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Breaking News - Update Does Not Contain GPS Fix

Cuerbo

Android Enthusiast
Jul 20, 2010
302
20
I'm on the phone as I write this with AT&T and Samsung on a conference call, Samsung just said they have not released the GPS fix. Coming later this month, so CNET News and AndroidCentral and the likes are relaying incorrect information.

You can call AT&T Warranty support 800-801-1101 and tell them that the update did not resolve the GPS issue, they'll put you with an Android support team. The AT&T representative I spoke to is named Kathy, she was very helpful and did a conference call with Samsung. On the Samsung side, first Ann spoke with Kathy then Mitch join the actual conference call. The first Samsung representative said that the update will be pushed out just like this one in the next couple of days/weeks. The second Samsung representative who I did speak with as well as Kathy did not know anything about the JH7 firmware. Samsung is totally lost when it comes to managing this process, the representatives have no clue about what they are saying. The Samsung number given to me today is 800-726-7864.

As per the Samsung representative as well as the AT&T one, Samsung is using AT&T's network to push the update. To monitor the Samsung webpage for updates as to when it becomes available. Afterwards, I spoke with the AT&T representative about the possibility of exchanging the phone and was told even the new ones are broken, they are getting daily calls about them. So how some claim it works for them is puzzling, only thing that comes to mind is that they have "Use Wireless Networks" enabled and think GPS is working. I'll post if I come across anything else.

I also told the AT&T representative that a bunch of reputable websites are claiming the GPS fix is included in JH7. She was going to relay it to her team since such info will create additional calls into their center.
 
Last post on this thread got told something similar it seems, we are all being taken for a ride by Samsung.

http://androidforums.com/samsung-captivate/182282-gps-possibly-fixed-ts-ota-roll-out.html

"Let me just say that I did the update this morning and it immediately locked in and worked. Then after an hour or so my phone shut down and after I turned it back on, it locked in quickly but the location was way off. Anyone know of a good lawyer that can help with this? I tried to get ATT to exchange the phone and given that it's been more than 30 days they are saying they can't do anything and the warranty department said that samsung actually said that the fix won't come till next month and to not change phones because of such issue. This is ridiculous! All I want is a phone that works, and am still paying for something that is not working. The month excuse I've heard it before, and I'm tired of waiting. Anyone have any advice? "

-AngelDR
 
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OP, confirming, this morning my unrooted, standard phone went through the JH7 update with no issues, but the GPS behavior has not changed in any way - same no lock situation after minutes and minutes of waiting for a lock. In fact my phone discharged in half day today because of all the GPS activity and testing.

And BTW, the lag fix - I did not notice any improvement, SD scan is still slow, pulling up app list is slow, etc. I honestly have not come across anything I do daily that changed. Wait, the youtube widget changed for the worse, and the LBS menu shortcut was killed, that is all.

Thanks AT&T and Samsung, the wait was worth it, you stupid confused uninformed lying bastards and thieves!

This POS phone has now officially become an embarrassment to Android community.

P.S. Sorry for the language.
 
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Well, i just force DL'd the update. As far as the GPS goes, it does "see" sattelites quicker. In my basement with 2 floors above me I "saw" 12 sattelites within about 20 seconds and was locked on to 5 in about 30. I took the dog out for a walk. As soon as I walked outside, I locked on to 8. As we walked around the block I remained locked to 7-9 sats with 16 feet accuracy the whole time.

I think one thing to note, is after the update, the first initial "locking" may take a minut or two because it is a "cold start". Once you have cold started, subsequent locks happen quicker. After closing GPS status and trying again on my back porch, I locked on to 6 sats nearly instantly. I walked into the house, up stairs and out on the balcony. I remained locked the whole time. I closed GPS status and fired up Latitude. It found my exact location in seconds. Wireless assist was off the whole time.

Granted, I haven't taken it for a drive yet to test it on the road, I will tomorrow morning on my way for work. Also notable; When I first got (my second) Captivate, the GPS worked flawlessly for the first two weeks. Then went completely dead. So hopefully, it will remain working as it is now and not crap out in a few weeks.

