i-mate SP3i ROM Update Version 2.3.33.21 Now Available, Includes Windows Media Player 10

[Kris Kumar]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.clubimate.com' target='_blank'>http://www.clubimate.com</a><br /><br /></div>I-mate has <i>finally</i> released the much awaited ROM update containing Windows Media Player 10 for its i-mate SP3i Smartphone (European version, 900Mhz). :-) Wonder what took i-mate so long to release this update? As an i-mate customer, who paid over $400 for the SP3i Smartphone and decided to buy an i-mate device (instead of the one sold by the carrier), the key deciding factor was the ROM updates. Even though i-mate has been doing a good job at releasing ROM updates for fixing problems and improving performance, the update with the WMP 10 was missing. Finally i-mate has decided to make their customers happy, after almost a year. :evil: <br /><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Kris-oct05-sp3iromupdate.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br />I-mate customers can login to the <a href="http://clubimate.com">Club i-mate</a> web site and download the ROM update from the SP3i support page. Not sure if a similar update is available for the SP3 model. I cannot access the SP3 support page. Maybe one of our readers can confirm it. Don't forget to backup your Smartphone data before applying the ROM update. I was able to able to update my SP3i without a hitch. :) <br /><br /><b>Update:</b> Our reader <i>mpattman</i> has confirmed that a similar update is available for the i-mate SP3 (European version, 900Mhz) model also.<!> <br /><br />Following is the list of updates according to i-mate:<br /><br /><b>Multimedia</b><br />• Windows Media Player 10 for Smartphone<br /><br /><b>Operating System</b> <br />• Latest build of Microsoft Windows Mobile™ Smartphone 2003 Second Edition operating system<br /><br /><b>File beaming over Bluetooth</b><br />• It is now possible to beam files over Bluetooth using the file manager<br /><br /><b>Improved radio functionality</b><br />• Call audio quality is improved. <br />• Speakerphone function is now included in the menu for each call. <br />• The user can choose after how many seconds a call is sent through to voicemail. <br />• Sometimes the phone would say "Unable to answer call" if the user tried to answer the phone while the call was being forwarded to voicemail. This functionality has been corrected. <br />• USSD service support is upgraded.<br /><br /><b>Ringtones</b><br />• mp3 ringtones can now be used<br /><br /><b>Updated MMS</b><br />• Input phone numbers in "To" field using T9 "abc" mode, MMS cannot be sent while last number underlined. <br />• After capturing picture, the device might go to album or other photo review option instead of returning to MMS client this has been corrected. <br />• Sometimes, after capturing a video for inserting into an MMS, the wait cursor would cycle and it would not be possible to insert the MMS. This has been corrected.<br /><br /><b>Updated T9</b><br />• 10 x 10 symbol table introduced. <br />• Launching symbol table could delete words. This has been corrected. <br />• When browsing to the web pages with text input field and keying in words, the very first letter might appear as a number. This has been corrected. <br />• Sometimes requesting a capital letter would result in a lower case letter being displayed. This has been corrected.<br /><br /><b>Bluetooth</b><br />• Bluetooth serial port functionality has been improved. Users will need to install devices that use the serial port (GPS for Tomtom, Destinator, Copilot etc.) in a new way and these instructions will be posted on the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.<br /><br /><b>Java</b><br />• Updated Java client to latest version.

[cesarfong]

woohooo this is great for imate sp3i owners!!!!!

I will try it :)

[mpattman]

The SP3 also has a similar update.

[brntcrsp]

gah! I have the US version with 800 band. I have a ROM version that includes WMP 10, but the Bluetooth stack is seriously messed up. I hope a US version is released shortly.

[Kris Kumar]

The SP3 also has a similar update.

Awesome. :-)

Thanks

[johncruise]

At last... a file transfer over bluetooth! Thanks for informing us of the updates.

[Pennan]

I'm interested in all information found in the About page. The Windows Mobile build numer (4.21.1088 build xxxxx.x.x.x) and the other version numbers found there.

Finally a manufacturer who publish an ok list of fixes and updates. Now I now suddenly found out that my Qtek 8010 has support for filetransfer over bluetooth!

[Kris Kumar]

Finally a manufacturer who publish an ok list of fixes and updates.

i-mate also maintains a list of bugs. And informs the users thru Club i-mate whether those bugs are under investigation or if they will be fixed in the next release. I believe for now all the bugs have been fixed with this release. :-)

[Kris Kumar]

Screen shots of the About screen.

http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/kris-oct05-sp3irom2.3-1.jpg

http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/kris-oct05-sp3irom2.3-2.jpg

http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/kris-oct05-sp3irom2.3-3.jpg

[prismejon]

gah! I have the US version with 800 band. I have a ROM version that includes WMP 10, but the Bluetooth stack is seriously messed up. I hope a US version is released shortly.

