Yes, i think i did, and i tested them at home while they were both connected to wifi.
I'll try again without this checked.
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Help GPS issues?
- Thread starter Sleuth
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- samsung galaxy s
Yes, i think i did, and i tested them at home while they were both connected to wifi.
I'll try again without this checked.
Beards
Android Expert
For anyone interested, I took the JM1 firmware and MyTracks on an eight mile walk into work this morning. From the suburbs of London into the City.
Click here to view map
As you can see, there were some seriously erratic jumps in the city proper, with the tall buildings surrounding, and some of the more built up areas on route. The huge trees around Dulwich also did a good job breaking the satellite lock. So yes, not perfect, not by any stretch of the imagination, but a lot better than it had been.
Click here to view map
As you can see, there were some seriously erratic jumps in the city proper, with the tall buildings surrounding, and some of the more built up areas on route. The huge trees around Dulwich also did a good job breaking the satellite lock. So yes, not perfect, not by any stretch of the imagination, but a lot better than it had been.
Paddy,
Try Airplane mode.
Good idea, that would presumably take the carrier out of the equasion completely? Can't try right now, but will do so tomorrow and report back. Thanks for the advice.
Beards
Android Expert
Latest message received from Clove this morning:-
Sales Team
Clove Technology
TEL: +44 (0)1202 552936
FAX: +44 (0)1202 552937
Email: sales@clove.co.uk
Website: www.clove.co.uk
Blog: blog.clove.co.uk
Unfortunately I can't go into the comments I mentioned here but suffice to say believe me when I say I am taking this fight right to Samsungs front door.
Mike
Thank you for the email,
We have forwarded your comments onto our Samsung representative and have asked when the GPS fix will be available for Samsung Galaxy S i9000 customers. This will be followed up on and a response will be provided to you as early as possible.
Regards
Sales Team
Clove Technology
TEL: +44 (0)1202 552936
FAX: +44 (0)1202 552937
Email: sales@clove.co.uk
Website: www.clove.co.uk
Blog: blog.clove.co.uk
Unfortunately I can't go into the comments I mentioned here but suffice to say believe me when I say I am taking this fight right to Samsungs front door.
Add me up to the list of people with GPS problems. Since I bought my Galaxy S, I take it to track my route when I go running or biking. This went fine the first few times, but the last two times were pretty erratic, showing about 50% more distance than actually covered.
I send an email to Samsung Netherlands to ask if they are aware of the issue and if a fix is coming, I'm currently awaiting their answer.
It's a little strange that my reception was fine previously, and now suddenly not anymore. I didn't change any settings or performed updates etc. My last run was mainly in open fields by the way, so the signal definately could not have been blocked by anything.
I send an email to Samsung Netherlands to ask if they are aware of the issue and if a fix is coming, I'm currently awaiting their answer.
It's a little strange that my reception was fine previously, and now suddenly not anymore. I didn't change any settings or performed updates etc. My last run was mainly in open fields by the way, so the signal definately could not have been blocked by anything.
Beards
Definitely not knocking Clove, they seem like the good guys in all this but....
Should they and the other retailers still be selling this if it has been demonstrated that there is a problem with this device?
Legally, I would have thought unless the retailers disclose a "Caveat Emptor" (for the non Latin amoungst us - "Let the Buyer Beware"), under the Sale of Goods Act in the UK, I believe the merchant is responsible for selling defective goods.
The retailer where I brought my SGS shortly after receiving my communication, coincidentally withdrew the option to purchase the "sim free" phone and now appear for the last month to only distribute the SGS via contract only, which I presume protects their liability. When I contacted the retailer for my first replacement, I was concerned that I would not get be able to get one as the "sim free" option had been retracted for over a week. I had called a week earlier and enquired whether they still sold the "sim free" version and was told that they could not sell me one. However, when I had called them to exchange the phone, they said that this wouldn't be a problem, as their system showed that they had many available on "sim free". Sure enough one arrived promptly when actioned.
