Develop Bugs

Hand Lanyard and Drop Test (with video!)

I recently picked up a cheap, generic lanyard for use with the Note and have found that it completely changed the way I hold and use the phone. It makes holding the phone a lot more comfortable and allows for full single hand usage of the phone. Also, I have done some drop tests and it pretty much drop-proofs the phone (linked below is a video of a drop test I did). I HIGHLY recommend getting one of these, if only for the increased flexibility it gives you when using it single-handed.
How it Helps Single-Handed Use
Because the lanyard I got has a clip on it I am able to detach the lanyard part of it and just have a little “tail” of sorts on the phone. I almost always have this tucked between my middle and ring finger when holding the phone, as it allows me to comfortably hold the phone without needed to support it from the bottom of the phone with a finger. It is hard to explain, so I took a video of it (linked below). This manner of holding the phone means that the ONLY part of the hand that needs touch the phone is the middle and ring fingers on the center of the back plate of the phone. The traction from the skin on the back plate keeps it from moving left/right, gravity keeps it from moving up, and the string connecting the bottom of the back plate to the tips of my middle/ring fingers keeps it from falling. It basically feels like the phone is floating in your hand when holding it like this. It allows you not only to comfortably hold it and use your thumb, but use both your thumb and index finger for zooming and panning as well! And, if you tilt the phone in your hand, you can reach ANY part of the screen with your thumb. You can manipulate the phone however you like, by doing this, without fear of dropping it because the string is firmly between the two fingers.
(This video is in HD so you can press the 720P button and make it fullscreen to see more)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMQ32JT3Uk8
Drop-Proofing
The video shows it the best but you can drop the phone however you want and it will be caught by the lanyard every time. The back plate is fit so securely into the phone that it does not budge, not a single clip of the back plate has come undone in any of my tests (and in one of my tests I flung it around in a circle on the end of the lanyard). Quite amazing really, defeats the need for an OtterBox for me.
(This video is in HD so you can press the 720P button and make it fullscreen to see more)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXFOAuDcmRU
More Pics
Pic 1
Pic 2
Pic 3
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If you like this post thank me by pressing the 'Thanks' button

A+ for creativity.

Hey, watched your vids. How are you using this 1 handed? It looks like you've somehow got the thick part of the lanyard up close to the phone in that video...

nice work.
By the way, did you hurt your finger doing this mod ?

copualt3: Thanks!
gerizafa:
Hopefully the linked photo below illustrates it more clearly. I simply tuck the lanyard attachment between my middle and ring finger and it holds the phone.
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h260/piranha_pilot/IMG_0988.jpg
blobotorian:
Thanks! And lol no I didn't, I accidentally cut myself while absent-mindedly taking knives out of the dishwasher.

would it **** u off if the back cover fell off and ur phone smashed?

bamboo12 said:
would it **** u off if the back cover fell off and ur phone smashed?
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I too use a lanyard, but have mine attached to the flip case back (also at the speaker hole).
Firmly pulling the flap away from the lanyard, and nothing happens. It's not coming off by accident.
BTW... I have a much smaller lanyard with nice leather detailing. Without ever consciously thinking about it, I have gotten into the havit of leaving the lanyard dangling out of my pocket, and my hand subconsciously goes through the lanyard every time I take the phone out of my pocket.

I plan on using a Nillkin TPU case which has strap holes and an SGP Asturias leather handstrap on my imaginary Note. I say imaginary because it's all just an idea, I might get one, I might not. The dev community is so good for the SGS2 that I'll just miss having so many options and tweaks.

@unsinkable can u post some pictures

I did this exactly, sturdy at first but I kind of have the feeling that plastic grill will break some day.
Still better than having the whole phone break after a fall tho.
Not having included a proper lanyard hook like in SGS2 was a huge shortcoming for note designers. SGS2 had the con of an unproperly placed lanyard in the top part of the phone, but still!

