GabrielRayven
Member
Now all we are getting is a vague "we are working on a small update". This is BS, and it makes me despise the fact that AT&T does not have the coverage VW does, or I would go with the iPhone.
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***Official Samsung Fascinate 2.2 Speculation Thread***
- Thread starter Rimzy
- Start date
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- samsung fascinate
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I got my SF the 23rd or 24th of December...I like it, its not quite as smooth in operation as the LG vortex I exchanged for it though, and without 2.2 there are some other issues. I spent 9 hours of hell getting this phone because I returned the Lg to the corporate store when I saw wal-mart had the Dinc for under $30.
It took 2 trips to the corporate store, 3 trips to walmart, one of which was a different wal-mart (they wouldn't let me get phone because account holder wasn't there, said it was fraud, the other let me call my parents and get authorization), a dozen + phone calls to walmarts, Verizon stores, and Verizon corporate help line (several times)...but finally after 9 hours of hell trying to switch from a corporate store phone to a wal-mart phone and keep the same number which had just been ported over from US cellular...we are ready to set the account up in the computer after 2 failed attempts and having to call verizon to force the activation, and almost ready to actually pay, and they are out of DINCs!!!!...after all that ;(
So the sf was $49...got it figuring the 2.2 upgrade would come soon, or I could hack it to run flash (which I guess isn't as easy as I thought). It seems to have the Gps issue also so If by near the end of January they don't have 2.2 out which should fix most of my issues with the phone I'm going droid X if the price is still good at wal-mart, or Dinc if I have to and get the extended battery. Its a shame too, because overall it is a great phone and I'd like to keep it, probably will if they get the upgrade out in next couple weeks, but I don't wanna be stuck in upgrade hell for the next 2 years dealing with samsung's failure to update in a timely manner, when I can get a DX that is comparable in almost every way and is running 2.2 right now and does everything I want it to do right now.
Btw (Rant continues)...
A Verizon tech on the phone even had to go so far as to create a dummy phone in their system so while I did all this my number didn't revert back to Us cellular...of course the other people on the help line didn't really know anything about that and I came very close to loosing my number which I need for all the job applications I have out right now. Also since the first walmart wouldn't let me get a phone and the corporate store wouldn't give me mine back nor the restocking fee and were closing I almost ended up with no phone that day. This all started because the verizon sales girl in arkansas told me the vortex would do everything I wanted..great for games CHECK, runs flash CHECK, google experience phone CHECK....Wait, NO NO NO...Fail on all 3 by her. So I get the SF after 9 hours of hell, them being out of Dincs and the Droid X price I think was still high that day...and I still end up with a phone that doesn't do what I want
This is my first smart phone, and Verizon experience...hell of a start!
It took 2 trips to the corporate store, 3 trips to walmart, one of which was a different wal-mart (they wouldn't let me get phone because account holder wasn't there, said it was fraud, the other let me call my parents and get authorization), a dozen + phone calls to walmarts, Verizon stores, and Verizon corporate help line (several times)...but finally after 9 hours of hell trying to switch from a corporate store phone to a wal-mart phone and keep the same number which had just been ported over from US cellular...we are ready to set the account up in the computer after 2 failed attempts and having to call verizon to force the activation, and almost ready to actually pay, and they are out of DINCs!!!!...after all that ;(
So the sf was $49...got it figuring the 2.2 upgrade would come soon, or I could hack it to run flash (which I guess isn't as easy as I thought). It seems to have the Gps issue also so If by near the end of January they don't have 2.2 out which should fix most of my issues with the phone I'm going droid X if the price is still good at wal-mart, or Dinc if I have to and get the extended battery. Its a shame too, because overall it is a great phone and I'd like to keep it, probably will if they get the upgrade out in next couple weeks, but I don't wanna be stuck in upgrade hell for the next 2 years dealing with samsung's failure to update in a timely manner, when I can get a DX that is comparable in almost every way and is running 2.2 right now and does everything I want it to do right now.
Btw (Rant continues)...
