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Samsung Fascinate FAQ (Get your Fascinate questions answered here)

For current and prospective owners, I figured it'd be a good idea to have a place for common questions and other questions that may come up. Please don't hesitate to post other questions or tips that may help fellow Fascinate owners.

Is the Fascinate limited to using Bing for searches? Can I download Google Navigation?

Bing is the default app for searches and there is no way to change that. Any searches entered into the address bar in the stock browser (work around is to use the Dolphin HD web browser) or performed by the search key (including voice search) will go through Bing. It really isn't that bad imho but it is annoying that it's something you can't and won't be able to change. Note that you aren't blocked from downloading Google Maps from the Market so you can still use Google Navigation as usual. Verizon will be allowing the use of the Google Search widget in the next update but you won't be able to change the default search engine.

Does the Fascinate have GPS issues?

Anyone who owns the Fascinate or are considering it are probably aware of the GPS issues that are plaguing the current Galaxy S phones. I was a little skeptical of purchasing the phone initially since I use Google Nav a lot and decided to test it yesterday. It took a few minutes of moving before it found satellites to use but it performed well once locked on. During my ~400 mile, 8hr journey, it never lost me once and kept up even when I hit pockets where I lost cell signal all together. While certainly not perfect, GPS on the Fascinate works adequately and shouldn't be a deal breaker.

How do I use the camera?

The camera has a push to autofocus feature. Just touch the screen where you would like the focal point of the image to be and then hit the camera on the screen to take the picture. I'm not aware of any way to manually zoom

Does the Fascinate have a notification LED like the other Android phones?

No. Not sure why samsung felt the need to exclude this on a high end phone but it is what it is. I'd suggest using an app from the market called NoLED if you need a visible aleart for your notifications. It displays a colored dot on the screen that moves around when you receive a notification and the color can be customized for the basic alerts (gmail, missed calls, texts, etc.)

My phone will disconnect me if I'm on a call and accidentally hit the search key. wtf???

This is a known issue with no known work around other than not hitting the search key. It's supposed to be fixed in the next update.

Is there a way to keep the backlight on longer for the soft touch buttons?

Currently no. This is also supposed to be fixed in the next scheduled update.

Is there a list of known issues?

As with every new phone, there is always some issues. The Fascinate is no different and below are a few of the notable issues.

Alert Notifications:  There is no option to change the Calendar alert notification.  Short term work around: There is no short term work around for this issue.
Blank Screen:  If you are on a call and a second call comes in, you get the correct Caller ID information. If you answer the second call, the caller ID screen goes blank and does not show any caller information.  Short term work around: There is no short term work around for this issue
Email Sync:  In some cases exchange e-mail and yahoo mail can stop syncing Short term work around: The user can manually sync Planned Resolution: A fix for this issue will be included in the MR 1 release for this device.
Exchange ActiveSync Security Lock:  The EAS security lock may be invoked earlier then the timer is set for.
Google and Bing Maps Latency:  It has been reported that it takes longer then other devices to get GPS location information when using Google and Bing maps.  Short term work around: There is no short term work around for this issue
Call Disconnect: If you are on a call or in the process of receiving an incoming call and you press the search button the call may be disconnected."

http://http://http//community.vzw.com/t5/Samsung-Fascinate/Leaked-Verizon-document-reveals-all-known-issues-with-the/td-p/280496

Source: http://http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2010/09/10/samsung-fascinate-known-issues-document-leaks/

Is there a user guide for those who don't have the Fascinate?

The user guide can be downloaded here

When will the Fascinate get Froyo?

There is currently no ETA on when it will receive the 2.2 update.

Comments

TheGreatOne

This post of yours remidns me of Mike's post. His post is excellent. See here--->Android phone. Some of the Fascinate users could most likely use some of the info he shared

Swliles89

Samsung Fascinate since last Thursday and no big issues here as of yet,and that's after many,many hours of childlike playing,experimenting,and just general exploration of the device.True,the phone doesn't have Google as it's base search engine but who cares just flow with the work around and don't cry about it,it's not the death of a family member,it's a mobile device.The thing Iam however anxious about is the Froyo 2.2 update for the Fascinate.I'd really love to be able to put all my apps to that rather large 16 Gb card :] .