FWIW; Engadget is claiming they tested it and it works.
Samsung Captivate gets GPS fix, other Galaxy S versions wait patiently -- Engadget

This is a line they quote from Samsung support:
"An update to improve the Samsung Captivate's GPS performance is now available. Captivate customers will receive a notification on their device that an update is available and will simply need to download the file to update their phone. The updates will be pushed to customers' devices over the next few weeks.

The update for the Captivate will also improve additional device functions, such as media scanning time, add the full version of Quickoffice and address Microsoft Exchange 2003 policy support."

They also quote say they talked to AT&T support and said;
"We've independently confirmed with AT&T that this update does include GPS improvements."

So far so good for me. Lets hope it lasts and that Froyo will follow in the next few months!

UPDATE: I tried Google navigation on my way to work... horrible. I could not keep a lock for more than a few seconds here and there. When I did get a lock it was off by a few.blocks. I get a stationary lock in about 15 seconds, but moving at vehicle speeds and it's toast. The only thing I can think of.now is Sammy screwed the pooch...again.
 
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My Captivate is locking onto 10+ satellites in under 20 seconds now, although I don't know if it had anything to do with the update or the settings I changed in my phone. This is with Use Wireless networks disabled.

In LbsTestMode I changed Server FQDNType to AUTO Config and Operation Mode to Standalone (then rebooted my phone) and it seemed to fix locking and then some. It's outperforming my Tomtom by over a minute. I previously had the XDA recommended settings and it rendered my GPS completely unable to lock.

GPS Test, GPS Status and Google Navigation all lock in under 20 seconds now.
 
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Lock time may be improved, but it's still not accurate enough to use it for anything other than finding out what may be near your location.

I updated today and I was in the car this evening but not driving so I had chance to load My Tracks and watch it as we went down the road. It wasn't near the road at times, and when we stopped at a light it continued going down the road for a while before it realized that we had stopped and did some crazy loop to get back to near where we were.
 
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My GPS seems to be working much better.
I tried using it last night when I was seriously lost. I had to restart my phone and restart nav then wait by the side of some back country road for half an hour while GPS was searching.
After the update I left the office and used the nav. It locked immediately and stayed accurate all the way home (40 miles or so)
It's been intermitent up until the update.
I'll keep trying it and update everyone.
 
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Lock time may be improved, but it's still not accurate enough to use it for anything other than finding out what may be near your location.

I updated today and I was in the car this evening but not driving so I had chance to load My Tracks and watch it as we went down the road. It wasn't near the road at times, and when we stopped at a light it continued going down the road for a while before it realized that we had stopped and did some crazy loop to get back to near where we were.

Its seems that the update worked for some and not for others, but in this instance, I know the "my tracks" app isnt intended to work in a vehicle (from what I understand reading the apps info). Its is intended for walking, running, or even bicycling, but traveling at vehice speeds may be throwing it off. That may account for the "red light" issue at least... maybe the accuracy too. Just a thought
 
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Not saying the OP is wrong as lots of people are reporting no GPS improvement, but if the OP is correct then the problem is far more-serious than just c|Net and AndroidCentral spreading misinformation. Samsung themselves are saying that this fix includes the GPS update both on their Facebook page and their Twitter account.

So it's official channels too saying that this is the GPS fix.
 
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FWIW; Engadget is claiming they tested it and it works.

Uh, am I blind? I don't seein your link anywhere Engadget says that they tested it.

It does sound like there may be improvments, in fact if I remember correctly, those that have installed the leaked version said there were improvments, but ultimately not fixed.

Given all the folks (including me) had it work great for a couple weeks, then fail, I want to see folks saying it is fixed say the same thin in a couple weeks.

Then there's the group that say it never fails them. This crazy mess is frustrating for many, including Samsung and AT&T, I"m sure.

In any event, I sure hope that this fix, or a very soon upcoming one, gets it done right.
 
