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Official: GPS fix is being pushed out

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Regalicious said:
it's only been a few weeks)
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And for most of us hoping a fix would be released within a "few weeks" exceeds the 30 return window. I am not willing to risk a fix for the GPS when locked into a 2 year contract. That is a fact most of us are facing.

I love this phone except for the camera and the GPS issue.

-Funk
 
Well, having it be summer I am using my phone (and gps) quite a bit. I am 2 for 6 in getting it to work correctly after a few failed attempts today. :( Hope this fix comes sooner than later.
 
Did some testing this evening on the way home. Using the compass application, you can clearly see that the phone is constantly dropping visible sats as you drive around. Going under an overpass kills the functionality for a minute or so before it recovers. So decided to call AT&T and asked about the issue, was told they didn't have many reports of the problem. The representative then mentioned that she did find some instructions on how to alleviate the problem but not resolve it. The solution to enable the wireless network setting. She also mentioned that probably an update would be available but she could not confirm such claim.

It's sad that AT&T and Samsung cannot answer a simple question, is it software or hardware related? I stayed away from an IPhone after the Steve Jobs press conference and now find myself facing the same results with AT&T/Samsung. Tomorrow I'm going to look into emailing some higher ups in the company and at Samsung, as a community, we need to make as much noise as possible. I'm also thinking of letting the folks at Gizmodo know since they made a ton of noise with the IPhone and got the Apple community to revolt until Apple was forced to do something. In all honesty, as much as I love the rest of the phone, this portion of it is not ready for prime time.
 
jasonsmith said:
I sure wish the title of this thread was changed to something less official. Gets me every time.
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It would help if we didn't keep getting "misinformation" from people claiming to have talked to some high tier Samsung Rep or their pal who works for at&t and "knows a guy" who is in on all the latest news.
 
Cuerbo said:
Did some testing this evening on the way home. Using the compass application, you can clearly see that the phone is constantly dropping visible sats as you drive around. Going under an overpass kills the functionality for a minute or so before it recovers. So decided to call AT&T and asked about the issue, was told they didn't have many reports of the problem. The representative then mentioned that she did find some instructions on how to alleviate the problem but not resolve it. The solution to enable the wireless network setting. She also mentioned that probably an update would be available but she could not confirm such claim.

It's sad that AT&T and Samsung cannot answer a simple question, is it software or hardware related? I stayed away from an IPhone after the Steve Jobs press conference and now find myself facing the same results with AT&T/Samsung. Tomorrow I'm going to look into emailing some higher ups in the company and at Samsung, as a community, we need to make as much noise as possible. I'm also thinking of letting the folks at Gizmodo know since they made a ton of noise with the IPhone and got the Apple community to revolt until Apple was forced to do something. In all honesty, as much as I love the rest of the phone, this portion of it is not ready for prime time.
Click to expand...

I love your proactive thinking. I'm in on anything proactive you come up with!
 
Who else thinks every single Captivate and Vibrant has GPS issues, and those that think their their GPS works are actually just using wireless networks without knowing it, or are just lucky for now-the more they use it the more they will realize it fails most of the time. I think every captivate/vibrant, and probably every galaxy s phone has gps problems. I've yet to use one myself without the problem.
 
I've started my emailing of higher end contacts at AT&T and Samsung. After doing some searching, came across a story from CNET that states Samsung is aware of the problem. The story mentions a PR contact, Kim Titus. So I chose this as my starting point, her email is samsungmobilePR@mww.com

Samsung promises update for Vibrant and Captivate GPS issue | Android Atlas - CNET Blogs

I provided a brief description of the issue and of my conversation with AT&T tonight. Mentioned that my 30 day window is quickly closing and that I don't see myself keeping this phone for 2 years without being able to use applications and/or functionality that rely on GPS. If you decide to email Kim, please be kind. I'm not out to insult anyone, I simply want an answer to my problem or at least an honest answer that it will take X days/months/years to fix the problem.

I'll continue my approach tomorrow in hopes of getting to the bottom of this. As an Android community, we can keep posting all day or instead take the initiative to push for a solution. If you can help in making something happen by contacting folks like Kim or Gizmodo or anyone at AT&T, please do so. Let the rest of us know how your progress is going so others here that might be able to help can do so.
 
Cuerbo: Do please keep us updated on any (lack of) responses.

Note: the MWW.com domain looks like an outside PR firm, so YMMV with that contact.

T
 
In all honesty, Im sure the GPS Fix is going to come soon. I mean, the phone in all other aspects is an amazing device. I dont see me returning it because of this slight glitch that I can just wait on. Everywhere I go to for the time being, I know where Im going and am not really in need of the GPS this moment. But because of what the phone has to offer and its status, Samsung isnt going to leave this device in the dust. The phone is not Junk. The phone doesnt have reception issues and works fine when being used as a "mobile phone". I cant wait for the GPS fix to hit so I can feel better about it. But patience is what is needed in this situation. Its not a fix that can happen overnight. Theres a lot of time and development that goes into it and luckily, OTA updates are possible.

