I had (fairly recently) bought a seimens sx56 which I used mostly just for keeping track of my schedule, but I used some other features too. I was very dissapointed when I found out I could not connect it to my wireless router for internet and missed out on those features. The other day, however I cracked the screen making it completely unusable!!
I now need to replace it. I want to get something that can take a sim card (I have tmobile, but unlocked is better for freedom), have wifi built in (or can use the cf memory card w/ wifi that I mistakenly bought thinking it would fit the sx56), and I dont currently use bluetooth, but I am guessing I will eventually need it for something. I would prefer a stronger processor to run anything I might want in the future (I am a live sound engineer and as programs come out for helping me in my field it would prove useful), but my main restraint is money! I would like to spend $200-$300 absolute MAX, and dont mind buying a used product in good condition.
It should work with Tmobile USA (I think that is 1900mhz, not sure) and have a good battery life as I will likely be using it as my main cell phone.
What would anybody recommend in my price range (remember, used is ok!)
Thanks
Also is anybody interested in buying a sx-56 with a cracked screen? Make any offer!
Thanks again -- AshayinFLA
It's time we band together to file some neccessary complaints against Samsung until they either:
1. Give us a full refund so we can buy an out-of-contract smart phone through our provider.
2. Provide us with the same phone or a software update IMMEDIATELY that makes GPS work
There are no other options. What Samsung is doing is fraudulent and illegal. You cannot advertise a product with a feature it does not have. We were lied to and charged for a device under false pretenses. It's completely illegal and there should be some sort of restitution. It's not like we're asking for something it didn't have or we're asking for better performance...we're simply asking for a major major feature that is on most/all high-end phones and, more importantly, a feature it's advertised to have...
So we ALL need to take 15 - 20 minutes out of day to file complaints until someone takes notice.
1. The Better Business Bureau - http://www.bbb.org/us/ Go through the process, choose the HQ in Texas with the COMPLAINT in the title.
2. Samsung directly - This seems to fall on deaf ears but I think if a few hundred or a thousand people keep complaining...someone will notice a pattern.
3. The FTC - https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en
4. The Attorney General of Texas (HQ for Samsung) - https://www.oag.state.tx.us/consumer/complain.shtml
5. AT&T or your provider - File on site and over the phone
6. Submit it to CNN - http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form11b.html and any other news site that will listen.
I'm not trying to be some complaining jerk but it's been months since this issue has been known about and we still have no fix. I am pissed because I use GPS all the time and I now have to carry a 2nd device...my 2-year old G1 or a dedicated device. LUDICROUS.
There is strength in numbers so please file some complaints...we paid for these phones and we deserve a fully functional device.
/drama
You might be ok getting ripped off. I'm not. And if you are ok with it, I've got a bunch of stuff I'd like to sell you. You can buy my Audi A8, it doesn't have an engine but I still want full asking price as if it had an engine. I've got a rolex I'll sell ya for $5k, except it's a fake and it doesn't keep the correct time...but I still want the price as if it worked.
I'm not ok with getting lied to, indirectly, or buying a broken product. It's not like it's $10 shirt I can return because it's missing a button (although, if you couldn't return a new shirt because it was damaged...I bet you'd be upset about that, no?)...it's a $400++ phone that does not work.
What functions would you be ok with not working? What if the wifi didn't work? Then complain? No?
It's a broken product, bottom line.
Did you do your research about the phone before you bought it? Did you not read that there were GPS issues? Did you buy it anyway?
Yes, you did buy it, and probaby didn't do the research. A company's worst nightmare is an educated consumer. Someone that they can't rip off. You fell into Samsungs trap and now you feel unhappy and lied to. When I got this phone I knew the GPS didn't work. I did my research. But it wasn't a deal breaker for me. I have GPS built in to my car, and I have a few other Garmin Nuvi's laying around the house.
Don't complain about the phone, just sell it, try and get some of your money back, and buy something that works for you. There are plenty of options out there. Just don't come in the forums and try to bash a phone that many of us love.
I just sent Samsung an e-mail through their web form. Jerks.
miztaken1312 said:
Did you do your research about the phone before you bought it? Did you not read that there were GPS issues? Did you buy it anyway?
Yes, you did buy it, and probaby didn't do the research. A company's worst nightmare is an educated consumer. Someone that they can't rip off. You fell into Samsungs trap and now you feel unhappy and lied to. When I got this phone I knew the GPS didn't work. I did my research. But it wasn't a deal breaker for me. I have GPS built in to my car, and I have a few other Garmin Nuvi's laying around the house.
