[Q] Why no GPS tests in official reviews? - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Someone enlighten me on why official reviews of this phone do not include a GPS test. Knowing how all variants of the Galaxy S failed miserably on the GPS, would it not make sense to put peoples minds at ease with a simple mention of GPS? Why official reviewers never mention GPS is kind of strange and especially with this particular branded phone ;(.

OmniNut said:
Someone enlighten me on why official reviews of this phone do not include a GPS test. Knowing how all variants of the Galaxy S failed miserably on the GPS, would it not make sense to put peoples minds at ease with a simple mention of GPS? Why official reviewers never mention GPS is kind of strange and especially with this particular branded phone ;(.
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i'm sure i read on a few of those that gps is quick and accurate. What official tests do you need? didn't all the mobilers show you the performance of their units?
Also do we need another thread for this?

ph00ny said:
i'm sure i read on a few of those that gps is quick and accurate. What official tests do you need? didn't all the mobilers show you the performance of their units?
Also do we need another thread for this?
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An official review would be from someone like Engadget or Cnet or Android Central. Official reviewers are more meticulous with everything. I just don't understand why they wouldn't do it lol. There's no rational reason not to quickly mention that either "gps is very accurate" and vice versa =/. Strange.

OmniNut said:
An official review would be from someone like Engadget or Cnet or Android Central. Official reviewers are more meticulous with everything. I just don't understand why they wouldn't do it lol. There's no rational reason not to quickly mention that either "gps is very accurate" and vice versa =/. Strange.
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engadget is meticulous with their reviews? lol you're kidding right?
you should probably catch up on mobiler's reviews which had gps tracking with diagrams drawn. If that's not enough for you then what is

Engadget goes straight to the main points that matter and give an educated opinion, which is what I look for. It's blog short, meaning very little fluff. If I want to read an exhaustive and robotic detail of every feature, with very little I would call "impressions" because really, almost every phone is good to them, I read a GSMArena review. If I want a poorly translated and very dry review that is so long but says so little, I read a mobile-review.com review. If I want to get my tabloid kicks and whoever is paying them to defecate on some brand or write vilifying troll reviews, I'll go Gizmodo. If I want blind fanboy lust reviews with tons of smooching, I read Androidcentral and Phandroid reviews.
Here's a respectable enough looking and sounding review, saying thte GPS locked in under 5 seconds and the compass seems better than most.
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s2-930907/review?artc_pg=11

I have found Anandtech have the most thorough reviews...

silverwolf0 said:
Here's a respectable enough looking and sounding review, saying thte GPS locked in under 5 seconds and the compass seems better than most.
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s2-930907/review?artc_pg=11
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Frome same article:
"Another point we were happy with – the compass on the Samsung Galaxy S2 was more accurate than anything we've seen recently on smartphones, and actually pointed in the right direction most of the time."
This is indeed good news... ^^

GPS Test on engadget:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/29/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-gps-it-works-it-really-works-video/

Wis12 said:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/29/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-gps-it-works-it-really-works-video/
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Just saw that as well ...
So in one instance at one location the phone's GPS locks quickly, but they don't say how quickly, if the lock was hot or cold or even how accurate it was. Also, why they turned off wireless network positioning is beyond me. If it works, it should only help, not hinder, the lock. If it doesn't, well, they should have said so. (Disabling A-GPS altogether would make sense if you only wanted to test the chip + antenna setup instead of the whole stack, but they didn't do that.)
I'm assuming there's labs where GPS signals can be simulated and conditions completely controlled. That's really the only way you can meaningfully test GPS functionality for a single device. To expect even a professional publication to run such a lab is unrealistic but they could certainly pay to have a few devices tested.
Aside from that there's the far easier way of comparison. Take a top of the line (civilian) GPS as a reference, 10+ phones including some with known good and known bad GPS, including non-Android ones and run a few tests in different locations.
But no, none of the above. I'm so fed up with people who conclude something works great just because it doesn't fall flat on it's face ... Instead, another video that takes ages to make, ages to watch and is absolutely devoid of any meaningful content. Bloody worthless ...

Yep, pretty hopeless video at Engadget. A quick lock with no real indication of accuracy, and no information about how well it maintains a lock. Face palm.

Jeez!
Nothing is good enough for you guys.. go buy the device and do the test yourself.
There are alot of posts about GPS and it simply works as it should!

techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s2-930907/review?artc_pg=11
"the Galaxy S2 managed to lock our GPS in less than five seconds, and we were away in no time at all."

lugi93 said:
Nothing is good enough for you guys.. go buy the device and do the test yourself.
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That simply isn't practical. Even if I wanted to pay for the SGS2 itself out of pocket just to review it, I still wouldn't have enough phones and/or stand-alone GPS units for a meaningfull comparison. Never mind the equipment needed for the audio, screen and camera quality measurements. A little more technical knowledge would surely be beneficial as well.
But the fact that this is impractical if not impossible for a private layperson to do is the very reason that tech publications exist in the first place! If all I wanted were an (more or less) uneducated impression or opinion I could just order the thing off Amazon and return it after a few day, if I don't like it.
This problem is not specific to mobile phones, of course, but it's especially bad there since a lot of non-overlapping knowledge would be required to do a proper review - basically you'd have to review each device
as a mobile phone (calling & SMS/texts only)
as a portable music player
as a compact camera
as a personal / in-car navigation device
as an e-book reader
as a mobile web-browsing device
as a gaming handheld
as an external storage device / thumb drive
... ... ...
Now, some of those features can be evaluated "at a glance" but a lot simply cannot.
And no, I'm not being perfectionist right now - if I were, I'd be insisting on multiple review copies from different batches ...
lugi93 said:
There are alot of posts about GPS and it simply works as it should!
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Not quite. There are a lot of posts about the GPS, yes. But it seems to me that they are by people who don't have much experience with GPS, on mobile phones or otherwise. How could they know if it works as it should if they've nothing to compare it to?
In my very limited personal experience the LG P500 for example is so much better than the SGS1, NS and - by the looks of it the SGS2 as well - that it isn't even funny.

