est.3.22

Samsung Galaxy Spica Android 2.1

David — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 22:23:28 +0000

Finally! I got both my iPhone 3G and Samsung Galaxy Spica upgraded and all working properly.

Let’s talk about the Samsung Galaxy Spica. Probably one of the best “bargain” phones out there with Android. Unfortunately the one I purchased had Android 1.5, not terrible, but also not very good.

So began my quest for Android 2.1 Eclair. Just like all the sites you will come across, I am not responsible for any damage, voiding of your warranty or bricking of your phone. Use at your own risk!!!

Now, there is an easy way I suppose. You can install the latest version of Samsung’s New PC Studio. Big problem you may run into is the inability to get the software to recognize the phone. I sent Samsung an email and received a very prompt response:

If you want New PC Studio(NPS) to recognize your phone for the update, you must have “USB debugging” enabled in the phone. This can be found under: Menu – Settings – Program – Development.

Or there is the manual way (the way I did it because I am impatient). I found a couple of good guides. One from Sameer Prabhakar and many others you can find with a quick Google search.

I was able to follow the guides easy enough and successfully installed Android 2.1 – awesome. But wait, no data service. UGH!

Did some more searching and found one that there are different European versions, this the email to Samsung, but more importantly you will have to set up your APN (Access Point Networks) manually. Those settings are unique for your carrier and carrier partners but are readily available online such as at ModMyI.

Since I am currently in Norway, I found the APN’s from the local carrier websites.

Rooftops

David — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 20:48:43 +0000

The one striking feature you may notice when in Cyprus are the rooftops. Unlike many other places I have been, the water tanks are on the tops of the building.

I am not sure if those are the heaters or just storage tanks. There is really no such thing as cold water out of the tap – it is always sort of warm.

Drydock

David — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 20:43:13 +0000

Just outside the harbor, locales were working on their boats.

Cyprus economy is pretty much all based on tourism so it is interesting that it is not a sanitized tourist area like many places.

Swordfish

David — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 20:41:01 +0000

Had some swordfish at Zephyros.

It was alright but not the best food in the area.

At the Beach

David — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 12:48:55 +0000

One of the beaches in the Larnaca area. This one is a bit farther south than the city center. A bit less traffic and tourists.

Sign in the Taxi

David — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:22:04 +0000

Very specific.

NO DRINKS. No Ice Cream. No Sandwich. No Smoking. JUST WATER.

Peugeot 404

David — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 08:30:17 +0000

Walking along the beach, I came across the clean classic Peugeot 404.

Down the Alley

David — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:19:51 +0000

I’ve been in Cyprus for a few days and on the route we take to the beach I saw this clean RX-8 peeking out in the alley.

Didn’t take a closer look because honestly, it’s damn hot here and I’ve seen a lot of RX-8s so no biggie – right?

Photo with duo-tone for that artsy feel.

VG Lista Top 20

David — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:00:14 +0000

Pretty cool event. VG puts on free concerts of top performers in various cities in Norway.

More information here.

Jumping Rope Prohibited

David — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:16:40 +0000

Another good laugh at the Oslo airport luggage carousel.

Apparently they are afraid of people running and jumping rope on it…