Help Just got i7500 and have some questions

[Hamzar]

Hey guys !
i just got a new i7500 today and i have some questions .

1. why my laptop/my other phone can't connect with my i7500 using bleutooth ? is that a bug or what ? bluetooth is something important to me.
2. what means rom , firmware , galaxo and GAOSP ?
3. my phone works with android 1.5 , i want to upgrade it to 2.2 . how can i do that ? and if i upgrade i'll lose anything or have risks ? the upgrade to 2.2 will resolve the bluetooth problems?
4. i can't see the file manager icon in my menu ! how can i manage my files , pictures , movies and audio files ? if i browse i picture using the gallery i can't send it via bluetooth ! what's the problem?
5. give me advices ! this is the first android mobile i use .. im a web developer!

thanks .

 

[DaSchmarotzer]

Hello there, welcome to the forums!

There is a small FAQ about the Galaxy that should answer most of your questions, it's right here. If you still want more info, don't be afraid to ask!

I can't really help you with your Bluetooth questions as I've never used the thing.

You should also download a file manager application, such as Astro or ES File Manager.

 

[Hamzar]

Hi dear ,
i read the faq page already and i didn't find what im looking for .. so please if you can answer to my question especially about upgrade and troublshouting .

 

[DaSchmarotzer]

Firmware: It's the mix of the OS (Android) and the stuff Samsung put in the software such as drivers. Samsung released different firmware versions and you can heck your in the settings. People used to change a lot back when Samsung was still releasing updates.

ROM: It's a custom firmware made by a developer other than Samsung. Good examples are Galaxo and GAOSP.

Galaxo: A ROM based on Android 1.6

GAOSP: A ROM based on Android 2.2 (There is also a new version for Android 2.3)

To update your phone, you should check out this guide. You will lose your apps and configuration but not what is saved on your internal SD card (such as pictures, videos and music). You won't risk anything unless you really don't follow the guide at all and try some other stuff. If something goes wrong, we will help you fix it. Once again I don't know if this will fix the bluetooth.

No advice comes to my mind right now but I'll think about it. There are a few themes around if you want to change your phone's look.

 

[Lelouch]

First congratulations for choosing this unit, more to come.

Regarding Bluetooth it does work for file transfer, but not for headset - status in GAOSP.
Bluetooth does work for headset (not sure for file transfer, I think that was introduced in Android 2.x) in Galaxo.

Note regarding custom ROM's:

Galaxo is based on Android 1.6 and Sam*censored official JC6 firmware release.
Good points: really fast, everything works, nice collection of apps (but... ...continuation below)...
Bad points: old OS (it is Android 1.6), no one (majority) develops for Android 1.x anymore (apps), and many more when you compare it to GAOSP (visually)

GAOSP is based on Android 2.x (latest Gingerbread - 2.3 Android), better to say CM7 (CyangenMod for those who don't know) with heavily optimized code for Galaxy.
Good points: well it looks nice, many apps to choose from, Bluetooth file transfer, camera options (GAOSP 2 Beta 3), ROM for the future or now ...
Bad points: WIP (work in progress), still Beta (but daily usable), lags a little for some, still no sound in Bluetooth headset,...

All in all, lets face it Galaxy (i7500) is an old unit (in terms for technology). I don't see a reason to buy now (especially new ). There're many better units to choose from and I mean it. Its specs are outdated compared to todays devices. The greatest bug in its construction is to little RAM and it really hurts. You will see what I mean when/if you flash GAOSP on it. But there is some help for that, but don't expect miracles. Well Galaxo is good (faster) ROM then GAOSP but according to Obi (one of developers of GAOSP) GAOSP with Gingerbread is fast like Galaxo (didn't use Galaxo myself so can't confirm that).

Note: GAOSP 3 Beta 1 or later nightly doesn't have working camera yet but we're getting there. So if you choose GAOSP and need camera go for GAOSP 2 Beta 3 (based on CM 6 with Froyo aka Android 2.2).
BTW, I'm currently using GAOSP 3 nightly (04052011).

Do they still sell new Galaxy (i7500)???

 

[Hamzar]

Hey guys , thanks for helping .
Lelouch i mean new for me ! the phone isn't from the official store .

so i'll update to GAOSP 2 Beta 3 , the camera will be very good (like now)? so if i didn't like this firemware i can back to the original(wich come by default) ? the speed of the phone will be bad if i install GAOSP 2 Beta 3 ?

and thanks guys .

 

[Lelouch]

Regarding camera it will be better, you will have more options to play with.
Regarding firmware, yes you can if you do a Nadroid Backup before installing GAOSP or Galaxo. The speed will be not so bad, but see for yourself and try it. You can always go back to stock firmware but I think that Galaxo is better then stock firmware.

Note: you must root your phone before installing Galaxo or GAOSP.

 

[Ajcf01]

Hello there,

I am not meaning to gatecrash this thread but I saw something of interest to me. I too have a Galaxy I7500. I got it 2 years ago. It came with Android 1.5. I immediately upgraded it to Android 1.6. Am I right in understanding that by following DAS's link I can upgrade the phone to Android 2.2? Can the hardware cope with this system? If so is there any 'cons' in doing so which I should be aware of?

Many thanks

Adrian

 

[Lelouch]

Yes. By following DaSchmarotzer's guide you can flash a cutom ROM on it.

Con's are: many apps that are developed for Android 2.x, more stable, more camera options, bluetooth file transfer,...
GAOSP is heavily moded for Galaxy from CM 6/7 which is based on Android 2.2/2.3 aka Froyo/Gingerbread.

Try it. You can easily revert back to your stocked ROM via Nadroid Backup.

 

[Ajcf01]

Hi there again,

Is there a thread that details how to make and restore a back up before I try to upgrade? Just so I have all the information.

"You can easily revert back to your stocked ROM via Nadroid Backup"

Thanks

Adrian

 

[Lelouch]

You need to install custom Recovery. The newest version is v6.6.2. Install via GalaxyUpdater (Market) or via fastboot (for this method you need to have working ADB drivers for fastboot). Here is the link for the Recovery.

When you install the Recovery, to get in it just press and hold Volume down, call and call end button. There you will have many options and among them choose the one called Nadroid and choose backup (SLOT 1-4 your choice). Later you can easily just do a Nandroid restore to return to previous ROM. Hope it helps.