yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Sokonomi:
I think asus rushed honeycomb to get it out for Christmas and is now working on a working version in ICS rather then HC.

Because lets face it, would you spend a lot of time and money to fix an OS that will become utterly obsolete in about a week or two?

I say get the prime, enjoy it without GPS for a bit and buckle up once ICS comes around.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] shinzz:
This isn't software issue (unless it is) but more of hardware issue. The complaints are escalating because Asus isn't or won't clarify the issue with official statement. If it was software, and if ICS update can fix the issue... you won't see the amount of complaints that you are seeing now. However, we're completely in the dark at the moment.....
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Sokonomi:
The thing is I know how GPS units work because I work with them in drones all day,

The most an aluminum backplate could do to the GPS antenna is cause a bit of reflection noise,

but it shouldn't be to an extent it cant see a single satellite at all, it should at least catch a bit of noise from them.

One other thing could be unfortunate frequency noise from something nearby, which can be solved by adding a wee bit of shielding.

But I totally agree keeping radio silence (hah) about such a blatant problem is a stupid move.

If Asus were to come out and say "Listen guys, GPS isn't the way we intended and it slipped by our checks, but we'll work on making it better.",

id step up and buy one of the primes way more at ease, but right now its like they have their backs turned and aren't listening..
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] the_game_master:
regardless of people's mounting complaints, they really don't know for sure the if the GPS issue is software or hardware caused.

I'm going to give ASUS the benefit of doubt and hold judgement on whole GPS thing until I have my Prime and ICS is released.

In the meantime I'll still anxiously await the arrival of my new prime on Tuesday.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] shinzz:
I'm glad you are positive. The issue really isn't about software or hardware. As you have noted, we can only guess/hypothesize & speculate on the whole GPS fiasco. The real issue, that I wish to point out, is Asus keeping their customers completely in the dark. I, for one.. am completely disappointed by Asus for ignoring or denying the whole issue atm. Is GPS functionality minor to majority of the Prime owners? Perhaps it is... but as a consumer/customer, I for one cannot stand the attitude of "let Asus slide because it is minor issue.. just deal with it". I really dislike that perspective....

Again, you'll see less complaints if Asus comes out with official statement & acknowledge the issue.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] liderbug:
GPS was working

Last Thursday UPS showed up with the TP & dock. We opened the boxes, docked, powered up (Ooo, ahhhh). One of the first things was to bring up maps.google.com ... it nailed our house. Now after a couple of days of add app, add app, run, add app run, run, run... no GPS. So question(s): if the GPS doesn't work, how did maps locate our house? Wifi? I read something about apps get started but never stopped/closed. Holding the power button - Do you want to power off? - Does that really power off, meaning all apps shutdown, or when you power on again are the app that were running bg right back?

What I'm questioning is - Does the GPS work until you load up apps run a lot of things etc. and is there a way to 'ps -ef' (without rooting) to see what's running?

Thanks
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Ciddy:
After being really bummed out yesterday I just thought I'd give it another shot, after all the weather is a bit better today, clouds being thinner and no rain; Stood in front of my house, clear view of the sky all 210° viewing south, southern Germany. Started GPS Test, deleted old aGPS data and downloaded fresh thru Wifi.

The Prime immediately saw 4, then 6, then 10 satellites, but was unable to lock on due to weak signal for about 8 minutes, after which I stopped. I held the tab horizontally most of the time, with the exception of tilting it up 45% once or twice, which immediately resulted in the signals getting even weaker.

Thinking "This really cant be true!" I went back in, got my SGS2, reset aGPS, got fresh aGPS and had a fix on 10 satellites after 39 seconds. This is really f*cked up, I mean, if I'm standing still and cant get a fix in the open with 10 sats in view, I cant even use this for location based services.

The workarounds are surely good info, but having paid 599 € (775 $), I am not willing to work around sloppy design. Hardware or software. This is such an awesome device, they just didnt go 100%, only 90%, if that, by not properly testing it.

I'm really upset about this, as I have waited for a good Android tablet without major drawbacks since the original iPad came out.

And Asus managed to blow it. For that I'm really pissed at Asus. And all their winding, changing specs and blaming their own previous design decisions is just souring the deal up more and more.

The only way they can turn it around is by getting ICS and hopefully a fix for this desaster out before my window of returnability closes, which is next saturday. But somehow I doubt they will, sadly.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BAD_BOY_KIEV:
My 2 cents:

I think that aluminum back is the reason, but not the whole.

Remember ****ty Wi-Fi performance?

I think what they did is that they put bigger Wi-Fi antenna, which caused putting smaller antenna for GPS, thus made them very close resulting additional radio influence, combined with sizing thing = fine Wi-Fi and piece of **** GPS.

And there are two ways of solving this in my opinion:

1) Disassemble it it put there big ****ing thin as air antenna and isolate properly.

