Can I Reprogram My Phone's UI?

I just got a new Verizon phone, and I'm disappointed with the user
interface. They've programmed the buttons to give me quick access to
all the features I don't use -- like messaging, voice commands, and
online shopping.

Is there any way to reprogram the phone so that it works the way I
want?


-TC

TC wrote:
> I just got a new Verizon phone, and I'm disappointed with the user
> interface. They've programmed the buttons to give me quick access to
> all the features I don't use -- like messaging, voice commands, and
> online shopping.
>
> Is there any way to reprogram the phone so that it works the way I
> want?
>
>
> -TC
>

You will have to check the manual. The "usual" mods are only to the
circular selection ring on the standard Vz UI.

Q

If you mean what menus the 5-way buttons go to, yes there are options
to reprogram those. I set mine up to do the things I want, which do
*not* involve web browsing or text messages.....

On Jul 11, 11:36 am, TC <golemdan...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I just got a new Verizon phone, and I'm disappointed with the user
> interface. They've programmed the buttons to give me quick access to
> all the features I don't use -- like messaging, voice commands, and
> online shopping.
>
> Is there any way to reprogram the phone so that it works the way I
> want?
>
> -TC

18-Jul-2007, From Ellery Davies -- Ellery (at) StarBus (dot) com
Please copy
feedback to my email address

This question really goes to the heart of Verizon's recent decision to allow
phone users access to the manufacturer's oringinal firmware-user-interface.*
It is a SEPARATE issue from Verizon's decision to limit or cripple specific
features and capabilities.

For example, the early Motorola E815 and Razr had the Motorola user menu
system. But during the middle of their marketing, Verizon changed the user
interface to their own GUI (widely considered crappy). Occasional comments
from Verizon representatives made it clear that the company did this to
reduce support costs. The problem really wasn't the user (they were not
calling in greater numbers - in fact, the Motorola and Samsung interface
generates FEWER calls). Rather they wished to reduce the cost of training
support techs by restricting them to one global GUI.

This results in a great many unnecessary keystrokes (because of the very
poor Verizon interface) and even some missing features (For example,
Motorola's GUI offered "vibrate and then ring - which is great if the phone
is sitting a distance away from you"). But last month, several reports
indicated that Verizon would begin shipping phones with their originally
intended GUI intact. That raises an interesting questions. Is there any way
to update (or flash) a recent phone. Form example, my family has the Razr,
KRZR K1m and Samsung SCH-a990. All of these were purchased after Verizon
decided to force their kludgy interface on an otherwise great device.

After looking around the web, I gather that there are advanced methods to do
what I wish. They require a PC, use special software tools, and involve SEEM
edits or otherwise risk permanent damage to the phone. I will be very
disappionted if Verizon does not reward their existing users by offerring us
the capability to quickly revert the phone to the manufacturer's menu
system - since they have apparently capiculated on this issue. But, alas,
the behavior that I wish for is not typically in Verizon's manner of dealing
with their customer base.

I have no access to this news group. Please copy your reply directly to me:
Ellery (at) StarBus (dot) com
_____________

"TC" <golemdanube@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1184168161.573792.70870@z28g2000prd.googlegro ups.com...
>I just got a new Verizon phone, and I'm disappointed with the user
> interface. They've programmed the buttons to give me quick access to
> all the features I don't use -- like messaging, voice commands, and
> online shopping.
>
> Is there any way to reprogram the phone so that it works the way I
> want?
>
> -TC

[posted and mailed]

"Ellery Davies" <Ellery (at) StarBus (dot) com> wrote:

> Is there any way to update (or flash) a recent phone. Form
> example, my family has the Razr, KRZR K1m and Samsung SCH-a990.
> All of these were purchased after Verizon decided to force their
> kludgy interface on an otherwise great device.

I have no way of knowing if it will work but the original seem can
probably be downloaded from Howard Forums.

> After looking around the web, I gather that there are advanced
> methods to do what I wish. They require a PC, use special software
> tools, and involve SEEM edits or otherwise risk permanent damage
> to the phone.

