Verizon has issued incremental updates for three of their most popular smartphones today, the Motorola Droid 4, Droid Razr and Droid Razr Maxx.

The Motorola Droid 4′s update is being called 6.13.219.XT894.Verizon.en.US (or 6.13.219 for short), and boasts several new enhancements and bug fixes to keep your phone running like new. Along with improvements to [...]]]>

Verizon has issued incremental updates for three of their most popular smartphones today, the Motorola Droid 4, Droid Razr and Droid Razr Maxx.

The Motorola Droid 4′s update is being called 6.13.219.XT894.Verizon.en.US (or 6.13.219 for short), and boasts several new enhancements and bug fixes to keep your phone running like new. Along with improvements to WiFi connectivity, messaging, the touchscreen and battery life, you’ll find a couple of bug fixes related to the power on function and keyboard as well.

Both the Razr and Razr Maxx are receiving an update to 6.12.181. While it’s still not Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, it will still put your Razr of choice on the right track towards the next big update. 6.12.181 for Verizon’s Droid Razrs features enhanced battery life, improved 4G LTE and several other stability and security enhancements.

To download updates for the Droid 4, Razr or Razr Maxx over the air, from of the homescreen of your device simply press the Menu Key > tap Settings > About phone > System updates > Download. After that, just follow the prompts and you should be all set. If you own any of the Droids getting an update, be sure to share your experiences below.

Now that Android 4.0.4 for the Nexus S (i9023, i9020-T) is out, you may be wondering how to get your device up and running with the latest version of Android. Allow us to help. If you’re running stock 4.0.3 or any ROM with Clockwork Mod Recovery, the process to update your device couldn’t be [...]]]>

Now that Android 4.0.4 for the Nexus S (i9023, i9020-T) is out, you may be wondering how to get your device up and running with the latest version of Android. Allow us to help. If you’re running stock 4.0.3 or any ROM with Clockwork Mod Recovery, the process to update your device couldn’t be easier.

For those of you with Clockwork Mod Recovery flashed, all you have to do is:

• Download the flashable ROM from this XDA thread
• Place on the root of your SDcard (plug your device into your computer, mount as USB storage and drag the flashable ROM onto your Nexus S, not in any folders)
• Reboot your device into recovery
• Wipe data/factory reset
• Install .zip from SDcard
• Choose .zip from SDcard
• Flash the ROM you put on your Nexus S
• Enjoy!

If you’re using the stock build of 4.0.3, the steps to flash the update file are just as easy:

• Grab the update file from Google
• Place on the root of your SDcard
• Power off your Nexus S, then once it’s off, hold volume up and power to boot into the bootloader
• Navigate with the volume buttons to recovery, and use the power button to select it
• You should see a warning triangle shortly after that, from there, hold down the power button and press volume up
• Select apply update from /sdcard and choose the update file
• Reboot your Nexus S with the menu option provided
• Enjoy!

Of course, using either method to update your Nexus S is your decision. Only you are responsible for what happens to your device. For any additional help, or more information on the update process, you can use the comments or visit the XDA threads for either the rooted ROM or update file.

I’ve been playing around with the rooted but totally stock ROM and so far, and I love it. Everything is very fast and super smooth. No problems yet.

And don’t forget, those of you who don’t want to get their hands messy, this update will be hitting your device before you know it. So just hold on tight.

Manufacturers are always catching heat for not staying up to date with Android software. They can release three phones in a quarter, each with better hardware than the one before it, but not a single one runs on the latest version of Android. Why is that? We know third-party UIs and carrier customizations hold up [...]]]>

Manufacturers are always catching heat for not staying up to date with Android software. They can release three phones in a quarter, each with better hardware than the one before it, but not a single one runs on the latest version of Android. Why is that? We know third-party UIs and carrier customizations hold up the update process. That’s not all though. A Motorola executive has spoken out on the hardships of updates, and it looks like the Big M holds Google’s Nexus hardware choices responsible for much of the delays.

When Google first releases a new version of Android, only the company lucky enough to be chosen as the manufacturer of the next Nexus has access to it. When that new version of Android is released with the next Nexus, it’s optimized to run on Nexus hardware. According to Christy Wyatt, senior vice president and general manager of Motorola’s Enterprise Business Unit, that’s where the problems begin.

When Google does a release of the software ... they do a version of the software for whatever phone they just shipped. The rest of the ecosystem doesn't see it until you see it. Hardware is by far the long pole in the tent, with multiple chipsets and multiple radio bands for multiple countries. It's a big machine to churn.Christy WyattMotorola

Clearly, manufacturers are faced with several hurdles leading to a consumer update. Some are uncontrollable, while some could be worked on.

