Sony Ericsson Z750
- L
- Ludwik
- Tr8
- 26 Apr 2009
I still cannot get the GPS to work with Google maps. The GPS takes a long time to get a lock. When it does the supplied google maps will not load. I get an error message:
Error:
darken_image
Exception:
class
java.lang.RuntimeException
Init Stage:5
I have the latest software downloaded from sony.
I have downloaded another version of google maps. Version 2.3.2
This does load, but does not recognise that a GPS receiver is installed. And shows my position to the nearest km or so.
I have got the GPS to work with the mapping service of Yahoo go! version 3
But that is inferior to Google maps and having two applications running in memory at the same time is a pain and often the phone hangs.
Can anyone help me get my Google maps to work with the GPS ?
- e
- emal
- ibe
- 25 Apr 2009
what the price of this phone....?
- ?
- Anonymous
- M@T
- 21 Apr 2009
If you do a master reset and purchased your phone on the 3 network in the UK you will lose your google maps installed by three. And worse still it will try to launch, and fail. Little thought seems to be given from networks to ensure their bespoke software is configured correctly, why not? It seems that profit comes first if you get a decent phone at the right price it's just luck! This phone is great, just some of the software sucks!
- ?
- Anonymous
- iia
- 17 Apr 2009
All issues related to powering down, stability, etc. are related to the Network Provider's "Added Features". After fully unlocking the phone (see your provider, you may have to pay out your contract before a release is allowed), an update to Sony's Generic Firmware with the onboard SEUS (Sony Ericsson Update Service) fixes the issues.
GPS - This Phone has GPS, despite what your Network Provider may claim. I got mine as a Telstra NextG prepaid pack, marketted as "Rural friendly", and it specifically stated a lack of GPS ability. AFTER the upgrade to remove the Woeful Telstra branding (with it's associated power-down issues), the GPS subscriber data can be cleared in the Service menu (google "sony service codes" for keypad sequence), and thereafter Java programs supporting the Wireless Location services extensions will be available for use (TrekBuddy, for instance, is one free option for logging, another is Mobile GMaps).
The only downside is the lack of internal Almanac code to provide quick-startup. You may need a few minutes before GPS lock is established, so that the almanac code can be downloaded over-the-air via GPS. The Almanac remains in memory until the phone is switched off, so subsequent GPS use gains a lock quickly.
I bought this phone primarily for SIX reasons:
1. GPS, without the usual pricetag (no artificial market segmentation rackets to deal with). This is SE's first phone with GPS, which was announced but promptly forgotten by network providers. Some may offer "AGPS" packages with google maps and on-air download charges. It is not required - simply an attempt to monetise a perceived lack of GPS functionality - just let it lock - it gets much faster at it over time.)
2. Java Development thanks to included J2ME with full MIDP 2.0 - This is SE's first phone with Java services API 8.1, so there are plenty of exposed interfaces for wireless services, location services, multimedia services, mobile payment, etc. The v8.1 API is quite diverse, much more powerful than previous API's, and reduces the need for Native application development - v8.2 and v8.3 is available in their newer models, but the difference between v7.x and v8.0/v8.1 is vast. Check out the sony developer website:
http://developer.sonyericsson.com
3. Root access. Tools have been available for quite a while, allowing full root access to the flash filesystem of the phone, allowing complete menu customization, including Adobe Flash menus, personalizing your network and security permissions, etc. Almost all configuration is done with XML text files, so it's easy to debug and fix to a developer's needs.
4. UMTS. High speed HSDPA with GSM fallback. Quad-band, 850/900/1800/1900, AMR audio at Full and Half Rate, as well as Extended Full Rate.
I can get a signal in deep RF shadows and rural areas - worked well during a holiday to New Zealand - only one remote mountainous area required a high-gain antenna.
5. Midlet development - Thanks to root access, you can access the raw data segments exported by the midlets running on your UICC card, providing a unique debugging tool for developing midlet applications that reside within your UICC - perfect for corporate USIM applications, PKCS solutions, etc.
Bluetooth is a tad whacky, but then again, it always has been. Standard quirks apply.
The Bluetooth chipset is an STLC2592, for your reference. Updated driver code is in onboard flash.
6. JTAG debug port, Complete bootloader, and firmware included. Incase native applications need to be developed, the firmware is provided within the filesystem, allowing the proper system hooks to be placed in memory, without requiring a completely new O/S. Although more documentation would be a nice touch, it's good to know that the bootloader is separate incase binary patches are required, and the ever-present JTAG port allows in-system debugging and programming of the ARM4 series SoC, which is even useful to determine the root causes behind J2ME bugs. Sony Ericsson provide JTAG debug resources for J2ME on their developer website.
CONS: Don't expect a scan-interline CCD camera. This is strictly CMOS, and interlaced worse than the cheapest 80's camcorders. Hold still if pictures are required, or you may become seasick. Interesting effect, though.
One benefit: You can develop for this camera, and be assured that the Z750's brothers have similiar products. Alternatively, you can replace the Omnivision 2640 front-end sensor with a similiar model, and modify the Ascii driver (yes, it's a scripted SPI camera!). The backend is quite configurable, and provide extremely high sample rates when the sensor is windowed or scanlines are tossed away.
Cons are basically the Camera, a non-standard set of reflash button holds (hold 2+5 for a #1, and the Red Hangup for a #2, found with much patience), and some pauses during concurrent tasks (a trimmed-down non-animated menu theme helps).
