Related
Ok...
I haven't found anyone else that would admit to trying these headphones with my phone (Dopod 838 Pro).
The headphones themselves are pretty cool. They fit pretty well, don't look toooo dorky, and the buttons click nicely etc. I haven't had them go flat on me yet. They could have come with a protective case though, and you have to take the microphone off to charge them, and I'm always afraid I will lose it.
When I first got them, they sounded crap. AM radio crap. I updated them to the latest firmware from the BlueAnt website (what a drama).
Tested, and they worked ok with the dongle - not exactly hifi sound, but the quality was ok to listen to.
Next I called BlueAnt HQ here in Australia, and after getting put through to a tech support guy he told me "They should work fine, I tried them with an iMate JasJam - no problems. Do a reset and try re-pairing them" (Duh).
Then I called the Dopod support line in Australia. During business hours. It goes through to an answering machine that doesn't even have an introduction message. Left a message. No reply.
Just as I was about to return them, I found the A2DP software tweak/patch on the wiki. First let me just say:
AAARRRGHHHH! What they hell are Microsoft thinking? Why have a registry setting \HKLM\StereoMusic\MakeMyMusicSoundLikeCrap=1 setting in the first place, and THEN why ship all phones with that enabled as the default? How many people have returned perfectly functioning Bluetooth headsets because of that? STUPID. I reckon Microsoft/HTC owe BlueAnt (and others) a truck load of money.
Secondly, that helps. Music is now stereo. I've been using them every day for a few weeks now. The bad news:
1) The quality is still very poor. There is a metallic hissing/sizzling/sibilance sound, especially noticeable on female vocals, which sounds (to me) exactly like a poor bitrate encoding error. The quality is much worse than when I pair it to the dongle it came with. I suspect it is the phone (or the MS BT stack) at fault not the headset. I would really like to be able to fix this.
2) With Wifi enabled, the music cuts out every few seconds. Unlistenable.
3) With Wifi disabled, I get the occasional glitch. I can live with that (if I must)
4) Using the headset profile during a phonecall, the sound I hear isn't too bad (a little muffled) but people tell me I sound really distant and hard to hear.
5) The AVRCP support is dodgy. Most of the time it works. Often when I first hit Play, it plays for a few seconds and then stops. I have to hit Play/Pause again and it starts. Track seek and volume up/down seem to work well. Answering a phone seemed hit and miss at first, but seems to mostly be working now. Not sure if this is the phone or the headset.
The iMate JasJam listed in the compatitabilty section of the BlueAnt website, but the Dopod 838 Pro is not. I emailed BlueAnt with my findings, and suggested they add the A2DP hack to their FAQ for other users. Hasn't appeared yet.
So, my questions:
1) Has anyone tried these headphones on a Hermes device? Does your experience mirror mine? Or is one of my devices faulty? Is the voice quality on the headset profile ok?
2) Is there a Widcomm (?) stack that works on the Hermes that may fix the problem, or...is it likely to be any better with WM6?
3) Does anyone have an A2DP headset of any brand working on a Hermes with "Crystal clear CD quality sound" like it says on the box the headphones came in. If so, what brand? If it is possible to get a good sound out of the MS BT stack, it might be worth pushing BlueAnt to release a new firmware to fix the issues.
4) Would a Bluetooth 2.0 headset give a better result? (Is it a bandwidth issue?)
Any replies would be helpful.
Thanks guys,
Zilch.
Yep I have an X5 unit connected to my Imate Jasjam and have not updated the firmware.
Yes it did skip when I first tried it but after a bit of experimenting, discovered turning off WiFi fixed it.
Yes it was mono till I did the reg hack to make it stereo.
No I don't get any hiss and think the quality is great (I know this is subjective but I tested female vocals as you suggested and they were great -Croncrete Blond, Eurythmics, Dyvinals, and even Chris Issac)
You may want to go here http://blogs.msdn.com/windowsmobile/default.aspx to realise the complications/dificulties the Ms WM guys are up against. I am sure they had a good reason to set the default to mono (maybe some devices didn't work at all with it set to stereo)
I would have to suggest there are other issues with your setup that are compromising the playback quality. I honsetly am impressed.
I don't use it as a phone headset as I use the X3 model to connect to two phones (I like Blue Ant stuff), so I can't comment on the mic quality.
When you consider that most people are having a nightmare with their stereo headsets (read the Widicom thread, if you have a lifetime to spare), then I am totally impressed with Blue Ant.
Sorry to have to disagree with you.
esseff said:
Yep I have an X5 unit connected to my Imate Jasjam and have not updated the firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply!
Yes it did skip when I first tried it but after a bit of experimenting, discovered turning off WiFi fixed it.
Yes it was mono till I did the reg hack to make it stereo.
No I don't get any hiss and think the quality is great (I know this is subjective but I tested female vocals as you suggested and they were great -Croncrete Blond, Eurythmics, Dyvinals, and even Chris Issac)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm...ok. Are you saying that the quality from your JasJam is the same as if you used the supplied Bluetooth Dongle that comes with the X5? (That's my goal currently)
If so, maybe there is some sort of configuration difference between the JasJam and the Dopod. (The JasJam is on the compatibility list, and the support guy did say he had used it ok)
I'm not just being an anal hifi buff here. The sound quality is obviously poor, and quite noticeable. You probably don't have it, but if you listen to the track 'Lithum' by 'Evanescense' it makes you cringe when the vocals come in (the piano sounds relatively normal. It's noticable in all tracks, but specifically in tracks like that.