Joechilll

I was in the Verizon wireless store today and I explained to the rep why I will not buy the Facinate.I mentioned that the icons in the bottom cannot be changed.Well he proved me,cnet and other reviews wrong.YOU can change the icons at the bottom. I did it myself. All you do is touch the tiny gear looking icon thats at the top left of the screen.All the icons will then look like they are highlighted.Press and hold the one you want then drag it down to the bottom.ALSO I told him about bing being the default search and maps.He told me for a fact the new update is coming and(He got a notice from Verizon) it will allow you to change default search and maps to Google

PJNC284

yeah, the dock icons can be modified and you can also rearrange the app icons in the drawer so you can move your most frequently used apps on the first page. Props to the rep for actually knowing how to work the phone but I wouldn't trust him on comment regarding the default search engine to change. The word directly from Verizon based on numerous reports is that the update will allow Google Search to be downloaded so you can use the widget but it won't allow you to remove Bing as the default search engine. So basically pressing the search soft key will still default to Bing.

elizabethj6

How do I sync my itunes with my fascinate? I have Windows 7. Thanks!

Ann154

This is Sticky Post worthy! Nice write up.

Leslie1

DoubleTwist - A popular and elegant desktop application along with an optional custom player( http://www.androidcentral.com/android-quick-app-doubletwist-player)available ) on the Market. The desktop client has both Mac and Windows versions and allows full syncing in addition to limited browsing of podcasts, music from Amazon's MP3 Store, and Android apps. http://www.doubletwist.com/ .

MiMeQu21

Another way to move around your app icons, including the main ones at the bottom of your phone: when in the app menu, hit the main menu button at the bottom of your phone. Select "Edit." You can now long press on an icon and move it wherever you want. The only main button you can't move is the "Home" button. Other than that, you can move the apps to whatever order you like and also re-arrange the main apps at the bottom of your phone.

Also, if you want LED notifications and possibly ringtone notifications, there is an app in the market called "Missed Call." Make sure to select the one for Android 2.x. It allows you to set ringtones to notify you at set intervals if you missed a call, text, etc. It also allows you to set up an LED notification.

As for Bing, it really is not the big deal people are making it out to be, other than that Verizon did not allow you to choose which search engine you wanted. You can easily created a Google shortcut on your phone and it will take you directly to the Google search page. I have that shortcut on my homepage and I have never used the Bing search function. Plus, you can still download Google Maps. Another good app is Google Shopper, which allows you to scan UPC codes to see where the item is being sold in other stores in your area and for what price. It allows you to comparison shop.

Smith24

unlike other samsung phones, is there a reason why the fascinate does not alert you, via sound, when the battery is fully charged in order to avoid overcharging & having to eventually replace the battery?

additionally & more importantly, please tell me there is a better way of deleting multiple e-mail messages other than hitting the checkmark to the right of each message. the phone seemingly cannot handle more then 6 - 10 at a time & there should be a way, similar to the Omnia II where you can select all messages or all below a message & delete in one click.

thank you

MiMeQu21

The Fascinate does beep or chime when it is fully charged (at least mine does). It only does it once, I believe. I don't know if there is a setting you have to use for this to occur, but I never set it up that way, and no one at the Verizon store did it to my knowledge, so I assume that is standard on the phone.

I will note that this occurs when the phone is off and I am charging it. If you are referring to when you have the phone still on, I don't know about that. I charge my phone at night after I turn it off and I have heard the beep.

PJNC284

There's a pop up that alerts you but I can't remember if it has a sound or not (I disabled it because it's just annoying). And the way the Fascinate charges won't allow it to overcharge. Once it gets to 100%, it stops charging until it drops to about 95% and then tops back off.

