Is Bing A Deal Breaker

[rhippler]

With all the talk about Verizon forcing Bing on some of their new Android phones, I was wondering how this would affect your choice of phone/carrier. Personally if the only phones they offer, that I liked, had Bing locked in I would bail on Verizon entirely.

 

[pavirotten]

MS being forced on a phone with an operating system developed by Google. What's next? Cats and dogs sleeping together?

Seriously though, get the dream phone with Bing installed, root the dern thing and remove Bing if it offends you.

 

[najaboy]

Debunk: Bing not replacing Google on all Verizon Android devices -- Engadget

 

[buckguin]

Its not that big of deal, especially since all other google based programs work and you can use the mobile browser if google is that important to you. Not to mention I used Bing on my blackberry and its really not that bad of a search engine.

 

[rhippler]

The apps may work but are they as seamless? can I still long press the search button and get the voice input prompt? Will searching an address form the search button open Google maps? And why should I have to root to get the ability to choose my search engine? I have no problem with them setting an alternate search but not letting me change it is a deal breaker.

 

[byteware]

I don't think that they will prevent you from installing Google Search, it just won't be installed by default. And I don't think you will have to root to install Google Search.

 

[najaboy]

Seems to be a lot of misconception and FUD about this. Read the above link folks. Google is not being removed. Bing's meant for their feature phones such as the chocolate touch and low end smartphones such as the Fascinate. Likewise, no one is being forced to use it rather than Google.

 

[sandieogsteve]

Not an android user yet...

But what is that search for? A quick link to the internet? Stuff on your phone?
I'm very close to getting a droid based phone and this one is curious. It is just a religious (Google vs. MS), or is there real functionality at stake?

 

[najaboy]

Not an android user yet...

But what is that search for? A quick link to the internet? Stuff on your phone?
I'm very close to getting a droid based phone and this one is curious. It is just a religious (Google vs. MS), or is there real functionality at stake?

It's pretty much a "fanboy" kind of thing with some people being so rabidly anti-Microsoft that a phone with a MS app pre-installed on it forever taints the device for them, even if they have the option of using something else. No functionality is at stake since users of the smartphones that come with the app preinstalled can just download Google Search and use it instead. Once they're rooted, those users can even delete the app along with any other blooatware such as VZNavigator and CityID.

For others, it's merely the perception that their choice is being taken away. As pointed out, however, there's nothing precluding them from downloading and installing Google Search. It's not especially hard to find in the market as it shows up as one of the top apps.

 

[wtherrell]

I searched on the market for Google Search. When it came up there was a note saying it was for Androic 2.2 only.
What to do now? I could not find a 2.1 version. Maybe I just don't know where to look.

 

[rhippler]

You can not currently down load it from the market. once you get 2.2 on the Facinate you will be able to get it from the market. So unless you get it from elsewhere you are stuck with bing. and to get the voice search you need root.

 

[IOWA]

Seems to be a lot of misconception and FUD about this. Read the above link folks. Google is not being removed. Bing's meant for their feature phones such as the chocolate touch and low end smartphones such as the Fascinate. Likewise, no one is being forced to use it rather than Google.

Since when is the fascinate a low end smartphone? Last time I checked it's got the best specs on VZW.

 

[buckguin]

Since when is the fascinate a low end smartphone? Last time I checked it's got the best specs on VZW.

What specs are you talking about? I just compared them on the verizon website and they had nothing that the DX didnt have. Add that with all the bad reviews its getting and I wouldnt quite put it at the top of Verizon's smartphone list.

 

[cwrig]

It's pretty much a "fanboy" kind of thing with some people being so rabidly anti-Microsoft that a phone with a MS app pre-installed on it forever taints the device for them, even if they have the option of using something else. No functionality is at stake since users of the smartphones that come with the app preinstalled can just download Google Search and use it instead. Once they're rooted, those users can even delete the app along with any other blooatware such as VZNavigator and CityID.

For others, it's merely the perception that their choice is being taken away. As pointed out, however, there's nothing precluding them from downloading and installing Google Search. It's not especially hard to find in the market as it shows up as one of the top apps.

You are mis-informed. Until Fascinate (for example) gets froyo, google search widget cannot be added to the phone. You can search google of course from a browser, but the google search widget cannot be added.

So; then try to do a "navigate to" search with BING like you can do with google. It is an annoying process.

So; this is a bit more than a "fanboy" issue. It is loss of functionality, limiting what I can add to my phone, and a much worse search tool. It makes the Fascinate (in this case) much less desirable.

BTW: The fascinate is hardly a low end phone. It goes toe to toe with any of the high end smart phones. Great screen; probably the fastest gaming platform on android.

 

[wtherrell]

Launcher Pro (Plus) gave me google search widget. Also using Dolphin HD (paid version) Guess what! It does not go thru Bing!! Also I have google maps and navigation on the phone but not running when I press the search key.
Hallelujah! Amen!

Type contact name and it gives you option of navigating to their address or placing a call to them. If you select the address it gives you the options of navigating using Bing, google Maps, or VZ Navigator. Also on that screen you can chose default nav method for that location. If the search term is not in contacts it goes directly to google.com. And heres the kicker!! Search Key (Soft Key or Hard Key, whatever you call it) is linked to google search box. Can't do it from TW launcher tho. But anyway. I am using Launcher Pro and Dolphin and no more Bing!!

