10 tips on fixing common AT&T Tilt problems

The AT&T Tilt has been heralded as "the holy grail of smartphones," crowned "the most powerful Windows Mobile device" available through a U.S. carrier, and currently graces the cover of Smartphone & Pocket PC magazine (Feb/March 2008) alongside the headline "The Tilt has it all!"

While it's true that the phone is super connected and packed with features, it's certainly not without its shortcomings. Yes, Windows Mobile 6.0 is considered by many to be ill conceived and flawed, but it isn't the only thing preventing an out-of-box Tilt from living up to the hype.

Rather than line up the usual suspects and bash them with a bat, I've compiled a list of solutions to 10 of the most commonly cited problems encountered by new Tilt owners. Applying the fixes is fast, easy (no registry editor required), mostly free, and guaranteed to improve finger-friendliness and general usability of the AT&T Tilt. Read on to check them out.

This is not an exhaustive list of everything that could improve the Tilt's user experience, but it is related to what I've encountered personally (at the time of this writing, I've been using my Tilt for 8.5 weeks) and read about most frequently.

Click on a tip below for more information.

1. Uninstall the preloaded AT&T software.
2. Customize the Today screen.
3. Get a new dialer skin.
4. Install KaiserTweak.
5. Look through Kaiser CAB files.
6. Demo WisBar Advance 3.
7. Find a new web browser.
8. Enable HSDPA.
9. Dig up Internet Sharing.
10. Buy a mini-USB to 3.5mm adapter or Bluetooth headphones.

Uninstall the preloaded AT&T software.

Just as many computers come loaded with an absurd amount of bloatware (the Sony Vaio TZ is among the most ridiculous), the AT&T Tilt ships with a good deal of trial software and worthless carrier-specific applications.

Get rid of it.

To do this, perform a hard reset (Start -> Settings -> System tab -> Clear Storage) followed by a soft reset (push stylus into reset hole located between microSD slot and mini USB port) when the 3-second countdown to the "custom app" installation begins. The Tilt will reboot and be completely free of all the AT&T nonsense.

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Customize the Today screen.

The default Today screen is atrocious and downright scary.

If this is a person's first introduction to Windows Mobile, it's a terribly unfriendly welcome.

Fortunately, the Today screen can be customized to the hilt with plug-ins, themes, and UI refinements. Some of the more popular options can cost as much as $30, but there's lots of great freeware to choose from too.

Here are a few of my favorites:

• HTC Home Plug-in with HTC Home Customizer + Vista Style 8 theme

• HTC Home Plug-in with HTC Home Customizer + Vista Style 3 theme
  

• HTC Home Plug-in + XP Black and White theme

• Spb Mobile Shell

• Spb Pocket Plus + XP Black and White theme

Other options worth checking out are the HTC Touch Cube and SBSH iLauncher.

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Get a new dialer skin.

Since the AT&T Tilt is first and foremost a phone, a good dialer screen is incredibly important.

The default dialer is okay but definitely in need of improvement. The keys are too small to ensure accurate finger presses, and basic features like mute and speakerphone are hidden in the menu.

That's why you need a dialer skin. They're freely available at various places online; just do a Google search for something like "dialpad skins," "Windows Mobile dialer," or "dialer skins." What I've been using lately is this very finger-friendly Black Dialer Skin:

One of the nice features about this skin is that you can toggle between the six buttons shown above and the keypad so that whichever you need access to is kept on screen when a call is active.

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Install KaiserTweak.

Tinkering with the Tilt's registry is often the only way to access certain settings, system configurations, and other default behaviors. Unfortunately, unless you know what you're doing, a fully functional Tilt can quickly become an expensive paperweight.

That's where KaiserTweak comes in. Named after the device's previous codename (Kaiser), it's an easy-to-use tool that modifies various registry settings and basically just makes the Tilt better.

There's a hefty list of applicable tweaks, but the must-have one for me is the "Sleep" option. Disallowing the Tilt to enter sleep mode while on a phone call is a godsend when you're dealing with an automated system that requires number entry. Without KaiserTweak (or a registry editor), you would first have to awaken the Tilt to see the dialpad and then tap the number.

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Look through Kaiser CAB files.

What happened to the HTC TyTN II/Kaiser when AT&T christened it the Tilt? The hardware was modified (chrome-looking buttons, silver keypad, no front camera) and the software was . . . well, compromised.

To fight back (and to just help people keep their Kaiser variants up-to-date), a fellow named Dutty has amassed an impressive collection of Kaiser CAB files that he generously makes available to everyone.

