The Gear S in the United States runs on different firmware based on your mobile provider. I'd like to start a thread to see if we can understand why the firmware updates appear to include different features.
Sprint users received a firmware update in Feb 2015: R750PVPU1AOA7
Description of Enhancements/Fixes
Preloaded Stopwatch and Timer
New icon glossary
DST timer fix for customers
Now, T-Mobile users got a firmware update to R750TUVU1AOA7 on Jan 27, 2015. This update (which ends in 1AOA7 just like the Sprint update) did NOT include the preloaded stopwatch and timer. Not a big deal since you can download and install these apps. The update was described as "This update provides call forwarding improvements and menu language updates."
Recently, AT&T users got a firmware update to R750AUCU1AOB1
The update was described as:
Resolves Day Light Savings time bug where remote connection results in 1-hour difference.
Adds Wi-Fi Protected Setup
Improvements to S Voice
Improvements to wrist-up recognition when driving
Additional theme options and clock face
Looks like Verizon users got an update in early Feb that ends in 1AOA4.
Verizon: 1AOA4
T-Mobile: 1AOA7
Sprint: 1AOA7
AT&T: 1AOB1
Seems like everyone got the 2 new watch faces. Why didn't we all get the preloaded stopwatch and timer? How about the other enhancements like Wi-Fi Protected Setup or the other improvements?
Any other observations from Gear S owners?
I believe AT&T update also brings capability to reply to Gmail with some pre-canned messages.
@drjosephkim
I have the tmobile version, WPS support is there and the stopwatch + timer apps are available by samsung in the gear store for free.... just fyi
Different features on different carriers
It appears that the carrier and firmware differences affect functionality. Verizon and Sprint do not support automatic call forwarding yet. This is too bad, as this is a great feature to allow your phone calls to follow you . Also, on the current Verizon firmware, there is no icon (or any indicator anywhere on the Gear S) to show you that your Gear S is remotely connected, as opposed to connected via bluetooth. On AT&T's version, there is a small cloud icon to indicate remote connection. Since this connection sometimes drops, the lack of remote connection status indicator reduces the trustworthiness of the device.
That being said, the remote connection is amazing. When you respond, you are responding through your phone (and its number) - fully, not just canned responses - to notifications, gmail, texts, etc. as if you were within bluetooth range. This feature makes it very easy to leave your phone at home without worry to run errands, etc., and get and respond to all of your messages and notifications. If call forwarding could be automatic, that would be even better.
This device is way better than I anticipated. I have been surprised at the overall mediocre to negative reviews. I assume this is mostly Samsung hate.
I have AT&T and call forwarding is automatic on it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk
I believe Verizon is too but the special dial code to do the forwarding doesn't work for everyone from what I read.
Related
Has anyone contacted Bell in Canada and asked for a status on updates to the Atrix??
I think we need to pressure Bell a little more
I agree with you there. I'd love to try a new rom but I'm scared.
A software update is now available for the Bell version of the Motorola Atrix!
- To download the update manually:
Go to: Menu > Settings > About Phone > Software Update
- I'm not sure what the size of the update file is, but I would suggest downloading it over WiFi as opposed to the Bell network so you don't exceed your data allowance and incur extra charges.
- Ensure that your phone is at least 50% charged before attempting the update. Idealy, charge it beyond 50% to be safe.
-- The updated version is v37.23 and brings Android Froyo up to version 2.2.2, and contains numerous updates:
Upload Data Speed
Increased upload speed at which data can travel on the network.
Data and Voice Connection
Improvements to prevent interruptions to data and voice connection.
Screen
Improvements to prevent screen from freezing.
Skype
Improvements to call audio function so it is easier for the person you called to hear you. Please note this application is not pre-loaded on phone, but is available for download from Android Market.
Wi-Fi
Increased functionality by enabling Yahoo Email to be sent over a Wi-Fi connection.
Display
Improved International Roaming Warning Message by simplifying user notification so that it only appears on the screen when you move to a new network.
Happening Widget
Improved Happenings Widget to ensure that you receive the latest updates across the social networks you are connected to such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter.
Calling
Improvements were made to incoming and outgoing call functionality to ensure a more seamless experience
Expanded Language Support for Webtop
Accented character support within Webtop application.