 

[IOWA]

What specs are you talking about? I just compared them on the verizon website and they had nothing that the DX didnt have. Add that with all the bad reviews its getting and I wouldnt quite put it at the top of Verizon's smartphone list.

Faster cpu.. much better gpu...infintely better screen...built in dlna...its not motorla..

 

[3devious]

Faster cpu.. much better gpu...infintely better screen...built in dlna...its not motorla..

After the Glyde, a fan of Samsung has no room to talk. That company redeemed itself with my latest TV, but the next Samsung phone I get will be free because I still don't trust 'em.

 

[najaboy]

Faster cpu.. much better gpu...infintely better screen...built in dlna...its not motorla..

And the Edsel seemed like a pretty good car at the time, too. In all seriousness, specs are meaningless if the phone doesn't work as designed. The Fascinate is a pretty good phone on paper, but out in the wild it's proving to be something else.

 

[wtherrell]

And the Edsel seemed like a pretty good car at the time, too. In all seriousness, specs are meaningless if the phone doesn't work as designed. The Fascinate is a pretty good phone on paper, but out in the wild it's proving to be something else.

If Edsel had been as good as the Fascinate it would still be a brand.
Seriously! All this trashing of the Fascinate is totally B. S. As with any phone there are a few tweaks that need to be made. Once they are, this is the best Android Verizon has out there. It's already superb and when we get FroYo and Custom Roms in a few weeks, nothing much else can even come close. (Except for other Galaxy S phones.)

 

[najaboy]

If Edsel had been as good as the Fascinate it would still be a brand.
Seriously! All this trashing of the Fascinate is totally B. S. As with any phone there are a few tweaks that need to be made. Once they are, this is the best Android Verizon has out there. It's already superb and when we get FroYo and Custom Roms in a few weeks, nothing much else can even come close. (Except for other Galaxy S phones.)

Edsel never really was a bad brand, but I digress.Tone is difficult to convey and interpret in a forum setting, so please let me clarify...

The Fascinate isn't a subpar phone, and that's definitely what I'm trying to convey. For giving you the impression that I might have been denigrating the phone or, by proxy, those who chose to buy one, I apologize. On the other hand, the point that I'm attempting to make is that Verizon doesn't seem to consider it to be a flagship device. Rather, it's presented as an android device "for the masses." The current marquee devices for VZW are the Droid 2 and the Droid X.

The numerous bugs that shipped with the Fascinate are getting fixed at a decent enough pace, and you're absolutley correct in that Froyo and custom ROMs are only going to enhance the user experience.

 

[wtherrell]

Edsel never really was a bad brand, but I digress.Tone is difficult to convey and interpret in a forum setting, so please let me clarify...

The Fascinate isn't a subpar phone, and that's definitely what I'm trying to convey. For giving you the impression that I might have been denigrating the phone or, by proxy, those who chose to buy one, I apologize. On the other hand, the point that I'm attempting to make is that Verizon doesn't seem to consider it to be a flagship device. Rather, it's presented as an android device "for the masses." The current marquee devices for VZW are the Droid 2 and the Droid X.

The numerous bugs that shipped with the Fascinate are getting fixed at a decent enough pace, and you're absolutley correct in that Froyo and custom ROMs are only going to enhance the user experience.

Thanks for the clarification, najaboy. I agree, the Edsel was in many ways ahead of it's time. (Pushbutton autotrans controls on the steering wheel for instance-I still think that was a good idea.) You seem to be right about VZW's attitude about the phone. I chose it over the Droid X for two reasons.
1. The screen. I can see and use it in sunlight. --The DX--pretty dim in comparison.
2. Moto's misguided policy of locking down the bootloader making it nigh impossible for the Root and Custom ROM community to do much with.
With the Rom update of yesterday, and the Bing thing solved (at least for those of us who prefer LauncherPro to TouchWiz anyway, I would say that my $100 was quite well spent. I am pleased with the speed of the phone and browser. GPS works fine on mine. And I have managed satisfactory work-arounds to sync with all my MS Outlook needs.

 

[wtherrell]

Launcher Pro (Plus) gave me google search widget. Also using Dolphin HD (paid version) Guess what! It does not go thru Bing!! Also I have google maps and navigation on the phone but not running when I press the search key.
Hallelujah! Amen!

Type contact name and it gives you option of navigating to their address or placing a call to them. If you select the address it gives you the options of navigating using Bing, google Maps, or VZ Navigator. Also on that screen you can chose default nav method for that location. If the search term is not in contacts it goes directly to google.com. And heres the kicker!! Search Key (Soft Key or Hard Key, whatever you call it) is linked to google search box. Can't do it from TW launcher tho. But anyway. I am using Launcher Pro and Dolphin and no more Bing!!

Woe is me! The Bing worm is back.

Since the Verizon OTA update to build DI01 from DH12 the above no longer works. Verizon screws us again! Anybody know how to roll it back to previous version?

 

[ekyle]

As long as I can set Google as my primary search idc. It's like the other bloatware that came on my phone. I just ignore it. They did the same thing when I had my BB, but I just didn't open it.
Or like they said above: root & remove

 

[Thornfullessrose]

The fascinate is not a google phone. I plan on sticking with google phone for a long time so if I had to choose I would choose either droid x or droid 2. The fascinate isn't even listed in googles new compare android phone site. The other versions of the galaxy s are because the carriers weren't as stupid a verizon to tinker with them. Vzw ruined the fascinate's chance of being a google phone. Shame...