, we should take some pity on the poor color blind worker that hung this sign.  In fact, we should also give any spare pity that we have to the supervisor that was working on the crew (for his/her colorblindedness) and every other state official or TDOT worker that has seen these two signs and not had the attention to detail basic cognizance to have the sign fixed.

I am sorry that it is so damn hard to hang signs correctly.

The Motorola Q has been a pretty good phone.  The PDA has been just okay.  Generally, load times are slow and the phone is subject to crashing upon moments notice.  Battery life?  If you don’t upgrade to the larger capacity battery, you better walk around with a USB cord in your pocket and snag a charge anytime you are near a USB power jack.

Several weeks ago, Motorola released an update to the Q that was touted to increase battery life, reduce crashes, and allow the use of the EV-DO through a USB connection.  I have waited while a few sources tried it out [CEN, Gizmodo].  Tonight, I decided to apply the update.  As CEN notes, the update was pretty painless:

1. Download two files from the Moto site (MSI & ZIP) executing them in the same order.

2. Disable WirelessSync Push on the Q, and restart it for old time’s sake.

3. Tether the Q to the PC with the USB cable.

4.  Allow Windows to find the Driver for the “Motorola Flash Updater.”

The whole process takes about 25 minutes, and if you forget after 34 reminders that you will lose all of your data, here is another reminder to backup all of your personal data (not covered by wirelesssync). After the update completes, you notice a few changes to the GUI. Now the Start screen contains 4 columns of apps (as opposed to three), and a few wallpaper updates.

Most importantly, I wanted EVDO connect to work successfully.  After I first got the Q, I ran an unauthorized hack and ultimately ended up irreparably crashing the phone. I had the Bluetooth connect working fine, and then because of the battery life issue, I wanted USB connection.  I bounced between the two several times and the phone went to lala-land.  Don’t tell Verizon, they ended up replacing the zapped phone, which in some ways they should since the phone altogether lacks a hard reset button.

Anyway, I called Verizon to check to see whether they supported Bluetooth and USB tethering for the EVDO connect.  After escalating my call, the technician assured me that they did.  I  consented to the $15/month additional charge–I may have won the battle over the hacked phone, but they definitely won the war.
I downloaded the latest version of the Verizon Wireless Access Manager and installed the application.  However, when I tried to connect to the Q, I received the following error, “A wireless phone was not found. Make sure that the data cable is securely plugged into your wireless phone and your computer. Also check to make sure the power to your phone is on and close all other applications that may be using the COM port.”  I piddled around with a few troubleshooting ideas but could not get Access Manager to see the phone. I called Verizon tech support and talked to a guy who had me update my system USB drivers, but that did not seem to fix the problem.  Then I called back and spoke with a very dedicated technician.  Something about the guys that work at 11:00 on a Saturday night: they are much nicer and more dedicated to problem solving than the techs on Wednesday afternoon. Anyway, he fixed the problem by changing the connection on the Q.  Start > Accessories > ModemLink and changing connection to USB and pressing “activate.”  I then ran the Access Manager again and was able to successfully connect.  Nice work, but I then found out that they do NOT support Bluetooth tethering–thanks for the fraudulent misrepresentation.

I tested the speed and was able to get 512kbps down and only 55kpbs up, but that is sufficient in those times when there is nothing else like, for example, driving to and from work.