Harmattan Tips and Workarounds

The focus of this wiki is gathering: How-To's, Workarounds for issues, Mods/Tweaks, & Killer Apps.

Sister TMO thread is here

Contents

How-To's/Tips

Test beta community apps before they're released as stable

http://wiki.meego.com/MeeGo_Apps/Community_QA

Improve SSH security once dev-mode enabled (much of this applied in subsequent updates)

http://www.basshero.org/blog/113/nokia-n9-developer-mode-ssh-security

Dismantling the N9 (Russian Video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSJtUbnM46E

iFixit N9 device stub: still waiting for folks to add their teardown/repair guides

http://www.ifixit.com/Device/Nokia_N9

Change the terminal font size (pretty obvious, maybe not worth documenting)

http://forum.meego.com/showthread.php?t=4966

Rain-X (for fixing scratched glass screens)

Force a restart = hold power/lock-screen button for 10-sec (in manual)

It's perfectly fine to use the N900's charger with the N9 & vice-versa

Package a *.DEB for N9 (Binary only)

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=80908

Report Bugs! Pointers

http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=1124887&postcount=1

Improve scratched Gorilla Glass:

*Rain-X (may not be suitable for smartphone screens w/hardend glass)

*http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/moto-droid/114659-gorilla-glass-does-scratch-but-i-know-how-repair.html

*http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=1134372&postcount=72

Email & MfE, getting help with issues by giving help

http://wiki.maemo.org/Email_and_Mail_for_Exchange_n9

Make your own wallpaper

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=1132540#post1132540]

How to restore system w/o doing a total rootfs rewrite (i.e. losing most data)

http://wiki.meego.com/N950/Fixing_MALF_state

Unlock a accidentally locked N9 by obtaining your security code

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=1138501#post1138501

Add Harmattan-dev Nokia repository

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=81154

Razr’s 3rd-party (community) repository

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=75815

Transfer files to/from N9 via WiFi+SSH client (WinSCP)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wccMF2lDH5A

Accessing N9 through SSH over 3G

http://forum.meego.com/showthread.php?t=4866

Text areas in harmattan browser, scroll with two fingers!

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=80482

Import Calendars into N9

http://forum.meego.com/showthread.php?t=5227

http://forum.meego.com/showthread.php?t=3729

SIP + Google Voice (works like a cellular call, quality sometimes not quite as good)

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=80505

Setup a Bluetooth PAN

http://forum.meego.com/showthread.php?t=4867

How to enable SSH root access if you really must (not necessary as you can just use devel-su)

http://sintonen.fi/n9_pr1.1_remote_root_ssh_login.txt

Also apparently if you change user, dev, & root pwds from their default, you can proceed w/root via SSH.

Connect to the net via USB using USBnet

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=79929

Google Reader in Feeds App (2 approaches, one's a workaround the other's a tip)

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=80843

Create desktop icon w/root access to a script (2 answers on post #5)

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=1135282#post1135282

Access touch friendly (mobile, not txt-only) version of some Google services

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=1129333#post1129333

Remove app shortcuts from the app launcher home-screen

http://everythingn9.com/remove-application-shortcuts-nokia-n9/

Use a XMPP gateway for multiple messaging services at once, but w/only one connection!

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=1049366#post1049366

Re-encode video to a format more suited to the N9

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=1110680#post1110680

You can do it in the terminal on the phone like this, otherwise Handbrake's excellent.

I’m not aware of any transcoding software like Handbrake, but for Maemo.

Reduce N900 power consumption (much of it applicable to N9 owners)

http://wiki.maemo.org/N900_Hardware_Power_Consumption

POI can be added & then synced with the N9 in the maps apps

http://maps.nokia.com/mapcreator

Virtual Keyboard

Advanced keyboard functions, including arrows, copy paste, etc

http://everythingn9.com/advanced-keyboard-functions-nokia-n9/

http://forum.meego.com/showthread.php?t=5288

Toggle between shell keys & arrows keys for terminal in VKB (already doco'd?)

