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Samsung - GPS Fix/Froyo

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Cuerbo

Android Enthusiast
Jul 20, 2010
302
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Well, here we are, September 7th and no word from Samsung as to when these two items will be available or their current progress. These two items keep me from enjoying my phone even more. Overall very happy with my Captivate but this will officially be the last Samsung device I purchase. HTC/Motorola have delivered the goods including some additional fixes shortly after making Froyo available, Samsung is MIA when it comes to both of these. I have a feeling we aren't going to see either of these fixes anytime soon.

I plan to buy a tablet for the holidays and after seeing the long delays in updating their device, Samsung one has been removed from the list. Say whatever you want, at least Apple makes an effort to address the issues.
 
That's my point, just a quick bla bla bla to quiet the masses. They should set a date and work towards that goal. Who knows how long it will take to get the fix once it is released, AT&T is another turtle when it comes to addressing issues. Let's not forget Europe/Asia first got the phone and it had the GPS issue then the US. That was like 5 months ago, I'm going on two months with mine. Frustrating to say the least.
 
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AT&T had no hand in it or control over it. They're not responsible for the manufacturers mistakes. They bought a contract on the phone to sell in the US on the AT&T network. They worked out a provision in the contract to have several money generating apps placed in the firmware as all carriers do. That is all.

Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint are all in the same boat AT&T is, except they have viable Android alternatives.
 
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But unlike you and me, AT&T has the power to apply pressure and make sure this gets resolved. After all, I bought the service and phone from AT&T, so this BS of them not being responsible is just more BS. Look at what happened with Antennagate, I'm sure AT&T worked behind the scenes to get Stevie Wonder to hold a presser.

The other thing I don't understand is folks who state, a non-issue for me. How can you be willing to pay $200 for a phone and not mind portions of it not working as advertised. It's this laid back approach that will allow Samsung to sit on this for as long as they need to.
 
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But unlike you and me, AT&T has the power to apply pressure and make sure this gets resolved. After all, I bought the service and phone from AT&T, so this BS of them not being responsible is just more BS. Look at what happened with Antennagate, I'm sure AT&T worked behind the scenes to get Stevie Wonder to hold a presser.

The other thing I don't understand is folks who state, a non-issue for me. How can you be willing to pay $200 for a phone and not mind portions of it not working as advertised. It's this laid back approach that will allow Samsung to sit on this for as long as they need to.

I can guarantee you that AT&T has NO ability to get Steve Jobs to do anything he doesn't want to do... AT&T is Apple's bitch until exclusivity for the iPhone goes away, even after they they'll have to kiss the ring every once in a while, so the hand sets are still allowed to be sold for AT&T's network.

Also, I think you put a bit too much stake in what AT&T (or any carrier for that matter) can (or will) do regarding this problem. The phone is selling on every carrier. All of the carriers are having the same problem. Samsung has MUCH more to lose here than any of the carriers who can provide a completely different handset to satisfy the majority of their customers needs. The one thing that I can see that would possibly make a difference is to pull the handsets from the shelves, but that would cost the company much more money than it would get in return. Remember, these are bottom line based corporations. But the fact that Samsung has stated that it will fix the problem is really all AT&T can ask for. An aknowledgement of a flaw and a pledge to fix it.
 
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What more do you want Samsung to do? They've stated repeatedly that they're working on it, and the various firmwares out in the wild are proof of that. Do you want them to half-ass it and get something out quickly that may not work to appease a few impatient people...or do you want them to take their time and do it right so that it works?

No thanks on a half-assed product ...I'll be patient and enjoy the great qualities of the phone that DO work, and know that when they are done fixing the GPS, it'll be well worth the wait.
 
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I'm sorry, but I find it a bit incredible (and somewhat amusing) that the whole GPS saga has taken up so much print. It's not a GPS device that happens to make phone calls, but a phone that happens to include GPS capabilities. If anyone has a woody about GPS do one of two things: Get a friggin TomTom or be patient for the upcoming fix. In the grand scheme of things, what's a few weeks or even a month or two?

"At least Apple makes an effort to address the issues."

Oh, yeah, baby! Care for a bumper? Care for deflection? Care for the proximity issue being touted at the July 16th press conference as deliverable in the next software update (not)? And on. And on.

I understand that I may very well have added to the list of forum members who disagree with my stance on the GPS issue. That said, the line forms here...and keep it straight, please.
 
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Whatever happened to release dates? Like I said before, it's been months since they have known about this issue, how long does it take to deliver a fix? By the way, this is the same Samsung that released a firmware update for my Blu Ray player that rendered it useless then told end users to rollback. Only problem was, you can't rollback and they still argued that it was not true.

As for the comments about GPS and 30 days in September, hope you all know like me, we are stuck with it for two years. Unless you're willing to shell out a ton of money for a new phone. Till then, AT&T and Samsung need to do a better PR job and stop telling their support reps that nothing is wrong. Call AT&T or Samsung support and let me know how well it goes, promise you it won't be pretty.
 
