Samsung Galaxy S GPS-gate: two problems, not one (and what to do about it)
By Chris Ziegler 
posted August 17th 2010 2:26AM
posted August 17th 2010 2:26AM
- "Use wireless networks" is now turned off by default, but even with it on, the phone may be slow or unable to determine even a rough location. Originally, we'd believed this was the only problem. Samsung tells us that it's a new Google mandate that Android devices be shipped with the "use wireless networks" option disabled, which means you're relying on traditional GPS alone to determine your location -- a lost cause indoors, in urban canyons, or under dense tree cover. Indeed, we discovered it was turned off on our Captivate, Vibrant, and Epic 4G after fresh hard resets, and there's no indication to the user that it's probably in their best interest to enable it; we're accustomed to being presented with the option during account setup on other Android devices, but it doesn't happen here. After enabling it from settings, we found that both the Captivate and Epic 4G were able to get our location with 1,000 to 1,500-meter accuracy practically immediately in Google Maps, though the Vibrant still never came through; it had the weakest signal of the three, which may have accounted for that (though it never dropped the signal altogether).
- The regular GPS circuitry and software aren't doing their job. Cell tower triangulation and WiFi location database services like Skyhook only take you so far -- at the end of the day, you still need to tune in to the birds a few thousand miles up to figure out precisely where you are. All Galaxy S models seem to be having trouble turning GPS reception into coordinates, even when the phone is able to see four or more satellites in view (four is the minimum you normally need for a precise, three-dimensional lock). In some cases, resetting the phone apparently helps, but it ceases to work again after a day or two of use. To our knowledge, none of the homebrew fixes out there have been able to solve this part of the problem perfectly and permanently. The Captivate and Vibrant are both affected by this one; we're not sure on the Epic, but we're working to nail it down.
[Thanks, Carl]
@crazyorloco I understand what using the wireless networks mean. I never said it is a GPS "fix." However, the "wide range" I have is not as bad as some are reporting. Nor have I had the problems of it not working as Engadget reported.
The fix is pretty simple actually. As some earlier mentioned just change your software settings to settings listed here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=732030
I did it yesterday on my captivate and it works great now :) good luck.
@rusyus Laughable. Would love to see anyone but the gooberist of the goobers even attempt that. But then again, it's Android.
@welles ??? What is that supposed to mean?
@rusyus ... He doesn't even know WTF it means... he's too busy beating his chest while looking at his iPhone4 with a magnifying glass.
Having phone problems is the cool thing to do right now though.
I hate you samsung! Except TV. But everything else. I hate you!
I must have missed the CNN pieces and the bits on the Today show. Amazing that Android is activating 200K phones a day, yet no one seems to care about individual device problems. I guess Android hasn't truly hit the mainstream yet,
I own this Galaxy S phone. Bought it last Friday here in Finland.
I compared with Iphone 4, before buying and found lacking one feature i.e, Flash for camera. In every other aspect This was better, therefore I decided to go for galaxy s, with perfect 4 inch screen ( for me atleast).
I have no such issues however, n if there is any I think its just about configuration.
O ya n also I got it in very gud price over iphone 4, as it was on limited offer.
Iphone 4 is gud at everything. This galaxy s don't have Flash for camera but is Best at everything!
its about making choices, Smart Choices!
note: Iphone 4 don't have Flash player, Div x player, Widgets, thea.... leave it list will go on n on. :)
@irav
Every other aspect? You mean besides screen resolution, speed, infrastructure, build quality, thinness, apps, app quality, UI, screen accuracy, camera quality, autocorrection, built in storage, pretty much everything about the iPhone 4 is better than the Galaxy. You should try reading a review sometime.
I cant believe all the hate towards Engadget. I think they have been pretty fair about the coverage of Android and everything else. My brother has the Captivate and it is an issue with him. It's good to know if there is something wrong. I thought I left the hypocrisy of Apple fanboys when I switched...
@MiddleWay Fair about Android, perhaps. Fair about iPhone? Absolutely no way.
It's not just Engadget, it's the entire media and its mindless following.
And FYI - the point of a fanboy is to be hypocritical and misguided. Thinking that only Apple fanboys are hypocritical in itself shows that you fall under the Android fanboy category.
Welcome to the site, fanboy.
I've seen perfect tracks for the Galaxy S with MyTracks or any other precise method of tracking.
The problem with that, and these "fixes" is that GPS performance doesn't stay the same. This problem is easily fixable, as long as Samsung completely rewrites the drivers for the GPS module.
@ASEVENSEE4 why do drivers have to be rewritten? a few people (including me) mentioned earlier that all that needs to be done is change some GPS settings. I did it and my GPS on captivate works great now (it used to take a minute or sometimes more to acquire the signal, now it takes about 10-15 seconds in google maps and much faster, like 3-5 seconds, in GPS test programs)
@rusyus
Because funtionality is spotty and can lock up the phone completely. I've just left it off because it's not going to behave right no matter what settings you put into it. Samsung should push an update in sept. that fixes the GPS, but they should also give us some of the major enhancements we've seen with later firmware versions for the i9000 or even the Epic.
