Upgrade Your Treo 700wx to Windows Mobile 6.1

You may have heard that some developers have gotten their hands on Windows Mobile 6.1 for the Palm Treo 700wx. If you want to learn more, then take a look at this forum on XDA-Developers:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=397134

Flashing a phone's ROM is not for beginners. This is true especially when you're loading a custom ROM. If you make a mistake, then your phone may turn into a permanent brick that you can use as a paperweight. I always advise people to ask for assistance or to hand the phone over to an expert who can do the flashing correctly.

In my opinion, there are significant advantages to running Windows Mobile 6.1 over Windows Mobile 6.0. That change from ".0" to ".1" at the end of 6 makes a big difference. Now we have Windows Mobile 6.5 but that's not available for the Treo (at least not now). Not sure about the version differences? Take a look at this chart that provides an overview of Windows Mobile 5.0, 6.0, and 6.1:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/en-us/meet/version-compare.mspx

HTC ROM Update for the HTC Touch Pro

HTC has released a ROM update for the HTC Touch Pro. However, download and install with caution since it may wipe out critical settings that are provided by your carrier (such as by Verizon, Sprint, or AT&T). The Touch Pro is a nice device but you should take a look at the Touch Pro2 since it's much nicer (and if you're able to wait). Who knows when the Touch Pro2 will come out, but I think it will be worth the wait.

Still Waiting for Verizon to Unlock the aGPS on HTC and Samsung

People are still waiting for Verizon Wireless to unlock the aGPS on the HTC Touch Pro, the Samsung Omnia, and the Samsung Saga. Even though the XV6900 (or HTC Vogue) also has an internal aGPS chip, Verizon won't be unlocking that. So, if you want to use the GPS on that device, you'll need to do some adventurous ROM flashing. I'm still lucky to have the XV6800 (or HTC Titan, Sprint Mogul, PPC 6800) that has an internal aGPS that works really well once you load a custom ROM and apply a few tweaks (or apply a few tweaks to the MR1 or MR2 ROM released by Verizon).

It's so handy to have a phone that has an internal aGPS. The safety implications of having a GPS device are also huge. In fact, I'm surprised that Verizon hasn't faced any significant lawsuits from people who may have sustained injury that could have been avoided if the aGPS on their device had not been locked or disabled by Verizon.

Well, fortunately Verizon won't be crippling future smartphones that have a built-in aGPS. However, there are many current customers who are waiting for that software upgrade!

Getting the aGPS to work on the XV6800 MR2

The release of MR1 and MR2 for the Verizon XV6800 has complicated things quite significantly. I had to install an older Verizon ROM, then update the bootloader, then install the new radio ROM, then install the new device ROM. Once you do that, then you need to run QPST and change a few settings to enable the aGPS.

Stuck on the Bootloader Screen

I got stuck on the Bootloader screen today as I was updating a few things on my XV6800. Fortunately, I still had an active USB connection and I was able to install the DCD 4.1.2 custom ROM on my device. This is a really nice ROM mainly because you can use your finger to pan/scroll more pages up and down, including on Pocket Internet Explorer. However, since I have Skyfire, this isn't a huge benefit.

Unfortunately, I'll have to go through this again in a few days because my device has a defective keyboard. I hate reinstalling all my applications.

Valhalla Legends GPSServer.cab and GC Verizon aGPS.cab

These are essential components if you'd like to enable the aGPS on your XV6800:

Valhalla Legends GPSServer.cab
GC Verizon aGPS.cab

Installing Custom ROM All Over Again to Enable the GPS

I wasn't planning on this, but the 4-way navigation buttons on my XV6800 have failed. Therefore, it's time to go through the circus again and install a new BootLoader, a new radio ROM, and a new custom ROM so that I can use the internal GPS that's disabled by Verizon Wireless.

I'm debating whether I should attempt to install the beta version of Windows Mobile 6.5. I don't have the luxury of spending too much time on this. I mainly need a dependable working phone. I tether and I use the aGPS (assisted GPS) for driving. The aGPS allows for super-fast satellite acquisition.

Going Back to the Stock Verizon ROM for the XV6800

I need to install the stock Verizon ROM on my XV6800. I've been using a custom ROM that allows me to use the built-in GPS and it's been great. But, it's time for me to go through the steps of installing the original ROM. Can you guess why?

If Verizon hadn't disabled the built-in GPS, then I wouldn't have gone through all the trouble. Now, I have to go through all these complicated steps at the risk of turning my phone into a nice paperweight brick.

Thank goodness for the HTC Titan wiki. The first step is the BootLoader. I've already done that using a microSD card. Now, I need to go through and replace the phone ROM and the radio ROM. Verizon now has both an MR1 and an MR2 ROM update listed on their website so you can get Windows Mobile 6.1 and RevA speeds.

Thankfully, all the newer Verizon phones don't come crippled with disabled GPS chips.

Radio ROM 3.42.50 now available

The Titan (XV6800 or Sprint Mogul) radio ROM 3.42.50 is now available. Find it on the XDA-developers forum.

I've been using radio ROM 3.42.30 and I get decent GPS lock times. I don't think that 3.42.50 is much faster in terms of locking on to the GPS signal.

Thanks to all the guys who are making it possible to use the built-in GPS.