Samsung Galaxy S2 Android 4.0 update launched

The Ice Cream Sandwich update for the Samsung Galaxy S2 is finally here along with a handy user guide for all those that want to get to grips with the OS

The Samsung Galaxy S2 Ice Cream Sandwich update is now officially live in the UK. Available to all those with unlocked handsets, customers with the phone on subscription however will have to wait for their respective operator to start pushing it out.

 

“Samsung UK can confirm that the roll out of Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) on Galaxy S II will be available from week commencing 19th March, however the availability of software upgrades in the UK will be dependent upon each network’s own software approvals process,” said the company on their Facebook page.

Samsung have also announced that Ice Cream Sandwich updates for Galaxy Note. Galaxy II LTE, Galaxy Tab 8.9 and 10.1 will follow soon after. In addition, Samsung have released their own open-source version of Ice Cream Sandwich, intended only for European handsets.

Ice Cream Sandwich is also expected soon to higher-end HTC phones and the recently released Sony Xperia S. The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is first phone to launch with Ice Cream Sandwich so far. Are you excited for Android Ice Cream Sandwich? Let us know via the T3 Twitter and Facebook feeds.

HTC’s Android 4.0 update is finally here

Official HTC Android 4.0 handset update list – March

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HTC’s Android 4.0 update is finally here! Recently, HTC has started pushing out Ice Cream Sandwich to several 2011 devices and we’re expecting the update to hit quite a few more handsets in the weeks to come. So far, HTC has the most extensive list of devices which are expected to be updated to Android 4.0 and we do expect that list to grow a little more.

Jump to the bottom of this page to see if your phone is on the official HTC Android 4.0 update list.

Will my HTC phone be updated to Android 4.0?

Since we don’t work for HTC, we can’t give you an exact answer, but we can make educated assumptions based on the announcements HTC has made. HTC’s first wave of Android updates will bring Ice Cream Sandwich to its phones powered by dual-core Qualcomm S3 processors. The overwhelming majority of HTC’s phones running on this chip are already on the update list, and we expect the remaining stragglers to be added shortly.

HTC has also announced that the Incredible S, Desire S and Desire HD would also be receiving  the update. Since most of the other HTC phones powered by S2 chips feature most of the same components, we expect other US-specific devices to be added to the update list, as well. HTC phones powered by Qualcomm S1 chips should not expect Android 4.0. HTC has not given us any details about these phones yet, but the fact that Google has chosen to let the Nexus One live out its remaining days on Gingerbread should be all the evidence we need. The HTC EVO 4G, Desire and DROID Incredible all share the same basic configuration and do not have enough memory or processing power to run Android 4.0 as smoothly as HTC would like them to.

Latest Android 4.0 update news from HTC

• 3/15/12 - HTC Vivid Android 4.0 update now available with dialer trick
  Users can manually trigger the Android 4.0 update for the HTC Vivid by entering a specific string of characters into the phone’s dialer.
• 3/13/12 - HTC Velocity Android 4.0 update rolling out in Australia
  HTC delivers Android 4.0 with HTC Sense 3.6 to HTC Velocity owners in Australia. The update was pushed without HTC making an official announcement that the update was even on its way.
• 3/8/12 - HTC Sensation Android 4.0 update now available in some European countries
  Android 4.0 with HTC Sense 3.6 for the HTC Sensation and Sensation XE is deployed to handsets in Germany and several other Nordic countries.
• 3/6/12 - Verizon lists devices that will receive Android 4.0 upgrades
  Verizon confirms that the HTC Thunderbolt, DROID Incredible 2, HTC Rhyme and HTC Rezound will be updated to Android 4.0.

Official HTC Android 4.0 handset update list

• HTC Sensation – March
• HTC Sensation 4G – March
• HTC Sensation XE – March
• HTC Velocity
• HTC Sensation XL
• HTC Rezound
• HTC Vivid
• HTC Amaze 4G
• HTC EVO 3D
• HTC EVO Design 4G
• HTC Flyer
• HTC Desire S
• HTC Incredible S
• DROID Incredible 2
• HTC Thunderbolt
• HTC Rhyme
• HTC Desire HD
• HTC Explorer

HTC handsets expected to receive the Android 4.0 update

• HTC Desire Z
• T-Mobile G2
• HTC Inspire 4G
• myTouch 4G
• myTouch 4G Slide
• HTC Hero S
• HTC Merge
• HTC EVO Shift 4G

Source: http://androidandme.com/2012/03/news/official-htc-android-4-0-handset-update-list-march/

This is definitely What We Want.

