Completely freaked out after reading this forum

[gflare]

It could be that generally, AT&T users are more whiny (spoiled by the iPhone) and Verizon customers are more mature. Half joking..

I rooted the Captivate, applied the ext2 lag fix from XDA, and now it's benchmarking 2260 on Quadrant, almost twice what the Nexus One with FROYO gets!

You can't really use the 2000+ quadrant score of the ext2 fix to compare phones, but this is still the best hardware on the market right now. The 1000+ scores are valid scores, but the ext2 fix is like running a 'rigged' test.

If you are going to apply a lagfix, ext4 is the best choice for non-devs (unless you just want to show off the high Quadrant scores).

 

[sremick]

Rest easy. Samsung is working on an update that fixes a number of complaints, including lag/speed, GPS, and battery life. This update is confirmed by virtue of a leaked in-progress debug build that some brave souls have experimented with and posted feedback on. The upcoming Android 2.2 "Froyo" update (also confirmed) will provide further improvements and a massive speed increase.

Other than GPS and lag, I have no complaints about mine and am content to ride out this early period making good use of all the other wonderful functionality of the phone versus waiting with my previous dinosaur.

 

[Deleted User]

THOUGHT I'd done research on the phone...finally broke down and bought one from wirefly yesterday for $49...NOW, after finding this forum and reading on these forums, feel like I made an INCREDIBLE mistake.

Cruised by the Droid X forum and it's all about what the best app is for, where you are guys from type stuff, but THIS forum is all "what the crap am I gonna do with this stupid phone"

Am I reading this wrong? BEcause I can still cancel my order.

I bought one Friday and returned it Saturday. Not going to hate on the phone, but that GUI makes the amazing hardware sub par, using Launch Pro on this phone is a must or it's not usable IMO.

I have no doubt vanilla 2.2 on this phone would be awesome, but that is a pipe dream.

 

[TrAiChEic]

I bought the Incredible on wirefly and returned it after a week for the Captivate.
Only had it for a few days, and no my GPS doesn't work, but I'm still satisfied with the phone overall and actually prefer some things about Touchwiz vs Sense.

 

[Segfault]

I bought one Friday and returned it Saturday. Not going to hate on the phone, but that GUI makes the amazing hardware sub par, using Launch Pro on this phone is a must or it's not usable IMO.

I have no doubt vanilla 2.2 on this phone would be awesome, but that is a pipe dream.

Why would a vanilla 2.2 be a pipe dream? The bootloader isn't locked down to only accepted signed images. I know AT&T is going to give us a gelded froyo with HUSPA and tethering removed, that's fine, that's how they roll. But I figure someone will else will be releasing the real deal with the good stuff left back in.

For the original question, I'd consider taking it back. The GPS thing actually effects lots of little things on the phone, tons of applications are location aware. I kept my Captivate but I picked up on the release day so my 30 days have come and gone. I'm pretty sure that Samsung is going to provide some kind of fix but if you don't have to wait for it, why should you.

The only other issue I have experienced with the captivate has been with the wifi when you are connecting to some complex networks. I think it get confused if there are multiple APs with the same SSID. I installed the "Wifi Fixer" application today and that seems to fix that issue. Everything else is great.

The real question is do you need to upgrade now or can you wait a bit for the GPS thing to be resolved one way or another. If you are staying with AT&T then the Captivate is currently your best bet for a android based phone.

 

[wjkrysak]

I've had my captivate for a week and I am satisfied. My first Android. Had considered the X, but liked the appearance, layout and size of the Captivate. The screen is incredible. I have good access to WIFI and limited my data plan to 200mb. GPS is not a deal breaker for me. I continue to search for apps (ie. data loggers, email, wifi tracker, etc.) and look forward to the Froyo. Response is fast and I look forward to a long relationship. cheaha bill

 

[NorCal Einstein]

I've had my captivate for a week and I am satisfied. My first Android. Had considered the X, but liked the appearance, layout and size of the Captivate. The screen is incredible. I have good access to WIFI and limited my data plan to 200mb. GPS is not a deal breaker for me. I continue to search for apps (ie. data loggers, email, wifi tracker, etc.) and look forward to the Froyo. Response is fast and I look forward to a long relationship. cheaha bill

While I don't yet own a Captivate, I'd recommend you track that data usage and keep careful eye on it. I've seen a lot of mentions from people who have came and gone past 2GB with ease.

