topic Re: time zones problems since yesterday in XPERIA archive

time zones problems since yesterday

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:09:52 GMT

Hi, dear Sony Ericsson gurus

You might be not aware but starting from August 7, 2011 switch from daylight saving time to standard time was canceled. Before this there were two time zones for Europe/Moscow: MSD which is UTC+3 and MSK which is UTC+4; and right now the last is only left. So before August 7, each last March sunday (March 26 this yerar) around 3am all the clocks accross Russia were switched an hour ahead to 4am, and each last October sunday (October 30 this year) around 3am all the clocks accross Russia were switched an hour behind to 2am. As I've already stated this were the rules before August 7, 2011.

Now, when the switch from MSK to MSD (for Europe/Moscow) and corresponding switch for other time zones accross Russia was canceled, and, with no surprise, my almost newly bought Xpreia Mini Pro (running Android 2.3.4, build 4.0.A.2.335) is not aware of it, and has switched time zones, thus switching local time.

Now, clock on my phone are incorrect and I have slept my work yesterday; in case I change my time zone to something having UTC+4, I'll have all my calendar events switched an hour ahead from "real" time, making it almost impossible to plan corporate activity ((

Finally, the questions.

Are there any plans to fix this? Any suggestions to workaround this for the moment?

In case the fix is already out, could someone point me to where I can obtain it as both phone and PCCompanion (latest, downloaded and freshly installed today) say there's nothing to update with my mini pro.

Thanks in advance!

Re: time zones problems since yesterday

gwhispererz — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:19:09 GMT

Hi, suggest setting date & time to Automatic which will use your network provided value.

Goto Settings>Date & time, tick Automatic. If that does not work, blame your Network Operator ....

Re: time zones problems since yesterday

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:40:41 GMT

Two points here

First, in case I'm using my xperia mini pro connected to some mobile operator, there two possible things that will happen if I go the way you are suggesting.

In case my carrier got correct time and time zone for me, they will be applied and all the events synced from my corporte Exchange account will be an hour ahead from "real" time. The same way if I switch my time zone manually to something UTC+4 (like Baku).

In case my carrier got incorrect time or time zone for me, I'll be completely in the same situation as I am right now without any possible manual workaround.

Second, in case I'm using my xperia mini pro not connected to any mobile operator (i.e. no sim inserted, but connected to internet via WiFi), from where should I sync correct time and what Network Operator should I blame?

Anyway, why should I blame anyone in case my phone does not follow new rules?

Re: time zones problems since yesterday

gwhispererz — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:49:44 GMT

My last comment was meant to be a joke ....

Anyway, no harm testing it, right? I don't think it will be incorrect if you set it to Automatic.

Keep us updated.

Re: time zones problems since yesterday

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:42:32 GMT

One more point here,

For me it's very convinient to use ability of built-in calendar to present event's time in time zone different from the globally set for phone. It's very convinient upon traveling or to see what local time will be in office not on your time zone when event occurres.

So right now, for all the time zones accross the Russia (i.e. I want the calendar to be using timezone from Krasnoyarsk, that was UTC+7 before the changes, and now is UTC+8) I need to remeber that they are incorrect and instead of simply taping zone needed (Krasnoyarsk) I have to find the zone an hour ahead (something having UTC+8, like Beijing).

So all the convinience is heavily spoiled.

Re: time zones problems since yesterday

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:47:01 GMT

I've given it a try. I've tapped "Automatic", so now, after an hour or so, the time has been corrected by two minutes (as it was two minutes behind) but is still an hour behind from the correct.

P. S. My carrier is BeeLine, and right now I am at Saint-Petersburg, Russia.

Re: time zones problems since yesterday

gwhispererz — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:43:55 GMT

I guess you should see which is the best way for you, either manually adjusting the time (you need to do it once, I hope) or set it to automatic.

The way that suits you best is the best way.

Re: time zones problems since yesterday

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:54:06 GMT

You might didn't get me right: nevertheless I either choose manual with Europe/Moscow timezone or automatic from my carier the clocks will an hour behind from what they should be!

Re: time zones problems since yesterday

gwhispererz — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:58:52 GMT

Let me ask you one question .... what do you do with your clock or watch? you adjust it manually?

Re: time zones problems since yesterday

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:05:19 GMT

The most funny thing on this Automatic/Manual is that Sony Ericsson says use automatic and my carrier says use manual, and I cannot use any of them as they are both incorrect.

Thumb up! Marvelously helpful support service at both sides!

Re: time zones problems since yesterday

gwhispererz — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:11:25 GMT

Hmmmm .... another question (although you didn't answer my earlier question).

How did your friends 'deal' with their phone regarding this problem? Do they have the same problem or just you?

Re: time zones problems since yesterday

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:12:49 GMT

The one I'm wearing on my wrist and those hanging on walls - yes. But the timestamps from them are not used to build tokens for OAuth authentication (i.e. at google by third party applications), so the time (in means of UTC-time) on my device should be rather correct to ones on google servers the same way as on my Windows machine to DCs to correctly authenticate in domain.

So, in case I correct the time, instead of correcting time zone, (that's the first thing I tried on Sunday) I'll be unable to autheticate third party apps (like SMS Backup) with google services (that's what I've faced, not sure if other authentications fail or not).

Moreover, I should remember that next spring, when my device will switch MSK zone back to MSD, I should once again correct my time or time zone.

Re: time zones problems since yesterday

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:15:26 GMT

All those who use Android before 2.3.5 have the same problem, all those using iPhone with iOs before iOs 5 have the same problem, all those who use Windows Mobile have the same problem. I'm not aware about Windows Phone, as I know noone with device running it.

Re: time zones problems since yesterday

gwhispererz — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:24:38 GMT

Sadly, I really do not have a solution for you right now .... seems like it's not just a simple phone problem! Probably that's why they have some work done on the latest phone update to 'correct' this issue.

Reference to what you have mentioned, 'All those who use Android before 2.3.5 have the same problem', let's hope this phone will be updated to Android 2.3.5.

Re: time zones problems since yesterday

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:37:43 GMT

Cool! So no timeframe for the fix? Are the support/dev guys at Sony Ericsson aware of this?

P. S. Looks like it's time to switch into custom ROM (as there's already one with issue corrected), and once again to say to myself "never, once again, never and never, buy anything produced by Sony or it's co-branded partners, as all they do is total trash with no luck for support".

P. P. S. Sorry for being rude, but the issue is a bit annoying...

Re: time zones problems since yesterday

gwhispererz — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:40:30 GMT

Understand your feelings .... as you can see, I am trying my best to help you.

Let's hope there is a good solution for you and also keep us updated if you are able to find one.

Re: time zones problems since yesterday

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 10:49:46 GMT

Thanks for your support, hope 2011 mini pro will ever get upgraded to 2.3.5.