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Stream Hulu on your Nook Color, ditch Fitzgerald for Family Guy
In case you need still more distraction from using your Nook Color to, you know, read, now you can have Hulu's extensive video library at your fingertips, thanks to a simple 19-step process. Replacing the standard Adobe Flash Player with a modified version seems to work for the Nook and some other devices; users at Android Central have reported success on the Epic 4G, Thunderbolt, and Droid Incredible. When you're ready to trade One Hundred Years of Solitude for 1000 Ways To Die or 16 and Pregnant, hit the source link for detailed instructions, and see the tutorial video after the break. [Thanks, Alex]
Android 2.3.3 leaked for Samsung Epic 4G, dubbed 'Leaky' for good reason (video)
If Samsung Epic 4G users have needed any tangible proof that Gingerbread is coming, the same build we reported earlier (ED12) has been leaked to fulfill your bleeding-edge desires. A plucky group known as the Android Creative Syndicate deserves applause for this release, which it's dubbed "Leaky Gingerbread" as it still contains many bugs. Namely, WiMAX is non-functional and the snapshot lacks Ext4 support (which is Android 2.3's preferred file system). In other words, while this build includes a steep "wow factor," you might reconsider its appropriateness for daily use. To see Sprint's 4G slider alive with Gingerbread, jump the break and click play.
Epic 4G user agent string suggests Gingerbread is on the way?
Samsung's Epic 4G just recently got Froyo, but it might not be too long before the handset bites into another toothsome treat -- a user agent profile at Sprint's own website lists a newer software based on Android 2.3. We can't say definitively whether this ED12 build will actually make it to retail phones anytime soon, mind you -- our own Epic 4G is presently on EC05 right now -- but it seems very likely that Europeans won't be the only Galaxy S owners to snarf down gumdrop buttons this year.
Sprint Epic 4G, Galaxy Tab get Sprint ID this week, Epic's Froyo update makes triumphant return
Rumors about this started swirling last week, but Sprint and Samsung have just made it official that the Epic 4G and Galaxy Tab will both be getting firmware updates this week that add Sprint ID, the carrier's Android skin / theme platform first introduced on the Transform, Optimus S, and Zio last year. For the Epic, the update will also mark the return of Android 2.2 -- Froyo had already made a brief official appearance for Epic owners several weeks back, but bug woes led to a quick pull and a temporary return to Eclair. Looks like the updates start rolling out today, with all current owners having access to the updates by this Thursday, the 24th. Follow the break for the full press release.
Samsung Epic 4G, Galaxy Tab and Transform software updates coming March 21st: Froyo and / or Sprint ID in tow
This one isn't quite completely official just yet, but a helpful tipster has passed along the screenshot above which quite clearly suggests that some software updates are coming to a trio of Sprint's Samsung devices on March 21st. That includes a new and hopefully improved over-the-air upgrade to Android 2.2.1 for the Epic 4G, as well as an Android 2.2 update for the Transform, both of which also include a number of other additions like Flash 10.1 on the Epic and Swype on the Transform. Also not left out of the fun is Sprint's version of the Galaxy Tab, which is getting the Sprint ID update we saw first hand at CES back in January -- it's headed to the Epic and Transform as well.
Sprint pulls Epic 4G Froyo update, cites data connectivity and SD card issues
Well, we're not quite sure what the trouble is with firmware updates for Samsung phones this week, but another one's just been pulled days after it was rolled out. This one affects the Epic 4G, which has now seen its recently released Froyo update pulled by Sprint, which says it's received reports of SD card issues and data connectivity problems from customers who've already installed the update. Still no word as to when a new update might be rolling out, but Sprint says that those who have already taken the plunge should be able to fix any problems with a hard reset -- after they backup all their data, of course.
