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Help FM Radio Not Working?

R

ryan2627

Lurker
Hey all,

I just traded in my iphone for a galaxy 2s at at&t. One of the reasons I decided on this particular phone was to use the fm radio feature (for gym tv's and we aren't permitted to stream radio at work).

I've searched and haven't been able to find anything to resolve it. I've tried putting in headphones, but it still says the radio is turned off. The phone is not in airplane mode. I'm thinking ATT blocked this for some reason because even teh default FM Radio app mentioned in the sg2 manual isn't installed.

Do I need to root the phone to take advantage of the fm radio or is there a simpler solution that I'm missing?

Thanks in advance for any help.
 
Unfortunately it's been discovered that the AT&T Galaxy S2 either has no FM radio hardware, or the hardware has been disabled in the firmware.
If the hardware is present, maybe it will be enabled in a future update.
 
I called Samsung to ask were my Radio was and was told that the AT&T version of the device does not contain the actual hardware for FM Radio or Near Field Communications. No radio or Google wallet until AT&T decides to support them officially. Samsung said I would have to purchase a new device when AT&T supports the technology.
 
Krunk83 said:
Only the international version has a radio. Do you research before you buy a phone.
Click to expand...

I did my research, the AT&T website showed the FM radio as a feature of the phone.
The product description page has recently been changed and the radio is no longer listed.

You should do YOUR research before you say such things.
 
robhs said:
I did my research, the AT&T website showed the FM radio as a feature of the phone.
The product description page has recently been changed and the radio is no longer listed.

You should do YOUR research before you say such things.
Click to expand...

Hi Rob, Krunk was a little HARSH with the remark, yeah AT&T did have the website up with the incorrect specs but it was taken down within days after the official Oct. 2nd release date. There was one or two other members here or in the XDA forum that tried to talk AT&T into some concessions due to the *TYPO* either with discount, freebies, or return of phone without $35 penalty and they BOTH failed.

Basically AT&T states they are sorry about the TYPO and that if you're unhappy with the phone, simply pays the $35 re-stocking fee and buy some other handset....

I'm disappointed too, but Official Samsung website for SGH-I777 specifications clearly leave out FM radio... :(

Features and Specifications - Samsung Galaxy S? II, available at AT&T | Samsung Mobile

& here:

Samsung Galaxy S II / SGH-i777 Specs, Features (Phone Scoop)

In both websites take a look at the CONNECTIVITY section where the RADIO/COMMUNICATIONS is listed...
 
aylonewolf69 said:
Hi Rob, Krunk was a little HARSH with the remark, yeah AT&T did have the website up with the incorrect specs but it was taken down within days after the official Oct. 2nd release date. There was one or two other members here or in the XDA forum that tried to talk AT&T into some concessions due to the *TYPO* either with discount, freebies, or return of phone without $35 penalty and they BOTH failed.

Basically AT&T states they are sorry about the TYPO and that if you're unhappy with the phone, simply pays the $35 re-stocking fee and buy some other handset....

I'm disappointed too, but Official Samsung website for SGH-I777 specifications clearly leave out FM radio... :(

Features and Specifications - Samsung Galaxy S? II, available at AT&T | Samsung Mobile

& here:

Samsung Galaxy S II / SGH-i777 Specs, Features (Phone Scoop)

In both websites take a look at the CONNECTIVITY section where the RADIO/COMMUNICATIONS is listed...
Click to expand...

Even without the FM radio, and now it seems that NFC doesn't exist, I am still reasonably satisfied with this phone.

I understand about the mistake, but my decision to buy the GS2 was based on information provided by the people I was going to buy it from.

After the serious screwing I got from buying the Captivate, I had hoped that AT&T would have their act together. Their "mistake" just shows me that they do not.

That is bad business.
 
robhs said:
Even without the FM radio, and now it seems that NFC doesn't exist, I am still reasonably satisfied with this phone.

I understand about the mistake, but my decision to buy the GS2 was based on information provided by the people I was going to buy it from.

After the serious screwing I got from buying the Captivate, I had hoped that AT&T would have their act together. Their "mistake" just shows me that they do not.

That is bad business.
Click to expand...

"Good Business" and "At&t" don't appear in the same sentence that often :)
 
Mostly Harmless said:
"Good Business" and "At&t" don't appear in the same sentence that often :)
Click to expand...


Exactly!

And from what I have read here about the response from AT&T to people trying to get some type of concession because of their mistake proves that.
AT&T essentially said "F@#$ you, if you don't like it, buy something else.

