There’s some good news and some bad news regarding that Galaxy Nexus volume control glitch. The good news is some users have tracked down the cause. The bad news is it’s a physical symptom of wireless radio interference, so it would seem pretty unlikely that a software patch or update would be able to fix it.
Here’s a demo of the bug. If you’re wondering what this video proves, it shows that the mobile signal from the Nexus One is triggering the volume up/down toggles that control the bootloader on the Galaxy Nexus.
There’s another example recorded by the same chap here. All of which means this may well turn out to be Category A disaster for Samsung and Google.
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.
Matt Clarke
/ November 21, 2011Opps
We can’t even say he’s holding it wrong.
SebbesApa
/ November 21, 2011Thats just what my Ipod does when i move my phone around it :) Automagicaly changes the volym :P
UKAndroid
/ November 21, 2011Glad I went for the Note!
Bry
/ November 22, 2011So, do you have to be that close to another phone?
Or does the Galaxy Nexus’s own signal do it?
Dave Chambers
/ November 22, 2011The Galaxy Nexus volume will go crazy if it is your own phone on 2G 900MHZ or you stick another phone near it on 2G and try to make a call or download. I’ve reproduced it myself using my Nexus One next to the Galaxy.
Not sure what is going to happen – all that O2 want to do is offer another phone, which is very unlikely to sort out this problem.
Samsung are very quiet
Bry
/ November 22, 2011Oh, I see.
I’m on Vodafone – don’t tell me, they use 900 Mhz, right?
Hands0n
/ November 22, 2011Yup, Vodafone and O2 2G are both on 900Mhz. T-Mobile, Orange and of course Three customers are not affected by this bug, unless someone rubs their 900Mhz 2G handset up against your nice shiny new Galaxy Nexus.
An amazing cock up by Samsung. I expect the QA director is now floating in a river, somewhere.
Bry
/ November 22, 2011Hmm – that’s annoying.
Vodafone has the best (of a patchy) signal in my home.
Can anyone remember which network 3 fall back on for their 2G coverage? Is it Orange?
I was so excited about this phone, and was all ready to phone for an upgrade. I’m now having to wait to see if this gets resolved…
MarkG
/ November 22, 2011Don’t be so sure this can’t be fixed in software/firmware..
Samsung like most companies will be silent until they can confirm the problem and offer the fix. They don’t want to comit to anything before understanding the problem fully.
Hands0n
/ November 22, 2011Three have been winding up their 2G fallback with Orange (as was). Their intention is to be pure 3G only.
Stephen
/ November 22, 2011900Mhz is almost every network in europe Bry.
JW
/ November 22, 2011They can probably make a software workaround for this hardware bug. Some percent of non wanted volume change could be fixed just by letting the phone ignore incoming volume settings while itchanges radio or networks. A required double click on the volume controller should also help a little with the hardware problem… perhaps…
Stephen
/ November 22, 2011I could only get it to happen by putting a phone 2mm away from mine. It hasn’t happened once in “real” life.
Matt C
/ November 22, 2011Likely to happen quite a bit then on a London train, it gets very cosey :)
Hands0n
/ November 22, 2011Here’s my own experience of the happening – http://youtu.be/LjwMzooNVCE
shrinkwrapped
/ November 22, 2011I’ve preordered mine from Carphone Warehouse (Orange). So the good news for me is that Orange is one of the “safe” networks. The bad news for me is that the phone may be fatally flawed.
Luckily the Carphone Warehouse haven’t even confirmed my order yet. So that’s fine…