Samsung Epic 4G's Froyo update now available, no need to wait for OTA
Samsung apparently decided it's made Epic 4G owners wait long enough and beat Sprint's planned OTA release schedule to the punch by a few hours, posting the EB13 build that will update their phones to Froyo on its support website. Click the source link for a .exe to run from a connected PC and upgrade over USB (for rooted and unrooted devices alike, running any earlier software build) or select the Mac link for an update.zip file that can be run directly from the phone's SD card (stock devices running the most recent DI18 build only.) You'll be restoring the device to a blank slate with the former so make sure you've backed up any important SMS's beforehand. So far impressions from early upgraders on XDA-Developers suggest a noticeable performance boost, but other forum posts indicate some pesky bugs like Time Without Service battery drain are still hanging around, peep the full release notes after the break.
Samsung Epic 4G officially signed up for Froyo starting February 21st
Weary Epic 4G owners, wonder no more about your phone's long-overdue update to Android 2.2, because the rumors were true: it's nearly here. Sprint has thrown up a support page detailing the build EB13 upgrade that will kick off on February 21st, saying that all customers "should" have it by the 25th through a phased over-the-air rollout. Besides the usual Android 2.2 goodies, the update promises "GPS enhancements," which is something that pretty much every Galaxy S owner around the world is always on the lookout for with every new firmware version. Of course, we'll believe this all when it actually starts happening -- but it's a good sign.
Sprint's Samsung Epic 4G and Sanyo Zio signed up for Froyo next week?
We've been tipped with a document today that seems to suggest that the age of Android 2.2 is nigh for owners of Sprint's Samsung Epic 4G and Sanyo Zio. The Epic's looking like a four-day phased rollout to build EB13, while the Zio push spans five days (strangely, it says you'll end up on Eclair build DF05, which clearly isn't accurate, so we're hoping this is just a miss by whomever created it). Both are said to kick off next Monday, the 21st -- and for Epic owners in particular, it's a long time coming. Best of luck, folks. [Thanks, anonymous tipster]
Samsung Epic 4G getting post-Christmas Froyo treat?
We're horrible at getting gifts and cards to their recipients on time, usually showing up in mailboxes at least a day late. Samsung, it seems, is in a similar boat with its Epic 4G. According to Phone Arena, Android 2.2.1 (you know, Froyo) will begin rolling out to the handset on December 26. For real this time. Like, really real. Given all that history we're a little bit skeptical about this happening on that date, but don't let that stop you from setting some milk and cookies next to your charging stand on the 26th. Worst case: morning cookies for you on the 27th!
Official Android 2.2 (Froyo) update emerges for Sprint's Epic 4G
Samsung may have missed its promised September (and November) ship dates for Froyo on the Galaxy S range, but at this point, we're just pleased to see any progress at all. Sprint's Epic 4G has just become the first US Galaxy S phone to nab an official Android 2.2 (v2.2.1, in fact) build, with the requisite files populating Google's servers this evening. If you'll recall, a near-final build actually leaked out around three weeks ago, but the DK28 version making the rounds at xda-developers looks to be the real deal. Head on over to get your update going, and be sure to let us know how everything turns out in comments below. Update: Looks like Sprint's not so fond of this here version, and is currently recommending that users avoid it. We're sure the "last minute tweaks' the carrier has in mind will actually only take "a minute." Right. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Samsung ships 3M Galaxy S devices in the US, becomes top Android supplier in the country
You know what happens when you manage to launch essentially the same high-end smartphone on every national carrier in the US plus the top regional? Well, this happens: Samsung has just proudly announced that it's pushed some three million Galaxy S models in the US -- sold as the Fascinate, Captivate, Epic 4G, Vibrant, and Mesmerize on Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and US Cellular, respectively -- which gave it 32.1 percent of the US Android market in the third quarter according to Gartner, enough to vault it to the number one position. When your competitors are HTC and Motorola -- both of whom have knocked some Android phones out of the park this year -- that's pretty impressive. Follow the break for the full press release.
