SIM Free Pink Samsung Galaxy S II Now Available In The UK

A couple of weeks ago Samsung announced that they would be releasing a pink version of their Samsung Galaxy S II, and we just got an email from one UK retailer to let us know that they now have the pink Samsung Galaxy S II in stock.
The pink Samsung Galaxy S II shares the same specifications as the original version and it features a 4.3inch multi-touch touchscreen display with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels.

Other specifications on the Samsung Galaxy S II include a dual core 1.2GHz processor, plus an 8 megapixel camera with auto focus and an LED flash, the camera is capable of recording full High Definition video in 1080p at 30 frames per second,  up front there is a 2 megapixel camera for video chat.
The SIM free Pink Samsung Galaxy S II is now available from UK retailer Unlocked Mobiles, for 445.97 including taxes, and the model available comes with 16GB of storage.

SIM Free White Samsung Galaxy Note Now Available In The UK

The other day Samsung announced that the white Samsung Galaxy Note would be available in the UK exclusively through UK retailer John Lewis, and now it appears that the exclusivity only lasted a couple of days as the device is now available from other UK retailers.
We just got an email from the guys over at Clove to let us know that they now have the SIM free white Samsung Galaxy Note in stock, and the device is available for £538.80 including taxes.

The Samsung Galaxy Note features a  5.3 inch Super AMOLED touchscreen display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. there is also a dual core 1.4GHz processor and it comes with Android Gingerbread 2.3, on the back there is an 8 megapixel camera with an LED flash, on the front there is a 2 megapixel camera for video chat.

Galaxy Nexus receives Trinity kernel, brings better battery life and overclocking

The Galaxy Nexus being an easily unlocked Google experience device we knew it would receive tons of mods, hacks, kernels, and roms but one of my personal favorites has finally landed. Trinity by Morfic for the Galaxy Nexus is available now. More details and downloads links are available below for those who dare.


There are many popular kernel builders in the world of Android but one of my all time favorite are Trinity kernels. Offering unparalleled performance while keeping battery life in mind. Not all our geared towards battery life though — I managed to squeeze 1.6 GHz and about 5600 in Quadrant with my Trinity powered LG G2x, just for an idea of what you can expect.
Morfic has just released his first beta kernels for the GSM and CDMA Samsung Galaxy Nexus and all the details can be found over at the RootzWiki thread. His kernels include overclocking while staying undervolted for better battery life, and performance. He cleans up the code and enables much better performance across the board. Not to mention saving valuable battery while the device is in sleep state by keeping the power-hungry processors underclocked. If you’ve tried his kernels before you don’t need me to do any explaining and should just flash them now, if not you should probably give them a try or hit the link above and learn more.
Trinity kernels have remained popular for devices like the Nexus S, G2x, HTC Sensation and now they are here for the newest kid on the block — the Galaxy Nexus. Downloads can be found from the via link below. Enjoy!

Samsung Galaxy S III launch delayed according to new rumors

Uh! The hotly anticipated Samsung Galaxy S III quad-core superphone will not be announced or unveiled next month at Mobile World Congress 2012 according to latest rumors from The Verge. After initial reports lately including a few yesterday stating it would be announced in Spain for MWC 2012, we are now hearing that it has been delayed.


Members close to the subject are now claiming that the Galaxy S III will not be debuted at MWC 2012 and instead will be at a later date. However, sources are still saying we will see the device “before summer”, so that is good news. The last generation, the Galaxy S II was announced at MWC last year around the same time and we were expecting the same — but things appear to have changed.
While MWC was a logical choice, it could be because they’d like their own event for the big day, or Samsung needs a few more weeks to get everything ready to go. Either way we are now hearing they’ll be sure to announce some “interesting stuff” at MWC 2012 but that is all we know. I’m hopeful for a new 10.1″ tablet with a quad-core but we’ll have to wait and see.
Sad news, but it will be worth the wait in the end — that is for sure.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I available now, doesn’t play nice with Galaxy Nexus

After the news that Sega was planning on bringing its 2D platforming revival Sonic the Hedgehog 4, Episode II to Android, we were happier than a hedgehog in a hot dog stand – then a little miffed that the company had apparently completely passed over Android for part I, despite releasing it for every other platform including iOS. That small oversight has been corrected today, as Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 1 has been released in the Android Market. You can pick it up now for $3.99.

