Verizon’s Samsung Fascinate getting update; still not Android 2.2

By on Jan 11, 2011 at 9:18 AM
Software January 11, 2011

If you’re a Samsung Fascinate owner, this is, in all likelihood, not the handset update you’ve been waiting for. Verizon Wireless will begin pushing out an over-the-air update — i500.DL09 — to its iteration of the Samsung Galaxy S over the next few days. The lone “enhancement“ detailed in the update change log is: “Updated versions of preloaded applications.” Joy. A few of the improvements listed include:

  • Improved stand-alone GPS performance.
  • Increased security by hiding your 3G Mobile Hotspot password while typing
  • Ability to open any PDF attachments sent in an email.
  • Ability to use special characters in corporate email passwords.

Not the Android 2.2 update most have been longing for, but an update – especially one with GPS enhancements — is an update (we suppose). Hit the read link to get the full details on the new code.

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  • joshie

    One on hand, Sammy’s slowness in updating their phones is off-putting. On the other hand, my Moto Droid (1) turned into a barely usable piece of she-it when it got 2.2, so I guess I can appreciate Samsung wanting to make sure they’re pushing out something solid.

    • Calvin2110

      I agree, I been through three droid X’s because the updates suck. Now I have the fascinate, and I am happy with 2.1

      • Anonymous

        What happen with your droids? Did you root it?

      • Calvin2110

        No root, my phone just started rebooting on it own, and not loading back up. The funny thing is when I called Verizon, their tech support guy stated he was having the same issues I was having, and the updates a affecting a ton of people.

      • Marlene

        I never had a problem with my Droid X updates, each seemed to make the phone snappier and better.

  • http://twitter.com/khaminsenz Feed Back

    pathetic. they’ve been sitting on this upgrade for almost 8 months and this is really the best they can do?

    • Anonymous

      I suspect they don’t even plan to update. Most likely you will have to buy new hardware to get a major Android upgrade. Until people stop buying their phones, they won’t change. They are probably just looking at their sales figures and patting themselves on the back. I’m sure they are more concerned about getting the next phone out the door than improving anything you already paid for. I’m hoping someone will put out a phone with the latest hardware and vanilla android on Verizon’s network and be handsomely rewarded. I’m sure it won’t happen until I commit to something less though.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GP2WYAHXS6CRUREISWBGPUSUGE Michael

    Don’t buy a run-of-the-mill Samsung and expect Nexus level support.

    • StevenGlansburg

      I would argue don’t buy anything Android unless you want to learn how to update and fix OS problems on your own.

      • Tenburn

        Good point. I mean, the Fascinate doesn’t even support flash yet, and only a caveman has a phone that doesn’t support flash. If this keeps up, the Fascinate will barely be as useful as something apple makes.

    • dwinsmith

      The Galaxy S was supposed to be their flagship line of devices so it isn’t crazy to expect things like software updates or working GPS, etc. The update is more than delayed at this point, it’s as if they forgot to even start work on it.

      • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GP2WYAHXS6CRUREISWBGPUSUGE Michael

        @Dwinsmith

        Are you aware that the GPS problem in the Samsung Gal S line is not a “software” related problem it’s a hardware problem. There are post about @ XDA and Android Central.

      • dwinsmith

        That’s what I believe, but Samsung claims it’s not and many in the dev community think it can be fixed.

    • Anonymous

      Wish they would release a Nexus with the latest hardware on LTE.

    • Anonymous

      Wish they would release a Nexus with the latest hardware on LTE.

  • Guinnkevinr

    My us Droid pro just got an update to 2.26.60 via over the air. Didn’t catch a change log though :(

  • Anonymous

    so glad I didn’t commit to Samsung

  • dwinsmith

    I’m guessing that even after this update the GPS still won’t work reliably for a majority of people which is disappointing because this phone isn’t brand new anymore. Samsung is really doing a great job of showing how dedicated they are to supporting their products.