Don't complain about the phone, just sell it, try and get some of your money back, and buy something that works for you. There are plenty of options out there. Just don't come in the forums and try to bash a phone that many of us love.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol. So wait, you paid full price for a phone with a "feature" that you knew didn't work? And that makes you educated? Wat.
I have NO CLUE why you're OK with a company advertising a feature that does not exist...yet you still bought it. http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones/SGH-I897ZKAATT-features Check the list...GPS...does it have GPS? No.
I did research on it, but, like everyone else, figured it would be fixed quickly with a software fix since I couldn't fathom a company as large as Samsung advertising something that blatantly didn't work.
Bottom line is the phone is great but it does NOT HAVE GPS...like it's advertised to have. Therefore, I cannot use MyTracks, GPS, Google Maps, Waze or any other feature that requires GPS. Therefore, I should get a refund for a full new phone out of contract.
I still can't believe you're OK with buying a separate device for something your phone is supposed to have...lol...yea corporate America...we're so insecure that we don't mind getting ripped off anymore.
USA! USA! USA! lulz.
I Agree
Drew489 said:
It's time we band together to file some neccessary complaints against Samsung until they either:
1. Give us a full refund so we can buy an out-of-contract smart phone through our provider.
2. Provide us with the same phone or a software update IMMEDIATELY that makes GPS work
There are no other options. What Samsung is doing is fraudulent and illegal. You cannot advertise a product with a feature it does not have. We were lied to and charged for a device under false pretenses. It's completely illegal and there should be some sort of restitution. It's not like we're asking for something it didn't have or we're asking for better performance...we're simply asking for a major major feature that is on most/all high-end phones and, more importantly, a feature it's advertised to have...
So we ALL need to take 15 - 20 minutes out of day to file complaints until someone takes notice.
1. The Better Business Bureau - http://www.bbb.org/us/ Go through the process, choose the HQ in Texas with the COMPLAINT in the title.
2. Samsung directly - This seems to fall on deaf ears but I think if a few hundred or a thousand people keep complaining...someone will notice a pattern.
3. The FTC - https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en
4. The Attorney General of Texas (HQ for Samsung) - https://www.oag.state.tx.us/consumer/complain.shtml
5. AT&T or your provider - File on site and over the phone
6. Submit it to CNN - http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form11b.html and any other news site that will listen.
I'm not trying to be some complaining jerk but it's been months since this issue has been known about and we still have no fix. I am pissed because I use GPS all the time and I now have to carry a 2nd device...my 2-year old G1 or a dedicated device. LUDICROUS.
There is strength in numbers so please file some complaints...we paid for these phones and we deserve a fully functional device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree and I will do "ALL" i can to help in this sure to be LONG TRUDGE - If you are not in agreement or satisfied with a half working product then play with your phone and STOP mouthing off about how satisfied you are or about what this forum is for or about because you are not in agreement _ Just Play With Your Phone and K.I.M.
Keep It Movin!
miztaken1312 said:
Did you do your research about the phone before you bought it? Did you not read that there were GPS issues? Did you buy it anyway?
Yes, you did buy it, and probaby didn't do the research. A company's worst nightmare is an educated consumer. Someone that they can't rip off. You fell into Samsungs trap and now you feel unhappy and lied to. When I got this phone I knew the GPS didn't work. I did my research. But it wasn't a deal breaker for me. I have GPS built in to my car, and I have a few other Garmin Nuvi's laying around the house.
Don't complain about the phone, just sell it, try and get some of your money back, and buy something that works for you. There are plenty of options out there. Just don't come in the forums and try to bash a phone that many of us love.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand that we should all educate ourselves before buying a product. I bought my captivate on launch day and had done as much research until then about the phone, mostly because I had been long debating getting a N1. However, seeing as I did buy my phone on launch day I had no idea the GPS didnt work. Frustrating yes, dealbreaker no. Guess Ive learned not to buy first run products.
p4ranoid4ndroid said:
I understand that we should all educate ourselves before buying a product. I bought my captivate on launch day and had done as much research until then about the phone, mostly because I had been long debating getting a N1. However, seeing as I did buy my phone on launch day I had no idea the GPS didnt work. Frustrating yes, dealbreaker no. Guess Ive learned not to buy first run products.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I've never been one to buy something on launch day (aside from maybe an video game). iPhone4 users learned that the hard way. Educating yourself as much as you can before you buy something is the best thing you can do for yourself. It's not like you'd go out and buy a Ford Pinto these days without researching it first. Everyone knows they were crappy cars.