Did you use this utility to tweak the A2DP sound settings? Or edit the registry manually (if so, can you tell me what settings you used?)
You may want to go here http://blogs.msdn.com/windowsmobile/default.aspx to realise the complications/dificulties the Ms WM guys are up against. I am sure they had a good reason to set the default to mono (maybe some devices didn't work at all with it set to stereo)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't really accept that as a valid reason. Sure they have problems. The least they could do is make a user tweakable UI to change that setting. It's not acceptable to have a protocol designed for stereo music set to mono and no way for a user to change it.
I would have to suggest there are other issues with your setup that are compromising the playback quality. I honsetly am impressed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, good to know. I haven't given up yet!
Sorry to have to disagree with you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not at all! Thanks again for the reply.
Edit: If you get a chance, can you do me a favour and check if yours is the H1 or the H4 model? (First two digits of the serial number, under the battery of the left headphone).
Zilch.
esseff said:
Yep I have an X5 unit connected to my Imate Jasjam and have not updated the firmware.
You may want to go here http://blogs.msdn.com/windowsmobile/default.aspx to realise the complications/dificulties the Ms WM guys are up against. I am sure they had a good reason to set the default to mono (maybe some devices didn't work at all with it set to stereo).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ehh... they could pay up and get a proper BT-stack from Widcomm....
Zilch said:
Thanks for the reply!
Hmm...ok. Are you saying that the quality from your JasJam is the same as if you used the supplied Bluetooth Dongle that comes with the X5? (That's my goal currently)
If so, maybe there is some sort of configuration difference between the JasJam and the Dopod. (The JasJam is on the compatibility list, and the support guy did say he had used it ok)
I'm not just being an anal hifi buff here. The sound quality is obviously poor, and quite noticeable. You probably don't have it, but if you listen to the track 'Lithum' by 'Evanescense' it makes you cringe when the vocals come in (the piano sounds relatively normal. It's noticable in all tracks, but specifically in tracks like that.
Did you use this utility to tweak the A2DP sound settings? Or edit the registry manually (if so, can you tell me what settings you used?)
I don't really accept that as a valid reason. Sure they have problems. The least they could do is make a user tweakable UI to change that setting. It's not acceptable to have a protocol designed for stereo music set to mono and no way for a user to change it.
Ok, good to know. I haven't given up yet!
Not at all! Thanks again for the reply.
Edit: If you get a chance, can you do me a favour and check if yours is the H1 or the H4 model? (First two digits of the serial number, under the battery of the left headphone).
Zilch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't used the dongle for a long time but when I did it was thru my HiFi playing CDs not MP3 so there may have been a difference in quality but never bothered to compare as I never had a problem with the playback quality from my Imate.
I did a manual reg fix using the wiki recommendations of 48 and 0.
I have model H1.
You may be right that the Imate is configured a little differently but I also run it very clean.
I have so few problems compared to what I read that I feel embarressed that I'm so lucky. As an IT consultant I just luv it as my work phone - I use VPN, Terminal Services, WiFi, Push Email, internet access, etc... and it's a phone! Constantly impressed.
Rant>
Can't believe the way people on this forum butcher their devices and end up with something that is full of broken things... oh but I'm sooooo cool because I have WMXL .20.1 with radio rom 6.47.803 - don't care that nothing works anymore. Juss wanna be soooo cool.
esseff said:
I did a manual reg fix using the wiki recommendations of 48 and 0.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you set a bitrate?
I have model H1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wonder if this is the difference. Mine is an H4 version.
You may be right that the Imate is configured a little differently but I also run it very clean.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just for the record, I got the headphones a few days after I got the phone. The only thing I had done was put my SIM card in, copy a few MP3s and change the default theme (since the Dopod one is grey).
There were no mods/hacks/cooked ROMS/tweaks etc. Just the ROM it came with which is also the latest version on the Dopod website. My phone is supplied to me by work, so I need it to be as reliable as possible - I can't afford to mess around with it. (Which is one of the reasons I resent having to edit the registry to get some stereo headphones to play in stereo)
Note: Today I have a few apps installed. An RSS reader, train timetable, TomTom etc. Only hack is the registry change for A2DP, and a util which sets the soft input to Block Recognition mode on startup. None of these seem to have affected the quality of the A2DP stream in any way though.
Unless I can try my headphones with someone's JasJam, or another Dopod I'm not sure I'm going to be able to narrow down the issue. I think it has to be a difference in the X4 hardware/firmware or an issue with the Dopod ROM (compared to the JasJam one)
I have so few problems compared to what I read that I feel embarressed that I'm so lucky. As an IT consultant I just luv it as my work phone - I use VPN, Terminal Services, WiFi, Push Email, internet access, etc... and it's a phone! Constantly impressed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have it as a work phone too - and work in IT. I haven't had any issues with it except Windows Media Player losing the tracks on the storage card, and the device locking up from time to time (this is always when I am not using it - it is turned off and does not turn back on). Overall it's a great phone!
