Supposedly Froyo on the Epic 4G

[androidpirate]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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?

 

[chrisngrod]

This phone unfortunately didn't generate as many sales as I believe they thought it might. However when I program new phones over to Cricket (yes I flash a bunch of Android phones to Cricket) I realize how much a keyboard comes in handy.

Swipe is awesome sometimes, but when you have to typing in number/letter/symbol combinations, I still think it's a PITA.

So now I have another Epic sitting in front of me that still has the 4g working even though the account has been terminated. To change over and have 4g with Cricket or not. So many choices.

 

[rogeratm]

EVO vs Epic

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?

I agree with your comment about the EVO. I also wish I had opted for that one. I rarely use the keyboard on the Epic because I generally just speak what I want typed and there it is. I think the EVO also has a higher resolution camera but not sure if it is better than the EVO. I honestly don't know of any reason for the Epic keyboard on an Android phone.

I want FROYO and it certainly doesn't look like Samsung has their act together for this. This is also my reason for not jumping on the Samsung Tab. I'll wait and see what else comes along from another vendor.

 

[scheets973]

You guys really need to stop. The phone might of been over priced, and the keyboard may not be NESSASARY. However, I enjoy the option, and you pay what the market will bear. The Gps in terms of my navigation works fine, tracks me and keeps me on route when my garmin does not function. The game graphics, and video color is far supperior to the evo. I understand your concerns but don't feel like you made a poor choice; you did not.

 

[Andrew Ruffolo]

I agree with your comment about the EVO. I also wish I had opted for that one. I rarely use the keyboard on the Epic because I generally just speak what I want typed and there it is. I think the EVO also has a higher resolution camera but not sure if it is better than the EVO. I honestly don't know of any reason for the Epic keyboard on an Android phone.

I want FROYO and it certainly doesn't look like Samsung has their act together for this. This is also my reason for not jumping on the Samsung Tab. I'll wait and see what else comes along from another vendor.

Have you TRIED the leak? It works JUST FINE! They aren't that far behind, phone runs great with 2.2. Plus, the additional options of TouchWiz 3.0 are definitely welcome.

 

[rando991]

I agree, I love the Epic. I use the GPS all the time for navigation and golf and it holds up pretty well with my dedicated golf GPS as far accuracy goes (at least with cell data enabled...I'm within 1 yard) and with GPS Status and Toolbox, I never have to wait long for lock on. The keyboard is awesome for urls and emails, passwords and such, even though I prefer Swype for Texting and GTalk.

 

[rando991]

I can also wait for Froyo when it is pushed.

 

[shaundizzle]

i dont think im gonna wait for froyo to be pushed since im on a rooted epic and derooting it i think would be more of a hastle then flashing a rom.

and not to mention the devs will probably have a nice stable version before samsung. hopefully!

 

[marioc]

i dont think im gonna wait for froyo to be pushed since im on a rooted epic and derooting it i think would be more of a hastle then flashing a rom.

and not to mention the devs will probably have a nice stable version before samsung. hopefully!

Running the new v.4.2 of the beta. Must say it works pretty well. Only one issue so far. If you use stock launcher, the phone dialer icon doesn't seem to work. You have to go into the app drawer and find the TW phone dialer. Not a big deal, but hopefully fixed in a future update.

 

[Butters3605]

Can you get to the phone using the Google search bar?