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Feb

Rogers Galaxy S II LTE Receiving Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean Update

Posted by David Ruddock in Device Updates, Galaxy S II, Galaxy S II LTE HD, Jelly Bean 4.1

The Rogers version of the Galaxy S II LTE is finally receiving its update to Android 4.1.2, aka Jelly Bean, and the firmware upgrade is currently available through Kies (Rogers' own site does not yet show the update as available).

You can also download the update from Samsung Updates, software version I727RUXUMA7. Android 4.1 includes new features like Google Now, enhanced rich notifications, and some of Samsung's newer proprietary additions like Smart Stay. Rogers had originally promised the update in January, but yesterday announced that it had pushed the update to a February release.

via Samsung Updates

Feb

Samsung Begins Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean Rollout For Original Galaxy Note (GT-N7000) In Germany

Posted by David Ruddock in Device Updates, Galaxy Note (GT-N7000), Jelly Bean 4.1, News, Samsung

According to SamMobile, Samsung has begun the promised rollout of Android 4.1 to the original Galaxy Note, originally teased back in December.

The update brings much of the software functionality of the Note II, including multi-window mode, pop up video, and of course the many changes associated with Android 4.1 at large. The new software build number is JZO54K.

Commenters over at SamMobile are indicating the rollout has begun in Germany, which is quite typical of Samsung's OTA distribution practices. A sort of "test" rollout often begins in a specific region before spreading across the world, and Germany has been one of Samsung's most-favored locales.

Feb

GALAXY Note II Product Image_Key Visual (1)

[Deal Alert] Sprint's Galaxy Note II Only $70 For New Customers From Amazon Wireless

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Galaxy Note II, News, Sprint

Hey... you. Yeah, you. The one who always talks about how much you want a Galaxy Note II, but can't justify spending many, many dollars on it. It's time to put away your gadget lust and take the plunge. It's time to buy yourself a new phone already.

Here's the skinny: you want the Note II, and now you can have it for $70. Of course, there's a catch: you have sign a new two-year agreement with Sprint. You see, Amazon Wireless knows your quandary, and The Now Network wants your business. It's like a match made in mobile heaven, and the blessings come to you.

Feb

Samsung Posts Jelly Bean Kernel Source For The Galaxy S II GT-i9100 And GT-i9100M BMC

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Bell, Development, Galaxy S II, News

Samsung recently starting updating its aging-but-not-dead flagship phone from yesteryear (OK, technically it was the year before that, but yesteryesteryear isn't a thing) to Jelly Bean. And when Samsung updates things, you know what that means, right? Source code. Because a new version of Android brings with it a new kernel. And Android modders want new source to go along with that new kernel. So Samsung delivered, as always.

This go around, it's uploaded the kernel source for the Galaxy S II i9100, as well as Bell Canada's variant, the i9100M BMC. So, if you maintain a ROM, want to tweak some code, or some other third thing – you can hit the appropriate link below to grab the download.

Feb

AT&T Galaxy Note II Receiving Minor OTA Update To Version MA4, Likely Fixes Exynos Exploit

Posted by David Ruddock in AT&T, Device Updates, Galaxy Note II, News

AT&T's version of the Galaxy Note II is receiving a minor software update this afternoon, presumably patching the Exynos chipset exploit discovered back in December.

The new software version is I317UCAMA4, and the update is 8.45MB in size. AT&T refers to the changes as a "chipset security enhancement," so it's pretty clear that the Exynos exploit fix is probably the major feature of this patch. We've not noticed any other changes as part of the update, and the Android version remains at 4.1.2. It's rolling out to devices now, so be on the lookout.

AT&T

Feb

[New App] Market Helper Lets You Download Incompatible Apps Without Changing The Build.prop (Root Only)

Posted by Ryan Whitwam in Applications, Apps/Games, Galaxy S III, Kindle Fire HD, News, Nexus 7

One of the more annoying things about the Android app ecosystem is that there are loads of apps and games that are needlessly restricted to one device or another. If you care to get down and dirty, you can edit the build.prop file on rooted devices to make your device appear to be something other than what it is. Market Helper gets you the same results, but it doesn't touch the build-prop and it's easy to revert to your original profile. For obvious reasons, this app is not in Google Play. It is, however, just a sideload away.

Market Helper is a very new app, and it only has a handful of profiles.

Feb

Google Posts Factory Android 4.2.2 (JDQ39) Images For Nexus 4, 7, 10, And Galaxy Nexus (Yakju / Takju)

Posted by David Ruddock in Galaxy Nexus, Jelly Bean 4.2, News, Nexus 10, Nexus 4, Nexus 7

With the Android 4.2.2 update finally rolling out for most Nexus devices (minus Sprint / VZW GNex), Google has posted factory images of each on the Nexus Factory Image page. These images are useful for flashing your Nexus device back to stock, whether to get an OTA update, or fix that brick you just caused.

These images are for the Nexus 4, Nexus 7 (Wi-Fi and 3G), Nexus 10, and Galaxy Nexus (Yakju / Takju variants). If you want to see what's new in Android 4.2.2, check out our post detailing some of the changes. For a deeper dive, take a look at the developer changelog.

Feb

Here's The Android 4.2.2 JDQ39 Update For The Yakju GSM Galaxy Nexus [Manual Installation Instructions]

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in Galaxy Nexus, Google, Jelly Bean 4.2, News

A few days ago, Google pushed out the Android 4.2.2 (build JDQ39) update to the takju variants of the Galaxy Nexus. Takju Nexuses are the devices sold in the Google Play Store, whereas yakju ones can be found in other retail channels. Good news for those waiting on the latter - though a day after its sibling, we finally have the yakju OTA file that can be applied manually on any stock device, including unrooted ones with stock recovery.

If you're not sure whether you have a takju or yakju variant, download Nexus Update Checker from the Play Store and see what it says.

Feb

Sprint Pushing Minor OTA Updates To Galaxy S III And Note II

Posted by David Ruddock in Galaxy Note II, Galaxy S III, Samsung

Sprint is sending it out a couple of minor over-the-air updates to its Galaxy S III and Note II handsets this morning, and here are the changelogs.

Galaxy S III

L710VPMA6
2/13/2013

- Voicemail application update

- SMS 3-digit support

- Calendar sync issues

Galaxy Note II

L900VPAMA7
2/13/2013

-Security updates

If you're the owner of either device, these updates should be making their way to you in the next week or so. Head over to the Sprint Community posts for more information on how to obtain the new software.

Sprint Community (Note II, Galaxy S III)

Feb

[Developer Changelog] Here's What's New In Android 4.2.2 (JDQ39)

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in Android OS, Development, Galaxy Nexus, Jelly Bean 4.2, News, Nexus 10, Nexus 4, Nexus 7

Following yesterday's Android 4.2.2 OTAs to various Nexus devices, Google today followed up with the push of all 4.2.2 open source code changes to AOSP. There is a lot here to parse through this time around compared to the minor 4.2.1_r1.2 commit from 10 days ago.

We've already identified some obvious user-facing changes, which we'll post about separately soon to keep it clean and organized. The purpose of this post is, as before, to find the low-level changes that may not be obvious. So move the beard out of the way and dig in.

Update: Ron detailed some new things here: New Android 4.2.2 Features: Toggle From Quick Settings, Better App Download Notifications, and Some New Sounds!