Rant>
Can't believe the way people on this forum butcher their devices and end up with something that is full of broken things... oh but I'm sooooo cool because I have WMXL .20.1 with radio rom 6.47.803 - don't care that nothing works anymore. Juss wanna be soooo cool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude. You are hanging around the xda-developers forum. Each to their own. Tweaking is fun for these guys. It's like mechanics cars. You and I are in a different position as our phones are a work tools and have to be reliable. I'm more than happy to benefit from people experiences hacking theirs though
Zilch.
esseff said:
I don't use it as a phone headset as I use the X3 model to connect to two phones (I like Blue Ant stuff), so I can't comment on the mic quality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was actually considering getting an X3 as well (they look cool), but I will wait until I have worked out the issues with my X5.
Just thinking about this. How does it work? You are bopping along to your perfect A2DP sound, and you somehow hear the phone ringing, so you take off the stereo headphones, get your X3 out of your pocket, insert it in your ear, and answer the phone!?
Zilch.
Zilch said:
I was actually considering getting an X3 as well (they look cool), but I will wait until I have worked out the issues with my X5.
Just thinking about this. How does it work? You are bopping along to your perfect A2DP sound, and you somehow hear the phone ringing, so you take off the stereo headphones, get your X3 out of your pocket, insert it in your ear, and answer the phone!?
Zilch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't use X5 at work, but when I'm relaxing at the beach or around the pool. Use X3 connected to my Imate and my private phone at work. AT the time it was the only headset that would connect to more than one device and works great.
>
Dude. You are hanging around the xda-developers forum. Each to their own. Tweaking is fun for these guys. It's like mechanics cars. You and I are in a different position as our phones are a work tools and have to be reliable. I'm more than happy to benefit from people experiences hacking theirs though
Zilch.
>
... but i shake my head in disbelief when I read some of the things ppl do.
Kupur was applauding an admitted newbie who, after 1 hr of owning his device decided it wasn't right and flashed it with some cooked rom, upgraded the radio, and SIM/CID unlocked it!!
How can this guy have any point of referance? How can he know he has made an improvement if he never bothered to use it properly in it's std state? And he will no doubt curse and abuse Ms and HTC for producing crap hardware and software.
As you say each to their own but it's hard for me to understand some ppls mentality.
esseff said:
>
... but i shake my head in disbelief when I read some of the things ppl do.
Kupur was applauding an admitted newbie who, after 1 hr of owning his device decided it wasn't right and flashed it with some cooked rom, upgraded the radio, and SIM/CID unlocked it!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I was tempted to do that, right after getting it is probably when I would do it. Reloading all your stuff sucks. Plus if he needed it SIM unlocked to use it that could be why.
Plus, what a better way to learn than bricking a $900 brand new phone?
Zilch.
Zilch said:
So, my questions:
1) Has anyone tried these headphones on a Hermes device? Does your experience mirror mine? Or is one of my devices faulty? Is the voice quality on the headset profile ok?
...
3) Does anyone have an A2DP headset of any brand working on a Hermes with "Crystal clear CD quality sound" like it says on the box the headphones came in. If so, what brand? If it is possible to get a good sound out of the MS BT stack, it might be worth pushing BlueAnt to release a new firmware to fix the issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To answer my own question in case anyone else is having this issue...it's all fixed with the official WM6 ROM. Works perfectly. (Except for the dropouts when WiFi is enabled)
yeah I have them and have had for quite some time now ... first used them with my Eten G00 then the G500+, then I changed phones to a nokia n73 and things didn't seem so good. anymore I lost the remote functions and even though I like the new phone I missed some things like nav and others so i went back tot he g00+. I have now updated to the HTC Tytn II I think sim to your hermes ....
I find nothing wrong the x5 controls a re great and quality is exceptable... I have no issues with Wifi.. I have the updated firmeware on my x5 and the stock firmware on my tytn II..
I also have a hs850 paired to the device the only thing I deslike on the hole issue is that everytime I use the x6 I have to fiddle around getting them to resume the pairing.
where as my hs-850 I just turn on blue tooth and turn on the headset... and off we go...
I have the x5 set as default headset and default stereo headset... the hs850 is just another device listed and pairs up soon as its turned on.
Can someone post me the headset firmware and how to use it?
SunnyRio said:
Can someone post me the headset firmware and how to use it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got it from blueant.com I think. (Was some time ago). It was updating the phone that fixed the issues though.
Zilch said:
I got it from blueant.com I think. (Was some time ago). It was updating the phone that fixed the issues though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't seem to find it. can you upload it somewhere? Or give me a link?
I'm looking for a Bluetooth remote to use in my car, to control my G1 when it's hooked up as a music player. This is both a safety and convenience concern.
The starting point is finding a remote control that transmits Bluetooth directly to the G1 (i.e., not infrared or wired). It needs, at a minimum, a forward and a stop button. Reverse, pause, and other functions are nice, but not mandatory.
The other half of the solution is software to control the media program in Android, which may or may not already exist; if not, I'll commission someone to write it. Maybe I can even offer a turnkey system for sale if there's enough interest.
I know someone's will say "search the forums", and I did. What I found seemed to be focus on wired remotes for another HTC phone, or remote controlling your PC with your phone. But if I missed a relevant post, please do correct me.