DP007

Yes, the battery charge pop-up does generate a beep (at least on mine). Thanks for the info. about the Fascinate being unable to overcharge. That's good to know.

Indianchief

Camera Zoom........you can zoom using the volume up or down key

jjpslc

Here's the solution to having the Fascinate calendar sync with Google Calendar. I've seen numerous people with the problem and had to search alover for the solution.

Even though you've setup Calendar to sync with Google, the default is to have Google Calendar push calendar entries to your phone.

One the phone, the default is to create new entries in "My Calendar" which doesn't get pushed to Google Calendar.

The effect of this is that you end up with a one-way Google to phone sync.

To have phone calendar entries sync to Google, you have to manually specify that when creating the entry: under the 'Calendar' section in the create event screen, tap 'Calendar' and choose your GMAIL account and not your phone's local "My Calendar."

If someone knows how to set Google Calendar as the default, please post a solution. Maybe Froyo will fix this.

Hat tip to Herbb623 for the tip found here.

Also, if you then want to sync to Microsoft Outlook, install Google Calendar Sync and all three calendars are synched.

DukeArchon

Well, I'm glad I figured out how to change my defualt search action, as well as getting my GPS fixed. Took about 15 minutes from start to finish to get it working. A de-Binged Fascinate is a wonderful phone.

Noname0293292

I have a problem with my phone turning on every few seconds wile locked. the phone is in good condition.

please help

HarleyDrifter

Hey PJNC284 great post but I think you should add/edit a few things:

(1) Bing vs. Google - If anyone wants Google all they have to do is bookmark the Google page and then create a shortcut to it:

First create the bookmark by entering www.google.com in the search box and when the Google page displays hit: Home>Menu>Bookmarks>Add>OK. Next, create a shortcut to it: Home>Add>Shortcuts>Bookmark>Google. An icon to Google immediately appears on your home screen. You can do this for any website. One click and you're there. Oh, and Bing still works by pressing the search key. You have both.

(2) GPS - The Google Navigator is a little slow to lock in ( a couple minutes sometimes) and the "voice directions" volume is not nearly loud enough, however the $10/month Verizon Navigator is much faster to lock in (5-10 seconds) and the voice directions are louder and clearer too. That being said I'm getting by with the Google one because it's free. There are also some other cool apps out there for those who want to venture off the roads.

(3) Camera Zoom - Press the volume button and it will zoom while in camera or video mode. Although it's only a digital zoom so it wont be as clear. I still get better results by uploading pics to my computer and then zooming and cropping.

(4) Backlit Softtouch Buttons - That was fixed with the DL09 update and mine stays lit for however long I have the display set.

- Just my 2 cents worth.

PJNC284

Yeah, DL09 fixed the short soft touch button backlight interval but being tied to the screen caused more issues. GPS issues should've been solved with the DL09 update also and the camera zoom was mentioned in one of the other posts but it was after the time frame for editing expired.

Noname0293292 wrote:
I have a problem with my phone turning on every few seconds wile locked. the phone is in good condition.
please help
The screen just turns on? Are you running a task killer or anything?

M91-30

Noname0293292 wrote:
I have a problem with my phone turning on every few seconds wile locked. the phone is in good condition.
please help

have you tried a hard reset? android is just like any computer OS in that it does glitch out every once in a while, it just needs that "slap" to get it back on track.

ladybell

Ok so I have a question. I was not liking the stock email notification and performance so I took someone's advice and went to the market and downloaded maildroid. I like it much better so far. However, the stock email app that was on the phone still reads email, the maildroid reads email and all this data has to bog down memory or battery at some point, so is there anyway to remove the email app that came with the phone? If not could I remove the email accounts from that app? Should I really even worry about doing this?

PJNC284

If both apps are polling the account, that could definitely impact battery life. You should just be able to go into the default mail app and delete the account there since you have it in another.

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