How to install Ice Cream Sandwich on your Samsung Galaxy S2

Like a relentless technological bulldozer, Android continues to steamroll all before it. Google's mobile operating system has undergone some radical changes during its relatively short lifespan, and the most recent iteration, 4.0 for those of you that like numbers, Ice Cream Sandwich for those who prefer daft codenames, is the most polished yet.

The problem is, this latest flavour of Android is currently exclusive to Google's Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S phones. Samsung has announced that the Galaxy S2 will get Ice Cream Sandwich starting from next week, although it is down to the phone networks to decide exactly when that will happen. For those of you who simply cannot wait, salvation is at hand.

This handy guide will show you how to install Ice Cream Sandwich on your beloved blower, allowing you to reap the benefits of enhanced speed and functionality, before it is made available through the auto-update section on your phone.

Firmware caution 

As is always the case when flashing firmware and mucking around with your phone's operating system, it's best to exercise some caution, lest your expensive mobile becomes an equally expensive -- but rather less functional -- brick. Our strong advice is to wait until the update is made available through your mobile phone operator officially.

Installing this update will invalidate your manufacturer warranty, and CNET UK, its employees, their immediate families and even their pets take absolutely no responsibility whatsoever for any damage you may inflict on your phone as a result of following this guide.

Assuming you still have the stomach for the job, let's get cracking.

Step 1: Grab the relevant files

Before you do anything, make sure you've downloaded and installed the official Kies application from Samsung's site. This contains all of the relevant USB drivers that allow your Galaxy S2 to communicate properly with your computer. You'll also need Odin, which is the sneaky piece of software that allows you to flash the firmware to your phone. Point your browser here to obtain that.

Another vital thing to remember is that you'll need to enable USB debugging from within your phone's settings. Go to Settings > Applications > Development, and tick the box that says 'Enable USB Debugging'.

Now for the important bit -- the ICS firmware itself. This particular file is based on Android 4.0.3, which is the very latest version. The file might take a while to download as it's over 300MB of data. Once it's done, extract the ZIP file on your computer. 

Step 2: Configure Odin

Open up the Odin app that you downloaded previously. A big screen with lots of scary options should appear, but mop those beads of sweat from your brow and take some deep breaths -- we're here to help you through this, soldier.

First up, click the button that says PDA. Find the ICS firmware that you extracted and locate the file that ends in .md5. Select it and Odin will prep it for installation. 

Step 3: Put your Galaxy S2 into download mode

Make sure your Galaxy S2 is completely switched off, and then press the power, volume down and home buttons simultaneously. You'll see a dire warning displayed on the screen about voiding your warranty -- essentially the final warning before you proceed -- but simply press the volume up button to skip it (assuming you still have the courage, that is).

Take your trusty USB cable and connect your phone to your PC. Odin should detect and recognise the handset, and you'll see a filled-in yellow box where it says COM. If nothing happens, it's probably because you didn't listen to us at the beginning and failed to install Kies. Doh.

Step 4: Flash the ICS firmware

Once all the stars are aligned and you've finished sacrificing your livestock to appease the Korean deity Samsung, you can tap the button that says 'Start'.

If the gods favour you, Odin will flash the Android 4.0.3 firmware to your Galaxy S2.

So there you have it. Ice Cream Sandwich on your Galaxy S2. To be honest, it doesn't look massively different from 2.3 on the Galaxy S2, as Samsung has covered the OS with its usual TouchWiz UI.

But you'll find a raft of improvements as well as cool things like a fully functioning data monitor and a new multi-tasking menu.

It's a taste of the future, today. 

This Is What We Want!

Samsung Galaxy S2 Ice Cream Sandwich update: when will I get it?

What We Want Is Our Samsung Galaxy S2 Ice Cream Sandwich update: when will I get it?

Samsung Galaxy S2 getting ready for the next gen Android platform
Now Samsung has confirmed the Samsung Galaxy S2 Ice Cream Sandwich update is landing next week, here's our constantly updated hub of all information for the next level of Android on your flagship Samsung phone.

The problem with Android updates is the process is so staggered, leading to consumers getting angry at the length of time it takes them to receive the next generation of software.

Once Google throws out the source code to the manufacturers, it's up to them to divert resources to combining the latest version of Android with their hardware – this can take longer if there's a skin running atop the OS, as is the case with the Galaxy S2.

And once that's complete, the likes of Vodafone and O2 then have to make sure there are no issues with the new firmware running with their networks – it may sound trivial, but you don't want something like this happening - so check below to see how long you'll be likely to wait for the next generation software to land on your Galaxy S2.

SIM free
Samsung has confirmed to TechRadar that the Galaxy S2 Ice Cream Sandwich update UK release date will be 19 March.