I'm finding it rather difficult to get my lanyard's string through my speaker phone grill.

It is in fact hard, the typical lanyard end-cords are thicker than the space avaialble in the grill, but if you push attentively enough, or use the help of a tiny object like a de-tipped needle, to push the loop in the middle for you, it is then pretty easy to do the job.

manhattan212 said:
I'm finding it rather difficult to get my lanyard's string through my speaker phone grill.
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Click to collapse
Hmm just remove the back plate first and then tuck it in and out?

broke mine.
My lanyard broke the little bar behind the speaker.
I personally don't think much force was used to make this happen.
It didn't break it off completely, just one side. So I pushed it back in, so that cosmetically it looks ok -but I certainly can't attach a lanyard on it again.
I'll have to find a case/shell with a lanyard loop.
Incidentally, does anyone know if it's possible to get a replacement back panel?

manhattan212 said:
My lanyard broke the little bar behind the speaker.
I personally don't think much force was used to make this happen.
It didn't break it off completely, just one side. So I pushed it back in, so that cosmetically it looks ok -but I certainly can't attach a lanyard on it again.
I'll have to find a case/shell with a lanyard loop.
Incidentally, does anyone know if it's possible to get a replacement back panel?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Metal ones to be found on ebay
Sent from TapaTalk on my Samsung Galaxy Note

thanks for the vids . .
but seems a bit much to wear a wrist leash to carry a cell phone?. .

manhattan212 said:
I'll have to find a case/shell with a lanyard loop.
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Click to collapse
Please share if you do find one. I'd also be interested in a case with a lanyard loop spot!

mcatt66 said:
thanks for the vids . .
but seems a bit much to wear a wrist leash to carry a cell phone?. .
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Click to collapse
I thought so at first but it soon becomes 2nd nature (5 weeks now)

zkyevolved said:
Please share if you do find one. I'd also be interested in a case with a lanyard loop spot!
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the ringke case in the thin case thread has lanyard holes

zkyevolved said:
Please share if you do find one. I'd also be interested in a case with a lanyard loop spot!
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Click to collapse
Nillkin has one. They're fairly easy to find on ebay. I think they have multiple colors, or something.

Back cover won't snap in at the bottom left corner

It's only been 1 week and the poor quality, flimsy back cover is showing wear and tear. It won't get into its allocated slot, and by the looks of it, seems that it became a fraction shorter.

It always seems click in better for me if I start at the bottom and work up.

TareX said:
It's only been 1 week and the poor quality, flimsy back cover is showing wear and tear. It won't get into its allocated slot, and by the looks of it, seems that it became a fraction shorter.
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Click to collapse
You're not putting it in correctly. Gotta make sure the bottom tabs are before you start snapping the rest. I have more success getting the right tab in first and messing around till the other tab falls in and the bottom of the cover kisses the phone.
My grandma beat me down and took my nexus. Sent from a jitterbug with beats by dre.

SOLVED: Thanks to this guy from androidcentral:
"Originally Posted by DBVille: And, make SURE the hooks aren't bent up. I am betting the hooks have been bent up, at least on one side, from trying to push it closed. (dont ask how I know). Look very closely at the hooks. Put your finger nail under them and pry them up/apart from the back if they are too close to the cover to engage the clips on the phone. When done right, it just snaps on. But, you must get the bottom done first."
The hooks were bent up... fixed them with my nails. Now it snaps back on. Still pretty cheap though.

Or user error?
My grandma beat me down and took my nexus. Sent from a jitterbug with beats by dre.

you're not supposed to snap in the bottom hooks, you lock them in first, then snap in the ones rest...

wonshikee said:
you're not supposed to snap in the bottom hooks, you lock them in first, then snap in the ones rest...
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Click to collapse
+1 this is how I do it...common sense...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

Happen to me too the first week. I'm a pro now.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

God, the build quality and camera are a real disappointment on this phone. thanks for the tip on bending up the tabs.. worked for me..

never the OP's fault that he doesnt know how to put the back cover on.. always Samsung's fault for not making it tard proof.