Drew489 said:
You might be ok getting ripped off. I'm not. And if you are ok with it, I've got a bunch of stuff I'd like to sell you. You can buy my Audi A8, it doesn't have an engine but I still want full asking price as if it had an engine. I've got a rolex I'll sell ya for $5k, except it's a fake and it doesn't keep the correct time...but I still want the price as if it worked.
I'm not ok with getting lied to, indirectly, or buying a broken product. It's not like it's $10 shirt I can return because it's missing a button (although, if you couldn't return a new shirt because it was damaged...I bet you'd be upset about that, no?)...it's a $400++ phone that does not work.
What functions would you be ok with not working? What if the wifi didn't work? Then complain? No?
It's a broken product, bottom line.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My GPS has worked perfectly from day one. I bought my captivate on launch day and have nothing to complain about. Sorry to hear you have had issues with your device. Perhaps you should try to trade it in under your retailers return policy? Just a suggestion.
Shovelhead84 said:
My GPS has worked perfectly from day one. I bought my captivate on launch day and have nothing to complain about. Sorry to hear you have had issues with your device. Perhaps you should try to trade it in under your retailers return policy? Just a suggestion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No offense Shovelhead, but the GPS functionality for many of us is extremely spotty. Even after several returns. Usually the AT&T folks tried to discourage me by saying it is just a software problem that will soon be fixed. Experience has shown me that a working GPS is a rare beast (at least one that works after a few days/weeks of use).
I have had 3 phones with GPS, one Samsung Blackjack and two BB. All have performed admirably with quick (less than 10-20 s) locks and excellent accuracy as seen on Google Maps and GARMIN Windows mapping products. I KNOW that phones are very capable of decent GPS performance. So far this is a gaping hole in my Captivate experience.
My speculation is that this is a combination software/HW problem. I am guessing that there may have been a batch of sub par GPS chips as well as poor driver interaction with the OS.
Shovelhead84 said:
My GPS has worked perfectly from day one. I bought my captivate on launch day and have nothing to complain about. Sorry to hear you have had issues with your device. Perhaps you should try to trade it in under your retailers return policy? Just a suggestion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought my GPS was working fine as well. Until I tried My Tracks in the market. It's clearly wrong. It's got your general location, but on the highway, it's saying I cross over east/west bound highways. And veers me off the road.
stuff said:
I thought my GPS was working fine as well. Until I tried My Tracks in the market. It's clearly wrong. It's got your general location, but on the highway, it's saying I cross over east/west bound highways. And veers me off the road.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel your pain but when your GPS locks what is the accuracy? Best mine gets is about 15m. That could easily put you on either side of the road.
stuff said:
I thought my GPS was working fine as well. Until I tried My Tracks in the market. It's clearly wrong. It's got your general location, but on the highway, it's saying I cross over east/west bound highways. And veers me off the road.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now I do have a working GPS on my phone since I upgraded to the leaked Froyo. But it is not by any means dead-on accurate. Now of course the day I tested it, it was sitting in my cup holder with a straight view of the sky via my sun roof, but it was also cloudy and rainy. For the most part, it followed me exactly, but there were some spots where it did go off. When I use it now I put it on my dashboard and it works better.
Now in my belief, a device like a phone which does multiple functions, does none of them well because you have to have some kind of compromise internally either with hardware, software, or coding. I would never use my phone as a GPS when I'm in dire need to go somewhere, for instance if I need to find my way to the nearest hospital ASAP. I'd use a real GPS like a Garmin or TomTom because that's what they are dedicated to doing. Now I realize that now they add other features to GPS devices like bluetooth and music players and whatever, but those are added after the GPS has been written, tested, guaranteed to work as advertised.
cappysw10 said:
I feel your pain but when your GPS locks what is the accuracy? Best mine gets is about 15m. That could easily put you on either side of the road.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe mine is similar. If i'm walking, or just using GPS for the fun of it (not driving) it's got me. But when I'm moving, it's not the best. I still think it is a software problems, but meh... I really don't know.
I haven't tried tweaking with any settings though.
I agree totally and will be filing complaints, we should have a sticky how to jump throught all the paper work.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Also, I've got a buddy in europe with the i9000. He said the 2.2 update fixed the GPS. But, cog2.2/COE beta 4 "fixed" it as well. It just didn't give you the most accurate fix. It's 10-20meters in variance.
