yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] WendigoNL:
as i am reading the specs of the GPS module. i'm reading GPS with combined GLONASS support. backwards compatible with old drivers.

is it using both systems?

about the problem. the chip does most processing itself. it leaves the final interpretative task to the CPU. The TEGRA 3, wich does it's own scaling. has the GPS been tested in several performance modes?(battery saver/normal etc) it seems that this last task isn't getting done properly.

with ICS requiring different drivers. (at least on devices as DHD) it seems most likely they're using an old compatible driver for 3.2 honeycomb. and await ICS before using latest drivers improving signal and calculation transfer to the TEGRA 3 (unsupported in old driver?)

i find it hard to believe that it's hardware related, FCC tests and why buy a receiver put it in and sell it, disable it. leave the receiver out in the first place. (what about certifications that have to be re-done to allow it without GPS receiver?)

if looking troug GPSCONFIG.XML from asus transformer Prime dump. there's typo's in the descriptions. A LOT of different arguments are there compared to code found online (cyanogen for samsung P4. etc.)

don't know what PPM means in the frqPlan. cause only the 2ppm is not commented. the 100 PPB and 300PPB are commented. RFType being used is GL_RF_47511_BCRM_EXT_LNA. in commented section it says RfType="GL_RF_BARRACUDA_EXT_LNA"

seems really messy. and that's just a config. (found in /etc/gps/gpsconfig.xml)

hoping ICS with better drivers is the fix :)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] demandarin:
this may be the answer and cause here within your post. it makes the most sense and further back up claim of it being software/driver issues. great find! ICS may be the key to solving this whole ordeal.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] PrimeTimeBro:
At this point it looks to be a hardware software combination I cannot even lock a satellite after the update......
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] shinzz:
Possibility..

But with the current bootloader status, we can't even tinker with GPSconfig or other drivers to see if it'll fix the issue (like they did it with Acer Iconia and few other android devices).

Another reason for skepticism..

If your theory is correct, it really boggles my mind on how Asus is reacting & responding to GPS fiasco. If s/w or tinkering on drivers can solve the issue, Asus doesn't have to react by "removing GPS from specification" or calling it "bonus feature".

It's a possibility, and I'll be grateful if it is.. but it is leaning more towards hardware issue.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] monkeydog:
Same boat here. GPS was working pretty good for me before the firmware updates today. Now I can't get a lock at all, I let GPS status sit there for 30 minutes... never even saw a single sat.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Lock-N-Load:
The Lite version foreclosed 100% of the time I tried to start it AND did not provide widgets it said it would. Version on my phone had widgets and no FC issues.. WTF
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] shinzz:
Asus of Taiwan confirmed that it is Hardware issue (backplate). Oh, and they aren't planning to do anything to rectify the situation since "they can't do much about it" (except change the design of the back).
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] HuskerWebhead:
Do you have a link to that statement?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Ciddy:
Translated by someone, not me:

ASUS Taiwan just released an official statement, which covers some aspects we would really love to know:

1) ICS will be pushed to devices around the world on Jan 12th (woot!)

2) GPS problem is mainly due to the aluminium backplate on the device. they won't be able to do much about it, that's why they removed the GPS from the specs on various sites to avoid causing any misunderstandings among users.

3) BOOTLOADER: they won't unlock the bootloader, and the purpose of locked bootloader is to support media renting service on the device and its stability. BUT, they are working on releasing a bootloader unlocking tool for those users who would like to unlock it. however, the use of this unlocker tool wil void the warranty immediately.

source: https://www.facebook.com/asusclub.tw
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] shinzz:
Official Statement from Asus Facebook:

ASUS

Thank you very much for all of the support you have given to ASUS. Eee Pad Transformer Prime received excellent reviews and great demand when it launched in December 2011. Now, we are continuing to make the Transformer Prime available in the worldwide market, and doing our best to fulfill the incredible demand. ASUS strives to create the best products and provide the best service for our customers, and will be releasing an FOTA update for the Transformer Prime shortly. This update, version 8.8.3.33, will improve the focus of the camera, the fluidity of the touch experience, and the APK capabilities in Android Market.

ASUS has been working hard to make the highly anticipated Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich available on the Transformer Prime, and today, we have good news for you. Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich FOTA worldwide update for the Transformer Prime will start from Jan 12th, 2012. Thank you for your patience and support through this process.

In addition, we would like to address your concerns related to GPS and bootloader on the Transformer Prime.

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 surrounding environments. Please understand there are limitations when using the GPS function. To avoid inconveniencing users who demand a powerful GPS device, we made the decision to remove it from our specification sheet and marketing communications. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.