Its not just GPS. Its lagging, battery life, etc. The phone for its base status is in good terms. When the problems get ironend out, it will be spectacular. Comming from the BlackBerry world of 3 years, this was a huge step. I seriously miss that qwerty keyboard. But I dont miss it enough to get back on it because of the slight flaws with this phone. You think this phone was something? Try out the BlackBerry Storms.....1 and 2. Give them a shot. Youll see a huge difference. Now the BlackBerry Tourch is comming out soon and I bet that ones gonna be steller. But in all honesty, Im not going to those. Im sticking to the Captivate. Ill roll with the underdogs in every aspect and give them a "chance".
 
I was trolling the Samsung facebook pages and they replied to me:
Samsung Galaxy S Hi, Andrew. We're aware that under certain conditions the GPS on our US Galaxy S devices may not be meeting expectations. We are investigating and will be providing updates. Thank you for your patience.
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Welcome to Facebook

Looks like they copied and pasted from that CNET article!
 
Well I hope Samsung is not going down the same road Apple took with the infamous iPhone4, denial. I would like to see a fix before my 30 days are up or 15 days whichever.
 
I totally agree? This is a chat that I had with one of the agents at Samsung just a short time ago. Lets keep up the pressure on Samsung to fix this blatant oversight.

Dan: Hi, thanks for reaching out to Samsung tech support. How can I help you today?
Visitor: I would like to know when Samsung will be rolling out a fix for the GPS issue on the Captivate (i896)? If this problem is not addressed within 30-days of my purchase I will be returning the phone to AT&T.
Dan: I understand that you have issue in connecting phone to GPS .
Dan: Am I correct?
Visitor: Yes, this is a known problem that has been acknowledged by Samsung.
Dan: Let me explain you.
Dan: I am sorry for delay.
Dan: Did you try with any steps to check with GPS connectivity issue?
Visitor: Yes, I set my location sources to draw from "wireless networks" and to use "GPS satellites" as directed by Samsung.
Dan: Samsung Mobile is aware that under certain conditions, the GPS on our U.S. Galaxy S devices may not be meeting performance expectations. We are diligently evaluating the situation and will provide an update as soon as possible
Visitor: Yes, I read this exact comment that was released by Samsung. Do you have any idea when?
Dan: I am sorry we do not have information when will the update be released.
Dan: Once we have update released it will be posted in Samsung website.
Visitor: I just want to make sure the problem can be fixed and I'm not stuck with a phone that doesn't work. I dropped the iPhone for the same reason.
Dan: I understand your concern,
Dan: We have update released to fix the issue with GPS.
Visitor: Where can I obtain the update?
Dan: Once we have update released it will be posted in Samsung website.
 
gflare said:
Samsung has never said anything about fixing the issue. You should read their statement as: "We are looking into it, and we'll give you an update regarding the status of our research."

They did NOT say "An update to fix this issue."

It's typical PR talk to help ease the public outcry.
Click to expand...

Finally someone else noticed. I thought I was the only one. Samsung never said they would fix the issue, just that they have been looking into it. For all we know, they may research it, find that it isn't an easy fix, and not fix it. Hopefully that won't happen, but I'm just saying
 
hoby1 said:
I totally agree? This is a chat that I had with one of the agents at Samsung just a short time ago. Lets keep up the pressure on Samsung to fix this blatant oversight.

Dan: Hi, thanks for reaching out to Samsung tech support. How can I help you today?
Visitor: I would like to know when Samsung will be rolling out a fix for the GPS issue on the Captivate (i896)? If this problem is not addressed within 30-days of my purchase I will be returning the phone to AT&T.
Dan: I understand that you have issue in connecting phone to GPS .
Dan: Am I correct?
Visitor: Yes, this is a known problem that has been acknowledged by Samsung.
Dan: Let me explain you.
Dan: I am sorry for delay.
Dan: Did you try with any steps to check with GPS connectivity issue?
Visitor: Yes, I set my location sources to draw from "wireless networks" and to use "GPS satellites" as directed by Samsung.
Dan: Samsung Mobile is aware that under certain conditions, the GPS on our U.S. Galaxy S devices may not be meeting performance expectations. We are diligently evaluating the situation and will provide an update as soon as possible
Visitor: Yes, I read this exact comment that was released by Samsung. Do you have any idea when?
Dan: I am sorry we do not have information when will the update be released.
Dan: Once we have update released it will be posted in Samsung website.
Visitor: I just want to make sure the problem can be fixed and I'm not stuck with a phone that doesn't work. I dropped the iPhone for the same reason.
Dan: I understand your concern,
Dan: We have update released to fix the issue with GPS.
Visitor: Where can I obtain the update?
Dan: Once we have update released it will be posted in Samsung website.
Click to expand...