Perhaps erring on the conspiracy theory but I wonder if certain retailers are holding back sim free sales, diverting sim free phones to the contract market or will be returning their stocks if this does not get resolved?
Samsung must surely be in for a rough ride with this if they don't pull their fingers out. Is there anyone with a legal background on here who can "without prejudice" comment on where we as consumers stand on this, should Samsung not actually come up with a decent fix? I like so many here, brought this as a multi-purpose platform, with GPS usage ranking alongside a telephone and an internet device. If I had know that any of the three aforementioned applications were not reliable on this device, I would not have considered the Samsung Galaxy S as an option whatsoever.
Food for thought!
Definitely not knocking Clove, they seem like the good guys in all this but....
Should they and the other retailers still be selling this if it has been demonstrated that there is a problem with this device?
Legally, I would have thought unless the retailers disclose a "Caveat Emptor" (for the non Latin amoungst us - "Let the Buyer Beware"), under the Sale of Goods Act in the UK, I believe the merchant is responsible for selling defective goods.
The retailer where I brought my SGS shortly after receiving my communication, coincidentally withdrew the option to purchase the "sim free" phone and now appear for the last month to only distribute the SGS via contract only, which I presume protects their liability. When I contacted the retailer for my first replacement, I was concerned that I would not get be able to get one as the "sim free" option had been retracted for over a week. I had called a week earlier and enquired whether they still sold the "sim free" version and was told that they could not sell me one. However, when I had called them to exchange the phone, they said that this wouldn't be a problem, as their system showed that they had many available on "sim free". Sure enough one arrived promptly when actioned.
Perhaps erring on the conspiracy theory but I wonder if certain retailers are holding back sim free sales, diverting sim free phones to the contract market or will be returning their stocks if this does not get resolved?
Samsung must surely be in for a rough ride with this if they don't pull their fingers out. Is there anyone with a legal background on here who can "without prejudice" comment on where we as consumers stand on this, should Samsung not actually come up with a decent fix? I like so many here, brought this as a multi-purpose platform, with GPS usage ranking alongside a telephone and an internet device. If I had know that any of the three aforementioned applications were not reliable on this device, I would not have considered the Samsung Galaxy S as an option whatsoever.
Food for thought!
Beards
Android Expert
Good words and you are right, well worth checking up on.
My take on this is given there is a known issue with the phone and Samsung have admitted such by declaring a fix it gives grounds to enable anyone to return the phone.
My GPS is wacked as well, not only is it off, but i used to be able to switch in and out of GPS mode on my phone by opening and closing google maps, off when not used, on when used. now the GPS stays on if i dont manually shut it down. And when i ask the GPS to show my location, NADA. It puts up a message stating that it cannot find me at this time.
My partner told me that he read that Samsung has acknowledged the issue and is working on it so take that for what its worth. Froyo in September, lets hope for a full recovery.
My partner told me that he read that Samsung has acknowledged the issue and is working on it so take that for what its worth. Froyo in September, lets hope for a full recovery.
OK, now I'm really confused....
To follow on from a previous posting in this thread regarding the GPS when travelling abroad, I have a further update.
Flew out of London Heathrow the other day. When sat on the aircraft with the SGS in plane mode and trying to get sat fixes it could only get 2 which were greyed out in GPS Test. However, when I set the phone to use Wireless networks it found our position to within about 40 metres and drew a circle around our position as an indicator that of it's approximate position. Absolutely nothing in programs such as NavDroyd that seem to only use the true GPS lock position.
My colleague next to me using his iPhone 4 picked up the location via triangulation within 10 seconds and then it took it about a minute to get a good GPS fix.
Whilst enroute I could get no GPS signal, whereas he could but after waiting a while.
Then in Amman, Jordan again he picked up our exact location by both GPS and triangulation. However, my SGS with Flight mode on could not get a position after remaining on for 1 hour in broad daylight. Still only 2 satelittes were in view with none being used.
When I switched the Flight mode off, it found my position to within 100m using triangulation.
My conclusion is that any satellite software will show your position with a strong bias to the triangulated position. Where there is no signal (such as when in Tehran) the SGS can't even show the triangulated position and can't workout where it is to then search for the necessary satellites in the overhead.