Ideas are greatly appreciated.
remote
there is a remote for gaming used for the n95 i saw on a website it worked for android on a basic level. maybe that might help. in the development of this
Found this on another thread http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87Wc0KqnW2M that some people are using. Jabra BT3030
Aux cable from car stereo plugged into remote. Remote paired with phone. Not *completely wireless* but atleast you don't have to look at your phone.
Does that get you anywhere?
juphro said:
Found this on another thread http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87Wc0KqnW2M that some people are using. Jabra BT3030
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, I posted a reply to this, but it isn't showing up. Maybe forgot to submit.
Anyway, thanks for pointing this out. I had seen this a long time ago and forgot all about it. That's exactly the kind of thing I want. Here's the instruction manual, for anyone else who might be interested. It's about US$55.
The only problem I see here is that it'll register as a headset and thereby disable the sound coming out of the extUSB connector in the car.
pistol4413 said:
there is a remote for gaming used for the n95 i saw on a website it worked for android on a basic level. maybe that might help. in the development of this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's the Zeemote JS1, and this blog has a video showing it interacting with a G1. This may ultimately be what I'd have to go with... it seems to be designed solely as a controller, without A2DP getting in the way. But looks like it needs some kind of interfacing software, at least on the Nokia. At US$20, I should just get one and play around with it. Cheaper than buying another car stereo with BT built in.
Dual Infrared + Bluetooth Remotes
FWIW, I ran across two rare, interesting items.
One is the RicaVision Vave 100 Universal Remote. Unfortunately, it's $349... but in theory, it would control both your car stereo (via infrared, which the majority of remotes use) and the G1 (via Bluetooth). It's able to "learn" commands from 24 infrared devices, and has a 2.4" 240x320 color LCD screen. No PC or internet connection is needed for configuration.
The screenshots show artist/track info being received from Windows, so it's Media PC-oriented, but still a possibility -- assuming you could program it accordingly. If so, just carry it back and forth between home and car: use it inside for your TV and PC, outside for the car stereo and G1.
The other device is the Ricavision SideShow Remote for the same price, also having IR + BT transmitters. This is purpose-built for Windows SideShow, and has fewer buttons -- volume, play/pause, prev/next, etc. It's smaller than the Vave, but still has a 2.5" QVGA screen. This is perfect for my car setup, but there doesn't seem to be a learning mode or any way to program, so the chances of it working are about zero. Boo!
try the jabra 3030 (dogtag) theyre about $15 on ebay
Apparently some people have had luck with this one:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8422
trigeek said:
Apparently some people have had luck with this one:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8422
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep they're pretty good once you get a working one
trigeek said:
Apparently some people have had luck with this one:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8422
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats what im running right now. works pretty good battery is def not what its said to be though.
Do0zman said:
Thats what im running right now. works pretty good battery is def not what its said to be though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mabye you got a faulty one like i did because the first one i got had a 10 minuite battery life lol
trigeek said:
Apparently some people have had luck with this one:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8422
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If that worked in my case it'd be perfect, and it's the smallest form factor yet. The only problem I foresee with this and the Jabra is that they'll want to subvert my wired headphone output over to A2DP. But for $13 I'll probably take a chance.
JJbdoggg said:
yep they're pretty good once you get a working one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, buying directly from mainland China, you never know what you'll get -- and if it doesn't work, it's usually pointless return it. But I've bought stuff from DealExtreme before, and dirt cheap, too. Back when I had this flashlight habit....
[OT] Counterfeits
JJbdoggg said:
try the jabra 3030 (dogtag) theyre about $15 on ebay
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I finally bought a Jabra from there. I'll play with it and report back on whether it'll work like I wanted above.
Meanwhile, I didn't realize until looking more closely that most of them were fake. I've been burned by counterfeits before, and sure enough, there are a ton of them on fleaBay. I made this graphic to demonstrate:
Aside from the logos, they look identical. Price is an obvious warning, but not always. Location is another: I'm wary of shipping from Hong Kong. OTOH, just because it says Jabra doesn't mean it's real... the Motorola H700 is another example where it's nearly impossible to tell them apart online.
Unfortunately, even with VeRO and the rules against keyword spamming, this junk can be found all over eBay.
voxluna said:
Well, I finally bought a Jabra from there. I'll play with it and report back on whether it'll work like I wanted above.
Meanwhile, I didn't realize until looking more closely that most of them were fake. I've been burned by counterfeits before, and sure enough, there are a ton of them on fleaBay. I made this graphic to demonstrate:
Aside from the logos, they look identical. Price is an obvious warning, but not always. Location is another: I'm wary of shipping from Hong Kong. OTOH, just because it says Jabra doesn't mean it's real... the Motorola H700 is another example where it's nearly impossible to tell them apart online.
Unfortunately, even with VeRO and the rules against keyword spamming, this junk can be found all over eBay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just got a pair of these and thanks to your illustration, I'm convinced mine are counterfeit works well with all my other phones but the G1.
dixon_coxon said:
I just got a pair of these and thanks to your illustration, I'm convinced mine are counterfeit works well with all my other phones but the G1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In theory, if it's able to connect to one phone's A2DP, it should connect to any. But I wonder if it has something to do with the ROM you're running?
I've noticed the G1 needs some finesse when connecting and pairing BT. Also, there are different steps you can take that all arrive at the same result (ergo, lots of trial and error).
