[Toki.]

My contract has just expired with Vodafone and am due an upgrade.

I like the look of the Samsung Classico S7350 which is available from T-Mobile and Virgin Mobile.

I notice Play.com advertise it being out on the 27th of this month though.

Does anyone know if it will be coming out on Vodafone?

Thanks in advance.

[jellywobbles]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toki.

My contract has just expired with Vodafone and am due an upgrade.

I like the look of the Samsung Classico S7350 which is available from T-Mobile and Virgin Mobile.

I notice Play.com advertise it being out on the 27th of this month though.

Does anyone know if it will be coming out on Vodafone?

Thanks in advance.

If it helps you decide, I just got a S7350 from Virgin. The phone is gorgeous, superb build quality & very functional BUT and its a BIG BUT - it does NOT have any GPS software other then the very useless Google Maps!

Route66 DO make a special Samsung version of their software that will run on both the S7350 & the S8300 (Tocco Ultra) but I'll be damned if you can get it from anyone.

I spoke to Samsung & Route66 & it looks like most providers actually UNINSTALL it - they want you to use up "air time" by using GPS with Google Maps.

My phone is with Virgin who offer a 28 day MBG which I will be using - its ridiculous - its like selling a car that can only drive on B roads!

I am going to get the Nokia 6220 Classic (that runs both Garmin XT & CoPilot Live).

Samsung just dont have a clue! Last Samsung I will ever choose!

Hope that this helps

Paul

[qualafoo]

Hardly Samsungs fault if the NETWORK PROVIDERS uninstall the programme is it?
I have a S7220 (advertised with google maps) and it also came without the program. No networks involved?
I bought a SIM FREE handset.

[Toki.]

Thanks Paul, I am thinking about buying one from a well known auction site as Im not too bothered about the GPS.

Does the Virgin phone come locked to Virgin do you know?

Also has Virgin installed their own software and menus on the phone?

Thanks in advance!

[jellywobbles]

Quote:

Originally Posted by qualafoo

Hardly Samsungs fault if the NETWORK PROVIDERS uninstall the programme is it?
I have a S7220 (advertised with google maps) and it also came without the program. No networks involved?
I bought a SIM FREE handset.

No Google maps - oh big deal! Its free mate - just d/l it!

The version I got was 2.3.2 - now running v3.x.

On the other hand I am unable to buy Route66 for my S7350 as Route66 tell me that they are not allowed (by Samsung) to sell it to me!

Imagine if this "selective" policy was carried through to all products we bought! My 37" Toshiba TV that I bought in Brighton came with Freeview, yet the same model you bought in Manchester didnt???

The TRUE reason that the ISP's "uninstall" pre-loaded apps that came with the phone (direct from the manufacturer) is GREED. They want us to use up costly air time by using Google maps.

Its called having your cake & eating it - another description is "Rip Off Briton".

Rant over!

[jellywobbles]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toki.

Thanks Paul, I am thinking about buying one from a well known auction site as Im not too bothered about the GPS.

Does the Virgin phone come locked to Virgin do you know?

Also has Virgin installed their own software and menus on the phone?

Thanks in advance!

Yes - the Virgin phone is locked to Virgin. As to menus etc - it looks pretty standard to all others - where some have got Route66 pre-installed, my unit has got the Google Maps icon instead.

Most of the Far East models come with Route66 (units from Samsung Philippines do).

All in all it's a nice phone - having said that, I am on the Virgin 28 day MBG & will most likely send it back, as GPS with Google Maps is about as handy as a chocolate teapot.

I may go for a Nokia 6220 or 5800 both of which run "turn-by-turn" SatNav software.

Hope this helps

Paul

P.S. BTW - most S7350's I saw on "the well known auction site" were about £200 - £250. My deal with Virgin is £20 / month for 400 mins & unlimited texts with the S7350 free - 18 month contract, which is very good value, given the cost of the phone itself.

[qualafoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jellywobbles

No Google maps - oh big deal! Its free mate - just d/l it!

I DID



On the other hand I am unable to buy Route66 for my S7350 as Route66 tell me that they are not allowed (by Samsung) to sell it to me!

SINCE WHEN DID SAMSUNG BUY ROUTE 66?



The TRUE reason that the ISP's "uninstall" pre-loaded apps that came with the phone (direct from the manufacturer) is GREED. They want us to use up costly air time by using Google maps.

AGREE TOTALLY

RANT OVER

[Toki.]

Thanks qualafoo and jellywobbles.

Purchased one so just waiting for it to arrive. I got an upgrade from Vodafone (they dont stock the S7350) so will sell that and should be about even with a bit of luck

I will let you know what I think once I get it.

[qualafoo]

good for you, lets us know what you think.

[jellywobbles]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toki.

Thanks qualafoo and jellywobbles.

Purchased one so just waiting for it to arrive. I got an upgrade from Vodafone (they dont stock the S7350) so will sell that and should be about even with a bit of luck

I will let you know what I think once I get it.

Best of luck if you find a S7350

I have given up on mine & am returning to Virgin under the terms of the 28 day guarantee.

FWIW - I now have a Nokia E71 (with GPS / A-GPS) and it's so much quicker to "lock-on" to satellites using GPS (where the S7350 just didnt do anything!)

I have installed Sygic McGuider & Garmin & both work brilliantly!

The S7350 seemed to be a tad deaf when trying to locate satellites using GPS, so if I had managed to get Route66 installed I am not sure if it would have worked well enough.

The S7350 is a nice phone - shame about the GPS tho!

Cheers