I have updated the software version on my phone to Android 2.3.3 - I was impatient and followed the guide over here which allowed me to get the update faster.

I have to say the new animation when the screen turns off is pretty nifty - its like those old CRT TV's when they would turn off.

I also now have the ability to use the latest apps such as iplayer and the flash plugin for the web browser.

So far so good.

Just a warning for those who wish to follow my path - the backup app with the phone when using android 2.1 does not exist when using 2.3, so make sure you use a separate one that will back up your settings.

It has been a while since I talked about my phone.

Today, I got impatient with T-Mobile releasing the latest softweare update for my phone, so I debranded it to generic firmware and then updated it to the latest released version for my phone - Android 2.1 (Eclair - all the android versions are named after deserts) to get all the new goodies.

There is the live walpapers that other android phones have now had for yonks, updated web browser, and an updated lock screen that shows more information.

An unexpected thing is that the theme for the phone is slightly tweaked making the text size larger, and that will take some time getting used to.

I have instlled the barcode scanner app and scanned a bar of snickers, a packet of Tangy Toms and a bottle of lucozade.

No success. It scanned the barcodes successfully, but the products were not recognised. Am I doing it wrong? Do I need to pair it with another app?

Today while at work I read that the google maps that can be downloiaded for android (and this update has been available since before I got my phone) now comes with navigation.

So I thought I would test it out.

But before I get onto that, a couple of other things. I think google is spying on me...

In the maps app, for "from" I accidentally hit the letter "i" and the very first suggestion that popped up was "Islamgarh, Mirpur, Azad Kashmir" or something close.

Secondly, google mail has built in chat and the phone has a gtalk app. Today, freakily it suddenly started talking to me. Well, not it but someone who I have emailed (revival related) who needed to get some things done. I had thought if the app was shut, I would be unavailable.

I wasw going to write a blog full of innuendo and stuff, but I cannot remember what most of it was :/

And then I briefly considered taking a picture of the phone to accompany this blog, but again that would be weird since the photo would be taken with my old phone...

Ok... so... the phone.

Its got a nice and large screen (am I compensating for something by buying a phoen with such a huge screen?) and it looks nice enough.

It is an "Android" phone, meaning it has the android Smartphone OS on there - version 1.6 at the moment, which is sort of ancient, but I decided to accept the information that they will update it to the lastest version something in the near future.