Outrage, Slap in the face. Engadget says GPS bug is fixed by turning on "use wireless networks"

[SamsungVibrant]

Am I reading this correctly, are my eyes really seeing what I think their seeing? Please read below, and if you agree with me, email Engadget and Chris (chris@engadget.com) and ask them to further investigate their statements.
So here is the ordeal.

We all thought Engadget was smarter than this. What a complete embarassment for them.

Vibrant and Captivate owners a week ago found triumph when Engadget, a major tech site, put Samsung on the heating block and asked them where is the GPS fix? Oddly enough Chris Ziegler was the same person to pose this question to Samsung. Remember: http://mobile.engadget.com/2010/08/02/wheres-the-gps-fix-for-the-samsung-vibrant-and-captivate/

Well things have taken a 180 degree turn. Seems like senior editor Chris Ziegler needs to consider going into a new profession, because reviewing Android phones is way over his head.

Chris Ziegler reviewed the new Sprint Samsung Galaxy S Epic 4G, where he talked about the GPS bug. Shortly after his initial review, Samsung contacted Chris, and either Chris is really ammature, or Samsung pulled a big one over his head. This is what Chris has to say about the GPS bug:

"[Update: We just spoke with Samsung, who told us that Google is now requiring that the "use wireless networks" setting for location-based services be turned off by default in Android devices -- in other words, no AGPS unless you manually enable it. Sure enough, we went into Settings, found that it was disabled on the Epic, turned it on, and we were good to go. No GPS bug!]"

No GPS bug! ???????????? Are you nuts Chris? You really think people who own the Samsung Galaxy S phones haven't already tried turning this on. Boy did this editor get one pulled over his head. Turning on "use wireless networks" is nothing more than a mask, a cover up, a disguise to the real GPS bug.

I have many questions, my mind is in confusion, how could Engadget make such a mistake. Unless the Epic 4G is in a special category, maybe the Epic 4G doesn't have GPS problems. If this is the case, my next question would be, why do the Captivate and Vibrant have GPS problems and the Epic doesn't? I doubt the Epic has different GPS hardware than the Captivate or the Vibrant. I think the answer to this question is simple, Chris Ziegler f*cked up big time, thinking the resolution to the GPS problem is as simple as turning on "use wireless networks," something that is nothing more than a mask to the true GPS whoes. Something that many of us already have tried to no avail!

Article Below:

Epic 4G review -- Engadget

Please email Engadget, and ask them to Clarify what Chris meant by his statements. Is he stating that only Epic 4G has no GPS problems? Or is he stating all Galaxy S Phones GPS bugs can be eliminated by turning on "use wireless networks." Frankly, if the EPIC 4G has no GPS problems, Samsung better explain why the Captivate and Vibrant do.

UPDATE: ENGADGET APPEARS TO HAVE HEARD OUR EMAILS, AND RESPONDS:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/17/samsung-galaxy-s-gps-gate-two-problems-not-one-and-what-to-do/

 

[Eazail70x7]

Well... is it really too hard to believe that Sprint and Samsung may have fixed the gps bug on the Epic before its release?

Also, it seems that it actually works after doing what Samsung said to do. if you read slashgear and a couple other reviews, they had success as well with the Epic 4g gps. We cant be so quick to judge the situation...

P.S. - Havent you heard that Samsung is sending a gps fix to the vibrant in September? Why are you so worried?

 

[SamsungVibrant]

Well... is it really too hard to believe that Sprint and Samsung may have fixed the gps bug on the Epic before its release?


P.S. - Havent you heard that Samsung is sending a gps fix to the vibrant in September? Why are you so worried?

Because Engadget is a major tech site, their voice has power. If Engadget is now saying the GPS bug is no longer, then that worries me.

 

[spiz]

Because Engadget is a major tech site, their voice has power. If Engadget is now saying the GPS bug is no longer, then that worries me.

Hehe don't worry. He's a blogger. Sure they have a big name, but my sources are much bigger than him. Do you really think Samsung would send an OTA update to fix something as simple as that?

Engadget is an Apple fanboi site, so take everything they say with a grain of salt.

 

[SamsungVibrant]

Hehe don't worry. He's a blogger. Sure they have a big name, but my sources are much bigger than him. Do you really think Samsung would send an OTA update to fix something as simple as that?

Engadget is an Apple fanboi site, so take everything they say with a grain of salt.

Spiz, his email is in the thread, you should email him asking him to explain what he meant!

 

[spiz]

Also, let me clarify some things.

Many people tend to think that every Galaxy S phone is the same, built by and maintained by the same people. This is incorrect.

There are separate teams within Samsung dedicated to every single carrier. I know this because I know people.

While they are all in the Galaxy S line of phones, they have different hardware and parts, different programmers, different support teams, etc...

In the US, the Vibrant and the Captivate were the first two released. The Vibrant's release date was pushed up multiple times due to unrealistic demands by TMobile. The general public only knows of one date that was altered (21st to the 15th). Because of this, AT&T wanted to be competitive with TMobile and pushed their release date up multiple times as well.

