Samsung Galaxy S

jetset · 24-09-2010, 12:34

Upgraded to a Galaxy S in Early July

Happy with it except it sometimes black screens and hangs
Spoke to VM tech support who advised that all would be good once Android 2.2 was released in August.

Did offer me a desire via 28 day Customer service promise but then went on to say that VM had zero stock of desire ! So couldn't follow that route.

Fast forward to late August: VM advise in common with other android handsets Froyo 2.2 is delayed- expected early September - No issues happy to wait as handset is a good piece of kit.

September
No sign of 2.2 for Galaxy S

Galaxy S removed from website after just 9 weeks

Called Vm and spoke to South African call centre who advise that VM are no longer "Supporting" this handset (Withdrawn due to exceptionally high handset failure rate) and when asked about Android 2.2 upgrade, csa advises that 2.2 is no longer being tested and will not be rolled out and suggests I call Samsung UK. Called Samsung UK who advise as the software on the handset is network specific they cant provide a future upgrade path and refer me back to VM,

Monday of this week I call VM and speak to Uk Tech support, Very pleasant CSA confirms that the handset has been withdrawn and hints at the high failure rate, when prompted does check with handset testing and confirms that they are testing 2.2 and if it passes it will be released but as handset is now withdrawn roll out of this upgrade is not guaranteed if it fails testing.
When asked about future upgrades (Honeycomb due spring 2011) Iâ€™m advised that it is not likely that this will be rolled out as VM are no longer supplying this handset and she suggests that I root the phone (Invalidating any warranty !) and then can get Samsung to provide updates.

After much discussion the call is escalated to a team manager who agrees that the situation is not good and promises to check with various managers and to confirm the situation with 2.2 and future android updates.
Does confirm that VM hold a small pool of replacement handsets to enable faulty units to be swapped out but does agree when they have zero good stock available the only option would be to change handset and with some reluctance confirms the closest unit would be an HTC wildfire which he readily confirms is a lower spec handset. And VM have no plans for android high end handsets in the future.
Never receive the promised call back
Call again and routed to Jo, Burg who again advise no further support for the Galaxy.

Call Tech support UK who confirm that 2.2 is being tested and told to be patient and wait and see if it passes testing. and are unable to confirm on going upgrade support and advise me that it doesnâ€™t matter what version of android system I have on the phone as itâ€™s all the same really!!!!!! When I pointed out that there are now apps which will only run on 2.2 or above I was told there were tens of thousands of apps that would work and to browse the market!

I guess my biggest issue is I have a handset that is reasonably high spec that VM supplied for around 9 weeks now have withdrawn and are unable to update the operating system, to take advantage of apps that only use 2.2 os and above.
I could Root the handset and invalidate my guarantee but this is an expensive phone.

Samsung canâ€™t assist as the update is network specific and VM wonâ€™t support the handset as it was only supplied for 9 weeks.

Kind of feel I have been supplied a lemon here by VM

dragon · 24-09-2010, 18:40

This wasn't on VM but

I had an I7500 (The original Galaxy) which is still on 1.5 officially in the UK, Managed to get 1.6 on it (firmware from another Region) but the only way it will ever get 2.2 is via the work of drakaz and the team of volunteers working on GAOSP.

I was pretty annoyed at the time to since i'd only had the phone for a few months when I found out that Samsung had pretty much dropped support for it.

One things for sure It's put me off buying samsung phones especially with android because there is no indication that the devices are being supported properly.

If you do want to go down the unofficial firmware route, you could try androidforums or modaco for information on doing it.

jetset · 25-09-2010, 14:06

Thanks Dragon

Samsung continue to support the Galaxy S but canthelp as VM have branded the sw and as such there update wil not be accepted bythe phone.

As the phone is now only 11 weeks old im not keen to invalidate my warranty

VM SHOULD support this handset ! They supplied it 11 weeks ago !

haydnwalker · 25-09-2010, 16:02

you could always sell it on ebay and get some cash for an unlocked one?

Cupcakes · 27-09-2010, 23:54

To jetset

As a Virgin Media customer, having waited several weeks for them to release this phone in early July, I had a few issues with it within the first two weeks and Virgin agreed that it was faulty. However, whilst waiting for their jiffy bag and a call from their finance department, neither of which arrived, it sorted itself out and has worked fine ever since and I absolutely love it.

I've been eagerly awaiting the Froyo update and on looking for information on expected release dates, I came across your post today and I'm absolutely gutted!!!!!! I've been ringing Virgin recently because, although my contract was set up fine in July, when it went into August, their computer system reverted me to paying for my usage and the monthly tarrif had disappeared, resulting in a big bill which has since been cancelled. Even so, they're still having problems getting it on the system and my account online. It might have something to do with the fact that they're no longer selling the phone but not once has this or the future support issue been mentioned to me.

From reading the forums, it seems that most new phones have various bugs to start with that are sorted by manufacturers, over time, via updates and Froyo should address some of the current issues. Everyone else is still supplying this phone, so I think if it's a possibility that many people have overreacted and returned phones too quickly and Virgin have accepted them, Virgin in turn have overreacted and pulled the phone too quickly. Feedback on the web is that it's one of the best phones to have and I wholeheartedly agree so I'm hoping that when these issues are ironed out, Virgin will start restocking it as I can't see them wanting to miss out on one of the best selling smartphones on the market.