Anyway. Now that I have the Jabra, my next problem is keeping A2DP, HSP and AVRCP separate... more on that soon.
voxluna said:
In theory, if it's able to connect to one phone's A2DP, it should connect to any. But I wonder if it has something to do with the ROM you're running?
I've noticed the G1 needs some finesse when connecting and pairing BT. Also, there are different steps you can take that all arrive at the same result (ergo, lots of trial and error).
Anyway. Now that I have the Jabra, my next problem is keeping A2DP, HSP and AVRCP separate... more on that soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is whats interesting; I have tried the BT3030 with several ROMS and I get the same results (I even tried it on stock and then rooted). When paired placing and receiving calls work fine. The problem arises when you try to listen to music, the sound skips constantly and I haven't figured a way to fix this permanently. Do you experience this problem (skipping sound)?
dixon_coxon said:
Here is whats interesting; I have tried the BT3030 with several ROMS and I get the same results (I even tried it on stock and then rooted). When paired placing and receiving calls work fine. The problem arises when you try to listen to music, the sound skips constantly and I haven't figured a way to fix this permanently. Do you experience this problem (skipping sound)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no skips from BT. see my configuration in my sig.
skesseks said:
no skips from BT. see my configuration in my sig.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is my config see attached. I have tested this with different ROMS ranging from tmobile CRB 43 stock to current xRom. I also have a motorola s9 which works with my G1 with no problems.
dixon_coxon said:
I have tested this with different ROMS ranging from tmobile CRB 43 stock to current xRom. I also have a motorola s9 which works with my G1 with no problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's strange that it works with one phone and not another. But if it really is a counterfeit, all bets are off -- you may never figure it out.
dixon_coxon said:
Here is whats interesting; I have tried the BT3030 with several ROMS and I get the same results (I even tried it on stock and then rooted). When paired placing and receiving calls work fine. The problem arises when you try to listen to music, the sound skips constantly and I haven't figured a way to fix this permanently. Do you experience this problem (skipping sound)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got 3 knockoff bt3030s back in october (from dinodirect... shady) at $15/ea it was an ok price...
I too have the skipping problems on my Droid, but I just discovered how to fix them. Go into bluetooth settings, long-press the jabra bt3030 device, select options, and deselect phone audio and reconnect the device. Now, no more skips.
I don't know if it's the bt3030's fault, I think it might be an android bug where audio gets routed over phone audio instead of a2dp. This is evidenced by the skipping audio--headset audio only has something like 8khz of bandwidth.
It kind of sucks that phone audio has to be disabled, but in all seriousness, I use the bt3030 for a2dp far more than phone calls, if I need to make a phone call over the bt3030, I'll reconnect the phone audio and disconnect it when I'm done.
Don't know if anyone still cares, but for the record, and for searchers, there are these options:
http://www.scosche.com/products/sfID1/217/sfID2/341/productID/1937
http://www.scosche.com/products/sfID1/217/sfID2/219/productID/1938
Both of these are very expensive though as they are part of large packages for cars. YMMV.
Hi...
I got a xperia z2 prototye. model 6503.
Everything is working fine, except the call quality. i can hear and understand very well, but the other person has echoes, and very bad sound..
When I use a heatset, there is no problem. and it is almost good, when I put the phone on the table, with speaker on. The problem is worst, when I hold the phone on my ear..
Is it a hard- or software related problem?
I´m now on 17.1.A.2.55
THX
Since others have not complained about this issue, it looks like a hardware issue. Maybe your microphone is faulty?
Take it to Sony and get it checked.
I did some voice recording, and it is brilliant.
Try turning off the noise cancellation feature during calls, and see if there's a difference.
Well it's a prototype so who knows...
Sent from my C6903 using Tapatalk
I have a very similar issue I posted about in my thread...
kuass said:
I did some voice recording, and it is brilliant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As you read in my thread my voice recording is anything but brilliant......what did you use for your testing?
g4rvd4 said:
Try turning off the noise cancellation feature during calls, and see if there's a difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I first became concerned when I recorded an outgoing message for the phone's default answering machine...As a test I download a voice recording app that let me turn off noise suppression/cancellation.
It brought it from unusable to usable, still not good. But I think your suggestion is a good one, I just don't see why a software tweak improves on something that seems more like a hardware problem. I say that because I can't find a single thing on the web aside from these two posts stating any concerns about it.
This is killing me...turning off noise cancellation only improves the quality in that particular app. Turning it off in the Call settings didn't change anything. I can't record an acceptable answering machine greeting no matter what I do.
EDIT- I also have unlocked my bootloader and thusly lost my DRM Keys... OP has a prototype Z2, perhaps something there?
Same problem here, and mine is not a proto
my nephew and my gf got Z2 too, and same problem...
we hear wel, they can't hear us clearly
Considering that the quality of sound that comes out of the speakers when we hear music, it sure is software problem! In Xperia Z was the same thing in its release!
non proto:
when I'm on earpiece, the caller will always be breaking up. I'll have to disconnect and return the call before everything's crispy again. though there are times they'll complain of not hearing me properly. turning off the "background noise" option seems to help but they'll tell me it's noisy as fuuu.
lol hoping for a software fix I guess.
Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
i have had a problem with people being able to hear me clearly ! if i let the phone even drift slightly away from my mouth people say they cant hear me or im breaking up ! ! i had a GS2 before this phone and never had a problem like this . this to me is a hell of a major flaw ... if you struggle to use a mobile phone as what it is designed to do .. then it aint worth a s**t ! i have to keep the phone pressed up against the side of my face all the time im using it ... i cant just wedge it under my chin like i used to do with the old phone. maybe if i root and install a custom ROM it would help this issue ???
strommy1966 said:
i have had a problem with people being able to hear me clearly ! if i let the phone even drift slightly away from my mouth people say they cant hear me or im breaking up ! ! i had a GS2 before this phone and never had a problem like this . this to me is a hell of a major flaw ... if you struggle to use a mobile phone as what it is designed to do .. then it aint worth a s**t ! i have to keep the phone pressed up against the side of my face all the time im using it ... i cant just wedge it under my chin like i used to do with the old phone. maybe if i root and install a custom ROM it would help this issue ???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First time I've seen my problem described to the letter. It's especially bad when I hold the phone with my chin and no hands. I turned off noise cancelation under phone settings and people stopped complaining however a few people complained of an echo... Lose, lose. Btw, I'm rooted with a custom ROM and nothing has changed.
Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
jiggyb21 said:
First time I've seen my problem described to the letter. It's especially bad when I hold the phone with my chin and no hands. I turned off noise cancelation under phone settings and people stopped complaining however a few people complained of an echo... Lose, lose. Btw, I'm rooted with a custom ROM and nothing has changed.
Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh .. i thought rooting and a custom ROM would solve this problem ! i also have noise cancellation switched off .. but still if i let this phone drift even slightly away from my mouth , immediately people say im breaking up or they just cant hear me ? what the hell good is a damm phone that people cant hear you on ! i can hear them very clearly .. it must just be a crap microphone in the phone
strommy1966 said:
oh .. i thought rooting and a custom ROM would solve this problem ! i also have noise cancellation switched off .. but still if i let this phone drift even slightly away from my mouth , immediately people say im breaking up or they just cant hear me ? what the hell good is a damm phone that people cant hear you on ! i can hear them very clearly .. it must just be a crap microphone in the phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This worries me. I'm planning to buy the z2 but if people in the other end have issues hearing you then I might pass. It's a shame.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA Free mobile app
There should be a speaker voice enhancement option in the call settings menu, not sure whether you've tried this or not but might be worth a shot
neotoky said:
This worries me. I'm planning to buy the z2 but if people in the other end have issues hearing you then I might pass. It's a shame.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i wouldn't of bought this phone .. trouble is you don't get to test the call quality or anything like that before you buy the phone ! yes now its easy to read this forum about the problems people are having . so wish i had waited and read this forum before i ordered mine. think i will be buying something else in the near future, and try and sell this one
Maybe people should report this to Sony as I don't get any complaints from the receiving end so far. My only complaint is the sound quality of the voice in the earpiece is not rich. The voice lacks low frequency.
goodpenguin said:
Maybe people should report this to Sony as I don't get any complaints from the receiving end so far. My only complaint is the sound quality of the voice in the earpiece is not rich. The voice lacks low frequency.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On my handset I constantly have hissing noises during a call and voice breaking up intermittently, but not when I'm on speaker or headphones then it's all crystal clear.
Mine is 14W16 and I've already had it replaced but the problem is still there (replacement device also 14W16).
Does anyone else experience this?
I've already disabled/enabled microphone noise suppression and speaker voice enhancement, but to no effect.
EDIT: My third device (also 14W16) still has this problem, maybe a faulty batch or is it probably a software problem?
EDIT2: Seems to be a software related problem. I have flashed the new 17.1.1.A.0.402 rom and it's almost perfect now.
It seems like a recurring problem...
Hi Guys,
Here's my post on Xperia Care (3 threads dealing with this specific issue):
"I've had the exact same issues since my very first call. I am pretty sure it is a hardware issue and not software or use-related (my phone has never been in contact with water, the issue started in an "out-of-the-box" context and ALL the people I've had over the phone guessed that I changed for a new one just because they could not hear me as clearly as with my former HTC HD2 which I'm starting to deeply regret for this basic use of calling for a phone!).
Searching over the web and through this forum, you can find many people complaining about this problem and saying that a standard exchange did not solve it: would it be a batch problem?? For info, mine is a simlock-free purple model bought in Germany.
Another thing, using noise cancellation is even worse according to my callees so I guess I'll never use this feature, then... All details provided by you guys are described by my friends when I have them on the phone: hissing, hearing me in the distance (muffled sound), hearing their voice in echo (bad Z2 speaker=>mic interaction), vibration (resonance/vibration due to the phone design itself??), hearing like intermittent wind gusts and very very bad sound when I hold the phone between my cheek and shoulder...
As if this would not be bad enough, now the camera application does not record sound anymore when filming (it used to be OK before updating to newer version through PC Companion). Instead of proper sound you hear constant hissing. After a lot of tests I've realised that it now uses the noise cancellation mic instead of the primary one. When running a mic test through Xperia diagnostics menu you can hear back that hissing and no sound at all. Doing the same test through the *#*#7378423#*#* menu gives a different result since I can hear the recording perfectly well (because it is using primary microphone)."
After rebooting my phone, the secondary mic is now working. This leaves me very puzzled now: would it be a software issue in he end??