Seems completely useless, especially when so many software apps rely on the definitive sat fix location which is the one that is all too often missing.
Anyone else any suggestions or fixes?
To follow on from a previous posting in this thread regarding the GPS when travelling abroad, I have a further update.
Flew out of London Heathrow the other day. When sat on the aircraft with the SGS in plane mode and trying to get sat fixes it could only get 2 which were greyed out in GPS Test. However, when I set the phone to use Wireless networks it found our position to within about 40 metres and drew a circle around our position as an indicator that of it's approximate position. Absolutely nothing in programs such as NavDroyd that seem to only use the true GPS lock position.
My colleague next to me using his iPhone 4 picked up the location via triangulation within 10 seconds and then it took it about a minute to get a good GPS fix.
Whilst enroute I could get no GPS signal, whereas he could but after waiting a while.
Then in Amman, Jordan again he picked up our exact location by both GPS and triangulation. However, my SGS with Flight mode on could not get a position after remaining on for 1 hour in broad daylight. Still only 2 satelittes were in view with none being used.
When I switched the Flight mode off, it found my position to within 100m using triangulation.
My conclusion is that any satellite software will show your position with a strong bias to the triangulated position. Where there is no signal (such as when in Tehran) the SGS can't even show the triangulated position and can't workout where it is to then search for the necessary satellites in the overhead.
Seems completely useless, especially when so many software apps rely on the definitive sat fix location which is the one that is all too often missing.
Anyone else any suggestions or fixes?
How long had you had your phone for when they agreed to this? I'm well out of my 7 day trial period with Orange, but now i've seen a usable GPS in operation on another SGS with same firmware as mine, i'm inclined to think that its more than just a software issue and ask for a replacement. I hope they will do an immediate exchange rather than leave me SGS less while they "service" it.
Thanks
simvaughan1
Lurker
Paddyb, I also am on orange, and also tried for a new phone. I rang up and told them the problem then they said "oh we'll have to send you a new phone".
But anyway, what happens is they send a courier the following day, at a time period of your choosing. The courier then takes the front end of the phone and gives you a new front end. You keep the battery, sim card, memory card, and phone back cover.
So altogether, you won't be without a phone, but will have to stay in during the time period.
However, the problem remained on the new phone when I did it. No improvements. Keep us updated if you have any luck however.
But anyway, what happens is they send a courier the following day, at a time period of your choosing. The courier then takes the front end of the phone and gives you a new front end. You keep the battery, sim card, memory card, and phone back cover.
So altogether, you won't be without a phone, but will have to stay in during the time period.
However, the problem remained on the new phone when I did it. No improvements. Keep us updated if you have any luck however.
Was this during the first seven days or after? Did the replacement have the same firmware?
Thanks
simvaughan1
Lurker
Was way after the 7 days. I think they recognise it as a fault, so they have to replace it.
But yeah, the new one had the same firmware.
But yeah, the new one had the same firmware.
Hi Beards, did you ever hear back from Clove about why some of us got the JM1 update and others didn't and when this might be rectified?
Thanks
There was (for a change) a useful post on the Vodafone forums about this, from one of the eForum moderators. Basically he said the initial batches of phones sent from Vodafone were on the stock JF3 firmware, and these phones were the ones that were upgradable via Kies. Shortly after release, the new batches of SGS's were sent out with Vodafone branded firmwares, and these are not available to update via Kies - however Samsung and Vodafone are currently working on their branded version of the JM1 firmware.
I guess its possible/probably that applies to other carriers.
Personally I got my SGS from Vodafone a couple of weeks ago, was on the stock JF3 firmware and was able to update via Kies immediately.
Having done so, I can also report the GPS is significantly improved over the previous JF3 firmware. Previously, my phone said I was in Basildon, Essex when I was actually just outside of Oxford, and trying to use Navigation, wasn't even possible!
