Verizon to release Major Software Update

[anon(238680)]

Well, sure but they [Verizon] were already getting that weren't they? The 'caller ID feature' that I think you are referring to has been around for years. I gathered from this discussion that this Caller ID app was new.

They have had caller ID for contacts you had in the phone, not for outside calls. And yes, this is a new "feature" for your paying enjoyment. If you check your VerizonWireless account you should see this added and, if you haven't done anything, most likely you will be signed up.

 

[bontjes]

Thanks bontjes. It doesn't look like I had ever installed that app. If you happen on any more info or if your problem returns, please keep us posted

This whole slow-4G-with-3-bars-or-less problem sucks!

Will do. Yes the slowness definitely sucks.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[bontjes]

The OTA update screwed my GS3 too. 4G service won't work unless in a very high powered signal area. 3G also drops out. So I'm left with terrible data service. I've been to the VZ corporate store a couple of times and am getting another phone shipped to me. However, I really think that VZ should give the affected people an opportunity to buy the GS4 for $150 or so. I had a relatively new phone that worked fine until VZ konked it. I didn't do it. Now it seems that they want to possibly send me a refurb or some type. Meaning that the replacement phone had problems and they hope they fixed them. My phone dind't have any problems until they "fixed" it. Offering a current model phone as an option for a reasonable discount price seems fair to me. Why do I want something that has a history of not performing?

Anyway, I wanted to post that they will replace the phone. I hope that if enough people howl a bit we can get the replacement policy changed to include the upgrade option. Another factor for me is that I'm on the old Unlimited Data plan so another upgrade through VZ is not going to happen. It seemed to be a good opportunity to move up.

I guess, for me anyway... Replacing the unit would be fine. I would prefer a brand new GS3 but I understand why it doesn't work that way.

I ditched the unlimited data on day one last year. Yeah it left a bad taste in my mouth over it, but hey... I'm willing to pay for good service.

With that said I expect good service. I expect them to try each time I call with a problem and try to keep my business. I think that is sometimes lost with big companies like Verizon. I want them to earn my continued support and my respect.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[bontjes]

Could this new Caller ID app have anything to do with the news story about how the U.S. National Security Agency has been collecting the telephone records of millions of U.S. customers of Verizon under a top secret court order? Sounds like the plot for a movie but there are a bunch of news stories about this yesterday and today. Maybe the Caller ID app assists in collecting cell phone call records, mining the data for the NSA? Inquiring minds like to know...is it 1984?

Sorry, didn't mean to start an off topic discussion on this but I was just curious what is it that Verizon gets out of having this new Caller ID app, what is it's purpose? If it was some hastily added feature for last minute compliance with some government requirement, maybe that is why it isn't playing nice with our S3s...it wasn't well engineered or well written (from a programming viewpoint).

I'm sure that on the eyes of Verizon... Adding a new feature or application is supposed to seem to us... That they want good applications on the phone?

Posted via Android Central App

 

[bontjes]

I wanted to share a post that I left on Verizon's forms.

Copied from https://community.verizonwireless.com/message/966932

Problem - resolved?

I have done nearly one day of testing and I think I have found a resolution to this problem. Unfortunately, Verizon is probably not going to like the fix. For my phone - it was removing the Caller ID application that Verizon snuck onto my phone with the update.

Thanks to a poster from Android Central I read through his suggestions and was able to fix ALL my problems with my phone.

To review. I updated my phone a week ago and immediately was having troubles with my data connection. I went from a decent 4G signal at work and at home to a 3G signal. When I would try to send a picture message it wouldn't send and I would find myself without any data connection at all. Unfortunately, this was intermittent at best. The other problems I noticed were that my data connection was at the slowest speed I had ever seen on a smartphone. And I mean slow. I have screenshots to prove it. I was not even getting 1kb down on 4G. Another problem that was persistent, was that when my wifi was active the data connection (4G/3G) was active the entire time. This didn't bother me much, but it did concern me because I was worried about battery life.

I started dropping calls and getting notifications that my text or picture message couldn't be sent. My only solution at that time was to reboot my phone. So, on Thursday last week I called Verizon and asked if they were experiencing any network troubles in my area - they were not. I knew that in order to troubleshoot I was going to need to call in from a phone other than my cell phone. So, instead I decided to go to an actual Verizon Wireless store.

While there, the lady kind of looked at me funny, pulled the battery from my phone and rebooted it. Once it was up and running I was back on 4G. I told her that I was not confident that the fix was going to last because I had tried this prior to going into the store.