I'm phoning French Xperia Car hotline tomorrow, keep you posted.
Cheers
Guillaume59000 said:
Hi Guys,
Here's my post on Xperia Care (3 threads dealing with this specific issue):
"I've had the exact same issues since my very first call. I am pretty sure it is a hardware issue and not software or use-related (my phone has never been in contact with water, the issue started in an "out-of-the-box" context and ALL the people I've had over the phone guessed that I changed for a new one just because they could not hear me as clearly as with my former HTC HD2 which I'm starting to deeply regret for this basic use of calling for a phone!).
Searching over the web and through this forum, you can find many people complaining about this problem and saying that a standard exchange did not solve it: would it be a batch problem?? For info, mine is a simlock-free purple model bought in Germany.
Another thing, using noise cancellation is even worse according to my callees so I guess I'll never use this feature, then... All details provided by you guys are described by my friends when I have them on the phone: hissing, hearing me in the distance (muffled sound), hearing their voice in echo (bad Z2 speaker=>mic interaction), vibration (resonance/vibration due to the phone design itself??), hearing like intermittent wind gusts and very very bad sound when I hold the phone between my cheek and shoulder...
As if this would not be bad enough, now the camera application does not record sound anymore when filming (it used to be OK before updating to newer version through PC Companion). Instead of proper sound you hear constant hissing. After a lot of tests I've realised that it now uses the noise cancellation mic instead of the primary one. When running a mic test through Xperia diagnostics menu you can hear back that hissing and no sound at all. Doing the same test through the *#*#7378423#*#* menu gives a different result since I can hear the recording perfectly well (because it is using primary microphone)."
After rebooting my phone, the secondary mic is now working. This leaves me very puzzled now: would it be a software issue in he end??
I'm phoning French Xperia Car hotline tomorrow, keep you posted.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any update on this? I just got this phone for my fiancé and it seems that she's having the same issue. I can't hear well.
Must have something to do with positioning the mic and how far it is from the mouth. More than a design problem than a hardware one methinks.
SooSpecial said:
Any update on this? I just got this phone for my fiancé and it seems that she's having the same issue. I can't hear well.
Must have something to do with positioning the mic and how far it is from the mouth. More than a design problem than a hardware one methinks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi SooSpecial,
Xperia Care had no explanation about this; they advised me to file a standard exchange procedure with the seller, which I did.
I'm now waiting for my new device, hoping I won't have the same problem anymore.
If not, I would ask for a refund and go for a G3 instead. That would be a pity because I really like the Z2.
I'd advise you to have your girlfriend's handset changed asap, otherwise you would have to go for a repair procedure w/ Sony, which may take approx. 1 month, leaving you without any replacement smartphone if it was a simlock-free one...
FYI, this problem has also been reported on Xperia Care Forum in 3 threads on Frandroid (french forum) and on some customer reviews on Amazon (as far as I know).
Good luck with that
Hey guys, I was wondering if the new Xperia Z3 Compact Tablet will take calls just like a normal Xperia smartphone.
I ask this because I am considering purchasing a Z Ultra but I prefer an even bigger screen if possible, would the Z3 Compact Tablet also take calls, where I can keep it to my face and talk?
I heard it will require a Bluetooth headset in order for you to use it as a phone.
I am confused as to which one to get, any help would be appreciated!
Canadianomar said:
Hey guys, I was wondering if the new Xperia Z3 Compact Tablet will take calls just like a normal Xperia smartphone.
I ask this because I am considering purchasing a Z Ultra but I prefer an even bigger screen if possible, would the Z3 Compact Tablet also take calls, where I can keep it to my face and talk?
I heard it will require a Bluetooth headset in order for you to use it as a phone.
I am confused as to which one to get, any help would be appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This review says it has an earpiece and microphone. Haven't been able to find anything either way from Sony's information.
http://tabtec.com/android/ifa-2014-sony-xperia-z3-tablet-compact-hands-video/
adfurgerson said:
This review says it has an earpiece and microphone. Haven't been able to find anything either way from Sony's information.
That's strange, because in the video he mentions nothing about a microphone, only that it has two speakers in the front...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Canadianomar said:
adfurgerson said:
This review says it has an earpiece and microphone. Haven't been able to find anything either way from Sony's information.
That's strange, because in the video he mentions nothing about a microphone, only that it has two speakers in the front...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Who knows...this one lists "active noise cancelation with dedicated mic".
http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_z3_tablet_compact-6633.php
Edit...found three more sites all with differing specs.
1. Phone calls with Bluetooth headset.
2. Microphone yes - mic input 3.5mm
3. Built in microphone - yes
Edit #2.... Attached Sony document which lists audio recording formats, and Google Now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
adfurgerson said:
Canadianomar said:
Who knows...this one lists "active noise cancelation with dedicated mic".
Edit...found three more sites all with differing specs.
1. Phone calls with Bluetooth headset.
2. Microphone yes - mic input 3.5mm
3. Built in microphone - yes
Edit #2.... Attached Sony document which lists audio recording formats, and Google Now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting, thanks for that....But it seems that on the pdf document attached it does not say anything about a microphone, and if this document is from Sony Officially, then It looks like the phone will only work via Bluetooth.
I also lean towards this as Sony would have made this known as a phablet, or at least really stressed in the presentation on Spt 3 at IFA that this can work as a full out phone, because its not a small thing that just gets left out.