Wis12 said:
GPS Test on engadget:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/29/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-gps-it-works-it-really-works-video/
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That must have killed them to say something positive that wasn't iPhone related!...

My contribution to testing the GPS functions, hopefully useful to people (particularly prospective buyers). If you have comments please post them there at the blog, rather than here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VuptfBPIEI&feature=player_embedded

It is a general failing of many reviews that they do not compare but just give an overall impression .
But that is the same across a broad range from inkjets to GPS with all in-between .
Not that i am complain about my SGS2 GPS far from it i have no complaints it works as i want it to .
A minority view possible but 14 million users did not complain about SGS1 GPS some did but not 14 million of them .
jje

Related

Skype for all Android

http://phandroid.com/2010/10/05/skype-for-android-now-available-worldwide/
Edit
that's right, is doesn't work on the Vibrant.
guess what it does not work on vibrant 2.1
amorek13 said:
guess what it does not work on vibrant 2.1
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It appears that it doesn't work on any galaxy s phone..
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
It's a POS app
no Video calling
no group calling
They waited this long to release this Garbage?
Fring was doing an excellent job, until Skype shut them down.
UGH SKYPE is a POS company
Galaxy S owners get the shaft ... yet again! Maybe we should just recognize the fact that AT&T/iPhone 4 is the best game in town and quit trying to play catch up.
There is a GPS fix that allows it to work excellent. Get over it.
dcchristopher said:
Well, at least we all now know a little more about the two of you. I don't blame you entirely for your disgraceful behavior. Surely your upbringing had a lot to do with it.
I don't see how what I said was inflammatory but perhaps it was misperceived. Allow me to explain: I paid $500 for this device. I honestly don't even need the phone aspect of it. I just need it to access the internet (email, web, etc), then as a media player, and then occasionally as a GPS device. The calling capabilities are literally icing on the cake. Let's just skip the whole GPS part since that needs no introduction. It simply doesn't work (unless you consider your location jumping around every 10 seconds "working" ... yeah, what fun it is to be hearing erroneous directions from your GPS device). T-mobile's voice and data services have been quite paltry in my experience. Calls drop quite often and that's something many Tmo subscribers complain about, especially near downtown and on a NexusOne. Moreover, data takes FOREVER to connect. I could be getting 4mbps/2mbps one second, then 750k/300k the next, then incessant data connection attempts with no data being transmitted ... until I reboot my phone. WTF??? A month ago I was driving from Dallas to San Antonio and got nothing but Edge the whole way down ... all along an interstate highway (albeit one of the worst I've ever seen) ... the phone was even occasionally switching to "G" and it took me forever to remember what that stood for ... GPRS!!! I haven't seen that since the 90s.
If you guys think it is acceptable to get ripped off like that, for hardware and services, by all means continue condoning and promoting Tmo and Sammy's failures and inaction by rewarding them for all that. These phones went on sale 7/15, around the same time Tmo announced their HSPA+ network. Three months later, you expect at least "an" action. No credits, no buy-backs, no remedies ... only failed promises. If you bought a car that couldn't perform as advertised and spec'd, I'm sure you would act differently.
But ... judging from your comments above, you guys are entirely worthy of your fate.
Best,
DCC
P.S. I dislike Apple fanboys just as much as the next guy but at some point we all need to man up to the facts ... the iPhone has the best user experience ... and Windows Phone 7 offers the best development experience (trust me, I have written/am writing apps for all three). The only thing positive about Android in my opinion is the tight integration of all the Google apps and services ... which oddly are not favored by many Android fans on this site ... in addition, they are increasingly being integrated in the other platforms as well (albeit not fast enough). Again, why Android? If it's because you want to be this decade's equivalent of the 90s' Linux geek who spends all day customizing the OS and the environment instead of actually using it and putting to good use, then have fun! Don't feel bad ... most people do not learn from history's lessons either!
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Believe me I hear you, but you make your case weak. Individual experience differs from Joe to Jane.
The biggest advantage of Android over the other's is the hardware support for every major mobile manufacturer.
And Windows Mobile 7? We will see how the numbers look by the Xmas.
Yes, I am a linux geek, but I didn't purchase my phone because I am one.
As for the OP, Skype went downhill once they went to bed with the big red.
So why do you have a tmo vibrant? Why not get an i*hone? There are pros and cons to any device and any carrier...
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
lqaddict said:
Believe me I hear you, but you make your case weak. Individual experience differs from Joe to Jane.
The biggest advantage of Android over the other's is the hardware support for every major mobile manufacturer.
And Windows Mobile 7? We will see how the numbers look by the Xmas.
Yes, I am a linux geek, but I didn't purchase my phone because I am one.
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I really wanted Android to succeed but it hasn't and I'm not necessarily blaming Android itself. I just don't see how I can choose it when the hardware and carrier are dropping the ball. All three (OS, hardware, carrier) are part and parcel. "Hardware support" is not enough when the hardware itself is not cutting it. First the Hero had build quality and connectivity issues, now the Vibrant has an elusive Froyo build and major GPS issues (in response to a previous post, I have yet to see a truly working "fix" and I have installed most if not all of them ... whoever claims it's now perfectly working is smoking something he/she should share with the rest of us).
Thank you for keeping an open mind and I do agree with you that individual experiences will vary but let's agree that this forum is proof that there are major unaddressed problems with this phone.
junkdruggler said:
So why do you have a tmo vibrant? Why not get an i*hone? There are pros and cons to any device and any carrier...
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Thank you for applying intelligence and not resorting to childish name-calling ... simply put, I left AT&T after a decade of being their customer because my non-iPhone superphones (usually purchased from abroad but compatible with US 3G) were being intentionally disregarded by their network in favor of the iPhone devices out there ... $110 a month for a discriminating data service is not acceptable. iPhones are also a little "too user-friendly" for me. I preferred a more open platform. At this point though, I will settle for a device that "just works". That is what every iPhone user will tell you out there ... the s*** just works. A phone is something that should enable you to do things with it, whether it's productivity, app development, multimedia, services, etc. A phone is not a perpetual hack factory, at least not as a primary device. If people want a side project to play with, great. What I have seen on this forum though is that most people need a phone that works for them, not the other way around.