Yes, easy enough to do. Since the first step is to backup the seem
it's impossible to damage the phone, the process is foolproof. It's
not idiotproof, however.

> I have no access to this news group. Please copy your reply
> directly to me: Ellery (at) StarBus (dot) com

Obviously you do have access to the group, you posted here. Don't ask
to have a reply emailed to you, others may benefit from the
information.




--
XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups
The Usenet Improvement Project: http://blinkynet.net/comp/uip5.html

XS11E wrote:
> "Ellery Davies" <Ellery (at) StarBus (dot) com> wrote:
>> I have no access to this news group. Please copy your reply
>> directly to me: Ellery (at) StarBus (dot) com
>
> Obviously you do have access to the group, you posted here. Don't ask
> to have a reply emailed to you, others may benefit from the
> information.

Indeed. That *is* why they call them Usenet *discussion* newsgroups.

--
Postulate a group whose intent is to destroy the United States from within
via anarchy and bankruptcy. The actions of the United States Congress are
completely consistent with the actions one would predict from such a group.

On Jul 18, 3:45 pm, "Ellery Davies" <Ellery (at) StarBus (dot) com>
wrote:
> 18-Jul-2007, From Ellery Davies -- Ellery (at) StarBus (dot) com
> Please copy
> feedback to my email address
>
> This question really goes to the heart of Verizon's recent decision to allow
> phone users access to the manufacturer's oringinal firmware-user-interface.*
> It is a SEPARATE issue from Verizon's decision to limit or cripple specific
> features and capabilities.
>
> For example, the early Motorola E815 and Razr had the Motorola user menu
> system. But during the middle of their marketing, Verizon changed the userinterfaceto their own GUI (widely considered crappy). Occasional comments
> from Verizon representatives made it clear that the company did this to
> reduce support costs. The problem really wasn't the user (they were not
> calling in greater numbers - in fact, the Motorola and Samsunginterface
> generates FEWER calls). Rather they wished to reduce the cost of training
> support techs by restricting them to one global GUI.
>
> This results in a great many unnecessary keystrokes (because of the very
> poor Verizoninterface) and even some missing features (For example,
> Motorola's GUI offered "vibrate and then ring - which is great if the phone
> is sitting a distance away from you"). But last month, several reports
> indicated that Verizon would begin shipping phones with their originally
> intended GUI intact. That raises an interesting questions. Is there any way
> to update (or flash) a recent phone. Form example, my family has the Razr,
> KRZR K1m and Samsung SCH-a990. All of these were purchased after Verizon
> decided to force their kludgyinterfaceon an otherwise great device.
>
> After looking around the web, I gather that there are advanced methods to do
> what I wish. They require a PC, use special software tools, and involve SEEM
> edits or otherwise risk permanent damage to the phone. I will be very
> disappionted if Verizon does not reward their existing users by offerring us
> the capability to quickly revert the phone to the manufacturer's menu
> system - since they have apparently capiculated on this issue. But, alas,
> the behavior that I wish for is not typically in Verizon's manner of dealing
> with their customer base.
>
> I have no access to this news group. Please copy your reply directly to me:
> Ellery (at) StarBus (dot) com
What is the source of this statement:

You said -
"This question really goes to the heart of Verizon's recent decision
to allow
phone users access to the manufacturer's oringinal firmware-user-
interface.*
It is a SEPARATE issue from Verizon's decision to limit or cripple
specific
features and capabilities. "

Is this an official statement from Verizon?

I fully support complaints about the Verizon UI. I have been a long
time user of LG phones. It is time to replace my VX4650 and I was
interested in the LG VX3800. However, I absolutely can not use the
Verizon UI. Under contacts, they have dropped the MEMO field. In
part I use my phone as a PDA. The UI seems so tedious and visually
challenging. I hate the vertical spacing between the fields; you need
to scroll to see all the information at once. It is like wearing
progressive lenses where you only see a portion of a page at a time.
And the font is so small. It really takes the fun out of using the
phone.

Does this mean we will never see an iPhone type interface. LG has a
touch screen interface but Verizon does not market the phone.
Certainly, Verizon is the AOL of cellphones.