Regarding the bootloader, the reason we chose to lock it is due to content providers' requirement for DRM client devices to be as secure as possible. ASUS supports Google DRM in order to provide users with a high quality video rental experience. Also, based on our experience, users who choose to root their devices risk breaking the system completely. However, we know there is demand in the modding community to have an unlocked bootloader. Therefore, ASUS is developing an unlock tool for that community. Please do note that if you choose to unlock your device, the ASUS warranty will be void, and Google video rental will also be unavailable because the device will be no longer protected by security mechanism.

Thank you for all the understanding and support for the ASUS Transformer Prime. Happy New Year!
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Evo_Shift:
Does anyone know if they sell these anywhere that work with GPS signal? ;)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] HuskerWebhead:
The results on the GPS suck, but it's not a dealbreaker for me. I never planned on using it for GPS anyways. I understand the bootloader decision and as long as they give me the choice to unlock it, I'm fine with that.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] robomo:
After a year my warranty will run out anyways. If community modding can't fix the issue I'll cut a small window for the GPS and see if that helps.

Not a big rush as I have GPS on my phone already, but it would be nice to have a strong tablet GPS lock...
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
If the company you're depending on to bring you a flawless s/w implementation with ICS comes out publically and says "it's h/w" I wouldn't hold out high hopes for the dev community. If they improve it 50% it's still going to be at least 50% worse than any other tablet on the market. And for driving navigation 100% can be challenging at times so 50% won't cut it.

Also, there's another thread going on that points to the metel back cover. The Prime can't use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth at the same time while every other device can. If I had to guess, I'd say it's either the reflective properties of the back cover or that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are cranked up so high to get through the back cover they interfere with each other. So if a dev cranks up the GPS signal, who knows what the side effects would be.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] clenz:
God point, but I don't think that you can crank up the GPS signal since it's a receiver antenna only. I think our best bet is modifying the config files and tweaking the timing with multiple cores and Google maps'
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] robomo:
There may be a way to do software filtering to compensate for the back panel. I'll just "wait and see" - if ASUS killed it from the top down, there may have been an engineer somewhere below that was working on a partial solution but won't be able to finish.

Because they see GPS as such a low priority, ASUS may have just put the bare minimum engineering resource into it. I put more faith in the community to find a solution, as we actually care about the performance of the GPS where ASUS corporate obviously does not.

Rather than spend energy on a low priority item like GPS (in ASUS Corporate's eyes), they probably put all their guys on ICS to get it smooth as butter and working properly.

Killing it was probably the cheaper thing to do - it's in their best interest to say there's no software solution, even if there is one. If they publically admitted there was a software solution, they'd be held to that statement and get another Facebook flamewar asking for a patch. So why would ASUS bother? They could just kill it and be done with it.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] tshoulihane:
Just as likely is a power rail noise problem - too much of the radio on and it degrades the performance. Sadly this is a fairly expert job to diagnose if it is the case. (or a noisy clock signal could have the same impact)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] jamesey10:
Now that Asus has admitted the problem, I want to know if new batches of the Prime have a hardware "fix" that makes GPS work. Some of us have a working GPS. Some of us don't. I don't want to RMA and get another unit with ****ty GPS. I want a unit from a batch with working GPS.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
Multi-national companies don't publically humiliate themselves unless they have to. Especially when the cause of the problem was their own design choice (the metal back cover). If they had to pay an outside engineer $100K to avoid the embarrassment, they would have. No matter how talented the dev, s/w can't overcome h/w. Not trying to be a buzz kill, but don't want people to hold out false hope either.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] robomo:
This is equally true, and a very good point.

I'll stop here as this is a research thread, not a theory thread and I just dropped a load of theory into it :o
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
You don't. You never did. You never will. And all Prime's are the same.

Under ideal conditions the Prime can pick up satellites on its own and lock them. It takes four times as long as other tablets to get half the satellites and half the accuracy. Once they're memorized by the chip, and as long as the Prime's not moved, it'll look like it's working. Even if you turn Wi-Fi off and on. For a lot of people, that's fine. And as long as the Prime has access to Wi-Fi it'll perform OK for geo-location.

If you look at it this way, GPS antennas are omni directional. So for the G-Tab, its strongest signal is through its plastic back cover. GPS can't penetrate metal. No matter what's done to the Prime, it'll always have a 50% signal deficit to any plastic-backed tablet (and that's why they're all plastic-backed).

The Prime on it's own, without Wi-Fi assistance, will never be able to keep up with satellites while it's moving because the signal it's receiving will never be strong enough. So it will always fail the driving test. If people say it doesn't, the conditions they're using it under (clear sky with a southerly view) aren't real unless you only plan on navigating through wheat fields.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] shinzz:
Atm, they aren't planning to create new back (maybe few month down the road when no one notices it)...

