Related
I've been looking at getting a bluetooth GPS receiver for my Wizard for a while now, but I haven't been able to find anything that I really want to buy. I know there are several other topics on GPS in the forum, but all the solutions suggested seem to be American websites (or at least all priced in dollars) and being from the UK this isn't much help. I've stumbled across a receiver/software bundle on a site, and it's very cheap, but I'm not sure if it will be any good or even if I can use it with my wizard as the card provided is SD. Is it possible to copy the files to the miniSD in the Wizard and still work?
The link is here, and if someone could take a look and let me know if they think it is ok, or if someone's tried it, please let me know!
Thanks,
Myk
P.S. I don't want to know if this receiver/software is any good compared to £300 systems or even what the best GPS combo is, because I'm not interested in spending that kind of money yet. I just wanna know if this will work fairly reliably so I can get a cheap GPS set-up to test how useful I find it before I spend loads on one
I just bought my first GPS unit and it is and it was under a hundred dollars US.....and I feel that it is acurate as can be.....so from what i've read about that unit it seems it will be just fine for you t use for quite awhile....Plus you will be able to use it with any new phone you get...
Software activation...
Ok, so I bought the receiver I mentioned. Since the software comes on an SD card, and the wizard only takes miniSD cards, I copied everything across and the program installed fine. But then when I try to run it, it asks me to insert the original SD card to activate the software.
Does anyone know of a workaround for this? I can use some other software (possibly) with the receiver if I can't get it to work, but it's not as good as the Navman software seems to be.
Or maybe it would be a better description : locator after theft.
Now I hear you all thinking.. utfs.. I know and I did..
So here is a description of why I want this program and how it should work.
Why
Recently my motorbike has been stolen. At the place where I live I don't have the possibility to stall it indoors,
so it has to stand near the wall of my apartment building.
Of course the cops don't bother and the bike is of to be never seen again.
Now for my next bike I don't want the same to happen again.
So I thought of installing my old Touch Diamond into the new bike, attached to a car power converter directly onto the main battery of the bike
(and if there is space a backup battery). Of course the Diamond would be fitted with a prepaid sim with enough credit.
How
would I like to use the program. (With this info I think it's more understandable then when I tell you what functions I'd like it to have.)
When I get home on my bike I would park and lock it. After this I would send the build in Diamond a message like : "Arm" So the alarm kicks in.
From this moment of the device will :
- Watch its GSensor for movement
- Start to determine its GPS position (if not already done)
- And tart to determine it's location based on cell tower information (for in case the device does not get any GPS signals)
When nothing happens this day or night I will disarm the alarm with a "disarm" message when I want to leave with the bike the next day.
As soon as the device is armed and moved (GSensor) for more then, lets say, 20 seconds (to minimize false alarms).
The device should SMS me that there is movement and start to send me it's location.
Every minute for the first 10 minutes or something and after that only when I send it a message like "location"
Also off course the device should make no noise. Unless maybe a short (not too loud) beep when armed and double beep when disarmed.
And maybe when receiving a message "Alarm" the device would make a lot of noise so I can find it when I'm near to the last known location.
While we're at it the device might also watch for sim card changes and sms me if a new sim is inserted.
And (optional) maybe the program could be cooked into a clean and stable rom so even a hard reset would not mind it at all.
I hope I covered all the basic elements I'm looking for.
If someone know's a program like this or could write it for me this would be awesome. If it is working good and stable I would like to pay some money for it too.
As you've probably seen on my writing If the program is in Dutch it would be awesome. If it is in English however it would still be awesome.
Finally it would be nice if some options could be set through sms (optional) (since the device will be bad accessible) and that I would be able to set some tags myself.
If you have any questions or any additions.. Please feel free to mention them.
With kind regards,
Richard Zondervan
I don't know if this will cover all your needs, as it's based around the phone getting stolen or lost, not something that the phone is attached to, but it may suit...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=594608
If not, how about something made specifically for the task?
http://www.lojack.com/
johncmolyneux said:
I don't know if this will cover all your needs, as it's based around the phone getting stolen or lost, not something that the phone is attached to, but it may suit...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=594608
If not, how about something made specifically for the task?
http://www.lojack.com/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your input. Although the first option does't seem to cover all the needs, and the second seems not to work in the Netherlands.