I am waiting for the first generation WP7 phones to roll out and see what drama will ensue, if any. As you very astutely stated, "there are pros and cons to any device and any carrier". I really enjoy the WP7 mobile app development environment and so long as the phones are not involved in yet another fiasco, I will most likely get one. If not, the iPhone it is.
I'm not trolling and I do not mean to offend hard-core Linux super-users/developers but this business of shoddy phones, shoddy service and endless "hacking" is not right when we're all paying 50-100 a month for service and 200-500 for devices. I am surprised that people are not up in arms about it. There really needs to be a class-action lawsuit over this. I know, a handful of lawyers will just make a shipload of money. Still, companies cannot get away with this sort of negligence. This isn't the first time and it sure as heck won't be the last.
Vote with your dollars and best luck to you,
DCC
If browse over the iphone forums you will see the plethora of posts complaining about this and that on the iphone too.
There is no magic cookie cater for anything, you will always find something to be not up to your standards.
What confuses me the most is people complaining about the features that are not being the prime in the market cliché they are shopping - for instance, neither Android nor iOS are good examples of the enterprise use, but people still insist that my phone does not integrate well with my corporate Exchange environment the way I *want* hence the product sucks.
Everything has its pluses and minuses, it's up to an individual to weigh in the pros and cons to make a conscious buying decision.
lqaddict said:
If browse over the iphone forums you will see the plethora of posts complaining about this and that on the iphone too.
There is no magic cookie cater for anything, you will always find something to be not up to your standards.
What confuses me the most is people complaining about the features that are not being the prime in the market cliché they are shopping - for instance, neither Android nor iOS are good examples of the enterprise use, but people still insist that my phone does not integrate well with my corporate Exchange environment the way I *want* hence the product sucks.
Everything has its pluses and minuses, it's up to an individual to weigh in the pros and cons to make a conscious buying decision.
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I really want to say "I hear ya" but here's the deal ...
a) I glanced over the iPhone fora and I am not seeing anything glaring ... mostly basic user ignorance (configuration / customization issues)
b) all the iPhone users I have asked what their biggest complaint is about their phone give me the same "huh?" look ... their phone just works
c) all the major issues with iPhone 4 were addressed with some sort of fix or another, even if all it took was a rubber band ... I have friends who exchanged their phone well after the 30 days because of the proximity sensor issue (just as an example) ... clearly, Apple took ownership of resolving the deal-breaking issues
When I walked into a T-mobile store after the first 30 days and said "I will not put up with this GPS BS" they kindly restated their return policy, gave me Samsung's support number and sent me on my not-so-merry way. When I contacted Samsung, I was told to simply wait for the update as there was no fix for it so a replacement wouldn't accomplish anything. The customer service rep literally laughed when I mentioned a return of the product for refund.
You're absolutely right ... there will always be issues but this isn't a matter of preference or individual taste ... these companies are failing to deliver what they promised and what we have paid for and rightfully deserve. I am in no way saying that the iPhone is perfect; I'm sure I would have something to complain about from time to time ... but when I borrow friends' phones to "play" with, the iPhone is fast and responsive and hasn't failed me once. Load SpeedTest side-by-side. The "Begin Test" button lights up literally instantly. I know the Galaxy S phones have the same hardware. Why is it they can't be as responsive?
As I previously mentioned, I was with AT&T (or one of the companies it acquired or merged with) for over a decade until the Hero came out and I switched to Sprint. Then I went to T-mobile for the Vibrant. I will just make my rounds until I find something that works. My problem is that I get way too overexcited about the technology and jump ship before it has had a chance to prove itself. Right now the iPhone 4 has proved itself fairly well. As I said though, as a mobile apps developer, I really want WP7 to work out so I will _try_ to wait and see. The development experience is "magnifique!"
Best,
DCC
It's really disheartening to see android sinking like this because if googles ignorant attitude. I agree with you, if google woukd be a bit more proactive like Apple or Microsoft (now that they revamped) and set a standard for the OS requirement, quality control. We can all breath better. I have a bad feeling that once wm7 hit, Android will be the new WM6.5, a cheap buggy and unorganized akternative for manuftre and carriers.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
PaiPiePia said:
It's really disheartening to see android sinking like this because if googles ignorant attitude. I agree with you, if google woukd be a bit more proactive like Apple or Microsoft (now that they revamped) and set a standard for the OS requirement, quality control. We can all breath better. I have a bad feeling that once wm7 hit, Android will be the new WM6.5, a cheap buggy and unorganized akternative for manuftre and carriers.
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Thank you for chiming in. Hopefully Android will survive, even if only because competition is a good thing. I think most of the issues faced today (so-called fragmentation, etc) will be resolved in the re-architecture being introduced in Android 3.0. I'm more concerned about the carriers and hardware manufacturers closing up shop after a phone has been released and only looking forward to the next model. What good is it if Android survives and succeeds if I am the one left holding the dud? "Oh, just pay another two to five hundred dollars." The worst part is that the user/owner community turns a blind eye to the egregious failures in the name of fandom. That is NOT the way to organize and effect change.
dcchristopher said:
I really want to say "I hear ya" but here's the deal ...
a) I glanced over the iPhone fora and I am not seeing anything glaring ... mostly basic user ignorance (configuration / customization issues)
b) all the iPhone users I have asked what their biggest complaint is about their phone give me the same "huh?" look ... their phone just works
c) all the major issues with iPhone 4 were addressed with some sort of fix or another, even if all it took was a rubber band ... I have friends who exchanged their phone well after the 30 days because of the proximity sensor issue (just as an example) ... clearly, Apple took ownership of resolving the deal-breaking issues
