Android Community |
- Galaxy S II getting update to Android 4.0.4 ICS
- AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note Premium Suite and Ice Cream Sandwich hands-on
- Verizon Galaxy S III launch date delayed to the 12th
- Android Community Weekly: July 8th, 2012
| Galaxy S II getting update to Android 4.0.4 ICS Posted: 09 Jul 2012 10:15 AM PDT The Samsung Galaxy S II is still running quite strong even though the bigger brother has been the star of the show these past few months. Samsung’s continued to push updates to all their versions of the Galaxy S II to the latest version of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, but those were all 4.0.3 ICS.
Today however, we are now seeing multiple reports that Samsung’s already started pushing out another update bringing the global and international version of the SGSII to Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich. The latest version if you don’t count Jelly Bean. It’s a bit too early to expect Android 4.1 Jelly Bean to be rolling out, but hopefully it isn’t too far behind. This is not hitting over the air and instead is available via Samsung Kies for those interested in updating. According to SamMobile 4.0.4 is available on Kies at this very moment for those in Russia, and a few other regions. They expect the update to continue to roll out to other areas all week long. Hopefully the multiple US variants are next in line but most likely they’ll be last to make the cut. If you have an international Galaxy S II fire up Kies and see if you have an update waiting. Device Info
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| AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note Premium Suite and Ice Cream Sandwich hands-on Posted: 09 Jul 2012 10:00 AM PDT The Samsung Galaxy Note for AT&T is getting a push to Samsung’s own Premium Suite this week, that being both Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich and several upgrades to Note-specific apps. You’ll get face unlock from ICS, S-Note upgrades from Samsung, and a lovely set of oddities from all corners of the double-handed note-maker developer universe – and there’s a birthday card maker, too!
You’ll now have NFC and Android Beam activated for real with your Galaxy Note, and soon you’ll have the ability to push photos, videos, and more to other devices with NFC and Android Beam as well. At the moment, unfortunately, we’ve been unable to get Android Beam working in either direction to or from the Galaxy Nexus (with Jelly Bean) or the Galaxy S III (with ICS). The Galaxy S III has an error that says you need to use S-Beam instead (which the Galaxy Note does not have) and the Galaxy Nexus either says the device we’re sending to (the Note) does not accept large file types (a photo shouldn’t be too large, so this is strange) or nothing happens at all (when sending from the Note) save the haptic feedback and light “booooh” noise. Another fix must be in the works.
You’ve now got Recent Apps activated, here appearing after a long press on the Home button – this ability works the same as it does on the Galaxy Nexus with vanilla ICS – you’ve also got access to your task manager.
Face Unlock has been activated, but you’re using the Android 4.0 version, not the Android 4.1 version. The only difference between the two is Liveness Check, this showing up when you’re trying to unlock your screen with your face. This version can still work with a completely stationary face – which could very well be a flat photo held up to the screen.
Data Usage monitoring has been upgraded with your ability add warnings and shutoff for data caps – keep those bills in check!
S-NoteYou’ve got a new set of Productivity Tools to work with inside the S-Note app. You’ll be able to work with with Formula Match, Shape Match, Handwriting-to-text, and Knowledge Search, Wolfram Alpha working for both formula and knowledge. Using your S-Pen in each of these instances is the intent.
With Formula Match you’ll be using your S-Pen to write out equations that will instantly be translated into perfectly legible text, first of all, then will be entered into Wolfram Alpha to be either solved or graphed. In our hands-on video we use a simple x and y equation to show how graphing works with this setup. This upgrade’s new Shape Match ability makes your circles, triangles, squares, rectangles, and more, one whole heck of a lot more perfect. Draw a wobbly circle and POOF, it’s corrected to perfection. Draw several lines in a row, and bang! They’re all straight! Even if you have no use for this ability whatsoever, it’s still rather fun to watch – it’s like magic! The Handwriting-to-text function has you able to write a word, have it translated to standard text, hit the space bar button, and write another word, and so on and so forth. This ability seems to be more of a proof of concept than it does an extremely helpful ability – and you’ll see this ability utilized fabulously with both Knowledge Search and Formula Match. Inside Knowledge Search you’ll find Wolfram Alpha put to the test as you write out questions word by word and have that engine solve your quandary. Make sure you ask it severely difficult questions like “where am I” and “what does an Android look like?” Each of these four new features can be seen in the hands-on video here: You may now also add a collection of items to a new note in S-Note, including: • Newly photographed photos or images from your gallery You’ll finally be able to work with PDF Annotations in S-Note, with native saving, sharing, or printing straight from the app. Import a PDF from your downloads folder, then if you need to access the writings you’ve done inside the app from a different app, just locate it in your Galaxy Note file directory. Sign a PDF in this app and ship it out!
