[Soumyajit9]

I have been using a Nokia C7-00 smartphone with Symbian Belle installed since Feb 2010. The itch to move to an Android phone has been a part of my life since the last 2 years.
I recall that around end of 2010, Nokia launched the same C7 phone with Windows OS. I made Google mad with my queries of how to install Windows OS on my C7, but didn't find any solution. The fear of messing up the new C7 (had paid 18k for it) was also there. So I had put my plans aside till I got myself a new phone.

Finally, I have ordered a Samsung Galaxy Grand Duos which is expected to arrive today.

Now, comes the million dollar question which everyone is asking me. What will you do with the Nokia C7 ?
The phone is working absolutely fine from Hardware, Software perspective on Symbian Belle OS. Battery back up is perfect (~ 2days). It doesn't have a single scratch even !!!

My interest and plan is to upgrade the Nokia C7-00 to Windows Mobile OS. I can have a Windows Mobile at home then.

I have resorted to Google for all my answers and below is a link which popped up and seems genuine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gU7D2WQzJ4s

However, unless I get some assurance from the BHPian family, I don't feel that confident to do anything with the Nokia. So please pour in your valuable advices and suggestions.
This is kind of a dream project for me.

.

[vikram_d]

Windows 3.1 is not a Windows Mobile OS. It is the old version of Windows desktop OS that used to run on DOS on PCs.

[Soumyajit9]

Originally Posted by vikram_d

Windows 3.1 is not a Windows Mobile OS. It is the old version of Windows desktop OS that used to run on DOS on PCs.

eeeeeee....Bad... Very bad.

I am actually looking to install the Windows Mango OS that is going around in the Lumia / Omnia products.

Any idea if this is possible ?

Nokia stores outright reject this. But there has to be some way.

[vikram_d]

I highly doubt if that would be possible at all. MS had a strict list of minimum hardware requirements which I doubt your phone will meet. Even if meets the requirements, it would be very difficult if not impossible to get drivers for all the different hardware that is present on this phone.

[Achyuth Vaibhav]

Hi guys,I need a smartphone as my current phone is very slow.Budget is restricted to INR Rs 8500/-. Must have accessories are:

Free Gp
Fast processor,
Good set of games,Apps.


I finalized Samsung Galaxy Y duos lite and Nokia Asha 311.Please tell me which one should I buy.

Cheers,

Achyuth

[arup.misra]

Finally after some procrastination (read frustration in getting my hands on the elusive i-phone and the prohibitively priced India launch) I jumped ship to the android world.

Got lucky enough to nab a 16 GB Nexus 4 in the brief moments it was available on the play store. The ordering experience and the method itself deserves its own writing but I'll refrain from ranting here. That I managed to get my the Nexus shipped commercially (no one carried or bought it for me in the US) was again an easy task made to look colossal. Nonetheless after 2 weeks I did manage to hold it in my hand. Anybody who wants to know the process of getting a Nexus without paying a exorbitant premium on e-bay pm me.

Its a sleek black slab to hold with just two physical buttons: a volume rocker on the left and a power button on the right. The glass black gives it a premium feel but it feels fragile too. Note to me - get a bumper case asap.

The screen features an IPS panel with 1280 x 780 resolution. Compared to the Note II or S3, the colors are more natural rather than overtly saturated. Battery life is good - again its debatable with the different kind the users out there. For me, with social networking (40%), calling (30%), maps (10%) and balance browsing internet it gets me through the day very comfortably with about 40% battery life remaining till the end of the day.

With its quad core processor and 2GB RAM, I really have no complains about it performance. Don't have any benchmarks to show for it but in day-today use this is the fastest device I've ever used.

Should you buy this phone - Tough one as its impossible to tell someone if a phone is the "best fit" for them. Nexus 4 is an amazing phone but so is the Note II or the i-phone or the One X+. For me with the price I paid I couldn't have asked for more. Is this the best phone for everyone? May be not but its the best for me.

[arup.misra]

...And I thought Nexus 4 wouldn't really arouse much interest. How wrong was I? Never knew I'd get so many pm's. Anyway for the benefit of all I'm outlining the procedure I followed to order the Nexus 4 from US of A and get it delivered commercially. The method outlined below is a stroke of genius but due credit is to Google baba. Hunt and you shall find.

Please note - The method I used exploits legal loopholes and I am not to be held responsible for any damages or losses. Use your own discretion

Step 1) Google Play store

Anybody visiting Google play store to buy the Nexus 4 (http://www.google.com/nexus/4/) is greeted with this



Obviously its not (yet) launched in India thus requiring a work around i.e. using a proxy to tell google that you are logged in from US. Since google identifies you based on your IP address, you'll need a proxy.

There are many proxies that you can use. I used Tunnel Bear (free). Its a small client that you need to download and install. Once done, go to playstore and now click "shop now". If you are able to see the purchase screen, the installation is sucessful and you are good to proceed. But don't order just yet because you need to have a US address before hand.