Because of this, we're seeing issues with these two phones that should have been corrected prior to release. According to my sources, Samsung isn't using this as a public excuse because the GPS should have been working regardless of the demands from TMobile, but the fact remains that this is the reason for the error.

The Fascinate and Epic will likely not have the GPS problem that the Vibrant and Captivate are experiencing because this is closer to the time of the original release date as originally agreed upon by the Samsung/TMobile and Samsung/AT&T teams.

 

[SamsungVibrant]

Also, let me clarify some things.

Many people tend to think that every Galaxy S phone is the same, built by and maintained by the same people. This is incorrect.

.

Yes, I posed this question above.

 

[rlb4]

Also, let me clarify some things.

Many people tend to think that every Galaxy S phone is the same, built by and maintained by the same people. This is incorrect.

There are separate teams within Samsung dedicated to every single carrier. I know this because I know people.

While they are all in the Galaxy S line of phones, they have different hardware and parts, different programmers, different support teams, etc...

In the US, the Vibrant and the Captivate were the first two released. The Vibrant's release date was pushed up multiple times due to unrealistic demands by TMobile. The general public only knows of one date that was altered (21st to the 15th). Because of this, AT&T wanted to be competitive with TMobile and pushed their release date up multiple times as well.

Because of this, we're seeing issues with these two phones that should have been corrected prior to release. According to my sources, Samsung isn't using this as a public excuse because the GPS should have been working regardless of the demands from TMobile, but the fact remains that this is the reason for the error.

The Fascinate and Epic will likely not have the GPS problem that the Vibrant and Captivate are experiencing because this is closer to the time of the original release date as originally agreed upon by the Samsung/TMobile and Samsung/AT&T teams.

So are you saying that the issues with the Captivate and Vibrant are all software related and that they will eventually be fixed?

 

[SamsungVibrant]

Seems like engadget heard the emails, according to captivate owner Uzza:

"BREAKING NEWS

HE JUST REPLIED TO ME!!! LOOK

THIS IS LEGIT I PROMISE!!

Martin -- you'll see a big post go live on the site regarding this in the next few minutes. Stay tuned.

Chris

WILL POST WHEN ITT GOES LIVE!!!"

 

[rlb4]

Here it is:
Samsung Galaxy S GPS-gate: two problems, not one (and what to do about it) -- Engadget

 

[SamsungVibrant]

Here it is:
Samsung Galaxy S GPS-gate: two problems, not one (and what to do about it) -- Engadget

Correct, right on the front page! They confirm 2 problems, not 1!

Thank you engadget for clearing up this confusion!

 

[Eazail70x7]

By the end of September will this be over and can we live haply ever after ^o^

 

[dietcoke]

By the end of September will this be over and can we live haply ever after ^o^

Just a "promise" so people will be stuck with their Vibrants for two years waiting on a fix.

I won't be a sucker, returning my Vibrant tomorrow.

 

[wildblue]

So you think Samsung's market strategy is to snare some suckers now, and let a flagship product line across every major cell carrier in the world languish with no support? And AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon and Sprint will just standby and let that happen?

That would certainly rank as one of the biggest tech blunders in quite a while.

I'm betting you're wrong on this one.

 

[dietcoke]

So you think Samsung's market strategy is to snare some suckers now, and let a flagship product line across every major cell carrier in the world languish with no support? And AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon and Sprint will just standby and let that happen?

That would certainly rank as one of the biggest tech blunders in quite a while.

I'm betting you're wrong on this one.

Samsung released the ATT Captivate and TMobile Vibrant with known GPS issues. This after releasing the Moment and Euro Galaxy S with GPS issues- which they don't have a fix either.

Nobody has a fix from Samsung. Just empty promises.

Support your statement that Samsung has EVER fixed their GPS issues. That your opinion holds ANY merit.

And before some people chime in that their GPS works "ok".
Download GPS Test by Chartcross in the Android Market.
Every Android phone out there gets at least 10 Satellites "In View", 10 Satellites "In Use" and 6 foot "Accuracy".

While Samsung phones get 10 In View, 0 In Use, and 150 foot Accuracy.
It's not hard to figure out Samsung has a problem.
Some Samsung owners are fine with 150 foot accuracy and will say "the GPS works fine".....but they don't have a clue what they're not getting.. Most users coming from other phones that had decent "useable" GPS will immediately recognize this as a serious problem.

 

[robo21]

So you think Samsung's market strategy is to snare some suckers now, and let a flagship product line across every major cell carrier in the world languish with no support? And AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon and Sprint will just standby and let that happen?

That would certainly rank as one of the biggest tech blunders in quite a while.

I'm betting you're wrong on this one.

Quite simply put it ain't gonna happen. I agree with you WB.

 

[robo21]

Just a "promise" so people will be stuck with their Vibrants for two years waiting on a fix.

I won't be a sucker, returning my Vibrant tomorrow.

Why wait until tomorrow?