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Demo WisBar Advance 3.

There are other alternatives and workarounds to achieve the same results, but my favorite task management application is WisBar Advance 3. It's affordably priced ($10) and makes the Tilt (and other Windows Mobile devices) behave more like a Windows desktop. Whether this is a mark for or against it is a matter of personal preference, I suppose, but I think it's an excellent piece of software.

Some of its best features include a cascading Start menu, taskbar that displays currently running programs (making multi-tasking and switching between apps quick and easy), drop-down task manager, system tray, and customizable user menu. Basically, what Wisbar Advance 3 does is make Windows Mobile look and feel a little more like Windows XP.

There's a 7-day free trial available at Lakeridge Software, so it's definitely worth a try. (Update 2.8.08: Version 3.1.0.6 just released; see revision history for list of fixes and new features.)

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Find a new web browser.

Put frankly, browsing the web on the Tilt's QVGA screen sucks.

There's just no getting around it: QVGA is not suitable for accessing the real web. Sure, it's fine for stripped-down mobile versions of websites, but I really need to be desperate to visit those. I know there are zoom levels and fit-to-screen, optimized, and single-column view modes in most mobile browsers as well, but I never use anything other than desktop mode. This is a personal issue, obviously, so I'll just reiterate that web browsing on the Tilt pains me and move on.

If you can look past the QVGA horror, I recommend ditching Internet Explorer Mobile (IEM) for something better. What that "something" is will likely change once Skyfire and Mobile Firefox are released, but at the moment, the hands-down best WM browser is Opera Mobile ($24). It's been so-named by Smartphone & Pocket PC magazine, but I also know it to be true from my Windows Mobile browser battle (which compared Opera Mobile, IEM, Minimo, Picsel, and NetFront) and Tilt 3G vs. iPhone EDGE speed tests (which showed that IEM on 3G is often as slow as Safari on EDGE).

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Enable HSDPA.

I've mentioned elsewhere that although the Tilt is an HSDPA-enabled device, the actual setting to enable it is missing (on the HTC Advantage, for example, there's a "Turn on HSDPA" option).

KaiserTweak to the rescue . . . again (see tip #4 above). I haven't done any load-time tests yet, but if a device that supports HSDPA isn't actually making use of it, it's quite silly to leave the functionality disabled.

Before enabling it, the connectivity icons were always showing "3G" (you can see those icons throughout this post).

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Dig up Internet Sharing.

If you chose to keep your Tilt in its factory state (i.e., if you ignored tip #1 above), then you may be wondering where the Internet Sharing application is.

AT&T buried it in favor of its own Wireless Modem utility.

Dig it up! Go to Start -> Programs -> Tools -> File Explorer -> Windows folder, copy Internet Sharing by tapping and holding its icon, then paste it to a location of your choosing.

If you've uninstalled the preloaded AT&T software, Internet Sharing can be found under Start -> Programs.

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Buy a mini-USB to 3.5mm adapter or Bluetooth headphones.

There's very little "fixing" that can be done to the Tilt's hardware (for the most part, it just is what it is), but if you're thinking about using the device as a portable media player, don't forget that it doesn't have a headphone jack. So if you don't already have it, you'll need an inexpensive mini-USB to 3.5mm adapter or a pair of Bluetooth headphones.

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Ah, isn't that better? If you know of other tips and tricks that will enhance the AT&T Tilt, please share them in the comments section below.

Carrying a list price of about $550, the AT&T Tilt can currently be purchased with a new two-year contract for $99 at Amazon (after $50 mail-in rebate) and $299 from AT&T (after $100 mail-in rebate).

Comments

[Chris Bell]

Great tips Jenn. One that I hadn't thought of until reading your article was to change the dialer skin. Unfortunately, the Cab that your link points to isn't installing on my Tilt. Any tips?

[Jenn]

How have you tried to install it? Are you getting an error message?

I dragged mine into the Tilt's main folder, located the CAB through File Explorer, and tapped on it. It installed automatically with no issue. Your comment suggests that you don't have any other dialer skins installed, but I think that's about the only thing that would prevent this skin from installing properly. Maybe you unknowingly installed one that came bundled with a theme or plug-in package?

[Jonathan Walker]

Thank you for your commentary it is very use ful and makes me more excited about my purchase. I am about to purchase the tilt and the only thing i am confused about is the uninstalling the preloaded software if you do that what software is left on the tilt because some of it i'm sure is worth keeping also if you use the kaisertweaks to tweak it do you have to load it as a file on the phone? and once you are done can you delete the file.

