Help Will 2.1 update fix my problems?

[x10:/]

The X10 seems like an ok phone but I have a few issues..

1. In call volume is unacceptable
2. Wifi is useless
3. Most of the apps are largely crap


I've had the X10 for a few months and overall i'm disappointed. As far as I'm concerned apple have the content/apps on lockdown and all the droid apps i have seem vastly inferior.

Will the 2.1 update improve my experience or should i cut my losses and pay for an upgrade to the iphone or comparable droid handset?

cheers!

 

[CuBz]

As for the volume, nobody is completely sure if it will be improved in 2.1.
I cannot say if your wifi will be improved as you have not stated what exactly is wrong with it. The apps will be no different so 2.1 will not improve them, although there is a majority of apps that are only available for 2.1+ so you will have access to more apps after the update

 

[x10:/]

Thanks for the friendly welcome !!!

The in call volume is so low that I can hardly ever hear the other person except in very quiet environments. Never used another phone that has been this quiet.

The wifi signal is always very weak and constantly drops back to 3g unless I'm sat next to my router. Getting wifi outside my home is even more of a headache. Friends with other iphone/droid handsets don't seem to have this problem.

 

[rosered]

I don't think such a negative tone is necessary from either posters.

The in-call volume does seem problematic on some handsets but there is also a definite knack to holding it in the right place for the speaker to work most efficiently with your ear.

I don't have a problem with Wifi on the whole, the only thing I do have is the bug that cuts off wifi when the signal bars go too low which is a bit annoying. It works well the rest of the time.

The phone does have its quirks but on the whole it is a good piece of kit. I think OP was venting and to make a broad statement that there are no apps available on 1.6 is a rather large generalisation. There are plenty of very useful apps, I haven't come across an issue that there wasn't an app on 1.6 available to sort. I guess there could be more games available on 2.1, I don't really know as I don't play on the phone very much. If you are having problems with apps perhaps you could specify what ones you feel are missing.

2.1 is a bit of an unknown quantity for all of us. We don't know what effect it will have on our phones yet, so I can't answer whether you will have the perfect handset afterwards.

 

[BarneyF]

Thanks for the friendly welcome !!!

The in call volume is so low that I can hardly ever hear the other person except in very quiet environments. Never used another phone that has been this quiet.

You haven't put on a screen protector that covers the speaker ???
I have seen this done... the correct x10 protector has a cutout for the speaker. The volume is turned up?? Very easy to bump the button and turn it down. My x10 volume is acceptable, could be louder though as i am a bit deaf. I have used worse.

The wifi signal is always very weak and constantly drops back to 3g unless I'm sat next to my router. Getting wifi outside my home is even more of a headache. Friends with other iphone/droid handsets don't seem to have this problem.

With this statement you have shown that you do not know what you are talking about... sorry. Wifi is a link to a wireless modem... 3G is a link to the internet directly from the phone using it's own inbult modem.... two seperate means of connecting to the internet. the 3G indicator is only showing the strength of your connection to the phone tower not the router.

These android phones are a bit more technical than the average home computer so dont expect to just start pushing buttons and have it all happen for you..

I have used wifi in public access areas with no problem at all... the range and strength is impressive for a mobile phone. As for the 3G broadband link that depends on your phone company,... how far you are from their local transmitter and also how congested that transmitter is. Some houses have roof linings that block a lot of signal also (sarking).

Start reading some more and have some patience.... You do have a phone that is as good as your friend's and even better in some aspects.

I think when the OP says the apps are crap he means the stock standard ones... he may not know about the market yet???

 

[x10:/]

I don't think such a negative tone is necessary from either posters.

The in-call volume does seem problematic on some handsets but there is also a definite knack to holding it in the right place for the speaker to work most efficiently with your ear.

I don't have a problem with Wifi on the whole, the only thing I do have is the bug that cuts off wifi when the signal bars go too low which is a bit annoying. It works well the rest of the time.

