Oh, we do love a nice bit of well-coordinated consumer rage. The latest Android update petition to come to our attention is this one, in which Samsung Galaxy Portal owners are trying to rally the troops to get Samsung to update its OS to Android 2.2.
Here’s the complete, and rather bashful, petition:
To: Samsung
We would like Samsung to update the Galaxy SPICA/Lite/Portal phone (also known as i5700) to Android 2.2 as we feel that the device is fully capable of supporting the features in the new OS and it is still too early to stop supporting the device. Of course, if you (Samsung) are intending to update the phone to 2.2, thank you so much! This is just to preempt any occasion where Samsung announces that it has no plans to update the device.
Sincerely,
What a bizarrely apologetic demand. Currently, over 4500 people have signed on. Here’s the Samsung Galaxy Portal pictured during happier times:
The Galaxy Portal launched in the UK amid a flurry of publicity in April. T-Mobile released it first with Android 1.5 onboard – which has not yet been updated. But as we reported at the time, Three UK distributed the phone shortly after with an updated Android 2.1 OS.
Motorola’s latest flagship dual-core Android monster is a massive, original powerhouse, that’s a big improvement on previous MOTOBLUR mobiles – but still isn’t a total winner.
A slim and glamorous phone from Sony Ericsson, with the sharpest display around. It’s no powerhouse and the screen’s not the biggest out there, but we don’t mind. Because it’s cute.
LG’s first glasses-free 3D phone is a heavy, fat monster, with a clever 3D effect that works rather well. As a smartphone, though, it’s heavy and underwhelming.
A very shiny thing from Sony Ericsson, with a 3.7″ screen and Android 2.3.3 inside. But is it exciting enough to win fans in today’s spec-obsessed market? Can man live on one core alone?
INQ’s Android phone is an interesting “boutique” piece of hardware, packed with unique interface customisations that go far beyond the headline Facebook integration. We like it a lot.
Timbo
/ June 5, 2010Can we also run a petition to get T_Mobile UK to pull their finger out and update it to 2.1 first please :)
Alan Cooper
/ June 5, 2010Thank you for choosing T-Mobile. A T-Mobile Sales Adviser will be with you shortly.
You are now connected with Leroy.
Leroy: Hi there, my name is Leroy. I am part of the dedicated T-Mobile Online Sales Team. How can I help you with your new order?
Alan: I have heard Samsung are not upgrading the Android software.
Leroy: Hi Alan, how are you today?
Alan: Hi Leroy, did you get my message
Leroy: Yes I did. As far as I know you should be able to upgrade the Android software to the latest online.
Alan: I am interested in getting an android phoone, but have heard Samsung are being unresponsive and reluctant to commit yet
Alan: I think they are still on 1.2 but 3. something is out now but they are holding back.
Alan: There is a pressure group, but some pressure from Tmobile would also help a lot please.
Leroy: 2.2 is the latest. Isn’t it?
Alan: Yes, I was mixed up with an ap verssion but yes you are right
Alan: Will tmobile be getting the nexus one
Leroy: I would love to help. May pass the message to management or you could also send it Via contact us. The Nexus may be with us in the future.
Alan: I also need to look more into this phone to compare with nexus one. Won’t take up more of your time, thanks. If you could send this to Samsung would be greatly appreciated.
Leroy: Would you like to place your order online Alan for the Portal?
Alan: Sorry Leroy, without definite commitment from Samsung I cannot.
Alan: Bye for now.
Leroy: Thank you for your time, please fill in my survey simply by clicking the ‘End Chat’ button. Have a great day.
gpo
/ June 5, 2010samsung, updating their phones? …. yeah right
android brasil
/ June 5, 2010Samsung Brazil announces via formspring that will not update the phone: http://www.formspring.me/samsungbrasil/q/590235826
too bad…
Ian
/ June 8, 2010I’m with Timbo. Sort it out T-mobile
Crypticmiss
/ June 8, 2010Well I got my phone at the end of March from Tmobile and it only has 1.5 on. I have failed to get a decent answer from them as to why they can’t at least update to 1.6 so I could use google nav, and I don’t understand why a ‘smart phone’ is less smart than my old razr, as it cannot use bluetooth file exchange unless they update to 2.0. Stuck with it for 2 years but after that I am off to 3.