 

[wildblue]

dietcoke - Nothing you said refutes what I said. It's extremely difficult for me to imagine Samsung will fail to fix the GPS problem with so much at stake, and so much market share on the line with every cell carrier.

I worked in development and QA for more than one large tech company. I know first hand how products make it to market with bugs. Just look at Apple. The question is will Samsung fix it in the near term, or as you suggest, basically never. For now I'm on the side of sooner rather than later.

We'll see.

 

[dietcoke]

dietcoke - Nothing you said refutes what I said. It's extremely difficult for me to imagine Samsung will fail to fix the GPS problem with so much at stake, and so much market share on the line with every cell carrier.

I worked in development and QA for more than one large tech company. I know first hand how products make it to market with bugs. Just look at Apple. The question is will Samsung fix it in the near term, or as you suggest, basically never. For now I'm on the side of sooner rather than later.

We'll see.

Inform yourself. I am.
PLEASE tell me how there aren't any serious GPS issues with the Captivate or Vibrant, like I'm making all of this up.

PLEASE tell me how Samsung released the EURO Galaxy S with GPS issues, after customer complaints, promised a fix, never gave a fix. THEN released the USA Galaxy S phones with GPS issues, after customer complaints, promised a fix...
Sorry, but your uninformed hopeful attitude carries zero credibility.


And none of this refutes what you say, and you're betting on a fix. But you have nothing to back up your statements. So let's live in reality shall we?

Here's a quick and easy post from a Samsung Moment user just an hour ago, laughing out loud.

http://androidforums.com/1391357-post343.html

Samsung owners exist on "maybe they will fix it on the next update???"!!!! The Moment has been out 10 months???...and the phone is near worthless. They also pulled the same CRAP with launching the phone with "yesterday's version" of Android.....again.....oment owners begged for 1.6(current version at the time and available at launch) and never got it...they finally got a bone and got 2.1...after waiting 6 months with 1.5. Anyway, the Epic 4G is already walking like a duck and talking like a duck. Not passing the sniff test with me because that smell is quite familiar.

 

[robo21]

Samsung released the ATT Captivate and TMobile Vibrant with known GPS issues. This after releasing the Moment and Euro Galaxy S with GPS issues- which they don't have a fix either.

Nobody has a fix from Samsung. Just empty promises.

Support your statement that Samsung has EVER fixed their GPS issues. That your opinion holds ANY merit.

And before some people chime in that their GPS works "ok".
Download GPS Test by Chartcross in the Android Market.
Every Android phone out there gets at least 10 Satellites "In View", 10 Satellites "In Use" and 6 foot "Accuracy".

While Samsung phones get 10 In View, 0 In Use, and 150 foot Accuracy.
It's not hard to figure out Samsung has a problem.
Some Samsung owners are fine with 150 foot accuracy and will say "the GPS works fine".....but they don't have a clue what they're not getting.. Most users coming from other phones that had decent "useable" GPS will immediately recognize this as a serious problem.

 

[dietcoke]

Quite simply put it ain't gonna happen. I agree with you WB.

3 posts in this thread and not one single sentence or even a couple words of anything useful or informative or anything related to the topic. I love posters like you!! Just can't think or communicate!!

 

[robo21]

3 posts in this thread and not one single sentence or even a couple words of anything useful or informative or anything related to the topic. I love posters like you!! Just can't think or communicate!!

As if anything you've said is useful or informative, you are just regurgitating the same negative and unfounded rant you have previously stated. Everything you've said is your opinion or the opinion of another poster in a different thread. Why not wait and see what happens.

And if you are so dead set on returning your Vibrant, why are you waiting? Get rid of it already.

And dietcoke, please don't mistake your ability to type with thinking. As you have already firmly established, they are vastly different.

 

[spiz]

3 posts in this thread and not one single sentence or even a couple words of anything useful or informative or anything related to the topic. I love posters like you!! Just can't think or communicate!!

The fact that you're comparing the Moment to the Galaxy S completely takes away all credibility. You're probably the same type of person that compares it to the Behold II.

Return the phone and move on. That way you get to be happy and we don't need to listen to your blithering anymore.

 

[VegasTouch]

Because Engadget is a major tech site, their voice has power. If Engadget is now saying the GPS bug is no longer, then that worries me.

No longer for the Epic. We know we still have an issue. I dont know why you keep harping on this. You know the fix is coming in Sept. for us. I figured it would be around when we get 2.2 and that looks like what it is going to be.
Nothing you can do till then excfept take your phone back and get another phone altogether if it bothers you so much.

 

[SamsungVibrant]

No longer for the Epic. We know we still have an issue. I dont know why you keep harping on this. You know the fix is coming in Sept. for us. I figured it would be around when we get 2.2 and that looks like what it is going to be.
Nothing you can do till then excfept take your phone back and get another phone altogether if it bothers you so much.

I was harping about engadgets article, and I and others were right, because of our emails, they immediately posted something clarifying their statements. If my posts bother you so much, stop reading them all together. You don't have to read or enter any thread that i've created.