Now it gets the location bang on (tested in the UK, Sweden and Denmark over the past 3 days), and the Navigation is 99% spot on - used it yesterday and with the exception of about 4 times when it suddenly jumped to the middle of an open field, it was spot on for the route I was taking. When it did jump to the middle of no where, it was corrected within seconds.
Take that as you will, but there is a clear improvement on my phone, with my usage, so with luck, further fixes will polish it off nicely.
AlexanderA
Member
Hi. I wish to thank everyone here for sharing and caring to resolve this problem with the Galaxy S GPS performance. It's too bad Samsung doesn't put in the same kind of effort. Honestly I was disgusted to read the official Samsung responses to customers experiencing these problems with their brandnew, rather expensive device.
It smells like utter carelesness and arrogance, to a level we've rarely seen from another manufacturer than Apple.
For me, after reading this and a bunch of other long threats, and zero useful input from Samsung, it seems that this problem will probably not be resolved anytime soon, I suspect it may even be a hardware problem, else it doesnt make much sense.
Personally I had already picked the phone I'm going to buy this month, it was the Galaxy S without doubt. But after reading about these problems and realizing A) they're not incidental and B) Samsung doesn't care to fix it, I have changed my decision. HTC Desire will be my next phone, even if it's disappointing to miss SGS's feats. I'm however sure that I'm far from the only one to be in this situation.
I'm sorry that this post doesn't really help any of you guys, unless maybe for the off chance someone up at Samsung starts realizing their flagship phone is about to fail.
It smells like utter carelesness and arrogance, to a level we've rarely seen from another manufacturer than Apple.
For me, after reading this and a bunch of other long threats, and zero useful input from Samsung, it seems that this problem will probably not be resolved anytime soon, I suspect it may even be a hardware problem, else it doesnt make much sense.
Personally I had already picked the phone I'm going to buy this month, it was the Galaxy S without doubt. But after reading about these problems and realizing A) they're not incidental and B) Samsung doesn't care to fix it, I have changed my decision. HTC Desire will be my next phone, even if it's disappointing to miss SGS's feats. I'm however sure that I'm far from the only one to be in this situation.
I'm sorry that this post doesn't really help any of you guys, unless maybe for the off chance someone up at Samsung starts realizing their flagship phone is about to fail.
Beards
Android Expert
A very good choice of words Alexander and for an opening post quite passionate.
I believe your thoughts and remarks are shared by many.
It's not so much the point of issue here that is important but more the frustration in knowing the Galaxy S should be an unbeatable phone let down by the manufacturer's business departments.
The designers and engineers give us something special only for the likes of support staff ruining the day.
Samsung won't learn from this, I know as I have had countless telephone conversations with various staffs and all point to a very grim ending.
The fixes will come, that I am very sure about.
It's just a case of how much damage along the way will Samsung continue to make before the damage stops.
Beards
Android Expert
I've gone past talking with Support. They invariably come back with the same answer and that amounts to nothing.......
I'm now fortunate to have someone who gives me with updates.
These have proven quite interesting and whilst I unfortunately can not share these comments I can say there will be a happy ending soon...
I've gone past talking with Support. They invariably come back with the same answer and that amounts to nothing.......
I'm now fortunate to have someone 'deep' within Samsung who continues to 'feed' me with updates.
These have proven quite interesting and whilst I unfortunately can not share these comments I can say there will be a happy ending soon...
Nice, can you clue us in on a timespan?
Beards
Android Expert
Sent you a P.M.
NOOOO!! This is partiality!
daveleather
Newbie
Please can I see the timescale via PM?
Having said that, I've been on JM5 and the GPS has performed absolutely fine in MyTracks. It jumps around a bit when I'm sat in my house near a window but never beyond the end of my (small!) gardens.
(Also tried JPC but, as others have said, it's still a little slow and buggy, and no improvements over JM5 on the GPS side)
Having said that, I've been on JM5 and the GPS has performed absolutely fine in MyTracks. It jumps around a bit when I'm sat in my house near a window but never beyond the end of my (small!) gardens.
(Also tried JPC but, as others have said, it's still a little slow and buggy, and no improvements over JM5 on the GPS side)