Later that afternoon I suddenly started experiencing the same exact problem. I knew that Verizon was going to want me to do a factory reset; very hesitantly I decided to give it a try. I spent several hours trying to restore my phone back to my personal customization but noticed the problems continuing.

On Friday I called Verizon and was recommended to try a new SIM card. I was able to survive the weekend and on Monday I went to Verizon and had them replace the card.

Monday night, again at no surprise, I was still experiencing the exact same problems. Although, I have to admit I was feeling rather confident this time. On Tuesday night I decided to call Verizon again and ask them for another solution. The lady was very friendly and sent in a Network Ticket to see if the local network was experiencing any troubles. And so I'm to wait for a few days.

Well, instead of waiting I decided to read through the forms on Android Central. There I found that dozens, if not hundreds of people claim that they were experiencing all the same problems. One user suggested a solution.

Up until this point, because I was having a difficult time with sending a basic text message I had downloaded the Verizon Wireless text messaging application from the Google Play Market. I must say - that was a bad idea. I'm sure that application is great for some, but was incredibly basic and clunky. I felt like I was back on my old LG flip phone in 2007.

Anyway, the recommendation was to go into the new Caller ID application that Verizon snuck in on the update last week. I turned off the free trial period and then within that application I selected - remove from phone. Afterwards, I decided to remove the Verizon Wireless text messaging application as well.

I rebooted and BAM! My phone is back to it's normal self. I couldn't be happier.

I literally went from the best phone of my life prior to the update to feeling like I was back on my HTC Thunderbolt again (not my greatest experience). My phone was less responsive, the battery drained much faster and the data speeds were so bad that I thought for sure the local network was down. My phone went from being the best to the worst.

After I uninstalled both of those applications my phone is literally back to it's normal self. At least, for the past 24 hours or so. The Samsung Galaxy S 3 is the best phone I've ever had ... I can't believe how one application that Verizon forced down my throat could cause all those problems. I highly suggest removing anything that Verizon Wireless has to offer in terms of applications.

Verizon Wireless may be a big company that knows how to make money hand over fist all while having a very good 4G network, but when it comes to applications it should either reconsider the developers or put real money into them and put quality over quantity.

Good luck to you all. For me...I'm back to normal.

Well,

I spoke to quick. I had roughly 44 hours of normal phone use and now I'm back to square one again.

Literally.

I tried sending a picture message (something I did a lot of over the past 44 hours). The first one sent like normal. Then I sent a picture message to two people at the same time and got the error that said my message couldn't be sent. After that I couldn't send ANY message. I turned off my wifi to find that I had no data connection at all.

I rebooted and still no data connection at all. I waited five minutes. Then did a battery pull and sim card pull and waited five minutes before starting out up again. Still no data at all. I have all bars at home.. Normally three max.

Had to go on wifi to even send this.

So frustrated with Verizon.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Bob Dudek]

Actually I find that feature @ 2.99 really useful.. Esp. in a business enviorment..

Guess depends on what one's needs are ..

 

[cameronmangast]

I just spoke with Verizon, and they told me they are now aware of the issue and have contact Samsung. "Samsung is working on a solution but Verizon does not have an estimate time for a fix".

 

[Redx]

I just spoke with Verizon, and they told me they are now aware of the issue and have contact Samsung. "Samsung is working on a solution but Verizon does not have an estimate time for a fix".

That person says that but I'm sure others will deny any problems lol. I hope a fix is soon

 

[bontjes]

That person says that but I'm sure others will deny any problems lol. I hope a fix is soon

Trust me - I've made them more than aware of the problem! i wouldn't be surprised if a few others have as well - specially those in this post.

 

[sixty_four]

Well,

I spoke to quick. I had roughly 44 hours of normal phone use and now I'm back to square one again.

...snip...

That sucks bud. I can only hope that someone at Verizon, Samsung or both are working on this.

 

[sixty_four]

Actually I find that feature @ 2.99 really useful.. Esp. in a business enviorment..

Guess depends on what one's needs are ..

Why should Verizon presume to know what "one's needs are"?