I spent a lot of time researching this phone and others before buying and Froyo was a definite consideration in my decision. The Contract appears to have all sorts of get outs but I can't see that Virgin can or should get away with not supporting this phone with updates that should very reasonably be expected to be provided, as normal, with a brand new contract and a high end phone. It would be unprofessional and I wouldn't have purchased from them if I thought there was any chance that updates wouldn't be provided as a matter of course. I don't really want the hassle of going elsewhere as my phone works fine, but neither do I want to keep a phone that's not supported, or root it and invalidate my warranty and I don't want an alternative phone.

Hopefully, their testing of Froyo will mean they will provide future updates but, if not, as they provide very necessary important fixes as well as improving the phones performance, they should arrange for, or agree to, our being able to receive official updates direct from Samsung without invalidating our warranties. If they don't come through with one of these options and it proves necessary, then I fully intend to take it further. I doubt it will come to it though if Vodafone's debacle of threatening to invalidate warranties for downloading official upgrades from Samsung is anything to go by: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/360544/v...pgrade-turmoil and at: http://forum.vodafone.co.uk/forum-73...lated-queries/ Vodafone have backtracked and changed their stance because of the backlash and now state in answer to the question:

"What happens if I update my phone to an unofficial (non-Vodafone) version of software?

All mobile phones that we sell are covered by the manufacturerâ€™s warranty. Provided users are downloading official software, whether operating system updates or applications, via the manufacturerâ€™s website, PC software or Over The Air there should be no impact on its validity.

Any update that users are prompted to download to their device through an official channel (either by the manufacturer or Vodafone directly) is classed as an official update. For example, if you are told an update is available for your Samsung Galaxy S through Samsungâ€™s Kies PC Sync software, your warranty wonâ€™t be impacted if you choose to install it.

Your warranty may be invalidated if you download software which fall outside of this process."

I just need to get Samsung Kies working now!!!!!!!!

---------- Post added at 23:54 ---------- Previous post was at 23:26 ----------

Just found this ... two pages:

http://samsunggalaxysforums.com/show...inued-galaxy-s!

welsford46 · 04-10-2010, 19:22

From what I've seen on other forums this Samsung works fine with the original software..but once the network operators get their hands on them and brand them with their own software that's when the trouble starts.

If VM were having lots of problems then it is probably their software they installed on it which is causing the grief...and probably why they pulled the phone.

Shame as it is an excellent beast

Giffas · 07-10-2010, 01:15

so do we know any more on whats happening with Froyo on the Galaxy S ????

are we getting it ??

Ravenheart · 07-10-2010, 18:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giffas

so do we know any more on whats happening with Froyo on the Galaxy S ????

are we getting it ??

They posted earlier they're still working on it

https://twitter.com/samsungukmobile

Quote:

Hi, we are working round the clock on Froyo and we'll update you as soon as we can. Froyo will be available via Kies.

Giffas · 07-10-2010, 18:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravenheart

They posted earlier they're still working on it

https://twitter.com/samsungukmobile

ah excellent ... thanx m8

jetset · 08-10-2010, 16:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravenheart

They posted earlier they're still working on it

https://twitter.com/samsungukmobile

Thats Samsung...

Quote:

Called Samsung UK who advise as the software on the handset is network specific they cant provide a future upgrade path and refer me back to VM,

Quote:

Virgin when prompted check with handset testing and confirms that they are testing 2.2 and if it passes it will be released but as handset is now withdrawn roll out of this upgrade is not guaranteed if it fails testing.

When asked about future upgrades (Honeycomb due spring 2011) Iâ€™m advised that it is not likely that this will be rolled out as VM are no longer supplying this handset and she suggests that I root the phone (Invalidating any warranty !) and then can get Samsung to provide updates

Back to square 1 !

Ravenheart · 15-10-2010, 10:33

Seems the Froyo update is starting to sneak out

http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/15/g...o-trickle-out/

Ravenheart · 15-10-2010, 16:00

Update from Samsung UK

Quote:

As some of you will have already seen we have started rolling out Android 2.2 Froyo for the Galaxy S in some countries in Europe. We are currently in the final stages of testing in the UK to ensure the upgrade is as smooth an experience as possible. We will have more information early next week about when we will start... rolling out Froyo in the UK so please keep an eye for further updates.

jetset · 20-10-2010, 11:10

Well a quick update.....

On Friday I lost patience with VM and the toys went out of the pram !

I managed to get my call escalated beyond a team manager and spoke to the duty call centre manager who took onboard the issues raised back in my original post. He promised that he would call back on Monday and he did !

He passed the issue over to 1 of his tech support managers who promised an update in 24H and I got answers !

1 Froyo 2.2 and beyond.

The update is currently progressing through testing and WILL be rolled out asap - no date as yet but soon. I will let you know when I get the word its on its way !

Gingerbread which is the next version of android OS is scheduled for release to Manufactuers by Google in Q1 2011 so we can expect handset release in Q2.

There is a commitment to provide OS updates on going for at least contract life span.

2 Faulty handset replacement

VM have a pool of hansdsets that can be used to swap faulty units. In the event that at the time of a swap being required there are no exchange units VM will swap with a different handset of equal or high spec ( see 3 below) or as a last resort if no suitable unit is avaialable look favourably at releasing fron contract.

3 High Spec android Handsets

VM currently have no high spec android handsets in the range , This WILL change shortly.

VM realise that smartphones are the biggest growing sector of the market but a small part of the VM market. and historicaly high spec handsets have not been big movers for them.

They will have high spec handsets in the range as the market is moving away from low spec cheap fast moving handsets. No date but hinted that Galaxy may return to range and poss HTC desire HD.

J

Giffas · 29-10-2010, 20:24

so we on the final countdown

Giffas · 04-11-2010, 22:08

ok rumor has it Froyo is finally here and some getting it ... any updates or news for virgin customers ?