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=1123712#post1123712


Swype specific

Swype: How to delete words you don't want in dictionary

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=1135357#post1135357

http://www.swype.com/category/tips/

Update/Re-Install

http://europe.nokia.com/support/product-support/device-software-update

NaviFirmEx: C++ version of NaviFirm that runs on WINE (Linux/OSX) & in Windows

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=80874

Flash Nokia N9 Using Win Flasher v3.12.1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70c1zqTn1aE&feature=related

Change N9 product code (this isn’t actually needed for any reason I’m aware of)

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=1140016#post1140016

Handy *nix Commands

cat /proc/cpuinfo

To determine if a package is installed:

dpkg -l <package name>  
dpkg -l | grep <package name> 

Note: the "-l" is a small L

Installed is indicated with a "ii" and un-installed with "un" in-front of the package.

If output is empty then it doesn't exist in the repo, & needs to be installed via browser.

To see packages a package depends on (dependencies):

apt-cache showpkg <package name>

Installing a package...

pkgmgr install -V -p <package name>

Workarounds

(many are subject to change with new major releases)

*Issue with dloading voices for drive app

http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=1117934&postcount=768

*Using N9 w/latest version of Nokia Suite

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?r=31711090#r31711090

 Also see post #31 here....

http://betalabs.nokia.com/apps/nokia-suite-3-2-beta/suggestion/42076/n9-support 

*Applications that use inverted theme, menu is transparent except for menu contents (fix).

http://fiferboy.blogspot.com/2011/10/harmattan-pr11-quick-fix-inverted-menu.html

Sometime lists of things like music/movies/msgs etc. don't update correctly.

Instead of a reboot this cmd can come in handy: tracker-control --hard-reset

NOTE!!! REMOVES ALL YOUR CONTACTS AND MESSAGES, so do only if you are fine with that.

*Not able to see updates for apps

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=1119800#post1119800

*How to get terminal icon to appear in apps list w/o enabling dev mode

http://forum.meego.com/showthread.php?p=34681#post34681

*backed-up pre-loaded N9 content, should you want to do a full reset/reformat

http://www.n9fanclub.com/2011/11/recover-default-pre-loaded-content-of.html

*disabling the auto-lock when using MfE

http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=1122741&postcount=875

*How to enable/disable auto-connection of different connection types (wifi/3g etc)

http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=1123090&postcount=877

*Nokia won't support my N9 because it didn't originate in my country (if you're in the EU & your N9 was bought in the EU, you're in luck)

http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=1125033&postcount=910

*I'm about to update to 1.1 via OTA or NSU, will I lose my backed-up data?

http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=1125319&postcount=917

*Are the diff. updates methods (OTA/NSU/Flash) really diff. in size, why?

http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=1125697&postcount=921

*How to have FB/Gtalk etc automatically reconnect after a internet connection's been restored (not really a soln)

http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=1126548&postcount=941

Drive app not starting, how to get it working (Pre 1.1?)

http://forum.meego.com/showthread.php?p=35241#post35241

Retrieve[a] forgotten security code….

http://my-meego.com/faq/showquestion.php?fldAuto=20&faq=1

Missing Quick Launch Icons

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=80019

Adjust ringer volume & balance:

-via terminal (alsa, set as start-up script explained in this one)

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=1129092#post1129092

-via GUI (no idea if this actually works, not really clear what the guy's saying)

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=1129196#post1129196

OpenMode kernel for PR1.1 (still a WIP)

http://maemo.cloud-7.de/HARM/N9/openmode_kernel_PR1.1/

Manual display brightness control

http://forum.meego.com/showthread.php?t=4682&page=2

Emails being sent via IMAP acct staying in outbox (not sure if this is really because of OS or server end)

http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=1130041&postcount=351

idle consumption issue

http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=1131198&postcount=72

Terminal level reboot

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=1121191#post1121191

http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=1143110&postcount=3

n9 pr 1.1 forgets all passwords after reboot (numerous tips for this issue & similar ones)

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=80540

Delete all accts, full reset, recreate all accts, problem should crop up again.

Strange Icon in app screen - help

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=80566

N9 mUSB cover repair/replace

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=80024

No sources outside Finland yet. A more common L800 will help for some countries.