Improved Support for POP/SMTP Email
Support for SMTP outgoing servers that do not require authentication
Improved Exchange Performance
Improved Exchange Email/Calendar/Contacts performance
When is there gonna be an update for the atrix in canada?
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
I've heard it will be OTA in less than 2.
Probably never... Hopefully soon, may b in days or weeks... not years...
Sent from my (M)Atrix using XDA App
You should write them a mail....I already have done so!
Sent from my Atrix using XDA app
A software update is now available for the Bell version of the Motorola Atrix!
- To download the update manually:
Go to: Menu > Settings > About Phone > Software Update
- I'm not sure what the size of the update file is, but I would suggest downloading it over WiFi as opposed to the Bell network so you don't exceed your data allowance and incur extra charges.
- Ensure that your phone is at least 50% charged before attempting the update. Idealy, charge it beyond 50% to be safe.
-- The updated version is v37.23 and brings Android Froyo up to version 2.2.2, and contains numerous updates:
Upload Data Speed
Increased upload speed at which data can travel on the network.
Data and Voice Connection
Improvements to prevent interruptions to data and voice connection.
Screen
Improvements to prevent screen from freezing.
Skype
Improvements to call audio function so it is easier for the person you called to hear you. Please note this application is not pre-loaded on phone, but is available for download from Android Market.
Wi-Fi
Increased functionality by enabling Yahoo Email to be sent over a Wi-Fi connection.
Display
Improved International Roaming Warning Message by simplifying user notification so that it only appears on the screen when you move to a new network.
Happening Widget
Improved Happenings Widget to ensure that you receive the latest updates across the social networks you are connected to such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter.
Calling
Improvements were made to incoming and outgoing call functionality to ensure a more seamless experience
Expanded Language Support for Webtop
Accented character support within Webtop application.
Improved Support for POP/SMTP Email
Support for SMTP outgoing servers that do not require authentication
Improved Exchange Performance
Improved Exchange Email/Calendar/Contacts performance
Dear all,
I am getting desperate, so I hope someone can help. I need to switch the DTMF from long tones to short tones (and maybe also adjust the timing between tones).
I run a small company and make a lot of international calls - unfortunately, I'm rarely in my home office, so I often make the calls 'on the road'. I have a dial-through service where I call up a central exchange (local number) and then dial the international number via DTMF in order to get reasonable calling rates, but that no longer works on my Android phone. Ever since I bought my Samsung Galaxy S3 a year and a half ago, I have been searching high and low for information about how to control the DTMF tones, but it seems that that functionality has been removed from Android to quash competition.
My very old "dumb phone" could store contacts' phone numbers as +12345678#00123456789, when I got my first smart phone (Nokia N900) I just had to change the hash mark to a comma and it worked. When I switched to an HTC Desire Z, DTMF worked OK as well. But, when I busted up my HTC, I got lured by Samsung with the Galaxy S3 and that is when my troubles began.
First, DTMF control was removed from T-Mobile versions of Android and then it was removed from the base version of Android - to support the telecom companies, NOT because there is no longer a need for DTMF among the Android user base. It is clearly against the interests of T-Mobile and other carriers in the Android coalition that Android can do DTMF properly. T-Com, also part of Deutsche Telekom, is sitting with monopoly on the landline infrastructure in Hungary among several other countries in Central Europe and it is quite clear that Deutsche Telekom does not like competition. I am very sure that is why Android DTMF tones are now purposely designed to be incompatible with the exchanges that "foreign" carriers rent from the likes of T-Com!
As long as I cannot control the DTMF tones, then I do not have the freedom to use the US carrier for international calls from my S3 and that means an extra EUR 40-80 into the pockets of Deutsche Telekom - every single month!
I am a very small business, so the extra costs is a hefty sum that could much better be used on marketing or serving my clients. If I am limited to only calling through the US carrier when using my office landline, then the level of service I provide drops and in the long run that will cost me more than the exorbitant call rates.
Please help!
I am getting so desperate that I am considering buying a Windows phone (if it can do DTMF) or a "dumb phone" and then only use the S3 as a WiFi internet/sodoku capable PDA.
Do any of you know of an application or a ROM that will give me my freedom back?