2) Use some metal parts in construction as an additional antenna via connecting them manually.

3) Buy x10 mini in China for 70$ (without shipping) and have GPS and 3G.

4) Magical software update.

Personally I will go for 3 and 4 as I see it now, beacause it seems that disassembling\assembling Prime, if it is constructed the same way iPad2 is (which is highly likely) i.e. glue and ****, is kinda very difficult task...
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] aldrouin:
So lider... Wifi allows geolocation. That is why google can track you on your computer at the office or at home without any gps.

To test your device properly, use gps test and turn off everything that is not the gps, and clear the agps cache.

Then you will know if your gps works.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] unknown_owner:
In one of the threads in dev I posted a link to a file that shows the difference between the rootable build and the latest build. Turns out 2 GPS files were updated; you can look at the files in a hex editor. Wish we had root to see if putting back the original files would help any.

Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BAD_BOY_KIEV:
REALLY IMPORTANT CLARIFICATION

What we have:

What is it:

SOURCE

Hey, ****ing joke, hardware-wise we have the top chip with GPS and GLONASS support.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] deviouskater:
Before I updated the firmware I tested the GPS once and got a instant lock in my room. Then prompted me to update. After the update i could not establish a lock so fast. I'm not sure if it had anything to do with it because I know ppl commented stating they got one lock and then never agian
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] mikehu:
Any exchanged units come back working?

Just curious if aynone has exchanged a non GPS working unit and gotten one back that worked? (or are they all foobar?)

I did some research on the GPS chip in the TP (Broadcomm BCM4751) - ASUS didn' skimp here, it is highly touted GPS solution. Has to be software or antenna/interference, in my opinion...

Broadcomm websites:

investor.broadcom.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=509977
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] RussianMenace:
Hardware doesn't mean jack if implementation is crap. But it does mean someone fracked up.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] the_game_master:
I bet it's software that ASUS won't address until ICS is launched.

Which by then they will have to put out a revamped specs info on all their websites anyways.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] PrimeTimeBro:
Which is why ASUS already came out with a statement that said its because of the aluminum backing right?

At this point unless someone is willing to disassemble a Prime and prove it otherwise you guys are wasting your time with this running GPS tests etc.... 80 pages of doing the same things over and over with the same results.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Sokonomi:
Well it shut some of us up for a bit, mission accomplished asfar as Asus is concerned.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] unknown_owner:
It's a holiday weekend. I expect something (comment) to come out from Asus maybe next week. Hopefully something good

Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] PrimeTimeBro:
Like I said unless someone on these forums has the skills and or balls to breakdown the Prime and test GPS with backplate off we are spinning wheels here.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
They haven't been silent at all. People just refuse to accept what they've said/done.

1) They pulled the reference to GPS off their local-market websites.

2) Their CSR's are now telling people both that GPS is limited and not intended for navigation and their including that in e-mail responses.

3) An e-mail a couple of pages back from Asus support specifically mentions the aluminum casing as the cause for poor GPS reception.

With the issue appearing in online media, do you really think they'd take the steps I mentioned above if it were a simple s/w fix? Every HC tablet on the market has GPS that works. The difference between them and the Prime? An aluminum casing.

You're confusing guessing with blind idealism and fanboyism. Asus has stated their position both in words and actions and, for some reason, there's a subset of people that refuse to accept it.

---------- Post added at 09:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:15 AM ----------

The GPS file that's in the Prime is the same as the one used in the TF1. Someone brought this up about 10 pages ago. Obviously, the file works in the TF1.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] slugbug2010:
Mine worked before I installed the update.

It does not work now.

I tested properly - wifi off, etc. Went outside and got a lock within a minute.

After the update I can't get a lock at all in the same location after waiting 5 minutes. I'm on the 3rd floor and 5 minutes is as long as I'm willing to hold my Prime over the balcony to ensure no obstruction.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
The Prime's GPS gives the allusion of working under the following conditions:

1) If it gets a lock with assistance from Wi-Fi it will hold the lock as long as it isn't moved any distance. That's because the chip memorizes the positions of the satellites. If you move it and aren't connected to Wi-Fi it won't be able reacquire the satellites.

2) Outdoors with an unobstructed view of the southerly sky in good weather the GPS alone will be able to get a lock. If the conditions are anything less than near perfect it won't. If you've had it on Wi-Fi, turn Wi-Fi off, and move 20' to your yard, the chip is still working from memory. If you were able to lock outdoors without Wi-Fi and move 20' and go indoors it's still working from memory.

3) If the GPS locks and you turn off Wi-Fi it will seem fine until you move the device any distance. It won't be able to reacquire the satellites on its own.

