latest
TeamWin Recovery Project, better known as TWRP, is an invaluable tool for anyone looking to mod their device - from installing ROMs to simply making backups. The last time we covered TWRP, the project added support for the Razer Phone, Redmi 5, a handful of Galaxy Tab S2 models, and more. Over the past month, even more devices have been added to the official build roster, including Motorola's latest flagship.
The community behind LineageOS, the successor to the ill-fated CyanogenMod ROM, continues to impress. New devices are constantly being added to the build roster, and we're even seeing new software features crop up, like custom Quick Settings tiles. Now the project has started supporting nine additional devices.
Congratulations, owners of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini and LG G Pad 7.0 LTE on Verizon Wireless! You're getting new software updates today (or tomorrow, or next week, since these things tend to go out in batches). But don't pop the champagne just yet, because these updates are decidedly dull.
Carriers are slowly creeping toward the day when they will no longer need old-fashioned 3G voice calls. AT&T is doing its part by updating another device with VoLTE functionality. The Galaxy S4 Mini should be getting an update right now with VoLTE baked in.
Sprint has posted the change log for an over-the-air update with the Galaxy S4 Mini's name on it. The release will provide the smaller version of 2013's flagship Samsung handset with international Wi-Fi calling and a couple other niceties. It will bump devices up to version L600VPUBNJ1.
The Galaxy S4 Mini is not one of the more attention grabbing devices. It's the weaker, smaller variant of last year's flagship Samsung device, and it's only a small phone in the modern sense of the word. Regardless, Sammie is doing right by its customers and keeping the device up-to-date with a fresh version of KitKat. We've already seen version 4.4.2 hit handsets running on Verizon, Sprint, and US Cellular, so it's about time for AT&T customers to get the same experience.
All the talk about Android L this week overshadows the unfortunate fact that the previous release is still on less than 15% of Android devices. This weekend US Cellular is helping in a small way, releasing KitKat to two of its Samsung phones. The US Cellular versions of the Galaxy S4 Mini and the Galaxy Mega (6.3) are both being updated to KitKat, so those with the applicable hardware should keep an eye out for the over-the-air alert.
Once the CyanogenMod team found and implemented the hidden Heads Up notification mode, it was basically inevitable that all the other major custom ROMs would follow suit. The unicorn-powered Android Open Kang Project has done so with their first nightly based on Android 4.4.4. They've also thrown in the usual bug fixes, as well as settings for automatic Immersive mode, disabling the full-screen keyboard, lockscreen orientation, and a few other goodies.
A day after beginning its rollout of an over-the-air software update for the Galaxy S5 that brings Wi-Fi calling to the device, Sprint is pushing out updates to two other Galaxy devices. The S4 Mini and Mega are both due to receive Android 4.4.2 starting today. The Mini's version number is L520VPUBNE3, and the update comes on the same day as the Verizon variant's. Meanwhile, the Mega is getting treated to L600VPUANE4. The changelog is the same for both devices.
If you're rocking the Verizon version of Samsung's Galaxy S4 Mini, check your notification bar: you may have an over-the-air update waiting for you. According to this Verizon support document, the KitKat update is heading out for the Big Red model of the S4 Mini. KOT49H.I435VRUBND5 upgrades the phone to Android 4.4.2, throwing in Samsung's minor additions to TouchWiz as well. The update also has a smattering of adjusted apps and bug fixes.
Samsung announced a couple days ago that the gold Galaxy S5 will come to all major US carriers by May 30th, but the phone has already popped up on AT&T's site. There it goes for $199.99 with a two-year contract, various monthly payments with an AT&T Next plan, or $649.99 outright. The name, Copper Gold, sounds like a currency stuck somewhere between a penny and something of actual value*, but it describes the color well.
AT&T has announced that the Galaxy S4 Mini, yes - the phone that came out back in November, is coming to the carrier May 23rd with HD Voice. It will be the first device on the network with support for making VoLTE (voice over LTE) calls. The handset isn't available for pre-order, but the carrier does have it listed as "coming soon."
The Galaxy S4 Mini and Mega may typically take a backseat to the Galaxy S4, but today is their turn to bask in the limelight. Sprint is now rolling out OTA updates to both devices enabling Galaxy Gear support along with WiFi calling. The former is already available for the Galaxy S4, but the latter functionality is brand spanking new. This update is rolling out right on schedule.
T-Mobile has had WiFi calling for a number of years, but now Sprint is about to get into the game. Rumors began circulating early this year, and now we have the details on the launch, which is happening tomorrow. An OTA update (scheduled for 2/21 as well) for the Galaxy S4 Mini and Galaxy Mega will enable WiFi calling on those devices, but other phones will come later.
Samsung has been very cautious in rolling out its KitKat update thus far, with even most Galaxy S4 owners still waiting around on Jelly Bean. This doesn't even take into account all the millions of other Galaxy smartphones and tablets that often take a backseat to the company's flagship. Yet Samsung has now provided a list of all the devices it intends to bump up to Android 4.4.2 before it's all said and done.
The Galaxy S4 is nearly a year old now, but that doesn't mean Samsung's done releasing new variations of it. Today the company has officially announced a new "Black Edition" of the flagship that comes with the plastic, faux-stitched back panel that first appeared with the debut of the Note 3.The new S4 model is joined by a variation of the S4 mini that looks the same, just smaller.
Samsung has become that one friend you've got who suddenly decides he wears a fedora. No matter how many times you tell him that he looks less like a debonair time traveler than a guy who raided his grandfather's closet, he just won't take it off. Russian blog Hi-Tech Mail spotted the new Galaxy S4 'Black Edition' on Samsung's Russian page this morning, and a similar variant of the S4 Mini was later found. Both of them use the faux leather back from the Galaxy Note 3 and later Samsung designs.
[Update: Winners Selected] Sprint And Android Police Are Giving Away 12 Android Devices, Including The GS4, Note 3, And Moto X
[Update: Winners Selected] Sprint And Android Police Are Giving Away 12 Android Devices, Including The GS4, Note 3, And Moto X
We're into awesome giveaways here at Android Police, and it so happens that one such awesome giveaway opportunity just landed in our lap this week: a whole bunch o' Sprint phones and tablets. We're giving away 2 Sprint Galaxy S 4s, 2 Sprint Moto Xs, 2 Sprint Galaxy Note 3s, 2 Sprint Galaxy Tab 3 7" tablets, 2 Sprint Vitals, and 2 Sprint Galaxy S 4 Minis. That's a whole lot of Sprint Android goodies.
The list of devices that offer support for Samsung's first smartwatch is constantly growing, and today Verizon's Galaxy S 4 Mini gets to join that elite crew. The support docs just updated with details of the OTA, which highlights the Gear's potential usefulness.
You've got no shortage of options for carriers if you want a Galaxy S4 Mini in the United States. Verizon and Sprint have already released the phone, and now prospective US Cellular customers are getting a crack at it. The carrier posted the phone to its online store today with neither pomp nor circumstance. You can pick it up for .99 on a two-year contract or a whopping 9.99 without.