- I know about VoIP alternatives, but the quality is not reliable enough when I only have one single chance to win over a potential client.
- I have recently rooted my S3 and switched to an Andriod Revolution HD ROM, but that did not give me DTMF either - "only" a much faster and significantly less battery consuming Android experience.
- I have tried looking under *#0011#, *#7284#, *#9090#, *#0*#, and *#9900# but without success (the codes I found to work on my S3 with Revolution HD).
- I have also found several DTMF apps in Google Play, but they are all DTMF generators designed to send DTMF tones from the device speaker and into the mic of a landline phone, so not what I am looking for.
- I have done numerous searches on XDA and in general, but all DTMF questions found are either unanswered or with outdated answers (the setting is no longer to be found in the Dialler app).
ThomasS3 said:
Dear all,
I am getting desperate, so I hope someone can help. I need to switch the DTMF from long tones to short tones (and maybe also adjust the timing between tones).
I run a small company and make a lot of international calls - unfortunately, I'm rarely in my home office, so I often make the calls 'on the road'. I have a dial-through service where I call up a central exchange (local number) and then dial the international number via DTMF in order to get reasonable calling rates, but that no longer works on my Android phone. Ever since I bought my Samsung Galaxy S3 a year and a half ago, I have been searching high and low for information about how to control the DTMF tones, but it seems that that functionality has been removed from Android to quash competition.
My very old "dumb phone" could store contacts' phone numbers as +12345678#00123456789, when I got my first smart phone (Nokia N900) I just had to change the hash mark to a comma and it worked. When I switched to an HTC Desire Z, DTMF worked OK as well. But, when I busted up my HTC, I got lured by Samsung with the Galaxy S3 and that is when my troubles began.
First, DTMF control was removed from T-Mobile versions of Android and then it was removed from the base version of Android - to support the telecom companies, NOT because there is no longer a need for DTMF among the Android user base. It is clearly against the interests of T-Mobile and other carriers in the Android coalition that Android can do DTMF properly. T-Com, also part of Deutsche Telekom, is sitting with monopoly on the landline infrastructure in Hungary among several other countries in Central Europe and it is quite clear that Deutsche Telekom does not like competition. I am very sure that is why Android DTMF tones are now purposely designed to be incompatible with the exchanges that "foreign" carriers rent from the likes of T-Com!
As long as I cannot control the DTMF tones, then I do not have the freedom to use the US carrier for international calls from my S3 and that means an extra EUR 40-80 into the pockets of Deutsche Telekom - every single month!
I am a very small business, so the extra costs is a hefty sum that could much better be used on marketing or serving my clients. If I am limited to only calling through the US carrier when using my office landline, then the level of service I provide drops and in the long run that will cost me more than the exorbitant call rates.
Please help!
I am getting so desperate that I am considering buying a Windows phone (if it can do DTMF) or a "dumb phone" and then only use the S3 as a WiFi internet/sodoku capable PDA.
Do any of you know of an application or a ROM that will give me my freedom back?
- I know about VoIP alternatives, but the quality is not reliable enough when I only have one single chance to win over a potential client.
- I have recently rooted my S3 and switched to an Andriod Revolution HD ROM, but that did not give me DTMF either - "only" a much faster and significantly less battery consuming Android experience.
- I have tried looking under *#0011#, *#7284#, *#9090#, *#0*#, and *#9900# but without success (the codes I found to work on my S3 with Revolution HD).
- I have also found several DTMF apps in Google Play, but they are all DTMF generators designed to send DTMF tones from the device speaker and into the mic of a landline phone, so not what I am looking for.
- I have done numerous searches on XDA and in general, but all DTMF questions found are either unanswered or with outdated answers (the setting is no longer to be found in the Dialler app).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HI,
I don't know anything about DTMF but what I can tell you is that I have a galaxy S4 and in the call settings of the stock touchwiz ROM there is no DTMF setting, but now I installed google play edition ROM, and I have the option of selecting Long or Normal. So my advice to you is to try and install an AOSP rom. Something as close to stock vanilla ROM as possible and maybe it will have the option.
Regards
If you're using Advanced Calling feature, please share your experience. Like, dislike, what affect it has on other things (if any), etc.
