Tag: Samsung Galaxy S II
Google Glass Chips Similar To Ones Found In 2011 Smartphone Discovered
Early April, some of the specs of Google Glass were released by its developers. For a pair of glasses, the device amazingly had 16GB of flash memory, a high-res display, a 5MP camera, 802.11g and Bluetooth, plus an energy-efficient battery that could power the gadget for a full day. No word was spoken by Google though about the Google Glass chips for the memory and processor. But thanks to the efforts of Jay Lee, one of the developers of the product, the Google Glass chips powering up the processor and memory of the gadget came into light.
The Additional Features
According to Lee, some of the Google Glass chips are similar to the ones found in a 2011 smartphone. The operating system is Android 4.0.4, which can be modified easily by using the developer kits for the usual Android smartphones and tablets. We have also revealed in one of our articles today that Google Glass rooting employs the same method similar to gaining administrative controls over smartphones and tablets.
Among the other things that the developer dug out were a dual-core OMAP 4430 SoC from Texas Instruments. However, he is not sure yet how fast it runs. Then, it includes a 632MB RAM. But Lee said that the total amount could go up to 1GB with around 682MB of it allotted for developers.
The smartphone that is very similar to the Google Glass specs which were revealed is the Samsung Galaxy S II, according to our source. The obvious similarities between the two devices lie in their SoC and RAM .
Source: ArsTechnica
Samsung Galaxy S II To Receive Jelly Bean Next Month
Just last week, Korean tech giant Samsung announced details dealing with the upcoming Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update for the Samsung Galaxy S II. Unfortunately, Samsung did not provide an exact release update for owners of the device.
Just today a Samsung spokesperson told CNET that the update for the Samsung Galaxy S II will be coming in the beginning of February in Singapore, with more markets to follow after. Unfortunately the update will not be pushed via OTA (Over the Air), as the update is very large. Samsung Kies will be the only option you have to upgrade the device to Jelly Bean.
As a refresher, Jelly Bean will bring Project Butter to the device, which will increase the overall performance of the devices. Jelly Bean will also bring Google’s Voice Search app, Google Now, to the device among a plethora of other features.
The Samsung Galaxy S II originally launched with Android 2.3 Gingerbread two years ago in 2011. There’s no doubt Samsung has been taking good care of owners of the Samsung Galaxy S II, as they made sure to update it to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and now Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Much like the Samsung Galaxy S III’s success, the Galaxy S II has sold 40 million units.
We will make sure to keep everyone updated as to when we start seeing Samsung Galaxy S II devices receiving Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. In the meantime, there is a plethora of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean ROMs on the XDA Community forums.
source: GSM Arena
Samsung Galaxy S II Official Jelly Bean Update Details
Here’s good news for owners of Samsung Galaxy S II devices. It looks like Samsung is going to spread some official Jelly Bean love on these models as their Korean website announced details regarding an Android 4. 1 Jelly Bean update. Don’t get too excited yet though since this update seems to be targeted to the Korean version of the device but we’re sure an international version is coming soon.
The latest Kies software is required when updating your device. It’s going to take at least an hour for the upgrade to finish since it’s a rather large file. Before you go about with this procedure make sure that you have backed up all of your important data (photos, documents, music,), contacts as well as settings so that you can easily access them in case something goes wrong.
During the update process your phone memory will be reformatted and an extra gigabyte will be needed by the system memory. This will leave you with 11 GB of free space.
Aside from all of the nice features of Jelly Bean which you will be able to use you will also have access to Samsung’s Smart Stay technology which uses your front camera to detect your face and uses this to turn your screen on or off.