Damn it! So that is why the install fails... I got my iMate in the US and moved back to Europe now and the phone's reception is horrible over here (it's great on my other cellphones). I was hoping an update could fix it. But I guess it is probably because I have the 850 band version vs. the 900 band one.. I that SW flashable, or a HW feature?

[Mike Temporale]

Hardware from what I can tell, but don't hold me to it.

[Pennan]

Screen shots of the About screen.

Thanks!
I'm keeping track of updates for the different Typhoon/Feeler models.
This update seems to be based on Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition AKU 2.6. That's what the "2.6.0" indicates in the build number.

I've seen that AKU 3.0 is on the Samsung i300, but I wonder if it will ever make it to the Typhoon/Feeler.
AKU2 brought WMP10 and .NET Compact Framework SP1. I wonder what AKU3 brings.

[Kris Kumar]

Is this chart accessible somewhere on the net?

[johncruise]

My update was successful but I am still looking for a file transfer via BT and coulnd't find it in the Send/Beam option in File Manager. Out of curiousity I tried Beam option anyway but it only looks for IR connections (although there's a "Searching" option but even after 2 minutes, it still doesn't see my PC).

Anyone tried beaming a file via BT with the new ROM update?

[Kris Kumar]

Not familiar with the steps and haven't tried it with the new version.

But you have to enable the "Receive Incoming Beams" under Start->Settings->Beam.

I know it is strange, but I think it needs to be checked before you can do file transfers. I think so.

[johncruise]

Not familiar with the steps and haven't tried it with the new version.

But you have to enable the "Receive Incoming Beams" under Start->Settings->Beam.

I know it is strange, but I think it needs to be checked before you can do file transfers. I think so.

That is way so weird. I did tried that and it worked. Again, out of curiosity, I disable beaming again and from here on I can send files via BT from File Manager.

Can't complain now... as long as it works, I'm fine with it :-)

Thanks Kris!

[Kris Kumar]

Its one of those weirdly intutive options. :roll: Have no idea what Microsoft was thinking of.

[Quasimime]

I have an SP3i (the 900mhz version)and just updated my ROM but now, my soft keys won't work. Yikes!

Anyone else have this same issue? Help.

[engrusaf]

This is good news although i was expected more such as modification in pocket internet explorer to support full screen browsing with multi windows option &amp; to add encryption option in file manager but thinking of wmp-10 &amp; enhancing bt is enough for me to happy.
One more request to Mr. Kris Kumar to write step by step procedure for upgrading which enables to new users including me to upgrade mobiles easily

[Kris Kumar]

This is good news although i was expected more such as modification in pocket internet explorer to support full screen browsing with multi windows option &amp; to add encryption option in file manager but thinking of wmp-10 &amp; enhancing bt is enough for me to happy.

PIE full screen browsing was never released by Microsoft as an update. WMP10 was. That is why we got it in this update.

One more request to Mr. Kris Kumar to write step by step procedure for upgrading which enables to new users including me to upgrade mobiles easily

Frankly, the upgrade process is very simple. Once you download the upgrade file and run it. It has a step by step wizard that tells you what to do. Pretty painless. The only tip. Backup the data. Basically sync your Smartphone via ActiveSync so that all your data in-sync with the desktop.

Also I thought Club i-mate had a PDF document. I cannot access the site, they seem to be having some trouble, I guess. :-(

Will post back again once their site is up and running.

[engrusaf]

Thank you Mr. Kris Kumar for providing a valuable info &amp; a nice tip.

[Kris Kumar]

The Clubimate.com site is up and running.

- Login in to the site. If you do not have a login, you will have to register your phone. Steps are provided on the site.
- Click on the "Club Support" menu and then select "Updates/Downloads"
- Select "Device Support" link for SP3i or SP3
- Select the "Operating System Upgrade and Device Customisations" link
- Select the appropriate language. Usually it is the first one with English.
- Then look for the "Click here to download the Operating System 2.3.33.21" link.
- Download the file and execute it. The Wizard walks you thru the steps.
- Pretty simple.

This update how-to document (http://tinyurl.com/aq7or) published by Club i-mate may also be referenced. [To access the document, you must be logged in to the Club i-mate website.]