Also refering to step one do you have to do step one to perform the Kaiser tweaks and internet sharing or can they be done without step one

Sorry my last question would it be easier to just delete unwanted sofware off the phone as opposed to step because i don't want to mess up my phone not being PDA savy

[Matt]

Great post Jenn. I just purchased my TyTn II and have been enjoying all of these add ons. Thanks!

[Jenn]

@ Jonathan: Uninstalling the preloaded software in Tip 1 essentially turns the Tilt into the TyTN II. All of the AT&T-branded titles and trialware are gone, but everything else is there.

A "clean" Tilt will include:

ActiveSync
Adobe Reader LE
Bluetooth Explorer
Bubble Breaker
Calculator
Calendar
Camera
Contacts
File Explorer
Help
Internet Explorer Mobile
Internet Sharing
Java
Notes
Office Mobile (Excel, PowerPoint, and Word)
Phone
Pictures & Video
Push to Talk
QuickGPS
RealPlayer
Search
SIM Manager
Solitaire
Sprite Backup
Tasks
Voice Recorder
Voice Speed Dial
Windows Media
Zip

KaiserTweak is an executable file, so it needs to be on the Tilt to run (the EXE itself is 377K and the XML file is 42K). It can be removed after you're done tweaking, but you'd need to put it back on to make any further changes or revert to default settings (i.e., uninstalling KaiserTweak does not reverse the registry changes).

I don't think KaiserTweak requires that Tip 1 is followed, but I'm not 100% sure because I used it after removing all of the AT&T stuff. As for Internet Sharing, that tip (#9) only applies if you haven't followed Tip 1. If you have followed Tip 1, Internet Sharing is not hidden.

Most preinstalled software can't be deleted. Everything in the list above, for example, cannot be removed (not using the included "Remove Programs" utility, anyway). I don't remember which of the AT&T software could be deleted, but I know it wasn't all of it.

@ Matt: Thanks for your feedback. If you stumble across any additional tips or great links you'd like to share, please feel free to do so here. :-)

[Andrew]

Thanks for this useful info!

[Keith]

A similar feature on the Advantage would be great, I'm finding alot of apps and tweaks are not VGA friendly.

[james]

i dont what i am doing wrong. i am downloading kaisertweak and opening it in file exp and extract it to programs but nothing happens. can you help me

[Jenn]

Did you unzip KaiserTweak before moving it to your Tilt? I unzipped it on my PC first, transferred both files onto the Tilt, and then opened the EXE in File Explorer. It won't "install" the way a typical CAB file installs, so you won't find it in your Programs folder afterward.

[Matt]

Any suggestions for a threaded text messager. I've looked at a few, but didn't find something that I liked. For ease of use, my Treo 650 was nearly perfect for this type of application.

[Matt]

@ James

Do you have a data plan? If so, have you tried downloading it straight from your Tilt browser (hopefully Opera). That worked for me for a different application I had trouble installing.

Matt

[CJ]

Hi. If i delete the AT&T stuff in #1 will i loose the programs i have installed. Opera mobile, Google maps etc. Will i loose messages, contacts or anything like that? Thanks for some very useful advice above :-)

[Jovence]

Jenn, please help i can not set up my wifi back on anymore. It goes off all the times after i uninstall all the ATT Progs. Thanks a lot in advance

[Sandestin9]

Jenn,

Thank You for all of the wonderful information.

You have addressed almost all of my problems since buying the Tilt in December. I was about to scrap it and go with the iphone (mostly because of the horrible internet viewing problems), however you have given me new hope that the Tilt can be salvaged.

Like CJ above I am particularly concerned with step # 1 messing with programs (Telenav, so far), outlook contacts and calendar items that I have on the unit. I have everything backed up on my laptop so it is not a major concern, but a concern none the less. Also, one of the major uses that I have made of the unit is as a wireless modem for my laptop while traveling. To you knowledge, are any of these tweaks going to change the way the unit works in this manner? Next, once step one has been completed is there any way to return the phone to its out-of-the-box state (with all of the bloatware that came with it)?

Finally, do you have any suggestions on an update for the text messaging program? I am having an intermittent problem where text messages from others will not download onto my phone without going to the communications manager and turning the phone off and then back on again. Sometimes new text messages will only download after performing this practice; while at other times the text messaging works just fine.

Thanks again!!!