When I had my 3gs, I could turn on maps, and watch the little blue dot follow me whereever I went. I got rid of my first captivate bacause of the GPS and I got my second cause I love the phone...and 2.2 was leaked...lol
Anyway, I agree with the OP about Samsung being douches about GPS. It sucks. I've had 3 other Samsung phones and all worked without a hitch. I get this one, and GPS tells me to kiss its ass. My GPS hasent made a lock in 2 days. I don't want to take it back cause I really do love the phone, and I can live without GPS, but Samsung did advertise GPS and its not there. Wether we did research or not about the phone, it still doesn't change the fact that Samsung sold, and is still selling, a phone not as advertised and that is wrong.
What really makes people mad is that Samsung hasent addressed it yet. I think there hoping we forget about it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
mmarquis said:
No offense Shovelhead, but the GPS functionality for many of us is extremely spotty. Even after several returns. Usually the AT&T folks tried to discourage me by saying it is just a software problem that will soon be fixed. Experience has shown me that a working GPS is a rare beast (at least one that works after a few days/weeks of use).
I have had 3 phones with GPS, one Samsung Blackjack and two BB. All have performed admirably with quick (less than 10-20 s) locks and excellent accuracy as seen on Google Maps and GARMIN Windows mapping products. I KNOW that phones are very capable of decent GPS performance. So far this is a gaping hole in my Captivate experience.
My speculation is that this is a combination software/HW problem. I am guessing that there may have been a batch of sub par GPS chips as well as poor driver interaction with the OS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah however their has been a fix for this for awhile now.
Here is a good thread for this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=732030
The GPS is there it just has a software issue right now however i did hear that 2.2 fixed this.
you work for samsung i bet...
lordstrife said:
Yeah however their has been a fix for this for awhile now.
Here is a good thread for this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=732030
The GPS is there it just has a software issue right now however i did hear that 2.2 fixed this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
People we all know about the fixes and so called tweaks to date. No bueno.
So like many others I'm sure I've been obsessing about the new S4. I pre-ordered mine yesterday and have been doing more research ever since.
While getting "lost" on the internet usually leads me to cats instead I found out about Mobeam.
It's basically a cool new feature that allows the S4 to project bursts of light from a LED or maybe IR which a POS system or traditional barcode scanner can read.
What does this mean? It means we should be able to scan coupons loyalty cards, gift cards etc and then when at the store have the cashier just scan the top of our phone to accept the barcode.
I'm probably getting excited of something I'll never use however I like surprises...
I wonder if that will help bridge the gap with physical retailers and online coupons. I use my phone a LOT when shopping because I can always find a deal and save some money, but it can be frustrating when you get a coupon and then the cashier has to verify that it's "legit". It would be simpler if all online coupons just came with simple bar codes that can easily be scanned and matched up in the computer. Some coupons do this already, but really every one of them should.
Sarcron said:
I wonder if that will help bridge the gap with physical retailers and online coupons. I use my phone a LOT when shopping because I can always find a deal and save some money, but it can be frustrating when you get a coupon and then the cashier has to verify that it's "legit". It would be simpler if all online coupons just came with simple bar codes that can easily be scanned and matched up in the computer. Some coupons do this already, but really every one of them should.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I absolutely think it could bridge the gap, but this depends on the right environment.
1. Mobeam has patented this technology, as thus it's going to need to be affordable to license it to the masses. (Interestingly enough in Mobeams' FAQ section under investors, it lists Samsung Ventures among several others)
2. The companies that make the products we buy everyday will need to jump on board and work with retail stores and app devs to get these coupons seamlessly integrated to mobile phones.
The most important thing of all this is $$$. Basically every store already has the barcode system in place, so not having to upgrade all of those systems to use rfid or nfc (another way mobile coupons can be used) will be a huge cost savings.
imthatguy83 said:
I absolutely think it could bridge the gap, but this depends on the right environment.
1. Mobeam has patented this technology, as thus it's going to need to be affordable to license it to the masses. (Interestingly enough in Mobeams' FAQ section under investors, it lists Samsung Ventures among several others)
2. The companies that make the products we buy everyday will need to jump on board and work with retail stores and app devs to get these coupons seamlessly integrated to mobile phones.