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Whatever happened to release dates? Like I said before, it's been months since they have known about this issue, how long does it take to deliver a fix? By the way, this is the same Samsung that released a firmware update for my Blu Ray player that rendered it useless then told end users to rollback. Only problem was, you can't rollback and they still argued that it was not true.

As for the comments about GPS and 30 days in September, hope you all know like me, we are stuck with it for two years. Unless you're willing to shell out a ton of money for a new phone. Till then, AT&T and Samsung need to do a better PR job and stop telling their support reps that nothing is wrong. Call AT&T or Samsung support and let me know how well it goes, promise you it won't be pretty.

AT&T's support can't do anything except call Samsung support... But go ahead and call them and enjoy your wasted and overall pointless time on hold to receive a response that will look vaguely similar to the thousand "we're working on it" previous responses.

Again, this isn't an AT&T issue... It's EVERY CARRIER having the problem with a specific manufacturer's device bug. A bug that that manufacturer has stated numerous times they're working on.
 
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I'm getting pretty p.o'd seeing this after the thread of people checking updates on Sept 1st. They said the updates were coming in LATE September...According to my calculations, the 7 out of 30 days is not late, and could even be considered as what some call "early September." Would have been better if they set a date, but I honestly don't think they've even created a fix for it yet and it'd be worse if they did set a date and weren't able to deliver.
 
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Whatever happened to release dates?

They slip, which is why Samsung probably doesn't want to commit to a date. What's worse? Setting a target date and _missing_ it or leaving the date a little open so the best possible solution is delivered?

Like I said before, it's been months since they have known about this issue, how long does it take to deliver a fix?

Code that works well in unit testing gets canned in regression tests, back to the drawing board. 'Path A' looks outstanding, work progresses down it until, doh! That's not going to work, back to square one.

I'm not letting them off the hook, but having been in software development for ~20 years I can tell you it's not as an exact of a science as you'd think - especially when it comes to planning and scheduling mixed with a bug.


What more do you want Samsung to do?

Well, my backyard needs mowing for starters.




:D
 
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If you guys bitched anymore about this,you'd be my lil sister...

Does she have a craptastic Captivate, as well?

I just found out that the Captivate's Bluetooth doesn't see my laptop or BT speakers (though my 2008 Nokia does just fine). But, that's another complaint for another thread.... :D;)

The more I read and experience my own phone, the more I look forward to sending it back. I took the EVO4G back because it was too big. but, in every other way, I now realize that it was a stellar device, in comparison.
 
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AT&T had no hand in it or control over it. They're not responsible for the manufacturers mistakes. They bought a contract on the phone to sell in the US on the AT&T network. They worked out a provision in the contract to have several money generating apps placed in the firmware as all carriers do. That is all.

Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint are all in the same boat AT&T is, except they have viable Android alternatives.


As a customer, I went to AT&T and agreed to pay them, and in return I would get a functioning device. I kept my end of the bargain, they have yet to keep theirs. That is not an unreasonable expectation.
 
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As a customer, I went to AT&T and agreed to pay them, and in return I would get a functioning device. I kept my end of the bargain, they have yet to keep theirs. That is not an unreasonable expectation.

And as a customer of Microsoft (and countless other software and hardware companies) I paid them and I, too, expected functioning products. Funny thing is, although for the most part their products do behave as advertised they periodically provide software patches or hardware warranty replacements. Some sooner than later, and some later than sooner. It's the nature of the beast. If you seek perfection in the high-tech world you've come to the wrong place.
 
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I figure this, give them until the end of September and see what happens. If the GPS still doesn't work and there are still other issues, return the phone. Even if it is past your 30 days, return the phone for one that works. If none of Samsung's phones work at this point, demand another phone at the discounted rate. Bottom line is, you bought a phone with stated specs, if the phone does not have those specs, you have the right to return it. That shouldn't change because the manufacturer strings you along for a little while.

As for those who can't understand why not having the GPS working sucks for us. While I do use it for directions (I get lost a LOT), I also need it for a lot of my social apps that are based on location. I can live without it for a little longer, around October 1st though, I'm going to complain.
 
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I figure this, give them until the end of September and see what happens. If the GPS still doesn't work and there are still other issues, return the phone. Even if it is past your 30 days, return the phone for one that works. If none of Samsung's phones work at this point, demand another phone at the discounted rate. Bottom line is, you bought a phone with stated specs, if the phone does not have those specs, you have the right to return it. That shouldn't change because the manufacturer strings you along for a little while.

As for those who can't understand why not having the GPS working sucks for us. While I do use it for directions (I get lost a LOT), I also need it for a lot of my social apps that are based on location. I can live without it for a little longer, around October 1st though, I'm going to complain.

That is exactly how I'm looking at this as well. In October if there is no fix and Samsung keep saying it's coming, then I'm going to raise hell with AT&T, until then I'm willing to wait.
 
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