GPS performance after update

[cb2367]

Now that I have finally received the firmware update, I've been testing out the GPS to see if it works any better. Before, I used to only have the 'use GPS satellites' option checked and in Google Maps, I always got a message indicating my location was temporarily unavailable. In discussing this with both Sprint and Samsung, they seemed to move the focus off of Google Maps and onto Sprint Navigation. Sprint in particular never really helped out because they would always say that Google Maps was a third party application even though it was already on the phone. Turning on 'use wireless networks' did help get a location, however, the accuracy was always anywhere from 1700-2300 meters.

I have since tested the GPS using Google Maps after having applied the firmware update. Using just GPS satellites, I am still getting the 'location temporarily unavailable' message and the accuracy never goes below 30 meters. When I turn on 'use wireless networks' the accuracy is at 1700 meters and takes a few minutes to get a more accurate location.

With Sprint Navigation, the map took several minutes before it even displayed a map, and then when it did display a map, it wasn't even accurate. Several minutes later, the map reloaded and showed a correct location.

While the firmware update was being rolled out in stages, I had the opportunity to speak with Samsung support, and they basically said that the GPS enhancements included in 2.2 will just give the "illusion" that the GPS is working better.

I recall seeing somewhere that even the 30 meter accuracy was a bug and that some people have reported getting a much lower accuracy. Should I always have wireless networks and GPS satellites enabled? Is the accuracy of the GPS in Google Maps supposed to be less than 30 meters?

 

[lafountain]

When I was on DI18, my GPS was showing an accuracy of 30m and when I would use runkeeper, my routes were jumpy (showing me running through houses or on the next street). Since moving up to both EB13 and now EC05, accuracy shows at 1m sometimes, but 2m is standard for me now and my routes are dead on when it comes to my runs.

So to me, I can see the results, and that would not be an illusion to me.

I have both enabled all the time and Google Maps gets me to 2m outdoors and 4m inside my house.

 

[mouseglider]

Now that I have finally received the firmware update, I've been testing out the GPS to see if it works any better. Before, I used to only have the 'use GPS satellites' option checked and in Google Maps, I always got a message indicating my location was temporarily unavailable. In discussing this with both Sprint and Samsung, they seemed to move the focus off of Google Maps and onto Sprint Navigation. Sprint in particular never really helped out because they would always say that Google Maps was a third party application even though it was already on the phone. Turning on 'use wireless networks' did help get a location, however, the accuracy was always anywhere from 1700-2300 meters.

I have since tested the GPS using Google Maps after having applied the firmware update. Using just GPS satellites, I am still getting the 'location temporarily unavailable' message and the accuracy never goes below 30 meters. When I turn on 'use wireless networks' the accuracy is at 1700 meters and takes a few minutes to get a more accurate location.

With Sprint Navigation, the map took several minutes before it even displayed a map, and then when it did display a map, it wasn't even accurate. Several minutes later, the map reloaded and showed a correct location.

While the firmware update was being rolled out in stages, I had the opportunity to speak with Samsung support, and they basically said that the GPS enhancements included in 2.2 will just give the "illusion" that the GPS is working better.

I recall seeing somewhere that even the 30 meter accuracy was a bug and that some people have reported getting a much lower accuracy. Should I always have wireless networks and GPS satellites enabled? Is the accuracy of the GPS in Google Maps supposed to be less than 30 meters?

I always have my wireless networks and gps checked - and the froyo 2.2.1 fixed the hard coded bug of 30meter/98.4ft bug - so basically the Samsung tech was correct, the illusion is gone so to speak because now the rather than always saying you are within 30meter/98.4ft, it simply states more accurately how close or far you are off.

I also found that if my wifi is connected I have a hard time getting gps to connect. I have read somewhere that the different radios conflict with each other. I believe this to be true because I have tested this and can duplicate my findings.

 

[Aero]

the original had several bugs. the main one had to due with older GPS assistance data not being removed from cache. this appear to have been fixed on EB13 but may have reappeared with EC05..
The incorrect 30 meters accuracy was placed in by samsung in the original firmware because several programs will not work without a fix of 30 meters or less. IE not so much a bug but a cheat.