Zepius said:
never the OP's fault he doesnt know how to put the back cover on.. always Samsung's fault for not making tard proof.
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Admittedly the back cover of the GN is one of the more complicated ones to put back onto the phone.
Do not force it on - if you do it right, it will go back on with just a little pressure. Like others said before you have to start at the bottom latches and work your way up from there. Note that the bottom latches are different from the others and do not snap in like the rest.

I'm extremely pleased with the build quality of this phone! A product feels VERY well build when you can't make it flex slightly or make the battery cover creak by squeasing the phone a certain way! Looking at you, HTC! The DInc, Thunderbolt, and Rezound that I've had all suffered from that. (Though I couldn't make the Thunderbolt flex)
And anytime you drop an HTC phone, first the battery door flies in the air, then the battery pops out -.-
Samsung on the other hand, the Nexus is VERY solid, battery door doesn't creak nor does the frame. No creaking sounds at all. I cannot flex the phone. What is it with people dissing Samsung for making plastic phones, what do you want them to do? Engineer a new compound? Geez

As so many have pointed out, the cover doesn't snap at the bottom; you start there by inserting the bottom hooks, then snap the sides and top.
In fact, I've found the easiest, most effective way to do it is laying out face down, insert the bottom hooks, then zip up both sides together with my thumbs, finishing with effortlessly snapping the top in.
As for the build, I couldn't disagree more strongly. The back design is brilliant. The phone overall is rock solid, and has solved the common back pop-off battery pop-out of most phones today.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

I was at a Verizon store last night. Picked up the phone from the display they had it in. The back cover fell off along with the security device. Does the cover have issues staying on? Would a case solve this issue?

Tisosview said:
I was at a Verizon store last night. Picked up the phone from the display they had it in. The back cover fell off along with the security device. Does the cover have issues staying on? Would a case solve this issue?
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Click to collapse
There is no issue if you put it on correctly.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

Careful because our store model had a broken back cover since day one. Two sided take is holding it together at the moment.

Tisosview said:
I was at a Verizon store last night. Picked up the phone from the display they had it in. The back cover fell off along with the security device. Does the cover have issues staying on? Would a case solve this issue?
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Click to collapse
Happens at all the stores. Some have ziptied the backcover back on . However, it really is a non issue. In the case of the store phones, the heavy security device that is glued onto the back cover, pulls very hard at the back cover and it creates issues. In reality, given that it is a completely flat piece of plastic that is sitting flush against your phone with no handles, there is no way to exert even remotely the same amount of outward forces on the back cover.
While removing and putting on the backcover doesn't feel great, the cover does a great job, helps keep the phone slim and light, and looks pretty damn good. The store model did put me off due to this same issue with the security device, but I have had absolutely no issues with the backcover, or the phone feeling flimsy (and I came to the GN from the OG!).

LOL the back cover is well built imo. Just because it is thin does not mean it is of poor construction.The people who are having problems just aren't bothering to learn how to put it on. You don't just snap the whole thing on. Put any backcover on incorrectly and you risk damaging it.
I remove my back cover regularly to swap SIMs and although I've had it since release day not only does it look the same as it did when I bought it but it functions perfectly too (stays on nice and tight).
TLDR; If your tabs are bent you're doing it wrong. Don't blame design for your lack of intelligence.

Thank you for the replies. It is reassuring.
I found it funny that the security really didn't work for this device. Since the alarm didn't go off when the back fell off.

Bottom tabs get bent up
I've had my GN for a little over a week. The problem that I have, and I assume the others have, is that the tabs at the bottom get bent up so that they can't hook in.
I bent them down with my fingernail so that they are horizontal again, and it clicked in fine.
My concern is that this is already a problem after a week, and plastic can only take so much bending and fatigue before it totally breaks, which will eventually occur. I would imagine that at least some people who have had their GNs since launch have already experienced this.
Frankly, I think this is a manufacturing issue that Samsung should ultimately address.