 

[Deleted User]

Why would a vanilla 2.2 be a pipe dream?

Because custom ROM's ALWAYS have stuff not working in them like Bluetooth, MMS, camera, etc, etc.. I have owned a G1, and N1 and loaded tons of custom roms and this is always a factor.

Some people don't care, but I do.

 

[TDQuiksilver]

Dont listen to all the negative babble on here. Plenty of users over at xda that are taking this phone seriously. The few bugs ought to be worked out by next month. Enjoy the phone!

 

[rob989_69]

I have a co worker with a Droid X and a Friend with a EVO, Captivate blows them out of the water. Too many people with the Captivate don't take the time to work with it. This phone has HUGE potential, it is the FIRST big android phone AT&T has offered, it's relatively new and dev is a little slow still. But by far this phone has the best hardware of ANY phone out there right now. Yes, it has issues, but you can work through them. Personally, I'd recommend this to anyone not inclined to start whining about how great the latest IFail device is...

 

[Segfault]

I have a co worker with a Droid X and a Friend with a EVO, Captivate blows them out of the water. Too many people with the Captivate don't take the time to work with it. This phone has HUGE potential, it is the FIRST big android phone AT&T has offered, it's relatively new and dev is a little slow still. But by far this phone has the best hardware of ANY phone out there right now. Yes, it has issues, but you can work through them. Personally, I'd recommend this to anyone not inclined to start whining about how great the latest IFail device is...

Thats the sad thing about the Captivate, its potential is so huge. The screen is beautiful, its fast. It should be beating up the iPhone and taking its lunch money but that bugs are bad enough to hold it back. The GPS thing gimps a lot of really cool android features. Want to show off something like Layar? Sorry, no can do, the Captivate doesn't know it is. Want to do some really neat stuff with voice search? Same thing. I'm really interested in playing with Tasker but there is no way any location aware rules are going to be useful. GPS is not an optional feature.

Samsung really dropped the ball on the Galaxy S release

 

[Residue26]

I've had my Captivate for a few weeks now and it is so much better than my old iPhone. It's easily the best phone I've ever owned. Sure, there is the GPS problem, but Samsung did say they were working on it.

 

[JDM9499]

Dont listen to all the negative babble on here. Plenty of users over at xda that are taking this phone seriously. The few bugs ought to be worked out by next month. Enjoy the phone!

Yup, listen to this person. Go over to the XDA forums where they are taking this phone seriously. There is good info on this forum as well, don't get me wrong, just a different tone. One that could possibly be interpreted as continuous griping and talks about the iphone almost more so than the Captivate.

I've jumped over on to the Droid X forums to see what them chaps have been saying, and to be quite honest, it sounds as though they are having a more difficult time doing what they want to do with the phone. Especially since Motorolla has not released the source code for developers. Samsung has, and the folks over at XDA have been doing some cool things so far. And it's just the beginning. Just wait until Froyo is released, and the people that returned their phone would most likely regret.

Remember, every single phone has it's problems. I for one have only had one, and that is with my exchange email being very slow. Everything else works perfectly, even the GPS as I've noted on other threads.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this phone, and have put it to the test, as much as I could with the knowledge I know thus far about the OS and to accomplish the "how to" customizations or optimizations. Others here have mentioned to play with it for a couple of days, so you yourself can experience it. Don't listen too much from what others say. Decide for yourself. Be your own decision maker for crying out loud.

Cheers!

 

[Terrigno]

You will love the phone. The GPS Issue will be fixed very soon. If your worried about GPS, by a GPS for your car. Thats what they made them for. Phonewise, the phone is phenominal. One of the best out EVEN with its slightly small mistakes. That will all be fixed with Froyo.

 

[chicknlil]

My GPS worked...average...before I flashed the new firmware. Now, it's far improved (search through my posts and you can see MyTracks maps on Google that show some of my GPS runs)...before I'm not sure if I'd have used the GPS to go to an unfamiliar place. Now I would with no hesitation. I've used FourSquare a ton in the past few days (I'm visiting family) ... wouldn't be able to do that with an inaccurate GPS!

I'd wager that most of the people who are negative are those who failed to research this phone before they bought it. I knew this (or the Dell Streak, depending on the timing) was going to be my next phone for several months before I bought it, and I'm quite happy with my purchase.

