It was four days ago now, December 16th, when Google first announced they’d be rolling out an update to Ice Cream Sandwich for the Samsung Nexus S. Due to various errors and problems being reported by users from all over the web, the update is being put on hold for some.

Problems associated with [...]]]>

It was four days ago now, December 16th, when Google first announced they’d be rolling out an update to Ice Cream Sandwich for the Samsung Nexus S. Due to various errors and problems being reported by users from all over the web, the update is being put on hold for some.

Problems associated with the update to Ice Cream Sandwich include everything from high spikes in CPU usage, to major battery drain. Because of this, even if you receive a notification to download the update to your device, doesn’t mean you will be able to apply it. In areas where Google is monitoring feedback, they have paused the update process. Once the update is cleared for those regions being monitored, a new notification to update will appear.

If you received an update notification a little while ago but the update isn’t currently available for your phone, this is likely the result of Google pausing the update in your area while we monitor feedback. The Android 4.0 update is continuing to roll out around the world so your phone will receive another update notification when it’s available again in your region.Paul WilcoxCommunity Manager, Google

Personally, I have seen great battery life on Ice Cream Sandwich, and no spikes in CPU usage. However, I am having my own set of problems with the camera app. At first, it would only force close after a minute or two of doing nothing. Then, I started seeing an error message saying that my phone can’t connect to the camera. That same error message also popped up when I tried using CameraFX. Now, the camera will load sometimes, but nothing works. The viewfinder area stays black. As you can imagine, this is seriously frustrating.

It’s incredibly disappointing to see the update play out this poorly, but I wouldn’t wish battery, CPU or camera problems (especially ones this bad) on my worst enemy. Hopefully, Google will have the update figured out before too long.

Google promised that the Nexus S would be updated to Android 4.0 shortly after the Galaxy Nexus was released. Sure enough, just one day after the Verizon Nexus hit shelves across the nation, Ice Cream Sandwich for the Nexus S has hit the air.

As for how the update will play out, it will be [...]]]>

Google promised that the Nexus S would be updated to Android 4.0 shortly after the Galaxy Nexus was released. Sure enough, just one day after the Verizon Nexus hit shelves across the nation, Ice Cream Sandwich for the Nexus S has hit the air.

As for how the update will play out, it will be rolled out in waves (much like every other update has), with GSM devices first in line. Sprint’s Nexus S 4G will come later on. It may take around a month for the update to be completely deployed, but rest assured you shouldn’t have to wait that long. Once the update is out there, developers usually release a flashable update file that doesn’t require root to use.

When it comes to the changes in store for Nexus S users, Google has published a “Tips for Android 2.3 Users” page that offers some words of advice on making the upgrade. The page features information like how to change the wallpaper, create a folder and view recent apps. There’s also information on the new lock screen, the gestures found throughout Ice Cream Sandwich and app upgrades.

I’m still waiting for the update to hit my handset, but once it does, I’ll be sure to share my experiences. If you feel up to it, you can do the same in the comments below.

Update:

The manual update file for the T-Mobile (not sure about AT&T) Nexus S is live. I have successfully update my Nexus S, but keep in mind that this is a download at your own risk situation. Famed Android developer JBQ has put out some release notes on the update, saying that this is the first AOSP build that supports three devices: the Nexus S, Galaxy Nexus and Motorola Xoom. To download the update, I recommend visiting this Google+ post where you can also find instructions. Good luck!

Today’s a great day for Galaxy Nexus users on Verizon. Not only do you finally have the phone of your dreams in your hands, there’s good chance you’ve already seen an update that makes it even better.

Android 4.0.2 is rolling out for the the Verizon Galaxy Nexus in order to tackle some data [...]]]>

Today’s a great day for Galaxy Nexus users on Verizon. Not only do you finally have the phone of your dreams in your hands, there’s good chance you’ve already seen an update that makes it even better.

Android 4.0.2 is rolling out for the the Verizon Galaxy Nexus in order to tackle some data issues, among other things. Weighing in at 10.6MB, software build ICL53F includes the following changes:

Device features

• Optimized Mobile Hotspot when used with VPN
• Optimized 3G/4G data sessions for faster response times
• Fixed an incorrect notification that “data was disconnected due to roaming”
• WiFi now automatically reconnects when returning to a known Access Point
• Improvements to special visual effects feature when using front-facing camcorder
• Visual improvements to the lock screen

Email and Messaging

• Fixed an issue where some email attachments would not open correctly

Apps and Widgets

• DivX support has been removed and will be supported in a future upgrade
• Improved audio volume in Google navigation turn-by-turn directions

For the most part, the changes listed are pretty straightforward. The only bad thing is the loss of DivX support for the time being. But as Verizon has said, it will be brought back with another update in the future.