[Q] Back cover creak.

Hello there!
I bought my xperia m 10 days ago, and i am pleased so far, except for one thing..
I noticed yesterday that the removable cover has started creaking, especially on the side with no buttons where the usb port is.
Has anyone else noticed that with their device? Is this something that inevitably happens after a while, or should i try to get it replaced because of a defect?

Yes, it started happening a few days after I bought or... If it happens to others too, I'll assume it's inevitable
This message was brought to you from my Sony Xperia M C1905 using Tapatalk.

Hmm I see..
Well I thought I'd ask because if it is something that is going to happen anyway, i will not bother taking it to the store.
They will have to send the phone to the service center and all that fuss just to replace the back cover, so it is not worth it.
If someone else can also confirm that this is the case with their phone I will be assured.

My phone also makes noises when pushed, most at top right and bottom left corners.

Well I take it there is nothing I can do about it then, so no point in returning it, I will have to live with it...
It is a shame though, because other than that the phone is outstanding in terms of value, I see no reason to spend any more that what I spent on this. It hits the sweet spot for me in the price/performance scale.

Has anyone found any solution to this problem?
I have tried putting little pieces of paper at the hotspots (bottom left and below the usb port in my case) but I had little success...
I am also curious to hear reports from others, maybe a silicon case can lessen the issue...

Cassius Away said:
Has anyone found any solution to this problem?
I have tried putting little pieces of paper at the hotspots (bottom left and below the usb port in my case) but I had little success...
I am also curious to hear reports from others, maybe a silicon case can lessen the issue...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have silicone case, it is the same. I am thinking about using thin layer of hotglue. It can be peeled of easily.

After some experimenting I found that putting a small piece of paper (3mm tall and about 3cm long) between the phone and the cover eliminated the major creaks that where in the lower-middle left side of my phone. I just folded a piece of printer paper in two and cut it to the above dimensions. If you try it make sure to put it in a way that does not block the small plastic clips that clip on the phone.

[Q] Quality control problems with the frame?

Recently i received my Xperia Z1C White. After some careful checking (that happens when you are a techy) i noticed that the frame bends slightly inwards at the back side. I made a small example of what i mean on a photo. The problem is. If you can press those parts of the frame inwards, what happens with the waterproof seal between that part of the frame and the plastic bezel on top of this? Is this the case with every Xperia Z1C or is this a rare problem?
I suspect this also is the reason why you can hear a sound while pressing the screen slightly.

Rinneh said:
Recently i received my Xperia Z1C White. After some careful checking (that happens when you are a techy) i noticed that the frame bends slightly inwards at the back side. I made a small example of what i mean on a photo. The problem is. If you can press those parts of the frame inwards, what happens with the waterproof seal between that part of the frame and the plastic bezel on top of this? Is this the case with every Xperia Z1C or is this a rare problem?
I suspect this also is the reason why you can hear a sound while pressing the screen slightly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same on my phone, but only the charging port side, and my phone squeaks too.

Me too - i can also press the frame inward. Oh my god, i´m a bit confused now...lets hope everything is ok and water is no problem for that...
*EDIT* But i have to say that this also is an issue to find on my Z1 !

Had a bit of convex shape on the back, barely noticeable. Hairdryer and pressing did the trick.
And no, don't be too harsh to the phone.
Glue seems to be unequally applicated.
Made in China after all.

I don't know why, but it doesn't seems any problem with my white phone.

I wonder hwo wide spread or problematic this is. On a normal phone this wouldnt be a problem at all. But on a waterproof phone every error can be a problem.

Mine seems to have the same microscopic gap on the back around the docking port.
I dunked it in a bowl of water and let it sit for 5 minutes. Took it out, dried it off - no problems.