Johnny
/ June 9, 2010You can update your i5700 to 2.1 ROM by youself. Please get guide info from http://samsung-firmware.webs.com/WEBPROTECT-samsungandroidi5700.htm
The latest rom for Europe user is I570EXXJE2,2010-May
Some information got from this website, not sure whether is it true:
good news is that samsung is testing andriod2.2(froyo ) for Spica i5700 by the end of this month . If the hardware and software works great together they will update. bad news is no new android versions for galaxy i7500.
PartyPooper81
/ June 9, 2010Johnny,
where did you get the info that Samsung is working on the 2.2 for galaxy spica?
That would be fantastic, but id like to see it confirmed somewhere…
Thnx,
PP
Gary C
/ June 9, 2010I saw that, PP. It was on the Twitter feed of that Samsung firmware hacking site. Decided against mentioning it for rather obvious reasons.
brendan
/ June 11, 2010Its not apologetic or bashful, its respectful and polite geez
SPICAHOT
/ June 18, 2010So, the Galaxy phone is excellent… If you don’t ever want to connect it to the PC.
I’m surprised at just how difficult it is to do this. I wonder what Samsung is doing here. I have read just about every forum topic on this problem (there are a lot) but have not yet been able to get the phone to connect. It still says “unregistered device”.
Unregistered? It’s their phone! So, I was wondering if anyone else has figured this out. I unchecked the option that says to only mount the SDcard (found that by chance – thanks for the heads up Samsung). I also mounted the SD manually (again, just by chance) so I am now able to at least transfer files back and forth.
Anyway, since I can’t connect, I can’t update.
I really think these phone companies need to do a better job with the soft parts of their products, not just the hard parts.
How about YouTube videos that step though the process? How about PC Mobile for dummies? The Manual sucks and offers no help. There is confusion by customers, even though they are trying frantically to figure this out.
So, Samsung, what are your plans for the SPICA? Just forget it? No more support? Just tell us. Is your silence is deafening.
Oh and if you don’t mind, how about get the Bluetooth to connect. Zero for two is not a sign of quality.
I like the Samsung hardware but just might have to find a new company due to such poor software support. Please fix this!
funnty
/ August 22, 2010you need to go to settings, applications,development, then select usb debugging then you can connect to your pc software but only kies will recognise your portal/spica/i5700.
SPICAHOT
/ June 25, 2010I now have the answer, direct from Samsung… Their New PC Suite software does not support Android! You think I’m kidding? Here is a snippet of the e-mail:
“Thank you for contacting Samsung Electronics UK regarding your GT-I5700.
This handset is not currently compatible with the samsung software. This
is because the software is not compatible with the android operating
system. To sync contacts and messages etc, I’d recommend getting a
googlemail account which will automatically sync with the handset. To
transfer pictures or videos etc, you must connect the handset to the pc
using the usb cable. drag down the white bar at the top of the phone
screen and select mount, now the handset will show up in removable disk
drives.”
Krys
/ October 1, 2011I tried T mobile and Samsung, both of whom were useless – T-mobile just said they didn’t know/couldn’t help me, and referred me to Samsung, who spent nearly half an hour giving me incomprehensible instructions over the phone and then sent me an ENORMOUS e-mail listing various options, most of which I had already told them I’d tried and didn’t work. Thanks to your e-mail from Samsung I have now managed to get my photos off the phone in seconds, and am about to deinstall their useless software. I know it means I can’t back up contacts or anything else even very basic ancient phones can do, but there’s always a pen and paper! Thank you SpicaHot. :-)
leroy
/ June 30, 2010the power is with the person with the cash in his/her hands!!!
i’m angry with t-mobile firstly and samsung too.
what’s the solutions?
never buy a sumsung product again forever?
never trust t-mobile again?
i want the best and i’m getting the new iphone waited this long why because i’m worth it!!!
willknapo
/ July 7, 2010I spoke to t-mob complaints to complain about this and they said they had no idea when or if the update is coming n im stuck with the phone until sept 2011 there response was buy another phone on pay as u go, but for a decent 1 on 2.1 like the desire is £300+ are they having a laugh!! samsung are just as bad with suport aswell! tempted to buy out my contract n get the new i-phone 4
Dan Leedham
/ July 12, 2010July 11th
” Thank you for contacting Samsung Electronics.
Thank you for contacting Samsung Electronics UK regarding your I5700.
Sorry, but the android 2.2 update has not yet been released in the UK. We
have not been given anexact release date, but we do know it is coming
soon. This update has been delayed due to network branding here in the
UK.
