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LineageOS is one of the most popular custom ROMs available, with somewhere around two million active installations. It typically takes a while for the project to update to newer versions of Android, since development is largely done by maintainers in their spare time. Six months after the public release of Android 9 Pie, it looks like LineageOS is about ready to make the jump — but not before dropping older devices.
The Galaxy S4, in its day, was a pretty capable smartphone. However, with its fourth birthday fast approaching, its update period has long since passed. No matter to T-Mobile, though; the company has just pushed the latest February 2017 security patches to it and the older Galaxy Tab 3... but they're still on Android 4.4 KitKat.
Maybe you don't need the latest and greatest technology when it comes to your third or fourth screen, and if you can save a little money, why not? The LTE-equipped Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 is on sale right now for $99, and it's unlocked to work on T-Mobile or AT&T.
I have to hand it to you guys who've been using T-Mo's Galaxy Tab 3 - you've been powering through with Jelly Bean (4.2, no less) for...ever. Looks like all your patience is finally paying off, as T-Mo is now sending KitKat to Tab 3s over the air.
It's been quite the wait for certain cellular Galaxy Tab 3 owners. The Wi-Fi version of the tablet came out in July of last year, and while KitKat eventually rolled out to several variants of the device, some owners have still been left waiting. Sprint brought Android 4.4.2 to customers back in June, but that did no good for users sitting around on AT&T. Fortunately for such folks, the company has finally decided to push this thing out.
FreedomPop Adds The Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 LTE With Free Voice And Text Service To Its Hardware Lineup [Update]
FreedomPop Adds The Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 LTE With Free Voice And Text Service To Its Hardware Lineup
Update:
It's time to fire up that Sprint Galaxy Tab 3 and see what all the fuss is about with this KitKat thing everyone's been talking about... for months. Well, it's not like you bought the Sprint version of the Gtab because you wanted fast updates – it was just dirt cheap, and sometimes free. Consequently, there are probably a fair number of devices out there getting an update today.
The Galaxy Tab 3 might not be the best line of tablets available, but this is a legit deal. The Tab 3 10.1 is still listed for $300 on Amazon, so this refurbished deal is a good value if you're looking for big, cheap tablet. That's how we like 'em – big and cheap.
There are a ton of Samsung tablets out there, and while each model isn't always a winner, customers typically can't go too wrong with picking one up. Woot's currently got a deal that should save anyone looking to buy one quite a few bucks. Customers can get a 2014 Galaxy Note 10.1 with 32GB of storage for $384.99 (compared to $549 on Amazon and cheaper than the last deal we came across). On the lower, smaller end, we have the 16GB Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.0 going for $159.99. These are factory reconditioned devices, not new ones, but chances are buyers may walk away without being able to tell the difference.
Sprint has posted the details regarding an impending OTA for the Galaxy Tab 3. This software update won't turn the tablet into a brand new device, nor will it even bring along much in the way of fresh air, but it's better than nothing. Software version T217SVPUANB8 will improve WiFi, install KNOX, and make the WiFi "auto network switch" default to off. That last one's pretty specific, but Sprint says it will ultimately enable users to connect to any WiFi network regardless of its strength by suppressing the "Your internet connection is unstable" error message.
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.
Diversify and fill all niches. Samsung seems to have learned its basic sciences, because they're applying a naturalist approach to the tablet market: a ton of models for consumers, new specialized versions for professionals, and now a tablet made just for the lucrative education market. Today Samsung announced a new Galaxy Tab especially for K-12 schools. It's only new in a technical sense - the hardware is clearly a black 10-inch Galaxy Tab 3.
Samsung's "diversify and fill all niches" approach to the mobile market is starting to get on my nerves. Not because I object to having a dozen different choices at every screen size and price, but because I can't keep the hardware details for all these phones and tablets in my head. Nine months after unveiling the Galaxy Tab 3 in 7, 8, and 10-inch varieties, Samsung is back with a "Lite" variant of the smallest model.
[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.
Christmas is coming a little early this year – Staples has a coupon that gets you $50 off any tablet over $149. That means you can get a solid deal on several great Android slates.
Samsung is already running circles around all of the other manufacturers shipping Android devices, and while we can come up with many reasons to pick up one the company's products, Sammy's steadily dishing out more. If you register your brand new Galaxy Tab or Galaxy Note tablet, Samsung will give you over 0 in perks. This is a $200 increase over their previous offer, and they've added additional products including Audible, SiriusXM, and Zinio. The Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 launched with most of these perks, but now they've been distributed across Samsung's broader range of tablets.
Kids these days have it so easy. When I was a rugrat me and my sister shared a 100Mhz Windows 95 machine that Dad scrounged out of spare parts, and we were happy to have it. If you feel like irresponsibly trusting your child with an expensive electronic gadget of their very own, Samsung is happy to oblige with the Kids edition of the 7-inch Galaxy Tab 3. This ruggedized tablet with kid-specific software goes on sale on November 10th at the usual retailers, plus Toys 'R' Us, for $229.99.
The 7-Inch Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Is Coming To Sprint On October 11th For Just Fifty Bucks On-Contract
The 7-Inch Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Is Coming To Sprint On October 11th For Just Fifty Bucks On-Contract
Carrier-branded Android tablets in the US are usually offered either at outrageous prices or with a two-year contract (or both - I'm looking at you, AT&T). It's refreshing, then, to see Sprint selling at least one tablet with the conventional subsidized price. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7-inch will go for $49.99 at Sprint stores starting on October 11th, a full $150 less than its WiFi-only counterpart.
Back in late August, Samsung announced a new version of the Galaxy Tab 3 specifically for kids. Dubbed Galaxy Tab 3 Kids (bet you didn't see that name coming), it's a festive-looking little gizmo with a kid-friendly form factor and easy-to-understand UI. And now you can download the kernel source code.