Dan: Samsung Mobile is aware that under certain conditions, the GPS on our U.S. Galaxy S devices may not be meeting performance expectations. We are diligently evaluating the situation and will provide an update as soon as possible
Visitor: Yes, I read this exact comment that was released by Samsung. Do you have any idea when?
Dan: I am sorry we do not have information when will the update be released.

Then This.....

Dan: We have update released to fix the issue with GPS.
Visitor: Where can I obtain the update?
Dan: Once we have update released it will be posted in Samsung website

LMAO. You can tell the dudes not English hahah
 
For the life of me, I can't understand why AT&T can’t put more pressure on Samsung to get this issue resolved. AT&T / Samsung have ten more days to fix this issue or I will return the phone. This is a very nice phone but the GPS issue just bugs the heck out of me! Does anyone really know if this issue can be resolved with a software update?

Please wait for a chat representative to respond.
Welcome to AT&T Technical Support Chat. My name is 'Kathryn Rose' and I’ll be happy to assist you today.

AT&T: I am sorry you have a problem with your Captivate phone.
AT&T: I do not have any information to offer regarding the date of a GPS fix for it. I will be glad to check on it for you now.
AT&T: Please allow 3 minutes.
AT&T: Do you experience a delayed response in satellite acquisition or an error message stating Your current location is temporarily unavailable?
AT&T: You can adjust settings on the device to enable A-GPS to work better.
AT&T: I am sure this must be frustrating for you not to be able to use your GPS.
AT&T: I would be happy to assist you. I will need to access your account record.
AT&T: Please give me the number of the phone you are having issues with, your full name, the full name of the account holder, and the last four digits of the account holder's Social Security Number.
AT&T: We appreciate you as our customer and thank you for your business. Please allow me three minutes to review your account for you. I apologize that I am not able to respond to chat while researching your issue in another system.
Visitor: Will not lock onto any satellites in a reasonable amount of time. Sometimes takes up to 10~15 minutes to lock on to satellites.
AT&T: Please give me the number of the phone you are having issues with, your full name, the full name of the account holder, and the last four digits of the account holder's Social Security Number.
AT&T: Please try this.
AT&T: From the Home Screen, tap Menu.
AT&T: Select Settings.
AT&T: Tap Location and Security.
AT&T: Tap Use Wireless Networks (this is enabled when a green check mark appears next to the option).
AT&T: This is the info we have at this time. I should also advise you that this issue does not qualify for a warranty exchange. However, within 30 days of activation, you can always return or exchange any phone at any AT&T corporate store.
Visitor: This has already been tried, both items "wireless networks" and "GPS satellites" are checked. This did not help with my problem.
AT&T: I am sorry to hear it.
AT&T: You may wish to contact Samsung. The number for Samsung is 1-888-987-4357. They are open Monday - Friday: 9am - 8pm EST and Saturday: 10am - 7pm EST.
AT&T: The web address is http://www.samsungusa.com .
AT&T: I apologize that we have no further info on this problem at this time.
Visitor: I can't understand why Samsung cannot provide AT&T with an estimated time as to when this problem will be resolved. Based my research, this condition affects every Samsung Galaxy-S phone that was released by Samsung. It's too bad that I will have to return my phone to At&T because no one can tell me if the defect can be fixed?
AT&T: May I assist you with anything else, having given you the info we have on the problem, explained return/exchange info and given Samsung contact info?
AT&T: AT&T does not make or design phones.
AT&T: That is why I provided Samsung info for you to contact the maker.
AT&T: I am very sorry that you have this problem. I wish I could fix it for you.
 
androidbence said:
Seems like everyone is stating if theirs works or not, i guess im the only one whos not allowed to say how mine is working.
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Yes, lots of other people are also spamming this thread with offtopicness.

There are 100 other threads for "stating if theirs works or not". This isn't one of them. Feel free to discuss your personal experiences with your own phone in any of those threads, where it'd be on-topic.

This thread is discussing an upcoming fix from Samsung for the problem. Is it so wrong that we have at least one thread kept focused and on-topic for that subject without it becoming overrun like the others with countless people saying "I don't have the problem, y'all are nuts" or "Me too!" or "hey here are some non-GPS-related settings I've seen spammed 1000 times to all the other threads, try these..."?

Thanks for your cooperation. ;)

Anyhow... just saw this from Samsung on Facebook:

"We're making progress with this and hope to be able to provide more news soon."

Take that for what you will.
 
Well, day 1 has come and gone, no replies from Kin Titus. I also emailed Jesus from Gizmodo earlier today, asking if they would do a story on the GPS issue and help out the Android community since this issue impacts a bunch of people. Will look into emailing some Samsung folks tomorrow, hopefully something comes out of that.
 
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