Carrier control isn’t likely to go away anytime soon. Companies like Motorola don’t see any advantages in limiting what a carrier can do to their device. Some devices make it to market with only a handful of custom apps, while others, like Moto’s Droid devices, are as carrier branded as Android gets. In return for giving Verizon this sort of control, Motorola gets to be the face of Verizon for many ad campaigns to come.

Limiting the hardware a manufacturer releases would also help alleviate some of the stress behind updates. This could be a growing trend in 2012. It was certainly well voiced in 2011.

As far as Android being optimized for specific hardware, forcing manufacturers to work overtime to optimize for their hardware, there’s not a whole lot that can be said. However, companies with less hardware available, who make less changes to stock Android, generally get their updates out faster than anyone else.

Hardware optimization and custom software aside, one can’t help but wonder how much of the drawn out update process is tied to sheer laziness or a “who cares” attitude. Take Motorola’s unfulfilled promise to unlock bootloaders: instead of making good and releasing the necessary tools, they’ve announced yet another version of the RAZR with an unlockable bootloader and “Developer Edition” in the name.

Is that because Verizon told them unlocking the original RAZR would be a bad idea? Are they too busy working on new phones, ignoring the old ones? Do they really even care? If Motorola is spending all their time trying to optimize new versions of Android Google released with a Nexus in mind, would they be opposed to some hardware limitations imposed by Google? Or probably most ideally for Motorola, should consumers just get over it, and be happy that they can still run (most of) the latest apps from the Market?

Whatever the case, one thing is for sure. Don’t expect the manufacturers to suddenly start updating their handsets faster any time soon. They have plenty of excuses reasons lined up to explain the wait.

Late last night, Sprint announced the release of new OTA software updates for the HTC EVO 4G, HTC EVO Design 4G and the Samsung Epic 4G. If you’re hoping for a taste of Ice Cream Sandwich, you’re in for a bit of a disappointment. The latest updates for all three phones bring minor fixes, security [...]]]>

Late last night, Sprint announced the release of new OTA software updates for the HTC EVO 4G, HTC EVO Design 4G and the Samsung Epic 4G. If you’re hoping for a taste of Ice Cream Sandwich, you’re in for a bit of a disappointment. The latest updates for all three phones bring minor fixes, security patches and battery life improvements.

It’s nice to see Sprint, HTC and Samsung roll out new updates for these three phones, but we’re still wondering when — or even if — these handsets will be updated to Andoid 4.0. It’s probably safe to say that the EVO 4G is destined to finish out its life on Gingerbread, but there’s no reason the EVO Design 4G and Epic 4G shouldn’t see an Android 4.0 update within the next few months.

HTC EVO 4G Software Update

• Build number: 4.67.651.3
• Security Update
• Updated Peep client ( to align with Twitter)
• Battery life improvements

As of January 19, customers can manually download the software update to their phones. To check for the update manually, press Menu > Settings > System updates > HTC software update. Sprint will start sending out update notifications starting January 24.

HTC EVO Design 4G Software Update

• Build number: 2.12.651.5
• Security Update
• Updated Peep client (to align with Twitter)
• Updated Sprint Zone client
• Battery life improvements
• 3LM Enterprise Tool Access (no user interface changes)

Design 4G users can manually download the software update to their phones starting on January 19. To check for the update manually, press Menu > Settings > System updates > HTC software update. Sprint will start sending out update notifications starting January 24.

Samsung Epic 4G Software Update

• Build number: S:D700.0.5S.EL30
• Security update
• Speaker feedback fix
• The QIK and Asphalt 5 applications are no longer preloaded.

Sprint will be rolling out the update for the Epic 4G in stages and expects all handsets to be up-to-date within ten days. Though the QIK and Asphalt 5 games are no longer loaded onto the phone, users will still see application icons for both apps in their app drawer. Clicking on the icon will launch the Android Market and prompt users to download the apps. All previous data in both applications will be lost after the update.

Motorola has had some sort of secret project being prepared for users of their Xoom Feedback Network for quite some time now. There were plenty of guesses as to what it could be, one of the more popular being an update to Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich. Today, it has been confirmed that Motorola’s project [...]]]>

Motorola has had some sort of secret project being prepared for users of their Xoom Feedback Network for quite some time now. There were plenty of guesses as to what it could be, one of the more popular being an update to Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich. Today, it has been confirmed that Motorola’s project is indeed ICS for Xoom.

The update to Android 4.0.3 has already started rolling out to test users with both the WiFi only and LTE versions of the Motorola Xoom. Since the Xoom is considered a Google Experience Device, GED for short, you can expect it to be a fully stock build. There’s no timeframe for how long the OTA update will take to reach all test users, or when it will be ready for prime time, but we suspect the process should be completed in the next month or so.