When anyone says it's working it's because they've gotten a lock (Wi-Fi or stand-alone) and haven't changed the position of the device. Once it has to reacquire the satellites without the assistance of Wi-Fi it will fail. The reason it fails the driving test consistently is because the chip isn't able to keep up as position changes. And that's because it can't get a clear and consistent signal. And that's because of the aluminum back cover. And it effects every Prime equally.

You'll be fat, dumb, and happy if:

1) You only use GPS when you're connected to Wi-Fi.

2) You only care about GPS when you're stationary.

3) You never intend to use the device for any type of mapping or navigation that requires moving the device any distance.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] souless poet:
I must be one of the fortunate ones. My GPS locks on my location immediately. Even in my office which is in basically the basement of the building I get immediate lock on my location. I got mine from best buy on the 29th.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] PrimeTimeBro:
I guess people dont get it

---------- Post added at 12:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:31 PM ----------

Everyones works to get locks your not fortunate read through 80 pages of this thread and you can figure out what I mean.

---------- Post added at 12:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:33 PM ----------

+1 well said
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
Sigh. The only reason I'm posting is so that people who haven't followed this thread since page 30 when the issue was identified don't think there's false hope. You'd kinda think Asus admitting there was a problem would do that, but, oh well.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Magnesus:
To put things into perspective. Having read so much about Prime problems with GPS I decided to test my TF101 the same way - beacuse in my room it would get 1 or 2 satellites only. Outside it got 10 in 1-2 minutes and since then it can acquire lock even inside in a matter of seconds (right now I have 9 in view, 7 in use inside my house where no other GPS device ever got a lock for me :) ). I also succesfully used TF101 as a car navigation a few times (beats my old standalone GPS because it has fresh maps and big screen, great if you have someone to hold it while you drive). It's a shame apparently TF201 can't be used like that right now. I hope it's a software issue.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
I've used GPS on the G-Tab, Zoom, and Jetstream. They all worked and performed the same way. Indoors and out. For mapping and navigation. For geo-location without Wi-Fi.

If the Prime doesn't work like this video, it's broken.

[YOUTUBE]fUtOomelSTc[/YOUTUBE]
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] dakine:
Return it.

Then send a note to engadget linking all these problem threads including the one about the removal of the gps feature on the Asus website. Remind them they have a responsibility to their readers to provide accurate information on the products they review and that its undeniable that there is a serious problem with the product.

Sent from my my i9000 running CM or MIUI
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] shinzz:
Fanboyism of what? Asus has taken off "GPS" off of their spec list in USA and few other countries but it is still listed in their Global website. Last I checked, ASUS Global website is owned by Asus.

I'm looking for official statement and acknowledgement. Not ignorance, denial, or sudden change of listed "spec" sheet. If their stance is "withdrawing" GPS altogether, at least make it universally known ... including their own website.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
I'm not defending how they did it, or saying they did it well, but the actions they've taken make their position seem pretty clear. For them to have pulled the spec off their local market websites so quickly also makes it seem like this wasn't a surprise to them. Some companies are proactive in response to issues, others bury their heads in the sand and hope it blows over. The way they handled the pre-order communication would seem to put Asus in the latter category.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] the_game_master:
There's no official word from ASUS that said any such of that.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
I posted it twice because the same message was sent to two different people. If you still have any doubts I'd suggest you contact "Jerry" at Asus support.

================================

Dear Valued Customer,

Thank you for contacting ASUS Customer Service.

The ASUS Transformer Prime is made from a metallic unibody design, so the material may affect the performance of the GPS when receiving signals from satellites.

Please note that this product is not a professional GPS device and signal performance can be easily influenced by factors including, but not limited to: weather, buildings and your surrounding environment.

Please understand there are some limitations when using the GPS function.

Some scenarios you may encounter when experiencing weak GPS performance:

1. Using the GPS while traveling in a car: The roof of a car, the insulation, bridges and other factors can affect signal reception.

2. High density areas with large buildings and structures that can block line of sight communication with GPS satellites.

For more information feel free to refer to our self-help pages by clicking

the links below:

Troubleshooting -[asus url]

FAQ - [asus url]

Live Support - [asus url]

If you continue to experience issues in the future, please do not hesitate

to contact us.

Best Regards,

Jerry

ASUS Customer Service

================================

Thank you for contacting ASUS Customer Service.

The ASUS Transformer Prime is made from a metallic unibody design, so the material may affect the performance of the GPS when receiving signals from satellites.

Please note that this product is not a professional GPS device and signal performance can be easily influenced by factors including, but not limited to: weather, buildings and your surrounding environment.

Please understand there are some limitations when using the GPS function.

Some scenarios you may encounter when experiencing weak GPS performance:

1. Using the GPS while traveling in a car: The roof of a car, the insulation, bridges and other factors can affect signal reception.

2. High density areas with large buildings and structures that can block line of sight communication with GPS satellites.

