I'm trying to decide between Sprint's version of the Galaxy S2 and the HTC Evo 3D. The one big knock on the Galaxy S2 I keep hearing is Samsung's lack of support and updates when compared to HTC.
Is this something that has really been problematic for Samsung phones in the past and will it be a huge problem for this phone?
A carrier branded phone is subject to their scheduling for updates. The U.S. carriers typically mandate substantial changes to the hardware and software that add additional layers in the updating and testing process. Samsung's been really good so far in updating the non-carrier version of the SGS2. The UK version got its fourth update in two months yesterday. It'll all come down to Sprint in the long run and I don't see there being a big difference between Samsung and HTC in terms of making updates available to Sprint. At least the SGS2 has an unlocked bootloader making dev support easier.
Samsung Galaxy S2 you can flash latest firmware via ODIN, no root required
http://www.samsungmobileuspress.com...firms-KitKat-for-U.S.-Smartphones-and-Tablets
Samsung Galaxy U.S. devices currently scheduled to receive the KitKat update include select carrier variants of the Galaxy Note®*3, Galaxy Note®*II, Galaxy S®*4, Galaxy S®*4 mini™, Galaxy S®*4 Active™, Galaxy S®*4 zoom™, Galaxy S®*III, Galaxy S®*III mini™, Galaxy Mega®, Galaxy Light, Galaxy Note®*8.0, Galaxy Tab®*3, Galaxy Note®*10.1, Galaxy Note®10.1 2014 Edition.
*
Availability varies by carrier and product, with updates beginning today and continuing throughout the coming months.*
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yes it is confirmed
http://www.androidauthority.com/samsung-kitkat-plans-346976/
We might also be getting the new gui as well. What I am worried about is that our multi-windows on the note 10.1 will be changed to the new multi-windows on the TabPro and Note Pro's as well as yet another method on the note 10.1-2014....I personally think that multi-windows on ours is far superior to the new tabs.
In fact, I have a tabpro 10.1 here that may be going back to best buy
Barsky said:
We might also be getting the new gui as well. What I am worried about is that our multi-windows on the note 10.1 will be changed to the new multi-windows on the TabPro and Note Pro's as well as yet another method on the note 10.1-2014....I personally think that multi-windows on ours is far superior to the new tabs.
In fact, I have a tabpro 10.1 here that may be going back to best buy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's your problem with the new way it's implemented?
Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk
NIce, even though mine is running 4.2.2 right now (ported), With the official release it should get more stable.
One thing right off is if you change an windowed app to full screen, there is no way to return it to windowed mode. Was hoping it would get rooted quickly so I could try some of the multi-window apps to see if it can be improved. I also like the way we can simply switch between Dual View and Cascade view. These are personal preferences only, of course.
Cannot wait.
Add Engadget to the list reporting it.
http://www.engadget.com/2014/02/18/samsung-kitkat-us/
There was a report on ZDNet as well, but it didn't differentiate between the Galaxy Note 10.1 and the Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014), so it wasn't definitive...
The official press release reads:
DALLAS, February 18, 2014 – Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) announced today that a number of Samsung Galaxy® devices will receive the Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) software update, enriching the Galaxy experience.
The upgrade provides a number of innovative, easy-to-use features that enhance the user experience, including a more intuitive user interface, enhanced messaging capabilities and updated applications:
Location Menu: An integrated location menu enables users to easily activate GPS, Wi-Fi and mobile networks, while simultaneously checking the battery usage of apps running location service capabilities.
Enhanced Messaging: Enables users to choose between Messages or Hangouts as their preferred default messaging application, and select from a larger assortment of updated Emoji icons.
Upgraded Google Mobile Service™ (GMS) apps: Users can automatically back up photos and video and can open, view, rename and share Google Docs and files.
Samsung Galaxy U.S. devices currently scheduled to receive the KitKat update include select carrier variants of the Galaxy Note® 3, Galaxy Note® II, Galaxy S® 4, Galaxy S® 4 mini™, Galaxy S® 4 Active™, Galaxy S® 4 zoom™, Galaxy S® III, Galaxy S® III mini™, Galaxy Mega®, Galaxy Light, Galaxy Note® 8.0, Galaxy Tab® 3, Galaxy Note® 10.1, Galaxy Note® 10.1 2014 Edition.
Availability varies by carrier and product, with updates beginning today and continuing throughout the coming months.
The only gotcha here is that it sounds more like they're only talking about 3G/LTE models (the reference to carriers and to messages).. but it could be that they're just rolling it all into one big announcement. Was there ever a 3G or LTE version of the Note 10.1 2012 model sold in the US?