Hello everyone,
just got my brand new shiny Streak. And man its something. Basically, everything I ever wanted from and now looking back at all the phones I had and other phones on the market I can`t keep wondering why in gods name would someone buy something else other than a 5" phone. 4-4.3" is good but 5" is just perfect.
So I made this upgrade from an Xperia X1 and never do I want to see WinMo in my life. But right now I have an ... android rush lol. Lots of info, apps, games. Its like an overload to try and understand everything and get use to everything. In a good way.
My first issue was with the car charger. Dell charges a lot as you already know. But I found an universal car charger for 7 pounds, that outputs 5V and 1A and i`m using the data cable to charge the phone in my car. No need for a holder just yet.
The pouch is good, but definately needs a proper case as its getting annoying sometimes to take it out all the time.
Got a few questions, regarding apps and games and such, if anyone here has more experience with android than me...
1. I`m planning to buy this (http://www.zagg.com/invisibleshield...es-screen-protectors-covers-skins-shields.php) . Will it affect the screen brightness in any way ?
2. Currently using GoNews as my newsreader but I`m looking for a good working one that also has to option to search a website for RSS feed. The one i`m using at the moment gives me the option to import from a file or input the whole adress manually.
3. Gaming wise, I dont mind paying for games. And the ones i`d pay for would be a good RPG and an RTS. Currently thinking about buying ZENONIA, but I can`t seem to find any RTS games out there (StarCraft, Age of Empires, Command and Conquer). Not those games, but they are examples of gameplay i`m looking for.
4. Also looking for a game that works on Streak similar to Worms world party. Could have tanks or other things, but should work lol. Tried something Armored Lite or whatevr the name was but the graphics war very buggy and made gaming pretty impossible.
5. Dialer. Can it be changed ?
6. Email client. BEfore getting the phone, i was reading reviews and stuff. People said the email client sucked. At first I thought it was ok but god I was wrong. Can`t do anything besides reading the email. Could anyone recommend a better email client ?
7. How do I make it stop turning the display on and off while on a phonecall ?
8. What benefits would I have if I root it ? Not an android expert and not sure if I should give it a try or not.
9. 3g or Wi-Fi videochat. Are there any apps that do this ?
10. Last but not least hehe Navigation. Basically I think its great and considering I spend A LOT of time in my car and using a TomTom, I was thinking of replacing my satnav with my Streak. BUT, is the navigation software dependent on internet connection and gps ? As far as I saw, if my internet connection drops the navigation looses the map or something. Is there any android navigation app that is GPS only. Giving the 16 GB memory, I don`t mind downloading maps and such.
Thanks
I may not be able to answer all your questions, but i will do my best
1) No, it shouldn't affect the brightness much (maybe slightly). I've never owned an invisible shield, but i've heard very good things about them. The 'feel' of the screen will change, however.
2) Not sure, sorry
3) There are not that many good android games out there at the moment (not that look good on the streak at least). I'm not a big gamer though, so i can't really answer this question well
4) as above
5) Of course! there are numerous 3rd party diallers out there. Or, you can pull the dialler application from your phone and change the images if you want (requires root)
6) There's a nice e-mail client in the market called K9. It works perfectly.
7) The display only turns itself off when the sensor is covered (when you hold the phone to your ear), i believe that otherwise the screen stays active. If it does not, you can always change the 'screen time-out' in settings to 'Never Timeout'.
8) Rooting allows you to modify the system files. This means, like mentioned above, you can pull applications from your phone and modify the images. This means you can create and apply themes. You can also overclock your phones processor (not been done yet on this phone i don't think). There are countless other things you can do. Here's a good list- http://android-dls.com/wiki/index.php?title=Why_Root
9) There aren't many video call apps, but if you search 'Movicha' in the market place there is an app called 'Live Mobile Video Chat' which apparently does the job. (no idea if it works on the streak though)
10) Good question, never really thought about this before. I've found a good (and more importantly, free!) app though, called 'TrekBuddy'. You download the maps prior to your journey and then it allows offline navigation. Not sure how well it works, but it's the best i can do!
Hope this helps!
Thanks a lot. Still reading tons of android forums and websites.
If you're uk then copilot is the best android compatible sat nav app
fards said:
If you're uk then copilot is the best android compatible sat nav app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that is true and if you know where to look there is a not so legal one out there
I have the Invisible Shield and it works like a charm. No brightness effects at all. The only thing is that the shield for the back left and right is not cut very well, but the front ones and battery cover is great.
