Samsung Galaxy S II Android 4.0 update from March 1 tips insider

Samsung’s Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade for the Galaxy S II will reportedly drop from March 1st, according to inside intel from the firm, with the Galaxy Note Android 4.0 update due shortly after. Both OTA and manual updates will be possible, notorious insider Eldar Murtazin claims, though not everyone will get Ice Cream Sandwich on the very first day.


In fact, the roll-out will be dependent on which carrier you’re with, and which country you live in. The Galaxy Note upgrade could drop anytime between March and May, Murtazin warns, while other Samsung models are also in line for an Android 4.0 refresh within that same period.
Meanwhile, Samsung is believed to be readying what could be the company’s first native Ice Cream Sandwich device, the Galaxy S III. Originally the new flagship was expected at MWC 2012 later this month, but Samsung recently warned that it would miss the show and instead debut at a standalone event sometime before the end of June.
Whenever the Galaxy S II and Galaxy Note get ICS, the expectation is that it will come with the company’s own TouchWiz modifications rather than pure Android 4.0 as on the Galaxy Nexus. We’re waiting to hear back from Samsung as to whether these timescales are accurate, and will update when we know more.

Official Galaxy S II ICS upgrade could come March 1st

Yes, yes, we’re all wrapped up in speculation on when and in what fashion the Samsung Galaxy S III will arrive. It’s all we talk about around the Android Community watercooler. But for the millions of Android enthusiasts who own the current generation, the software update to Ice Cream Sandwich is infinitely more relevant. Beta versions have been leaking out of Samsung for weeks, but now there’s some hope that an official Galaxy S II update will be coming soon. Eldar Murtazin, editor of Russian tech site mobile-review, posted on Twitter that the update would begin rolling out on March 1st.

Now hold your horses, Galaxy S II owners: this one falls squarely into the “rumors” category. Mr. Murtazin has a pretty good record as far as leaks go, but he’s also been known to be taken in – for example, he’s the one that posted that incredibly obvious fake Samsung phone last week. That being said, his tweet implies that updates for the international Galaxy S II model will begin on March 1st in some (not all) countries, with an over-the-air or Kies update option. Murtazin did not offer sources.
An ICS update sooner rather than later is plausible: the latest Samsung ICS beta to leak was deemed ready for daily use by most Android modders, and the company has been working on it for months. An March 1st update would also give Samsung some good news to announce at Mobile World Congress, where they’ve already stated that they won’t be having a press conference or any major hardware debuts. Keep in mind that an update to the international version would not apply to most American users: here in the US, we have to wait for Samsung to incorporate the changes demanded by each mobile carrier and for them to approve the over-the-air update.

AT&T doubles upgrade fee to $36 Sunday, just before Galaxy Note release

Just a quick heads up for anyone looking to upgrade this week or in the coming weeks to a new device on AT&T like the Samsung Galaxy Note. Starting this Sunday the 12th AT&T will be doubling the handset upgrade fee from $18 dollars to $36. This wont effect customers on a daily basis, but is double what users have paid all year thus far.


Looking over some information and paperwork provided to BGR earlier today AT&T explains their reasoning behind the changes and this basically confirms any doubts. While the change isn’t major it is a big deal and will surely make a few customers upset. I could see a decent bump or an increase to $24 or so, but double seems a bit steep. Here’s the official word:

”Because the overall costs associated with upgrading to a new device have increased, effective Sunday, February 12, 2012, AT&T will change its upgrade fee from $18 to $36.”

According to AT&T the overall costs of upgrading a device with things like LTE and other reasons, they felt this was a good time to start the changes. After the initial reports an AT&T spokeswoman was quick to comment saying that this isn’t anything new, and other carriers charge similar fees. She also points out that AT&T hasn’t changed it in well over 10 years. To them the change is warranted.

Wireless devices today are more sophisticated than ever before. And because of that, the costs associated with upgrading to a new device have increased and is reflected in our new upgrade fee. This fee isn’t unique to AT&T and this is the first time we’re changing it in nearly 10 years.”

So what are your thoughts? Is this a deal breaker for some, or just something we’ll have to live with. If they’ve really not changed this in 10 years I’d say we were lucky to get this far given the changes to 3G, 4G LTE and smartphones over the past few years. These changes come just before a big release of the Galaxy Note for AT&T. Will you still be upgrading?