Unlikely
Will they jump from 4.1.2 to 4.4.2?
I doubt...
Probably will. It costs them more money to goto 4.3 then to 4.4.2. The 10.1 OG is reaching the end of its update cycle and they would want it to have Galaxy Gear 1/2 support. It will be interesting to see if there will be a UI change or more of a behind the scenes update with bug fixes.
This is super exciting news.
i hope it will happen soon. any idea what timeline we are looking at?
1-2 month ?
sixpenny said:
This is super exciting news.
i hope it will happen soon. any idea what timeline we are looking at?
1-2 month ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"Availability varies by carrier and product, with updates beginning today and continuing throughout the coming months."
From the linked press release in the first post, and that is as specific as you are going to get.
LinoX said:
Will they jump from 4.1.2 to 4.4.2?
I doubt...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not ??? There is no reason to release anything else at this point.
4.4 if there is no carrier
Since they leave it to the carriers, I wonder what that says about the wifi only units (8013)
which depend on SAMSUNG as there is no carrier.
great news
That is super news imho. All our collective ranting and demanding finally paid off I guess. But I still believe Samsung needs to do more to get back on it's customers good side. They have a lot more to learn in terms of customer support and image management.
The fact that they totally forgot about us and suddenly remembered is quite flabbergasting.
It's still a good news ^^
Is this includes international version ad well?
Sent from my C6602 using Tapatalk
LinoX said:
Will they jump from 4.1.2 to 4.4.2?
I doubt...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The PR quote is directly from Samsung and has been widely reported. It's possible it's a hoax, but if it is, you'd expect Samsung to refute it quickly given that it's appeared on major sites like Engadget and ZDNet.
Yeahhhhhhh....
Earlier this month, a leak bought an unofficial list of devices that would be getting updated to Android 4.4 KitKat, at least in the U.S.. Today, Samsung USA has decided to make things official and has announced which of its phones and tablets will be getting the KitKat update, with many of the devices that were named in the leak actually included in the official list, including low-end devices like the Galaxy Tab 3 and the Galaxy S III mini (the upgraded model with LTE launched last year on AT&T and Verizon, not the international variant that came out in 2012.)
If you’re rocking a Galaxy Note 3 or Galaxy S4, expect to see a notification for the update today itself, especially if you’re on Sprint or US Cellular, as Samsung mentions that it will start rolling out starting today, confirming earlier leaks that suggested the update would be making its way to devices on the two networks.
Here’s the full list of devices that will be getting KitKat:
• Galaxy Note 3
• Galaxy Note II
• Galaxy S4
• Galaxy S4 mini
• Galaxy S4 Active
• Galaxy S4 zoom
• Galaxy S III
• Galaxy S III mini
• Galaxy Mega
• Galaxy Light
• Galaxy Note 8.0
• Galaxy Tab 3
• Galaxy Note 10.1
• Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition
That’s a pretty big list, which should make users of the aforementioned devices quite happy, though if you’re using a non-flagship device, we would recommend patience as Samsung will likely take its time pushing out the newer version of Android. The presence of the Galaxy Note 10.1 on the list is especially good to see, as users of the device have been pretty vocal of the poor support Samsung has extended to the original Galaxy Note tablet, with the device on Android 4.1.2 for more than a year.
Here’s the press release:
Samsung Confirms KitKat for U.S. Smartphones and Tablets
DALLAS, February 18, 2014 – Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) announced today that a number of Samsung Galaxy® devices will receive the Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) software update, enriching the Galaxy experience.
The upgrade provides a number of innovative, easy-to-use features that enhance the user experience, including a more intuitive user interface, enhanced messaging capabilities and updated applications:
Location Menu: An integrated location menu enables users to easily activate GPS, Wi-Fi and mobile networks, while simultaneously checking the battery usage of apps running location service capabilities.
Enhanced Messaging: Enables users to choose between Messages or Hangouts as their preferred default messaging application, and select from a larger assortment of updated Emoji icons.
Upgraded Google Mobile Service™ (GMS) apps: Users can automatically back up photos and video and can open, view, rename and share Google Docs and files.
Samsung Galaxy U.S. devices currently scheduled to receive the KitKat update include select carrier variants of the Galaxy Note® 3, Galaxy Note® II, Galaxy S® 4, Galaxy S® 4 mini™, Galaxy S® 4 Active™, Galaxy S® 4 zoom™, Galaxy S® III, Galaxy S® III mini™, Galaxy Mega®, Galaxy Light, Galaxy Note® 8.0, Galaxy Tab® 3, Galaxy Note® 10.1, Galaxy Note® 10.1 2014 Edition.