    • http://www.vgchartz.com SuperChunk

      Actually, the dev community has had the DL09 update since December and it does fix the GPS and other issues. This is really a great update, just not 2.2 that most have been wanting.

      • dwinsmith

        It fixes GPS for some, but not most and developers having the update doesn’t help the other 99% of people with this phone.

      • http://www.vgchartz.com SuperChunk

        Actually, everyone I’ve seen who used DL09 or DJ05 (on numerous android dev communities) all had GPS fixed and the DL09 in the dev community is the exact same release as this legit one so it will fix 100% of people with this phone.

  • Motowow

    I’d hate to own a Samsung phone. I mean, even with a locked bootloader, my Droid X is mostly up to date with Android 2.2.1. Sure, 2.3 is out, but other than the Nexus S, no other phone has it, not even the Nexus One. I’d hate to have a high end phone crippled by a manufacturer that can’t seem to get their act together.

    I mean, since I got my DX in July, it’s been updated 3 times. Once, as a minor update to 2.1, then to 2.2, and finally to 2.2.1. My X just works perfectly, especially with ADW Launcher Ex installed to get rid of the fugliness that is Blur. Still, even Blur has its redeming qualities, in allowing us to pull OS updates, rather than have to wait for Motorola to slowly send them to our devices. All in all, I’m happy with my X. About the only problem I have now, is that Moto decided to release its greatest phone, and Android top dog, on AT&T, the Atrix 4G.

  • JohantheNorse

    First they allow Verizon to bastardize the Fascinate with Bing, and now they can’t even update the damn thing to Android 2.2, much less 2.2.1, with little hope of ever reaching 2.3. Anyone who bought a Fascinate, should think hard about getting a new device from Samsung in the future, they’re like Sony Ericson in this respect. As consumers we need to start exercising some market pressure. If Sammy doesn’t update, don’t recommend or buy their devices until they promise to ensure timely updates. If Moto locks their bootloaders, don’t recommend or buy their devices. If HTC can’t bring itself to release top of the line phones to compete with dual core processor phones, don’t buy their phones either. If you have to buy any, buy those phones with stock Android, and good build quality. Unless these companies start to feel like they are losing money and customers, they will only get worst.

  • Anonymous

    Why give you a free software upgrade when they can sell you one in a new phone

  • http://www.vgchartz.com SuperChunk

    Yeah, this one is good as its the best the rooted community has out. (aside from many awesome themes) But, I will root for Gingerbread 2.3 as soon as the dev community puts the finishing touches. It will probably launch before the official 2.2 launches, lol.

    • Russ2k8

      I don’t think Samsung has any plans to update the Fascinate. This leaves me with no other option but to root my phone. Not having Samsung warranty is not a problem since I probably will not buy another Samsung again. I hate to say this but my next phone is an iPhone.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=728426339 Justin Reeves

    As of now, they (verizon) have no record of a new update. I just called to see about when It would actually show up on the phone and they had no information about any updates since the one back in September for DI01.

  • Anonymous

    I just got the DL09 update a few minutes ago. Updated easily. Still checking it out. I did OTA after checking for new update. At least it’s something.

  • bob

    im a verizon wireless employee. i bought the fascinate the 10 am the day it was launched being told and expecting a software update to come out shortly to get it up to speed with the already 2.2 running dorid x. that was in september. today is 1/17/11 and no update. 2.3 is about to launch for other and 2.2 hasnt even been mentioned. i, even as an employee, feel scammed. i will never buy another samsung product, which is a shame because i hear wonderful things about their other devices. if your reading this with hopes of recomendations DONT BUY A GALAXY PHONE. iphones launch 2/10/11 anyway

  • Cspirer

    Samsung fascinate battery life. I fully-charge the phone in the morning. Normal-to-light use of e-mail, text, phone, few apps, no games, etc. By 10pm the battery indicator is about 3/4 full. In the morning the battery is drained.
    I realize some apps are running at night, but they are also running during the day, I suppose, and the battery use is low.
    Any suggestions??

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