When I walked into a T-mobile store after the first 30 days and said "I will not put up with this GPS BS" they kindly restated their return policy, gave me Samsung's support number and sent me on my not-so-merry way. When I contacted Samsung, I was told to simply wait for the update as there was no fix for it so a replacement wouldn't accomplish anything. The customer service rep literally laughed when I mentioned a return of the product for refund.
You're absolutely right ... there will always be issues but this isn't a matter of preference or individual taste ... these companies are failing to deliver what they promised and what we have paid for and rightfully deserve. I am in no way saying that the iPhone is perfect; I'm sure I would have something to complain about from time to time ... but when I borrow friends' phones to "play" with, the iPhone is fast and responsive and hasn't failed me once. Load SpeedTest side-by-side. The "Begin Test" button lights up literally instantly. I know the Galaxy S phones have the same hardware. Why is it they can't be as responsive?
As I previously mentioned, I was with AT&T (or one of the companies it acquired or merged with) for over a decade until the Hero came out and I switched to Sprint. Then I went to T-mobile for the Vibrant. I will just make my rounds until I find something that works. My problem is that I get way too overexcited about the technology and jump ship before it has had a chance to prove itself. Right now the iPhone 4 has proved itself fairly well. As I said though, as a mobile apps developer, I really want WP7 to work out so I will _try_ to wait and see. The development experience is "magnifique!"
Best,
DCC
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I guess I went to the apple forums before the proximity sensor issues were resolved, and it was Vibrant GPS Redux over there.
I am glad that Apple took care of the problem after a few updates to their iOS, but as with the GPS issues on our phones the proximity sensor should've been caught during the QA, I am not gonna say anything about Antennagate.
Hopefully GPS will be patched for good on the Vibrant too, and no I do not need the proof that it is addressed with the latest update - faster locks does not mean accuracy.
scrizz said:
Fring was doing an excellent job, until Skype shut them down.
UGH SKYPE is a POS company
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Its those bloody Iphone Users that were clogging up the servers using Fring that caused fring to gett banned from skype
cdill3000 said:
Its those bloody Iphone Users that were clogging up the servers using Fring that caused fring to gett banned from skype
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Don't let Skype off the hook though ... I used to be a big fan of theirs but they've been very slow with delivering platform-specific clients and they seem to be playing favorites and such. Closing the door on fring, a very, very open solution out there, was a deplorable thing to do.
It doesn't matter folks ... when Google comes out with their VOIP service, and you KNOW they will (Gizmo5 acquisition, etc), all these other (dis-)services will be obliterated. I predict Google will establish its own data-only cell carrier (cause data is all you need anyway) ... hopefully within the next 2-3 years.
I know this thread kinda derailed off topic, but imma put my two cents in.
I do kinda agree with DCC, at my workplace pretty much everyone has some sort of smart phone. When the subject of phones comes up, I am the first one to bang my chest and yell ANDROID~!
But the sad truth is, iphone users like the iphone because IT DOES WHAT THEY NEED IT TO DO. they really dont care about all the stuff we have come to love about android.
So they are happy and content, while we are up till the wee hrs of the morning trying to make our phones have a milli-second faster lol.
And to me its not really trying to make our phones better than the iphone, its me just making my phone better than it was.
I am disappointed in samsung about the lag issue and the gps issue.
I dont complain about it though, cause we are all here at this website to make our phones better than it is from stock. and I am 100 percent sure , once its said and done, this phone will more than satisfy me.
As far as I've read, Fring violated Skype's API and when they were challenged Fring, instead of changing their code, resolved to drop Skype support altogether. It's basically Fring's fault for not playing according to the rules. Fring issued a statement saying that Skype blocked them. It's an unlikely story since Skype has a fairly open API and would be leaving itself open to lawsuit if they did so.
blogs.skype.com/en/2010/07/fring.html
Where are you guys reading or hearing these things from?
cashless said:
As far as I've read, Fring violated Skype's API and when they were challenged Fring, instead of changing their code, resolved to drop Skype support altogether. It's basically Fring's fault for not playing according to the rules. Fring issued a statement saying that Skype blocked them. It's an unlikely story since Skype has a fairly open API and would be leaving itself open to lawsuit if they did so.
blogs.skype.com/en/2010/07/fring.html
Where are you guys reading or hearing these things from?
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Umm, definitely NOT from either side's highly partial blog, that's for sure ... which, by the way, you are misquoting. Fring did not drop Skype support all together. They temporarily disabled video calls because Skype and the carriers were *****ing about it (due to the excessive load on their networks). Then they were suddenly blocked from routing connections through Skype. This is an obvious behind-closed-doors ganging up of Skype+carrier(s) against Fring who stands alone and is one of the most open companies out there.
I get it, no one here really knows what happened when and why but ... Skype is no victim. On the other hand, the Objectivist in me says Skype should have every right to deny Fring (or any individual, company or group in the world) access to their systems. I just wish they would come out and say it instead of being all sly about it.
dcchristopher said:
Umm, definitely NOT from either side's highly partial blog, that's for sure ... which, by the way, you are misquoting. Fring did not drop Skype support all together. They temporarily disabled video calls because Skype and the carriers were *****ing about it (due to the excessive load on their networks). Then they were suddenly blocked from routing connections through Skype. This is an obvious behind-closed-doors ganging up of Skype+carrier(s) against Fring who stands alone and is one of the most open companies out there.
I get it, no one here really knows what happened when and why but ... Skype is no victim. On the other hand, the Objectivist in me says Skype should have every right to deny Fring (or any individual, company or group in the world) access to their systems. I just wish they would come out and say it instead of being all sly about it.
Click to expand...
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Saying that a company violated API publicly when they didn't is libel.
Just answer the question, your smugness, where did you get your info (especially seeing as you're stating that it's an obvious behind-closed-doors ganging up of Skype+carrier(s) against Fring. I guess you're one of these people behind these closed doors?
Lemme get your "jump to conclusions" board for you.

