Things i dont like about Omnia

August 20, 2008 at 7:18 am (Omnia)

Omnia is a great device. Anyway, it can’t be perfect to all. Some might say this one good and others think is bad. For myself, there are few things i may or don’t like about Omnia (This comment based on my current firmware (G3):

1. Optical Mouse – the optical mouse sure it’s a good alternative way to replace conventional d-pad. Maybe the reason of this implementation is to keep device smaller. It works ok actually but the surface is to small for you to navigate. Sometimes it’s not so accurate. Using ur finger is much more faster than this. Besides optical mouse, u can choose 4-way Navigation style. But what’s the point of 4way navigation if u still need to swipe on the optical surface to get direction. And another thing u will have a problem when playing game that require you to use navigation pad.
   Solution : Use your finger/stylus to navigate
   Suggestion : If Samsung want combination of d-pad + mouse and maintain smaller, they should provide joystick style that can navigate 360 degree and act as action button.
2. Keyboard - you have three choices of Samsung keyboard; QWERTY, Suretype and Phonepad. Normally i use QWERTY style for typing. Its not very easy actually although they occupied 2.75/5 screen. The reason is there are no haptic feedback when you type, and no sound. That mean you may not aware when you are wrongly type. (The new firmware H1 will include back haptic feedback for keyboard)
   Solution: I’m currently using Resco Keyboard Pro 5.01. This keyboard looks like iphone kb. Ya, whatever but the thing is i feel much more faster when i use this keyboard and more accurate. Although it got no haptic feedback, and button not so big but when you press down the button, it will zoom out what are u typing and also a beep sound. Nice. You should try this.
   Suggestion: Samsung should redesign the keyboard. Make it more efficient, faster and also nicer interface. The current one, mm..boleh tahan le..:)
3. Camera not enough memory - i wonder why my phone sometimes got an error when opening camera apps. Said that not enough memory to run camera. Please close other applications. What the hello..I already closed all the programs plus clear the memory also still got error.
   Solution: Soft reset your Omnia
   Suggestion: The upcoming firmware(H1) should resolve this bug. Heard that G4 version also still got tis problem.
4. Interface – Samsung interface is not properly design and the touch screen function also not optimized to all applications. It’s like half way job done. Some application from Samsung that looks ugly and not professional are; Samsung Today 1, Samsung Today 2, Touch Player, Contacts, Samsung Keyboard.
   Solution : Install Resco Keyboard, SPB Mobile Shell, FunContact
   Suggestion : Again Samsung should revamp their interface for Omnia 2
5. Screen rotation – its not a problem actually. It’s just the way Samsung implement it. I’m more prefer if they can make screen rotation more faster or just disable the animation.
   Solution : The new firmware will fix this (H1)
   Suggestion : The new firmware will fix this (H1)
6. Samsung Proprietary Slot – samsung has introduced their proprietary slot instead of usb mini slot like other company using. This slot can be use to charge, data transfer (activesync) and audio port. I had no problem actually but the protective cover for this slot is very anoyying. Everytime u want to charge or data transfer, u need to open the cover.
   Solution : After 1 year, i will take out this cover..:)

   Suggestion : Samsung should introduced usb mini port for charging and data transfer and 3.5mm audio port for using headset/earphone.

7. Finger touch optimized – Sometime u might need to use stylus to operate Omnia although many apps have been optimized for finger touch. Especially the windows settings. And some apps cant use finger scrolling. It’s not consistent at all.
   Solution : use for finger nail..:)
   Suggestion : the new firmware(H1) will fix this issue
8. Screen Resolution - for the 2nd time, Samsung had introduced their windows mobile device with odd resolution. The SGH i-780 has 320×320 and this Omnia come with 400×240. Actually most of the application can be installed and works but some of the apps, the screen is not optimized to Omnia screen. Usually they will be blank page at the bottom. Anyway, most of my important apps has no problem with Omnia. Cheers…
   Solution : none
   Suggestion : for next Omnia, they should come with WVGA screen (800×480)
   
   
9. Memory - i found that the program memory and device storage is too small. Looking at the specs, it has 128MB RAM and 256 ROM. But why my total Storage only 87.69 MB. Is windows taking up those space too much? I have no idea.
   Solution – install all application on your storage or memory card if applicable. I installed all my apps into 16gb storage. So far no issue or lagging..
   Suggestion – for next Omnia, it should have at least 512 MR ROM and 256 MB RAM.

Thats all my concern about Omnia. I should email this article to Samsung right?
If you have any other suggestion, please drop your comment. We can discuss..