Aug 10

Kyocera Echo resumes rollout of Gingerbread, without the bricking

Posted in: Android, firmware, firmware update, FirmwareUpdate, gingerbread, Google, ota, software update, SoftwareUpdate, Sprint, Today's Chili, update

It goes without saying that updates are intended to improve our phones’ user experience, but the Gingerbread refresh on the Kyocera Echo had exactly the opposite effect. After a small but significant percentage of owners began reporting that the new software turned their devices into bricks, Sprint pulled the update “until further notice.” After nine days, Android 2.3.4 is once again available for download. Upon reaching out to the Now Network, we received the following confirmation:

Sprint will restart the Gingerbread update to Kyocera Echo users beginning today (August 10). In an effort to provide the best possible customer experience, Kyocera and Sprint have addressed a previous issue with the update raised last week. The Gingerbread update will provide Kyocera Echo users with performance enhancements including faster response, improved power management, enhancements for gaming, and more. Every Echo customer should have the update within the next few weeks.

The update will likely get pushed slowly at first, getting sent to a small number of handsets to make doubly sure the same issue doesn’t surface again, so don’t stress if it hasn’t reached your Echo today; as is the usual procedure with large-scale rollouts, it could be a little while before it actually lands on your particular unit. But when it arrives, feel free to download at will with more confidence.

Kyocera Echo resumes rollout of Gingerbread, without the bricking originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Aug 2011 16:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceSprint (1), (2)  | Email this | Comments

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Aug 03

Samsung details TouchWiz UX update for Galaxy Tab 10.1, OTA rollout goes public on August 5th

Posted in: Android, android tablet, AndroidTablet, breaking news, GalaxyTab, honeycomb, ota, samsung, Software, software update, SoftwareUpdate, tablet, Today's Chili, update

We’re headed over as we speak to get an early look at what TouchWiz has in store for Tab 10.1-totin’ New Yorkers, but in the meantime, Samsung’s served up a laundry list of details (after the break) to clue everyone in on what it’ll bring. Aside from pushing the TouchWiz UX overlay atop Android 3.1 (Honeycomb), the new digs will also enable Samsung Kies 2.0 support for PC and Mac, solving an issue we spotted a few weeks back. For those unfamiliar with Sammy’s Android dressings, this one promises to bring a Live Panel (described as a magazine-like widget view for immediate access to weather, social updates, email, and news on the home pane), a Mini Mode Tray (providing one-touch access to commonly used apps), Clipboard (it’s copy and paste, advanced), Photo Editor (it edits JPEGs, y’all) and the token Indicator Quick Panel (which enables users to quickly toggle on / off WiFi, notifications, sound, brightness and settings in lower right hand corner of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 display).

Of course, proceeding with the update means that you’ll get Amazon’s Music Cloud Player, the Kindle app and ‘Words with Friends’ preloaded, but enterprise folk can at least look forward to full support for Exchange ActiveSync version 14, on-device encryption and compatibility with Cisco’s VPN / Sybase MDM / WebEx. Still hungry for more? How’s about wireless printing to any “compatible” printer, as well as a bolstered Swype app that enables resizing of the keyboard and movement of the keys to any position on the panel. You’ll also find Adobe’s Flash Player 10.3, a redesigned Samsung Media Hub service and a promise that all Galaxy Tab 10.1 owners will start to see it beginning August 5th. If you’re eager to get prepped for Friday’s release, hit the source link to setup a required Samsung account; once registered, you’ll be notified when your device is ready for the upgrade and given drop-dead simple steps to complete it. Naturally, we’ll be bringing you an early look of the changes as soon as humanly possible.

Continue reading Samsung details TouchWiz UX update for Galaxy Tab 10.1, OTA rollout goes public on August 5th

Samsung details TouchWiz UX update for Galaxy Tab 10.1, OTA rollout goes public on August 5th originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 11:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aug 03

Verizon announces Android 3.2 update for Motorola Xoom 3G, available today?