A Verizon tech on the phone even had to go so far as to create a dummy phone in their system so while I did all this my number didn't revert back to Us cellular...of course the other people on the help line didn't really know anything about that and I came very close to loosing my number which I need for all the job applications I have out right now. Also since the first walmart wouldn't let me get a phone and the corporate store wouldn't give me mine back nor the restocking fee and were closing I almost ended up with no phone that day. This all started because the verizon sales girl in arkansas told me the vortex would do everything I wanted..great for games CHECK, runs flash CHECK, google experience phone CHECK....Wait, NO NO NO...Fail on all 3 by her. So I get the SF after 9 hours of hell, them being out of Dincs and the Droid X price I think was still high that day...and I still end up with a phone that doesn't do what I want
This is my first smart phone, and Verizon experience...hell of a start!
octoberdana
Well-Known Member
Does walmart have an exchange policy? You could exchange it for an X or incredible if they do.
ruthless101901
Lurker
I too am a pretty new Samsung Fascinate owner. I went in to get the Droid X, but was drawn to the smooth and sleek styling of the SF. I really like the phone, and it's a HUGE upgrade over my Eris, but the updates are getting out of hand. With timely updates to the OS, I would have virtually no gripes with the phone. Here's to hoping that some sort of update comes out soon.
SirKronan
Android Expert
Yep. If the updates come soon, everything will be fine. Sounds like Saps and I are going to vote with our wallets on TV's, too. If we don't have our Froyo, the tax return money is probably not going to Samsung!!
saps
Extreme Android User
There you go. Besides having a nice LED-LCD is going to take the edge off not having Froyo
Leonard1818
Android Enthusiast
You 2 ought to update this thread once your returns are back and TV's are purchased and take pics of your NON SAMSUNG TV's then tweet the sh*t out of the link to your post.
Honestly, unless you make a big stink about it, nobody (not even Samsung) will listen.
Honestly, unless you make a big stink about it, nobody (not even Samsung) will listen.
saps
Extreme Android User
Good idea
SirKronan
Android Expert
I don't twitter, but it might be worth joining just to post it on the samsung rep's twitter page, if that's how you do that sort of thing ... I like your style.
Ya 30 day exchange, hopefully If I decide to go that route I won't have to go through a similar ordeal as when I originally got the phone. I just looked, I got the phone the 24th, Christmas eve... no wonder I was so pissed
Oh well they have tilll 22/23 and if no froyo...no me with an SF anymore. I have a samsung tv too btw...It broke after 2 years. 50+inches of Tv sitting dead in my living room. My last good digital camera was samsung also. Ordered online which was stupid without handling the model in real life. Lens stuck out to much, was a pain to carry in my pocket...Pawned it. Sad thing is last time I compared digital cameras, looks like samsung packed the best version of all I want into a smaller camera so good chance I'll go that route again. The TV is hopefully getting repaired, and not replaced till I can afford 3d tv.Not sure if this was mentioned earlier but it looks like Samsung has added "Kies mini,PC Sync" to the software download files on Jan 2. Do you think this was added to assist with any updates in the near future? http://www.samsung.com/us/support/downloads/SCH-I500RKAVZW
I agree. I have avoided twitter like the plague...but I may start an account just to complain about Samsung
Our luck though twitter will agree to pay Samsung to piss off their customers in order to get people to join twitter. Even worse part of the compensation package for Samsung will end up including programming the updates to twitter's software 
...Well at least Twitter would know our pain then There are over 10 million people who have bought Galaxy S phones. If Samsung wants to continue selling a large number of smartphones they really should listen to the consumers. At the same time our community here is very small but has a big voice. If enough of us make noise they will eventually have to listen.
But it seems every phone manufacturer has issues with their phones. Phones these days aren't just phone. I'm not happy that Samsung hasn't rolled out froyo but at the same time I can't blame it all on them. Some of the blame goes to the carriers and their bloat ware. Korean carriers aren't even willing to pick up the Nexus S because Google isn't allowing them to put their bloatware on it.
Couple years ago Samsung stated they wanted to focus more on consumer products. Before they focused on the component side of the industry. That's their strong point and their weakness has been the software side. As we all have experienced.
Samsung is such a electronic giant now everyone uses their components. They're the leader in LCD panel, DRAM, and NAND. Even if you don't want to support Samsung by not buying their other products. Your still supporting them because most electronics will have Samsung components. For example, LCD panels found in Sonys are Samsungs even some LG TVs will use Samsung panels. Samsung will even put non-Samsung panels in their TVs.