For anyone who doesn’t want to wait, an update.zip has been released and is ready to be flashed. Unfortunately, the Motorola Xoom’s stock recovery doesn’t allow users to flash update.zip files. So if you want to experience ICS early, you’re going to have to install Clockwork Recovery. You can find more info about that here, just keep in mind that only you are responsible for what you do to your own device.

If anybody out there decides to take the plunge, be sure to share your experiences in the comments below. Everyone else, sit tight. It won’t be long now.

With Android 4.0 being one of the most hyped updates for Google’s mobile operating system, most manufacturers have been announcing details about their plans to roll out software upgrades. No one wants to stay behind, right? LG has just given us another update about their upgrade plans, and it looks like Q2 is when LG [...]]]>

With Android 4.0 being one of the most hyped updates for Google’s mobile operating system, most manufacturers have been announcing details about their plans to roll out software upgrades. No one wants to stay behind, right? LG has just given us another update about their upgrade plans, and it looks like Q2 is when LG customers should begin to see Android 4.0.

During the second quarter of 2012 upgrades will begin for the following smartphone models: the LG Optimus LTE, Prada phone by LG 3.0, the LG Optimus 2X, the LG Optimus Sol, the LG my Touch Q and the LG Eclipse. These upgrades will be followed by upgrades for the following smartphone models during the third quarter of 2012: the LG Optimus 3D, the LG Optimus Black, the LG Optimus Big, the LG Optimus Q2 and the LG Optimus EX.FacebookLG Mobile

As you can see, that pretty much covers all the newest devices from LG and then some. There is a small discrepancy here, though. What is going to happen with the US variants of some of these smartphones? LG was not quite clear about the future of devices like the AT&T Thrill 4G (Optimus 3D), T-Mobile G2X (Optimus 2x), AT&T Nitro HD (Optimus LTE), and the Verizon Revolution?

While we understand that a global update is the most necessary, we would also like some details for the US-variant. We have reached out to LG Mobile, asking them about the future of these American smartphones, and will update this article with any information, once given.

Stay tuned, as LG Mobile promises to give more specific details when possible. Who is getting an update? Are you satisfied with the given time-frame?

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!”

One of the biggest draws of owning a Nexus device is getting updates directly from Google. In fact, it’s one of the few things that make a Nexus a Nexus. We’ve talked about this on Android and Me many times and more, but today it bears repeating. Because apparently, not all Nexus devices are created [...]]]>

One of the biggest draws of owning a Nexus device is getting updates directly from Google. In fact, it’s one of the few things that make a Nexus a Nexus. We’ve talked about this on Android and Me many times and more, but today it bears repeating. Because apparently, not all Nexus devices are created equal.

Now before anyone gets up in arms, your newly purchased Verizon Galaxy Nexus will be updated directly by Google. It’s the GSM Nexus that’s under fire today.

You see, over on XDA some GSM Nexus owners have been having problems manually flashing the recently rolled out update to 4.0.1. Unfortunately, there’s no problem with the update file. It has to do with custom Samsung installed firmwares.

Some GSM Nexus devices are shipping with region specific Samsung firmwares. There’s a fingerprint in the build.prop file for all Android phones. The direct-from-Google Nexus has the hardware code maguro and the software code yakju. Once Nexus owners started having signature problems when trying to manually update to 4.0.1, they started checking their build.prop file to see if there was something wrong. And sure enough, there’s several different Nexus configurations that come with Samsung controlled firmware.

All GSM Galaxy Nexus devices still have a hardware code of maguro, but different software configurations include yakjuxw, yajusc, yakjukr and yakjuux. As far as anyone knows so far, any Nexus with one of those software codes won’t be updated directly by Google. But there’s still some confusion surrounding the subject.

yakjusc and yakjuxw are indeed the two Samsung-prepared builds I'm aware of at the moment, but I'm discovering them as they get released. I only have some visibility over the builds that are prepared by 
Google, i.e. yakju. Everything else comes from Samsung, and I don't 
know what their schedules and release plans are.JBQGoogle

At this point, you may be wondering if there’s anything you can do to receive your updates directly from Google if you ended up with an xw, sc, kr or ux device. While it’s not being endorsed by Google, some users have flashed yakju software to their Nexus without problem. Allowing their device to receive the 4.0.1 OTA, and presumably, any other updates Google sends out in the future.

It’s nice to see that, yet again, the Android community has come up with a solution to a problem with their device. But that doesn’t change the fact that quite a few Nexus devices out there are missing something that is, for most people, a major selling point.

Is this the death of the Nexus as we know it? This same question came up when it was revealed that the Verizon Galaxy Nexus would come with third-party apps pre-installed. The fact that it would still be updated by Google, not Verizon and Samsung, made up for that. The same can’t be said in this situation. We’ll be keeping a close eye on this story and providing you with any information we can get our hands on. For more details on the unique builds, visit XDA.