FixYa highlights the problems with popular smartphones
Summary: FixYa has identified the top five issues with a number of popular smartphones -- including the iPhone 4S, Galaxy S3, Galaxy Nexus, Lumia 900, HTC Titan II, and BlackBerry Curve -- based on input from some of the 25 million users of its problem-solving site
FixYa has identified the top five issues with a number of popular smartphones, based on input from some of the 25 million users of its problem-solving site. These include the "malfunctioning microphone" on the Samsung Galaxy SIII and Gallery Nexus, random reboots on the BlackBerry Curve, and the sometimes-purple-tinted screen of the Nokia Lumia 900. The main issue with the popular Apple iPhone 4S is its limited battery life.
This self-selecting survey does not provide a statistically accurate guide to smartphone problems. By its very nature, FixYa probably attracts users who have problems, not the large numbers who don't. However, the percentages show which problems are most common among FixYa users. Smartphone buyers can benefit by knowing which faults to look for, and find solutions.
FixYa's chief executive Yaniv Bensadon says: "The FixYa Smartphone Report reveals which devices have the edge and where even the top dogs struggle in the constantly evolving battle between iOS, Android, and their competition."
Battery life is, as mentioned, the main problem for FixYa's iPhone 4S users, scoring 45 percent. This is followed by problems with Wi-Fi (20 percent) and Bluetooth (15 percent) connections, then by complaints about Siri (10 percent).
FixYa reckons it helps if users charge their iPhone 4S via the mains rather than a PC, and advises them not to overcharge it. Otherwise, it's the same as saving battery power on other smartphones: turn stuff off if you're not using it (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, location services, notifications, push email etc) and turn down the screen brightness.
The main problems with the Galaxy SIII are "Microphone Malfunction" (50 percent), battery life (15 percent), the device getting hot (15 percent), and internet connection issues (10 percent). To try to fix the microphone problem, FixYa suggests updating the firmware and, if that doesn't work, resetting the phone to its factory condition.
The main problems with the Nokia Lumia 900, which runs Microsoft's Windows Phone, are the "Tinted Purple Screen" (25 percent) and the camera button not waking the phone from standby (20 percent). The screen tint problem is resolved by an update, while the suggestion for the camera button problem is to exit all apps before the phone goes into standby.
Also, 20 percent of Nokia Lumia 900 and HTC Titan II users complained about the shortage of Windows Phone apps. There are currently about 100,000.
With RIM's Blackberry Curve, the main complaint was "Random Reboots" (40 percent), followed by software errors (20 percent). Curve users also complained about missing applications (20 percent).
FixYa says the Curve's memory card seems to be mainly responsible for the rebooting problem, and describes how to solve it by (among other things) reformatting the card. If that doesn't work, users should buy a new card, says FixYa.
Users can read the Smartphone Report online or download an 11-page PDF version.
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Talkback
Reinstall Windows, dude
I noticed that Fixya throws...
Nokia Lunia
You made a statement based on facts. That's so cute.
The conversation here is 'Ford vs. Chevy' level. Let's take computers, for example. Windows, OS X and Linux all do what they do very well. It's understandable that someone prefers one over the other two. However, around here, what the commenter uses (Windows, for example) is the cool thing for cool people, and everyone that doesn't use what they use is an idiot, and the other products stupid. Even though they all do the same things, very well.
This gets even dumber (XP was the last good OS. Everything else is malware). Don't try to make sense of it.
In a conversation based on nothing but emotion, facts are irrelevant. And the only constant is that 90% of the people with an opinion haven't the slightest idea what they're talking about.
It's the Tech Site Paradox: A commenters actual knowledge about a given subject is inversely proportional to the volume of their comments and how strenuously they propound their (myopic) point of view.
You really need
Shows how little you know
The Lumia phones are made by Foxconn, in India, only because it's cheaper to make them in India, than it is to make them in China. I have seen several "teardowns" on both the Luia 800, and the Lumia 900. Trust me, these are made like a disposable phone Using "double-sided" tape instead of screws, is done to save a few pennies per phone, and when you're that cheap, the product is junk 99.998576% of the time.
All they show is some random percentages with no data to back them
So the Gallaxy has 50% of microphone problems. What the hell does that mean?? 50% of what?? 5 of 10 random questions from posters? Or are we talking about 50% of the purchased numbers?? One means NOTHING while the other shows a technical problem.
Until they show NUMBERS and not random percentages, the info only shows that FixYa knows how to make charts.
If only the world gave the numbers we'd like, then
I liked their report for what it's worth. Just like the customer feedback at Newegg, it's valuable within limits.
Numbers
Not a bad review
Overcharging should be impossible.
Overcharging should be impossible with the circuitry required to maintain the Lithium Ion battery.