Galaxy Tab 10.1N cleared for sale by German court

I hope the Execs at Samsung and Apple have a nice discount for hotel bookings in Germany as the 2 tech giants are in the docks overseas yet again.
The case for the prosecution on this occasion is Apple’s claim that the reworked Galaxy 10.1N tablet is still not significantly different from the iPad. The original 10.1 tab has been banned from sale in Germany since September 2011 after the courts backed Apple’s campaign to ban the device. In the latest chapter, the state court in Düsseldorf has ruled in Samsung’s favour stating that the redesigned 10.1N should not be banned as there are “clear differences” between the two tablets.
Apple and Samsung are currently locked in courtroom battles in several countries across the world and the recent string of rulings against Apple doesn’t seem to be deterring the Cupertino giants. Are you tired of reading about litigation instead of innovation? Let us hear your thoughts.

White Galaxy Nexus Shipping Now

Negri Electronics is currently shipping the white Galaxy Nexus for $659.50. This is the unlocked, 16GB, white, international version (i9250), which can be used on AT&T’s and T-Mobile’s HSPA+ networks. If you don’t care if it’s white, you can save a few bucks by getting the titanium version at Amazon for only $629.99. Still no word from AT&T or T-Mobile on an official Galaxy Nexus for each respective carrier, though Sprint already announced they would be carrying it this year (I, for one, can’t wait for that since I am on the Now Network).

Also up for grabs from Negri Electronics is the Canadian version of the titanium Galaxy Nexus, for a slightly more palatable $595.50.

Anyone going to pick one of these up?

Samsung Galaxy S II to get Ice Cream Sandwich on March 1, Galaxy Note and others soon thereafter?

Eldar Murtazin is at it again. He’s the one who gave us that leaked press shot of a new Samsung device recently. Now he’s saying that Ice Cream Sandwich will be available for the Samsung Galaxy S II on March 1. If this is true, I would only expect to see it on the International version as I highly doubt the U.S. carriers will see ICS until at least May or June, but I hope I’m wrong. Eldar also tweeted shortly after that the Note and other models will see ICS in the March to May time frame, which really isn’t news.
If ICS is ready on March 1 for the Galaxy S II, this would really be big since it’s only a couple of weeks away. Of course, when it comes to software updates such as these, nothing is true until it’s actually released and on your device.

LG Optimus Vu and Samsung Galaxy Note Posing Together

We reported earlier about LG teasing the Optimus Vu, a 5″ beast probably being unveiled at MWC next month. One of this phablet’s  selling points apparently is its screen’s 4:3 aspect ratio at a 1024 x 768 resolution. The idea is that the device is wider in portrait mode than a more common 16:9 widescreen device, making it better for reading books or viewing pictures in portrait orientation.
Here’s a shot of the LG Optimus Vu next to the Samsung Galaxy Note, a 5.3″ widescreen phone, which looks quite slim next to the Vu’s chunky profile.

The phablet space (ok, I know “phablet” is weird…let’s say tabletphone) is still being defined, and who’s to say what aspect ratio will dominate? Personally, I think this looks too wide to be comfortable to use one-handed, whereas the Galaxy Note looks much easier to grasp.

What do you think? Does the future of phones look like the past of TV’s?

Android 4.0.2 rolling out to Bell’s Galaxy Nexus

Is there a sweeter notification than the pop up telling you there’s a software update waiting for you? Well it’s time to wake up Canada and check your Galaxy Nexus as they’re about to join the 4.0.2 party!
This latest update is certainly great news for our Canadian friends however, it doesn’t help unravel the mystery of the various ICS variations currently doing the rounds.  It was only last week that we brought you news of 4.0.4 and 4.0.5 updates surfacing as well.
So how about it Bell customers, was your Galaxy Nexus update waiting for you this morning? If not, perhaps it’s time to start spamming the ‘check now’ button!

Apple Targets The Galaxy Nexus, Requests Preliminary Injunction

Well, Apple is at it again! This time, the fruit giant has its sights set on the Galaxy Nexus. On Thursday, the public redacted version was made with the United States District Court for the Northern District of California and became available on Friday. Apple’s motion against the Galaxy Nexus relates to four patents:

1. The “data tapping” patent of which the ITC ordered an import ban against HTC
2. A patent related to Siri and unified search
3. A new slide-to-unlock patent
4. A word completion patent that provides major speed enhancements to text input

It’s said to be that number 1 is of the most danger to Samsung, based on precedent in the HTC case as well as the fact that Android actually infringes on this at the operating system level (opposed to implemented by OEMs like Sense and TouchWiz). Although some of these new filings will actually hold a strong case against Samsung and Google, hit the break for my spin on the Apple patent circus.

