Rooting the MID M80003W WonderMedia WM8650 Android Tablet
Update August, 24 2011: If you are attempting to root your tablet please check out the latest Uberoid mod instead of the one listed in this review. You can read about my experiences with the update on this blog entry along with links to the latest mod.
Original Article:This is my review of a MID 80003W android tablet purchased from Geeks.com and my experiences rooting it. It’s a no name MID (Mobile Internet Device) that comes up as model Wondermedia WM8650 when I check the device’s about screen.
The device was of particular interest because it boasted 3G, 8″ screen, and Android 2.2. Unfortunately I struck out on all three features. The 3G connectivity wasn’t compatible with my AT&T SIM card because it doesn’t have a SIM slot. The device does have a 8″ screen but it is a low quality resistive surface which is more compatible with finger taps and a stylus instead of finger presses that a quality capacitive screen can sense. The tablet does have Android 2.2 but it was loaded with an unlicensed Android OS and filled with sketchy Chinese apps. Apparently an unlicensed OS can’t access the official Android Market. The user interface was slow and applications were very unsettling. For a more comprehensive review check out this OSnews article on the device.
Two features that are usually standard were surprisingly missing; a USB interface for connection to a computer and a head phone jack!
There isn’t anything I can do about the 3G and screen but rooting the device turned it into a half usable tablet. Unfortunately there is a lack of clear directions on rooting it and what ROM to use so below is the procedure I followed. You’ll need a micro SD card, Windows computer, and several downloads.
- Download Uberoid_WM8650_2.2_v1.2.2_NL_v20110414-HcH Uberoid ROM from TechKnow.
Note: To access the download you must be logged into the TechKnow forum. Free registration. - Download SD Formatter and install it on a windows.
- Connect the SD card and use the SD formatter to create an empty FAT32 volume.
- Unzip the Uberoid download and copy the files onto the SD card. The wmt_scriptcmd file and FirmwareInstall folder should be on the root of the card.
- With the android tablet turned off, insert the SD card, and turn it back on.
- During startup the android tablet will read the SD card and install the firmware. It took about 4 minutes for the process to complete before the device rebooted into the new OS. Watch the screen because the SD card must be ejected when the firmware installation completes or the upgrade will run again after the device restarts.
- The final step was to blunder my way through the menu to calibrate the screen.
Overall the process was straightforward and worthwhile. The device now runs faster and user interactions are more fluent. The sketchy Chinese apps are gone and the official Android Market is available.
Review of ‘Pioneer One’ BitTorrent Movie
According to my personal rating standards sci-fi movies either fall into one of three categories, great, horrible, and fancy eye candy that flopped. Hollywood has a subtle way of transforming potentially great sci-fi into sub-standard, watered down sci-fi in an attempt to make it appeal to the masses. Sub-standard and watered down how? Take your pick; cookie cutter plots, stereotypical characters, old stories with new technology mixed in, predictable endings, etc.
I find myself lowering standards on some sci-fi so it will fall into the great category just because it is unique. Other movies that have great production and effects but are mutilated by the Hollywood syndrome and generally get put in the ‘fancy eye candy that flopped’ category because it’s worth watching even though the story is disappointing. If you don’t like sci-fi then your standards are probably high and everything that a I would bend the rules on you may put into the horrible category.
Hungry for some new and original sci-fi I watched the Pioneer One pilot episode that was featured on a recent Slashdot posting. Once the preconception of it being a low budget film was overcome I was surprised at the story and professional content. The story is original and sets the stage for a drama that is realistic and can incorporate some fascinating sci-fi themes. I’ve seen my share of horrible sci-fi movies but the pilot episode of Pioneer One easily falls into my great category despite being low budget.
Download the pilot via BitTorrent for free and decide for yourself. More download options and movie information is available on the VODO Pioneer One site. Well worth checking out if you like sci-fi.
I’ve already donated to the project, what about you? Do you think it’s worth $5 to see the story unfold?
(Real) Stargate built in backyard
Hack A Day had this wonderful link filed under “misc hacks” that shows a home made stargate along with an amateur action video. Check out the page for more details.
If you happen to think this is pretty cool then check out this Stargate themed merchandise from Cafe Press.
Kinda wish my birthday was coming up soon because the geek is sexy shirt and the stargate shirt are awesome. I wonder if I can get this as a shirt instead?
Thoughts of a Gmail Convert
Recently I converted my mail client from Lotus Notes to Gmail. Sure, I had a Gmail address but only so I could enjoy the benefits of Google Wave and Google Voice.
Lotus Notes has always had a soft spot in my geek heart because it pioneered mail file replication and provided advanced search queries. Unfortunately it lacked in a streamlined client and to run a Domino server for myself just wasn’t feasible.
Google Apps promised a solution to cover my email, scheduling, and more for only $50/yr. Considering an Exchange account from 1and1 is almost $84/yr the trade up to Google Apps seemed attractive considering all of the features available.
My initial evaluation of the Gmail interface have been surprising, negatively surprising. This isn’t a gripe session and overall I’m impressed with Gmail and Google Apps but I’m shocked at the lack of certain features.
Notably, how to keep labeled items out of the inbox. Thanks to David Tan for demonstrating the magical setup of filters to arrange the inbox.
Gmail supports Active Sync for connecting my outlook data to Windows Mobile phones but the connector won’t sync my phone tasks with the Gmail tasks.
Oh, and no HTML embedded signatures? Gesh.
One of the advantages to Gmail is the numerous and widely used methods of checking email, POP, IMAP, Webmail, Exchange, Active Sync, etc so in the long run the lack of features in the Gmail interface shouldn’t be a stumbling block.
More to follow as I probe the depths of the Google Apps world.
Review of the Russell T. Davies’ TV series Torchwood
Because it followed the Doctor Who series my hopes were high that this would be an exciting alternative while waiting for the next Doctor Who installment. Just as the Tardis is bigger on the inside than it appears on the outside, so is the disappointment I feel inside greater than what my mind could possible contain. Torchwood might as well burn – I wouldn’t miss it. I’d be thankful for not having endured the filth of the series and the agony of the let down.
Torchwood is less about science fiction and more about liberal drama. All of the actors pursue sexual relationships with each other and the highest sense of accomplishment and purpose for living is to not be alone. Sure, Gwen comes on the scene as a compassionate heart who wants to help everyone but that is soon replaced with a character who is empty and seeking physical contact to fill that emptiness. I don’t even want to admit to having watched some of the eipsodes. I’m sorry, episodes like “Day One” and “Countrycide” were just too raunchy and grotesque and should have been a clear indication the rest of the episodes weren’t worth watching.
I’m a sucker and wanted to give it one last chance so I started watching the “Children of Earth” season 3 miniseries. <rant>I can deal with time travel, regeneration from the dead, crazy inventions, but what is REALLY unbelievable is the gun fights in day 2. Torchwood explodes, Gwen and Ianto crawl from the wreckage and each manage to evade a well placed sniper who is watching for survivors. First of all, the sniper wouldn’t use a laser sight for a distance shot thus revealing his position and allowing the characters to notice the marker and realize, ‘Oh, look, a light dot, someone is pointing a gun at me, Duck!” Second, a few minutes later Gwen manages to shoot the front AND back tires out of an oncoming vehicle from a free hand position over 50 yards away. Really, I thought this was SCIENCE FICTION not FANTASY!</rant>
Don’t waste your time with Torchwood. If Doctor Who gets as raunchy and grotesque I might shed a tear.