[Q] Show me the NUMBERS!

So, if rooting the g tablet is the way to go, it surely must stand up to a few simple speed checks. Has anyone posted various root's numbers or have some to post?
Stuff like, time to boot? Time to load common apps? Time to open the same web page? Frames on games? Time to download? Max browser pages open? Other relevant numbers welcome...
As far as I can tell, without any objective numbers comparing root performance, a lot of this rooting fad raves could just be subjective reported elation about being able to be different.
Granted, originally, the Gtab OS had some flaws. That's old news, get over it. How do the current roots compare with OTA version 3588? I'm somewhat shocked not one of the pack of geeks that have rooted their G tab hasn't backed up their raves with real numbers...
Granted, being rooted to the latest vegan might get access to the full Android market, and perhaps even future updates in Android... However, if I'm finding most of what I want at Amazon Android, is rooting worth the trouble until the roots and android versions stabilize? Show us the NUMBERS...!
I've been there done that with this subjective stuff long enough not to be swayed without real numbers...
Also, do any of these roots do OTA auto updates or do root updates require a download & re-root? Just asking...
Jesus christ if you can't do a simple search for benchmark tests then I highly suggest getting the ipad2. I hear that the ipad 2 reads your mind so out don't have to do any search. We've only had a kazillion threads on this.
Edit
This is not to mention all the YouTube vids on this people have posted.
Edit again.
Actually, here are a few.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1047098&highlight=benchmark+2011
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=12984546&postcount=9
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=12986416&postcount=10
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=12986416&postcount=10
Edit again.
I'm serious, I highly suggest the ipad 2 to everyone I talk to. Speaking as someone who repairs computers as a side job, I'm fully aware that most people want to be spoon fed everything, which is why the ipad 2 is the ideal device for most people. If people want to complain about nothing, let apple deal with them.
Thanks for the links.
However, as best as I can tell, they seem to verify that the OTA updated Gtablet is about the same speed as Vegan in the benchmarks when the CPU speeds are similar.
However, do the benchmarks used translate into much of relevance to speed of actually using the tablet to open programs, boot the tablet, download & open web pages. Stuff that people actually do with the tablet... Unless that's what the benchmarks are testing... But that info isn't provided in the links. Again -- weak...
The numbers and detail provided in these links deserve barely more than a C grade, if that... And what they provide seems to be at equal speeds, the current OTA updated gtab OS works fine... As long as you don't need the full Adroid market...
You Tube links? As best as I can tell, not one of them is an objective comparison with the OTA 3588 update gtab. They are just videos of vegan working... As far as real world numbers and comparisons -- Grade D-...
Where are the Grade A numbers? It's not that I don't believe the ROMs are not an improvement, it's just where are the numbers to support these raves?
What exactly are you looking for? There are no hard numbers when it comes to real world use, just your user experience versus mine.
You're not telling us what you want. You said you wanted numbers so I gave you a bunch. Then you say you don't want those numbers. So, I ask again. What do you want?
I'll be brutally honest on this one. Vegan isn't that fast. From all my tests, Calkulin+Clemsyn combo is by far the fastest custom rom+kernel for the gtab.
After trying out everything, I'm back to Calkulin+Clemsyn combo.
Would you like me to make a video of myself openning various programs and post it for you? What do you want?
I'm thinking you should drop that 'r' from your handle.
You also have a misconception of what rooting is/does.
To become root in Linux/Android is to gain administrative privileges. In windows root would be called Administrator. Gaining root privileges gives you the ability to change system files and settings, NOTHING MORE. By itself it does nothing.
Now boys...
The fact is that if you need numbers, reports,testimonials or anything else to justify mucking around with the gtab thenyou probably should just get an iPad. Nothing to prove then -everyone "knows" its the best-no numbers needed! The gtab is for people that don't mind the hardware and software quirks as long as they have the freedom to mess around. Its not about the numbers -its about the experience.
[Q] Why should we ..?!
Droofus said:
I've been there done that with this subjective stuff long enough not to be swayed without real numbers...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I am not sure anyone here is trying to sway you in one direction or the others.
Here is how things go in community forums like this one:
- People search for what they got in mind first.
- If they didn't find its either undoable or not that interesting for the community that no one bothered doing it.
- In both case those people are expected to either drop whatever they are wishing for or pursuit it on there own and then share their findings with the community.
In other words, why the heck am I supposed to go beyond whatever benchmarks readily available on the market to show YOU how good/bad are custom firmwares compared to stock ones when :
- custom firmwares are volatile and each couple of days there is a new rom or rom add on or a kernel released (am I supposed to maintain the stats for every single update released ? else how meaningful would be my outdated stats to you? when it represents a ROM that is no longer a candidate)
- the whole flash back and forth and in between roms is a 10~20 minutes process of YOUR time which would suffice to answer all your questions.
If you still need some usability tests (you can use your own stop watch to time through the videos) you might want to check here.
Best of luck,
Zaphod-Beeblebrox said:
I'm thinking you should drop that 'r' from your handle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think this was the best answer.
The information you are demanding is indicating your ignorance. As was already stated rooting does nothing for performance. If you want numbers you can install each rom and test with each kernel setting whatever your heart desires. Its not likely anyone else even cares as most people only care about stability and a lack of lag
Droofus said:
So, if rooting the g tablet is the way to go, it surely must stand up to a few simple speed checks. Has anyone posted various root's numbers or have some to post?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting itself does nothing other than giving you root - the speed of your device before and after rooting is identical.
Now, if you want to talk about the speeds with or without an overclocked kernel, or with a custom Froyo vs custom Ginger vs stock rom, as others have said there are plenty of posts out there.