PRO: This really is a Developer's Platform - a Reference specification for their J-8 OS series of phones - without some of the more extensive abilities of the slightly newer phones, but you can be certain in terms of code coverage for the siblings of the Z750 platform.
GPS, UMTS, JAVA, UICC, BT & a VERY nice OS architecture. Stable as a Rock, yet easy-as-pie to customize and develop on. Much more convincing in terms of security than WinCE phones = mystery and pain.
Linux support is excellent with the newest kernel(s) - try 2.6.27 or higher. Ubuntu works well, especially when combined with the mobile broadband libraries, etc. which allow for plug-and-play detection of the usb ethernet lan interface, as well as the serial data ttyACM0 and ppp-specific ttyACM1 interfaces. A ppp connection directly provides authentication to the network provider APN that you have set - this is perfect for low-latency Corporate networking - PPP authenticates the provider with the USIM midlet on the phone, and sets up the phone's NIC to tunnel IPV6 using IPSEC extensions.
Absolutely beautiful when it comes to network connectivity. An actual device that conforms to the USB CDC-ACM and CDC-ETH, with out-of-band authentication with the host via PPP, with dual-serial interfaces for concurrent data + management. IP, v.32 Data/Fax all at once. Also Voice (m.s. telephony is in the standards, mind you, but still useable with some work).
A cheap, modern and standards compliant S.E. device that is open to speedy developer access...
- a
- anonymous
- R0I
- 09 Apr 2009
I have had so many issues with this phone, I hate it. It shuts itself off all the time. I have replaced the battery twice but it continues to shut off. The battery life is horrible too. I've never had such a bad experience with a phone.
- ?
- Anonymous
- kP7
- 01 Apr 2009
My z750 did the same thing, keeping turning itself off. I got it replaced under warranty by at&t. At&t has good custom service. I will buy att again, but maybe not sony Ericsson.
- ?
- Anonymous
- PVg
- 28 Mar 2009
Anonymous, 24 Mar 2009Ok.. I thought my phone might be the only one or I just hav... moremy colour is nyamen
- ?
- Anonymous
- 40{
- 27 Mar 2009
mine cuts off about 20 times a day its pissssiiin me offfff!!!!
- ?
- Anonymous
- jC@
- 24 Mar 2009
Anonymous, 12 Mar 2009I know what you mean! My phone shuts off all the time and d... moreOk.. I thought my phone might be the only one or I just have a stroke of bad luck.
My phone shuts off in the middle of a conversation too. It's so annoying and I've already sent my phone off to be fixed. They said it was fine, but it keeps doing it!
- ?
- Anonymous
- Ydi
- 23 Mar 2009
Erica, 06 Nov 2008I hate mine too. What's your problem with it? Mine sponta... moremine hangs just like a computer does when it needs to restarted. it happens about every 3 months and if i do a master reset it fixes it- this is the 3rd 750 i have complained about. they have all doen it.
- ?
- Anonymous
- kex
- 23 Mar 2009
Does it comes with GPS or Google map actually?
- L
- LGM
- LIZ
- 23 Mar 2009
I have just bought this phone and I can´t set the call waiting or change thePIN password because it posts a warning that says COMMAND ERROR. Does anybody know about this problem. Thank you guys.
- ?
- Anonymous
- vCZ
- 22 Mar 2009
do it some mre design like this.
is beutiful!
im very sure that all d new design like this will sold out!:))
- ?
- Anonymous
- QXG
- 13 Mar 2009
Carmel, 06 Feb 2009Has anybody else had trouble with the back cover not staying on??Yes I have lost the back cover already! who knows how it came off or where it is????Also it shuts itself off all the time changed battery and sent it in also. Att finally replaced mine with another! so far so good.
- ?
- Anonymous
- jC@
- 12 Mar 2009
Anonymous, 24 Feb 2009I bought one of these phones for my daughter and I. Three ... moreI know what you mean! My phone shuts off all the time and does one little vibration.
It's annoying, I guess nothing can be done. I've sent my phone off a few times already.
- N
- Nikki
- U2T
- 03 Mar 2009
my sony ericsson z750i i think is faulty???? i thought i had a faulty sim card at first so i got it replaced but it's still the same!! i have setup my pxt 5 times on this phone and it still wont let me recieve or send pxt???? it tells me to check my internet profile settings?? and to me there is nothing wrong?? the internet don't work properly and it's fustrating i am with vodafone if this helps??
if anyone could help that would be great thanks
- n
- nikki
- U2T
- 03 Mar 2009
Carmel, 06 Feb 2009Has anybody else had trouble with the back cover not staying on??yes it don't shut properly??
- W
- Wilson
- kex
- 01 Mar 2009
Anonymous, 24 Feb 2009I bought one of these phones for my daughter and I. Three ... moreI have one of this too. Mine just turned off by itself today. It just wont turn on no matter how long I charged it. Even though I changed a new battery, it just wont turn on. I/m bringing it to the Fido store to repair tomorrow.
- ?
- Anonymous
- 4gA
- 24 Feb 2009
I bought one of these phones for my daughter and I. Three months after we purchased them they would turn themselves off. Even in the middle of a call or ???
I called the warrenty department and they sent me new (?) phones. Three to four months later they again shut themselves off. I again called the warrenty department and they sent me new batteries.
Three weeks later the phones are again shutting themselves off. Is anyone else having this problem or have I purchased the only two defective phones?
- ?
- Anonymous
- vkN
- 22 Feb 2009
The design is cute..but the camera's not so good...the picture always looks dark.
I also dont like the calendar reminder features (especially birthday reminder)..nokia's calendar's much much better