Gingerbread 2.3 - 2/19 - Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets

Apr

Verizon Xperia Play Updated To Version 4.0.2.E.0.57; It's Not Ice Cream Sandwich

Posted by Ron Amadeo in Gingerbread 2.3, Sony Ericsson, Xperia Play (Zeus, PlayStation Phone)

I know, I know. 4.0.2 sounds a lot like Android 4.0, but it isn't. It's actually Gingerbread 2.3.4, and Verizon Xperia Play owners who wish to rock out like it's May 2011 need only mash the update button.

The good news (in addition to the version bump) is that this update will let you take pictures with the right trigger (how did they not think of that earlier?), enable 720p video with continuous autofocus, and fix those crazy bugs like charging forcing landscape mode. You also get to take screenshots with the power button. The bad news is that it will install Verizon Video on Demand and Verizon Navigator.

Apr

The Big Android Chart™: A Definitive History of Android Version Adoption

Posted by Ron Amadeo in Android OS, Cupcake 1.5, Donut 1.6, Eclair 2.1, Froyo 2.2, Gingerbread 2.3, Honeycomb 3.0/3.1/3.2, Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0, News

Last Updated: April 30th, 2012

Pop quiz: How long does it take for a new version of Android to be widely adopted? A new version of Android comes out, AOSP updates, OEMs adapt it to a myriad of devices, and carriers test the updates. That process. How long does it take?

It's a tough question to answer, mostly because Google doesn't provide data like that. The official site shows a 6 month version history, and that's it. Anyone looking for a decent amount of data is out of luck. There’s no way to view the long journey older Android versions have taken, and no way to see the bigger picture of how the update process eventually works out.

Feb

Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G Set For March Availability From T-Mobile

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Galaxy S Blaze 4G, Gingerbread 2.3, News, T-Mobile

T-Mobile and Samsung announced just moments ago that the Galaxy S Blaze 4G that was unveiled at CES earlier this year will be available beginning in "late March," priced at $149.99 (after $50 mail-in rebate card) for two-year agreements with qualifying voice/data plans. The S Blaze 4G will be a T-Mobile exclusive device, and will evidently include T-Mo's 4GPro App Pack, meaning the phone will come with apps like Dropbox, Evernote, Square, TripIt, Camscanner, and LinkedIn preloaded.

Besides coming with a few practical items of software, the S Blaze 4G packs some decent specs for a phone in its range (though there's no word on the phone's RAM or internal storage capacity):

Android 2.3 Gingerbread
Qualcomm Snapdragon S3 Dual-Core Processor clocked at 1.5GHz
3.97" Super AMOLED display
5MP rear shooter with 720p video capabilities
1.3MP front-facing camera
Expandable storage via microSD slot

While there's no word on exactly when the S Blaze 4G will be available, we'll be here to track any relevant details as they emerge.

Feb

[Update: Link Now Works] Samsung Infuse 4G Gingerbread Update Released, But Someone Forgot To Tell Samsung That

Posted by David Ruddock in AT&T, Gingerbread 2.3, Infuse 4G, News, Samsung

Update: The link to the update is now working. Get on it!

Infuse 4G owners have been chomping at the bit for some Gingerbread love since the device's release in the middle of last year, and it seemed this morning they were finally going to get it. A moderator at the AT&T forums posted up the typical changelog marketing spiel, chocked full of customer benefits and exciting new fonts like 'Choco Cooky' and 'Cool Jazz' (I am not kidding).

Unfortunately, it seems AT&T neglected to inform Samsung that it was update go-time - the link to said update 404s. Whoops. Of course, if you have Samsung Kies installed, you should be able to check for updates using that.

Jan

AT&T's Samsung Captivate (Finally) Gets Updated To Gingerbread

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Captivate, Gingerbread 2.3, News

More than a year after Android 2.3 Gingerbread made its debut, the Samsung Captivate (AT&T's Galaxy S clone) is finally getting its share of the goodness.

Users will need to install the update manually, using Kies Mini. Luckily, Samsung has provided a helpful set of instructions here.