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Uh, am I blind? I don't seein your link anywhere Engadget says that they tested it.
.

I thought I remembered reading somewere in those pages of replies that someone from engadget said they tested it and it seemed to have work... I could have mis-read something someone wrote, or they mis-typed or something but...

Anyway, All i know is: mine worked the first few weeks I had it, then died. Now it seems to be working again. I havent roadtested it yet with turn by turn, but it all my other tests, (GPS status, latitude, google maps, google navigate) all seem to be locking quickly and staying locked as I move thru my house, and even around the block a few times as I walked the dog. I guess time will tell if it really is fixed and lasts.
 
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Road tested the fix on the way home, here are my findings. This was using strictly GPS, use wireless networks was turned off:

1. Took about 3 mins to lock before I got underway. During a 30 mile trip, lost lock twice. If I hold the phone under the car roof to read it up close, let's say, I lose lock. My Garmin works from the back seat by the way. This was all using Google Nav.
2. Using Google maps is a different story. When the car came to a complete stop, the arrow was pointing the wrong direction and at times off the road. After the car started moving again, it went back then caught up, don't know what's up with this. Then it was all over the place with the occasional on the spot or very near the car.
3. When driving, if I use Google Voice to tell Google Nav where I want to go, I lose lock and takes a minute or two to regain it after it's place close to the front window.
4. At work, even leaving the phone next to window, it cannot see a single satellite. Don't know how others inside a house or near windows can see and get a lock in 30 seconds.

In summary, for two months of work, this is a poor showing at best. Get an IPhone or an older phone and it will outperform this phone in a heartbeat. On a final note, dealing with Samsung support is scary, they have no clue what they are delivering or what is needed to address a problem.
 
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In summary, for two months of work, this is a poor showing at best. Get an IPhone or an older phone and it will outperform this phone in a heartbeat. On a final note, dealing with Samsung support is scary, they have no clue what they are delivering or what is needed to address a problem.

I freaking bought into those Samsung-initiated rumors that they would fix the GPS, and did not return this crap when I was within 30 days.

I am out with friends, we want to find something nearby, and I have to quickly hide my phone in my pocket and pretend I do not have a phone, so someone else looks it up. And something of this nature happens literally every day. I feel embarrassed every single time and for the first time in my life I have developed an inferiority complex. On top of all of this, I feel that I was blatantly lied to by Samsung and ATT. To say I am angry is to say nothing.
 
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I think AT&T is in the same boat as us, why I say this, call Samsung tech support and you'll see what I mean. I called AT&T today to start the process of exchanging the phone since like you I'm beyond my 30 days. The warranty department sent me to this Android group and the rep didn't even attempt to address the issue. Instead, initiated a conference call with Samsung and let them explain why it was not working.

But I agree with you, it's embarassing when friends ask you to look things up and the phone doesn't respond in time. You can enable aGPS (use wireless networks) as a possible solution but if the restaurant is not nearby, it might not show up.
 
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People were seeing the same level of improvement just from flashing any fresh firmware, resetting back to factory, exchanging for new, and sometimes just by rebooting. Only to have it act up again in a few days. Calling GPS fixed right now would be naive and premature.

That's not true, I NEVER got 10/10 satellite lock inside my house with any previous "fix" like I just got with the update, now, maybe some aren't seeing the same results but to say nothing changed is incorrect. Also, my lock is staying locked, solid and steady, before it would get it, then lose it, then get it, then lose it, then...
 
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Two days ago I spoke with AT&T and the rep suggested I close the Captivate account and sell the phone on C-list and get the IPhone 4 because I was past the 30 days. He told me lots of people were unhappy with the Captivate. I followed his advice. Samsung lies and keeps playing stupid. There should be a class action lawsuit/recall. Even some of these forums delete the GPS issue threads and I wonder why. I am just tired of the BS about/with the Captivate. The phone is a pretty piece of junk! I'm happy with the Ip4, but I loved the Android OS. I will never buy Samsung product again especially after the way they handled this phone and it's issues. Peace
 
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