Database Develop

[Q] Can the GPS issue be fixed in Firmware?

Hi,
the title actually says it all...
I'm planning on buying an Android phone in the next couple of weeks and the Galaxy S is my prime suspect. However, I don't want a GPS cripple since I plan on using the GPS a lot. The lagfix seems to be coming along nicely with lots of different implementations and Sammy also has plans to fix it, so I'm not worried about that, the GPS trouble on the other hand seems to be very hard to catch and might be hardware related. Has anyone found the cause for the strange behaviour yet? Are there hardware differences between the Galaxy S and the Epic 4G GPS (which apparently won't make it over the pond to Germany). And last and least, is there any real alternative to the Galaxy S coming out in the forseeable future? I'd go for the HTC Desire, but it's SOC just can't keep up with the Hummingbird performance, so it's not really an option...the Droid X is too well locked, so XDA Developers won't be able to provide such a wide vaiety of mods and updates (and that is the most important thing to me since all manufacturers seem to drop support for their "old" devices after about 6 months...)
Any information and advice is appreciated!
Thanks

GPS Problems are software related mate.
There is a "fix" under test, that uses Epic 4G files. Works quite nice, i got a lock at home, with 10meters.
Some people claim that the new OFFICIAL Sammy software JM1, improved the GPS as well, people started getting a Lock at home with 10-30meters.
So yeah.. it is Software related, nothing to worry about.

Thanks!
All the fixes I had read about so far were just augmenting the GPS with Wifi and 3G data to smooth things out and did not really fix the problem. I read about the Epic 4G firmware thingy but can't fin the thread anymore, I'll have to dig a bit deeper and see how things are going there. Let's hope it really is only software and not some defective chip or component interference...

Well.. Currently, actually, there is no proof either way. By the end of September, it is likely that if problems still remain, they are hardware flaws.
I personally believe the main problems are software.

I'm on JM5 with Epic4G "fix". Not much improvement I'm afraid. I get stationary locks, but none while moving. Also, while stationary I seem to "jump" around. Not very optimistic about the whole thing. But let's wait for that september fix and see then what is going on.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

And the strange thing is, the problem is not permament.
I get almost always a lock in 20 sec with 5m accuracy.
But if you primarely want a gps device with an android "add on", why not look at the garmin gps android phones?

Well, I'm not looking for GPS with a phone, I'm looking for the best Android Phone with good GPS...

Only samsung knows the answer. But since there seems to be such a range in severity and after all this time samsung has still not provided a real fix it could very well be that its hardware related. Well find out in september.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

The saddest thing is that Samsung still has not really commented on this. They claim that there is no GPS problem on the Epic 4G which should mean that they know about the issue, but they never said a word about the cause or possible solution or whether all they can do is augment the GPS to make it seem more accurate and smooth.
Maybe some GPS chips were faulty/dodgy and that is why not everybody has these problems...if Samsung would fess up and admit where the problem is we could all rest in peace instead of all in pieces...

CommanderROR said:
The saddest thing is that Samsung still has not really commented on this. They claim that there is no GPS problem on the Epic 4G which should mean that they know about the issue, but they never said a word about the cause or possible solution or whether all they can do is augment the GPS to make it seem more accurate and smooth.
Maybe some GPS chips were faulty/dodgy and that is why not everybody has these problems...if Samsung would fess up and admit where the problem is we could all rest in peace instead of all in pieces...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They've said they are optimising the GPS though.. The reason why developers generally don't explain patches in detail, is because there is no easy way to explain it. If they said "the GPS chip required GPS packets to be processed more consistantly, and change blah blah blah in GPS stack", only techies would understand whats going on.
Easiest way to understand, will be to diff the SGS source code when new code is released...

Well, I'm not waiting for technical mumbo-jumbo from them, but I'd like to know whether there is a fix (e.g. new GPS driver or something) or whether we'll have to send in our devices for new hardware.
The "optimizing" is what worries me really, because to my ears that sounds like improving, not fixing. Improvements have been suggested on these forums already, most augment the GPS signal with Wifi or cell data which is fine but does not solve the problem at all. If Samsung is planning to "optimize" by activating skyhook or something then the device will remain a no-go for me, if they mean "fix" by optimizing and will put int he correct parameters or drivers or whatever to make GPS work then I'll be happy. The word optimizing is just extremely dodgy and does not sound promising at all...
UPDATE:
I just found this in a swiss forum...:
If you hold the SGS in your hand or have it in your pocket the GPS reception is really bad. If you hold it with your fingers without covering the back with your hand or put it in a pouch on the outside of your backpack it wors flawlessly. Apparently covering the GPS antenna in any way badly affects the GPS signal.
I have no idea whether this is reproducibly, but if any SGS owner here wants to give it a try please let me know whether you can support these findings.

I honestly never had(serious) issues with the GPS. I'm using JM5 With Ndrive 10, locks in 30 seconds it's a little inaccurate by a 20 or 15 meters, and very rarely loose fix.
but i think it is for covering the antenna.
I still take my N96 to my work only because it has Garmin.

[Q] New to the scene

I need some help with customizing my Samsung Galaxy S. This morning I decided to do it considering the large amount of great testimonials after a lag fix.
What I have done so far:-
Fixed the three-button problem
Rooted my phone with OneClickLagFix
Installed the OneClickLagFix
Fixed Headset quality with SamServMode
What my version is (*#1234#):-
I9000DTJG3 (so I'm assuming JG3?)
Firmware Version:-
2.1-update1 (That's what it says in my settings)
What question is, which Custom ROM would suite my phone?