However although people will immediately call blasphemy at Samsung and Google for so willingly stepping on the toes of Apple, I find that many of the patents filed by Apple tend to be so precise and meticulous that I’m surprised they haven’t patented the way you hold it.
See, the way I see it is simply Design vs Function. Keep in mind that there are exceptions to every rule, and this is only my opinion. I must say though, if Samsung were to create a phone with similar dimensions, colour scheme, and with one circular home button just like the iPhone, Samsung (and any other company) would be knee deep, up a creek without a paddle. However to patent things like tablet-styled phones with a touch screen, or the way that you unlock them (unless a really innovative marvel of ingenuity) is simply ludicrous. It stands in the way of  choice for the user!
When it comes to touch technology — especially smartphones — and the way that you interact with them, there is a certain inevitable way that the user can comfortably hold and use the device. You certainly couldn’t comfortably hold (and therefore wouldn’t even think of buying) a circular smartphone or tablet device. Neither would it be too appealing if it were completely square. So my question is then, what was Apple thinking when they thought they could deem certain Samsung devices “too similar to the iPhone”?
Another scary hiccup in Apple’s logic is the patenting of slide-to-unlock technology. Alright, alright, you got to it first. Cool. I’m real happy for you. However when you think of unlocking a phone, the most natural and organic way to do so is to? Interact with the screen. Slide, move, draw, tap. The Apple patent (#3 on the list) that this deals with is one of the patents this article began with. It’s described in the patent filing as “unlock a device by performing gestures on an unlock image” which is basically monopolizing any form of using any image on any device as a means to unlock it. In the wording of the patent filing, this would even cover the existing Android unlock scheme that I personally love the most – drawing a personalized pattern. How can Apple possibly get away with such a generic patent? It’s honestly almost like patenting the way you put toast in a toaster. It forces companies to unnecessarily research and develop an entire new way to unlock a touchscreen device. I don’t think it should be legal to patent what may be the only way to properly and effectively secure your touchscreen device (I certainly wouldnt want to unlock my device by pressing volume down repeatedly or some odd way like that).
So, at the end of all this, I suppose it wouldn’t be too irrational to allow Apple to patent chiclet keyboards (my Samsung laptop that I’m using to type this would be infringing). Heck, let them patent keyboards themselves! If not, at least give them keyboard volume controls. When I put it this way, it sounds silly, right? I’m obviously all for the protection of intellectual property. When it involves patenting for control of industry though, I hardly deem that intellectual.

Galaxy Nexus Desktop Better Than Motorola Webtop?

Motorola has long been pushing their Webtop-enabled phones, allowing folks to use their phones as a pseudo-desktop or laptop, complete with keyboard, trackpad, and monitor. YouTube user Christian Qantrell decided to see if he could replicate something similar using only his unrooted Galaxy Nexus, Apple keyboard and trackpad, and computer monitor.
His goal was to do this using only standard equipment with no hacking. Connecting his phone to the monitor using an MHL adapter, and using his Bluetooth connected keyboard and trackpad, he manages a surprisingly smooth experience. Having a large trackpad helps replicate finger swipes and gestures, allowing for a more natural feel. Other surprise features that just work are Alt-Tab bringing up Android’s native task switcher, and the Esc key acting as a back button. Check out his video after the break.

The Galaxy Nexus continues running smoothly, even while mirroring its 720p display on the monitor and phone. The browser displaying mobile sites by default is not quite as optimal, but that can easily be worked around by downloading alternate browsers or requesting the full site from the stock browser.
It’s great to see all these standards working together so well. Bluetooth and MHL coupled with the right peripheral hardware is a powerful combination for superphones like the Galaxy Nexus. This also makes me think it would not be difficult for a 3rd party manufacturer to create more generic “lapdocks” like Motorola’s that work with any modern Android smartphone.

