Using an old android phone as a mobile 3g hotspot: reviving Galaxy 5

 

The Galaxy 5

 

The Samsung Galaxy 5 (http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_i5500b-3371.php), was one of first reasonably priced Android phones to be released in India. I got this phone to first time experience a full touch phone, tired of endlessly waiting for Nokia to release its N9. This phone came with Android 2.1 (éclair), with some variants getting updated to Froyo. Mine was never updated. Exactly 1 year after I brought this phone, I was quite unhappy with the phone, Android and Samsung and happy switched to Lumia 800 on the launch day (also see: http://tovganesh.blogspot.in/search?q=lumia). Since then I have rooted this phone, have installed numerous builds of CyanogenMod, and once unsuccessfully tried to sell it off. But now finally found a real use of this phone: use it as mobile hotspot.

 

 

Reviving : Cyanogenmod

 

A day after I got my Lumia 800, I rooted my Galaxy 5 to install whatever build was available of CyanogenMod. It was pretty immature and unstable at that time. But it got better and better. psyke83, the main developer has even ported CyanogenMod 10.1 (which is basically Jellybean 4.x) for this device. But for my purpose, I found the CyanogenMod 7 ROM more stable. One thing good with Android, is that I can literally install my own OS once the device has been boot unlocked.

 

The Galaxy 5, with CyanogenMod 7 - http://madteam.co/forum/development-8/(dev)-cyanogenmod-7-2-0-rc1-galaxy5-port/ (or 10.1 - http://madteam.co/forum/development-8/(dev)-cyanogenmod-10-1-galaxy5-port-(androidarmv6)/) from psyke83 et al. is a solid replacement for the stock ROM (which was éclair).

To know about installing the CyanogenMod builds visit the development thread of madteam (http://madteam.co/forum/development-8/)


Using Galaxy 5 as Portable "mi-fi"

I had recently got a 3G data card from Vodafone India for internet access while travelling. Although, after buying this card I realized that my current service provider (Airtel), is also giving me pan-India roaming for data. However, the Airtel connection is a 2G service in my circle so is pretty much not useful when I want to remotely work while travelling. However, the dongle has additional problems: I have to always keep it connected to my laptop; many a times it has signal problem, moving around with laptop makes it quite uncomfortable. After searching for portable 3G routers, I decided to experiment with using my Galaxy 5 as a mobile router instead. The Galaxy 5 is a 3G phone and the CynogenMod ROM provides with options of tethering the data connection. More over the Vodafone data card is a SIM based solution, essentially allowing me to use the SIM in any phone or device, without the data card.

I use the custom power widget to make switching on an off the 3G hotspot easier. I have also installed the MyDataManager app (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mobidia.android.mdm) to give me an idea of how much data is be consumed.


Battery life and Performance

Have used this setup only for 24 hours, and that too at home. So, I can truly comment on this only during my next travel. Having said that, the battery life seems to be pretty descent, lasted for about 12 hours on descent usage. The 3G speeds are also pretty good at the place where I live.



 

Samsung Solar Guru : the solar powered mobile

A few days ago Samsung India launched world's first mobile phone that could also be power via solar power (see the report on The Hindu). At first take this is good news. I had always wanted this, and it is good to know that a leading company is perusing it and that too in a low end market... The mobile will cost below 3000 INR, which is less costly but obviously far from being the cheapest mobile phones available. If they could really make it cheap, it will sell, for sure.

If we peel of the "worlds first" marketing phrase and come down to actual product specs and its availability, it really does not appear to be that great, though it is definitely a first step. Apparently this is currently only available in Indian market, I wonder why not Oz too, as there is heavy promotion of using solar and alternative sources of energy here as is in India. The only issue I see is, while back in India its more of a necessity to have solar power, in Oz it is more of an option. Another drawback is the specs itself: to get a talk time of 5-10 mins you would need to recharge under sun for one full hour, and to get it fully charged you need 40 hrs of sunlight! This is quite ridiculous. Apart from the fact that you will never have 40 hours of sunlight at a stretch (which means you can never completely rely on solar power), in most cases you would need to make a call when your battery is almost dead .. to wait 1 hr to make that important call is something that does not cut in as a selling point!

But even so, I just like this idea and unit. If they introduce it in Oz market, I will most likely grab it and use it as a secondary backup cell phone to my E51.

I just hope, that there are more innovative products in this space. I also wonder if one day we can have a solar powered Simputer with 3G access, that would be the day when I can conveniently kiss a good bye to my netbook ...

(PS: I was unable to find the actual product specs from Samsung India website: http://www.samsung.com/in/. Views above are based on reports in the media about the specs of Samsung Guru 1107)