The news follows Samsung's tweet about the new Android 4.0 software landing in Korea and some parts of Europe:

"ICS for Galaxy S2 will be available today in Europe, including Poland, Hungary, Sweden and Korea & gradually roll out to other markets."

However, it seems the UK won't have to wait too much longer to get the same treatment.

Samsung told us: "Samsung UK can confirm that the roll out of Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) on Galaxy S II will be available from week commencing 19 March, however the availability of software upgrades in the UK will be dependent upon each network's own software approvals process."

Three
Three has told TechRadar that it is working on releasing the Samsung Galaxy S2 Ice Cream Sandwich update as soon as possible.

A spokesperson for Three said: "We are testing Ice Cream Sandwich on the Galaxy S2 and the update is on track", but the network was unable to provide us with a roll-out date.



Vodafone
Vodafone has also confirmed that it's received the update from Samsung, and told TechRadar it is hopeful of rolling out the Ice Cream Sandwich update in double quick time:

"The Android 4.0 upgrade for Galaxy S2 smartphones running on the Vodafone UK network is currently under test to make sure that we provide the highest level of final software. As soon as the tests are completed we will upload the software to the update servers as quickly as possible.

O2
O2 has now confirmed it is working on the Galaxy S2 Ice Cream Sandwich update, but it won't be rolling it out to customers until mid-April. Disappointing O2, disappointing.

Update: An O2 spokesperson has informed TechRadar that the Samsung Galaxy S2 Ice Cream Sandwich update "will be before the end of March, not mid-April". That's more like it!

T-Mobile
T-Mobile is looking to keep Galaxy S2 customers sweet, as it promises to roll out the Ice Cream Sandwich update as soon as possible after the March 19 date.

A T-Mobile spokesperson said: "We're working to make our build available as close to Samsung's release date as possible."

Orange and more
As you've probably guessed, TechRadar has thrown aside its copy of Horse and Hound and poured all its efforts into finding out when the rest of the networks will be dropping the update - when we know, you'll know (after we've spent time writing it up. It's not an automatic process, you know).

Source:http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s2-ice-cream-sandwich-update-confirmed-1070589

Samsung Galaxy S2 Ice Cream Sandwich update set for 15 March

The Ice Cream Sandwich update can come to the Samsung Galaxy S2 within a week now. The update was posted on Samsung’s official Facebook page in Israel, but was deleted since then.

The post on the Facebook read, “Starting March 10, 2012, you may upgrade your Samsung Galaxy S2 to Android Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0) thru KIES 2.0.”

The deletion of the good news has given the post from being an official entry to a more rumour kind of status. As Samsung Galaxy S2 being one of the most popular Android phone out there, millions of fingers are crossed.

Despite the promise of a lick of Ice Cream Sandwich just a few days away, the update has been dragging for quite some time now. The complications arise when the uesrs discover, as in the case of the Asus Transformer, that there is much more to using the next generation Android OS than a mere update.

Ice Cream Sandwich updates have been typically delayed because of the prevalence of front-end interfaces added to Android phones by the manufacturer. Though Google is the main provider of the code for Android as a foundation, manufacturers and phone networks add their own skin on the front. Some examples of manufacture-personalised skins are on Samsung’s TouchWiz, or HTC Sense. Manufacturers also come up with their own apps that have then to work in compatibility of the new OS.

And when the updated OS finally lands on the phone, it does not merely remain a matter of newer and finer operating software behind it all. The personalised skin and the apps have to be tested that they are compatible with the updated OS or not. If not, they are adjusted, which takes time. And then if the phone being used has been bought through some carrier, there would be some personalised apps and skins patented by the carrier too, that have to be tested, adjusted and made bug free. This translates into months of delays.

With all these delays caused by the personalisations of the manufacturers and carriers, not to count the bugs in Ice Cream Sandwich itself that seem to be really hardy ones to kill, Ice Cream Sandwich has become the most anticipated but the most delayed OS update.

Following the peek-a-boo update on the Facebook page of Samsung, the thought of the next phone looms big. It has been announced that the next generation Samsung Galaxy S2 smartphone will be out soon. Now it remains to be seen if the Samsung Galaxy S2 gets its Ice Cream Sandwich update or Samsung Galaxy S2 launches the Samsung Galaxy S3 first.

Prior to the Facebook update, Samsung Samsung Galaxy S2 owners got the good news of the Ice Cream Sandwich update landing on their phones on March 10, 2012. The day is past, but the update did not come. Now the strange invisibility of the Facebook update has made the new announcement even cloudier.

Source : http://nvonews.com/?p=31666

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