And really, who has working GPS?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] JoeyLe:
A Member of a Dutch forum has tested his Prime's GPS while driving. He said the GPS was locked within 30 seconds and was locked the complete time while driving 120km/h.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
What does that prove, really? Does anyone you know use GPS Test to get from "Point A" to "Point B"? Try that with Google Maps in cached mode or CoPilot.

At this point, any of you defending the GPS after Asus has come clean are either fanboys or blind idealists. So if you want to recommend the Prime as a naviation device to your friends and family based on a Dutch website having a Prime flat on a dashboard running GPS Test, go for it. I wouldn't.

And BTW, 6 out of 9 satellites and 90' accuracy in what looks like an open area is piss poor.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] JoeyLe:
You could just admit that was wrong. :rolleyes:
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
It's not wrong. I define "driving test" as using navigation s/w. GPS Test isn't navigation s/w. I don't think anyone who intends to use the Prime for navigation would consider your definition adequate.

If it's important to you, I'll gladly say that the Prime can pick up satellites in a car when laying flat on a dashboard using GPS Test in an open area at 50% of the performance of other tablets.

Why won't you and others like you just accept that this is an issue? You've fought the evidence that various people have provided since the problem was first discovered and are fighting it now even after Asus has admitted it. I truly don't get it.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] shinzz:
You are ruining the image of Asus and Transformer Prime. Isn't it obvious? Because of your negative view, you are causing other "potential" Prime purchasers to be scared. Better yet, can you stop forcing your "negative" view on others? It isn't honest opinion as you don't have any positive feedback. Just remember, your issues or whatever defect you may have is just hallucination. It means nothing to us "majority" and certainly not to Asus. It isn't a problem until I (I represent the majority) have an issue.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] JoeyLe:
He is some kind of Samsung fanboy I believe.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] shinzz:
.............
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] JoeyLe:
Lol I mean the guy you quoted, not you. :p
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BixBix78:
100% disagree. Asus is ruining there own rep. The prime is a disgrace. I expect functioning gps and the ability to use bt and wifi at the same time. I don't think that is too much to ask as prior gen android tabs had no problems with these tasks. Hopefully Asus will make it right but it doesn't look to be the case.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] ChristoA1:
Well sounds like that's your problem right there. You're bashing the TFP because it doesn't perform as a "naviation [SIC] device." It's not one; it's a tablet. Which is exactly what the ASUS statement points out. Yes, I agree that it sucks that this "feature" isn't working as well as we expected, and they're dropping support for the feature rather than fixing it, but the product is *not* designed around or specifically for this function. Yes, having a tablet mount in the car and a tablet with GPS good enough to navigate with is a really cool feature. It's not the *most* practical, but it's cool.

But if you bought this solely to replace that 3-year-old Nuvi, you're doing it wrong.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
One last thing...

Assuming that pic you posted was the Prime's best performance, let me see you navigate this with 90' accuracy...
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] shinzz:
Was I not clear with my sarcasm? Well, at least I hope you understood it.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] JoeyLe:
LOL. Ok, that was true, I completly agree with you the GPS just is **** and probably isn't going to work (good). However it is possible to at least get a lock while driving, for some rough navigation it can be good enough, however that is not something you want with a €599 tablet ofcourse..
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
What a selfish post. On two counts. 1) Some people bought the Prime because it was originally supposed to function that way and doesn't simply because of an Asus design choice; 2) every other tablet can be used as a GPS replacement which means at a similar price point the Prime is non-competitive.

Don't confuse what it should do with what you're willing to accept. I would have had more respect for Asus if they clearly said at launch the Prime wasn’t able to be used for navigation. Now that they’ve been exposed, at least people purchasing know its inadequacies. People that purchased before the announcement from Office Depot and GameStop didn't have that luxury.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] nxp3:
Oooh...I hope that comment was a joke.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
I posted that because I knew you'd find it funny. Especially being from Europe. ;)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] nxp3:
If you market a device to have gps you can't just say we're dropping support for it because it's poor. That's called a bait and switch. Take my device back and give me 500 back is how it works.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] nunyabiz:
Asus just needs to start selling a 3rd color option:

1: Grey

2: Champagne

3: Gps

have a plastic backing that will allow GPS, this should also make it even lighter.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] nxp3:
3 option should be

1.grey

2.champagne

3.refund
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] robomo:
If the metal backing were the only issue, it seems the Transformer Prime lying flat on a dash would get as good a signal as even a plastic-backed tablet.

pardon my **** diagrams, but they illustrate some of the geometry going on here. In order for the Transformer Prime to get an optimal angle, it must lie flat on the dash:

The Transformer Prime at an angle on a dash.