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA App
fards said:
If you're uk then copilot is the best android compatible sat nav app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
agreed. copilot is very good, it almost pains me to say that considering how god awful it preformed on my G1 but on the streak its fantastic. little extra power goes along way
Hi,
I recently bought from a china website a star a2000 but the gps didn't worked so far, all other funcitons works fine but not the gps.
I entered in the factory mode by turning the phone pressing the buttons power + volume up. When I tested the gps I got the message gps failed! (-8).
The problem is that the phone never get the gps fix.
My colleague that bought the same phone bought the same device and when we tested the gps the issue was the same, gps failed! (-8)
We disassembled his device and in the back top of the phone where usually the devices have the gps hardware but there is nothing there.
If someone has faced an issue like this, or found an workaround, please share.
pics
h_t_t_p:_/_/img692.imageshack.us/img692/2783/110526094210.jpg
h_t_t_p:_/_/img577.imageshack.us/img577/8449/img20110530155342.jpg
Regards
You must go outside, and wait aprox. 10 minutes. For me it worked!
Well Cristivsb, looks like you are the luck one that got the hardware inside your phone, mine a2000 so as my friend's a2000 have not gps hardware inside. I did a trip by car and put it in the console of the car with clear view of the sky, it took more than 2 hours to find satellites but nothing, that is the reason why my colleague openned his one and noticed the gps hardware was not there.
Does anyone has the same issue?
Thanks
Sorry to hear that. Can you please tell me, on the back of the phone package, it is written in English or in Chinese?
> aGPS settings > Select Profile = Google (not Nokia)
It depends which maufacturer you got it from. Looks like a lot of these Chinese manufacturers are cutting corners when putting these things together to either save money or to be able to sell them at a lower price.
There are some A2000's with capacitive screens instead of the resistive screens which is stated on the specs. And there are also some with larger capacities.
The GPS on my A2000 seems to work fine, just having some trouble with the wifi (it works, but only when it wants to) and the 3.5mm jack isn't giving stereo output.
A great phone nonetheless.
Do you mind saying where you got the phone from?
Well, I don't think it is good since mine is without god or capacitive screen. But the problem was the dealer, avoid to buy at chinabuye.com they don't care about customer complaints.
I fixed mine by replacing it by HTC Sensation, more expensive but really works.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA App
I have the same problem!
My phone can't get an GPS fix. I tried it with the A-GPS Nokia server and the A-GPS Google server. I even tried 3rd party software.
Bought it one week ago from ebay, maybe the newer phones come without GPS hardware? I already contacted the seller, waiting for a response.
Star A2000
Hello everyone, i have Star A2000, it works great for me, wifi, gps etc are working... I want to ask is has anyone here know how to improve its performance especially in games? What about custom ROMS? Is it advisable to root this phone? i had read some articles that rooting can improve performance and battery life, can someone tell or teach me how or has someone done rooting A2000? is there a video tutorial about it??
Many thanks...
Nope, i've got a GPS receiver. But it's not very fast! A fake Sirfstar III gps module called: Sirf III. It's working
@jeymund.
I rooted my device today using: "Visionary-R14"
Use the search button on XDA and have fun.
Nope, i've got a GPS receiver. But it's not very fast! A fake Sirfstar III gps module called: Sirf III. It's working
@jeymund.
I rooted my device today using: "Visionary-R14"
Use the search button on XDA and have fun.
EDIT: Ok, here is your link to download visionary: http://www.4shared.com/get/fJ_C7nEx/MoDaCo_Visionary_Plus_r14.html
1. Copy the file to the memory card of your mobile phone.
2. disconnect your phone from the PC.
3. Open file manager on your phone.
4. Go to your file and install it.
5. after installing, go to homecreen and open your menu.
6. Go to settings > applications > Development > and check "USB Debugging"
7. now again, go to homecreen and open your menu.
8. Open the visionary application in your menu.
9. Click on TEMP ROOT NOW and wait.. (Dont do anything)
10 after finishing, wait a few (10) seconds and click: "Attempt Permroot now" Now you'll see a massage. allow root acces, but within 8 seconds. (should take at least 30 sec's, but dont do anything!)