It's obvious that Enapple is still butthurt over antenna-gate so these types of stories will be a norm here for the next little while.
@mobo83 Enapple broke the story that Apple uses Enloop batteries.
@mobo83
So... are you saying the Galaxy S doesn't have any GPS problems? Or are you just mad that Engadget is reporting on them?
@mobo83 Your ignorance knows no bounds.
Even with a bum GPS , the beauty of Android is there are a plethora of other great phones to use in place of the defective Sammy.
iPhone has a problem , you are screwed...no choices.
(I make no guarantees as to how many phones makes up a "plethora")
@bufbarnaby "A superabundance; an excess"
That`s a lot of choice..
@bufbarnaby
Sure, that's a great excuse. Got any more? Also, "problems" can be fixed. The Galaxy's problem with GPS might be fixable in firmware. You're making it sound like if a phone has a problem, you have to throw it out.
Another problem for the Fandroids? What a shocker! Terrible hardware and software = problem city.
Meanwhile, I'm enjoying the hell out of my iPhone 4.
One bad Galaxy line doesn`t take down the whole army.
@bufbarnaby
A group of WOW nerds high on Jolt Cola smearing cheeto-dust on their touch screen phones does not an army make.
It's funny how everyone is still talking about the iPhone's "antenna issue." I still haven't dropped a single call on mine. I guess I have the only working iPhone 4. Wow, i'm lucky.
http://www.gogeeks.tv/tutorials/fix-samsung-vibrant-gps-issues/
@Jack
yes !!
Because-
Super AMOLED screen, 1ghz humming bird processor, 4 inch screen, 9.9 mm thik, autocorrection + swipe keyboard, built in 16gb + additional 32 gb ( removable sd card), 5 megapixel -720 p video recording camera also front facing camera for all devices n wifi + 3G, battery with 90 mins video play back-120 mins, 50-60 mins talking - 1.5 days minimum ( also removable battery). Great Great Great !! Samsung Apps + Android apps ( open source) - not only that free apps, Layer Browser ( do u know what is that?), 100% customization !, FM - RADIO, Div-X player, FLASH Player, Social Hub, ebooks, Google- Voice, n small small things like daily notes built in apps, facebook chat, Live Wallpapers ... on n on N onnnn.......
You should try reading a review sometime. The REAL REVIEWS !!
Got it?!
@Jack
battery life with 90 mins of v-playback, 120 mins of listening to song, connected to internet all the time n constant web browsing with real time news feed n 50-60 mins of talk time, are not separate for 1.5 days.
with this all, in a single charge it lasts for atleast 1.5 days.
OO ya also playing games using six-way accelerometer!
still need more?
I don't think this is limited to the Galaxy S. After updating my Dell Streak to 2.1, I had a similar issue.
ouch... i guess there wasn't a better place to put 2 $500 phones for a picture (top of the article) than rough concrete slab... :)
I don't know what everyone is complaining about. I recently tested an AT&T Samsung Captivate that a family member bought on launch day and the GPS works perfectly whether I'm driving at 55mph or walking. This is without using assisted GPS. If only my AT&T Nexus One running stock Froyo build FRF91 were that good.
I get the GPS hang and have found that stopping and restarting GPS via the power control widget fixes it. Kind of annoying, but it works for my Vibrant.
heres how to fix all your galaxy s gps woes. i have tried this on my vibrant and it works 100% now. its a copy/paste from xda-developers forum, so all credit to them:
Fix your T-Mobile Vibrant GPS issues:
1. Disable “Use Wireless Networks”
1. Navigate to Settings > Location & Security > uncheck the box next to “Use Wireless Networks”
2. Go to the phone and dial *#*#1472365#*#*
1. This step throws you into LBSTestMode menu
3. In the LBSTestMode menu change “Operation Mode” to MS Based
4. In the LBSTestMode menu, find “SUPL/CP Settings” and change the SERVER & PORT to supl.google.com and port 7276 (DO NOT use www. in front of supl)
5. REBOOT
6. Enable “Use Wireless Networks”
* Navigate to Settings > Location & Security > check the box next to “Use Wireless Networks”
Should you want to revert back to your original GPS settings, you’ll need to re-enter you factory specs:
Original settings:
Operation Mode: Standalone
SERVER: www.spirent-lcs.com
PORT: 7275
After doing this, I experienced an immediate improvement in the time it took to get a GPS signal lock. Hope this helps any of you who were experiencing problems. Samsung is said to be aware of the problem, and are planning a fix in the next update for the Vibrant
What's concerning is that Samsung's "press release" doesn't actually acknowledge a problem or guarantee a FIX. Note their choice of words. *I do CS work, so I'm all too familiar with these tactics.*
Best case scenario: The GPS issue is fixed, and everyone is happy.
Worst case scenario: A fix isn't possible and a recall is deemed too costly by upper management. Vibrant owners are left without a functioning GPS. Note that Samsung's behind is covered, because they haven't acknowledged that the GPS is actually faulty.
Only time will tell. Unfortunately, Vibrant owners who are approaching their return periods do not have this luxury.