Fred Jacobowitz
> _____________
>
> "TC" <golemdan...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1184168161.573792.70870@z28g2000prd.googlegro ups.com...
>
> >I just got a new Verizon phone, and I'm disappointed with the user
> >interface. They've programmed the buttons to give me quick access to
> > all the features I don't use -- like messaging, voice commands, and
> > online shopping.
>
> > Is there any way to reprogram the phone so that it works the way I
> > want?
>
> > -TC

On Jul 18, 3:45 pm, "Ellery Davies" <Ellery (at) StarBus (dot) com>
wrote:
> 18-Jul-2007, From Ellery Davies -- Ellery (at) StarBus (dot) com
> Please copy
> feedback to my email address
>
> This question really goes to the heart of Verizon's recent decision to allow
> phone users access to the manufacturer's oringinal firmware-user-interface.*
> It is a SEPARATE issue from Verizon's decision to limit or cripple specific
> features and capabilities.
>
> For example, the early Motorola E815 and Razr had the Motorola user menu
> system. But during the middle of their marketing, Verizon changed the userinterfaceto their own GUI (widely considered crappy). Occasional comments
> from Verizon representatives made it clear that the company did this to
> reduce support costs. The problem really wasn't the user (they were not
> calling in greater numbers - in fact, the Motorola and Samsunginterface
> generates FEWER calls). Rather they wished to reduce the cost of training
> support techs by restricting them to one global GUI.
>
> This results in a great many unnecessary keystrokes (because of the very
> poor Verizoninterface) and even some missing features (For example,
> Motorola's GUI offered "vibrate and then ring - which is great if the phone
> is sitting a distance away from you"). But last month, several reports
> indicated that Verizon would begin shipping phones with their originally
> intended GUI intact. That raises an interesting questions. Is there any way
> to update (or flash) a recent phone. Form example, my family has the Razr,
> KRZR K1m and Samsung SCH-a990. All of these were purchased after Verizon
> decided to force their kludgyinterfaceon an otherwise great device.
>
> After looking around the web, I gather that there are advanced methods to do
> what I wish. They require a PC, use special software tools, and involve SEEM
> edits or otherwise risk permanent damage to the phone. I will be very
> disappionted if Verizon does not reward their existing users by offerring us
> the capability to quickly revert the phone to the manufacturer's menu
> system - since they have apparently capiculated on this issue. But, alas,
> the behavior that I wish for is not typically in Verizon's manner of dealing
> with their customer base.
>
> I have no access to this news group. Please copy your reply directly to me:
> Ellery (at) StarBus (dot) com
What is the source of this statement:

You said -
"This question really goes to the heart of Verizon's recent decision
to allow
phone users access to the manufacturer's oringinal firmware-user-
interface.*
It is a SEPARATE issue from Verizon's decision to limit or cripple
specific
features and capabilities. "

Is this an official statement from Verizon?

I fully support complaints about the Verizon UI. I have been a long
time user of LG phones. It is time to replace my VX4650 and I was
interested in the LG VX3800. However, I absolutely can not use the
Verizon UI. Under contacts, they have dropped the MEMO field. In
part I use my phone as a PDA. The UI seems so tedious and visually
challenging. I hate the vertical spacing between the fields; you need
to scroll to see all the information at once. It is like wearing
progressive lenses where you only see a portion of a page at a time.
And the font is so small. It really takes the fun out of using the
phone.

Does this mean we will never see an iPhone type interface. LG has a
touch screen interface but Verizon does not market the phone.
Certainly, Verizon is the AOL of cellphones.

