Hi all,

I'm a biologist (not a WM expert) and am considering moving from the XV6700 (HTC) to the Omnia (my phone is starting to lock up etc.). With the XV6700, there was a Kitchen which was very easy to use (just click the packages you want, and out comes the ROM), and a .CAB of common hacks that make the device work better. I was able to flash it and it was a much better device than originally.
What's the status of this for Omnia - is there a kitchen, or else a ROM, which is easy to use (foolproof - no moving files around manually etc.), and results in a stable, fast, device with the good apps on it? I've been browsing around and I see a lot of cool stuff but some have extensive instructions with warnings and acronyms I don't understand, and I'm lost as to which are the necessary, stable, and easy-to-install ones. I'm particularly interested in using the GPS (I'll buy software later, as long as the ROM and device supports using the real GPS) and having a system that's quick, responsive, doesn't lock up, and has reliable BlueTooth connectivity and Exchange Server sync (wireless over-the-air sync to exchange server). What would you suggest (specific links if possible) for the ROM, kitchen (if needd), .CAB (or else compiled list) of hacks/tweaks that make things better, and specific instructions for flashing? How about radio upgrades - is that necessary/useful/available?
I'll be using it with Verizon, and installing a bunch of WM software that I had running on my XV6700. Any advice woudld be greatly appreciated! If I'm going to give up my trusty HTC I'd like to make sure I know what ROM to put on the OMNIA before doing all the preference setting, installing software, etc. etc. Anything else I should make sure of when buying through Verizon (are there specific firmware/hardware model numbers/versions etc.)?

Thank you!!

Mike Levin

You might want to wait just a little bit to get either an Omnia II (if it's affordable) or wait (hopefully a matter of days) until the official Omnia ROM upgrade with GPS is available for the original Vzw Omnia. Pretty soon everyone is likely to be cooking from the new Official ROM with GPS and then all the effort invested in old ROM's will be ~wasted for just a few days or weeks - that's my advice if you feel shy about messing around with your phone.

__________________
-Jim-

Use every part of the buffalo - Brad Bird

> You might want to wait just a little bit to get either an Omnia II (if it's affordable) or

Yeah, I can do this. Any idea when Omnia II is coming? Should I get it from Verizon or is there a better place? Are there hardware options (different models etc.) for it? Are there official specs somewhere on-line for it?

> wait (hopefully a matter of days) until the official Omnia ROM upgrade with GPS is
> available for the original Vzw Omnia. Pretty soon everyone is likely to be cooking from
> the new Official ROM with GPS and then all the effort invested in old ROM's will be
> ~wasted for just a few days or weeks - that's my advice if you feel shy about messing
> around with your phone.[/quote]

super! I guess I'll watch this forum? Will these ROMS be useful for Omnia II or am I really waiting for Omnia II and *then* for people to cook up ROMS for that one?

One of my problems is that I see a bunch of different ROMS each with features (and stuff like "oh yeah, make sure to move the BBB file to the QQQ directory or else!) described in shorthand that I don't fully understand. I really hope that somewhere someone posts a comparison of what's available so that newbies can decide which one they want and get some (relatively) foolproof install instructions. Helmi's kitchen was awesome for the XV6700 - GUI with check-boxes on the software to include (couldn't be simpler) and specific instructions for how to cook and flash.

if anyone is interested, I'd be happy to pay one of the gurus a modest "consulting fee" to set it up for me such that it works...

thanks everyone for their efforts and info.

Mike