11. After auto-reboot, your phone is rooted.
is your phone also Star A2000? I'm afraid to do rooting because it might bricked the unit, what are the advantages or what have you noticed after you've rooted your A2000?
help plz
Hello, i have a qouestion, i got phone from chine, its look like replica of hTC,
i dont have any sw for him, i canot sync it with my computer because i dont have driver for usb
- i can say only that i have java , it is dual SIM mobile, 3MP kamera, FM, Bluetooth, wifii, touch screen,
on baterry and back case it writen that model is X9, but i search the web and there is no hTC model X9, i tray with chinaphonesuite, and a downloaded many driver but with no succes
so i need help plz, is there someone with similar problem !!!!!!??????
sorry for my bad english
I use Z4 for rooting A2000 and A1000 have had no problems, although some of the Mobile unlce tools (from china) do not see this as root, 99% of tools do like root explorer etc and I have had no problem - my only advice is make sure you always keep recovery or system partition working, never flash recovery then immediately install rom - always test check things out slowly so one partition can fix the other if needed.
Also the only difference between the A2000 and A1000 I know of is the touch screen A2k is resistive and A1k is capactive so the Roms will work on each other as far as I am aware but you need to keep your original kernel as that contains the driver for the touchscreen (the kernel is in the boot.ini file within the rom - so you can usually just swap the boo.ini over)
---------- Post added at 04:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:41 AM ----------
You need to go to a site i am not yet allowed to post a link to, to get software google m44 mobile uncle - use a translator to read about your x9 phone, you will need to create an account (hit use bugmenot.com) as it took me a long time to even manage to log in - you need to open one browser tab translated and one normal (so links can be clicked)
- Can an admin please remove my restrictions, I know I am new - but I know more about these phones than just about any other english speaking person I have met and can offer some supoort, roms and tools for the star a1000, a2000 and maybe shed light on the X8, A3000 and A5000. Thanks
---------- Post added at 05:17 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:51 AM ----------
Hi guys I have a fix for this - I am currently posting to get my level up before I make a thread covering everything I know on these phones, the roms the recovery, rooting and fixes - keep an eye out!
a2000.......in china.....why I've never heard this device......
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=18046607#post18046607
improved performance?
i m planning to buy a china android phone. i read a review the A2000 has sluggish performance. does EVERYTHING works? does flashing new rom and other updates can improve its performance.
How can I take the 'Android Phone' cover off?
@ Eduardo Logan:
Please tell me how you were able to get the bottom back cover off. The one with "Android Phone" printed on it. I don't like to use a lot of force trying to pull things like this apart.
I need to take my phone apart because I have shattered the glass plate between touch digitizer and LCD...
{edit}
I found somewhere that my A2000 is similar to the A1000, but with resistive touchscreen.
This video: http://youtu.be/8fu8W3HQtSQ shows how to disassemble the A1000, but also the A2000.
{edit}
Mine also doesn't have a GPS chip, however there is already a reserved parking place for it .
The funny thing is that mine without GPS was actually more expensive than the A2000 with GPS, because the box (and Focalprice) states that it has an AMOLED screen. It really is just an ordinary LCD, so don't get fooled!
Another question: I can't seem to find a way to make a complete NAND backup, which I like to do before I start to play with the wonderful tools of Byteshertz:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=18046607#post18046607
I already installed Titanium backup, but it seems to make a backup of the apps. The recovery menu only seems to allow me to restore, but not to save a backup...
How did you guys do it?
BTW: I used z4root to root the phone, which worked flawlessly, the second time...
Thanks in advance,
Hans
Hi,
just wanted to add to this thread
I just got a A2000 phone, paid 111$ USD including shipping to Canada
the screen is resistive, 800x480 (image is very nice, touch is like other resistive so not really the best but very usable once you get the feel for it)
GPS works, locked on position in seconds !