Hold on a minute, Sega fans – Galaxy Nexus owners might want to wait a while before dropping their four bucks. Being the die-hard Sega fan that I am, I immediately bought and installed the game, only to find that it would get past the initial loading screen and freeze. I haven’t tried it on the many Android devices lying around, but according to the early comments, the Galaxy Nexus seems to be the only major phone affected at the moment. Those of you with Ice Cream Sandwich ROMs on your Android phone or tablet might want to take a wait-and-see approach as well, especially since the 100MB download might eat through your 15-minute return window on a 3G connection.
Considering the support that Sega has shown Android over the last few months, with Sonic CD, Chu Chu Rocket! and Fallen Realms, I’d expect these issues to be patched quickly. Sonic CD had some early trouble as well, and is now working fine on all devices. If you’ve got a Tegra 3 device or are planning on finding one before Episode II comes out, you’re in for a treat: a special version of Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will take advantage of the quad-core processor for better graphics. There’s no indication that Episode I is getting a similar treatment.

AT&T Galaxy Note rumors point to February 18th for $299

Some new details and rumors are starting to hit the streets regarding not only the highly anticipated Galaxy Note, but of two other Android devices all headed to AT&T. We have now learned of a leaked Q1 2012 roadmap of AT&T’s smartphone devices and of them is the Galaxy Note hitting the streets February 18th for just $299 on contract.


According to some leaked information to the folks at BGR AT&T will in fact have three Android devices they are launching to start off 2012. Along with the 5.3″ Galaxy Note we are now hearing there will be a few budget and mid-range devices such as the Samsung Rugby Smart on the low end for $99, and the AT&T Fusion for a mere $129 with new contracts.
Recent press images that leaked of the AT&T 4G LTE powered Galaxy Note hinted at a February 14th launch date based on the on-screen widgets but these new leaks suggest the wait will only be a few more days. Being able to get the powerful and almost tablet sized Note with 4G LTE for only $299 sounds like a pretty good deal to me. If you’ve been waiting for this phone then relax, the wait is almost over.
As soon as we hear anything that confirms the details we’ll be sure to update, not to mention digging for more details on the Rugby Smart and Fusion.

Device Specifications and Information

Device Info

Device Name : Galaxy Note

Manufactuer : Samsung

Carrier :

Announced Date : September 01, 2011

Release Date : TBA

Also Known As :

Display

• Screen Size : 5.30 Inch
• Resolution : 800x1280
• Screen Type : Super AMOLED

Dimension & Weight

• Height : 5.78 Inch
• Width : 3.27 Inch
• Depth : 0.38 Inch
• Weight : 178 Grams

Battery & Power

Battery Type:
• Lithium Ion

• Battery Capacity : 2500 mAh
• Talk Time : NA
• Stand By Time : 390 hours

Software

Android OS:
• 2.3.x

Audio Playback:
• AAC
• AMR
• MP3
• WAV
• WMA

Video Playback:
• h.263
• h.264 / AVC
• MPEG-4 (MP4)
• WMV

Messaging:
• SMS
• MMS

Hardware

CPU :

CPU Clock Speed : 1400 Mhz

Core : 2

Ram : 1024 MB

Internal Storage : 32.768 GB

Front Facing Camera :

Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G details confirm 720p HD display and 1.5 GHz dual-core

New documents have recently been spotted sharing more information about an upcoming top-tier smartphone for T-Mobile. At first thought this was a T-Mo Galaxy Nexus but after taking a closer look it appears this will most likely be the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G — basically a tweaked and improved Galaxy S II. More details after the break.


Some sneaky readers searching through documents showing UAProf files for Samsung phones noticed one for model SGH-T999 had recently been published. Like mention above the first thoughts were a Galaxy Nexus but with the recent announcement of the Blaze 4G that is most likely what we have here. Recently their Galaxy S II was named SGH-T989 — leading us to believe this is either the Galaxy Nexus for T-Mobile, or the Blaze 4G but most likely the latter of the two.
Original details on the Galaxy S Blaze 4G detailed a large AMOLED display but no size or resolution was given. The news also claimed a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor and 8 megapixel camera. The phone has a slight redesign over the SGSII and has a little swoop or hump on the top rather than the bottom. The UAProf files mention a 1280 x 720p HD display on board — which makes sense given most phones have sported something similar as of late.
We’ll keep digging for more information but for now it looks like T-Mo is about to get another awesome smartphone to add to the list that offers similar specs to the Nexus.

