And I guess that was my point. As strange as it seems that the time/date settings on the device would impact the autofocus operation, it is even MORE strange that Google or Motorola would ever try to slip out a firmware update without any rev change. That would be very poor design practice and against all ISO standards.
LG Clout, Moto DROID X, enV Touch, Versa, Dare, Voyager, V9m, Maxx Ve, VX8000
enV, Chocolate, U740
Motorola StarTac ST7868W (no longer used)
Carrier
Verizon
Feedback Score
0
Originally Posted by catchmyjetta
Did you guys see this in the engadget responses to their article. Interesting...
AlexL @ Nov 17th 2009 9:13AM
Here's a crazy theory. What if there was no silent fix pushed out, but rather the autofocus code was broken because specific states of the clock was interfering with the operation of the autofocus code? So when a certain time/date passed, the issue no longer exists and the code became functional by itself. Sounds crazy I know, but not without precedent (something like this happened to first generation Zunes). Maybe someone can try setting the date to an earlier one and see if the autofocus magically breaks again.
Reply
Neutraltravisw @ Nov 17th 2009 11:15AM
Just changed the date back to 11/11 and got red boxes. Went back to 11/17 and got green boxes again. Could be something to it.
NeutralMatt Cutts @ Nov 17th 2009 11:24AM
AlexL, is there an easy way to set the time or date or the Droid? I don't have one myself.
NeutralDan Morrill @ Nov 17th 2009 11:26AM
Yes, this is exactly what is happening.
There's a rounding-error bug in the camera driver's autofocus routine (which uses a timestamp) that causes autofocus to behave poorly on a 24.5-day cycle. That is, it'll work for 24.5 days, then have poor performance for 24.5 days, then work again.
The 17th is the start of a new "works correctly" cycle, so the devices will be fine for a while. A permanent fix is in the works.
This is quite interesting, and I've asked my source about it.
He says there was no updated "pushed" to the phones and date bug is (most) of the cause of the autofocus problem.
That being said, I tried it on my phone, reverted the date back to 11/11/2009 and it would not focus with red corners. Then set it back to today's date, and woks fine.
What's interesting is that I if I select any other date (yesterday, tomorrow, next week) it will only show it for a second and then change back by itself to today's date (11/17/09).
I just changed my phone's date back to 11/11 and it went back to red corners. Then I reset it to automatic and it's green again. There was no secret OTA update in my opinion.
Just trying to provide further confirmation of the "date bug." :P
Haha I just set my date back a few days.... sure enough red corners set it back to auto all green again.... very odd!
This is quite interesting, and I've asked my source about it.
He says there was no updated "pushed" to the phones and date bug is (most) of the cause of the autofocus problem.
That being said, I tried it on my phone, reverted the date back to 11/11/2009 and it would not focus with red corners. Then set it back to today's date, and woks fine.
What's interesting is that I if I select any other date (yesterday, tomorrow, next week) it will only show it for a second and then change back by itself to today's date (11/17/09).
Is anyone else able to select a different day?
I just turned automatic off under the date and time menu. Maybe an app is refreshing your time and date?
Clicking sound will always happen. This is an autofocus lens, not a fixed lens. My Sony W810i clicked, my Hero clicks... It's the noise of the lens focusing. :-) It's a good thing!
Just turn you ringer volume all the way down and you should hear nothing.
ringer is all the way down. I may have a mechanical problem then. It makes squeaks and almost like a grinding sound when focusing. It does not make any noise when zooming though until its time to focus again. Well if it is i got a scratch from dropping it so time to go to Verizon for a new one.
Yeah you must because at least with mine I hear no motor noise, grinding, beeps or anything with the ringer volume all the way down yet the lens is focusing.
Originally Posted by mizark
ringer is all the way down. I may have a mechanical problem then. It makes squeaks and almost like a grinding sound when focusing. It does not make any noise when zooming though until its time to focus again. Well if it is i got a scratch from dropping it so time to go to Verizon for a new one.
Sure enough it has red and won't focus at 12/12/09??!!??
It would be annoying if we had to keep setting the date back. I had call CS on this before and they had no idea about the problem I hope that piece of paper about the update is true and they don't rush one out and cause more problems. I have more problem from going to the homescreen to cam than i did before(but good pictures). Thing is I had my thumb close to the lense and had green so it is almost too good
Everyone's been complaining about the auto focus blah blah blah,
I am VERY disappointed in its camera sharpness.
Honestly I took a picture with autofocus on (it was green) and compared it to my old enV which is 2 megs and really it was only slightly better. Honestly, this is a disappointment how is this 5 megapixels when it shoots like 3? Will they fix this in the rumored December upgrade????? Does anyone else notice this, maybe it's just mines.
DROID...Do you have camera problems? NOW FIXED???
Originally Posted by mizark
Reply With Quote
I hope that piece of paper about the update is true and they don't rush one out and cause more problems. 
I have more problem from going to the homescreen to cam than i did before(but good pictures). Thing is I had my thumb close to the lense and had green so it is almost too good 
Bookmarks