Android Community |
- Motorola: ICS isn’t worth the update on some devices
- T-Mobile Galaxy S II update rolling out now
- Rumor: Verizon Galaxy Nexus 4.0.4 update coming tomorrow
- Samsung Galaxy S III rooted already
- T-Mobile sends out HTC Amaze 4G ICS update
- CyanogenMod 9 music player available now
- S-Voice gets gagged: Samsung blocks leaked APKs
- HTC says some phones have made it through customs
- Android Community Weekly: May 20th, 2012
| Motorola: ICS isn’t worth the update on some devices Posted: 21 May 2012 11:22 AM PDT Motorola is at it again, talking about updates for the handsets and which devices will not see an update to the latest version of Android. Late Friday afternoon Motorola commented on their blog showing what phones will be updated to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and even mentioned a few wouldn’t be updated because there isn’t enough improvements.
Here’s the quick explanation, which is the same route that Motorola sadly took here. If the upgrade to Android 4.0 ICS won’t “improve” the device, they won’t be updating it. That’s the gist of their blog post. Devices like the DROID X2 (powerful dual-core smartphone) won’t be getting updated, and neither will the DROID 3. I could understand them not upgrading an older device like those with only 512 MB of RAM (although Google did this just fine) but to not be updating a phone as new as the DROID 3 and claiming it won’t “improve” the phone is just upsetting.
Now that Google’s finally got all the approvals for the Moto buyout hopefully something will be changing soon, but I have some serious doubts. The same blog post by Motorola has a link to their upgrade timeline, that seems to only list phones with 1GB of RAM getting the update, so that could be their thinking. Sadly since their bootloaders are so locked down developers can’t easily get into the mix and help out Motorola owners so for now users might be out of luck. I could understand if these phones weren’t capable of handling Android 4.0 ICS, but they are perfectly capable just like the Nexus S. What does everyone think of Motorola’s latest comments? They are vague and I don’t think “improve” was the right word in this case, since we all know ICS improves devices all around. Sigh! [via Motorola]
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| T-Mobile Galaxy S II update rolling out now Posted: 21 May 2012 10:18 AM PDT This morning T-Mobile has updated their support pages with another update to one of their most popular phones. After the Amaze 4G update was tipped this morning we are now seeing an update rolling out to the Samsung Galaxy S II for T-Mobile. Sadly we have some bad news though. The update is only an incremental update and is still Android 2.3 Gingerbread — no Ice Cream Sandwich just yet.
Like most small updates this is mainly fixing a few bugs, improving performance, and various other fixes. The Galaxy S II update is about 32MB in size and rolling to handsets now. As usual you can manually pull the update from menu > settings > software update and give it a go today. T-Mobile does list the update as rolling out until late June. Does this mean the ICS update will be after that date? If so users have another month or so of waiting. No US carrier Galaxy S II’s have officially been updated just yet to ICS, but hopefully they are coming soon. Other than fixing a few random reboot problems, improving stability, and adding some of Google’s security fixes this update is pretty minor and probably also laying some ground work for the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update that Samsung has confirmed is on the way. Let us know how the update goes by dropping us a comment below.   Device Info
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 [via TmoNews]
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| Rumor: Verizon Galaxy Nexus 4.0.4 update coming tomorrow Posted: 21 May 2012 10:03 AM PDT It’s been almost six months since Verizon released its LTE version of the Galaxy Nexus, and in all that time the majority of users have been stuck on Android version 4.0.2. Meanwhile, the rest of the official developer devices (you know, the ones that Google “officially” supports) got updated to 4.0.3 and 4.0.4 ages ago. Now unconfirmed rumors are saying that tomorrow (May 22nd) is the day that it’ll finally land.