Step 2) Getting a US address

There are lot of providers that offer you a virtual PO Box address in the US (PPO Box, comGateway, Borderlinx, HopShopGo, ShopandShip etc). I chose shopandship as I have had a good experience with them in the past. Shopandship charges about USD 10 (one time charge) to setup a US / UK / China & Dubai address for you. The website, though shows you a charge of USD 45. You need to write to them and they'll give you a discount code which when applied gets reduced to USD 10. I paid them USD 10 through paypal and process work seamlessly.

Do note that shopandship takes about 2-3 days to set up your US address and activate the same.



Step 3) Ready to place order

Using the proxy, log onto playstore and select the Nexus device you want. I went in for the 16GB model as it costs only USD 50 more than the 8 GB model. Also being a non expandable memory device 16 GB makes sense. Post the OS install I'm left with 12.92 GB free.

Ok, coming back, you can use your Indian credit card itself and for billing address give the same US address which was created through shopandship (or any other provider). Shipping address also the same US address that got activated.

Points to note

a) I paid with my citibank credit card and it worked flawlessly. Google will initially only block the amount on your cc but will actually bill it only when they ship.

b) Indian credit cards do not allow international website to check your billing address, hence this works well.

c) I'm not sure if debit cards would work or not as I never ever use my debit card for ecommerce.

d) For international ecommerce websites you will not be directed to Visa / Master Secure but the transaction will go through the moment you enter your CVV and hit go.



Taxes depend on the state where you have your PO Box address.

Step 4) Waiting period

Once you've ordered you're done. Now the wait begins. Google officially takes 1-2 weeks to ship your order, but it happens much quicker than that. I ordered on 16th Feb and google shipped my phone on 21st. Shopandship received it on my behalf in US on 22nd and I had my Nexus with me on 28th.



Custom Duties & Shipping charges

Phone costs = USD 395.21 (inclusive of google shipping & local taxes)

Shopandship India shipping = INR 540 (exclusive of service tax)

Customs Duty = INR 500

Customs Handling Charges = INR 100 (exclusive of service tax)

Total = INR 1140

Google baba told me that some states levy octroi but I didn't pay any.

Customs may open your package for inspection. Mine was not sealed but the phone was scratch less and works perfectly.

Hope this helps you all to get your own Nexus 4. I can't promise to answer all queries but will try and help wherever I can.

[abhipuru16]

Any Sony Xperia Ion owners in Delhi-NCR? I need some help with my phone.

[shipnil]

Originally Posted by arup.misra

Hope this helps you all to get your own Nexus 4. I can't promise to answer all queries but will try and help wherever I can.

Excellent Arup. Now question time.

1. Does these intermediary sites like shop and ship, ship just about everything or restricted to phone and such items only?
2. Is there a way to know which state charges least taxes? That way the taxes part could be reduced.
3. The $10 charge is one time charge and the address remains valid forever or it is annual charge?

Thanks for the excellent post!

[sameerg001]

Originally Posted by abhipuru16

Any Sony Xperia Ion owners in Delhi-NCR? I need some help with my phone.

Fellow bhpian mayankk has one, I am sure, he will be able to help you out.

[arup.misra]

Originally Posted by shipnil

1. Does these intermediary sites like shop and ship, ship just about everything or restricted to phone and such items only?

They ship just about anything from US / UK / Dubai or China. Once you get a registered PO Box address from them they generally would send you a customs duty rate card for ready reference.

For unacceptable items - http://www.shopandship.com/service-u...ceptable-items

Is there a way to know which state charges least taxes? That way the taxes part could be reduced.

I'm not sure how do you get to know the details. Besides atleast with shop and ship you dont have an option of selecting an address. Besides if I could guess, these shippers would generally assign address in the same city where they have their warehouse which again would be close by to international airport.

The $10 charge is one time charge and the address remains valid forever or it is annual charge?

One time charge address remains valid forever

Hope this helps!!

[Red Liner]

How does insurance for mobile phones work? Any tips? Has anyone got this kind of insurance and actually laid a claim on it? What's your feedback?

[S_U_N]

Originally Posted by arup.misra

Custom Duties & Shipping charges

Phone costs = (inclusive of google shipping & local taxes)

Shopandship India shipping = INR 540 (exclusive of service tax)

Customs Duty = INR 500

Customs Handling Charges = INR 100 (exclusive of service tax)

Total = INR 1140

This is much cheaper than BorderLinx, though BL provides consolidation of shipment which is useful if you are buying multiple items and want a single shipment (turns out to be cheaper).

Equivalent cost with BL is
This is the estimated cost to ship cell phone (weight: 0.97 lb) from U.S.A to India using Borderlinx.
PRODUCT VALUE INR 21533.36
SHIPPING, TAX & DUTY INR 1742.73
SHIPT PROTECTION INR 376.83
TOTAL SHIPPING COST INR 2119.56

Note: With BL, there is no one time fee for the address.

[phamilyman]

Curious - how come no one is talking about Nokia SAR? http://versusio.com/en/apple-iphone-...okia-lumia-820

I recall the Defy used to get endless flak on this single topic!

[rohan_iitr]

From when is the increased excise duty on mobile phones applicable ? 1st April ?

What about tablets, especially ones without call facitlity ? Is the increased excise duty applicable to tablets also ?

Rohan