For the geek child in me: New toys!
September 2nd, 2008Last week, I received two new toys for my birthday: a Philips MP3/MP4 player from my sister and a ZTC (or CECT) C2000 phone from myself and partly from my mom.
The Philips SA3225/97 player is really just a simple device. A bit too simple even. One of those devices that does one thing (or a few things) does them well (hopefully): music (MP3, FM Radio) and video (in a proprietary SMV format) player, text reader, recorder, picture viewer. That’s it. You will have to manage those files, specially your music, elsewhere. No problems connecting to GNU/Linux and KDE it’s simply seen as a removable USB device. Oh, and of course, it can’t play Ogg Vorbis. 
Now my other toy is a whole different story. It’s a ZTC (or CECT) C2000, more known locally as “one of those China phones”. Quite sad that quite a number of these phones (some of which are actually good), are being re-branded and marketed as cheap Nokia and iPhone clones (although some do seem to be iPhone-inspired). But that’s another story. This is one good phone that has a lot of features that I want: of course, calls, SMS/MMS, GPRS (sadly.. no 3G), music player (MP3, FM Radio, Voice recorder), Videos (3GP, MP4, TV receiver), games (NES emulator), and a big touchscreen. And the best part of it was that I only spent US$ 120 (roughly converted from Philippine Peso) for such a great phone! Ok, I really only spent $75, the rest was from my mom. 
I bought this phone, and made sure it was an inexpensive one, for two reasons. The most “urgent” would be that I needed and wanted a new phone, and with the nice set of features and nice price tag, it was a great deal (although I was actually planning on buying another phone which looked a lot like an iPhone :P). But my ultimate goal is really to be able to hack and play with it, perhaps even install Qt and/or KDE on it, which is why the “cheap” price tag was an important factor (so that if I brick it, I won’t cry… much…). Of course, the biggest problem would be the fact that this is not your regular Linux-friendly phone, and it’s not that well documented for Linux hacking. However, since I have found instructions on how to upgrade/flash the device’s firmware (OS?), I’m hoping that it will be possible to do something with it. If not, I hope to at least be able to install Qtopia on it. That would be one major step forward. Now all I have to figure out is where to get started, since this (mobile/embedded development) is a totally new and alien frontier for me.
Of course, I’m still hoping to buy a Nokia N810 (actually I prefer the N800) and am taking steps to earning around $450 for one.
Just some small updates, while I'm trying to get off my ass and migrate the site completely to Textpattern.
September 2nd, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Hey cool,
So can you convert video files to the SMV format? I’ve been trying to find a converter for Linux but to no avail….
Nice stuff dude!
I hope you can get QT and KDE and stuff goin on that one…that would be awesome!
Xtreme Kommander
September 3rd, 2008 at 2:00 am
Hey Dude,
you got my Idea.I was too thinking same. Install some OS/Softwares to chinese phones like cect or any other brand.Though we know how to install OS and GUI kit, It’s necessary to know the processor and schematics of the phone.How they are connected and probably need the driver writeup. I know that the processor is quite fine ~150mhz(unknown architecture). Hope to find some more info from your part.
Regards
Ujwal
September 3rd, 2008 at 7:19 am
Yea, it’d be cool to get Linux running on the new “smart phones” (basically ultra-portable computers). It would certainly detract from iPhone sales if DRM-less phones with more third-party software were available.
About the music player: could it be made to run Linux (or maybe RockBox)?
September 3rd, 2008 at 9:52 am
@Xtreme Kommander: Unfortunately, no. I had to use the Windows app to convert to SMV. That’s partly why I just gave up on the player’s video features.
@Ujwal Shresta: I think these phones mostly use a processor called MTK. I’m still unclear on the specific specs. Though I’m hoping this particular unit runs more than 150mhz
@”flash” Howell: Yeah we need more iPhone competitors, not just iPhone clones/look-alikes. I think that Linux-based phones wins on the flexibility and extensibility factors. As for the mp3 player, I haven’t done my research on that one yet. But I’m not really sure that Philips players are exactly “Linux-friendly”. Thanks for the hint.
September 3rd, 2008 at 6:23 pm
where did you buy this one?
September 4th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Try to avoid that phone for long talks !!!
that seems to be suffered from BAD RADIATION…
one of my friends had the same device….
ENJOY !!!
September 4th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
@Lafriks: These phones are quite common among bargain cellphone stores here in the Philippines, but not so much in the “mainstream” shops. However there are some China phones that have been rebranded and sold by a local company.
@Rajat: I guess it’s good that I don’t usually make or receive calls.
Anyway it comes with a headset, so I hope that would be better.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
I have iPhone clone too, it is MT6226, E02 BB chip. I would really like to install linux on that phone. If you have any links on how to install linux/qtopia can you send them to me plaese.
I would like to try
Much thanks
September 6th, 2008 at 1:23 am
Nice new toys. Anyway, I am planning to buy a CECT phone (the Iclone) when I visit Philippines. Do you know if any of these devices are capable of qtopia?
September 6th, 2008 at 7:15 am
@srx: At the moment, I have no idea yet. And to be honest, it will be a daunting task if no one has done it before, because it will most probably require major hackery. But if I do find anything, I’ll post on my blog ASAP.
@mangz74: I am hoping that they all are, considering the amount of features that they have and the fact that you can flash/upgrade their ROM’s. I need to do some intensive research on it though, maybe even posting in forums or IRC.
Oh, you might have problems with these China phones in the U.S. because of bandwidth limitations. Best to check what the particular phone supports.