Samsung commits to September updates for Galaxy S GPS woes

AGPS capability on various versions of the Galaxy S -- including the Captivate and Vibrant released here in the US -- has been deeply hosed since launch, the apparent result of a bunk positioning server being used to associate towers to geographical locations. In practical terms, that's made apps like Google Maps nearly useless indoors and in urban canyons where line of sight to the birds up in orbit is dicey or impossible, and for European users where the phone's been out even longer, the wait's been an especially excruciating one. Fortunately, Samsung's finally come out with some concrete details on Twitter today, saying that updates are expected next month with "details and download to follow." No word for Euros specifically, but we imagine (er, make that "hope") they'll all be fixed around the same time.

[bufbarnaby Posted Aug 14th 2010 2:52AM]

I bought a new car...alignment is bad...dealer won't fix until tires blow out. Samsunk. SUX.

[bufbarnaby Posted Aug 14th 2010 3:01AM]

Samsunk. LOL

[bufbarnaby Posted Aug 14th 2010 3:49AM]

What a POS...glad I didn`t buy it.

[bufbarnaby Posted Aug 14th 2010 3:50AM]

Samsunk FAIL...Oracle is gonna kill off Android...I`m going WP7 !

[bufbarnaby Posted Aug 14th 2010 3:52AM]

The Kia of smartphones.

[golfswift Posted Aug 14th 2010 4:25AM]

Just purchased galaxy s and am very dissappointed. When I finally get enough bars to make or receive a call it drops it just as fast as I get it. Anyone have any suggestions...maybe a cell booster or something?

[djshege Posted Aug 14th 2010 5:12AM]

I also have another problem with Samsung .... Will there be any extended batteries for the Galaxy S ( Epic ) cause i cant stand having a phone the dies half way through the day. eg the moment never had an extended battery for sell ( 24000 mAh and up.)

[golfswift Posted Aug 14th 2010 7:56AM]

@djshege If you leave the screen on it dies in less than half a day!!

[djshege Posted Aug 14th 2010 12:45PM]

@golfswift am not that bad at using phones. I never leave the screen on, i am just an heavy user. when i had the Evo the battery is drained by 6, but an extended allows it to last all day, its just so unfortunate the must Samsung phones dont have extended batteries(24000 mAh and up). I hope with these there phones become more popular the extended battery companies with is samsung as a more profitable company and larger batteries phone the phones.

[Yelis63103 Posted Aug 14th 2010 8:45AM]

This better come with Froyo ! My GPS works fine, the Compass on the other hand is just broken.....can't even say that its buggy, it just doesn't work.

[Waltah Posted Aug 14th 2010 9:39AM]

Tried using my captivate for gps yesterday from Boston to Jersey and it wouldn't lock after 30 minutes. Had to switch my sim to my Nexus One which locked in 3 seconds.

[cn31672 Posted Aug 14th 2010 9:50AM]

I'm so glad I returned my iphone4 and switched to the Captivate. Everything about it is awesome, except for this GPS issue. Honestly, it hasn't been terrible for me, since i don't rely on it for directions, etc.. but would be nice to know that everything was working..
I wish I could delete those stupid ATT apps without having to root. Don't want to do that and hate that my phone is cluttered with their crap...
Oh well, once froyo arrives, all will be right... :) Hopefully....

[rajendra82 Posted Aug 14th 2010 9:56AM]

The leaked JH2 firmware is what you need on a Captivate to fix GPS issues.

[bufbarnaby Posted Aug 14th 2010 11:30AM]

This is a major flaw...what a blow-it for Sammy.
I think the Galaxy phones are just a test to get the bugs worked out until WP7 ships. ; ) Suckers !

[bleep Posted Aug 14th 2010 3:54PM]

I have a captivate and other than the gps not working worth anything, the reception is a problem. Generally it's always worse than my blackberry in the same locations. Worse still in areas where it's slightly dodgy I have to hold it between thumb and fore finger over the att symbol to get the best; that's just a silly way to hold a phone.

Anyone have any luck with cases improving reception?

[ConceptVBS Posted Aug 15th 2010 4:21AM]

@bleep

Let me guess, your using the signal bars on each phone to compare signal quality no?

Its like comparing apples to oranges. Each manufacturer has their own standard of labeling signals, just as they have their own standards of labeling battery life.

Blackberrys have the highest SAR rating ( that is magnetic field coming out of the phone) of all smartphones. The legal limit for FCC standard is 1.60. Some blackberrys are 1.58. Samsung has one of the lowest SAR ratings of any manufacturer (both smartphone and regular phones).

[ConceptVBS Posted Aug 15th 2010 4:23AM]

@bleep

The higher the SAR rating the higher the likely chance you'll get brain cancer. Pick your poison.

[netsql Posted Aug 14th 2010 6:16PM]

It sounds like a promise w/o details... at worst it mens people by this for a month more w/o a fix and fix is .... a non fix.
I like this phone better than Evo or Apple as it has a keyboard and XDLNA (I think that's it) that lets you stream music.

[skshrews Posted Aug 14th 2010 9:11PM]

Samsung Captivate

GPS is slow to lock-where my dedicated GPS unit will lock in on a signal in 30 seconds, Captivate will take 2-3 minutes.

Once my Captivate acquires a signal, it typically doesn't drop the signal. Generally accurate, occasionally will suddenly change location slightly (ie . side road off highway I'm driving), then recover in a few seconds. WiFi assisted location assistance helps.

[joplin Posted Aug 14th 2010 11:27PM]

I know that your talking about the GPS problem and Samsung is aware of that . Are they aware of the Headphone input problem also?

Hi

Is anybody aware of the Samsung Galaxy S Headphone input problem?
Here is the link
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=735918
I'm sure glad I didn't buy the Samsung right away.
If they don't fix this problem I will go with the HTC Desire HD .

Thanks
Greg Joplin Victoria BC Canada

[jawman Posted Aug 15th 2010 4:02PM]

So does this mean that the release of Froyo will get delayed now?

[jawman Posted Aug 15th 2010 4:07PM]

Does anyone know if the Epic 4G is plagued by the broken GPS issue as well?

[snek10 Posted Aug 16th 2010 7:54PM]

I don't know what is all the fuss about this gps issue, I have none, or well maybe sometimes the gps is just ONE PARALLEL ROAD OFF when I sync it indoors. Is it too fucking hard to sync the gps once outside ? I takes one voice command and 5 seconds...

[golfswift Posted Aug 17th 2010 5:34PM]

Just purchased a 3G microcell band from AT&T. Couldn't get any signal with my Captivate at my house, but with this jewel, I'm getting 5 bars!!! Highly recomend if you're not getting a good signal from your home or office. Not a bad price either if you consider other boosters run anywhere from $300-$600.