it has an antenna for some kind of TV function but all I get is static, I don't think it works with DVB but not sure
the dual sim function looks likes you have two lines on one phones, you even have separate reception quality meters
the back as a nice little flip stand so you can rest it upright on a table
it came with two batteries 3.7v 1500 mah, you have to remove the battery to change the SIMs or the microsd card which is VERY annoying
for the price it is an excellent phone, especially a business that needs smartphones to every employee
After messing around since christmas day trying to use my Gear S as a standalone to use for running i have finally given up and are putting up for sale . The fact that the GPS is super fast one day then no luck the next day just doesnt work for me . After the latest firmware which seemed to fix it , it now after a few days worse ? I have tested and tested everything / rebooted / turned things off that may confuse it but still no joy . I wanted to use one simple function that when working " was superb " but standing around in the cold waiting upto 40 mins for a fix is nuts . My old method of getting first fix then making sure battery never dies doesnt always work now ? Lastly i would like to thank those who have kindly offered help on this journey vis this forum . Ebay here i come
Sorry to hear that man... I recently bought Gear S hoping to have standalone device but most of all for my all day fitness/laziness tracker. I have run just once so far with it and finding GPS fix wasn't that bad... maybe a minute of stretching and I was good to go.
Have you tried (probably you did.. silly question) reset gear in settings? Like a... reflash?
Actually, now I remember, before I went run i left Gear S on the window with GPS on just to catch position - I always did it with my previous running device - 5 y/o nokia
I have mate . Re-set a hundred times . Kept watch unaltered etc and still good and appaling days . Tried a 1000 combinations and gave up . I was happy when i bought to lose functions but it is not consistent enough for running . Best of luck !
stick with it
sorry to hear that - I've struggled with mine for a couple of weeks also, wasted $200AUS buying an incompatible Samsung phone (my stupidity), re-entered my contacts and diary events 2/3 times after having to do a hard reset / re-pairing, have been underwhelmed & frustrated by the Samsung / Galaxy / Gear ecosystem (and the quality of their phones) but I still think this is the best device in it's class
have look at LPX Studios on youtube etc
I hope Samsung, the developers and the phone providers will address some of the problems (from what I've read, best not hold your breath)
I've decided to adopt a wait and see approach - this device almost satisfies my personal use case need (phone calls & texts on my wrist - plus cool extra functions like fitness essential email replies etc) decoupled from always-on temptations to check social media notifications, personal, work & junk emails etc, & to reduce the personal & financial costs of data consumption
I've not experienced "it just doesn't bloody work" - but I understand your frustrations.
I'm like "it's really great but yes it is a bit sh!te". I don't want to learn or be locked into yet another ecosystem but imho the Gear S has been worth a degree of patience / perseverance
in your use case fitness scenario (forgive me if i misread) I think the device does a half-decent job which is probably enough good enough. Why would you need GPS? Apologies if I've confused you with someone else whose UCS was to be able to send discrete messages to friends and family during meetings - but again thats the joy of a smart watch over a smartphone - one can't tap away so one won't tap away
If I can buy an apple watch with a simcard, and a macbook air with a simcard then i'm in, but I don't think thats going to happen. (I think i read some of the newer iPads in some locations have some kind of universal Sim but I don't want an iPad - I need a laptop & a phone and see the obvious use case for a watch phone - current minimal number of devices 3 .... ideal number 1 - the laptop workhorse - (I wear a wristwatch anyway) So I can check emails & notifications later at home or back at work tomorrow if I really need to - the untethered device is retro liberation from contemporary distraction
What I'd really like would be an old school Toshiba Toughbook (the one with a handle and strap), dual sim card slots, 2 massive hot-swappable hard drives & batteries and a Toshiba Smart Watch (with a sim) - I think they had something like that (without the watch) .... so your briefcase is your computer and your phone is your watch - versus say having get out your iPhone iPad & everything else at the airport or simply going for a coffee (but then I'd still have to go back to Windows and relearn that in its latest iteration)
vinceremos
Hi . I need the GPS to track and moniter my runs . I dont have a phone paired with this and as i said . When it works its spot on but usually it just doesnt pick a GPS fix unless i wait upto 30 mins . This applies to wherever i am ? Since i started this thread the bloody thing is now working ? Still selling it . Having to try again and again is madness
GPS is very handy when running. If it wouldn't work I would be &*:angel:*&
My medieval Nokia works with endomondo + gps so why newest toy which is worth x20 more (seriously) wouldn't?
Even if I wouldn't need it, for it's price it must work - I payed for it! And its also what Samsung promised.
Although, the thing is that... it works for everyone else. So maybe you have a defective one? Warranty? :good:
Its a South Korean one from Ebay . I actually believe its not technically defective . Other users reported dodgy GPS for serious runners . I did contact Samsung UK service and they are not interested in non European models . I really think for runners its simply not upto the job . However i could be wrong .......