The phone does have its quirks but on the whole it is a good piece of kit. I think OP was venting and to make a broad statement that there are no apps available on 1.6 is a rather large generalisation. There are plenty of very useful apps, I haven't come across an issue that there wasn't an app on 1.6 available to sort. I guess there could be more games available on 2.1, I don't really know as I don't play on the phone very much. If you are having problems with apps perhaps you could specify what ones you feel are missing.

2.1 is a bit of an unknown quantity for all of us. We don't know what effect it will have on our phones yet, so I can't answer whether you will have the perfect handset afterwards.

Thanks for the reply!

I chose The X10 for a number of reasons: I didn't want to be like everyone else and get an iphone, I had a k800i a few years ago and that was brilliant and lasted for a long time. And I wanted to give android a try.

Apps: I'm not really interested in gaming either, so thats not the issue. It just seems like the majority of apps ive seen(bar google mail and google maps) lack real quality and polish compared to some of the iphone stuff.

Wifi: Mine just seems to cut off for no reason.

In call volume: I've got the knack of holding it in the right place but making/receiving calls is a pain most of the time when out and about. Its enough of an issue to make me dump this phone altogether.

Overall the x10 works reasonably well and I hope the update will resolve some of my concerns, As I like the look/design of the phone.

 

[x10:/]

With this statement you have shown that you do not know what you are talking about... sorry. Wifi is a link to a wireless modem... 3G is a link to the internet directly from the phone using it's own inbult modem.... two seperate means of connecting to the internet. the 3G indicator is only showing the strength of your connection to the phone tower not the router.

I know exactly the differences between wifi and 3g thanks.

These android phones are a bit more technical than the average home computer so dont expect to just start pushing buttons and have it all happen for you..

I know exactly how to use the device. More technical! LOL

I have used wifi in public access areas with no problem at all... the range and strength is impressive for a mobile phone. As for the 3G broadband link that depends on your phone company,... how far you are from their local transmitter and also how congested that transmitter is. Some houses have roof linings that block a lot of signal also (sarking).

My experience is different thats all. My 3g link is fine. The wifi constantly drops and the phone reverts back to using 3g.

Start reading some more and have some patience.... You do have a phone that is as good as your friend's and even better in some aspects.

I think when the OP says the apps are crap he means the stock standard ones... he may not know about the market yet???

I've found the market and its just a bit underwhelming, the phones ok its mainly the call volume thing that's pissing me off

 

[BarneyF]

Thanks for the reply!
Apps: I'm not really interested in gaming either, so thats not the issue. It just seems like the majority of apps ive seen(bar google mail and google maps) lack real quality and polish compared to some of the iphone stuff.

Take a look at CoPilot Live... for a start then keep looking... clearly you have not done that much yet.
Do you know what the market is?


Wifi: Mine just seems to cut off for no reason.

Are you talking about the link with your modem/router or the internet connection over the built in modem?????
I mentioned this before but you did not read it obviously???

If you are expecting to have the coolest phone on the block then dont blink... Newer phones are comming out all the time and from what i saw recently they will make our current phones look outdated very fast.

A tip... if you have a problem with something and would like someone to make an effort in assisting you, give some details of the problem.
Then when they reply, read the reply. If this is too hard then don't ask for help, because no one has a crystal ball.

 

[BarneyF]

My experience is different thats all. My 3g link is fine. The wifi constantly drops and the phone reverts back to using 3g.

OK.... now i see, you are using both wifi and the inbuilt modem at the same time...!!

I give up...!!

 

[x10:/]

No clearly not.

example:

I'm browsing the internet using my wifi connection at home. Suddenly the wifi drops and the phone starts using the 3g connection. I have to go into settings and reconnect to the wireless router. Sometimes this doesn't work so I have to turn the phone off and on again.

This happens all the time. I'd much rather use the wifi connection as its faster and doesn't use up any of my data allowance on my plan.