Thank you.
If you are talking about the phone call over WiFi, I had it on for a few calls and thought the quality was not very good so I turned it off.
No, Advanced Calling (AC) is voice over LTE tech. The LG V10 can't do simultaneous voice and data (i.e. using a web search while on a call) unless AC is turned on.
Here's info from Verizon:
Advanced Calling 1.0 for Android Devices FAQs
What is Advanced Calling?
For Apple devices, check out our Advanced Calling 1.0 for Apple devices FAQs.
Advanced Calling 1.0 is a first generation suite of services enabled by VoLTE (Voice over LTE) technology. VoLTE is a new technology platform that delivers voice calls over the 4G LTE network instead of the traditional voice network.
The benefits of Advanced Calling 1.0 include:
HD Voice
1-way or 2-way video calls* (including support for video calls over Wi-Fi)
6-way conference calls
Simultaneous voice and 4G LTE data**
*Note: Not all Advanced Calling 1.0-capable devices support Video Calling.
**Note: Most 4G LTE Android smartphones today already support simultaneous voice and LTE data without Advanced Calling 1.0. However, some newer Advanced Calling 1.0-capable devices such as the Droid Turbo by Motorola do not support simultaneous voice and LTE data unless Advanced Calling 1.0 is activated.
What is HD Voice?
HD Voice delivers clearer, natural-sounding audio when both parties are using HD Voice-enabled phones that are connected to our 4G LTE network.
HD Voice is included in your existing voice plan at no additional charge, but must be added to your account in My Verizon. HD Voice calls are billed as standard voice minutes, according to your plan.
What is Video Calling?
Video Calling is a feature that lets you make an HD Voice call combined with real-time video.
Making video calls is as simple and easy as making traditional voice calls. If the person you're calling can accept a video call, you'll see a Camera icon. You can then select that icon to upgrade to a video call. There's no need to download an app or set up a new user ID to place a video call.
Notes:
Video Calling requires a Video Calling-enabled phone.
When connected to Verizon's 4G LTE network and known Wi-Fi access points, video calls will automatically hand off to Wi-Fi.
What is simultaneous voice and LTE data?
Simultaneous voice and 4G LTE data allows customers connected to Verizon's 4G LTE network to surf the web, continue a download, use an application, or use a feature like Mobile Hotspot while talking on a call.
Who's eligible for Advanced Calling 1.0?
To be eligible for Advanced Calling 1.0, you need to meet all of the following requirements:
Be on a standard monthly plan*
Have an HD Voice-capable phone
Note: If you have any features that are incompatible with Advanced Calling 1.0, you'll need to remove them when you add the HD Voice feature to your account.
* Prepaid accounts aren't eligible for Advanced Calling 1.0 at this time.
Which devices support Advanced Calling 1.0?
You can view our current list of phones compatible with Advanced Calling 1.0 online. This list will grow over time.
How much does Advanced Calling 1.0 cost?
Advanced Calling 1.0 is available at no additional charge, and HD Voice is included in existing plans.
HD Voice calls are billed as standard voice calls according to your plan. No data charges apply.
Mobile-to-Mobile calls that happen to be HD Voice calls are charged just like traditional Mobile-to-Mobile calls and are billed against your monthly minute allowance according to your plan.
A video call is an HD Voice call combined with real-time video. The voice portion is billed as a standard voice call, according to your plan. The video portion is billed as data, according to your data plan. No data charges apply to video calls transmitted over Wi-Fi.
Note: An average 1-minute video call uses about 6 - 8 MB of data. The actual data consumption of your video call may vary. You can estimate your data usage using our online Data Usage Calculator.
I use it all the time. I would not get a phone that I could not talk on and use the internet simultaneously. I don't have any issues with voice quality.
AndroidCraig said:
I use it all the time. I would not get a phone that I could not talk on and use the internet simultaneously. I don't have any issues with voice quality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great, thank you!
Truename said:
If you're using Advanced Calling feature, please share your experience. Like, dislike, what affect it has on other things (if any), etc.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me, I felt the call audio was a little soft/tinny (not sure how to describe it) and thought it odd that the call audio on a phone like this wasn't better so I thought I'd give it a try and activated it late last week. At first, I wasn't sure I could tell a difference but then noticed that the clarity of the audio on phone calls seems to be improved - i.e. instead of the call sounding distant/tinny, it seemed to "feel" closer, with better audio clarity.
