Why did Verizon remove Google & Replace it with Bing?!

[coolkatz321]

I have to agree with you on this. I am blown away by all the hateful comments about this phone just because Bing is on it. If you don't like Bing then don't use it and remove the widget so you don't see it. Go to the Browser and search using Google. That is what I do know on my BB so it really won't be any different.

A few more hours and I will have my Fascinate delivered. Can't wait to start playing with it.

I don't think it's so much hating on Bing as it is hating on Verizon for not giving customers a choice. If you want to pre-install Bing on the phone, fine, but at least allow customers to switch over if they choose to.

 

[Mobius360]

I recently got an Android phone after being a long time windows mobile user and my experience with Bing was fairly good.

 

[mickey jones]

I wonder if people would accept buying a computer than wouldn't allow certain software to be installed in an attempt to eliminate competition. Or and ISP saying you couldn't go to certain sites. I wouldn't. The only thing saving this phone is the likely rooting.

It doesn't matter if Bing is horrible, ok, or great. Irrelevant.

And don't underestimate the ability of the 'geek' community to influence the buying decisions of the public-at-large.

 

[miltk]

verizon has to be stopped with this nonsense. i hope the fascinate fails miserably in sales. the demographic that populates boards like this will care, but verizon is betting on most people bot caring at all.

i think the only thing to do is to NOT BUY the fascinate, or better yet go to a store to buy and fake surprise at bing and don't buy because of it. word eventually gets back to V.

 

[TreyDaPrince]

Well I think this says it all.

Debunk: Bing not replacing Google on all Verizon Android devices -- Engadget

This is exactly why I'm passing on this phone. Verizon could care less about this phone and I bet you the only reason why its getting hype on the MTV awards is because Samsung would be pissed to see all the other carriers going all out for this phone and Verizon is just like ehhhh. Shame on you Verizon. Given this information, I would not be surprised if Verizon held off on the upgrades for this phone seeing how they look at it as a low-mid grade "multi-media" phone.

 

[gspeed]

Google search has been resolved through lp and non stock browser.

The phone is still great. I apologize for our previous encounter TreyDaPrince, but this phone is still pretty great,

 

[Ivisi]

Don't know if this has been posted elsewhere, but there's been an official statement by Verizon on Bing and the Samsung Fascinate:

Verizon: Google Search optional for Fascinate on Android 2.2 | Electronista

If you take this as truth (and I will remain an optimistic skeptical believer on this one), then Bing on the search button should be short-lived and changeable as soon as 2.2 drops for this phone. That is, for you people who don't want to root/rom your phones.

Google search has been such an 'assumption' for Google through 2.1, it's very possible that they never anticipated a need to offer it through the market for any phone pre-2.2. With the change in carrier's additions to the phone after release from Google, they may have realized that they would have to add it to the Market, and made it available for 2.2 only. (This is PURE speculation, and could use some confirmation from someone on Verizon on a 2.1 phone that is NOT a Fascinate to see if it's even plausible).

 

[F34R]

BS, they are blocking google search, plain and simple.

 

[will i am]

you can still get google search easy takes 2 mins

 

[seanatsb]

verizon has to be stopped with this nonsense. i hope the fascinate fails miserably in sales. the demographic that populates boards like this will care, but verizon is betting on most people bot caring at all.

i think the only thing to do is to NOT BUY the fascinate, or better yet go to a store to buy and fake surprise at bing and don't buy because of it. word eventually gets back to V.

At least some of the sales people at verizon stores are aware of the disdain towards Bing. I was looking at the fascinate and the rep told me about Bing being the default search. When i expressed my disappointment, she immediately told me they're trying to find a way to replace Bing with Google, I'm sure just trying to appease me, but the point is, the sales people know customers aren't happy with the choice.

 

[TreyDaPrince]

Google search has been resolved through lp and non stock browser.

The phone is still great. I apologize for our previous encounter TreyDaPrince, but this phone is still pretty great,

Hey man, its all good. Without a doubt I think this is a great phone. What's scary is though, it could have/could be greater if Verizon didn't screw the pooch on this one.

 

[keilflex]

j

well, not to sound bad but i tried bing on my girls x and its actually a cool app. despite the extreme google supporter that i am. the way i see it we gotta start joining up with other crews eventually. at least the app isnt a piece of ----. so idk.