[mike]

I had a question on the changes that can be made. If I were to do the changes on my tilt and if I wanted to change back to the original tilt software , is that possible?

[Eric Martin]

Lots of interesting ideas, but no information on how to actually install these things (nor is there any at the download links).

What do I do with these CAB files sitting on my laptop desktop?

[Eric Martin]

I tried the HTC plug-in and the Black dialer, and neither of them work very well...they are not very attractive and I ended up unloaded them.

Beware freeware...it's free for a reason.

[kim]

Does anyone have a complete list od the preloaded software which is uninstalled when following step 1?
Or - after following this procedure, can these applications ever be gotten back?
I've identified some of the bloat via Google searches, but I'm not sure I'm NOT using some of them.
Thx

[Jenn]

The Tilt can be returned to its factory state simply by performing a hard reset (Start -> Settings -> System tab -> Clear Storage) and letting the system set itself up completely. In other words, when the 3-second countdown mentioned in Tip #1 appears on screen, don't do anything. Just let it install.

[Jenn]

@ Matt & Sandestin9: I don't use the text messaging feature at all, so I don't know of any better programs. This tutorial may be worth a look. I only skimmed it and haven't tried it myself, but the discussion surrounding it seems to be fairly positive. SMS-Chat is another option.

@ CJ & Sandestin9: Yes, following Tip #1 will wipe your Tilt clean of everything you've personally installed. All that will be left is what's listed in comment #5 above. As long as you sync and/or backup before uninstalling the AT&T stuff, all of the lost info can be reinstated without issue. Some of the programs may have to be manually re-installed, but as long as you still have your registration codes, that shouldn't be a problem.

@ Sandestin9: Removing the AT&T software will replace Wireless Modem with Internet Sharing, so you'll still be able to tether to your laptop. I have all 10 tips implemented on my Tilt and have never had an issue with tethering via USB or Bluetooth. Have you tried WMWifiRouter?

[Jenn]

@ Eric Martin: I see from your second comment that you were able to install the CAB files, but just in case others are unfamiliar with how to install CABs on a Windows Mobile device, here's the answer to your first question:

After downloading the CAB to your computer, connect your Tilt via ActiveSync (XP) or Windows Mobile Device Center (Vista), and transfer the CAB to any folder on the Tilt. Then locate the folder on the Tilt and tap on the CAB file. Installation will begin immediately. After the program is installed, you can delete the CAB to save space on your device.

@ kim: My Tilt is "clean" so I don't remember exactly what was removed. There's a list of all the programs included in a clean install in comment #5 above, so if anyone still has all the preloaded software on their Tilt, a quick comparison with the list could give us all the names of the AT&T stuff.

[Eric Martin]

Hi, I was able to install, but they were (in my opinion) no better than the defaults. A word to readers...uninstalling is not always automatic. I had to finally pop the battery to get the thing to go away..restarting the unit wasn't doing it.

While the AT&T interface leaves a lot to be desired, I'm not impressed with either the free ones or the $30 Spb one listed above. This isn't surprising...I used to have a Blackberry and the customization options were just as limited.

[Eric Martin]

I will also say (and this will be my last complaining post), that I just started using the Tilt this weekend, after two years of Blackberry. While the Tilt has many more features, the Blackberry blows it away for ease of use with phone and e-mail. If that's all a person wanted, I would tell them to run far from the Tilt, whose interface is really klutzy compared to Blackberry.

Regarding your recommendation for the Black phone interface above, I could not find any way to toggle between the keypad and the other functions without starting a phone call. You might mention in your review how to do this.

Thanks, Eric Martin

[Simon Spreckley]

I have to thank you for all the info above, I pretty much did the lot, and they all work without a hitch, I did have an issue with the HTC customizer and Home screen however I downloaded the latest .cab files from this site: http://www.pocketemu.com/ and all work great.

Thanks. very helpful
Simon Spreckley

[Jonathan Walker]

This may be a dumb question but how do you soft reset for step 1

[NGagen]

@ Jonathan Walker: It took me a while to figure it out too. To soft reset use the stylus to press a indented button next to the charging port. If you still can't find it just search in the manual for "soft reset"

Thanks for all the great info, it helped me enjoy the windows mobile OS.

[David Gray]

I'm about to receive my Tilt in two days. I want to do this list, but now there is a new ROM update as well. What is the advised first steps and order of all these tweaks for an out-of-the-box machine? For instance, back up everything that comes on the machine first and then do the upgrade, or remove the bloat and then back up and upgrade, or what? Any advice appreciated. Thanx.