Mine lasted on the stock rom for exactly one boot after opening the box - so I could copy on the bits to begin the rooting/custom rom flashing goodness.
cu_ninja said:
What exactly are you looking for? There are no hard numbers when it comes to real world use, just your user experience versus mine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I'm looking for is defined, at least in part, in the first post. Copy and pasted here for your convenience.
Stuff like, time to boot? Time to load common apps? Time to open the same web page? Frames on games? Time to download? Max browser pages open? Other relevant numbers welcome...
If I go to a notebookcheck.net/Computer-Games-on-Laptop-Graphic-Cards, the various card performances in various games are reviewed. The reviews are very professionally and objectively done with detail. Clicking on any specific card opens a detailed review of that card. This allows users to make decisions based upon what sorts of (graphic game) uses they might actually have.
It seems a similar but much smaller objective set of benchmarks could be performed on the various g tablet roots using a set of common uses in part noted above. It doesn't need to be as elaborate or detailed as the video card review site noted above. Just objectively testing a few simple end user tasks would seem to be adequate to get beyond the subjective raves that one commonly sees about this or that OS change...
FYI, part of this is related to my background as a doctor (plus a computer background dating back beyond the Apple II to programming FORTRAN and COMPASS on mainframes in the 1960s). As doctors we are constantly bombarded with all sorts of anecdotal raves about this or that treatment all the time, only to find that they aren't supported by actual objective research -- some cause harm, not healing. Fortunately for those promoting software changes related to raves and fads don't have the potential to cause anyone significant harm... Excuse me if I'd like to see similar objective professional 'standards of care' when it comes to reviewing and analyzing software/hardware fads. I'm sure there are plenty of others in the audience who'd feel the same...
So is this a religious thread, I see Jesus was mentioned.
Actually sometimes you modders act like it.
I'll get the other times later. Here is the startup time.
Droofus said:
FYI, part of this is related to my background as a doctor (plus a computer background dating back beyond the Apple II to programming FORTRAN and COMPASS on mainframes in the 1960s). As doctors we are constantly bombarded with all sorts of anecdotal raves about this or that treatment all the time, only to find that they aren't supported by actual objective research -- some cause harm, not healing. Fortunately for those promoting software changes related to raves and fads don't have the potential to cause anyone significant harm... Excuse me if I'd like to see similar objective professional 'standards of care' when it comes to reviewing and analyzing software/hardware fads. I'm sure there are plenty of others in the audience who'd feel the same...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, while I can see your point, I also have to point out the other side of the argument. I am an engineer. Last year, we got a college graduate who, from the outlook, had all the numbers and credentials. He graduated with almost a perfect gpa. Sounds nice, right? He had all the numbers. The problem was as soon as he began working with us we figured out very quickly that we had a book smart-absolutely no common sense person with us. I swear, he pulled me aside one time and asked me why they were "watering the concrete slabs" in the lab. It got worse from there. I had to explain to him very basic engineering concepts and applications like stirrups, slippage, etc.
This guy actually went through college getting the grades and everything without actually understanding any of it. He graduated with a structural engineering degree without knowing the very simple practical processes of curing concrete or reinforcing footings.
The point is numbers can be deceiving if you ignore annecdotal (aka common sense) evidence. You need both objective numbers and common sense to work in reality. Sure, I've heard plenty of annecdotal nonsense like creationist BS, religious miracles, and homeopathic crap. I'll give you that. But you seem to be on the other extreme side, which is to ignore all personal evidence and place all your bets on pure numbers.
I'm telling you now. We got both the numbers and personal evidence. I'll try to get them for you.
Doofus
I like the list of missing benchmarks you listed. Why don't you measure them and report back?
Droofus said:
What I'm looking for is defined, at least in part, in the first post. Copy and pasted here for your convenience.
Stuff like, time to boot? Time to load common apps? Time to open the same web page? Frames on games? Time to download? Max browser pages open? Other relevant numbers welcome...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All those numbers are identical before and after rooting your device since nothing changes before and after root, other than you now have root access.
That was easy.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Theres some more random numbers
While watching everyone bash eachother here has its entertainment i have some advice.
Droofus
1 i would recomend not comming into a community forum and bashing people who put a lot of effort into making the product you own better. These people don't get paid for the hours of work they put in.
2 if you don't like how thing are done around here take the time to be a good example and do it better. You clearly have an idea in your head on how to make a professional stastical representation of the roms so do it.
3 what some people are trying to tell you is that it is not all about the numbers. Some people want gingerbread features. Right now all of the gingerbread roms suck for video performance due to driver issues so i don't use them. I like the gingerbread features but i watch videos a lot so i use a froyo rom. Others really care about performance so they give up some stability and overlock.
4 people around here get upset when the same question gets asked over and over again. If you have done some reasearch reference other articles to show that.
5 this is a dual core tablet, what are you doing that you care that much about preformance.
This thing is faster than my netbook.
6 dropping your title on us just makes you sound pretentious. There are a lot of very intellgent successful people here who are not impressed by doctors or your past experience. If you have useful skills to the community don't brag just use them and people will be grateful.
7 people were a little rude about it but they are right. I tell people that if they want something that is easy go buy an ipad or a xoom. If you want something for under 300 then buy a g tab and understand that with some effort it can be great.
Everyone
1 relax... starting flame wars with someone who doesn't know their way around isn't going to help anyone.
I forgot to mention that traditionally us geeks are known for our lack of formal documentation.
P.s. while many of us proudly wear the badge of geek calling us a pack of geeks is a little adversarial.

