Samsung Galaxy Spica grows up to Android 2.1

Also known as the Galaxy Portal in the UK, Samsung's i5700 is today officially entering the Eclair portion of its Android existence. We got a nice leak of the 2.1 ROM in February, whose small glitches will no doubt have been ironed out in this official release. You'll need to either hook up to the Samsung neural network using their proprietary PC Studio 7 software to leech the upgrade or just buy a new handset -- it all depends on the ratio between your disposable time and income. Guess this will make the Spica that little bit more seductive to Rogers customers, who only just got the option to own the handset last week. Full PR after the break.

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Samsung Delivers World of New Experiences With Upgraded Galaxy Spica

Android 2.1 gives Galaxy Spica new functionality and unrivalled user experience

SEOUL, Korea – March 17, 2010 - Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a leading mobile phone provider, today announced it has upgraded its powerful Galaxy Spica (I5700) smartphone to harness the power of the latest version of AndroidTM, Android 2.1. The smartphone now offers users a galaxy of new features and an unrivalled mobile experience.

The Galaxy Spica retains all the features inherent in the successful Galaxy Spica (I5700), such as seamless connectivity and access to GoogleTM mobile services, multimedia functionality and speedy processor performance

"Lovers of the Galaxy Spica appreciated the ease with which they could access their contacts and personalise their experience – our upgraded handset offers all this and much more; a rich and rewarding and powerful mobile experience," said JK Shin, President and Head of the Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics.

The upgrade will be available via PC Studio 7, Samsung's unique in-house software upgrade program. PC Studio 7 was included in the package of Galaxy Spica or can be downloaded at the Samsung mobile website (http://www.samsungmobile.com).

Enhanced User Experienced
The Galaxy Spica becomes a highly intuitive communications device offering users the option to personalise no less than nine side-scrolling screens. Users can really let their imaginations run wild, creating different home screens according to different personal interests or requirements.

The handset now features augmented reality technology that displays real-time digital information of your surroundings over the view-finder of the Galaxy Spica's 3 megapixel camera. The Galaxy Spica also features Samsung widgets, Visual bookmark and PC Sync support to enable users to synchronise their devices quickly.

Enhanced Multimedia and Messaging Functionality
The handset now comes with a number of enhanced multimedia features which transform the Galaxy Spica into a personal entertainment device. Media browser allows you to browse through your media collection with ease. The camera has been upgraded to offer enhanced picture options and viewing functionality.

Improved messaging functionality means that it is much easier to attach files to MMS and email that users can easily add contacts to messages direct from the phonebook. Improved contact management enables users to find a necessary contact very easily through the alphabetical index.

The upgrade will be available from March 2010 in Germany and gradually rolled out to other European markets, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Asia, Africa and rest of the world.

Samsung I5700 Product Specifications
Network HSDPA 3.6Mbps (900/2100)
EDGE/GPRS (850/900/1800/1900)
OS Android (ver. Android 2.1)
Display 3.2" HVGA(320x480) TFT
Camera 3MP Camera (Auto Focus)
Video / Audio Video: MPEG4, H.263, H.264, WMV,DivX
Audio: MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WMA
Value Added
Features ** Google mobile services (Google SearchTM including search by voice, GmailTM, Contacts, Google TalkTM, Google MapsTM, YouTubeTM, Android MarketTM)
Full Web Browser, 3.5mm Ear jack, GPS
Connectivity Bluetooth® 2.1, USB 2.0, MicroUSB, WiFi
Memory Internal memory: 180MB
External memory: Micro SD (Up to 32GB)
Battery 1500 mAh
Size 115 x 57 x 13.2mm

* Android, Google, Android Market, Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, YouTube, Google Talk are trademarks of Google Inc.

** The launch of Google Mobile Service can differ by region.

[Ravi Posted Mar 17th 2010 4:18AM]

When will the Samsung Galaxy(I7500) get the 2.1 update?

[camroncake Posted Mar 17th 2010 4:53AM]

@Ravi
According to Samsung never, it's stuck at 1.5 which is the worst marketing move since the HD2 and windows mobile 7.
Now if those lovely folk at xda would kindly correct this horrible flaw...

[oringal Posted Mar 17th 2010 7:15AM]

@camroncake latest is 1.6 :)

[mrqs Posted Mar 17th 2010 7:38AM]

@oringal

plus there are the gaosp and mustymod 2.0 firmwares

[camroncake Posted Mar 17th 2010 7:49AM]

@oringal
My bad, just that the last I read of this phone on whirlpool was that people were complaining about 1.5
And the camera button sticking

[redmamoth Posted Mar 17th 2010 4:18AM]

This just highlights how poor HTC really are! Where is my Hero upgrade?... Don't get me wrong, I love the Hero but will never buy a Sense Android Phone again, Vanilla all the way from now on!

[Franks Beef Posted Mar 17th 2010 4:28AM]

What I've learned about android over the last year is that the supplied software doesn't really mean anything. You're better of just buying the phone for the hardware and then flashing whatever rom you want. Even the g1 can run a sense 2.1 rom now.