Contest: Win one of five Androidified TPU cases for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus

OK, OK. We couldn't wait any longer. We picked up five of these "Androidified" TPU Skin Cases from Cruzerlite -- and these are for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus -- just to give away to you fine, upstanding readers of Android Central. Not a fine, upstanding reader of Android Central? Well, you should be. Just saying.

Anyhoo. What you see here is your basic TPU skin case, meaning it feels like a cross between rubber and plastic and fits snugly around your phone. This one's got some nice ribbing along the edges, to help with grip, and there are cutouts for all of the buttons and ports, as well as the secondary microphone. (That's important.) It fits our GSM Galaxy Nexus just fine, as well as Verizon's LTE version.

And we're giving away five of them. In fact, we're giving away the five you see here. How to enter? Just hit the link below for all the deets. Good luck!

Enter to win an "Androidified" TPU skin case for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus!

Apple lawsuit is not targeting Galaxy Nexus unlock screen

The Korea Herald today is reporting that the unlocking mechanism on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is not the subject of a new legal complaint filed by Apple.

The Galaxy Nexus was first named as a target on Jan. 20 on Florian Mueller's FOSS Patents blog. But an unnamed Samsung official tells the Korea Herald that Google's first Android 4.0 device isn't on the list of supposedly infringing devices provided by Apple.

“We’re aware that there was a hearing involving Apple’s slide-to-unlock feature after our patent infringement case last Friday and a series of products in the Galaxy lineup were accused there, but what we’ve discovered is that the Galaxy Nexus wasn’t one of them,” the company official said.

The unlocking mechanism on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus -- what's in the unadultered Android 4.0 code, actually, and is not a feature specific to Samsung devices -- at the very least looks and feels different than the slide-to-unlock bar on iOS. In Ice Cream Sandwich, you have a ring that you pull to the left to launch the camera application, or right to unlock the phone. Apple's iOS has a button that you slide to unlock the device. (See our picture above if you've somehow never seen the iOS unlock screen before.)

Samsung has been the target of lawsuits from Apple for months now, with the Galaxy Tab 10.1 having been hit with a German injunction over its design (Samsung released a tweaked version recently to skirt the injunction) and is continuing to fight claims in the Netherlands. The process continues to slog on, and with Apple having just posted some ridiculous incredible earnings figures, we'd expect it to look to extend itself over any and all competition.

Sprint Epic 4G Touch EL29 update rolling out now

Sprint today is rolling out the EL29 update for the Epic 4G Touch (aka the Samsung Galaxy S II). This is the update we first told you about a week ago when the source code dropped. And today, the update has begun to push out to devices. Here's the official changelog:

• Security update
• Dismissing multiple calendar alerts
• Commercial Alert System (CMAS) activated

The Epic 4G Touch update -- officially to software version S:D710.0.5S.EL29, if you're into that sort of thing -- will be released in stages, Sprint says, with all devices scheduled to receive it within the next 10 days or so.

We're also expecting the Carrier IQ software to have been stripped from this update, and that may be included in the "Security update" bullet point. (But why not just come out and say it?) Sprint previously announced that it has quit using Carrier IQ for analytics data after a couple of months of user outrage, and we've already seen Sprint remove the softare from its HTC ROMs.

To get the update for your Epic 4G Touch, just look for the notification in the aptly named notification bar, then send things on their way. Or if you've told it to install later, head to menu>settings>about phone>system updates>update Android to get things going.

AT&T Galaxy Note rumored to launch Feb. 18, along with two unannounced devices

Looks like AT&T is wasting no time bringing its version of the Samsung Galaxy Note to market. If the latest rumors from BGR are to be believed, the carrier plans to launch Samsung's 5.3-inch phone/tablet hybrid on Feb. 18 for $299.99 on-contract.
The blog also reports that two new, unannounced devices will be making their debut the very same day -- the Samsung Rugby Smart and the AT&T Fusion. The Rugby Smart is reportedly a $99 entry-level HSPA+ phone, while the AT&T Fusion, for which no specs are offered, will apparently sell for $124.99.
All unconfirmed at this stage, of course, but we don't think anyone would be surprised to see the AT&T Galaxy Note arriving in mid-to-late February with a hefty price tag. As for the other two devices, we'll just have to wait and see what materializes over the next month.
For more on the AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note, take a look over our hands-on coverage from CES, and our full review of the international version.

Prime WiFi, Galaxy S III rumors

It's Wednesday and we're starting to see more and more rumors pop up about what will be happening at Mobile World Congress. Rumors are just that -- rumors. But if you happened to find CES 2012 lacking you'll want to keep up-to-date on all the MWC stuff. Make sure you check the posts from earlier today and drop by the forums for more Android discussion.