A couple questions for you as I am really new to android and my sgs...
What kind of quality change did you see with the headset fix and lagfix?
And how did you fix the 3br problem? I thought that was fixed by flashing JH2 (the newest one) Where as JG3 and older JH2 had problems with the 3 button. I have a newer JH2 flashed phone, but just curious as I have friends without the JH2 3BR fix.

Chayum said:
I need some help with customizing my Samsung Galaxy S. This morning I decided to do it considering the large amount of great testimonials after a lag fix.
What I have done so far:-
Fixed the three-button problem
Rooted my phone with OneClickLagFix
Installed the OneClickLagFix
[*]Fixed Headset quality with SamServMode
What my version is (*#1234#):-
I9000DTJG3 (so I'm assuming JG3?)
Firmware Version:-
2.1-update1 (That's what it says in my settings)
What question is, which Custom ROM would suite my phone? Also, is there a way to get free PAID apps like the iPhone yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you say fixed handset quality witt that app....what are you referring too?

Hey!
By headphone fix, I meant I fixed the quality. The thread can be found by searching on these forums:
REF Headphones sound quality fix

Chayum said:
I need some help with customizing my Samsung Galaxy S. This morning I decided to do it considering the large amount of great testimonials after a lag fix.
What I have done so far:-
Fixed the three-button problem
Rooted my phone with OneClickLagFix
Installed the OneClickLagFix
Fixed Headset quality with SamServMode
What my version is (*#1234#):-
I9000DTJG3 (so I'm assuming JG3?)
Firmware Version:-
2.1-update1 (That's what it says in my settings)
What question is, which Custom ROM would suite my phone? Also, is there a way to get free PAID apps like the iPhone yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, are you asking for us to help you with your piracy? I'm pretty sure thats NOT welcome here. Keep your thieving antics to yourself.

PaulForde said:
Wow, are you asking for us to help you with your piracy? I'm pretty sure thats NOT welcome here. Keep your thieving antics to yourself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 ... Most developers are not making much as it is..more of a hobby trying to improve the android experience for everyone...why do you want to rip them off?
Swyped.....you may have to interpret

Sorry, I assumed the relaxed iPhone community would be the same here.
Can anyone help me with a Custom ROM?

Bump. Looking forward to customizing my phone.

what is the most stable rom?

Hi everyone,
Since last october, i have flashed numerous roms, too many to list, actually, flashed a least 20 different roms. Although, many have been impressive on looks and gizmos, none have been 100% reliable.
The most common and annoying problems recently have been losing calls due to the wonk issue, ...and yes, i do have the most recent dewonk app installedand running.
On CM6, that was not a problem, but battery life was discusting.
Another issue that i have never been able to correct, is the touchscreen problems, no rom has ever been reliable regarding that issue.
Is it that my phone is deffective ?
So the top 3 things i am looking for is
No wonkiness
no touch screen issues
and good battery life
So, if any of you guys out there know of a rom/kernell/radio combination that can offer that, i would praise you like android gods!!!
Thanks in advance for your replies..... i'm just sick of going around every week for a new miracle solution......

you might wanna try SuperAOSP from [email protected]
i've been on it since 2 months ago and i'm a happy user indeed

Sorry to burst your bubble, but roms are never "stable" per say. There are always bugs and risk factors.
Plus, this is the wrong thread to be asking the question too I believe...
But to answer the question,
I'm a CM person.

Hell if you find such rom let us know!!
N1

Yes. The touchscreen on the nexus one is defective. Google it. It cannot distinguish which x or y coordinates belong to each finger and it cannot distinguish touch points near each other.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

Try the CM7 nightly BUILD #39 from imfloflo and flash wildmonks latest kernel.
The kernel is newer and contains newer drivers. The #39 is the real final version of CM7
i think it cannot be more stable

This is most certainly not development. Thread moved to Q&A, where it belongs.

Cm7 nightly 41 with intersectraven's latest is pretty darn stable
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA Premium App

[Q] Is there a fix for wi-fi dropout at -88dBM?

Hi All,
I'm wanting to know if there is a fix for the wi-fi dropping perfectly useable signals at -88dBM since HTC's Gingerbread update?
I am now S-OFF and rooted, and have recently installed Android Revolution HD as my ROM, as this promised 'improved wi-fi drivers', but this sadly hasn't included a fix for this issue.
I would've thought this would be top of the list for developers as there have been many complaints by users since 'upgrading' from Froyo.
Any advice would be appreciated...
Many thanks.

Anyone? This is a major issue for me.

i think its an issue with all gingerbread roms, maybe you could try turning "best wifi performance" on.
i thought maybe it was working for me as i think it dropped less, it does use considerably more battery though.

DJjay18 said:
Hi All,
I would've thought this would be top of the list for developers as there have been many complaints by users since 'upgrading' from Froyo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
That's the main reason I have S-OFFed my phone, and since then I have tried a lot of updates ( Roms, Kernels, Radios...), without any luck so far.
Returning to Froyo may be our best bet but I do not know if it is feasible yet.

Yes, I thought this would've been a quick fix for the developers.
If I can downgrade to Froyo, I will do so in an instant!

Did anyone find a workaround for the wifi issue ? I am quite surprised that there aren't more people complaining about it...

+1
And when ever anyone asks about it, there is deadly silence. I would have thought that some of the excelent devs on here would at least have some opinions to share on possible ways forward or not ?

[Q] Are there different versions of the SM-900A

This is a serious question as I am very confused.
I am asking this because I have had my phone for about two months now. I have read through most of the post in this phones section. I see countless threads about this issue, and that issue, battery life, screen issues, lag, and the list goes on.
I can honestly say I have none of those issue. So that means either there was a newer hardware version released recently or the quality of Samsung is really hit and miss and I should go play the lottery..:good:
Does anyone else here have a 900A with little or no issues?