The back of mine flexes when pressed hard in the center, but there are no gaps at the edges (even when pressed)

Is this something they'd accept a warranty replacement for? Where do you go about requesting such?

slvrarrow said:
Is this something they'd accept a warranty replacement for? Where do you go about requesting such?
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I think no warranty on this, they will probably consider it normal.
The problem with high precision designed devices like this and iphones is, that if something is a bit off you notice it easier.
I do regret it a bit that i didnt exchange it within the 7 days that it is possible to exchange a product after buying it in holland. But if it is widespread, then the case of a phone without the flexing frame/misaligned frame would be very small.

For anyone worried about the waterproof nature of their device, the only thing I can say is - test it. If the product works as intended you're golden. If not, you're covered by warranty.
I'm avid photographer and diver and with all new waterproof equipment, the first thing I do is test their waterproofing by either dunking them in the tub or the sink full of water.
You've bought a device with a capability which you should be able to trust. No need to find out 1 year later when you drop it in the toilet that your device is faulty.

Hejnfelt said:
Mine seems to have the same microscopic gap on the back around the docking port.
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Click to collapse
Same here, only a small gap around docking port that can be ever so slightly pressed in under higher-than-normal pressure, never noticed it in every day handling.

Mine keeps pulling hairs out of my beard!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

I believe there's a sensor-like surface when you open up one of the flaps (the micro-USB one I think). It's a small white square and it turns red when in contact with water.
This is how the service centres know that you are complying to proper usage. So do be careful not to get the internals wet

That would make sense
Sent from my D5503 using Tapatalk

I have exchanged mine, still a little flex around the charging port but the back is definitely more flush. No small gap and less cracking noise when pressing the back as well. Very content with the built quality of this phone now.

Does your battery cover look like this?

after the first charge my rubber cover for the battery looks bent. i guess i pried it out and to the left instead of backwards towards the strap and that's how this happened. i have big fingers and it wasn't easy for me to pry it open at all. i tried to bend it back the other direction and it almost sits flush now. it doesn't appear the seal around the actual micro-usb port is damaged, just the outer rim standing up you see. wondering if this is normal, and if it will have any negative effects when it comes to waterproofing.

Yes...exactly the same.

Doesn't look right
tuffluck said:
after the first charge my rubber cover for the battery looks bent. i guess i pried it out and to the left instead of backwards towards the strap and that's how this happened. i have big fingers and it wasn't easy for me to pry it open at all. i tried to bend it back the other direction and it almost sits flush now. it doesn't appear the seal around the actual micro-usb port is damaged, just the outer rim standing up you see. wondering if this is normal, and if it will have any negative effects when it comes to waterproofing.
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Click to collapse
It looks to me like your usb port cover is damaged. I can't believe that pulling it out on the left side instead of the back would bend it permanently like that. I would guess it's defective. If the watch is new and still under warranty, I would probably try to exchange it for another.
I've had my SW3 for about 7 months and have taken the usb rubber cover off many times to charge the watch. So far, it has held up well and still looks new. Click on the below imgur link to see a couple of pics of my SW3 compared to yours.
http://imgur.com/a/Es97z

anyone else? i googled pics of this and all the pictures showed it to be bent the same as mine and onatepp
maybe even helpful if onatepp or others have tried this in the water with no damage...

No need to worry in my opinion. Mine looks the same and I bought mine 7 months ago and several times per week I am taking a shower with it after workout.... I do not think you need a perfect seal to have a waterproof watch, the usb port would not let the moisture into the main body. The rubber cover mainly serves to prevent electrical issues when charging, and maybe corrosion.

You can try with yours
Ok, getting serious, I do not think there is an issue with water. The USB port is sealed.
Will not leak water on the inside. The rubber is meant not to let dust/rubbish inside.
tuffluck said:
anyone else? i googled pics of this and all the pictures showed it to be bent the same as mine and onatepp
maybe even helpful if onatepp or others have tried this in the water with no damage...
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