Below is the full list of updates Android 4. 1 Jelly Bean will be bringing to the Samsung Galaxy S II
Platform upgrade Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich → Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
- improved Home screens and improved scrolling performance
- Improved usability for some applications
Preloaded applications
- Add Help
- Add Google+
- Add +Talk
- Add Play Book
- Add Play Movie
Newly added/improved functions
- Add Easy mode, Block mode
- Improved Camera functions: function like Pause while recording and more
- Add Smart Stay
- New functions like Pop-up play and more
- Improved some functions & applications usability
We will keep you posted once an international version will become available.
via samsung korea
Samsung Galaxy S II Receives New Update, Brings Android Version To 4.0.4
Earlier this year in June the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II received the update to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Reports are now surfacing claiming that some users are getting their version promoted to Android 4.0.4. The LK3 update can be pulled from Kies, but some users are saying that it can be downloaded via OTA (Over The Air) as well. To do this, head into System Settings > About Phone > Check For Updates. After doing this, the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II’s Android version will now be Android 4.0.4.
A change log wasn’t provided, and thus far no one has noticed any differences from the previous version, 4.0.3. Surely there is some sort of bug fix and maybe even a security update. Granted, we doubt that this is the promised Exynos patch that we reported on just yesterday. Albeit Samsung did mention they wanted to get this patch out as soon as possible. That said, it wouldn’t be surprising if this was the Exynos patch either. Hopefully we’ll be seeing a change log soon enough though.
Those who were hoping this was the update to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean are in for a bit of wait, as we reported just the other day that the Galaxy S II and Note Jelly Bean update was looking at a delay until January 2013. Granted, we’ll have to see how long carriers will delay the update as well.
We’ll update this post if a change log surfaces.
Has anyone downloaded the update? Have you noticed a difference from Android 4.0.3? Make sure to let us know in the comments below.
source: XDA
Android 4.1.2 Update for the Galaxy S II and Note Could Be Delayed Until 2013
Samsung has been pretty fair with its customers when it comes to rolling out updates. It was quick to upgrade the likes of the Galaxy S II and the Galaxy Note with Android 4.0 when the time arrived. And the same trend followed with Android 4.1 when the update was rolled out to the likes of the Galaxy S III merely months after the release of the OS update. However, 2011 Samsung flagships haven’t quite seen Jelly Bean yet. And now there’s some disturbing news coming for Galaxy S II and Galaxy Note owners. It is believed that the Android 4.1.2 update has been delayed until 2013, contrary to reports which suggested that the update would arrive as early as last month. This news will certainly disappoint the owners of the two devices, unless of course they have a workaround to get Android 4.1 running on their device via custom ROMs.
So what exactly is causing the delay? Well, as we reported yesterday, devices running on Samsung’s Exynos 4210 and 4412 chipsets have been revealed to have a major security loophole which would give third party apps to access the device’s RAM and gather data and possibly even brick the device. So basically, Samsung wants to deal with this bug so as to fix it before rolling out the update to its older devices. This is a very commendable move as it shows Samsung does care about user privacy and doesn’t just provide updates just for the sake of it. There’s no word yet on when the fix would be in place, so it could take a few months now or probably sooner for the update to arrive. People who have been waiting for the official update, shouldn’t mind bearing with the company for another few days as they’ve already waited this long.
Let’s hope the update makes its way to these devices soon as they were at one point one of the top selling smartphones in the market. The bright side of course is that we know that the update will go live in 2013, which is only a couple of weeks from now. So basically, if Samsung makes up its mind, a fix can be rolled out by the beginning of January. Let’s hope that happens. As for existing Jelly Bean devices like the Galaxy S III and the Galaxy Note II, I guess Samsung will roll out an OTA to fix the said security flaw.
Source: Sam Mobile
Via: Phone Arena
Samsung Galaxy S III, Galaxy S II Jelly Bean update to roll out October, November
The latest Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update is coming to Samsung’s flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S III, anytime this October. And at some point during the month of November, the same software upgrade is expected to roll out on Samsung Galaxy S II. The company, however, did not disclose an exact date as to when these software updates will transpire.
Reports about the Android Jelly Bean update for Samsung devices proliferate instantaneously upon the official release of Apple’s latest iPhone 5 device yesterday. But it has already been confirmed that Samsung has been testing the OS for its latest flagship smartphones Galaxy S II and Galaxy S III.
Update schedules for all recent Galaxy models are posted on the official Facebook pages of Samsung Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The tentative timelines contain identical lists, with information pertaining to the firmware updates on all available slates, Omnia W, some bada phones, as well as Galaxy S III, S II and S II LTE.
