New Samsung Omnia software from Verizon drops shortly; so long, GPS lock
Have you been feeling left out lately, Samsung Omnia owners? You know deep down that your sexy Windows Mobile-powered touchscreen handset is a gem, but waiting around for Verizon to unlock the GPS is definitely trying your patience. Just when you were about to lose hope however, Verizon is finally ready to push out the update you’ve been waiting for. Yup, GPS lock is about to become a thing of the past. The update is all set to be pushed out within the hour so sit tight. Woo! We’re not sure what other fixes/features are included in this update but the important thing is that the big one is covered. Keep checking for that update and let us know how it goes!
UPDATE: It looks like the update is now live and ready to rock as of just before 4pm. Get moving people…
I don’t understand all the apologists for verizon. Are they employees?
The GPS was locked because verizon wanted it that way, then they dragged their feet unlocking it.
Yes I will stay loyal to Verizon because ATT sucks in my area.
Verizon has been famous for this all along. Used to do it to the wifi chips.
to letsbehonest: It is the principal of the matter, I am not “complaining just to complain”, it is a legitimate gripe.
If Verizon wants to avoid this type of negative push back, all they have to do is stop crippling their phones.
I completely agree, Ray.
There are a lot of us out here who are, pretty much, handcuffed to Verizon. It really sucks that the GPS even had to be unlocked, but I’m glad that the tide appears to be turning on the Verizon lock downs.
Personally I’d look at it from a financial perspective. VZNav is what? $10 a month. Omnia’s been out for almost a year so.. $10(x number of customers with omnia – omnia owners who dont use VZNav) = Y Profit. Then they unlock it later down the line. So while everyone bitches and complains VZW is still making money. Did they *have* to unlock it? Nope. Have I ever met an Omnia owner who got rid of his phone just because they didnt want to use VZNav? Nope. Are there better nav apps out there for free which are worlds better than VZNav? Probably. But am I going to gripe and moan about all the gps-locked sand in my vag until someone actually listens? Negative.
Its unlocked now. Go upgrade and be happy with it.
Who gives a rats arse about the GPS?
Give me a useable text/messaging input interface and I would be happy.
It has the most useless UI for input on email and text messages that I’ve seen. Fix that and maybe I would have one. For now I’ll stick with a Blackberry. Something you can actually type on.
Well since my car was broken into not too long ago and GPS stolen, the GPS unlock on my Omnia was a timely surprise that does the job for me day to day (especially since I don’t have to own a separate device) and doesn’t cost extra to use.
*Updated*
Loaded the ROM last night. With a download taking 30 seconds, Syncing taking another 30 and an elapsed time of 6:45 minutes this is an update anyone with an Omnia should be doing. The weather-bug widget is pretty cool. Screens move quicker. The volume shows up with a crazy rotary-dial looking display. Overall it built on the touch-friendly-ness of the phone itself. And yes, the GPS for Google Maps works great. Oh, one more thing, the XT9 dictionary makes a lot more sense now. I dont have to go in and add “whst” = “what” or other mindless corrections the phone should have had. Youd be surprised how noticeable “im” autocorrecting to “I’m” is. Nice work.
OK, I did the software upgrade. When I use google maps, it uses the “my Location” to get me within 2800 meters, but doesn’t really seem to in a meaningful way. Is that the best it does, or are there settings that need changed somewhere? When I use Bing maps (formerly Windows Live Search) it can’t locate me at all. Any help?
Thank you.
I updated to CFO 3.2 yesterday. The GPS has yet to lock onto a single satelite. I’m using Google maps. Anyone else having this problem?
In google maps, which took me a while to get going:
Menu>>OPtions>>GPS Settings>>Set Manually>>COM8>>4800.
Also make sure GPS is on.
Menu>>Use GPS
Also need to get your GPS chip out of 911 mode.
Settings>>Phone>>Services>>GPS>>Change Settings>>Location ON
What I found was getting the satellites to lock the first time seemed like a long time.
Since them, they seemed to lock quicker.
I also installed GCzII, which is a geochaching program, that also uses Google Maps.
Now on that program seetings are on Automatic and it is working fine. Not sure why.
This is what worked for me. No warranty applied.
I did goof one thing up, not sure how.
When all was said and done, my contacts did not come back. Luckily have only had the phone a few months and my old phone on hand. Went to Verizon and the resynced my phones so only lost a few.
Love the flashlight they added.
Ray, You’re the man…. it works awesome now. I don’t know how you figured it out, but it works. Thanks.
Trial and error. since Samsung and Verizon offer little help on this issue, I sat out on the deck with a Sam adams and worked it out.
Wow – I had read somewhere else to set it at 57600. Having it at 4800 seems to be much quicker – thanks!
Hello,
Can someone please tell me how to put this upgrade on my Omnia. I get as far as the phone being reset but it does not do anything after that. It just stays on the retart menu. Please help
Tay.,just take your stylus and press the reboo.t button on top of the Omni.awhile it’s syncing and the update will occur.
Drew,
Thank you for your help. I did what you advised and it went to the “Upgrade in progress” screen. (That got me a little farther than before) than it told me to restart the device but still it did not upgrade.
AAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!! I’ve tried com8, 4800,like listed above, with nothing. Read somewhere else that vz navigator has to be running, still nothing. I like google maps because of the satellite view and this is driving me crazy. If anyone has anymore suggestions, please help. Thanks.
PandaBarr: How did you load the ROM? I am getting my Samsung Omina on Tuesday and I really want to do this. This is the second time I have seen someone post about the ROM.