In my opinion the bigger a company gets the more out of touch they are with their customers.
I think my next phone will be a LG. I've heard good things about their upcoming android phones.
But it seems every phone manufacturer has issues with their phones. Phones these days aren't just phone. I'm not happy that Samsung hasn't rolled out froyo but at the same time I can't blame it all on them. Some of the blame goes to the carriers and their bloat ware. Korean carriers aren't even willing to pick up the Nexus S because Google isn't allowing them to put their bloatware on it.
Couple years ago Samsung stated they wanted to focus more on consumer products. Before they focused on the component side of the industry. That's their strong point and their weakness has been the software side. As we all have experienced.
Samsung is such a electronic giant now everyone uses their components. They're the leader in LCD panel, DRAM, and NAND. Even if you don't want to support Samsung by not buying their other products. Your still supporting them because most electronics will have Samsung components. For example, LCD panels found in Sonys are Samsungs even some LG TVs will use Samsung panels. Samsung will even put non-Samsung panels in their TVs.
In my opinion the bigger a company gets the more out of touch they are with their customers.
I think my next phone will be a LG. I've heard good things about their upcoming android phones.
GabrielRayven
Member
And yes, I am quoting myself.
I had a nice long chat with Samsung's Tech support this morning because Kies would not detect my Fascinate. They kept telling me to put my phone in Kies mode, which is not available under USB settings on my phone. The best part of the whole deal? Well, I will just let you read it for yourselves.
"info: Please wait for a Samsung Agent to respond.
info: You are now chatting with 'Stella'
Stella: Hi, thank you for contacting Samsung Technical Support. How may I help you today?
Visitor: Hi. I downloaded the Kies software, but for some reason it will not connect with my Fascinate device.
Stella: I understand that you are unable to connect the Samsung Fascinate to Kies software.
Stella: Am I correct?
Visitor: Correct.
Stella: Thank you for the confirmation.
Stella: Mini Kies software is only used for installing the software updates on the phone.
Stella: As of now there is no software update released for the phone.
Stella: That is the reason you are unable to connect to Kies.
Visitor: When I plug in my phone it says that the phone needs to be connected in Kies mode, which I am unable to locate on my phone, in the event of an update.
Stella: Did you set the USB settings on the phone to Kies?
Visitor: That option is not present on my phone. The only options that are available to me is Media Sync and Mass Storage under USB settings.
Stella: Did you download and install both the Kies and USB software drivers on the PC?
Visitor: I have
Stella: Okay.
Stella: Are you able to connect the phone to the PC in USB Mass Storage and transfer media files?
Visitor: I am, but when I try to connect using the Media Sync setting the it never connects
Stella: Please disconnect the phone from the PC.
Visitor: ok
Stella: Now, perform the Soft Reset on the phone to clear the internal circuitry.
Stella: To perform soft reset,turn OFF the phone and then remove the battery and then wait for 30 seconds. Then reinsert the battery and turn the phone ON.
Visitor: taking the battery out now
Stella: Okay.
Visitor: turning it back on
Stella: Let me know once the phone is ready.
Visitor: ok
Stella: Once the phone is ready, please perform the below given steps on the phone.
Stella: Press the Home Key
Stella: Press the Menu Key
Stella: Tap on Settings
Stella: Tap on Applications
Stella: Tap on USB settings
Stella: Let me know the options you see under USB Settings.
Visitor: There is not a USB settings under Applications. USB settings is under the main settings menu. Still only Mass storage and media sync
Stella: Please select Mass Storage.
Visitor: Ok
Stella: Press the Home Key
Stella: Plug the cable into the phone
Stella: Plug the other end of the cable in a USB port
Stella: Sweep down on the Notification bar and Tap USB connected-Select to copy files to/from the computer
Stella: Tap Mount .
Visitor: ok
Stella: The PC will throw an option window. Click on Open folder to view files.
Stella: Navigate to the desired files to be transferred and either drag and drop them over or copy and paste them into the directories.
Visitor: Right. Copying media was never the problem. The problem was that when my phone would be plugged into the computer, Kies wont recognize my phone...