Relevant report from GSMArena also mentioned that Jelly Bean upgrade will likewise roll out on the Galaxy S Advance and Galaxy Ace 2 devices, which means skipping the Ice Cream Sandwich. While the website said it might take some more months before the update is finalized, more likely it will transpire before the year ends. So far, Samsung has not yet disclosed any statement pertaining to the Jelly Bean software upgrade for both the S Advance and Ace 2 devices.
The latest Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update features various enhancements, from user interface down to the smartphone’s accessibility. Among other updated features include voice search, better camera and flexible notifications.
Meanwhile, CNet quotes a statement from a Samsung representative talking about the Jelly Bean software update, which has been confirmed to the European market but not the US. According to the rep, the company needs to follow certain procedure when rolling out new software upgrades, which differ from region to region. But some experts say there is a pretty good chance that the update will become available in the US by 2013.
A lot of people find it odd for Samsung to announce that two of its innovative devices, particularly, the Galaxy S III and Galaxy S II would be acquiring Android 4.1 Jelly Bean very soon. It seems like Samsung really wants to share the spotlight with its tough rival, Apple Inc, with the iPhone 5 being officially released lately.
Sources: GSMArena | ThinkDigit
Samsung Galaxy S II Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Update Coming Soon
Contrary to previous reports that Samsung Galaxy S II will not be getting a bump to the latest Android version—Android 4.1 Jelly Bean—recent reports confirm the South Korean manufacturer’s plan to release an update “soon.” While majority of Android users today are still running on Gingerbread, Galaxy S2 was among the few devices released in 2011 upgradeable to Ice Cream Sandwich.
Having a dual-core processor with 1GB RAM, GS2 runs on ICS smoothly and until the official Jelly Bean update would be released for this device, Android 4.0 is the best it could offer. There were some rumors a few months ago suggesting Samsung wouldn’t develop a JB update for it, but since it is one of the devices claimed by Apple to have infringed its patents, Samsung has to do anything to lessen the impact of the lawsuit.
Reports have it that Samsung is closely working with Google to fix things in its devices believed to be infringing some of Apple’s patents. Patches after patches are rolled out for various to address the issues and take away some features that violated Apple’s rights. It could have been true that Samsung wasn’t planning to release a JB update for this device but since it had to fix a few things in compliance to court’s order or to prevent further damages lawsuits might bring, it didn’t have a choice but release Android 4.1 update. After all, its 2011 flagship has enough specs to run JB smoothly.
For now, Samsung has not provided an ETA as to when the update would be made available for download but it could happen late September or early October. Jelly Bean is basically just an incremental upgrade from ICS but it comes with an entirely new list of features including Near Field Communication (NFC) which will be used for Android mobile payment system, redesigned keyboard, improved performance, bug fixes, etc.
Samsung Galaxy S2 Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update will be made available over-the-air and via KIES. The exact date of the roll out hasn’t been disclosed yet. For now, only 1.2% of the total Android users in the world are enjoying that latest Android version. Gingerbread is still the key player with 57.2% followed by Ice Cream Sandwich at 20.8% and Froyo at 14%. Some manufacturers already shared their plans to skip ICS and go straight to developing JB instead. A few others also said ICS is the best they could offer. But let’s wait and see what JB can offer to GS2.
Samsung Releases Upgrade Guide For Galaxy S II Owners In Europe
I know, I know you want to know when Sprint, T-Mobile and AT&T are going to get the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update for their Galaxy S II’s, well we don’t know just yet. We do know this though, the upgrades are starting to roll out for international versions of Samsung’s franchise phone of 2011.
Many international customers are beginning the upgrade process from Android 2.3 Gingerbread to Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, on their Samsung Galaxy S II’s. In case you’re one of those customers and just aren’t sure how to do it, great news as Samsung has released an upgrade guide.
The upgrade guide is available as powerpoint slides or a pdf. It goes into fine detail about the upgrade procedure and then what you can expect out of Ice Cream Sandwich.
If you want to take a look at the pdf follow this link.