Maybe it's a placebo affect but I can say I'm happier with the call quality after activating it. Plus, what can it hurt...it's a feature Verizon is offering for free!
When I use advance calling for some reason on BT the names aren't displayed on my vehicle screen, only the phone number shows up. If I turn it off it will display the name of the call coming in or going out. Anyone else have this happen?
My family won't talk to me with it on. They sound great to me but I sound like I am in a tunnel.
But with it off no data while in a call.
This is might be a deal killer with this phone...
I rarely had dropped calls until using AC. Coupled with weird sound quality, I call it At&t Calling. ?
Couple observations
-I maybe incorrect on this, but I believe that in order for voLTE to actually work, BOTH parties in a call need to have it - service availability and a compatible phone. So I'm not sure whether most people weighing in actually know for certain if they've actually had a VOLTE call or not.
- In a post elsewhere another user blamed voLTE for increasing battery drain rate. Certainly seems plausible, but if true, that would be truly unfortunate because apparently disabling it prevents simultaneous data and voice - an issue I've never had to deal with before.
- this might not be relevant to many, but I was pulling my hair out trying to determine why my location-based profile app (Llama) as well as similar apps that use cell tower polling to determine location at low battery cost, were not able to read any cell tower IDs - until I disabled Advanced Calling and then low and behold they worked again.
I'm dubious of AC at this point, and curious to hear more people's experience.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk
I came from the G3 which allowed simultaneous voice and data but never really used it. What I think is that we should AT MINIMUM be able to use Maps and be on a call without losing out directions as now Maps directions stop if you get a call. I really don't think GPS directions should be using data anyway. I will not be enabling AC until it works with Ring Back Tones or it is something that I can't avoid.
Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk
I use it, but so far the only person I've been able to talk to using HD voice is my girlfriend and that's only because I activated it on her phone. It sounds a lot different, but it's hard to explain what it's like. It's almost like you're talking to someone right next to you, but your in a glass box. There's this weird difference that I can't put my finger on what it is exactly but it seems the sound of emptiness is clearer in the background.
Quick update, it's awful if you don't have a decent data connection. We were talking while she was in the gym and it sounded so bad. She would cut out randomly, or sound way softer than normal and I couldn't understand anything. It's OK at best, but I think I prefer traditional calling.
I am suspicious of it causing my voice to echo. It doesn't always happen but since I've left it on for a while, I've heard my own voice very frequently. The other party, who probably isn't using AC has never commented on an echo and I assume they're not hearing it.
I have it activated on my phone as well as my wife's; i've only talked to her using AC. It sounds very much like talking to someone over Skype, Hangouts, etc. Sometimes it seems very clear and easier to hear the other person, then other times it will "pixelate" the sound, which is also something that most people that have used Skype, etc have experiences. I've never had any voice echoing though. I would never pay for this feature, but it is the only way we can use data and voice simultaneously.
It was also needlessly difficult to enable this feature on my wifes G4. I was able to activate it on my V10 no prob, but could not do it on the G4. Finally called VZW and after 10 minutes with an L2 support guy it was enabled. Something was messed up on their end.
I'm unable to activate it on my phone. My 'Advanced Calling' screen just says "upgrade service to..." but I activated it online in my Verizon account 8 hours and about 3 reboots ago. Any ideas?
I can't believe a device in 2015 is incapable of simultaneous voice and data. Verizon forcing this single antenna path on us is pretty ridiculous. I use tethering a lot and I also look things up for my parents while talking to them. Are these use cases really that rare that no one complains?
ornwilson said:
I'm unable to activate it on my phone. My 'Advanced Calling' screen just says "upgrade service to..." but I activated it online in my Verizon account 8 hours and about 3 reboots ago. Any ideas?
