Sprint and HTC apologize, promise GPS and EV-DO Rev. A for Mogul
Apparently Sprint's last Mogul software update -- version 2.16.651.0 -- ruffled a few feathers by unintentionally introducing new Bluetooth problems as part of the release. Sprint and HTC's advice? slip on back to version 2.09.651.3 (hit the read link to grab it) until another update is released at the end of November. The unexpected treat in all this is the announcement of HTC's efforts at developing a separate update that will include both GPS and EV-DO Rev. A, awesome! Keep an eye on these pages for more info soon.
[Via jkOnTheRun]
[Via jkOnTheRun]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dan @ Nov 22nd 2007 3:27PM
Having GPS will be nice...I've learned that navigating by street names at night from web maps is really hard.
I suppose I'll enjoy my Mogul a bit more with GPS and Rev.A. :D
PynkFloydd @ Nov 22nd 2007 6:13PM
Frankly, I've experienced nothing but bugs since I got the Mogul. Everything from missed texts to the phone freezing while ringing. Now, with the latest "fix"...if you travel to a less than perfect reception area you get the pleasure of having a completely disabled phone. If I revert to the 2.09.651.3 ROM then I miss calls again. To summarize, I either get a phone that isn't able to answer calls or (with the 2.16.651.0 ROM) I get a phone that completely freezes (in less than perfect Sprint signal areas) and won't respond to any button press. Rev. A and GPS are great! ...on a phone that works. It's kind of disappointing that the tech sites are minimizing the problem for Sprint and HTC. In reality, if it were Apple...there would be an article on it every single day before the many, many, many problems were fixed. Currently, the phone has bluetooth problems, random freezing issues, earpiece/mic volume problems, memory leaks, and random quirks that pop up to ruin your day. This isn't even isolated. If anyone checks any phone forums, these are common. When you contact Sprint/HTC about the problems, they offer to replace your phone for $55 (while still under warranty). All in all, give me a phone that works before you start spinning the issue and giving me features that won't help fix the BASIC problems of the phone.
-Sarcastic sketch on HTC/Sprint Mogul Problems-
Random Large Car Company: "Thank you for purchasing our flagship sedan sir! ...Yes, that's correct. Your steering is completely disabled and there's nothing we can do.
Customer: WHAT?!?!?! I can't even drive my car?!? I could take it out at any moment, the steering could malfunction and I could injure myself or others?!!?
Random Large Car Company: That's correct. ...BUT, we installed GPS and added 10 horsepower to your engine! FOR FREE!
Customer: Thanks...thanks a lot.
Media: WOW! Can you believe that?! Free GPS and added 10 horsepower!!!
GKA @ Nov 22nd 2007 7:59PM
Maybe you should just exchange your phone?
I highly doubt that everyone's Mogul has the same problems as you describe.
PhilR8 @ Nov 22nd 2007 9:02PM
In less time than it took for you to type out your rant, you could have gone to ppcgeeks.com and downloaded a custom rom for the Mogul that makes the phone run great.
Chris Przybycien @ Nov 23rd 2007 1:58AM
@GKA: My wife's 6800 has the exact same issues. According to the ppcgeeks forums many people are having the same problems too
Andrew @ Nov 23rd 2007 11:17AM
Yep, same with mine. The issues happen on EVERY Mogul. Sprint and HTC really screwed us all over with this phone. The only reason I don't threaten legal action for them to end my contract is because I'm on the SERO plan and it's so cheap for what I get that it's worth fighting through it for a little while longer in hopes that the new firmware will actually fix problems instead of introducing even more as every previous firmware has.
Charles G @ Nov 23rd 2007 11:31AM
I haven't experienced these problems... I hope I never do! I'm excited to get GPS and rev. A!
rothgar @ Nov 23rd 2007 1:14PM
I am confused...How do they promise GPS when the phone does not have a GPS receiver. Or does it? I knew the Rev A just wasn't activated but was there GPS hiding in there too?
PynkFloydd @ Nov 23rd 2007 2:23PM
The word on the street was that it has a built in GPS receiver but they left it dormant because they were sorting out all kinds of other issues in the ROM/firmware. Just rumors, but it seems like it had to have more than the standard 911 GPS receiver. If you compare it to other HTC offerings on Sprint and various carriers, the Mogul is missing a lot of features that they have (and has a lot more bugs). I suspect they rushed it out to beat the iPhone to market. (released about a week or two prior to iDay) ...again, all heresy and inadmissible in a court of law.
PynkFloydd @ Nov 23rd 2007 3:25PM
I retract my media comment above... Engadget and a lot of other hard working people dedicate themselves to providing unbiased reviews.
Unfortunately, if you're not using the product on an extended basis it's very hard to experience all of the malfunctions. The truth is, a lot of Mogul users are experiencing problems (some more/less than others, depeding on your area and use of the phone). We paid $299-$399 for a phone with a lot of issues. In a comparable phone (iPhone), people speak up and get results. Even when they lowered the price on the iPhone, people got a refund. If everyone just accepts the issues and moves on, HTC/Sprint will never correct them. EV-DO Rev. A was an expected upgraded (which was promised in the fall for early Mogul adopters), but the GPS seems like a PR move. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, but it sounds like what we (a lot of Mogul users) need is a bearing replacement!