[aaron d]

I don't know where to put the HTC Home Plug in once I have installed it onto my desktop. I get three folders with about 1,000 sub-folders, but I do not know where they belong on my Tilt.

help!

[aaron d]

Sorry... that was supposed to be the HTC home-customizer, not the plug-in

[Jenn]

@ David Gray: Do the new ROM update first.

The 10 tips aren't given in sequential order, so they can be done in any order if you don't plan to implement all of them. They can be followed in the given order with no ill effect, but it isn't necessary. If you do plan to follow them all, just make sure to do tip 1 first and tip 4 before tip 8.

@ aaron d: Did you download v1.0 BETA 5? It's a zip folder containing just the CAB file. After unzipping/extracting, just connect the Tilt to your computer, transfer the CAB to the Tilt (any folder is fine), use File Explorer to find the CAB, and click it to install the application.

[aaron d]

Jenn, thank you so much. I have a new question.

My home screen (today) looks great, but I cannot seem to get rid of the "Owner, unread messages, no tasks..." at the bottom. It is very small and I have to scroll it to utilize it and it is kind of annoying.

I noticed on your picture up there that there is a huge space. how do i get rid of all that other junk?

[Jenn]

Hi aaron. Go to Start -> Settings -> Personal tab -> Today. Then click on the Items tab at the bottom and uncheck everything you don't want displayed on your home screen. I've unchecked everything on mine except for the home plug-in I'm using.

[David Gray]

Well Jenn, being the honor of happy-fingers, I couldn't wait for my answer or my micro SD to arrive, thinking i would need to do the back-up first before the ROM upgrade, so I did everything else you described. So today when my SD arrives and i do the upgrade, will I be able to simply restore from the back-up and have all the fixes in place---or will i have to repeat all the steps. I'm not clear on what files are not good for mixing when a ROM is changed. I was also concerned that by doing the upgrade first before back-up, I might lose the installed "good" apps. You can see I know just enough to be dangerous. Thanx.

[John Carvalho]

I hope some one can help me

I bought the Telt with tom tom loaded but i cant get it to work what can i do am going nuts it keep saying concecting to gps and then it flashes and says the same thing......

[Roger]

For some reason I'm having trouble uninstalling all the pre-loaded software. I followed all the steps exactly. Is there something I'm doing wrong?

[518]

@ROGER

Try this:

When performing "soft reset," take the battery as opposed to pushing the reset button.

That's what I did on my Tilt.

Oh, definitely install the KaiserTweak. Im on AT&T Network and HSDPA is supported.

EDGE max downlink 473kbps
HSDPA max downlink 14.4Mbps <--wow, what a difference!

HTH

[claude]

hey my calender is showing in spanish how can i change to english? everything else shows in english.

[Jared]

Thank you so much i've been trying to get opera on my phone for so long and finally i come to a website that has actual installation instructions... thank you again... too bad its only a 30 day trial eh :)

[Lisa]

Hi! Does anyone out there know of a GOOD program for reassigning buttons? I've tried AEBPlus but it locks up my system. My MDA had a volume control on a "slide" type button that allowed me to change the volume without being on a call. I'd like to find something similar...

[Courtney]

I have been using my tilt since late December and have lots of information in the calendar, contacts and notes. I would like to do Step #1-get rid of all att crap. Assuming I synchronize prior to doing step 1, how do I then get my info back on device-will it be loaded automatically when I sync again ?

[PJ]

I have a question im fairly new with the AT&T tilt i just uploaded the new rom so seems to have stopped lagging and stuff but i still cant watch youtube videos can anyone help me out?

[FMK2]

I don't see Messaging on the list of apps on a "clean" Tilt. I need to be able to run the "Get Blackberry Connect" link on my device, and it's currently located in the Messaging folder. Is the Messaging folder and/or the link to Blackberry Connect still on a "clean" Tilt?

[michael]

Jenn,

Thanks for all the info.

once i extract the Black Dialer Skin, zip folder, what folders do I drarg each of the three files to

[hafiezam]

Best advice ever from you guys...love yaa all...

[Dave]

I have installed this black dialer skin 4 times already and everytime, I end up with the white roaming triangle that never ever goes away. In result, I have done a hard reset each time afterwards to return to stock dialer. Idea's?