Posted in: Android, honeycomb, motorola, motorola xoom, MotorolaXoom, software update, SoftwareUpdate, tablet, Today's Chili, update, Verizon Wireless, VerizonWireless, xoom
It looks like Motorola Xoom 3G owners will soon be able to reap the same benefits as their WiFi-only brethren, now that Verizon has published more details on a forthcoming Android 3.2 update. According to the company’s support page, software update HTJ85 will bring essentially the same features we saw in last month’s, exclusively Wi-Fi refresh — microSD card support, movie rental improvements and, of course, that “zoom to fill screen” option for non-tablet optimized apps. Verizon hasn’t announced an official release date for the 15.4MB Honeycomb update, though rumor has it that it could drop as early as today. For more details and installation instructions, check out the pair of PDFs below.

Verizon announces Android 3.2 update for Motorola Xoom 3G, available today? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 03:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Droid Life  |  sourceVerizon Wireless  | Email this | Comments

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Aug 02

Google I/O Galaxy Tabs get Google Movies update, VIP treatment

Posted in: GalaxyTab, Google, samsung, slate, Software, software update, SoftwareUpdate, tablet, Today's Chili, update, video, wifi

Lucky enough to snag one of those coveted white Galaxy Tab 10.1s from Google I/O? If so, tablet life is about to get a little bit sweeter. Google Movies is now an update away, making video rentals from The Goog mere moments from reality on your slate. Don’t get your hopes up though… this isn’t an update to Android 3.2, nor is it the TouchWiz UX update that will be rolling out at a NYC event later this week. Keep in mind these Google-fied Galaxy Tabs are Wifi-only devices, which typically receive updates like this far later than their 3G brethren — making this download a bit peculiar. Regardless of its irregularity, those with the limited edition tablet can now catch up on all those Harry Potter flicks on the go, before their jealous pals with the standard model can.

Google I/O Galaxy Tabs get Google Movies update, VIP treatment originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 07:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceAndroid Central  | Email this | Comments

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Aug 01

HP TouchPad gets its first OTA update: webOS 3.0.2 brings performance enhancements, untold joy

Posted in: firmware, HP, palm, slate, Software, software update, SoftwareUpdate, tablet, Today's Chili, touchpad, update, webos

It’s hitting the airwaves a few hours later than promised, but HP’s TouchPad finally has the long-awaited webOS update that early adopters have been clamoring for. Wondering what webOS 3.0.2 brings to the multi-touch table? Aside from performance and reliability enhancements, it also adds “improved functionality to several core webOS apps,” most of which are direct responses to user feedback. Indeed, “hundreds” of improvements are promised, including bolstered scrolling within the email app, the ability to set your wallpaper from photos in the Photos app, Just Type searching within Calendar and improved autocorrection of contractions. Yeah, seriously. A more detailed changelog awaits you after the break, and you can let us know if your bell has been rung down in comments below.

Continue reading HP TouchPad gets its first OTA update: webOS 3.0.2 brings performance enhancements, untold joy

HP TouchPad gets its first OTA update: webOS 3.0.2 brings performance enhancements, untold joy originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 01:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceThe Official HP Palm Blog, Palm (1), (2)  | Email this | Comments

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Jul 27

Xperia X10 gets Gingerbread update, gratuitous cookie pictures ensue

Posted in: Android, gingerbread, Google, software update, SoftwareUpdate, Sony Ericsson, SonyEricsson, Today's Chili, update, xperia
Xperia X10 gets Gingerbread update, gratuitous cookie pictures ensue

Since they’re free of preservatives, Android updates tend to get pretty stale pretty quickly. As such, the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 has definitely lost its best flavor, but here comes a refresh. The long-promised 2.3.3 Gingerbread update is now available, but only if you’re pocketing a carrier-free phone. To apply the update — which also includes WiFi and USB tethering, improved Facebook integration, and some fancy new widgets — you’ll need a USB cable and the company’s PC software, meaning this one is far from OTA. When will a cable-free update come along? SE regrets to inform that it “cannot give you an exact date for when the update will be available for you.” What’s another few weeks… or months?

Update: Mike wrote in to let us know that Sony Ericsson is backing off again, now saying that information about the X10 update “was a bit too premature.” Shocking, we know.