Someone's looking at getting a 3d print service to make one w/better material.

In which case that post would belong in the Mods/Twks section

How-to access a gmail acct that's blocked, because you have several devices using it.

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=1133506#post1133506

unable to install apps from Nokia Store (2 potential workarounds)

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=79551

Push mimetypes to the stock browser (handy as browser doesn’t have “save link as”!)

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=1118280#post1118280

^ Not sure if this is a workaround or mod/twk?

Adapter for earphones/headphones w/in-line mics that aren’t compatible w/the N9

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=1117179#post1117179

Reset GConf settings (for connectivity issues, fairly drastic)

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=1119262#post1119262

Mods/Tweaks

(many are subject to change with new major releases)

Disable home-screens & lock screen portrait lock

http://wiki.meego.com/Migrating_from_N900_to_N950#Harmattan_home_screens_in_landscape_mode

Wallpaper format for landscape/portrait orientation

http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=1110710&postcount=60

How to customise your lock-screen

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=79210

Changing power button behavior (editing mce.ini)

http://shootspeak.com/2011/10/10/nokia-n9-get-extra-functions-by-editing-the-mce-ini-file/

VKB modifications

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=79879

Faster N9 transitions

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=1129426#post1129426

Faster Darker Theme (includes faster transitions)

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=1133468#post1133468

n9Tweak (kind of an app, but essentially many mods/twks rolled into one)

http://forum.meego.com/showthread.php?t=4991

USB host-mode (relies on how well things go for kernel openmode)

http://maemo.cloud-7.de/HARM/H_E_N9/

Disabling/tweaking orientation sensor (alas no easy way to integrate into GUI yet)

http://forum.meego.com/showthread.php?t=4475

http://forum.meego.com/showthread.php?t=4908

Internet Messengers on the N9/N950

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=78922

Proper integration of telepathy accounts

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=80501

Integrating & using AIM/ICQ/YM/ MSNM/Vkontakte/QIP (Haze)

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=80687

GTK + Python+GTK for Harmattan

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=79229

IP Address "Widget" for N9

http://forum.meego.com/showthread.php?t=5310

Calenderr: Daily updated Calendar app icon

http://forum.meego.com/showthread.php?t=4925

Faster A-GPS response on Nokia N9

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=80287

Enable image sharing to Twitter in Gallery

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=80445

mute the camera shutter sound (read till 7th post to learn of two methods)

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=80474

Enable more Swype settings in the GUI

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=80573

Limit swype to the langueges you use

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=80582

Bluetooth PBAP (for N900, not yet tested/refined for N9)

http://wiki.maemo.org/Bluetooth_PBAP

Modified Events screen

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=80906

Change clock colour/font/format, & notification icons in the standby screen

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=78536

Changing/modifying the system's emoticons

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=80564

How to have terminal on apps launcher home-screen w/o keeping dev mode on

http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=1138773&postcount=218

Change your N9's fonts

http://nokiamobileblog.com/how-to-change-the-font-of-your-nokia-n9/

Additional VKB layouts for N9: Greek, Slovenian, Bulgarian etc.

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=79492

Repartition RootFS so there's more room for app storage/mem etc (take away space used by FAT32)

http://my-symbian.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=43603

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=43833&highlight=partition

Connect bluetooth keyboard to N9

http://forum.meego.com/showthread.php?t=4828

Changing the User Agent on the N9/N950

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=81291

VKB: full-stop button in front of the spacebar

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=81292

Killer Apps

Mesinput

http://www.mesinput.com

Implimentation making use of it.