I also would assume it cant be used as a "full phone" because I don't think they would just ditch the Z Ultra line completely just like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Canadianomar said:
adfurgerson said:
Interesting, thanks for that....But it seems that on the pdf document attached it does not say anything about a microphone, and if this document is from Sony Officially, then It looks like the phone will only work via Bluetooth.
I also lean towards this as Sony would have made this known as a phablet, or at least really stressed in the presentation on Spt 3 at IFA that this can work as a full out phone, because its not a small thing that just gets left out.
I also would assume it cant be used as a "full phone" because I don't think they would just ditch the Z Ultra line completely just like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has video recording in camera. Do most tablets record video without audio? I read somewhere that "phablet" is considered to be 5.5 to 7 inch maybe that is why it is called compact tablet. Looked at pdf a little closer and see video chat listed for front camera and speakerphone listed for communication. Also voice I put is listed, seems like they would put an asterisk next to them if bluetooth were required.
Wow just noticed quoting each other is all whacked out, looks like it started with your second post.
The white paper for z3 phone is nearly identical to tablet except for rear camera features (microphone is not mentioned) all the other functions and features appear to be same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was wondering too as all the screenshots show a phone icon. Not sure if they're just mock-ups or not though...
zemblance said:
I was wondering too as all the screenshots show a phone icon. Not sure if they're just mock-ups or not though...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The LTE version you can send text messages and make calls.
zemblance said:
I was wondering too as all the screenshots show a phone icon. Not sure if they're just mock-ups or not though...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The hands on videos show it also.
emann56 said:
The LTE version you can send text messages and make calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right but the question we are trying to answer is whether it has microphone and earpiece on the handset. At least one site claims in their review that a Bluetooth headset is needed for calls.
adfurgerson said:
The hands on videos show it also.
Right but the question we are trying to answer is whether it has microphone and earpiece on the handset. At least one site claims in their review that a Bluetooth headset is needed for calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Edit:
Just saw this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2zg7hV3XtU#t=240
I don't understand the guy but it appears that he is saying there is an ear piece there although I do not see it.
Sony says on their website that LTE and 4G are not available in all markets for this device as well.
Just have to wait and see I guess.
kable said:
Edit:
Just saw this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2zg7hV3XtU#t=240
I don't understand the guy but it appears that he is saying there is an ear piece there although I do not see it.
Sony says on their website that LTE and 4G are not available in all markets for this device as well.
Just have to wait and see I guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By using the term earpiece I only meant to describe call audio routing to top speaker the same as on Z Ultra.
I think they are referring to the bands available from your carrier may not be compatible, not that the device will be unavailable.
I too am interested in this, especially as there's a special offer on the Z3 tablet at the moment in the UK
http://www.xperiablog.net/2014/10/1...-tablet-compact-for-under-300-including-case/
according to a comment on the Clove blog
http://blog.clove.co.uk/2014/10/10/...ompact-arriving-week-commencing-20th-october/
it can be used as a phone, but I would wait until they have their hands on one.
SXZ3TC can be used as a phone, but since he hasn't conversational speaker, just normal speaker, everyone others will hear your interlocutor. Also it hasn't proximity sensor, so won't lock screen. So more advisable use handsfree, especially that one with awesome noise reduction.
So, do you guys plan on using the Z3 Tablet Compact as a phone? I'm not sure what to do really, since my first plan was to use it instead of my Note 2 and iPad. But when I learned that you're unable to place calls like "normal" and have to rely on a separate bluetooth headset, I'm not so sure anymore. What if you forget the headset at home, for example?
I have a hard time believing this thing doesn't have a mic for talking on the phone otherwise how do you Skype, gchat or whatever? I have heard there is no proximity sensor which i can live with because I don't want to put this beast next to my face anyways therefore I don't care about the earpiece part for phone calls. Come on guys, do you guys really want to put this thing up to your face in public? You'll never get laid! HAHAHA. Hopefully the 3.5 jack will do the trick.
PreVoiD said:
So, do you guys plan on using the Z3 Tablet Compact as a phone? I'm not sure what to do really, since my first plan was to use it instead of my Note 2 and iPad. But when I learned that you're unable to place calls like "normal" and have to rely on a separate bluetooth headset, I'm not so sure anymore. What if you forget the headset at home, for example?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From reports in the Z3TC forums from European members that have them, it works the same as using phone in speaker mode. Not idea for having private conversations.
adfurgerson said:
From reports in the Z3TC forums from European members that have them, it works the same as using phone in speaker mode. Not idea for having private conversations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You guys will be really popular on public transportation I would so joke around if i knew someone using the Z3TC as their phone. I would call them up at work or in public and ask them for something awkward, like "i need my buttplug back soon" or something.
http://blog.clove.co.uk/2014/11/07/sony-xperia-z3-tablet-compact-review/
"And should you so choose, you could make normal phone calls and send text messages with this. Unless you are particularly socially comfortable a Bluetooth headset might be the best bet."
doesn't say if it has an ear-piece rather than speakerphone feature.
of course, Sony want you to buy a BRH10 and use that as the handset instead
http://www.sonymobile.com/gb/products/accessories/remote-and-handset-brh10/
(which would be great, except that it doesn't have a headphone socket nor AptX)
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