 

[rosered]

Less of the coloured ink... it hurts my eyes! Now I will go back and try and read the posts.

 

[rosered]

Ok having tried to absorb what's been posted, my thoughts...

Have you tried to do a repair/reset via Sony Ericsson Update Service? This may give you a more up to date firmware than the one you are on. Actually perhaps you could mention that too... Menu>settings>About Phone and scroll to bottom. There was a wifi bug that arrived with the R2BA026 update that I got some months ago... I'm hoping this will be sorted by 2.1. Although as long as my signal bars are high enough my wifi is great and works in pubs/Mcdonalds/home/holiday etc. I do have to reconnect it sometimes tho so maybe that is what you are having too? Is it just your home wifi or have you said you are having problems everywhere - sorry memory not what it used to be (I blame the coloured ink!)

The apps thing hasn't been an issue, my hubby is an iPhone fanboy and I can keep up with him on most things and out do him in a few areas too.

The volume thing does seem to affect certain handsets worse than others. I guess you could use a headset but its not my option of choice. I suppose the option is to see whether the update gives you what you want out of the phone and if not then maybe its time to look at other manufacturers - altho looking round the forums none are without problems it seems.

 

[x10:/]

Ok having tried to absorb what's been posted, my thoughts...

Have you tried to do a repair/reset via Sony Ericsson Update Service? This may give you a more up to date firmware than the one you are on. Actually perhaps you could mention that too... Menu>settings>About Phone and scroll to bottom. There was a wifi bug that arrived with the R2BA026 update that I got some months ago... I'm hoping this will be sorted by 2.1. Although as long as my signal bars are high enough my wifi is great and works in pubs/Mcdonalds/home/holiday etc. I do have to reconnect it sometimes tho so maybe that is what you are having too? Is it just your home wifi or have you said you are having problems everywhere - sorry memory not what it used to be (I blame the coloured ink!)

The apps thing hasn't been an issue, my hubby is an iPhone fanboy and I can keep up with him on most things and out do him in a few areas too.

The volume thing does seem to affect certain handsets worse than others. I guess you could use a headset but its not my option of choice. I suppose the option is to see whether the update gives you what you want out of the phone and if not then maybe its time to look at other manufacturers - altho looking round the forums none are without problems it seems.

Thanks again for your reply.

I'll do a factory reset and then update to the latest firmware and then see if my problems persist.


Thanks everyone for your replies.

 

[dunphero]

Hi my wifi does exactly the same thing, I am also hoping the 2.1 update will sort it out as it reallllllllllllllllly sucks.

 

[ChudleyOne]

Welcome to the boards!

The first day I had my X10, the connection seemed a bit weak in parts of the house but a firmware update helped immensely. I can now surf in any part of the house without issue so hopefully that helps clear up your connectivity issues, too.

Call volume on mine doesn't get as loud as my last phone but I've found that it's something with the way I hold it (or I'm half deaf ion my left ear). Sounds great in my right ear so I can't fault the phone until I figure out what I'm doing differently although yours wouldn't be the first complaint I've seen for incall volume being too low.

The customizing abilities of the android phone is a big part of what drew me to buy one. With a few free apps, the whole phone experience feels better (although none of them change the specific issues you've listed).

Good luck!

 

[powerkiter]

My experience is different thats all. My 3g link is fine. The wifi constantly drops and the phone reverts back to using 3g.

OK.... now i see, you are using both wifi and the inbuilt modem at the same time...!!

I give up...!!

Thank god! How could you be so condescending to people yet manage to get yourself so wrong when telling people they dont know how to use the phone?

With statements like

"With this statement you have shown that you do not know what you are talking about... sorry."

And

"Do you know what the market is?"

"Are you talking about the link with your modem/router or the internet connection over the built in modem?????
I mentioned this before but you did not read it obviously???"

Maybe you should try reading peoples post properly before posting what could be taken as either a teenager trying to sound clever or even abusive to other members.