For access to S-Memo, you’ve also got a lovely new S-Memo Widget. This widget allows for instant access to the S-Memo app and the ability to jam on over straight to Type, Write/Draw, Add Picture, Voice Recording, or Search. My StoryBoth the Galaxy S III and the Galaxy Note will now have access to a card-making app from Samsung by the name of My Story. This application allows you to make greeting cards, notes, and whatever else you can imagine inside a set of pre-constructed animated environments. You can insert photos, draw on the paper inside the notes, and send them off to be opened and interacted with by your Galaxy S III and Galaxy Note having friends.
Note that with My Story we’re seeing another block in the construct that is Samsung creating a vertically integrated system of software and hardware – the power is theirs! BenchmarksHave a peek at a few benchmark tests from this new build and have a look back at the results on your own device to see the change. There’s certainly not a dramatic increase in power in any sector here, but it’s not fallen much (when it has fallen) either. For the most part you’re looking at changes to apps and abilities here, not underground upgrades.    Software Update TimeframeYou’ll be seeing this upgrade to your own Samsung Galaxy Note on AT&T this week, starting tomorrow, the 10th! You’ll need to use Kies on your desktop to make this upgrade happen, and we’ll have more details on the exact how-to soon!
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| Verizon Galaxy S III launch date delayed to the 12th Posted: 08 Jul 2012 10:47 PM PDT Early last week Verizon finally announced an official launch date for their version of the new flagship Samsung Galaxy S III smartphone. After starting pre-orders last month, the device would finally be in stores nationwide July 10th. Today however we’ve received multiple tips that its now been delayed again.
Apparently Verizon has pushed the date two additional days after initially pushing it from the 9th to the 10th. For some unknown reason those ordering online are now getting the 12th for their ship dates, and Verizon’s own site is saying the same thing. Pre-order shipments have continued to arrive for most of those who ordered, but this new 48 hour delay might make a few upset. After all the waiting I’m sure a few more hours (okay okay, days) wont hurt anyone. Here’s a thought — Maybe Verizon delayed it because they’ve decided to unlock the bootloader. Something only their Galaxy S III has, while the rest are free to do as they please. I’m sure that is wishful thinking but most likely we’ll get confirmation on things soon. Who’s enjoying their new Verizon 4G LTE Galaxy S III? Device Info
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– Thanks Rox!
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| Android Community Weekly: July 8th, 2012 Posted: 08 Jul 2012 03:25 PM PDT It was another exciting week in the Android Community with tons of Jelly Bean, Galaxy Nexus news, and of course the Galaxy S III. Developers have been hard at work porting Jelly Bean to multiple devices, and we’re back for another round-up of all the Android news from this past week. You’ll surely want to hit all the links below to ease that news craving.
Obviously Jelly Bean was big this week but that was pretty much expected. Android 4.1 brings tons of goodies and improved features. We even noticed Google teasing “candy cane,” or something that we’ll probably find out more on later. Then just like the past 3 weeks or more the Samsung Galaxy S III was all over the news.
Verizon officially announced the Galaxy S III will be available in stores come July 10th, but now we’re getting tips saying that’s been delayed til the 12th. We’ll be sure to update on that possible 2 day delay situation tomorrow after we check-in with Verizon. Their Galaxy S III also started arriving for those who pre-ordered (we got one so expect hands-on and reviews coming soon,) and many who’ve already received theirs are having trouble with the bootloader. It appears Verizon has done their usual, sadly, and locked down the SGSIII’s bootloader. It’s already been rooted but the bootloader is an entirely different brand of difficulty. I wish Samsung would have stood up to big red, but sadly that isn’t the case. In better Verizon news they also released their HTC DROID Incredible 4G LTE. Make sure to check out our full review of that impressive budget offering. The Motorola Atrix HD was leaked for AT&T, Motorola’s XYBOARD tablets also received a leak of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and the impressive new zombie shooter Dead Trigger was released to the Play Store. Hit all the links below for additional news and coverage from all things Android this week. We hope you had a great 4th of July and enjoy the rest of your weekend!   
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