"Pure Speculation" WiFi and Bluetooth are getting a makeover. GPS being Removed.

"Pure Speculation" WiFi and Bluetooth are getting a makeover. GPS being Removed.
This is pure speculation and I have no hard facts to back it up but I've always said, "If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck......it's a duck".
We all know that the Prime is not in any retail stores at this moment and it's debut has not went full swing yet. A couple batches of pre-orders have shipped but that's about it. Some websites now are showing they won't have any in stock until next month.
In my opinion, Asus stopped shipping orders out to retailers due to the WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS problems. Let's face it. This tablet isn't so popular yet that Asus can't keep the orders up. They realized they had to go back to the drawing board and either redesign or replace the antennas used for WiFi and Bluetooth. The next large wave of Primes should be the revised version which will have much better WiFi and Bluetooth performance.
Asus knows that it would cost them a lot less in the beginning if it just kicked it's chop shops into overdrive in order to ship a fully working tablet rather than getting a bunch of returns and a bad name in the process.
Now, when it comes to the GPS, this is more of a conspiracy theory but it makes sense. We all know that Asus removed "GPS" from the spec sheet and the reason they did is because this second revision of the tablet WILL NOT have a GPS chip inside or it will have it's GPS chip disabled. This is much easier and cheaper for them in the long run because they realize it will never work properly or efficiently without a WiFi signal.
Like I said before, this is just a theory but I just can't imagine why this tablet was supposed to be released in full force prior to Christmas and still continues to slowly trickle. Please don't tell me the tablet is so popular and that's the reason it's hard to get your hands on one because the general public doesn't even know about it yet.
If its a theory put it on the thread title.
And write it in capital letters..THEORY...
rubi76 said:
If its a theory put it on the thread title.
And write it in capital letters..THEORY...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 I hate threads with so obviously baited titles. Just wrong.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using xda premium
rubi76 said:
If its a theory put it on the thread title.
And write it in capital letters..THEORY...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't think of better words to say...thanks given.
OP...please change the title...if you don't know how then ask.
Thread title changed. Didn't mean for it to be a bate and switch which is why I started off by saying......wait for it......"THIS IS PURE SPECULATION".
Anyone could have easily stopped reading and move on at that point.
jrwingate6 said:
Thread title changed. Didn't mean for it to be a bate and switch which is why I started off by saying......wait for it......"THIS IS PURE SPECULATION".
Anyone could have easily stopped reading and move on at that point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the change in title. With that said I've got to say that your piece is well written and an interesting theory...we shall see.
Doesn't google require GPS for any device connected to the market? I don't think they could remove GPS entirely . . .
Deletion please
richaoj said:
Doesn't google require GPS for any device connected to the market? I don't think they could remove GPS entirely . . .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. Bottom of the page...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1428200&page=13
Actually, this tablet is that popular that they more than likely been having trouble keeping up with orders. look how in the beginning alot of peoples orders got cancel because the online retailers didn't get enough units or Asus cut the numbers down sent to particular retailers. probably to make sure there was at least enough to go around to various outlets.
as far as Asus stopping production and completely redisigning, I highly doubt it. As far as Asus knows there's only a GPS issue. that's a problem across the board. the wifi and BT one isn't. seems to only be affecting some users. they already solved the GPS issue by removing it from spec sheets and anyone who sends Prime in, to get fixed for GPS, will have it removed more than likely. people who still have units with GPS will more than likely still receive updates n such for GPS to make the best of it.
demandarin said:
as far as Asus stopping production and completely redisigning, I highly doubt it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you. If they were going to do that they might as well have changed the back cover. Pulling a chip, taking out an antenna, and making some s/w modifications really isn't a big deal in the greater scheme of things. Certainly not as complex or costly as coming up with a different back cover.
The gps issue really need to be nailed down to its root cause, seems to me there are units out there with good gps performance. If the metal backplate is really the problem then we should not see all units with poor results. i just can't believe that the FCC approved this product without verifying the compliance to specs. To me it's probably a bad batch because of poor quality control, the next shipment around the end of the month could hopefully show a significant improvement and an ICS upgrade.
---------- Post added at 09:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:12 PM ----------
Correction: "we should see all units with poor results"
tedr44 said:
The gps issue really need to be nailed down to its root cause
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.anandtech.com/show/5285/asus-eee-pad-transformer-prime-gps-issue-explained
Excellent write up, so the gps was not tested from the beginning and when they did test it, it was conducted with the alum backplate to demonstrate the problem but I kinda wonder why they didn't test it without the backplate which would be a whole lot more convincing imo. It's just too bad that Asus did not learn from the Ipad mistake so we will just have to live with this deficiency since the fix is too costly. Guess I'll just have to keep my phone gadget handy for gps use. Thanks.
>i just can't believe that the FCC approved this product without verifying the compliance to specs
The FCC is concerned with RF-radiating equipment complying with power and spectrum limitations, for interference reasons. The GPS module/antenna is a passive receiver and thus is not tested.
>I kinda wonder why they [Anandtech] didn't test it without the backplate
That would require a complete disassembly--not just removing the back shell, but all the components attached to it. It's not a feasible option.
Note that there was no bluetooth testing, either. I suppose we'll see another mea culpa about it next.
It's not just Anandtech. All of the tech blogs gave the Prime rosy reviews with nary a complaint. I'm surprised that not more criticisms are directed at these sites.
In a sense, I understand their predicament. The Prime was the only next-gen Android tablet coming out during Xmas. It's got quadcore. It's got iPad-like looks. And it's reasonably priced. Nobody wanted to be a Scrooge and give it bad marks.

