Samsung has started rolling out the updates to Android ICS 4.0 for the Samsung Galaxy Note to users across Germany and Europe. The update would be pushed via OTA (over-the-air) or Samsung’s PC Suite Kies. The install package weighs 319MB in total, adds the ‘Premium Suite’ of apps as promised, Touch Wiz remains the core for ICS with minimal changes to the design and the New S Memo widget. The best way to start the upgrade is via PC, make sure you’ve taken a backup as well to avoid any issues.
On the software enhancement front the Note has now much more to offer with apps specially tailored for the S-Pen that include S Note, Shape Match and My Story. The visual appearance remains almost the same, if you are well versed with the Gingerbread UI then you won’t feel much of a change, as Touch Whiz is the driving force even on the ICS front. I know that each one of is desperately waiting for update, if luck is on the go you might see the update notification to soon pop-up on your devices. Most of the folks across the European and German belt are already a part of the ICS marathon while others wait eagerly.
Information on carrier specific or region specific release date for the update is yet to be out, will keep you guys posted on the same. Lets hope for a speedy worldwide roll-out.
The big day was finally in and the much anticipated and awaited Samsung Galaxy S3 is here to surprise us all with its delightful touch of nature. The first thing to start over is the event being live streamed that has allowed millions of enthusiastic Galaxy Fans and Bloggers to be a part of the grand event.
Samsung has given an ear to assimilate feedback from its existing users for the Galaxy S2 and Galaxy S to design a smartphone that is intelligent enough to welcome the sense of being human. The device flaunts an amazing 4.8-inch Super AMOLED Display (1280×720 pixels) with an astonishing image density of 306 PPI (pixels-per-inch), relatively as good as Apple’s Retina Display. Samsung’s Exynos 1.4 GHz Quad-Core Processor would showcase multitasking experience to be overwhelming with 1GB RAM to supplement its needs.
For all you peeps who love to shoot, capturing images would be even more fun with an 8MP that comes with zero shutter lag and a response time of less than 1 second, it supports Full HD Video at 1080p, while the 1.9MP front camera supports HD Video at 720p. The front camera also supports human face recognition that prevents the display to dim while you are using it. Samsung has also introduced loads of social sharing features including NFC with Wi-Fi direct, Wi-Fi Boost, Video Streaming with its proprietary All Share Dongle allowing support for devices equipped with DLNA, and Best Photo that automatically captures several shots for your images and chooses the best one automatically.
An incorporated natural voice recognition client called ‘S Voice’ helps perform voice actions and human gesture recognition in 8 different languages including British/American English, French, Italian, German, Japanese, Korean and more. It seems Apple’s Siri might have some competition to meet in the months to come. You can also use voice commands to wake up or unlock your phone, the examples include statements like ‘ Hi Buddy’ and more.
(Samsung Galaxy S3 1st Video Commercial via Youtube)
On the design front the gizmo still maintains an easy to carry layout despite the fact of the increase in its screen size. It weighs 133gms and 8.66mm in width, now that is slim for a full touch form factor. Considering battery as a major concern for all users on the Android platform, we get a high-capacity 2100 mAh battery with support for multiple accessories including Wireless Sharing kits introduced by Samsung, a technology to be innovated for the first time in the smartphone segment.
Android Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0 is what that comes loaded, topped up with Samsung’s Nature Touch Wiz UI. The secret behind the word ‘Nature’ is unveiled by the overall representation including animations, sounds, photos and the physical build, which have been inspired by keeping the environment in mind.
The Samsung Galaxy S3 is planned to release across Europe and 10 other regions including Delhi (India) starting 29th May 2012. It would be available in two colors i.e. ‘Pebble Blue’ and ‘Marble White’. We would witness both the 3G and the LTE variants for the S3, the LTE variant would be available across the U.S. with more details about the same would to be revealed at the U.S. launch event. As Android and the Google Play Store evolve as thrilling hub for free and paid apps, the future for the Samsung Galaxy S3 is filled with smoothing charisma and glamor.
Today, Sony Mobile announced the Xperia neo L smartphone in China, the company’s first smartphone that would ship with Android ICS pre-installed on to it. The Xperia neo L is a successor to the Xperia neo and neo V smartphones that were introduced last year. The handset does not seem to carry major changes on the hardware front in comparison to its predecessors, it seems that the processor and other related specs remain more or less the same. The Xperia neo L sports a 4-inch FWVGA Display (854×480 pixels), 1GHz Single-Core Qualcomm processor, 1GB internal storage with Micro SD card support up to 32GB, 512MB RAM, 5MP camera with LED Flash (supports HD Video recording up to 720p), VGA front facing camera, 1500 mAh battery, and the key ingredient to the mix is Android Ice Cream Sandwich that comes pre-loaded.
The exact date for the product release or its exact availability is yet to be revealed. We still speculate whether the handset would only be available to markets wide China or would be released globally.
We also saw some great Android handsets that were introduced earlier this year by Sony that include the Xperia P, Xperia U, and Xperia Sola. All devices boast great specs, but still await an upgrade to Android ICS, which should hopefully come through by the end of this year.
Good News! Nexus S GSM users can now manually update their phones to Android Ice Cream Sandwich. We will give some quick instructions that would allow you flash the update of Nexus S Device. This update is especially for those who are eagerly waiting for Android ICS. The aforesaid update only works out for GSM devices and does support any CDMA models. An important thing to keep mind is your phone has the original Android Gingerbread and that you are not trying to update it via a custom ROM as you might damage the device. Please follow the instructions below and enjoy the ICS update. Please go through instructions carefully before updating and make sure device has a battery charge of 50 percent or more. I would suggest a fully charged phone anytime for a phone flash.
Instructions to flash your Nexus S:
Once you have downloaded the update file you can rename it incase needed to “android4” or any convenient name.
Connect you device via mass storage mode and paste the aforesaid file on to SD Card root directory.
Turn off the your phone and then power it on by keeping the Volume Up and Power Button together till the time you see a menu screen.
On the menu screen you can find an option named “Recovery” which can be highlighted by using the Volume Up key and selecting it by pressing the Power key.
Once the option is selected it brings an exclamation mark on the screen that needs to be selected by pressing the Power Button and then pressing the Volume Up Key.
The next screen will has various options including “Update from /SD Card”. Select the option by keeping the Power Button pressed.
On selecting the option you will be to access the root directory or main directory of your SD card.
Select the update file i.e. android4.zip by pressing the Power Button.
The file will flash your Nexus S to Android ICS 4.0 and will ask you to reboot the phone once all done.
Enjoy! Your Phone is Now Updated! Have the flavor of Android Ice Cream Sandwich. 😉