Galaxy Mini 2 appears, offers modest improvements at low-end

As well as expanding its mid-range portfolio with the Galaxy S Advance, it looks like Samsung is preparing a refresh of its entry-level hardware. A couple of promotional shots for a device dubbed the "Galaxy Mini 2" have leaked out online, showing some modest improvements on the basic hardware of last year's Galaxy Mini.
The most significant change is the upping of the screen's resolution -- from QVGA to HVGA. This was one of our biggest complaints about that device, so we're hoping the extra pixel density will result in a little less eye strain when using the Mini 2. For what it's worth, the LCD itself is a little larger, at 3.3 inches compared to 3.2 on the original.
As we said, spec bumps elsewhere are pretty minor -- the CPU gets a boost from 600MHz to 800MHz, while internal storage is increased to a total of 3GB. HSDPA speeds remain at 7.2Mbps, though unfortunately there's no mention of HSUPA support. And on the software side of you've got Android 2.3 Gingerbread, likely backed up by Samsung's TouchWiz UX.
Though the gap between super-high-end and entry-level phones is growing wider, the updated specs on the Galaxy Mini 2 should make it a a reasonable device for those on a budget. According to today's leak, the Galaxy Mini 2 will start shipping internationally later this month.

ShopAndroid Daily Giveaway #05: Galaxy Nexus Commuter Case, EVO 4G Ballistic Case & more!

Happy Friday, folks! Let's wrap up this week with one more ShopAndroid Giveaway featuring the OtterBox Commuter Series Case for Galaxy Nexus, Ballistic SG Series Case for HTC EVO 4G, Seidio ACTIVE Holster for Samsung Skyrocket, and the AT&T Galaxy S II Seidio SURFACE Case.
Leave a comment letting us know which of these featured accessories you'd like to get your hands on, and we'll announce a winner on Monday's Giveaway post.

OtterBox Commuter Series Case for Samsung/Verizon Galaxy Nexus

Safeguarding the screen from scratches and the corners from bumps and shocks, the OtterBox Commuter Case offers a unique design with reliable strength for your Galaxy Nexus.  The case features three layers of protection: A clear protective film, durable silicon mid-layer, and a one piece custom molded polycarbonate shell.  There is access to all ports and buttons of the Galaxy Nexus, and even silicon plugs to keep dust and debris from your ports.

Ballistic SG Series Case for HTC EVO 4G

The Ballistic SG Series Case is a great solution for protecting your HTC EVO 4G.  The case features a soft TPU skin, impact resistant polycarbonate shell, and even ballistic corners which have extra shock absorption. The Ballistic SG Case is comparable to OtterBox cases in terms of protection and style.

Seidio ACTIVE Holster for Samsung Skyrocket

The durable spring clip on the Seidio ACTIVE Holster holds your Samsung Skyrocket securely in place, and then lifts for quick access. Both the felt liner and the face-in design protect your Skyrocket's screen from scratches and exposure to outside elements.  The ACTIVE Holster can be worn in any one of seven different positions, ranging between horizontal and vertical.  Requires the use of the Seidio ACTIVE Case for a proper fit.

Seidio SURFACE Case for AT&T Galaxy S II

Looking for a low-profile, protective case for your AT&T Galaxy S II?  The Seidio SURFACE Case is a great option, featuring an amazingly thin layer of protection without adding the excessive bulk of other cases. At about 1mm thin, the SURFACE Case is designed from a hard, yet flexible material with a soft-touch coating to allow a better grip on your Galaxy S II.  The screen is left exposed for full functionality, and there are cutouts for all ports and controls.

'Berry pink' Galaxy Note reportedly coming by early March

Want to feel even more awkward and self-conscious making calls on your Galaxy Note in public? Why not pick up the upcoming "berry pink" version of Samsung's 5.3-inch monster. It's reportedly launching internationally during the ninth week of the year -- that's last week of February (or "crazy week" as we like to call it around here).

The leaked promotional shot, obtained by GSMArena, reminds us of the pink Galaxy S II. Like that device, the pink Galaxy Note comes with a pink back cover, a pink bezel, and presumably a pink S Pen to boot. And we're talking bright pink. Discrete this thing most certainly is not.

In any case, it's worth remembering that this pink version is based on the GT-N7000 -- the international Galaxy Note, which has different internals to the North American LTE version. Somehow we don't see this color arriving stateside any time soon, but if you're up for importing it, then the girliest phone ever should set you back around $790.

