New Samsung Rogue Update - Effed up the browser

So, Samsung and Verizon, mostly Verizon, what were you thinking when you updated the browser on the Rogue with the latest Software Update?  The browser before was fine.  This new version (Name: u960.DE26) adds a new browser version to the phone: Polaris Browser ver 6.2.1VEN005.  It's definitely a mixed bag.  It seems to be faster, which is good but it adds new "features" which suck.  First and foremost, the history drop down arrow doesn't actually produce any results when you click on it.  It only produces results after you start typing.  On and it will only show pages that start with the letter of which you start typing with.  Meaning you can't put in any letter and it will show.  Which means, you need to have the slider open or start typing with the onscreen.  Terrible for public trans, hanging on with one arm kind of scenario.  They move the "tabs" button, not a big deal and it's actually kind of nice that it pops up automatically after clicking a link.  This makes it very easy to click, switch tabs and let the page load in the background.

The biggest annoyance is the removal of Display Mode: Fixed Width.  Where did this feature go?!?!?!  This was the best, especially for text heavy mobile pages.  Now, you have the choice of Page View, Scan View or Detail View.  All of which are terrible at best.  And, with this new "bounce animation" feature that shows when you're at the edge of page, unless you have perfect downward thumb swipes, your page is bouncing down the edge of the phone as you scroll.

Another reason to switch to a droid or *gasp* an iPhone.

Samsung Rogue

I'm staying with Verizon because of the discount I get through work. Otherwise, I would have switched to T-Mobile to get the myTouch. Since the carrier choice was made for me, I chose the phone: the Samsung Rogue. I have to admit, it's much better than I thought it would be. I swore I would never get a candy bar phone with the argument that I always wanted something to talk into that the flip phones provided. I also thought I would never get a touchscreen because fingerprints on a screen annoy the hell out of me. Well the phone is great. The microphone is crap in windy situations but so are most phones. I did find though that the LG flip I had did better in the wind tunnel that is the corner I live on.

The touchscreen takes a bit of getting used to but once you do, it's very accurate and responsive. I only had one slip up when I sent a text to the wrong person.

A few notes:
The button sounds in the browser are controlled completely separately from the phone sounds. If you set the phone to All Sounds Off, the browser still beeps when you click on items.

The games only have a few uses before they expire. So while they're nice to have, they're not much use.

My favorite feature: When a call comes in, you can "Ignore and Text". This is great. When you're in a meeting, you can click ignore and text so the phone quiets, then gives you a list of pre-written text messages. "In a meeting, call you back in a bit." Such a great concept.