 

[Skizzle_Dizzle9]

hopefully this is true...

MobileBurn: Verizon: Google search landing on Samsung Fascinate in Android 2.2 Froyo update

 

[Froalskiner#WN]

hopefully this is true...

MobileBurn: Verizon: Google search landing on Samsung Fascinate in Android 2.2 Froyo update

Hopefully. The hacked Google search with Launcher pro is terrible.

 

[wtherrell]

This worked for me--I think

Here is what I did. Not rooted. I did not side load the files referred to at all.
I loaded Launcher Pro Plus. Put google search widget on home screen.
Downloaded Dolphin HD and made it my default browser. Searched using the google search widget on the home screen by typing in search term. Immediately it went to Google website search. Thereafter, now when I tap the search key (one of the 4 soft buttons at bottom of phone) the search box comes up and when I type in the search term and tap search, it goes immediately to google. (Google maps and Nav. also installed but not running at the time of the search. ) No bing in sight for results or anything.
It is not rerouting through bing at all. Is this not the desired outcome? Am I missing something?
This is a lot less complicated than sideloading the file and all. Why does this not work for everyone. Do I have different version of software or an update? My firmware version is 2.1-update1

 

[wtherrell]

No longer works after Verizon's OTA update.

Here is what I did. Not rooted. I did not side load the files referred to at all.
I loaded Launcher Pro Plus. Put google search widget on home screen.
Downloaded Dolphin HD and made it my default browser. Searched using the google search widget on the home screen by typing in search term. Immediately it went to Google website search. Thereafter, now when I tap the search key (one of the 4 soft buttons at bottom of phone) the search box comes up and when I type in the search term and tap search, it goes immediately to google. (Google maps and Nav. also installed but not running at the time of the search. ) No bing in sight for results or anything.
It is not rerouting through bing at all. Is this not the desired outcome? Am I missing something?
This is a lot less complicated than sideloading the file and all. Why does this not work for everyone. Do I have different version of software or an update? My firmware version is 2.1-update1

Pardon me for quoting myself but:
Well, after the Verizon OTA update from DH12 to DI01 the above no longer works. I guess I have three choices now.
1. Just pull up Dolphin HD and set google.com search as a favorite or home page. Use this work-around until FroYo gets here.

2. Try the method of side loading the .apk files for google enhanced search posted elsewhere.

3. Take the plunge and root. I kinda want to wait and root when some good custom ROMs come out of the oven.

 

[techdude7]

Hello just my quick two cents. I wanted to mentioned to Wtherrell that you can still have the browser search button still go to google even after the update.start the browser it will probably go to verizon website but then type google.com and hit star and select it as a bookmark. Afterwards go to your bookmarks and hold the bookmarked google site for a sec a list menu will pop up. scroll down and at the bottom is the option set as homepage. No more verizon as homepage when you start brower (softkey) on the screen. It goes to the google search page. Hope this helps

 

[wtherrell]

Hello just my quick two cents. I wanted to mentioned to Wtherrell that you can still have the browser search button still go to google even after the update.start the browser it will probably go to verizon website but then type google.com and hit star and select it as a bookmark. Afterwards go to your bookmarks and hold the bookmarked google site for a sec a list menu will pop up. scroll down and at the bottom is the option set as homepage. No more verizon as homepage when you start brower (softkey) on the screen. It goes to the google search page. Hope this helps

Thanks, that works fine. I also side loaded and installed the apk file (My choice #2 above.) Happy again. search key now takes me to google as well.

 

[onixblack]

 

[crazyfool287]

If you are rooted and want to have google and Touch Wiz on your Fascinate, you can try this:

http://forum.androidcentral.com/fascinate-roms-hacks/40216-switching-touch-wiz-launchers.html

Basic run through: I rooted my phone, de-binged it (and other bloatware), then I used the google.apk and installed it via astro, after that I followed the instructions in the link above.

I'm pretty sure those were my steps. You may not have to do all that. Someone makes mention of having google in the above links post. So they, or others, may have a better explanation of what they did to achieve this.

I have included some pics.
View attachment 4043

View attachment 4044

Edit:

This is the link that actually explains the google situation: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=810027
It's built into the vibrant TW launcher.