Kind Regards
Gareth ”
sadlkfkls
/ August 12, 2010Why do you fools buy Samsung? They have a long history of not caring for their customers. If their cheap price is all that matters, what else do you expect in the long run?
Put in some extra money and get behind a company that wants a little more than just your money. I upgraded my Nexus to 2.2 without a hitch eons ago, and you’re all still on the fence waiting for Samsung.
Silly.
JimmyS
/ September 21, 2010Not everyone knows the ins and outs of every company in the world ever.
Anonymous
/ September 16, 2010我们要升到2.2 你么们不能忽视我们这个消费群体
Dylan Fong
/ September 16, 2010It’s not fair as you leave us a phone without 3D driver, without multitouch driver, without FM driver… You must compensate us Froyo and we will solve the above ourselves.
hukj
/ September 16, 2010的的
yudianzgl
/ September 16, 2010我们要升到2.2 你么们不能忽视我们这个消费群体
yyuiii
/ September 16, 20102.2
Alasdair
/ September 21, 2010samsung is upgrading the android so if you have bought the phone and would like to upgade i you can get it off the pc sync
Paranoid-Android
/ September 22, 2010Is that true? About Samsung i5700 getting 2.2? If so where did you here it?
Els
/ October 8, 2010Well, this is my first smartphone, probably my last Samsung though if this is the kind of support they think their customers deserve. Oh, and what kind of joke is the pc software anyways?
Ben Berry
/ October 10, 2010It’s annoying, I got this phone on contract three weeks ago with the 2.1 firmware. The problem is for me is that you can’t save apps to the SD card which is a pain in the arse (sorry, ass if you’re a Yank) and I need to update to the 2.2 sofware to do this. So with there no chance of an update for the Portal to the 2.2 I’m now really thinking of ditching the phone and going back to Nokia and Ovi, call me crazy but I miss it a bit!!
Sarfaraz
/ November 2, 2010Hello Samsung, i have been waiting for froyo update for quite some time and one of the main reasons going for samsung is its portfolio of products line on the android and i am very optimistic of a froyo update for all your android based devices.
keep up the good work and provide us the froyo.
adrian cattell
/ November 25, 2010i think the lack of support for this phone is terrible, and i will never buy/take on contract another samsung product, you push these in tv advertising and other forms of media to sell as many as possible only to leave people with a phone that is terrible.! it dont even work with it’s own software kies very well if at all…..
total rubbish.!
Mike
/ May 7, 2011well said adrian!! i to will never trust Samsung!! & the three network sales team again!! tell whoever you can about these let downs!! ive been putting customers off big time!! ive even took family & friends to pick a phone & network to stop them being outdated & left behind while on contract!! next stop face book!! & msn & tagged!! if samsung dont listen then talk to the people who want a product & let them know how they leave there customers behind once they got there cash!!
binbinxia
/ November 28, 2010Don’t ignore our
Gary C
/ November 28, 2010I’ll make sure we
Anonymous
/ December 31, 2010the samsung galaxy portable i5700 looks crap and looks chunky. the back cover looks like they couldnt afford someting better so they set some three year old to the job!!! peace out :)
P.S- DO NOT BUy IT….ONLy A WARNING.
Chris
/ January 23, 2011If they decide not to release it for Spica then we should make a petition that we will pay something like $5 each for the update
Mike
/ May 7, 2011why should we Chris!! dont ya think they taken enough & still selling them!! never trust em again pal!!
andy
/ March 16, 2011my portal keeps saying something about studio pc mode can some1 plz help
dedet
/ April 17, 2011This thread was started june 2010. Until now, there is no siund heared about froyo for spica/i5700…
Mike
/ May 7, 2011i will never trust in samsung again unless we get the long awaited 2.2 for our 3 samsung galaxy portal GT-i5700 phones myself my wife & daughter was talked into getting..telling us the phone would always be update supported in the future!! we have under 12 months left on our contracs at three network & so angry. ive been advising friends & family to stay clear of three network & samsung phones!! a big let down!! please if your getting a new phone get a network & brand you can trust!!
Big Bill
/ May 14, 2011You can allways supprort people working on non-official update to 2.2 for i5700.
IMHO It is the only chance to get Froyo on our smartphones.
http://forum.samdroid.net/
bob
/ July 18, 2011Piece of shite wanky arse company
bob
/ July 18, 2011Tongue my arseflaps samsung
Anonz
/ July 19, 2011There’s no need for such profanity Bob.
Just root and update it yourself or don’t cry.