Users have reported that it only takes a couple hours for the update to 4.0.2 to hit their handsets, so if you haven’t seen it yet, just sit tight. It’s coming soon.

In other Verizon Galaxy Nexus software-related news, Google has already hosted a factory image for the device. Released just for those who will “be looking under the hood of their shiny new Galaxy Nexus,” you can download the image from the Google Groups Android Building page here. In the words of JBQ, “happy tinkering!”

Two big updates for two very popular devices are in the works right now, nearly ready to grace handsets across the country.

The first update waiting to be sent out is the much anticipated Gingerbread OTA for the Droid 2. Coming in at 106MB, software number 4.5.601 includes a lot more than your average [...]]]>

Two big updates for two very popular devices are in the works right now, nearly ready to grace handsets across the country.

The first update waiting to be sent out is the much anticipated Gingerbread OTA for the Droid 2. Coming in at 106MB, software number 4.5.601 includes a lot more than your average jump to Android 2.3. Among the normal spiced cookie enhancements, you’ll find added security, a customizable dock, improved copy-paste functionality, a download manager app and more. There’s a ton of improvements and big fixes tucked into the update as well. For a full list of improvements and features, check out the images in the gallery below. You can expect to see the update hitting Droid 2 handsets some time in the near future. ^[1]

The next update, scheduled to hit devices in the next 1-2 weeks, is a maintenance patch for the HTC Evo 4G. Evo users shouldn’t expect to see any more big updates for their device, but a few more bug fixes like this may be in store. Software version 4.53.651.1 for the Evo will include:

• Integrated voice recognition accuracy with voice search and voice-to-text
• Image size issue with contact transfer over bluetooth resolved
• Images cut off in Picasa issue fixed
• Group contacts not in alphabetical order issue resolved
• Out of memory, Unable to send SMS error fixed

It’s been noted that users trying to manually active the update may receive an error message stating that there is no update available. Sprint has informed Evo owners to be patient and check again later, or wait for the update to automatically hit your device. ^[2]

Should you receive either update a little early, be sure to share your experiences in the comments below.

As we’ve told you before, the Android 3.2 doesn’t [...]]]> Attention Motorola Xoom users! We have some good news for you. You know that 3.2 version of Honeycomb we’ve been talking about lately? Well, you should probably check your Xoom, ’cause the update is currently rolling out to the Motorola tablet as we speak.

As we’ve told you before, the Android 3.2 doesn’t bring that many new features to the table. It’s more of a bug-fixes-and-stability kind of update. Android 3.2 will also be the last update for Honeycomb before Ice Cream Sandwich arrives this Christmas, uniting Honeycomb, Gingerbread and Google TV into just one source code.

With that said, we still love us some Android updates, so here’s everything we know Android 3.2 will bring to Xoom users:

• Bug fixes and improved hardware acceleration
• Updated versions of Movie Studio, Movies and Music
• Updated widgets
• Zoom mode for phone apps
• Support for the SD card slot
• Support for 7-inch tablets and Qualcomm processors

Google also took the opportunity today to release some pieces of the Android 3.2 source code. This is not the whole Android 3.2 code, mind you, just the parts that they’re required to open source. As they said at Google I/O, they won’t be open sourcing Honeycomb. Instead, the company will wait until Ice Cream Sandwich to open source the whole Android source code. This will include the tablet version, the phone version and the TV version of Android.

All in all, Android 3.2 is a pretty decent update, considering Android 3.1 was released just a few weeks ago. Still, there could be some new features we know nothing about. So we’d love to hear from those of you who have updated your Xoom to Android 3.2. Have you found anything new? Is it snappier? Does it crash less? We want to hear all about it.

Sony Ericsson also took the opportunity to demo [...]]]> The guys and gals at Sony Ericsson want you to know just how busy they’ve been updating the Xperia X10 to Gingerbread. The company just posted on its blog a brief summary of where they are in terms of getting Xperia X10 users some Gingerbread goodness.

Sony Ericsson also took the opportunity to demo a working version of Android 2.3 on the Xperia X10. All in all, everything seems to be running rather smoothly on the video, even though this in not the final version of the update. For those of you who love the Xperia X10′s camera app, you’ll be happy to know the company won’t be getting rid of it, as previously said.