8925 Tilt

[Akeem]

After reading some of these comments I decided to search for the preloaded software from at&t. I found this site where this guy basically does a run down of what he has on his tilt. He mentioned at&t a lot so I assume he didn't erase his so here enjoy. http://www.geardiary.com/2007/11/02/the-att-tilt-review/

[Kae Huang]

wanted to seek help with a few items:

1. I did a hard reset to install the ROM update. With the phone connected to my PC, activesync syncronized my contacts and other outlook items, but did not sync, for example, my settings on the Today screen, nor load my phone call logs, messages history...do you know why that is?

2. I make a lot of long distance calls and wanted to load my phone card in my phone? What is the best way to do that? With my Treo 650, I could use the "pause" function so that in the press of a button, the phone would call into my phone card number, pause, then dial the person I want to reach. How can I use the pause function while loading a contact?

3. Does anyone use Xpressmail? It seems like it only allows us to load one email under Xpressmail? In my Treo, again, I could load multiple email address into Xpressmail. It seems like WM6 is forcing me to use its own mail s/w instead?

4. Finally, does it seem to take too long to syncronize? Even if I just added a contact a couple of minutes ago, and try to sync again, it would still take several minutes. Any fix to this?

[david tring]

Hi Great site, good tips.
I have an issue with the tilts ability to access the internet using http sites. it seems that the tilt is set to access sites via wap only. I bough tan American tilt to use in hong Kong (needed english version) , the local phone company who do sell tytan 2s could not even fix it. any ideas. I tried the tip 1 but did not hlep in this case. I only bought the tilt to replace a lost tytan, BIG MISTAKE! they really messed up a great phone :(
david

[David]

Okay, I got my Tilt today. Love it! The first thing I did was get rid of the AT&T bloat. However, the one program I would like to have is the Cellular Video. Anyway of getting this back? Or would I have to reset it to original settings for that?

[Steve]

Does the Tilt work with Office 2007 extensions of docx and xlsx?

[redbandana]

its common sense to get dutty's 6.1 rom the thing is sick and the phone is no longer slow.

[Caelin Swanson]

Well I went to follow what you have here, and I was able to reset the device, however once the phone started up again, it started to automatically download all the AT&T crap from the network, is there any way around this?

Thanks for all your efforts on this write up, it is amazing

[frank]

Okay, I just want to assign some tones to my text messaging, alarms and notifications. I got what i have to do with my ring tones, (copy to Windows/ringtones), but where do i put the others??

[Antawn]

Where is the contact folders with the names and numbers on my AT&T Tilt?

[Seanmo]

Perhaps you can help with a problem I have with the tilt. There does not seem to be a way to download outlook email without deleting it from the server, so that when I log on with my desk top the email is no longer available. Anyone else having this problem?

[Claire]

Just bought the AT&T Tilt 8925 and really appreciate Jenn's and commenters tips here - great resource!

Question for you: I want to be able to click on URL web links people send through AOL messenger (AIM), but can't at the moment, frustrating little bug - any tips on why, and how I can get around this?

[Claire]

One more question to throw out at you guys: Spb Mobile Shell vs/or Spb Pocket Plus?!

Get one? Or get both?

They're the same price @ $30 each, but not sure what does what or which one be the best choice to make if choosing one over the other.

[Jessica Lewis]

I have had my Tilt for about a month now and just decided to try out your tips. I have a MacBook, so I use SyncMate to sync my Tilt and Mac (for contacts, etc.). After performing the hard and soft resets and getting a new today screen and playing around with KaiserTweaks, I tried to sync up. Anyway, it appears that SyncMate liked the old Tilt better, and now won't work properly. Can you tell me how to undo what I've done? Thanks for all your great ideas and help!

[Jenn]

@ Jessica: Do a hard reset and let the system set itself up completely. This will wipe everything off the device and get you back to a factory state (complete with all extraneous the AT&T stuff).

[Jessica Lewis]

Thanks Jenn! I've reset everything; however, SyncMate is still acting up. I know it's a long shot, but would you have any clue why my calender doesn't sync properly now? I'm in touch with SyncMate as well. Thanks again!

[Jenn]

No clue at all, Jessica. I have zero experience with SyncMate, as my G3 iBook (the only Mac in the house) took its last breath a few years ago. If the company can't help, you may want to poke around in a few forums and maybe reinstall the latest version of the app. Good luck!

[Steven]

Hi Jenn,

Question... one of your tips is to enable HSDPA right? Is 3G not HSDPA, and vice/versa? So if I enable HSDPA, will the phone be faster? And if I don't, will it just max out at edge speeds?

Thanks for the help.