Unlike other Nexus devices, the CDMA flavors of the Galaxy Nexus do not get updates as soon as Google posts them. The carriers have basically complete control over the OTA update process, just like any other phone, though there’s probably at least some kind of restriction keeping idiotic pack-ins like Let’s Golf 2 and Verizon Navigation from being installed by default. We haven’t seen anything beyond the account manager and backup assistant in glimpses of the LTE build of 4.0.4 thus far. We know that Verizon intends to send it out eventually, thanks to a leak and a few lucky stock users getting the 4.0.4 update early. That said, there’s no compelling evidence that this rumor is true. So cross your fingers… or just follow us into glorious custom ROM land, where tethering is free and updates fall like rain. Currently AOKP is our drug of choice. Naturally you’ll need to be rooted and there’s a risk of bricking your device, but the great thing about Nexus phones is that they never stay our of commission for long. Device Info
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[via Droid-Life]
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| Samsung Galaxy S III rooted already Posted: 21 May 2012 09:41 AM PDT The brand new Samsung Galaxy S III hasn’t even hit the shelves yet and it’s already been rooted. Thanks to the awesome and well known XDA Developer Chainfire we now have full access before the phone is even commercially available. The only issue with achieving root is the fact he doesn’t have the device in-hand for testing, but the process should remain the same come release day.
This is good news that Samsung hasn’t changed their stance or views on locking down devices, because it appears to be very simple to root the Galaxy S III, unlock the bootloader and be ready for whatever developers and ROM flashers want. According to Android Police Chainfire has an early kernel version and was able to easily modify and repack it, then manually install SuperUser and it’s a done deal. Unless this is just an early leak that has changed Samsung has used a much easier kernel for developers to work with, although as usual Samsung’s bootloader does have a counter that will detect and monitor the kernel changes. After originally holding out on releasing the leaked kernel Chainfire has now released it via the XDA link below for those wanting to get their Galaxy S III hands dirty. The kernel could change by release date, and US carrier branded devices might be a bit harder to attack but until they are released we’ll just have to wait and see. Device Info
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[via XDA]
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| T-Mobile sends out HTC Amaze 4G ICS update Posted: 21 May 2012 09:33 AM PDT The HTC Amaze 4G may or may not be currently blocked at US Customs, but those of you who’ve already got your hands on one should check for an official update now. True to their word, T-Mobile is sending out the Ice Cream Sandwich update today. You can download the software by tapping the “about phone” section of your phone and then selecting “System update”. If you don’t, you’ll probably see a pop-up message in the next few days.
HTC has followed their pattern of updating older phones to the somewhat more tame Sense 3.6, instead of the Sense 4.0 found on the One series. (If you want an official Sense 4.0 phone, you’ll have to go with the One S on T-Mobile.) You should also note that the carrier has stated that it will end its “free” tethering (or at least the unregulated use of non-approved tethering methods) once you upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich. Of course, there’s plenty of alternate ROMs out there, and we’d encourage anyone with the know how (and who doesn’t mid blowing their warranty to smithereens) to try it out. Versions of pretty much all the popular community ROMs are available in either official or “kang” versions, and there are plenty of builds based on both the Amaze’s standard Gingerbread and leaked Ice Cream Sandwich ROMs. Device Info
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| CyanogenMod 9 music player available now Posted: 21 May 2012 08:29 AM PDT Fans of custom ROMs may already know that there’s a rewritten version of the standard Android music app coming to CyanogenMod 9. Well, the wait’s over, and you can download an alpha version of “Apollo” now. Click here for the APK file – you don’t even have to be rooted, just install it via the standard non-Market method. Unfortunately, you still need an ICS device to use it.
Apollo takes quite a lot of inspiration from Google Music, though there’s currently no way to actually access your music stored in the cloud. The interface has a lot in common with Google’s own player, though the color scheme is an off white. Theme support is planned for the project. At present there’s not a whole lot that Apollo can do that even older versions of the default music player can’t, with the notable exception of a built-in equalizer. One of the more glaring omissions is the lack of a landscape mode, a big disappointment to anyone who listens to music while their phone is in a car dock. Even so, it should be a solid alternative when it’s finished – lockscreen controls are already enabled (are you listening, Spotify?) Give it a try if you’re looking for something a little different in your music player.    [via BeeAndroid]
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| S-Voice gets gagged: Samsung blocks leaked APKs Posted: 21 May 2012 07:07 AM PDT So, have you been trying out S-Voice, the brand-spanking new (and totally original, we swear) voice app snatched from the Galaxy S III? If you haven’t yet, then you needn’t bother: Samsung has begun blocking server access for all phones that aren’t the Galaxy S III – and since the phone doesn’t officially release for another week, that’s all of them. So far Samsung has made it clear that the feature is an exclusive to their new flagship.