I just got my gear s last week and I agree the gps sucks. I love everything else it does but to botch gps on a fitness tracker is a real stumble on their part.
Sorry to hear your bad experience, I've had mine with my note 4 and everything has been good for me. After the latest update I did completely uninstall and reinstall and it's been pretty awesome with good battery.
Hi . So are you saying when not paired and working standalone that your GPS works fine when running ?
Thanks
I agree the GPS takes forever on the S Health app to connect. I'm not giving mine up tho because I'm a bit of a Samsung fanboy and love all their products.
Have anyone tried to run without GPS on? It should count steps as a run + more less give you a distance.
I bought the Gear S for the same reason: I wanted something with GPS to track my runs, plus a Sim card slot so I don't have to run with my phone any more, and BT, so I can listen to audio over my LG Tone Plus.
(I actually also needed something with a camera and full Android, so I can put some apps I use for running on it., which is why I ended up buying a Galaxy Gear and flashing Null on it.)
I agree that the Gear S GPS does not always work and I am really mad standing around in the freezing snow waiting for the signal to lock.
On my last few runs, I had to run without GPS because no amount of waiting made a difference. On one run, the signal came on but only after 30 mins or so. It's really infuriating, but, as someone else said, there no competition in this space.
I have been thinking about trying my luck with an Android Chinese watch-phone from aliexpress, but who knows if the battery on any of those would last me through a run with GPS, phone, mobile data and BT on.
Anyhow, Tim, if you find something better, it would be great of you could post here. It sounds like we have the same use case for it.
eclipse05x said:
Have anyone tried to run without GPS on? It should count steps as a run + more less give you a distance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yah it still gives you distance and time ran without the GPS.
Nike plus
Guys, have you tried to run with Nike Plus app? Is it better with GPS in this app in comparison with S? How is synchro after finish the run then right to Nike plus server- any problems? Can someone compare GPS accuracy between Garmin Fenix and Gear S? I' m on the edge of decision wheter to go with Gear S. I need it primary for running and standalone SIM activities as my private phone.
Thanks!
Dan
aeon101 said:
Guys, have you tried to run with Nike Plus app? Is it better with GPS in this app in comparison with S? How is synchro after finish the run then right to Nike plus server- any problems? Can someone compare GPS accuracy between Garmin Fenix and Gear S? I' m on the edge of decision wheter to go with Gear S. I need it primary for running and standalone SIM activities as my private phone.
Thanks!
Dan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Someone over on Android Central compared it with the Fenix and other trackers. Here's the post. Since I don't use Nike+ (I don't want to have to sign up for yet another service I will forget my password for), I only ever track with S Health.
Many thanks Xendula, very useful!
xendula said:
I bought the Gear S for the same reason: I wanted something with GPS to track my runs, plus a Sim card slot so I don't have to run with my phone any more, and BT, so I can listen to audio over my LG Tone Plus.
(I actually also needed something with a camera and full Android, so I can put some apps I use for running on it., which is why I ended up buying a Galaxy Gear and flashing Null on it.)
I agree that the Gear S GPS does not always work and I am really mad standing around in the freezing snow waiting for the signal to lock.
On my last few runs, I had to run without GPS because no amount of waiting made a difference. On one run, the signal came on but only after 30 mins or so. It's really infuriating, but, as someone else said, there no competition in this space.
I have been thinking about trying my luck with an Android Chinese watch-phone from aliexpress, but who knows if the battery on any of those would last me through a run with GPS, phone, mobile data and BT on.
Anyhow, Tim, if you find something better, it would be great of you could post here. It sounds like we have the same use case for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Xendula . Since yesterday i tried a few more attempts / tests and the reallity is this watch is ****e ( sorry Samsung Fans ) but i'm gutted . As of 20.00 pm UK time today it is on Ebay . Personally after messing around since Christmas day i cannot wait to see it go . Hopefully get a good price ? Nice talking to you guys . All the very best for the future
Tim
UK
i believe that children are the future
today i was accosted by a dozen eagle-eyed little kids (ages maybe 5-10) walking home from school (them not me) "hey mister is that thing a phone?"
I'm like "yes its a phone and a watch - let me show you the sad cat watch-face .... but you still need another samsung phone back at home, its a bit buggy, i'm told the charging cradle will break anytime soon, i don't understand the android / samsung / galaxy / tizen / gear S ecosystem, but I am a bit jaundiced by Apple, think this thing has potential and am persevering with it blah blah blah"
They were like "whatever dude - that thing is seriously cool!"