Samsung Posts Source Code For Android 4.0 For The Samsung Galaxy S II
Samsung just recently started rolling out the Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich up date to some international Galaxy S II devices. Today they have added the source code for the Android 4.0 update to the Samsung Open Source Release Center.
In case you were wondering, this doesn’t mean you will be able to get the update to your phone before Samsung is good and ready, but it does mean that developers can start working on ROM’s that run on an Android 4.0 backbone on the Galaxy S II.
Samsung has not said when the 3 Galaxy S II devices on the major U.S. carriers will get the update, but we are sure the US will get it. Hopefully the update will be sooner rather than later.
To get the source code (If you are a developer) head over to this link, you will need the Galaxy S II’s official model number which is GT-I9100.
source: Phandroid
Some Samsung Galaxy S II Users To Get Ice Cream Sandwich March 15th
Everyone is looking for Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich for their Android powered smartphone. Samsung customers are screaming the loudest as ICS was introduced on a Samsung device (Galaxy Nexus). Well Samsung Mobile Israel has announced that Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich will be available for Galaxy S II users in their country soon.
How soon? How about March 15th. Not only should Israeli Samsung Galaxy S II users expect Ice Cream Sandwich on March 15th, but this isn’t a rumor it’s a statement from Samsung Mobile Israel directly.
“We promised we were working on it. You waited patiently. And on 15 March it’ll arrive: Android version 4, ICS, to tens of thousands of GALAXY S II devices purchased from cellular companies in the country or directly from us. We are very excited for the launch, hope you are too.”
The is still no word as to when U.S. customers will receive Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich for their version of the Samsung Galaxy S II. To complicate matters, each carrier will need to confirm their own date because they are all technically running different versions of the phone.
source: Phone Arena
Samsung Releases Limited Edition Bobbi Brown Galaxy S II, No Not That Bobby Brown
Bobby Brown, the 80′s pop sensation, has been in the news a lot lately. His ex-wife of course, was pop icon Whitney Houston. While Bobby didn’t make a fool out of himself at the funeral or anything, there was almost a scene with security at the ceremony.
The Bobbi Brown, which is the name sake for the limited edition Galaxy S II is the Bobbi Brown cosmetics line.
The limited edition device, which will only be available in South Korea, will come packaged in a special “beauty box” which will also contain limited edition Bobbi Brown cosmetics. The special edition goes on sale today (Friday) through March 9th 2012 or when the 2,012 units run out.
source: Phonearena
Eldar Posts That Ice Cream Sandwich Will Start To Arrive For The Galaxy S II And Galaxy Note Next Month
Mobile-Review.com reviewer Eldar Murtazin has a great track record for leaks and rumors and today he is probably spot on as well.
Murtazin tweeted earlier today that Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, will arrive for the Samsung Galaxy S II and the Samsung Galaxy Note between March and May based on your country and carrier. It’s probably a safe bet that the International versions of the Galaxy S II and the Galaxy Notes overseas will see the Ice Cream Sandwich official update before the devices in the US, especially considering the Galaxy Note doesn’t even arrive here until next week.
With Murtazin saying between March and May it could be anytime, basically in the Sprint. We’re hoping that it will be sooner rather than later.
source: Twitter via Androidguys
Korea: One In Four Mobile Phone Users Owns A Samsung Galaxy S II
According to information released on Samsung’s Korean website, which is home to Samsung Electronics, domestic (Korean) sales of the Samsung Galaxy S II have topped five million.
After crunching the numbers, Android Central writer Alex Dobie, has concluded that one in four mobile phone owners in Korea are the proud owners of Samsung’s 2011 flagship device. With a population of 48 million and a mobile phone owning population of 20 million, five million in domestic sales equates to one in four.
Although the Samsung Galaxy S II didn’t make it to the United States until the fall of 2011 it has been on sale in Korea since April 2011. The Samsung Galaxy S II has been the fastest selling smartphone for Samsung in it’s home country of Korea. Overall Samsung is responsible for 53% of all mobile phones in their country.
source: Samsung (Korea) Via AndroidCentral
