Supposedly Froyo on the Epic 4G

**Phil Nickinson** · 11-06-2010, 09:44 PM

I know, I know. About screens can be faked in about 30 seconds. But I also know how excited everyone is for this, so so I share.

via

**BAleR** · 11-06-2010, 10:00 PM

Where is this from

**ragnarokx** · 11-06-2010, 10:17 PM

I'm sure if it's coming from Phil it's a decent source.

**WildmanRuss** · 11-06-2010, 10:32 PM

A fuzzy photo and no other info, not buying it. I will admit though, it would be nice

**boomerbubba** · 11-06-2010, 11:05 PM

There were very credible about 24 hours ago of an official but closely held beta of Froyo on Epic, firmware version DJ29. Those who have tried it say it has problems, so it does not seem likely that this will be a final release. That's why they call it testing.

**Andrew Ruffolo** · 11-06-2010, 11:17 PM

Don't tease me bro.

**Phil Nickinson** · 11-07-2010, 12:43 AM

Click on the "via" link, maybe?

**ragnarokx** · 11-07-2010, 01:09 AM

Looks like the tweet you linked to was deleted/removed.

**wiltonmanorsx** · 11-07-2010, 04:39 AM

It is a like a Bigfoot photo. Blurry, but it supposedly shows you what you want to see.

I'm patiently waiting for Froyo. I'm hoping it isn't going to be a wait that lasts until late 2011 though.

**WildmanRuss** · 11-07-2010, 07:45 AM

Samsung Galaxy S Support has maintained that all Galaxy S phones would have Froyo, including the Epic, by the end of the year. When you view their tweets at I am sure you will see this consistent message.

**Darkshneider** · 11-07-2010, 08:48 AM

Read through thread over at XDA. Have pop corn and soda (or any snack and drink combo youd like) ready. *Drama warning*

**boomerbubba** · 11-07-2010, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by WildmanRuss

Samsung Galaxy S Support has maintained that all Galaxy S phones would have Froyo, including the Epic, by the end of the year. When you view their tweets at I am sure you will see this consistent message.

Based on that consistent official line, I have always been conservative in my own expectations. But just today, based that is credible to me, it seems the current target may be a bit sooner: staggered rollouts for U.S. carriers from mid-November through the end of the month, with Sprint coming last on Nov. 29.

Because of the source, a longtime xda member who happens to be a Sprint retail employee, I think that schedule is believable as a target. The caveat I would add is that schedules can always slip. For example, the Epic beta of Froyo that leaked at xda two days ago was reportedly not stable, implying that it was not likely to be the final version. The schedule could slip some and still meet Samsung's announced target of the end of 2010. However, obviously the manufacturer would want to get this out in time for holiday shopping.

As a customer I am less concerned with Samsung's profits than I am with quality of the product. So I hope the firmware is stable, and that Samsung and Sprint will bundle some GPS fix into the release. Based on, I am cautiously optimistic about that, too. Samsung has certainly had more than enough time to fix the GPS issues, and a fix needs to be bundled in the next release.

**shaundizzle** · 11-07-2010, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by WildmanRuss

Samsung Galaxy S Support has maintained that all Galaxy S phones would have Froyo, including the Epic, by the end of the year. When you view their tweets at I am sure you will see this consistent message.

i understand your post - but they are talking about a final official release.
that is completely different from a leaked build.
also devs are working on porting it over. check out noobnls work on xda

also i saw this too in a tweet by nullghost who from my understanding plays a big part in the epic development scene.

im gonna go apply at a sprint store in the near future. wish me luck haha

**KC2UUZ** · 11-07-2010, 12:29 PM

I'll believe it, when I recieve it. ;D

**WildmanRuss** · 11-07-2010, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by KC2UUZ

I'll believe it, when I recieve it. ;D

Same here....

**no1tech** · 11-07-2010, 05:01 PM

Waiting patiently...as long as this is the last month of waiting.

**CozBoogie** · 11-07-2010, 10:45 PM

I'll see it when I believe it.

late,
Coz

**Balzak** · 11-07-2010, 11:15 PM

I owned a Pre before this, Im used to waiting

**Shiggitay** · 11-07-2010, 11:24 PM

Originally Posted by Mike F.

I owned a Pre before this, Im used to waiting

Haha Same here. I had a Pre then went 'Droid for more apps that I wanted. Plus, I was due for an upgrade.

I'm with everyone here that's impatient with Froyo's delay for the Epic 4G... but as for me I'll wait for Froyo to be perfect on the Epic. I'm not installing any leaked build.

**crabjoe** · 11-08-2010, 12:05 AM

Originally Posted by boomerbubba

As a customer I am less concerned with Samsung's profits than I am with quality of the product. So I hope the firmware is stable, and that Samsung and Sprint will bundle some GPS fix into the release. Based on, I am cautiously optimistic about that, too. Samsung has certainly had more than enough time to fix the GPS issues, and a fix needs to be bundled in the next release.

I hope I'm wrong on this but I don't think Samsung can fix the GPS with any software at this point. I say this because the the International Galaxy S, which started getting Froyo last week, still has GPS problems w/Froyo. I think the only fix Samsung has with the Epic Froyo release will be the removal of the hard coded 30m accuracy.

BTW, being all the Galaxy S variants (CDMA/GSM) seems to have GPS issues makes me believe that the GPS problem lies with the antenna in some way. I say this because the GSM version uses a different chip for GPS versus the CDMA version, but they both still have GPS bugs... Out side of the antenna, what else might they have in common with each other if they're using different chips? It sure can't be the GPS driver because they're different chips and software to read the GPS data can't be hard to write since GPS has been around for over a decade to the general public. Not only that, not everyone's GPS is broken to the point where it's not usable at all; some even work eough to use it for navigation in a car. Some just puts the user a block or more away from their true location and others can't pick up a sat to save their life. If it was software, people would be having the same problem, but if the GPS antenna is marginal, it explains everything.