The Trasformer Primer lying flat on a dash

Tablet without metal back:
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] ChristoA1:
A selfish post? I'm not sure you're using that word correctly, lol

You show me a person that bought a $500 tablet solely for a GPS navigation device, and I'll show you a person who's either retarded, or has way too much money ;) Just because the device *can* be used for that does not mean that it is its sole purpose. You're confusing a device's *function* with its *features*.

And yes, I have already agreed that I don't think that ASUS's answer is the correct way to go as far as just dismissing the GPS feature. But it wasn't something they planned on dropping, either. At launch, they intended for that feature to be there. They designed the tablets with GPS chips, which aren't cheap to include en masse.

---------- Post added at 01:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:51 PM ----------

Semi-agree. They didn't market it as a GPS device. See my earlier posts. However, I *do* agree that with the GPS being a feature that *was* marketed and then dropped, ASUS should accept returns for refunds, either directly, or through the retailers.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
I'm retarded. I used to use my phone for navigation but now I use my tablet. It gets a better signal because it’s got a better chip and antenna then my smaller phone (ironic, isn't it). It's also easier to see quickly while you're driving, has a split screen mode because of the larger display, has a better battery than my phone, and keeps my phone free for calls.

I bet there are plenty of others like me out there and we'll probably grow in numbers based on the benefits I just described. CoPilot developed a completely new tablet app so they must be retarded too.

Anyone purchasing a high-end tablet today (at least until this incident) would assume every tablet coming out would meet or exceed the specifications of those that preceded it. Working GPS is pretty much a you-understood with the single exception being the Prime.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] shinzz:
1. They did market Transformer Prime with proper GPS functionality. Asus released a video in their global website (now taken down) with Blonde girl locating a restaurant owned by Dark Hair chef & moving from Point A to Point B.

2. Barry only mentioned it as feature/function. He didn't say anything about Prime being GPS navigation device ONLY. And yes, I did purchase Asus Transformer Prime to be used as tablet & GPS navigation device (and yes, i did not expect amazing GPS functionality like TomTom but i did expect to be in the realm of other tablets) because it was LISTED in their specification.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] JoeyLe:
Haha, even in Holland we have those.. don't think the Prime is gonna keep up with this one either :D:
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] demandarin:
Very funny. quite the comedian you are :rolleyes:

Regardless, maybe now all the complaining can stop about GPS as we know the truth about it now. threads already filled with enough b.s. as it is. all the people who bought this device as a sole purpose for navigation, you out back. All the people CRYING about they going to return device, PLEASE DO AND HURRY UP WHILE YOU AT IT. IF GPS function is a deal breaker for you then OK. The forum doesn't want to constantly hear nagging about that you going to return device. As it won't hurt me, anyone else, or definitely Asus sales in the end. Life goes on. Maybe now the Prime section can Normalize and fill up with people who knows what comes with it and enjoys it, despite GPS flaw. your crying will do nothing to help developement and pretty sure they don't want to here the nagging also.

So to all returning devices, Good Riddens, Bon Voyage. Addios Amigo. You won't be missed..lol :cool:
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
There's another thread you need to defend. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi can't work simultaneously. It too is may be caused by the metal back cover. Go get 'em! ;)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] robomo:
So maybe all the chatter can stop in this thread, and we can actually use this tiny bit of server space for technical discussion :rolleyes:
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] demandarin:
Funny guy ;) you cool.

Fair enough. I just checked the thread out to see the reaction to the news. then see people saying well in going to return device. same with bootloader being locked issue. people saying they gonna return it. OK. Be like NIKE and Just Do It

Mission Protect Cybertron Accomplished and over. Time to eat some Energon Cubes. Been a long hard fought battle. Transform n Roll out! ;)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BarryH_GEG:
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1423180
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BAD_BOY_KIEV:
WE NEED TO KNOW HOW TO DISASSEMBLE IT

IF IT IS LIKE IPAD2 - WE'RE ****ED.

GALAXY TAB - ARE OK

If we are OK, I would vote for drill the mothafucker out, mold some plastic inserts and put bigger antennas beneath them and...be b-winning :cool:

In USA you use device according to specs, in Ukraine - the device uses specs according to you)))
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Sokonomi:
Pics or it didnt happen. ;)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] tshoulihane:
So much for keeping this thread technical and keeping it clean of noise...

.27 firmware, outside work:

GPS locked, signal levels about 15dB less than shown on SGS2

Driving home - marginal signal, tracking 2-4 sats most of the time.

.33 firmware, at home in conservatory:

signal levels about 10dB down on SGS2.

I left it for a while, but it got quite cold (enough for the touch screen to start acting up). Signal levels seemed fine for a static clear-sky lock, but in the car they dropped another 5 dB and became quite marginal even without the added complication of being on the move.

Still need to investigate the angle-of-view issues.