Oh well, it’s not like you’re missing much – the app only worked on Ice Cream Sandwich devices anyway, and it seemed like all it wanted to do was give you the weather. At present Google Voice Actions is a lot more useful, especially if you know your way around its commands. If S-Voice is Samsung’s way of differentiating itself from Apple, they’ve got a lot of work left to do. Naturally, this isn’t dissuading some users. A few modders are trying the old build.prop adjustment to fool Samsung’s servers into thinking they have a Galaxy S III, with at least some success. Of course, that could cause problems with the Google Play Store and other apps that require device authentication. Seriously, folks, just do without S-Voice – Siri is a toy at best, and this is just the knockoff. Device Info
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| HTC says some phones have made it through customs Posted: 21 May 2012 06:31 AM PDT If the ITC’s blockade of HTC handsets (ostensibly at Apple’s request) gets your blood boiling, you may be able to skip the blood pressure medicine this morning. The Taiwanese smartphone maker stated yesterday that some of its models have made it through US customs, where the International Trade Commission is checking them for patent ruling compliance. Unfortunately HTC didn’t say which devices were getting through, or how many.
The AT&T One X and EVO 4G LTE have been the hardest hit in Apple’s patent spat, with the former seeing little to no stock at AT&T and the latter missing its launch date entirely. There’s also some cursory evidence that HTC’s Amaze 4G model is being affected. HTC stated earlier this year that software changes to its phones had worked around Apple’s nebulous patents, but apparently the ITC didn’t get the message. Here’s HTC’s statement:
Assuming that all the units of a particular phone are released once they’ve cleared inspection, it’ll still take several days at the very least for stocks to be replenished. For those of you waiting patiently for the EVO 4G LTE, I’d say that the end of the week is the very earliest that we might see a belated launch. And since there’s no indication of which phones are being released in what order, it may be quite a while yet. Anyone who’s sick of megacorporations making their purchasing decisions for them (or reading patent stories) can send their complaints to tcook@apple.com. [via SlashGear]
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| Android Community Weekly: May 20th, 2012 Posted: 20 May 2012 09:33 PM PDT Another week gone in the Android world, but not quietly, at least if you live in the United States. Here your options for high-end Android devices have been severely curtailed, thanks (presumably) to Apple’s ITC complaint against HTC, concerning one of their software patents. The HTC One X and HTC EVO 4G LTE are both in customs limbo, though HTC has already worked around Apple’s software patent. In related news, a Delaware court ordered the sparring companies to enter mediation in August.
The news doesn’t get any better if you’re a Verizon unlimited data customer: buy a subsidized phone after the summer is over, and you can kiss your unlimited plan goodbye. At least you may be able to use your current Verizon 4G LTE phone internationally soon. Google did some backtracking after enabling a four-device deactivation limit to its Google Play Music service: you can deactivate as many as you like, at least for now. Good news for Nexus fans – Google may be using multiple partners for the next Nexus smartphone. One may be Motorola, since China has finally approved Google’s acquisition on the condition that Android remain open source for another five years.
Speaking of China and Motorola, they’re showing off three new RAZR designs in the territory, at least one of which will probably become Motorola’s DROID RAZR HD at some point. HTC was busy this week with the official announcement of the Desire C and leaks of the “Ville” C. And of course, hardware news wouldn’t be complete without the Samsung Galaxy S III. This week we saw photo samples of all four US carrier models, along with an FCC listing for T-Mobile, and leaks of the user manual and the S-Voice APK. Oh, and there are over 9 million pre-orders for the phone worldwide – can you blame them?
On the software side of things, the Galaxy S III got rooted even before it’s release, and was joined by its stablemate the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1. Ice Cream Sandwich for the DROID 4 was leaked, and an official update was sent out for T-Mobile’s Sensation 4G and teased for the Amaze 4G. The venerable HTC HD2 gets a Sense 4.0 port in progress, and the latest project to light up Kickstarter is the Chameleon tablet launcher.
Here at Android Community, you’ve got a few days left to enter our NVIDIA TegraZone Anniversary Tegra Pack Giveaway, and what better way to wait out the results than playing with Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II? Be sure to read our hands-on look at Sega’s latest. We’ve also got a hands-on look at the LG Optimus LTE2, and an editorial on the creativity (or lack thereof) among the latest crop of high-profile Android games. Until next week, stay in school, don’t do drugs, and always make a Nandroid backup.
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