• Rumored Device Forums - Samsung Galaxy S III
• HTC Thunderbolt Forums - Sync w/Outlook via Companionlink/Deja Office
• Galaxy Nexus Forums - How do I listen to music over USB to car stereo?
• AT&T Galaxy Note Forums - Rumored Launch - Feb 18, who's buying?
• Transformer Prime Forums - WiFi... good or bad?

Galaxy S III now rumored to be a no-show at MWC

But would that really a bad thing?

Samsung, it is now rumored, will not be showing the Galaxy S III at Mobile World Congress. That's according to unconfirmed rumors from The Verge and Germany's Best Boyz. Of course, the Galaxy S III has yet to actually be announced or anything, nor has Samsung sent invites for any press event in Barcelona. But, yeah. It's entirely possible we won't see it there. Bummer, to be sure.
But here's the thing: We -- and most everybody else out there -- have been largely been assuming we'll see Samsung Next Big Thing™ in Spain. Perfectly reasonable assumption by all, since the Galaxy S II was announced there last year. But it's still an assumption, and it's still ignoring one thing.
Anybody remember when and where the Samsung Galaxy S was launched? That's right, boys and girls. The original Galaxy S was born in March 2010 at CTIA in Las Vegas, not at Mobile World Congress a month sooner. (We got Super AMOLED screens at MWC in 2010.) The Galaxy S still was released outside the United States first, and we got ours at an event in New York City that brought the four major U.S. carriers together. (Note we've not seen an event like that since; though last year's Galaxy S II event did manage appearances by AT&T and Sprint, and a half-assing from T-Mobile.)
Anyhoo. We're still a month out from MWC. Anything can happen. (Hell, we saw a complete redesign of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in a month.) And it's not like there won't be ample opportunities for the GSIII (or whatever's next) to be announced after that. We've got CTIA in May. Google IO in June. CTIA again in October. Countless events in between. And if indeed it's true that the Galaxy S III is being pushed back to eliminate lag time between release, let's all ask ourselves this:
Are we really going to complain about an unofficial phone's unannounced announcement possibly being pushed closer to the date that it'll actually be available for purchase? It's a mad, mad world.

Sprint EL29 Update For Samsung Epic Touch 4G Phone Rolling Out

Sprint is officially rolling out the EL29 update for the Epic 4G Touch smartphone. Shouldn’t be too surprising considering we saw the source kernel became available last week and we expected the subsequent update to drop at any given moment. In case you’re interested, here’s the changelog for the update:

• Security update
• Dismissing multiple calendar alerts
• Commercial Alert System (CMAS) activated

Notice the security update enhancement? This must mean that Sprint is chugging along in its quest to remove Carrier IQ from its devices. The EL29 update will bring your software build to version S:D710.0.5S.EL29 and will be released in stages. Moreover, Sprint highlights all devices should get it it within the next 10 days. If you’re an Epic 4G Touch owner, keep a lookout for the update notification to indicate your phone is ready to receive the update. Of course if you are the impatient type and want to do a manual update, just go to the menu –> settings –> about phone –> system updates –> update to get your phone updated

Samsung shows us the inner workings of the Galaxy Note

As we wait patiently for the Samsung Galaxy Note to get released here in the U.S., we can get a glance of the inner components thanks to Samsung. Usually we have to wait for another site or someone with some extra cash to burn to rip devices open, but Samsung made it easy, and hopefully saved someone a few bucks. They do a great job labeling everything including the S-Pen, digitizer, and main board. Hit the source link for all the goodies, and don’t forget to checkout our hands on at CES.

Mobile World Congress could come and go without a Samsung Galaxy S III announcement

The Verge and BestBoyZ are reporting that Samsung might not unveil the Galaxy S III during next month’s Mobile World Congress. That would be a shocker since everyone is expecting it since we’ve already heard the rumored specs and seen mock ups. The timing seems right because last year they launched it during the same event, and the assumption is they will come out with a new edition each year. So why the change? It could be the fact that the U.S. takes so long to release the devices. Last year, the Galaxy S II was out for nearly six months before anyone could buy one in the U.S. Yes, there will be a Galaxy S III, we just might not see it next month.
So the question is what will we see? I’m sure there will be a newer version of the Galaxy Tab 10.1, and we just might see the next version of the Galaxy Note. One thing for sure is that we will let you know as soon as we hear more