Fred Jacobowitz
> _____________
>
> "TC" <golemdan...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1184168161.573792.70870@z28g2000prd.googlegro ups.com...
>
> >I just got a new Verizon phone, and I'm disappointed with the user
> >interface. They've programmed the buttons to give me quick access to
> > all the features I don't use -- like messaging, voice commands, and
> > online shopping.
>
> > Is there any way to reprogram the phone so that it works the way I
> > want?
>
> > -TC

On Jul 18, 3:45 pm, "Ellery Davies" <Ellery (at) StarBus (dot) com>
wrote:
> 18-Jul-2007, From Ellery Davies -- Ellery (at) StarBus (dot) com
> Please copy
> feedback to my email address
>
> This question really goes to the heart of Verizon's recent decision to allow
> phone users access to the manufacturer's oringinal firmware-user-interface.*
> It is a SEPARATE issue from Verizon's decision to limit or cripple specific
> features and capabilities.
>
> For example, the early Motorola E815 and Razr had the Motorola user menu
> system. But during the middle of their marketing, Verizon changed the userinterfaceto their own GUI (widely considered crappy). Occasional comments
> from Verizon representatives made it clear that the company did this to
> reduce support costs. The problem really wasn't the user (they were not
> calling in greater numbers - in fact, the Motorola and Samsunginterface
> generates FEWER calls). Rather they wished to reduce the cost of training
> support techs by restricting them to one global GUI.
>
> This results in a great many unnecessary keystrokes (because of the very
> poor Verizoninterface) and even some missing features (For example,
> Motorola's GUI offered "vibrate and then ring - which is great if the phone
> is sitting a distance away from you"). But last month, several reports
> indicated that Verizon would begin shipping phones with their originally
> intended GUI intact. That raises an interesting questions. Is there any way
> to update (or flash) a recent phone. Form example, my family has the Razr,
> KRZR K1m and Samsung SCH-a990. All of these were purchased after Verizon
> decided to force their kludgyinterfaceon an otherwise great device.
>
> After looking around the web, I gather that there are advanced methods to do
> what I wish. They require a PC, use special software tools, and involve SEEM
> edits or otherwise risk permanent damage to the phone. I will be very
> disappionted if Verizon does not reward their existing users by offerring us
> the capability to quickly revert the phone to the manufacturer's menu
> system - since they have apparently capiculated on this issue. But, alas,
> the behavior that I wish for is not typically in Verizon's manner of dealing
> with their customer base.
>
> I have no access to this news group. Please copy your reply directly to me:
> Ellery (at) StarBus (dot) com
What is the source of this statement:

You said -
"This question really goes to the heart of Verizon's recent decision
to allow
phone users access to the manufacturer's oringinal firmware-user-
interface.*
It is a SEPARATE issue from Verizon's decision to limit or cripple
specific
features and capabilities. "

Is this an official statement from Verizon?

I fully support complaints about the Verizon UI. I have been a long
time user of LG phones. It is time to replace my VX4650 and I was
interested in the LG VX3800. However, I absolutely can not use the
Verizon UI. Under contacts, they have dropped the MEMO field. In
part I use my phone as a PDA. The UI seems so tedious and visually
challenging. I hate the vertical spacing between the fields; you need
to scroll to see all the information at once. It is like wearing
progressive lenses where you only see a portion of a page at a time.
And the font is so small. It really takes the fun out of using the
phone.

Does this mean we will never see an iPhone type interface. LG has a
touch screen interface but Verizon does not market the phone.
Certainly, Verizon is the AOL of cellphones.

Fred Jacobowitz
> _____________
>
> "TC" <golemdan...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1184168161.573792.70870@z28g2000prd.googlegro ups.com...
>
> >I just got a new Verizon phone, and I'm disappointed with the user
> >interface. They've programmed the buttons to give me quick access to
> > all the features I don't use -- like messaging, voice commands, and
> > online shopping.
>
> > Is there any way to reprogram the phone so that it works the way I
> > want?
>
> > -TC