Plus you did kind of make yourself look stupid

Oh and the WIFI bug in 26 is why I re-rooted and went back to 23 as the bug was written out of that code but sneaked back into 26 My home has a bad reception and in some rooms will lose the signal and I hated doing the faffing about to get wifi working again.

 

[kamm]

Never had any wifi problems on 026, haven't seen any on v2.1 either.

 

[morpheus2n2]

No clearly not.

example:

I'm browsing the Internet using my wifi connection at home. Suddenly the wifi drops and the phone starts using the 3g connection. I have to go into settings and reconnect to the wireless router. Sometimes this doesn't work so I have to turn the phone off and on again.

This happens all the time. I'd much rather use the wifi connection as its faster and doesn't use up any of my data allowance on my plan.

Hi your wifi problems are more to do with your router than your phone, what router do you have and whats the settings for the wifi?
i.e is it set to b/g or just b or just g what encryption are you using as this can affect thinks as well.

Example I have 2 routers at home I have a Netgear DG854 and a BT home hub V2, now if I connect to my netgear that only has B/G wifi I will lose the signal often when in any room of my house other than the one the router is placed, now this router is using wep as when using anything stronger my phone would lose connection quicker.

Then there's my homehub that uses B/G/N and with this one I have a full signal in every room of my house and most of my 40ft garden, and this one uses WPA/WPA2, the main reason for the better signal is that N router have to high gain antennas as opposed to 1 normal antenna also its well documented that although a lot of devices use B/G connecting them to N routers helps the signal and dose provide greater connection distance potential, I'm not going in to all the techs as I could quote tons of sites and documentation on why and how it works!!

Bottom line is I get much better performance from my N rated router with the phone than my B/G one, and as I said settings also mack the difference.

As for you other problems I to found the ear peace to quite but trust me after a while you get used to it and as someone said earlier placing it just right on your ear dose help (not much but you can notice a difference)

As for the apps I do find that a lot of Asia porn is pushed on to the market place and takes up a lot of categories (this is something google need to address) but have a look at www.appbrain.com I found this site very useful in finding apps.

You do have a great phone my partner and me love ares although I do find it stressful at times, but remember one key thing ( I tell my self this all the time) "This is Sony's FIRST android phone and they jump in the deep end with out armbands" I have had SE phones for years and have found there first phones in a new range are always great phones but have more problems than your want from a phone

 

[CuBz]

Hi your wifi problems are more to do with your router than your phone, what router do you have and whats the settings for the wifi?
i.e is it set to b/g or just b or just g what encryption are you using as this can affect thinks as well....

+1 you beat me to it

 

[eddietse91]

Hey,
I never have problems with my phone cutting off WiFi before....... I think it's your router too?..

 

[disambiguation]

1. In call volume is unacceptable
2. Wifi is useless
3. Most of the apps are largely crap

'fraid I have to agree with the OP; well, on points 1 and 3 at least. I've had no probs with wi-fi yet fortunately!

The in call volume is also unacceptable to me. I make most of my "social" calls in the evening, in the pub, and always have to go outside in order to hear the other end. And anyone I lend the phone to, has also got to do this too - so it's not just me being deaf!! Sort it out SE - its a telecommunication device, you need to be able communicate, so, by-and-large, you need to be able to hear what is being communicated!!!

And as for the apps: Well, I have to agree, that a 'lot' of the apps are crap. Force closes left right and centre on the useful application apps (never had than on my ipod touch), and the games are truly awful. Example: Compare the best free pinball game you can get on the X10 with the best on an iPod touch. The one on the touch is 100 times better! Example2: Need for Speed shift on X10: yes, excellent graphics - but eats 2% of your battery for every minute played, and gameplay is crap without multi-touch.

So, the original questions is, will 2.1 solve these two. Sadly, I think not. But maybe... hopefully... the games will get better with time (maybe even with the restriction of no multi-touch).