For more information feel free to refer to our self-help pages by clicking

the links below:

Troubleshooting -

http://support.asus.com/troubleshoot...Language=en-us

FAQ - http://support.asus.com/faq/faq.aspx?SLanguage=en-us

Live Support - http://livesupport.asus.com

If you continue to experience issues in the future, please do not hesitate

to contact us.

Best Regards,

Jerry

========================================
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] liderbug:
Thanks. ?? clear the agps - or apps. And how? Also from reading other posts It may have worked until the message popped up "There is an upgrade. Do you want...?" [said yes]

P.S. I had a devil of a time finding a tf201 manual - so I posted my copy HERE

---------- Post added at 12:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:58 AM ----------

OK. So I walked outside and set it on the hot tub lid, fired up the GPS app, turned off the Wifi and went in for a cup of coffeed [it's 31F here]. When I wandered back I had 8 birds / using 6, location, alt, time Life-R-Good. Pressed the Wifi button [on] - ... can you say 2L in a handbasket, fubar, screwed... the birds went poof, I had no idea where I was - woops a bird, nope gone, yup - Oh look 2, gone... then nada. Turned the Wifi off - birds = 2,3,5,8,6,..... and look! there I am, standing next to my hot tub ;-) and it's time for lunch... ? RFI ?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] tylermaciaszek:
How many times does the email have to be posted before you see Asus officially said it?

---------- Post added at 02:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:28 PM ----------

Thanks for posting again maybe people will stop asking now jesus people read the thread
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] PrimeTimeBro:
lol tell em Tyler!
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
It's actually in this thread - twice. He posted both before it and after it. Denial? There's still anger, bargaining, and depression, to get through if he's following the five stages of grief. ;)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Sokonomi:
Even so, what do I care what asus "officially" said.

They basicly tell you prie the metalic unibody design off your tablet or GPS is completely useless,

what the hell kind of advice is that? They need to do better then that imho.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] tylermaciaszek:
They gave great advice on how to improve it the best they could I'm sure they will do little software optimizations but you should care what they say because it's their product and they know best
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] PrimeTimeBro:
They are doing better then that they are making the GPS disappear from the specs entirely lol hell of a solution isn't it?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] tylermaciaszek:
Damn people have read before posting and atleast Asus said they know about the issue and weren't like "huh gps problems no there are none" READ PEOPLE READ
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] bestco:
sold out in most major retail or online stores in the US, I doubt you could exchange for a replacement right away. I'm thinking about sending it back to Asus for RMA, the problem is now Asus removed the GPS feature from their spec sheet, I wonder if they will send the Prime back to me without GPS chip in it :(
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] tylermaciaszek:
We all have been telling them but they deny it
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Sokonomi:
Entirely unlike simply removing GPS from specs list... right?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BAD_BOY_KIEV:
There is one big thing: Wi-Fi does work OK for the most and it's antenna is placed near the GPS antenna... this is the price for Wi-Fi + aluminum unybody...Size matters. Thay just made Wi-Fi antenna bigger or stronger(?) though have to gain some space from other stuff...like GPS...which as it seems from comments of some individuals does not matter at all... :) Asus - clearly for the win.

P.S. Correct me if I am technically wrong.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] bestco:
if it was software related, Asus didn't have to remove GPS spec from their website (which will give them a bad rep). All they had to do was to make an announcement that they'd release a fix in the next software update and that should make most of us happy. Seems to me it's a hardware issue that requires RMA.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
Dear Valued Customer,

Thank you for contacting ASUS Customer Service.

The ASUS Transformer Prime is made from a metallic unibody design, so the material may affect the performance of the GPS when receiving signals from satellites.

So unless they come up with a new back cover design, all the RMAs in the world aren't going to change anything.

From the tear down, someone identified the GPS antenna being soldered along the edge of the circuit board.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] tylermaciaszek:
They addressed it and watch when they find a fix they will put it back up they just took it down for future buyers so they don't buy it for gps

---------- Post added at 03:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:11 PM ----------

It's not software related but they can do their best to optimize it on the inside
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] kborer22:
From reading everything that has gone on with this there is nothing to RMA. The all aluminum back degrades the signal, it is what it is. The only way to really fix this would be for asus to redesign the back cover with a non-metallic window (a la ipad, yea that apple logo on the back of the ipad actually serves a purpose other than aesthetics). It would have to be similar to a recall on a car, everyone send it in and get a new back cover. i don't think that is a likely scenario. Just be an informed buyer and know what you're getting into when you buy this tablet.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] slybarman:
It also wouldn't be the first time a tech support agent made a statement and didn't know what the F they were talking about. Have you ever called Sprint tech support? :)

Not saying "Jerry" was right or wrong, just saying it may or may not constitute Asus' "official" position.