Xperia X10 gets Gingerbread update, gratuitous cookie pictures ensue originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 07:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink mobileburn, Android Central  |  sourceSony Ericsson  | Email this | Comments

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Jul 26

Gingerbread comes to T-Mobile G2x, users feel loved again

Posted in: dual-core, firmware, gingerbread, official, ota, software update, SoftwareUpdate, t-mobile, Today's Chili

Dost our eyes deceive us, or are genuine, bona fide Gingerbread updates for the T-Mobile G2x taking to the airwaves? We’re inclined to believe the latter, since the T-Mobile support site announced that the OTA download is now underway. The rollout begins less than a day after the refresh became available as a manual install via the LG Updater Tool. As if this isn’t enough proof already, our inboxes have been flooded by G2x users who’ve personally witnessed Hades freeze over on their handset. Haven’t seen it show up on yours yet? Fret not, getting these updates out to everyone takes time. But if you were an eager beaver who managed to beef your phone up with Android 2.3.3 manually, go ahead and relax; grab a lemonade, dust off the ol’ hammock, and enjoy the rest of the summer afternoon free of (virtual) bugs.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Gingerbread comes to T-Mobile G2x, users feel loved again originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 12:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink TmoNews  |  sourceT-Mobile  | Email this | Comments

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Jul 25

AT&T confirms Gingerbread coming to entire 2011 Android lineup (and Samsung Captivate)

Posted in: Android, att, gingerbread, HTC, LG, motorola, samsung, software update, SoftwareUpdate, Today's Chili

The HTC Status was the only device with Gingerbread on AT&T’s lineup for a small slice of time, but that’s quickly coming to an end. The carrier has confirmed that Android 2.3 will be pushed to its entire 2011 postpaid lineup, beginning with an OTA rollout of the Motorola Atrix 4G today (though and the HTC Inspire 4G “in the coming weeks.” In addition to the phones released this year, Samsung Captivate users will be able to enjoy the upgrade as well. There’s no hard details on the timing for everyone else, but at least anyone with a 2011 model can breath a sigh of relief. Full press release can be found after the break.

Continue reading AT&T confirms Gingerbread coming to entire 2011 Android lineup (and Samsung Captivate)

AT&T confirms Gingerbread coming to entire 2011 Android lineup (and Samsung Captivate) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceAT&T  | Email this | Comments

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Jul 22

Charlie Miller finds MacBook battery security hole, plans to fill with Caulkgun

Posted in: Apple, firmware, hack, laptop, macbook, macbook air, macbook pro, MacbookAir, MacbookPro, security, software update, SoftwareUpdate, Today's Chili

Those batteries have probably met a worse fate than the white MacBook line they came from. According to Forbes, Charlie Miller’s managed to render seven of them useless after gaining total access to their micro-controllers’ firmware via a security hole. Evidently, the Li-ion packs for the line of lappies — including Airs and Pros — are accessible with two passwords he dug up from an ’09 software update. Chuck mentions that someone could “use them to do something really bad,” including faulting charge-levels and thermal read-outs to possibly even making them explode. He also thinks hard-to-spot malware could be installed directly within the battery, repeatedly infecting a computer unless removed. Come August, he’ll reportedly be detailing the vulnerability at the Black Hat security conference along with a fix he’s dubbed Caulkgun, which only has the mild side-effect of locking-out updates by Apple. Worth being safe these days, though. Right? Full story in the links below.

Charlie Miller finds MacBook battery security hole, plans to fill with Caulkgun originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 23:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Electronista  |  sourceForbes  | Email this | Comments

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Jul 22

Atrix gets Gingerbread update, sideloading support, new outlook on life

Posted in: Android, att, gingerbread, Google, software update, SoftwareUpdate, Today's Chili, update
ATrix

Its evil cousin the Bionic may be lurking just around the bend, with its too-long sideburns and its crazy eyes, but that doesn’t mean the Atrix 4G is ready to hang up its hat just yet. AT&T’s wunderphone with the woven back is just now receiving a 2.3.4 update, bringing it all the sensuous flavors of Gingerbread and finally, finally, the ability to sideload apps. First, though, you’ll need to download the 161MB update, which is waiting for you at the other end of the source link below. No, really, it is — but it’s getting impatient. Go on, go say hello.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Atrix gets Gingerbread update, sideloading support, new outlook on life originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 21:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink TIMN  |  sourceMotorola  | Email this | Comments

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