Real nice.
 
Sorry, but why should anyone get a concession? The information was quickly updated after launch, giving the new owner plenty of time to return the phone if the lack of FM radio was a deal killer. Personally I think an FM radio in a cell phone is stupid.
 
I think the question is why did they get rid off these two features off the phone? What was the benefit of doing that? Franky, I do not care at all about either one of the two, but I'm just curious...
 
PfcBgd said:
I think the question is why did they get rid off these two features off the phone? What was the benefit of doing that? Franky, I do not care at all about either one of the two, but I'm just curious...
Click to expand...

Someone from the XDA forum stated that it may *NOT* have been possible under FCC guidelines/regulations for the FM radio reception to be on the same phone because of the Cellular radios frequencies, hence it's available for International (no FCC rules) vs. Domestic U.S. regualations...

*** PURE *** speculation only... I don't think AT&T willingly pulled it from the phone, why should they, the more features the better...? None of the other US base carries (T-mobile/Sprint) has the FM feature either... and both Sprint and T-mobile have bigger footprints to accomodate extra circuitry if needed...

It would have been nice though...

As for the NFC is concerned, it's there, even has the service RUNNING and active in the background... We just need AT&T to *FLIP* the switch in software/firmware, one other thread stated that an AT&T rep said that it *IS* coming soon...
 
kronie said:
Sorry, but why should anyone get a concession? The information was quickly updated after launch, giving the new owner plenty of time to return the phone if the lack of FM radio was a deal killer. Personally I think an FM radio in a cell phone is stupid.
Click to expand...


Maybe you missed what was posted about the concessions.
Those people would have to pay $35.00 restocking fee if they wanted to return the phone. Why should the consumer have to pay to for a
mistake that the vendor made? Who is the customer? It seems that AT&T does not know the answer to that question.

What if you bought a new car that was advertised with a radio, and after you took delivery and found out that there was no radio, what would you do?
You would do exactly what anyone else would do...you would contact the dealer and demand the problem be rectified.
And you would say it is not your job as the customer to pay for a mistake that the dealer made!

It surprises me that I should even have to say this.
 
robhs said:
Maybe you missed what was posted about the concessions.
Those people would have to pay $35.00 restocking fee if they wanted to return the phone. Why should the consumer have to pay to for a
mistake that the vendor made? Who is the customer? It seems that AT&T does not know the answer to that question.

What if you bought a new car that was advertised with a radio, and after you took delivery and found out that there was no radio, what would you do?
You would do exactly what anyone else would do...you would contact the dealer and demand the problem be rectified.
And you would say it is not your job as the customer to pay for a mistake that the dealer made!

It surprises me that I should even have to say this.
Click to expand...

Rohn, while I truly understand that AT&T's return policy is *DRACONIAN*, try to see it from their point of view? If a customer is able to pick and choose a phone try it for a few days and decide they don't like it. AT&T would have their hands full of refurbished used phones... Especially for a consumer market like mobile phones that are so disposed to consumer's buyer remorse.

However, you tack on a $35 charge and then the complaints drop down significantly.

Did AT&T screw up with the wrong AD? YES!
Does AT&T offer a return policy? YES!
Does AT&T offer a non-penalty based warranty? No!
Will exceptions be made for some? YES!

I know from first hand experience 3 years ago when I purchased a BLACK iphone 3G and changed mind to return it for WHITE one. I was originally informed that I would have to RETURN the unit first (Take a $35 restocking fee) and then I would be eligible to order a WHITE one... Two reps at store told me know, but then I spoke with store manager and he was kind enough to accomodate me... Maybe you can be lucky enough to find a similar minded Manager or customer service rep who will be able to *bend* the rules for you...? But you'll have to keep trying...

Should you have to go through hoops to return your phone? No! It's not fair but AT&T is holding the cards and they make the rules... :(


I was

However, you
 
The biggest problem I see about returning a GS2 to AT&T is what do you replace it with from AT&T. From what I can see right now they only have one high end Android phone and that is the GS2. This is what is keeping me on my 3Gs right now. I am no longer sold on getting a GS2, but right now I don't see any other good options from AT&T. Since what I buy is going to be my phone for 2 years I can wait a bit.

If Verizon had the option to move my unlimited AT&T plan to an V one I would move in a heartbeat. Their LTE network in my area is very fast and I doubt AT&T will have LTE here for 18-24 months. They also seem to get the best Android phones.
 
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