Availability varies by carrier and product, with updates beginning today and continuing throughout the coming months.
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Samsung USA confirms Android 4.4 KitKat update for multiple devices, rollout begins today
Earlier this month, a leak bought an unofficial list of devices that would be getting updated to Android 4.4 KitKat, at least in the U.S.. Today, Samsung USA has decided to make things official and has announced which of its phones and tablets will be getting the KitKat update, with many of the devices that were named in the leak actually included in the official list, including low-end devices like the Galaxy Tab 3 and the Galaxy S III mini (the upgraded model with LTE launched last year on AT&T and Verizon, not the international variant that came out in 2012.)
If you’re rocking a Galaxy Note 3 or Galaxy S4, expect to see a notification for the update today itself, especially if you’re on Sprint or US Cellular, as Samsung mentions that it will start rolling out starting today, confirming earlier leaks that suggested the update would be making its way to devices on the two networks.
Here’s the full list of devices that will be getting KitKat:
• Galaxy Note 3
• Galaxy Note II
• Galaxy S4
• Galaxy S4 mini
• Galaxy S4 Active
• Galaxy S4 zoom
• Galaxy S III
• Galaxy S III mini
• Galaxy Mega
• Galaxy Light
• Galaxy Note 8.0
• Galaxy Tab 3
• Galaxy Note 10.1
• Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition
That’s a pretty big list, which should make users of the aforementioned devices quite happy, though if you’re using a non-flagship device, we would recommend patience as Samsung will likely take its time pushing out the newer version of Android. The presence of the Galaxy Note 10.1 on the list is especially good to see, as users of the device have been pretty vocal of the poor support Samsung has extended to the original Galaxy Note tablet, with the device on Android 4.1.2 for more than a year.
Here’s the press release:
Samsung Confirms KitKat for U.S. Smartphones and Tablets
DALLAS, February 18, 2014 – Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) announced today that a number of Samsung Galaxy® devices will receive the Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) software update, enriching the Galaxy experience.
The upgrade provides a number of innovative, easy-to-use features that enhance the user experience, including a more intuitive user interface, enhanced messaging capabilities and updated applications:
Location Menu: An integrated location menu enables users to easily activate GPS, Wi-Fi and mobile networks, while simultaneously checking the battery usage of apps running location service capabilities.
Enhanced Messaging: Enables users to choose between Messages or Hangouts as their preferred default messaging application, and select from a larger assortment of updated Emoji icons.
Upgraded Google Mobile Service™ (GMS) apps: Users can automatically back up photos and video and can open, view, rename and share Google Docs and files.
Samsung Galaxy U.S. devices currently scheduled to receive the KitKat update include select carrier variants of the Galaxy Note® 3, Galaxy Note® II, Galaxy S® 4, Galaxy S® 4 mini™, Galaxy S® 4 Active™, Galaxy S® 4 zoom™, Galaxy S® III, Galaxy S® III mini™, Galaxy Mega®, Galaxy Light, Galaxy Note® 8.0, Galaxy Tab® 3, Galaxy Note® 10.1, Galaxy Note® 10.1 2014 Edition.
Availability varies by carrier and product, with updates beginning today and continuing throughout the coming months.
The International 4G capable twin of the Samsung Galaxy S3 (GT-I9305 Model) has been completely neglected when talked about the Official Android 4.4.2 KitKat update but this will change with the latest piece of information we poses. The UK Carrier EE will be the first to provide the LTE variant of the Galaxy S3 with official KitKat update, our source provided us with the Build Number I9305XXUFNM6 that will come with this official update. The update will begin to roll out this month itself and the time frame that users on EE must expect is last week of May or Early June 2014.
We do agree that this might not be the most solid proof but seeing the things turning out positive in case of the Galaxy Note 2 and Sprint Galaxy S3 the update isn’t far away and the Galaxy S3 LTE is expected to get official KitKat anyways as it has 2GB of RAM. The features that this update will bring for the Galaxy S3 LTE will be similar to other variants, some of those are Wireless Printing, Emoji Support for Keyboard, Full Screen Apps, Improved Lock-Screen Etc. The KitKat update will also make the “now old” Galaxy S3 LTE faster by improved RAM Management it comes with. Stay tuned for Manual Update Method and Rooting solutions once the update is available.
Source : http://www.justaboutphones.com/android-4-4-kitkat-update-samsung-galaxy-s3-lte-gt-i9305/