 

[anon(749368)]

Going over these posts I could not but notice how people were so excited in the first posts about the update only tons our as it became clear Verizon screwed up.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[anon(749368)]

The more I read about this issue the happier I am I got a replacement. My original SG3, only one month old became slower than my old HTC Design. I tried to root but failed and had to flash a 4.0 on it to get it to work (I had gotten the "software not approved by Verizon..." message). So once I got my replacement, it asked to be updated but I deferred until I got home and rooted, this time successfully and now I don't get the stupid update pushed to my phone. As someone else posted here, if all who experienced problems because of the update would ask for a replacement, maybe Verizon would actually do something about it. So what is the replacement is refurbished, it is factory refurbished so is like new.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[tarheelfan627]

I had my 2012 Ford Edge since july of 2012 and had my Samsung Galaxy S3 since that time. My bluetooth worked just fine up until an update that Verizon pushed on 5-29-13 and since that time, my phone pairs with SYNC but my bluetooth audio will no longer connect? I cannot find an answer on how to fix this? Is there an app or is there anyone else who is having the same issue? I used to use this feature so much that without it I am lost. I need help please!

 

[bontjes]

I just spoke with Verizon, and they told me they are now aware of the issue and have contact Samsung. "Samsung is working on a solution but Verizon does not have an estimate time for a fix".

I'm surprised. Do you think they were being truthful?

Posted via Android Central App

 

[TheAutoMomma]

Name Caller ID=
This is a free service for a short period of time and then you will be charged a monthly fee for this service. If you don't want the service you need to uninstall it from your phone and I went to my account on My Verizon and opted out. I never opted in to start with but My Verizon showed it that way. Maybe VZW does not know anything about it cause they want you to keep the service. They do get more money out of it each month if you keep it.

Yeah, that's what I did, and it was fine. I was upset because I never opted in, and didn't appreciate being signed up for something that I didn't want or ask for that would ultimately cost me money.

Sent from my VZW Galaxy S3... For now

 

[Rockbeast]

I had my 2012 Ford Edge since july of 2012 and had my Samsung Galaxy S3 since that time. My bluetooth worked just fine up until an update that Verizon pushed on 5-29-13 and since that time, my phone pairs with SYNC but my bluetooth audio will no longer connect? I cannot find an answer on how to fix this? Is there an app or is there anyone else who is having the same issue? I used to use this feature so much that without it I am lost. I need help please!

Last week I had a Ford C-Max as a rental. I tried to sync my Verizon S3 and got a similar result...it paired, but there was no audio coming though. I was hoping to use Google Maps Navigation voice prompting (driving the traffic around NYC, loud and quick instructions are vital!). Since it was only a rental, and I don't have SYNC in my own vehicle back home (not a Ford), I just assumed I did something wrong...maybe it wasn't me? George Castanza, it must be you!

 

[aaCharley]

The more I read about this issue the happier I am I got a replacement. My original SG3, only one month old became slower than my old HTC Design. I tried to root but failed and had to flash a 4.0 on it to get it to work (I had gotten the "software not approved by Verizon..." message). So once I got my replacement, it asked to be updated but I deferred until I got home and rooted, this time successfully and now I don't get the stupid update pushed to my phone. As someone else posted here, if all who experienced problems because of the update would ask for a replacement, maybe Verizon would actually do something about it. So what is the replacement is refurbished, it is factory refurbished so is like new.
Posted via Android Central App

I have a SG3 that was whacked by the factory update. I got it NEW from Verizon and paid the price plus extended a contract. There were many of the NEW GS3 phones which had problems, maybe better than most rollouts of new phones but still some problems. Was I a bit lucky in that mine was trouble free? So, now I get a Certified Like New replacement phone. Who knows why it was returned to VZ. It only carries a 90 day warranty so hope all problems show up within that period.

I just received the replacement phone.. I have not tried to do anything with it yet so it is still as "pure" as it was when someone supposedly certified it. Was that the same team of turkeys which certified the new software that VZ just stuck me with?

I think I will take both phones to the VZ corporate store and ask for the cash back on the original phone. That is the full price cash back as I'm still signed up on the extended term phone plan. Then I can take the cash and get the GS4. Verizon screwed my perfectly good phone that had been used for about six months. I did not do anything to cause it. Cash will cure their mistake. Probably won't get very far but I sure don't want to get someone's problem phone passed off to me.

 

[rushmore]

OP, to the title, please add "Sucky" in between Major and Software. Oh, and change to ?released".

Thanks!

 

[sardar615]

I don't want to jinx it but I am not sure if anyone else has noticed that today is a better day. The phone is more responsive, better signal (stong 4G, four bars in the office, where I was getting 1 or none yesterday....and signal strength is -96dBm, 44 asu...), and feels like it is getting back normal...I didn't do anything to the device, except request a replacement device.....So I wonder if anyone else is seeing this improvement...