I can't believe a device in 2015 is incapable of simultaneous voice and data. Verizon forcing this single antenna path on us is pretty ridiculous. I use tethering a lot and I also look things up for my parents while talking to them. Are these use cases really that rare that no one complains?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok this happened to me and what the problem was my advanced calling got corrupt and Verizon on there end had to remove my advanced calling and add it back to my account and then I restarted and all my options displayed right
Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk
ornwilson said:
I'm unable to activate it on my phone. My 'Advanced Calling' screen just says "upgrade service to..." but I activated it online in my Verizon account 8 hours and about 3 reboots ago. Any ideas?
I can't believe a device in 2015 is incapable of simultaneous voice and data. Verizon forcing this single antenna path on us is pretty ridiculous. I use tethering a lot and I also look things up for my parents while talking to them. Are these use cases really that rare that no one complains?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly, no they are not that rare. I've used data while talking on my note 3 and LG G3. This makes me want to sell the lg v10. That's excluding the fact I can't get txts after root working and no I don't want to use HD calling and it's not on my plan.
Ok guys I got a question!! I rooted my v10 on 5.1.1 and had my A/C calling on when I flashed the upgrade root package. phone started to get a bit buggie after awhile so I did a factory reset lost my A/C so I unrooted and try to reactivate it was a no go. I disabled it from my line then tried again and again and again. Did this for about 3 hours finally call Verizon they tried to help but there useless considering there reading from a script. So now I'm back to root with no A/C. I really like my A/C and they want me to update to 6.0 and I'm not giving up root no way in hell am I doing that does anyone know of a work around. I got a new SIM card coming in from Verizon hoping that may fix it. Any and all help is very much appreciated!!
Sent from my XPOSED V10
I bought this device ~2017 from Sprint for my elderly mother so she could stay connected with the family. One of the features was she could use it to text. She took to that like a fish in water, which made us happy. They did not have WiFi, so it was strictly cellular data. There was no voice, but that was not a problem. It had been working fine until...we got a Tmobile SIM in the mail. (Due to the merger of Sprint with TMobile.). This was supposed to be required due to the 3G retirement.
I installed the SIM. Everything seems to be fine. But then we notice the SMS stopped working. I called Sprint, they did some sort of reset and SMS started working. I went away in victory. But then an hour or so later we noticed SMS no longer worked. Skipping some steps, I took it to the store. We installed a new TMO SIM card. SMS worked again--for 5-15 min, then stopped. They did a warranty replaced of the tablet. Same thing. It first worked (send and receive texts) for <15 min, then failed. They would not allow me to go back to the Sprint SIM card.
I had the manager escalate this through their tech support. After a week or so, the answer came back: SMS is not supported on tablets.
This must be a policy. Certainly it can work. But it seems to be a restriction/problem on the carrier side. However I am not convinced it is really a policy and not just laziness.
What I am seeking from this forum is to learn the following:
A) Does anyone have SMS working on this device (SM-T978U).
B) If SMS works, what carrier do you have.
Alternately, I am looking for a work around that works seamlessly. Anything convoluted will not work for her. She also has an Alcatel GO flip 4. She now has WiFi.
You may want to look at an App like TextFree or Google Voice.
I can report that this was a carrier created problem. The explanation I received was that after the TMO Sprint merger, they pushed out PLMN's that allowed the devices to use the best available resource (TMO or Sprint), I am told. When the Sprint resources could no longer be accessed with the new TMO SIM card, the SMS no longer worked. If others had this problem, it may now silently be fixed. They need to push out an new PLMN and then "cancel" the location to forces the device to take the new PLMN. Works fine now.
My frustration is that the lower levels of tech support are really just customer service to help you use your phone. A rant on the whole experience is not worth anyone's time. For me, a chance encounter with a TMO employee in a local bar was required. Once I got to people with the appropriate level of technical knowledge, the problem was solved quickly.
The answer to the question in the title is 'YES'.
This is not a T-Mobile only issue. None of the US carriers allow LTE/5G tablets to text using SMS or RCS. I am not sure why. I had the LTE Tab S5e on Verizon and at no point could I text directly from the tablet using its number. I had to either use Google Voice or some other third-party app.
I now have the WiFi Tab S7 and the only way I can text is to pair it via Google Messages to my S22 Ultra or to use Google Voice.
The upside to using Google Messages is that I can use the same number on both devices. The only downside is occasionally I have to re-pair Google Messages.
I just bought a used T-Mobile Tab S7. I can sms with stock messaging app.