The most important thing of all this is $$$. Basically every store already has the barcode system in place, so not having to upgrade all of those systems to use rfid or nfc (another way mobile coupons can be used) will be a huge cost savings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was confused for a second so I went and looked up a video on on Mobeam, and wow, I didn't realize that was the full potential you referred to. That is actually really cool! I heard the HTC One also has an IR blaster, so couldn't it do this as well? Or is Mobeam's technology patent such that 3rd party developers couldn't really copy that feature, and for now it's exclusive to Samsung?
Sarcron said:
Was confused for a second so I went and looked up a video on on Mobeam, and wow, I didn't realize that was the full potential you referred to. That is actually really cool! I heard the HTC One also has an IR blaster, so couldn't it do this as well? Or is Mobeam's technology patent such that 3rd party developers couldn't really copy that feature, and for now it's exclusive to Samsung?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it uses the notification LED on the phone. The video shows the scanner scanning the face of the phone which is where the LED is. The IR is on top by the audio jack. That leads me to believe that this could work with most phones.
I'm thinking that their patent would def protect them so as no other company can use this tech with out licensing it from them. What that costs who knows. The most interesting thing about this is that Samsung apparently invested in them, to what degree again who knows. If Samsung invested heavily then maybe they will get to have the tech for a while before the company licenses it to other vendors. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out..
I don't really get it? if you're going to scan your phone, why not just have the barcode appear on the screen like most other things?
imthatguy83 said:
I think it uses the notification LED on the phone. The video shows the scanner scanning the face of the phone which is where the LED is. The IR is on top by the audio jack. That leads me to believe that this could work with most phones.
I'm thinking that their patent would def protect them so as no other company can use this tech with out licensing it from them. What that costs who knows. The most interesting thing about this is that Samsung apparently invested in them, to what degree again who knows. If Samsung invested heavily then maybe they will get to have the tech for a while before the company licenses it to other vendors. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The S4 has an IR sensor on the top of the phone as well (separate from the IR blaster on the front). It is used to detect hand gestures. I don't think many other phones have this technology yet.
Brendo said:
I don't really get it? if you're going to scan your phone, why not just have the barcode appear on the screen like most other things?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to the site and watch the video...it explains why.
Brendo said:
I don't really get it? if you're going to scan your phone, why not just have the barcode appear on the screen like most other things?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's probably just as simple as the tech to read a smartphone screen is really expensive. The only other option is RFID and NFC all of these would require serious investments on the behalf of retail stores. This tech allows retail locations to use their existing laser scanners.
Brendo said:
I don't really get it? if you're going to scan your phone, why not just have the barcode appear on the screen like most other things?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Basically MOST scanners in stores (laser scanners I think) can't read a glass screen it just sees reflections. Newer stores with newer/different scanners can read screens like the ones they use at starbucks...but the purpose of this is it can be used anywhere with ANY scanner. Pretty genius actually!
Sure, idea is cool, but given that scanners do a pretty awesome job with barcodes it is kinda redundant (I know, I used to test them on different surfaces at my old job just for fun)
I have struggled to compare images etc. online in order to answer this. I am sorry if this has been asked, but I have googled and searched within these forums before posting this.
Let's say I got an N915P (Sprint) in great condition and obscenely cheap, but with a bad ESN.
Would the space inside and the components me compatible with the logic board from the N915A (AT&T, preferred) or N915V (Verizon, workable)?
If so I can have a working Note Edge up and running for (relative) peanuts. But I don't want to spend a lot on a logic-board that will not fit, or will have different cable fittings.
It looks so far like they are all very similar. Does anyone have experience with this?
Kind regards,
John
EDIT: Currently bidding on an n915a motherboard, if it stays at a good price and I win, I can update this with my experience.
I still highly appreciate all/any response, as it might discover that I should stop bidding immediately
Important update to anyone who needs to know the outcome of this:
I was able to swap the Verizon and Sprint motherboards very easily thanks to the phone's design, and everything works completely naturally. This feels like it has always been a Verizon device.
I swapped the charger port / mic setup at the same time, in case there are any differences, as there often are.
I hope this is useful to someone.
yablokosmonaut said:
Important update to anyone who needs to know the outcome of this:
I was able to swap the Verizon and Sprint motherboards very easily thanks to the phone's design, and everything works completely naturally. This feels like it has always been a Verizon device.
I swapped the charger port / mic setup at the same time, in case there are any differences, as there often are.
I hope this is useful to someone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My friend, you made my day.
I was wondering swap the same model parts it would works, and you post is the best answer.-
Thanks for sharing your experience with us.