LG Optimus Vu picture surfaces, holds hands with Galaxy Note

The LG Optimus Vu has appeared in a picture next to the Samsung Galaxy Note, giving us all a great side by side look at the next phablet to hit the pipeline.  As we can see from the picture, the Vu's overall size is pretty close to the Note, meaning both are big, bold, and in your face.  The 5.3-inch Note is slightly taller than the Vu, but the latter's 4:3 aspect ratio makes it the wider of the two.  The unofficial specs are said to be a 1024x768 display, a dual-core Qualcomm WPQ8060 processor running at 1.5GHz, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of ROM, and an 8-megapixel camera.

We still don't know much more about this one, but now that it's showing off for the camera we expect we will see it at Mobile World Congress in a week or so.  The real question remains -- is the world ready for a phone this big, or are we entering the tablet space once we go past ginormous on the size chart?

Bell Samsung Galaxy Nexus receiving Android 4.0.2 OTA update

The interesting saga of Samsung Galaxy Nexus OTA's has now spread to Canada. Users of Bell Mobility in the Great White North are now reporting Android 4.0.2 is now setting off update notifications on their devices. This version is still a bit behind as some have since moved on to Android 4.0.3 but if nothing else it's interesting how the updates have been rolling out. If you're on Bell and have a Samsung Galaxy Nexus go ahead and check for updates

Late-night poll: How big is too big?

4-inches, 4.65-inches, 5.3-inches, when will it all end?  When we decide they are too big and stop buying them, that's when.  When the HTC EVO 4G came out at 4.3-inches, people wanted more.  The Galaxy Nexus checked in at 4.65, people are wanting more.  Now we have the Galaxy Note at 5.3, and the rumored LG Optimus Vu at 5-inches but with a 4:3 aspect ratio.  Those are big phones.  Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to the size of their phone, but there is a market sweet spot that will eventually be found.  We figured we could do some market research of our own and predict a little bit of the future, so let us know in the poll about how big your ideal phone would be.

Apple at it again, calling for injunction against the Galaxy Nexus

Apple has once again called Samsung into court. This time it's about the Galaxy Nexus and four patents that Apple says it infringes. The patents in question are:

• U.S. Patent No. 5,946,647: a patent for data being used as a hyperlink
• U.S. Patent No. 8,086,604: a unified search patent
• U.S. Patent No. 8,046,721: a slide-to-unlock patent
• U.S. Patent No. 8,074,172: a word completion patent 

Apple is requesting that the Samsung Galaxy Nexus be blocked from sale in the United States because it violates these patents.  Should the court find in favor of Apple, a ban against the Galaxy Nexus would be put in effect until the final court decision.  

Could it happen? Certainly. But if it does, it won't go into effect any time soon, it would only affect stores inside the U.S. selling these products, and no jack-booted thugs from Cupertino will come pry your Nexus from your hands. We can't be sure how the courts will act, but all of these are pretty shaky patents, and once again Apple is not going after Google directly -- even though the Galaxy Nexus has a pure vanilla version of Android.  The only certainty here is that the patent system is broken and only serves the company willing to spend the most in the courts.

It's time for Google to step in and put a stop to this bullshit. The first patent in question is the same one that was upheld against HTC in a move that shocked the tech community at large, essentially giving Apple the rights to the hyperlink -- something invented over 20 years ago by numerous companies that aren't Apple.

The other three are just as laughable, or would be if not for the fact that Apple was allowed to secure the patents at all. Every single one of them has existed as prior art long before Apple became relevant, yet a patent was granted each and every time. This is the core of the problem. You can't blame Apple for trying, it's cheaper to litigate away your competition than it is to out-innovate them.  And make no mistake -- that's exactly what's going on here.  Apple wants Android to go away, and a look at any chart that shows market share will tell you why.  It's a shitty way to get ahead, but it's too easy not to try. It's going to take a tech giant to change the way this all works, and we know nobody can count on Apple or Microsoft to do it, because this is their system, created the way they like it, and making them rich. If Apple is afraid to go after Google, Google needs to go after Apple instead of sitting on their laurels waiting to ride in and save the day at the last minute.

Now blast away in the comments, telling me how subsection F of title code XXIVI (or some other ridiculous lawyer speak) makes my points invalid. In reality, they make it even more valid -- spending money on lawyers, and twisting common sense into something that kills your competition works with the current patent system. That makes us sad.