I called this the Basics section because there are a few pieces of software, as well as updates, that should have been included/fixed before the i730 was ever released. This section will cover the VoiceSignal update, which is necessary for making VoiceSignal work with Bluetooth headsets. Otherwise it just plain doesn't work. After that we will install and setup phoneAlarm, SPB Pocket Plus, PIEPlus, iLauncher, and Photo Contacts Pro. I find these apps necessary to the workings on the i730. Yes the other apps I have listed help, but these apps really make the phone work better and much more functional.

Now to install any software there are two ways to accomplish this, either through ActiveSync or directly downloaded from the web with a CAB file. Now not every app has a CAB file to install, but if you are using a MAC, then you probably want to try and locate the CAB file and install it, but for everything I am doing, we are going to have the phone synced with ActiveSync and install through it.

Now again, the only FREE thing I am installing is the update to VoiceSignal. The rest cost money, but each include a trial, so if you would like to test them, go to the Software List section and download the trial, otherwise have your install file handy, and you installation codes/registration keys.

So put your i730 in the cradle and let it sync with the computer before proceeding, as it's required to be synced.

1. VoiceSignal Update 0157 - So first thing to do is obtain the update, so click the link and read the instructions they have posted, and download the update after accepting their license agreement. Now with it downloaded, you have to unzip the file, and you will have a single file titled "VoiceSignal-2.0-0157d-i730.exe". Open this file to begin the install. (if you have installed the update before, and you are just hard resetting your phone for the 20th time, then VoiceSignal will prompt you to uninstall itself first, choose OK to uninstall it, and then it will come up with the installer). So now the installer is open and in front of you, click Next, then install. It will launch the Add/Remove Programs in ActiveSync to install the software. It asks you a question "Install "VoiceSignal VoiceSignal for Samsung SCH-i730" using the default application install directory?" Choose NO. We don't want to install this in Main Memory. We want to install as many programs as possible in SafeStore to help keep Main Memory available for running applications. So when you clicked NO, you are prompted with a box to Save In. Drop that down and choose SafeStore. You don't want to install it to the Memory Card, as this can cause problems because of the way the phone interacts with the SD card when the phone is asleep, so make sure you choose SafeStore. Now click OK, and it starts installing to SafeStore. It then asks you to check your mobile device to see if there are any additional steps, click ok, then click Finish on the VoiceSignal installer. If you look at your i730 screen, it shouldn't show you anything (but might have a progress bar showing it's installing but won't require you to click anything). Once it's done, you will be back on the today screen.

Now take the phone out of the cradle and let's tweak VoiceSignal a little. First after you take the phone out, let's soft reset the phone, just to make sure VoiceSignal installed fully. So after the restart click Start then Programs, and scroll to the bottom and you will see VoiceSignal, click that to open it and when it opens you will hear it ask for a command and you will see "Settings" on the bottom, quickly click settings to get in to the settings menu. First thing I do is click option 3, Digital Dialing, and then click option 1, Adapt Digits. This takes you through 10 steps of numbers to make sure it understands your numbers. This will make it more accurate when telling it to dial numbers. So click Adapt Digits and follow the steps.

Now when back at the main menu, choose option 2, Sensitivity, and turn it up 1 notch towards the "Reject More", then click OK at the bottom. Now on the main menu select option 4 "sounds" and then click "Name Settings" and click option 1 "Speed". Turn this up 2 notches faster, click OK, and then click "Volume", turn it 2 notches higher and then click OK. Click Back twice to return to the main menu. Now click EXIT.

This is a recommended setup by many people to help improve some settings. I like this setup, but you have to remember VoiceSignal does NOT work better by yelling at the phone, speak softly and clearly to make it work and be more accurate. You can also go back in to VoiceSignal at any time and adjust those settings to make it work better for you, but those are the settings I use.

NOTE: Well with the release of WM5 (unofficially, and soon officially), consider this guide stopped. It's complete up to installing the individual software packages, which of course change with EVERY new version released. You can find topics to help with installing each software package in the forum with a quick search, or a simple question.

2. Install and Setup phoneAlarm

3. Install and Setup PIEPlus

4. Install and Setup SPB Pocket Plus

5. Install and Setup Photo Contacts Pro