 

[jfLip]

I'm the opposite. I immediately fell in love with the Captivate after reading forums, but I got to play with one today at AT&T and feeling a little iffy now. The screen is spectacular and Android seems awesome (never had an Android device before), but I have a couple of concerns.

The feel of the phone reminds me of my plastic Samsung flip phone that I had three years ago and it'd be nice for it to to have a "premium feel" to it (like an HTC, imo). However, I suppose a nice case can put me past that. I guess at the end of the day, this is no big deal to me. An extra plus is that the phone is super light weight.

My second concern is the speaker. I played a video in YouTube at max volume and it seemed pretty quiet for being all the way turned up. Is the speaker phone this quiet, too or is it just me? I'm coming from a BlackBerry Curve 8310 and the volume gets crazy loud, which I prefer.

Also, how's the call quality/volume? If I remember correctly, one review said it was very good but if someone could follow up on that. Don't get me wrong I'm not hating on the phone, other than the things I mentioned I love everything else (perfect size, great screen, customizable, Google search widget, option to put an awesome big clock wow, three different keyboards - I'd be happy with just one but 3?!, 3G, AHHH, etc. )

 

[wjkrysak]

While I don't yet own a Captivate, I'd recommend you track that data usage and keep careful eye on it. I've seen a lot of mentions from people who have came and gone past 2GB with ease.

Yes, thank you. At this point I am trying to keep up with data usage. Something (software) is accessing 3G without my initiation, at 2:30am...and while in a WIFI environment (?). 23G Sunday night At this rate, I will exceed. Do not like surprises. I am OK, if I initiate, but hey, while I am asleep. Now, come on
This concerns me, as I am trying to track the access. Ideas, thoughts? Software to identify, specific, data usage? I use 3dog at this time. It is good at letting me know total usage. I am back tracking to any software that I downloaded and see what liberties I have allowed. The search is on.....
cheaha bill

 

[cowboy7x]

Are some of you mental? Do you live on the North Pole? OR....am I just a geek? LOL, Seriously. I've had several phones and this is a great phone. WAIT for the GPS update. (YES...it's coming in Sept.) It WILL fix this particular issue. The "screen"..."Amoled" cannot be denied. It's awesome. For the faint of heart...do the google and find the download "one click" root process, LEARN the "ins and outs", and enjoy a fantastic piece of hardware, free of AT&T and all the restrictions. (rooted...the chances of bricking your phone is like getting hit by lightning if you follow the instruction.) At least with the ability to get rid of the bloatware. My credentials??? I started with a "monochrome" palm, have used the "Casio Brick", (loved it) Dell Axim, (loved it) several Tilts, (liked them) the Backflip (not the best choice but till had a lot of fun, and my introduction to Android) and now the Captivate, and I'm telling you it's NOT perfect but still awesome. Basically, the iPhone is cool, but the Android OS is fantastic and this phone (Captivate) does it justice and will continue to get better. Is there a perfect phone? NO! Not yet, but I like it much better than any "Droids" (Motorola/Verizon) and if you are stuck with AT&T, (which I still enjoy great coverage) Captivate is the way to go. Yes...it pisses me off that AT&T STILL just doesn't "get it" in many ways, but the iphone is waning and the Android is kicking butt. If you have Verizon get the Vibrant. I personally don't think that Win Mobile 7 stands a chance and Apple is a "has been" but that's just me. Bottom line, Samsung Galaxy S, (in what ever form) is SWEET.

Peace and Love. (Actually...peace through superior strength. Just my thoughts. Gotta love technology eh?

 

[c2k]

On this forum, all everyone does is post tons of crap complaining about their phone. IMO, most people that take their phones back automatically think its defective because the gps doesnt work or its acting funny or something stupid like that, when in fact its probably working just fine. The gps is a known issue, some people just blow off steam and want someone to yell at because they spent money on a phone that has issues. Find another android phone that didnt have issues when it was released.

I would cruise other forums (like for the droid x) and see what kinds of issues theyre having. The processor in this phone is a monster compared to any other phone out there and the screen is beautiful, truest blacks, white whites, very true to life colors. Its a good phone with a lot of development going on.

Check out forums at XDA and see if you dont change your mind.