On Jul 29, 10:59 am, "Fred J." <swim.instruc...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Jul 18, 3:45 pm, "Ellery Davies" <Ellery (at) StarBus (dot) com>
> wrote:
>
> > 18-Jul-2007, From Ellery Davies -- Ellery (at) StarBus (dot) com
> > Please copy
> > feedback to my email address
>
> > This question really goes to the heart of Verizon's recent decision to allow
> > phone users access to the manufacturer's oringinal firmware-user-interface.*
> > It is a SEPARATE issue from Verizon's decision to limit or cripple specific
> > features and capabilities.
>
> > For example, the early Motorola E815 and Razr had the Motorola user menu
> > system. But during the middle of their marketing, Verizon changed the userinterfaceto their own GUI (widely considered crappy). Occasional comments
> > from Verizon representatives made it clear that the company did this to
> > reduce support costs. The problem really wasn't the user (they were not
> > calling in greater numbers - in fact, the Motorola and Samsunginterface
> > generates FEWER calls). Rather they wished to reduce the cost of training
> > support techs by restricting them to one global GUI.
>
> > This results in a great many unnecessary keystrokes (because of the very
> > poor Verizoninterface) and even some missing features (For example,
> > Motorola's GUI offered "vibrate and then ring - which is great if the phone
> > is sitting a distance away from you"). But last month, several reports
> > indicated that Verizon would begin shipping phones with their originally
> > intended GUI intact. That raises an interesting questions. Is there any way
> > to update (or flash) a recent phone. Form example, my family has the Razr,
> > KRZR K1m and Samsung SCH-a990. All of these were purchased after Verizon
> > decided to force their kludgyinterfaceon an otherwise great device.
>
> > After looking around the web, I gather that there are advanced methods to do
> > what I wish. They require a PC, use special software tools, and involve SEEM
> > edits or otherwise risk permanent damage to the phone. I will be very
> > disappionted if Verizon does not reward their existing users by offerring us
> > the capability to quickly revert the phone to the manufacturer's menu
> > system - since they have apparently capiculated on this issue. But, alas,
> > the behavior that I wish for is not typically in Verizon's manner of dealing
> > with their customer base.
>
> > I have no access to this news group. Please copy your reply directly to me:
> > Ellery (at) StarBus (dot) com
>
> What is the source of this statement:
>
> You said -
> "This question really goes to the heart of Verizon's recent decision
> to allow
> phone users access to the manufacturer's oringinal firmware-user-
> interface.*
> It is a SEPARATE issue from Verizon's decision to limit or cripple
> specific
> features and capabilities. "
>
> Is this an official statement from Verizon?
>
> I fully support complaints about the Verizon UI. I have been a long
> time user of LG phones. It is time to replace my VX4650 and I was
> interested in the LG VX3800. However, I absolutely can not use the
> Verizon UI. Under contacts, they have dropped the MEMO field. In
> part I use my phone as a PDA. The UI seems so tedious and visually
> challenging. I hate the vertical spacing between the fields; you need
> to scroll to see all the information at once. It is like wearing
> progressive lenses where you only see a portion of a page at a time.
> And the font is so small. It really takes the fun out of using the
> phone.
>
> Does this mean we will never see an iPhone type interface. LG has a
> touch screen interface but Verizon does not market the phone.
> Certainly, Verizon is the AOL of cellphones.
>
> Fred Jacobowitz
>
> > _____________
>
> > "TC" <golemdan...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
> >news:1184168161.573792.70870@z28g2000prd.googlegr oups.com...
>
> > >I just got a new Verizon phone, and I'm disappointed with the user
> > >interface. They've programmed the buttons to give me quick access to
> > > all the features I don't use -- like messaging, voice commands, and
> > > online shopping.
>
> > > Is there any way to reprogram the phone so that it works the way I
> > > want?
>
> > > -TC

I resolved my problem by getting a replacement for my LG VX4650.
Apparently, the insurance option I have covered the phone and I wall
sent a replacement free of charge. Now I have a great phone and user
interface. My "memo' fields are back in the contact list. I had
suggestions from Verizon representatives to use the email address.

At this juncture I am in a holding point. Verizon is the winner
because there is nothing I or any one else can do about convincing
them to use the original manufacturer's UI. Let's face, they have the
market, at least in metro NY.

All of these phones are SDR (software defined radios). You can not
characterize crippled as a bluetooth feature that is not supported.
Crippled refers to the entire experience of how the manufacture
envisioned using the phone and the features which the carrier decides
to support. It is a sad state of affairs. Even if you find another
carrier you may not get the coverage you need.

Fred J.