Refresh Roundup: week of August 15, 2011
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging to get updated. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it’s easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don’t escape without notice, we’ve gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery from the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!
Official Android updates
- The HTC EVO 3D is now ready for a maintenance fix called 2.08.651.2, which offers some nice improvements like allowing more Sprint bloatware to be uninstallable by the user, contact transfer via bluetooth, fixes for the lock screen occasionally freezing, and GPS enhancements. This update is available through a manual install. [via SprintFeed]
- Speaking of the HTC EVO 3D, the bootloader unlock tool is now ready for your enjoyment on the company’s fancy new dev site.
- Android 2.3.4 is finally rolling out on T-Mobile’s HTC Sensation 4G, and all users should receive the OTA update by the end of September at the latest. Aside from the standard 2.3.4 enhancements, Sensation 4G owners can also expect better battery life, additional software stability, extra touchscreen responsiveness, and improved “device reboots.” Curiously, the refresh also promises better screen and photo resolution. All in all, this is the kind of firmware boost we love to see. (Thanks, Anonymous) [via TmoNews]
- If you’re using a Samsung Fascinate 3G on Telus, you’ll be interested to know that you may now have Gingerbread bestowed upon your device. It’ll involve a manual install using Samsung Kies, so go to the website to get all the instructions. [via MobileSyrup]
- The five people enjoying their Motorola Flipside can finally be treated to Android 2.2. Yes, that’s Froyo. Go here to get the update manually. [via AndroidCentral]
- Some Motorola Droid X users complained about bugs after its bump up to Gingerbread, which should be resolved by installing version 4.5.602. It’s a simple maintenance fix that throws in a couple additional enhancements at the same time. [via AndroidCentral]
- HTC Droid Incredible is inching closer to getting upgraded to Android 2.3.4, according to the support page Verizon recently set up on its site. [via Droid-Life]
- In time for today’s launch, Samsung has released the source code for the Conquer 4G. Devs, head here to download it — you’ll know what to do after that. [via Android Police]
- For everyone who chooses to get the Conquer 4G, it’s supposedly set to receive a device security enhancement today as well, according to some leaked screenshots. [via SprintFeed]
Unofficial Android updates/custom ROMs/misc hackery
- This was fast — the same bug fix update for the Droid X that we mentioned above has already been rooted. Go to the via for the full details on how to get it. As always, diving into these types of processes are more advanced, and you should follow the instructions to the letter. [via Droid-Life]
- The MIUI custom ROM is starting to gain a lot of momentum in the Android community, and if you’re interested in checking it out on your device without going through the hassle of installing the full version (let alone rooting your phone or buying a MIUI-supported phone), an XDA developer has created a clone of the MIUI launcher and has made an APK available for your downloading pleasure. The via has a large screenshot gallery to check out. [via AddictiveTips]
- We’ve seen a lot of leaked Gingerbread ROMs surface for the HTC Thunderbolt, but this time an “official” update has made its ways to the Android dev world. It’s been told that this is not yet the final build, so it’s bound to get even better with time. Still, the impatient users may want to get this as soon as possible. [via RootzWiki and AndroidCentral]
- Another build of Gingerbread, EH06, has leaked for the Samsung Epic 4G. [via AndroidCentral]
- The HTC EVO 4G update to Android 2.3 can now be rooted, courtesy of Revolutionary. [via AndroidCentral]
Refresh Roundup: week of August 15, 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 21 Aug 2011 15:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Google Talk video chat finally available over T-Mobile 3G and 4G (video)
Remember how excited we all were when we found out that Android 2.3.4 would bring video chat to Google Talk on the Nexus S? Only to have our hopes and dreams smashed when we discover that it didn’t work over 3G on T-Mobile. Well, it seems the carrier has quietly flipped a switch, and now all you Nexus owners can GChat face-to-face over HSPA+. Surely this an historic day, one that will go down in the annals of mobile history — or, you know, at least one that deserves an exasperated “finally!” Check out the video proof after the break.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Continue reading Google Talk video chat finally available over T-Mobile 3G and 4G (video)
Google Talk video chat finally available over T-Mobile 3G and 4G (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 11:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Happy EVO 4G owners get Gingerbread update, right on schedule (updated)
Update: Many of you are reporting that the update rendered Netflix unusable. The company just tweeted that it’s aware of the incompatibility and is “investigating” the issue. No word on a fix just yet.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Happy EVO 4G owners get Gingerbread update, right on schedule (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 14:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Happy EVO 4G owners get Gingerbread update, right on schedule
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Happy EVO 4G owners get Gingerbread update, right on schedule originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 14:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Nexus S 2.3.4 update now available to early adopters via manual install
The Nexus S is due to receive an over-the-air update to Android 2.3.4 over the coming weeks, but Google earned a +1 from eager fans and devs hoping to get the extra Google Talk functionality sooner. Instead of hopelessly checking for updates until the time is right, the Powers That Be are now offering the upgrade as a manual download to anyone who is already running 2.3.3 on the i9020T (the AWS-equipped model). We urge you to proceed with caution here and double-check that your phone is compatible, since those are the two requirements for the download to install properly. We’ve happily bumped one of our devices up to 2.3.4 this way without any sweat or tears, so we hope it will be a smooth experience for others as well. If you choose to be adventurous and update your Nexus S, click the source link below to download the necessary ZIP file.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Continue reading Nexus S 2.3.4 update now available to early adopters via manual install
Nexus S 2.3.4 update now available to early adopters via manual install originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 04:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Acer Liquid E Froyo update available
The Froyo update for the Acer Liquid E is now available for customers of both Rogers and Fido. It’s not an OTA update, so you’ll have to download it and install manually. That’s OK, because Acer has included a great set of instructions in the zip file you download, making the whole thing pretty foolproof. Having said it’s pretty foolproof, now is a good time to mention that there’s at least one report of a fouled upgrade. But this is official, from Acer, and endorsed by the carriers so hopefully that’s just a fluke.
Head to Acer Canada and visit the download center to grab your copy and give Froyo a whirl. Thanks for the tip, John!
Acer Liquid E Froyo update available posted originally by Android Central
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Manually update Motorola Cliq to 2.1
It seems like only yesterday we mentioned that some lucky testers would be getting the Motorola Cliq Android 2.1 update early. Of course today being the big day meant that we had to dig around to try to get things set up for the people who didn’t make the cut for the testing group, and we came across a really cool find — the official instructions and download link that went out to the testers is public on the web, and anyone is able to download the files and update their Cliq to Eclair!
We’ve got it all laid out in the Cliq forums, and there’s even a mirror or two just in case this becomes "unpublic" in the near future. Head over to the forums and check it out, and get your 2.1 on! [Android Central Forums] Big thanks to everyone who helped us out this morning!
Posted originally at Android Central
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Droid Eris MR4 OTA rolling out — manual install link available, too
Good news Eris owners — your OTA update has begun to roll out, and it’s been confirmed that it fixes the ‘Silent Call’ issue. It may take a week or more for all customers to get the MR4 update, but for those who just can’t be bothered to wait the OTA link has been found. You can get the file (direct from Google) right HERE, and install it via your Eris’ recovery menu. As always, if you’re rooted or running a custom ROM, sit tight and wait for your ROM developer to get the update merged in. [Verizon Community forum] Thanks xstrider!
Posted originally at Android Central
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