[Jenn]

Hi Steven. HSDPA is actually 3.5G, so your browsing experience would be noticeably faster. If you don't enable HSDPA, then you'll just get 3G speeds (EDGE if you're not in an area with 3G coverage).

[Jon]

I downloaded the HTC Home Plug-In and HTC Customizer (and love both of them), but my clock displays Military time now instead of regular time. Is there a way to turn off Military time?

[Mike]

The ROM update link has changed. It is now:

http://www.htc.com/us/FAQ_Detail.aspx?p_id=67&act=sd

Technically that's the FAQ but you'll want to read it before you install the update.

[Jannet]

Thanks for all the great tips! :) I got rid of the all the bloatware on my Tilt & it feels & looks so much cleaner. One problem- I have no Instant Messaging now~! How do I get that back???

[Andrew]

Looking at the last 2 "home plug-in" screens I notices that the "contacts" button was replaced with another command. How is that done, and do I need a download to do it? Thanks...

[Dillon]

if i do all of this i will lose warranty or insurance correct

[KC]

Great post Jenn. Really useful. One more free utility that I find useful is a Windows Mobile File Explorer replacement...Total Commander/CE (http://www.ghisler.com/ce.htm). It comes with a built-in text editor and zip/unzip functionality among others features. I'll never use File Explorer again.

[Matt]

Hey Jenn,

I ended up getting SMS Client to thread my text messages. Even though Windows Mobile 6.1 has threaded messaging, it only works with Windows Vista, and I'm not willing to take that hit on processing power for that overbloated pile of software manure:-p I'll post a review on my blog in a few.

Matt

[Matt]

I've been using SMS Client for the past few weeks and have posted a review for it on my blog. It's good for those of you who don't have plans to move to Windows Vista any time soon.

[GAbriel]

Hello!
I ordered a New Tilt today and have been reading blogs left to right. Everytime I found a good review I found a bad review. Basically the phone gaines my interest and I dont want to regret getting the phone. I would like to install tomtom on the tilt so i dont have to pay 10 bucks extra a month. I read that tomtom does work on this device just as much as i read it dosent, what is the truth?. If so, does the gps system already in the tilt give me access to tomtom with out internet access?. And lastly, by uninstalling ATT programs will that give me more capablility to install other programs and allow it to run smoothly or will the default work better?

[Brian]

Hi Jenn..After downloading Spb Mobile Shell and installing the trial version, how do I get my "Today Screen" to be the one from the Mobile Shell and not the original Today screen from AT&T? It seems I have to click "Spb Menu" at the bottom right corner and then choose Today...but is there a way to change the settings so it's the opening screen every time?

[Aaron]

I've followed your ten tips and they are great. I'm having trouble with one. How do I uninstall the factory dialer skin so I can install the touch dialer skin?

[kish20]

Ringtone volume for my tilt phone is low even after keeping to highest position. I cannot hear ringtone when outdoor. please let me know how to increase volume futher.

[Hubcap98]

Could someone help me out? when I download any cab. files to a folder on my desktop I open it and extract the files all a I see is other files except any that have a .cab in it.

[oski]

my tilt dosent play music after i flashed and add htccube
any advice

[PJ]

Hi y'all...

I removed the AT&T software according to the instruction and have loaded HTC Home. I need help with one problem - the phone lights up with ANY button pressed rather than only the sleep button, so now when I carry the phone in a case, most of the times the battery does not last too long because the phone turns on all the time....how do I make the buttons not power up the phone?

-pJ

[Jerry G]

Jenn, Following is a list of all the programs on the tilt as received from AT&T(Purchased 2008,05,09)
AT&T Mall
1. Shop Tones
2. Shop Games
3. Shop Graphics
4. Shop Mutimedia
5. Shop Applications
6. Media Net Home
AT&T Music
1. Music Player
2. Shop Music
3. Music ID
4. Streaming Music
5. The Buzz
6. Community
7. Music Videos
Games and Apps
1. Brain Challenge
2. Bubble Breaker
3. Get TeleNav
4. Jewel Qwest
5. Midnight Pool
6. Mobi TV
7. Ms Pacman by Namco
8. MTV Cribs
9. My Cast
10. Shop Games
11. Solitaire
12. Tiger Woods PGA Tour
Messaging
1. Get Blackberry Connect
2. Instant Messaging
3. Messaging
Tools
1. Proxy Manager
2. Adobe Reader LE
3. Bluetooth Explorer
4. Calculator
5. Camera
6. File Explorer
7. Java
8. Quick GPS
9. Search
10. SIM Manager
11. Sprite Backup
12. Voice Recorder
13. Voice Speed Dial
14. Zip
Active Sync
Cellular Video
Media Net Home
Notes
Pictures and Video
Push To Talk
Tasks

[Jenn]

Thanks for the info, Jerry. :-)

[Brian]

Jenn,
Thank you for your top 10. I have a major problem with my Tilt, which is wonderful otherwise. I have a question regarding text message ringers. So my old phone would use my .mp3 ringers for my contacts when they sent me text messages. So each text message I received had a unique ringer of the contact saved to my device. If it was from a sim contact, it would play the default text message ringer.