While the update may be a little overdue, it's definitely good news for stock users who want to be one step closer to the latest and greatest iteration of Android.

via Unwired View

Jan

[CES 2012] Lenovo's X1 Hybrid Laptop Crams Customized Gingerbread Next To Windows, Calls It "Instant Media Mode"

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Android OS, Gingerbread 2.3, Lenovo, News

Lenovo has just unveiled its new X1 Hybrid laptop, which runs Windows with a twist – namely, it can boot into "Instant Media Mode," which allows the laptop to run off of a Snapdragon processor, utilizing custom software based on the Android 2.3 kernel. Ostensibly, this mode is meant for users who want to get through a long flight, or simply zone out with a variety of media, with double the battery life they'd have running Windows.

Interestingly, Lenovo won't explicitly state that the hybrid is running Android, likely because, as Gizmodo astutely points out, it isn't running actual Android.

Jan

[CES 2012] Lenovo Unveils Android-Powered IdeaTab S2 10, S2 Smartphone, And "Personal Cloud"

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Android OS, Gingerbread 2.3, Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0, IdeaTab S2 10, K91 TV, Lenovo, News, S2

Lenovo, "the world's number two PC company," has just introduced a bevvy of new Android-powered devices, emphasizing their specs and compatibility with Lenovo's "Personal Cloud," which promises to make the company a "personal cloud solution." Liu Jun, Senior VP and President of Lenovo's Mobile Internet and Digital Home business group, explained the significance of the Personal Cloud:

Lenovo is breaking down the barriers of device differentiation and weaving together hardware, software, and cloud services that are connected, experiential, and dynamic. We understand our users need more than just the traditional keyboard and screen for a truly satisfying digital experience. Our Personal Cloud vision integrates all devices, from tablets to TVs, for a comprehensive mobile Internet experience anytime, anywhere.

Dec

[Update: Now With ICS Source] Gold For Android Developers: Add AOSP Source Code To Eclipse With The "Android Sources" Plugin

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in Android OS, Cupcake 1.5, Development, Donut 1.6, Eclair 2.1, Froyo 2.2, Gingerbread 2.3, Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0, Tips & Tutorials

As an Android developer, the first thing I do when I set up Eclipse with ADT on a new machine is hunt down the Android source for the API level I'm working on.

Earlier this month, I added a request for Android 4.0 source to be added to the plugin, and I'm pleased to report that the plugin maintainer just added it to the latest version.

Honeycomb sources are being worked on.

Note: If you already have the plugin installed, you'll need to re-install for this addition to show up.

Developers should understand what I'm talking about, but for the rest of you - this priceless little addition to our development process means whenever we want to see just what exactly Android is doing at a certain point in our programs, we can actually take a peek.

Dec

[Updated] T-Mobile Brings Battery And Wi-Fi Calling Enhancements To Samsung Galaxy S II Today, Dec 14 With Android 2.3.5 (KL1) Update

Posted by John Thompson in Galaxy S II, Gingerbread 2.3, News, T-Mobile

If you're currently using a Samsung Galaxy S II on T-Mobile's network, keep an eye out for a software update KL1 with Android 2.3.5 that will be heading your way starting today, December 14th.

The update brings caller ID, battery, and Wi-Fi calling enhancements and will arrive over-the-air, although you Kies Mini may also be used for installation (starting December 15th). T-Mobile says that it is being rolled out over the coming weeks, so you may have to be patient or wait for it to be available via Kies Mini.

Beginning December 14, a software update will be available for the Samsung Galaxy S II.

Dec

Gingerbread Now Running On 50% Of Android Devices, Just In Time For Ice Cream Sandwich

Posted by David Ruddock in Android OS, Cupcake 1.5, Donut 1.6, Eclair 2.1, Froyo 2.2, Gingerbread 2.3, Honeycomb 3.0/3.1/3.2, News

Last Updated: August 20th, 2012

Google has released the latest of its monthly Android version distribution charts, and for the first time Android 2.3 Gingerbread is present on over half of all Android devices. A milestone, to be sure.

We also get a look at the end success rate of Honeycomb (a tablet-only version of Android), which achieved a mere 2.5% piece of the Android pie since the first Honeycomb device release back in February. Android 1.5 and 1.6 (Cupcake and Donut) have continued their march toward extinction, commanding only 2.1% of the Android population total. Android 2.2 has remained relatively steady at 35%, but is clearly on the downtrend.