Samsung’s Note 3 recently got the Android 4.4 treatment, and users are starting to report problems. The update on the handset seems to be fine, but some third party cases are now mysteriously not working properly. Samsung says they’re not to blame, but it rings hollow.
The cases in question are some developed outside of Samsung’s accessory division, but aim to do the same thing. Those “S-View” covers let Note 3 owners view time and notifications via a preview window. They also turn the screen on when the case is opened, and turn the screen black when it’s closed. An XDA member first spotted the issue, which Samsung promptly responded to:
To ensure a pleasant and smooth user experience with Samsung products for our customers, we recommend that only original accessories from Samsung be used. Of course, customers can continue to rely on third-party accessories. The full functionality of our devices and accessories, however, can only be ensured with genuine Samsung components, since only in this way it is ensured that equipment and accessories are perfectly matched. A correlation between the Android version 4.4 and the supposed incompatibility of third-party accessories does not exist.
Samsung has been rumored to be working on breaking compatibility with third party cases and accessories before, but that was said to need hardware tweaks. A software update wouldn’t bring a hardware fix, obviously. That original report could have been wrong, or may have been discussing future developments for Samsung. It was also focussed on chargers more than cases, so we’ll take it into consideration, but won’t give it much credence.
Samsung’s response is also fairly strange. They don’t outright deny breaking compatibility in any way, they’re just telling us it “does not exist.” Of course, they also note the only way to ensure things work is to get their products. Essentially, Samsung is saying it’s all in your head. The fact that your case worked fine, then didn’t after the update, has nothing to do with the company that pushed the update to your device, and sells cases that still work just fine. Okay, Samsung.
Source: All About Samsung
Note 3 owner, you’re holding it wrong.
🙂 only in old stevie job’s dream