My tilt does not do this.

Instead, I have individual ringers for contacts and their incoming phone calls, but my text messages use the default.

In addition to this problem, if I set an .mp3 as a default text message ringer, it will play the song completely whether I open or dismiss the text message. So if I set Bob Seger's 8 minute Traveling Man/Beautiful Loser as a text message ringer, I get all 8 minutes and can't shut it off.

I want my text messages to be my contacts' ringers, play completely if I want them to, and shut off when I open or dismiss the message.

Ringo doesn't do what I want and neither does phonealarm. Mortring comes close, but it won't select .mp3s. I have tried, xda-developers, but they are no help.

[Brian]

Thank you in advance for your advice....

[chris]

after I do step #1 and get rid of all the ATT stuff, is there anyway to reload certain ATT applications?

I want to get rid of most of the stuff, but would still like to be able to access media net, cellular video and a few other programs.

is there any way this is possible, or is it and "all or none" kind of thing?

thanks

and love the 10 step advice btw.

[Jenn]

@ Brian: I'm afraid I don't have the answer you're looking for either. I don't use MP3 ringtones at all, so the apps you've already tried are the ones I would've suggested. I also would've recommended the xda-developers forum if none of the apps met your needs, so I'm completely useless on this.

Other resources you may want to check out, if you haven't already, are tiltsite.com and wmexperts.com. Both have forums that may contain additional suggestions and maybe even the perfect solution.

@ chris: As far as I know, it's an "all or none" kind of thing. If you're looking for a specific AT&T app, you may want to try googling around to see if anyone has made it available as a standalone CAB file.

[chris]

I figured out the question in my last post and thought I'd share for those that dont know

today I did the hard/soft reset to get rid of all the bloatware on my tilt. the link to media net and cellular video are gone now, but media net is still accessible through PIE in your favorites menu.

I found the cab for cellular video (as well as quite a bit more) on xda-developers: Link

[Richard]

FANTASTIC - I have got say a GIANT thank you to the author of this really great piece on the TILT. I can't even begin to tell you how much time, effort and frustration you have saved me. AT&T should link to this piece and make it part of their welcome package when anyone buys this phone. MANY, many thanx to all posters as well. PS I installed a 16GB HC Micro & it works great! Can't wait for the 32GB - anyone know of a way to increase the available memory for MW6 to have available? Trying to increase my use of this machine and therefore its capabilities. Not being a tweaker myself I have to rely on y'all. Thanx.

[oski]

anybody add snes or nes to their tilt and if so how?

[Jerry]

Jenn
I've installed almost all of your suggestions. I'm still debating about Opera since I've read mixed reviews. One thing I have done different is to change the PTT button so that it launches Voice Speed Dial. I've also enable the PTT button with a long hold to launch voice recorder. If you are interested in doing this you can find detailed instructions at this location. This is a real effective for dialing while on the move. Thanks for the forum.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=334759&page=13

[Brian]

I posted a problem on may 11th where I wanted a program that would allow me to play full .mp3s for incoming text messages with my tilt. I have found it in mring. The program is 20 bucks.

But I still having trouble with the song playing continuously even after I've opened the message. Basically, it never shuts off until the song is done. Any ideas on a registry tweak? Other than that, mring is an amazing program.

Thanks,
Brian

[Richard]

PLEASE - I am trying to find software that will read the message files on my Tilt? HELP? I "think" they are .mpb files in the Windows sub dir under the MESSAGING sub dir??? Yes? No? Shut up and go home? Anyone? PLEASE - Many thanx from a noob

[Spencer]

I added the HTC home plug and HTC cube flow as well with Kaiser Tweak and also Ifonz and Quick notes. After adding these...the battery life diminished significantly. It only lasts 8hrs on standby. It really started after adding the HTC stuff. I tweaked the settings with Kaiser but it doesnt make the battery last longer. Any advice besides unloading or getting a bigger battery?