This update will bring many of the typical Gingerbread features to the Xperia X10, but Sony Ericsson will also throw in a few extras for good measure. Like Facebook inside Xperia, a feature the company announced for 2011 models of the Xperia line. The feature ties the social network deeply into your Xperia phone, allowing you to receive Facebook notifications right on the phone’s lockscreen, tag and comment on Facebook photos from the phone’s gallery app and much more.

Users of the Xperia X10 can expect the Gingerbread update to arrive at the beginning of August, according to Sony Ericsson. Although, the timing may vary depending on your carrier. While you wait, make sure you check out some of the features you’ll be getting in the video below. After you do, let us know whether this changes your opinion towards Sony Ericsson’s not-that-great Android updates track record.

The guys at Android Police broke this one and it [...]]]> The OTA is supposedly going to be hitting phones a little later in the month, but if your Thunderbolt is anything like mine (I had 4 reboots so far today) then I’m sure you can’t wait to get your hands on the cure.

The guys at Android Police broke this one and it is coming to you courtesy of Chingy and TeamAndIRC.

As Verizon hasn’t officially outed this update there isn’t a changelog yet, but the improvements experienced by those running it so far include:

• No random reboots (HUGE!)
• 3G/LTE Toggle (Settings>Wireless & networks>Mobile networks)
• Improved signal strength
• Improved GPS
• New bootscreen
• My Verizon app works properly
• The “3G” logo in the notification bar changed (Not really an improvement, just different).

I performed the update myself and can attest that everything is working fine and I haven’t had any reboots yet anyway. The only downside I’ve noted is that I’m back to the old Android Market.

Before I get to the instructions please be aware that this is not just an OTA style update and so it will wipe all of the data on your phone. Backup anything you don’t want to lose. The update I’m linking to here is not for root users and will brick your phone if you are rooted. There are some ROMs based on this update for root users and if you are interested just hit up the source link for details.

With all of that out of the way if you are a stock user that wants to perform this update it is almost as simple as they come.

1. Download the stock MR2 RUU file here
2. Re-name the file to “PG05IMG.zip” (without the quotes)
3. Move that file to the root directory of your SD card
4. Turn off your Thunderbolt (Make sure you wait until it is all the way off)
5. Hold the Volume Down button and Power button at the same time and keep holding them until the bootloader screen pops up (it’s a mostly white screen with the little skate boarding Androids at the bottom)
6. Be patient on the bootloader screen as it will take about 15-20 seconds for the update process to begin automatically (This isn’t the actual update)
7. After a couple minutes it will ask you “Do you want to start update?” and you should hit Volume Up for “Yes” (or Volume Down if you’ve chickened out)
8. You can watch the thrilling process of the update or go do something else for about 5 minutes and when you get back you should see the message “Update Complete” at which point you just need to hit the Power button to reboot your phone and you should now be running your shiny new MR2 update.

If you have any questions before or after the update (or just want to share how awesome your phone is now) let us know in comments.

Samsung produces the Android phones with the best hardware (that’s why I purchased the Nexus S), but they are one of the worst companies when it comes to continued software support.

When Samsung announced the [...]]]> The verdict is in. Samsung has failed to upgrade their reputation when it comes to Android software updates.

Samsung produces the Android phones with the best hardware (that’s why I purchased the Nexus S), but they are one of the worst companies when it comes to continued software support.

When Samsung announced the Galaxy S lineup in New York this past June and said they would update them to Android 2.2, I never imagined it would take them till 2011 to accomplish that goal. We had the expectation that those updates would occur in September, but month after month passed and no OTAs were delivered.

HTC pushed out the first round of Android 2.2 updates in about six weeks, so we have absolutely no idea why Samsung was unable to keep up.

It looked like the Epic 4G might be the first Galaxy S phone in the United States to see Android 2.2, but Sprint pushed back the update and only said it would be available “sometime in the near future”.

At the end of the day, I don’t see the situation improving any time soon until consumers start to demand (aka purchase) phones with the latest version of Android. Samsung hit their goal of becoming the top manufacture of Android phones in the U.S., so there is little reason for them to change their current strategy.

The number of upset customers is certainly growing, but I’m not sure if Samsung has received the message yet. As we approach the next-generation of Samsung devices, the biggest question (among the hardcore crowd) will continue to be their commitment to providing software updates in a reasonable time frame.

I think I know how our audience will answer, but will Samsung’s (lack of) software support for their Android phones be a deciding factor in your next purchase?