[aaronbustillos Posted Mar 17th 2010 4:29AM]

@redmamoth

well the samsung doesnt hvae a special UI, the hero does so it takes longer



ugly ass phone anyways

[redmamoth Posted Mar 17th 2010 4:51AM]

@Franks Beef
Yeah, i've tried a few 2.1 ROMs on the Hero too, while they do run and everything works, the battery life is appauling!! c8hrs!! So I've gone back to 1.5 until HTC make an official release....

[ror Posted Mar 17th 2010 5:48AM]

@redmamoth

cmon man. the answer to that is right here on Engadget:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/16/sprint-android-2-1-update-for-hero-moment-coming-in-early-q2/

[DrHyperKALICH Posted Mar 17th 2010 4:27AM]

Already on XXJC3 (2.1)

[the music major Posted Mar 17th 2010 4:38AM]

The alphabet scroll list on the side going to be there for the contacts list in 2.1?

[shizzledmg Posted Mar 17th 2010 4:47AM]

seriously, the designs are not exactly brilliant.

as for my part i love it plain and simple, just like my milestone.

[bharaniviswan Posted Mar 17th 2010 5:24AM]

@DrHyperKALICH

how is the performance ? b'coz i use an unofficial release and its very sluggish. I think it could be b'coz it's unofficial but how is the performance with the official release.

[DrHyperKALICH Posted Mar 17th 2010 6:36AM]

@bharaniviswan its already modificated and fast,
today will be a I5700XXJCB firmware

[Newwales Posted Mar 17th 2010 5:51AM]

Nice to see Samsung is updating there Android phones But not updating there 5 month old windows mobile Omnia 2 I8000 for UK, get a grip Samsung, look after your old phones first PLEASE.

& the Omnia 2 was there Flagship Phone, WHAT A JOKE. Cant wait to move away from Samsung.

[ksound Posted Mar 17th 2010 7:12AM]

@Newwales

Except that they are only updating the 'lite' version while people (like me) who paid more for the galaxy are left in the cold. The hardware is great but my next android phone will not be a samsung. HTC seems the best option, if they are to lazy to upgrade a model at least you can still count on xda.

[Jonnie Posted Mar 17th 2010 6:52AM]

Pretty nice. Funny however that there's no way to actually install the update, because PC Studio 7 isn't able to recognize the phone at all.

[Karnak Posted Mar 17th 2010 7:00AM]

@Jonnie Presumably it'll be updated at some point.

If you read the press release it's not actually available yet and all they committed to is that it'll be rolled out in Germany some time this month.

[Newwales Posted Mar 17th 2010 7:07AM]

@Karnak Samsung is like toyota, they are producing so many models they are only interested in the number of devises sold, they are dropping quality & support

[Karnak Posted Mar 17th 2010 7:13AM]

@Newwales I agree they're a bit crap - the i7500 (original) Galaxy proves that.

I think however they must plan to have the i5700 around for quite a while so are pretty much being forced to upgrade it to 2.x

It's a really decent budget android handset and I love mine. Miles ahead of the likes of the HTC Tattoo and the Huwaie(??) Pulse.

What I was saying before is that although we will now get this update, who knows whether it'll be in a week, a month or 3 months. Essentially, whenever Samsung can be arsed.

[Ashrossy Posted Mar 17th 2010 8:23AM]

@Karnak I think the tattoo is an awesome phone, my girlfriend has one and in many ways it's better than my cliq. She keeps her G1 around for some stuff but £25 per month for senseui, 1.6, plus it still has the accellerometer, camera, gps, wifi etc that the higher end phones have, not to mention the graphics chip. Really the only downside is no multitouch but she never really uses that anyway. I wanted to try the galaxy but they didn't have it in store.

[Karnak Posted Mar 17th 2010 9:29AM]

@Ashrossy It's the capacitive touch screen that really won me over. Fairly fast too.

T-mobile are doing them very cheaply if you're willing to pay a little bit upfront for the phone (£10/£15 / month...).

[carsonb Posted Mar 17th 2010 7:15AM]

Hah, you think Rogers is going to trickle down this update? Only if they have to, due to an E-911 bug or something.

Good luck guys.

[dogdays Posted Mar 17th 2010 7:21AM]

multitouch?

[Vinod Posted Mar 17th 2010 7:25AM]

http://rs615.rapidshare.com/files/364503956/I570EXXJCB.zip

[firman Posted Mar 17th 2010 7:28AM]

I hope it will better than my (leaked) firmware now (DXJB3), It's have bad 3d driver when I try polarbit games.
And I don't too like with 2.1 Home/Launcher (Pantheon) it's drainning more batery power than another Launcher

[mashu Posted Mar 17th 2010 7:54AM]

@firman same here, bad 3d driver on DXJB3 :D

[allandroid Posted Mar 17th 2010 7:53AM]

@Vinod are you 100% sure that is the official update? I'm currently running the UsefulMod v.2 based on the i570EXXJC5 and i must say it's running pretty smooth.

[bharaniviswan Posted Mar 17th 2010 9:58AM]

Guys

Have anyone actually updated, outside Germany ???

How do you guys update by the way ? b'coz the PC Studio is not able to identify my phone :(

I use Win7 by the way

[Karnak Posted Mar 17th 2010 11:34AM]

@bharaniviswan

"The upgrade will be available from March 2010 in Germany and gradually rolled out to other European markets, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Asia, Africa and rest of the world."

This doesn't even suggest it's available in Germany yet. Give them a chance.