Apollo????

http://www.trustedreviews.com/news/apollo-update-not-coming-to-current-windows-phones
Not looking too promising eh?
AndyFZ1S said:
http://www.trustedreviews.com/news/apollo-update-not-coming-to-current-windows-phones
Not looking too promising eh?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I smell BS since this "news" is only a day after another "insider" said it was coming to all WP7 devices.
Erik Latranyi said:
I smell BS since this "news" is only a day after another "insider" said it was coming to all WP7 devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.theverge.com/2012/4/19/2959707/microsoft-developer-evangelist-retracts-mango-apollo
whoops.
Trust nothing and no one until the fat lady sings.....
theguy said:
http://www.theverge.com/2012/4/19/2959707/microsoft-developer-evangelist-retracts-mango-apollo
whoops.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verge has become an Android-wh*@# recently. They are hungry for the clicks and hence their anti-Lumia articles. Then they followed it up with anti-Windows Phone and this. I would say, if you own anything but Windows Phone, only then you should read Verge. Their sources always want to be unnamed and always want to be anonymous!
Atleast that dude was filmed and we know him! - I trust what I see. Even if he joked he had balls unlike verge's anonymous people they make up!
drupad2drupad said:
Verge has become an Android-wh*@# recently. They are hungry for the clicks and hence their anti-Lumia articles. Then they followed it up with anti-Windows Phone and this. I would say, if you own anything but Windows Phone, only then you should read Verge. Their sources always want to be unnamed and always want to be anonymous!
Atleast that dude was filmed and we know him! - I trust what I see. Even if he joked he had balls unlike verge's anonymous people they make up!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that article points out how the guy in the video has retracted what he said in the video. Here's the original link:
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/nunos/archive/2012/04/19/my-comments-on-windows-phone.aspx
Imagine all the people that went and got the Lumia and all the money wasted on advertisement only to say.. Nope that phone we threw at you telling you its the best won't see Apollo... Here buy this one instead. Along with the Titan One/Two. Businesses have made stupid mistakes and Microsoft might do another dumb move and spit on your faces.
Only take what comes officially from Microsoft not some websites with no affiliation or some lonely employee.
I am pretty sure none of us will and should get an "Apollo". We clearly don't have specs for that.
However, what we will get is skinned Apollo. We are sure to get all the features of the OS e.g.
1) better multitasking
2) better UI consistancy (if applied)
3) better integration of features (plus additional ones)
4) better or/and faster IE
5) better bluetooth support
These stuff don't need all that extra hardware specs, so we could safely have them.
The rumours of Lumia 610, 800 being tested with Apollo could well be true considering the above could be applied with no extra hardware that comes with Apollo.
Let us keep in mind that Android users are the most ignored for official upgrades (unless you come to XDA).
The article reads like they HOPE MS leaves current hardware behind for Apollo.
Looking at the Tango update and the fact you will be able to send MMS video& ting , As long as we get a few other treats thrown in then I don't think I will be that bothered if I get an Apollo related update or not, TBH I was extremely happy with my HD2 but upgrades and progress lead me over to the Darkside of WP7 and although I suffered from boredom before nodo and see it through to Mango I don't think It will ever be what everyone wants, There will always be a better handset on the horizon and if it turns out MS don't fully deliver then simply change platform.
I too am not bothered about the apollo update if it does not reach the Titan. I too am more than happy with the OS as it stands.

[Q] How bad is your gps?

I realize this probably depends on geographic location, but i suspect my prime has especially bad gps reception.
Using gps test, here are my results.
Outdoors (on a table, screen up, not touching it):
In view: Usually 0 or 1, max 6
In use: usually 0, max 4
Indoors:
0/0. Always.
This is from Trondheim, Norway.
What are your results?

			
				
Sigh....
hey in other news:
Go on youtube, find the benny hill show theme
then in another tab search for fail compilations. Watch people wiping out, crashing, and otherwise failing but the music makes it all the better! Have fun!
Did I see you buying your TP here 63° 25' 47.64" N 10° 23' 35.97" E ?
This is one hostile forum
I'm only asking because I saw a review complaining about bad gps, but it was still way better than what i get, and seemed almost usable. I would have posted a link, but I'm not permitted to.
Most people say the tfp has bad gps, but mine is utterly, completely unusable.
bobbaluba said:
This is one hostile forum
I'm only asking because I saw a review complaining about bad gps, but it was still way better than what i get, and seemed almost usable. I would have posted a link, but I'm not permitted to.
Most people say the tfp has bad gps, but mine is utterly, completely unusable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The GPS is unusable. It's been discussed on here every single day for the last 6 months. That's why people are doing this to your thread.
Do a search dude.
Asus are bringing out a dongle you attach to your Prime to get the GPS to work. Again, do a search for that.
Simplest solution is to use your phone for GPS like we all do. Nobody needs a 10" wide sat nav.
they are right op. all you had to do was look at my gps dongle test result thread or jjvega gps video thread and you would see asus has released a gps solution.
I did search. And I ordered the dongle the 16th. But people are not very specific about the "issues", and reading this thread, as well as the review (which i can't link to) I got my hopes up.
As I don't have a smart phone, having at least one device with gps device would have been nice. Guess I'll just have to learn to live with the dongle then.
Feel free to delete the thread if you're a moderator.
there are no issues with the new dongle. it works great. just attach it when you want to use gps and take it off when you done.

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