 

[mongstradamus]

Are some of you mental? Do you live on the North Pole? OR....am I just a geek? LOL, Seriously. I've had several phones and this is a great phone. WAIT for the GPS update. (YES...it's coming in Sept.) It WILL fix this particular issue. The "screen"..."Amoled" cannot be denied. It's awesome. For the faint of heart...do the google and find the download "one click" root process, LEARN the "ins and outs", and enjoy a fantastic piece of hardware, free of AT&T and all the restrictions. (rooted...the chances of bricking your phone is like getting hit by lightning if you follow the instruction.) At least with the ability to get rid of the bloatware. My credentials??? I started with a "monochrome" palm, have used the "Casio Brick", (loved it) Dell Axim, (loved it) several Tilts, (liked them) the Backflip (not the best choice but till had a lot of fun, and my introduction to Android) and now the Captivate, and I'm telling you it's NOT perfect but still awesome. Basically, the iPhone is cool, but the Android OS is fantastic and this phone (Captivate) does it justice and will continue to get better. Is there a perfect phone? NO! Not yet, but I like it much better than any "Droids" (Motorola/Verizon) and if you are stuck with AT&T, (which I still enjoy great coverage) Captivate is the way to go. Yes...it pisses me off that AT&T STILL just doesn't "get it" in many ways, but the iphone is waning and the Android is kicking butt. If you have Verizon get the Vibrant. I personally don't think that Win Mobile 7 stands a chance and Apple is a "has been" but that's just me. Bottom line, Samsung Galaxy S, (in what ever form) is SWEET.

Peace and Love. (Actually...peace through superior strength. Just my thoughts. Gotta love technology eh?

Ok I will take the bait. Some people who were early adopters were hesitant about samsung because of their sketchy track record supporting android based phones. So they werent so sure if samsung would produce any kind of update or gps fix. The first few weeks of people reporting the gps issue samsung didnt say anything other then they were looking into it. That didn't sound very promising.

As far as it goes now,the hardware of the captivate is impressive, I will probably be purchasing the captivate again if froyo and the gps come out like they are supposed to and there arent any problems with it.

 

[BigCiX]

Coming from the iphone was the best decision on making a new purchase. Love the captivate and glad i did make the crossover. The phone is fast with my ONLY problem being the GPS. Froyo plus GPS update equals FLAWLESS!!!!!!

 

[SamsungVibrant]

THOUGHT I'd done research on the phone...finally broke down and bought one from wirefly yesterday for $49...NOW, after finding this forum and reading on these forums, feel like I made an INCREDIBLE mistake.

Cruised by the Droid X forum and it's all about what the best app is for, where you are guys from type stuff, but THIS forum is all "what the crap am I gonna do with this stupid phone"

Am I reading this wrong? BEcause I can still cancel my order.

I love my Vibrant, but the wise thing to do is return it, and purchase again in september once the GPS fix is out, and we know for certain it works.

 

[kamots]

Although I am on my 3rd captivate ( first one had a loose charging port, second started shutting off on its own, which is an issue addressed in another thread) I love this phone. Its at & t that I have a problem with. I came from verizon with an unlimited data plan, so this 2 gb a month is rough. I live close to atlanta an its rare that my phone stays in 3g most the time im in edge . I asked my local att store why that was, and they said that there was no 3 g coverage in my that area. My head fell off. its almost 2011 At&T, get with the program. but I digress. as far as the phone itself goes its great. I never had a problem with any of the captivates as far as gps not working. no matter where i was it always located me within seconds, so im glad i that was not one of my problems.

 

[Loremonger]

Guys, I have questions. My friends just got his Captivate, while helping him to setup the phone, we found out that it is really sluggish. Opening an app takes a few secs. Even opening market, the loading time takes quite a while.

Did you begin by using a task killer? That will really bog the OS down. That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

 

[cowboy7x]

I wouldn't let the GPS issue worry me or keep me from enjoying the new Captivate. At the risk of sounding like an AT&T, or Samsung sales person (which I'm not) they DO acknowledge the problem and have committed to fix it.

Samsung Promises to Fix AT&T's Captivate and T-Mobile's Vibrant GPS Problems

There is a hack fix, which I haven't gotten around to try it yet but I think I'll just be patient for the factory fix. However...I haven't had any trouble with my GPS (yet). So far, my only problem has been dealing with the addiction of playing with it and staring at it the screen for hours. Can't wait for the batch of new Android tablets that are due out. Decisions, decisions. With the Amoled screens...it will probably be a Samsung.