Stella: I understand.
Stella: Did you try uninstalling and reinstalling the software on the PC?
Visitor: I uninstalled and reinstalled, rebooted the computer, hard reset the phone, and none of it seems to work. I looked online on multiple forums and it seems I am not the only person with this problem.
Stella: I can understand your concern. However, we do not have the records of such issue with the phone.
Stella: As I said, as the update is not available for this phone, as of now, we will not be able to connect to the Kies software.
Visitor: Gotcha. Thank you.
Stella: As you have tried all the troubleshooting steps, I recommend you to contact Samsung Voice Support at 1-877-EZ2GALAXY (1-877-392-4252). They are available Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. CST, Sat. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. CST."
So there ya go. Not only did the Tech not know what was going on with my phone, but they had not the first idea how to even access the USB Settings on my phone.
Samsung... You are really starting to piss me off. I love the Android system, but I just found out that VW is getting the iPhone, and Sammy is really pushing me.
nitsuj17
Android Expert
Fwiw the verizon fascinate sprint epic and their cousin cdma phones do not use kies for updates....updates are ota through carriers only
GabrielRayven
Member
But if you go to Sammy's website, and have a Fascinate, go under downloads, software, and there it is. Mini Kies. One Tech agent said that I would need Kies to get 2.2 when it is ready. This one had no clue. I am at the point now that I have more faith in you guys than Sammy Tech Support.
HTC didn't do so good with the Eris and it's update. I like their products but it was the same as it is now with the SF.
SirKronan
Android Expert
The bad experience with the Eris is the main reason I don't even consider the Incredible an option for me or my family. My sister, brother, father, and a good friend who is a co-worker ALL bought Fascinates almost solely on MY WORD. And I've helped about half of them root and get them running good so far. Overall they are very happy with their phones, especially those coming from things like the Omnia, blackberrys, or the LG Voyager series ...
I am THE tech guy for my immediate and extended family, and the IT Admin at the office where I work. It's a small company, but my word carries an awful lot of weight. If these folks want continued business, they have to take care of us.
PERIOD.
We'll see what happens. We'd better see Froyo in Jan. Realistically, the most solidified rumors and speculation, even from within Verizon, estimated a december release for the Fascinate to get 2.2. Verizon just rolled out a major update supposedly to prepare us for 2.2. To get it in Jan, depending on the day, is really not too incredibly late. If I don't get it before tax returns, Samsung will lose at least one TV sale.
GabrielRayven
Member
Which is why Kies is available specifically for my phone?
SCH-I500RKAVZW
Is the model number of my phone, which is a Verizon Wireless Phone (Hence the VZW). So, Maybe, just maybe, I know what I am talking about.
KIES is available for the Samsung Fascinate in the USA on Verizon Wireless. Look at the Attached Screenshot. This is a screenshot of my page at Samsung's site.
nitsuj17
Android Expert
kies has had the verizon fascinate user manual on there since launch....but....thats it....besides the actual downloads of kies....so if you want to download the user manual from there...then by all means
the updates will come by ota, not by kies...verizon is too much of a control freak to allow that to happen
I dont know, but I love this phone. I am very dissapointed in the updating, but I just like the phone so much. I guess I will hold on and see what happens. I dont know though if I am going to wait for the samsung LTE device though. I may just go HTC. I also do not see us getting Froyo in JAN or FEB
nitsuj17
Android Expert
the initial samsung i520 that looks to launch soon is essentially the fascinate with android 2.2.1, lte, and a ffc...so imo its not worth upgrading to the same phone with a few more bells and whistles...
however, for the root crowd....if jt and bird have not built froyo/gb or we havent gotten a leak by the time this launches....id image the os can be ripped from it, tweaked a bit due to the lte files in there and ported to our phones
I was thinking the same thing, and I wasnt looking at a cheap TV (8 series 65" LCD).....the only problem is I cant find any TVs that I think are better!! But Im going to hold off on Samsung everything at least temporarily.
Honestly Im not really upset we dont have 2.2.....if you are rooted and taking advantage of custom ROMs and kernels for 2.1, we have an awfully nice setup on a nice phone. No, its not 2.2, but its not like its anywhere near stock either.
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