**androidpirate** · 11-08-2010, 12:44 AM

Originally Posted by crabjoe

I hope I'm wrong on this but I don't think Samsung can fix the GPS with any software at this point. I say this because the the International Galaxy S, which started getting Froyo last week, still has GPS problems w/Froyo. I think the only fix Samsung has with the Epic Froyo release will be the removal of the hard coded 30m accuracy.

BTW, being all the Galaxy S variants (CDMA/GSM) seems to have GPS issues makes me believe that the GPS problem lies with the antenna in some way. I say this because the GSM version uses a different chip for GPS versus the CDMA version, but they both still have GPS bugs... Out side of the antenna, what else might they have in common with each other if they're using different chips? It sure can't be the GPS driver because they're different chips and software to read the GPS data can't be hard to write since GPS has been around for over a decade to the general public. Not only that, not everyone's GPS is broken to the point where it's not usable at all; some even work eough to use it for navigation in a car. Some just puts the user a block or more away from their true location and others can't pick up a sat to save their life. If it was software, people would be having the same problem, but if the GPS antenna is marginal, it explains everything.

I have similar concerns about samsung & their GPS problem and your theory seems plausible except they've also had the GPS issue with the samsung moment. They didn't bother to fix it then or couldn't or didn't know about it. but it seems to persist till now.

I get to upgrade in January and this phone is currently at the top of my list with 2 caveats. 1.) whether samsung have the GPS problem truly fixed with the release of froyo. 2.) whether sprint gets other kewl android phones that have similar specs.

**boomerbubba** · 11-08-2010, 07:15 AM

Originally Posted by crabjoe

I hope I'm wrong on this but I don't think Samsung can fix the GPS with any software at this point. I say this because the the International Galaxy S, which started getting Froyo last week, still has GPS problems w/Froyo. I think the only fix Samsung has with the Epic Froyo release will be the removal of the hard coded 30m accuracy.

BTW, being all the Galaxy S variants (CDMA/GSM) seems to have GPS issues makes me believe that the GPS problem lies with the antenna in some way. I say this because the GSM version uses a different chip for GPS versus the CDMA version, but they both still have GPS bugs... Out side of the antenna, what else might they have in common with each other if they're using different chips? It sure can't be the GPS driver because they're different chips and software to read the GPS data can't be hard to write since GPS has been around for over a decade to the general public. Not only that, not everyone's GPS is broken to the point where it's not usable at all; some even work eough to use it for navigation in a car. Some just puts the user a block or more away from their true location and others can't pick up a sat to save their life. If it was software, people would be having the same problem, but if the GPS antenna is marginal, it explains everything.

It's not useful to extrapolate from GPS issues on the international Galaxy S (or the Captivate or Vibrant) to the Epic 4G because the Epic is basically a different device GPS-wise from those GSM phones. It has a completely different GPS chipset, different GPS firmware, and different GPS bugs. The only thing in common is Samsung's general level of competence -- they managed to foul up two different GPS designs in two different ways.

As for the antenna, I doubt that even that is the same because the form factor on the Epic is different. And just a weak signal cannot possibly explain all the symptoms of the bugs on the Epic. It has been well established that the satellite locking problems are dependent on faulty refresh of the time-sensitive GPS cache. When the cache is forcibly refreshed, the locking problem stops. If there is a signal-sensitivity problem on the Epic, it is just an aggravating factor. Theoretically it might affect accuracy in tracking, but that accuracy is really pretty good, once the locking problem is overcome.

**Andrew Ruffolo** · 11-08-2010, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by boomerbubba

It's not useful to extrapolate from GPS issues on the international Galaxy S (or the Captivate or Vibrant) to the Epic 4G because the Epic is basically a different device GPS-wise from those GSM phones. It has a completely different GPS chipset, different GPS firmware, and different GPS bugs. The only thing in common is Samsung's general level of competence -- they managed to foul up two different GPS designs in two different ways.

As for the antenna, I doubt that even that is the same because the form factor on the Epic is different. And just a weak signal cannot possibly explain all the symptoms of the bugs on the Epic. It has been well established that the satellite locking problems are dependent on faulty refresh of the time-sensitive GPS cache. When the cache is forcibly refreshed, the locking problem stops. If there is a signal-sensitivity problem on the Epic, it is just an aggravating factor. Theoretically it might affect accuracy in tracking, but that accuracy is really pretty good, once the locking problem is overcome.

2 Epics... not a single GPS issue indoors or out. Its a hit or miss thing with the Epic. Mine always gets a lock. Not always immediately, but definitely in a reasonable amount of time. I can't compare to my Hero, because its not activated, so it has to run on wifi, which gets a lock automatically much quicker by IP address. But one thing I don't miss is the navigation telling me I'm on roads that I'm not on. Happened all the time with the Hero, hasn't happened yet with the Epic. Also, line of sight is worse with the epic since i usually lay it on the passenger seat while I made a windshield mount for my Hero. For me, GPS is not an issue. Sucks if you do have them though.

**fortemusic** · 11-08-2010, 04:43 PM

So frustrating, I love my Epic but it seems that the Nexus will be getting 2.3 very soon and HTC is on their game so the Evo should be getting this also, we don't even have 2.2. I love this phone but Samsung sucks at this.

**TheHostileGamer** · 11-08-2010, 07:24 PM

Ya, I kinda wished I would have gotten an EVO. This sucks that I'm now TWO generations behind the newest & yet the phone was priced like a high end phone. Samsung don't care about their products? Or do they care too much about future products?