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=79492

CuteTube (truly excellent youtube client/app)

QVDial (alternative to built-in GTalk)

Open Video Player (better than the built-in vidplayer)

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=79537 

YTBD....

http://hiro-n9.weebly.com

OpenVPN (still crude, not integrated into UX)

http://forum.meego.com/showthread.php?t=4226

https://12vpn.com/setup/harmattan/  (slightly clearer help)

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/OpenVPN (for creating the keys)

OpenJDK / IcedTea (Java SE 7 embedded)

http://forum.meego.com/showthread.php?t=4012

Profilematic (user-defined rules for profiles)

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=79642

Organiser Feed

[ http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=80141]

Calendar Feed (most accts I’ve read say the one above is better)

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=80909

Toggle BT (handy because apparently Nokia Drv/Mps doesn’t do voice nav while BT is on)

http://store.ovi.com/content/232250

DLNA server (Rygel, no GUI)

http://forum.meego.com/showthread.php?t=4688

CoudGPS

http://forum.meego.com/showthread.php?t=4034

GApp: browser optimised for many mobile google services

http://www.crochik.com/gapp/

Outlook sync w/N9 (can also use Nokia Suite workaround to get N9 working w/it, probably better)

http://forum.meego.com/showthread.php?t=4738

syncevolution (has carddav for folks who want to use icloud instead of google)

http://forum.meego.com/showthread.php?t=4588

OSX iSync for N9

http://forum.meego.com/showthread.php?t=4761

Cover-up (album art etc.)

http://teknologsapps.wordpress.com/coverup/

KMPlayer

http://forum.meego.com/showthread.php?t=4101&page=3

Swipe Lock app (BabyLock)

http://forum.meego.com/showthread.php?t=5261&page=2

The flashlight N9

http://store.ovi.com/content/224448?clickSource=browse&categoryId=23&contentArea=applications&pos=2

MythTV remote

http://forum.meego.com/showthread.php?t=5324

QSpot (spotify & grooveshark)

MyTopSites

http://store.ovi.com/content/225055

Nokia LiveView (augmented reality browser)

http://betalabs.nokia.com/apps/nokia-live-view?req=true

Home-screen Settings (enable/disable home-screen orientation lock, don’t bother w/manual mods, doesn’t do lock-screen)

http://store.ovi.com/content/226693

mBarcode & Photo Analyser

http://forum.meego.com/showthread.php?p=30082#post30082

MeeScan

http://store.ovi.com/content/231518

EmuMaster

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=80815

Widget Canvas

http://forum.meego.com/showthread.php?t=5410

Sigma Player (music player, supports gapless audio (could be wrong there) among other things)

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=1116247#post1116247

QuaserMX (music player, looks even better than Sigma, not free though)

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=81318

Default Browser Setting: control panel applet for changing default browser

http://my-meego.com/software/applications.php?name=Default_Browser_Setting&fldAuto=683&faq=9

Netview: VNC client from Nokia for accessing your N9 from your PC/Laptop

http://store.ovi.com/content/214366

Theme Changer

http://leimu.drupalgardens.com/content/themechanger

Prey: F/OSS anti-theft app (possibly an easy port to the N9)

http://preyproject.com/

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=81209

Live Clock (variation on some of the widget-like manual hacks/mods)

http://store.ovi.com/content/238928

Ringing Restorer (restore ringing profile after a timeout)

http://forum.meego.com/showthread.php?t=5448

MeePaper (Read It Later client)

http://store.ovi.com/content/179437

Redak Text Editor

http://rzr.online.fr/q/redak# redak : #TexT #EditoR for #MeeGo #HarmattaN is alpha stage but more fingers friendly than #vi @n950club / #n9

Packages Repo

Add Harmattan-dev Nokia repository

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=81154

User:rzr’s 3rd-party (community) repository

http://rzr.online.fr/q/harmattan

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=75815


Bugs: no confirmed fix, possibly a workaround

https://harmattan-bugs.nokia.com/show_bug.cgi?id=210

https://harmattan-bugs.nokia.com/show_bug.cgi?id=164 (kinda has a solution, but it requires disabling swype & rebooting)

https://harmattan-bugs.nokia.com/show_bug.cgi?id=232

https://harmattan-bugs.nokia.com/show_bug.cgi?id=96

How to selectively manipulate "Top Sites" in browser?

Design-flaw or missing feature: no confirmed enhancement

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=80460

In-depth explanation of some underlying aspect of the OS

Is Maemo 5 (Fremantle) possible on the N9? (terminology for project names etc, is outdated)

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=1076219#post1076219

Messaging's auto-merging

AEGIS notes

Can I run Fremantle apps on Harmattan?