I related this little vignette to my work colleagues
" yeah see I've been telling you for the last two weeks but this is the proof - you can't fool kids - put your iPhone 6 on ebay and get one of these"
"Well you shouldn't go flashing it around - next thing one of them kids will be breaking into your house to steal it"
I'm like I wasn't flashing it around i was walking down the street just wearing it . Like any of my new six year old Galaxy S fanboys/fangirls are going to turn into cat burglers, break into my house and prize it from my wrist while I'm asleep?
I already told them "it can check how much exercise I've done, and I can wear it in bed to make sure I'm getting enough sleep - yeah like a fitbit but a phone & a watch too "
until Apple or Motorola or Sony or whoever put a sim in their smart watch I'm keeping mine
ideally i think more laptops should come with a sim card slot too
I''m disappointed i still need a proper phone to make the Gear S work, but would in practice still need one anyway for tethering the laptop when not at home. I'm no expert but would not a simcard in the laptop offer big battery and big ariel advantages compared to phone tethering ? (no i don't want to carry round or have a dongle sticking out - that's the point)
Several astute reviewers have commented positively on the back-to-the-future retro simplicity of the smartwatch concept as implemented by the Samsung Gear S (whilst highlighting problems in the current execution of that - as also clearly highlighted on these forums & elsewhere) Whatever
"after a few days I was really liking the freedom of not checking my emails & notifications every 5 minutes"
Imagine the freedom of a smartwatch connected (if necessary) to your laptop or whatever other larger device - phablet, iPad or whatever you use for work or pleasure. That's like two devices not 3 or more (smartphone, work phone, tablet, kindle, laptop etc) - in fact actually only one extra thing to carry if / when you need to because the phone is like already on your wrist.
Advantages
• Less economically zero-sum consumer consumption
The guy on the production line gets nothing. I pay several hundred dollars for the device, it jumps out of my pocket and i pay another guy in a mall $150 to fix the screen. Am i contributing to some kind of trickle-down / trickle-up dissipation or redistribution of wealth?
maybe locally to the screen-fixer and his family.
There is (but wasn't always) built in obsolescence in technology but designed to break technology is a really big con that is not (like indeed BIO) an inevitable or essential feature of capitalism & global trade.
To use an obvious example & pertinent example
I think I can understand Mr Steve Jobs drive & achievement in coming back (I'll show them [email protected]) and making Apple the biggest company in the world - but at what price?
Wage slaves in Asia committing suicide in Hi-tech sweat shops.
Drive down margins like everyone else, create the most expensive have-to-have consumer devices ever, choose form over function, lock people into an ecosystem originally justified by quality and consistency considerations now simply a lock-in. Make things designed to break.
Ok he was an ex-hippy not a socialist - he couldn't change the world but might have eventually leveraged his personal power and that of his company maybe a little more e.g.
"I believe our products are great and worth the money - they are not produced in sweatshops in Asia. The suicide rate amongst our subcontracted workers is no higher than the local average and we insist the wages are substantially better. We are not Nike (or whoever) we are Apple."
Sorry the iPhone and iPad screens shatter so easily - that wasn't the case with my first iPhone iteration.
I've spoken to my good friends Sir Bob Geldof, Bill Gates , Sir Elton John, Sir Bruce Springsteen and Bonio from U2 and have decided to create a legacy of value and enduring social change not shiny expensive useless f*cking toys
From Bill Nelson's Red Noise
The posters on your wall mark every fashion's rise and fall
Why try to keep the past alive
And though I know the time is almost 1984
It feels like 1965
from Michael Wincott playing Rene in the the 1996 film Basquiat
when you first see a new picture, you don't want to miss the boat. You have to be very careful because you may be staring at Van Gogh's ear.
• er less confusion
• less drowning in a sea of devices, chargers, wires, peripherals etc
Do samsung make laptops?
Alan
Remote Western Australia
all of the above did really happen today
Hey, I run with this nearly every morning. It's perfect.
I pull the sim card out of my Galaxy S5 and pop it in my gear S.
The NIKE ap does a good job tracking the gps.
And if something bad happens on my run I can call someone.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using XDA Free mobile app