14 DAY TRIAL // One of the last carrier-branded Galaxy S devices still running Android 2.1 Eclair Verizon's Samsung Fascinate, is prone to an emergency dialer bug which prompted the carrier to issue a mass text message to warn customers.
According to Verizon, Samsung Fascinate owners with software version DL09 will not be able to use the emergency dialer if the phone is locked.
For those who use a pattern lock, this means the function that enables the phone to make an emergency call without unlocking it won't work.
As soon as the carrier became aware of the bug, it sent out the following text message to customers who own Samsung Fascinate smartphones:
“Free VZW Msg(s) - Use of your emergency call button on your Fascinate phone with software SCH-i500.DL09 may not work while the phone is locked. A software fix will be pushed to your device soon. Until available, disable pattern lock to ensure emergency calls can be placed. To check your software version press Applications>Settings>About phone and view Build number.
Only version SCHi-500.DL09 is impacted by this issue. Versions SCH-i500.DI01 and SCH-i500.DH12 are functioning properly. To disable pattern lock press Applications>Settings>Location & Security and remove check from Require Pattern.” As mentioned above, a temporary solution to the problem is to disable the unlock pattern, until the promised fix will be pushed over-the-air (OTA).
Fortunately, Samsung Fascinate owners who decided to upgrade to Android 2.2 Froyo using the ROM that leaked several days ago are not affected by the emergency dialer bug.
Even though Verizon and Samsung were quick in addressing this issue, Samsung Fascinate owners are still craving for the long-awaiting Android 2.2 Froyo update, which has already been pushed to other Galaxy S devices several months ago.
Stay tuned for Verizon's soon to come maintenance update that will fix the bug.