Game Gripper continues its evolution with a new Epic 4G model, Genesis button layout (video)
Sweet, sweet Game Gripper. You make smartphone gaming a rather less cramping experience, and now you're spreading joy to the fourth generation. Owners of Sprint Epic 4G can now get their Gripper on, and can do so with a lovely new Genesis-inspired layout that offers two rows of three buttons plus a D-pad -- and then another four buttons for good measure. It's rather excitedly demonstrated after the break and, like the earlier models, will set you back $14.99. Now, if only we could get handset makers to start adding shoulder buttons on their cellies.
Android 2.2 update for Samsung Epic 4G leaks out
We're still waiting on official Froyo builds for the American Galaxy S variants, but they seem to be getting close. How close? Well, close enough so that you can taste a leak for the Epic 4G if you like to live dangerously. The binary comes conveniently pre-rooted by the source and has a handful of known issues -- most notably some sluggish / buggy web browsing -- but we guess that's the price you pay for stepping out on the bleeding edge. Let's hope an official release isn't too far behind. [Thanks, Caleb E.]
How would you change Sprint's Epic 4G?
It's the only Galaxy S variant to offer 4G connectivity, but it's also the only one that requires a $10/month data surcharge to use. That boost in cost will undoubtedly bring higher expectations, and we're eager to hear from early adopters on how their Epic 4G experience has been. For those who skipped over the EVO 4G in order to get this, we're keenly interested to find out if you've been satisfied with the decision. How's that slide-out QWERTY keyboard treating you? Would you have changed up the UI any? Would you have added any of the quirks from those other Galaxy S versions to this guy? Speak loudly in comments below. But not too loudly. More like a stern whisper.
$50 Samsung Media Hub vouchers making Epic 4G and Galaxy Tab purchases a little sweeter
Presumably looking to build some brand awareness, Sprint and Samsung are apparently teaming up to offer new Epic 4G owners $50 vouchers redeemable toward "select" movie rentals in its Media Hub video-on-demand store -- which will actually buy quite a bit of content, when you think about it. The way it works is that you'll buy the phone and get texted a ten-digit promo code within a few days; once you redeem it for the first time, you'll have 60 days to use it up, otherwise the whole thing will expire on March 31st of next year. Word on the street is that the promotion is also headed for the Sprint version of the Galaxy Tab, which would give these guys a leg up for potential buyers viewing the Tab primarily as a media consumption device when you consider that the same product is coming to all four nationals (plus a regional). Of course, the vouchers are being billed as redeemable toward "select" content, so we'll have to see just how limited it is before calling this a great deal.
Samsung Epic 4G, Galaxy Tab to get Sprint ID service
The forgettable Samsung Transform didn't get Sprint ID off to a strong start, but we wouldn't exactly call the initiative dead in the water: in fact, the carrier has announced that the service will be coming both to the Galaxy Tab and the Epic 4G "soon." We know from our time with the Transform that ID still needs some spit and polish to be useful, but in theory, the concept of being able to effortlessly switch between very comprehensive, deep-reaching themes on an Android device is a compelling one -- and it stands to reason that it'll get smoother after a revision or two. Presumably, this would be made available to existing Epic owners as an over-the-air firmware update, though Sprint hasn't announced whether that'll happen.
Power mad modder rips the keys out of his Epic 4G, calls it a gamepad (video)
Sometimes a mod is more than just a mod: it's a manifesto. When Phawx over at BrainLazy decided to take an X-Acto knife to his Epic 4G's keypad, he knew what he was doing: both challenging Apple's place in the world of cellphone-based gaming and encouraging other manufacturers to step up to the plate. Although early on in the design process he mocked up some plastic controller pieces to replace the factory keypad altogether, by the time it came to try the thing out he realized that by simply pulling out the unused keys and making a few minor (very minor) cosmetic adjustments he could give his touchscreen handset a gamepad slider more eminently more playable than your Droid's Game Gripper -- and eminently less mythical than your PSP Phone. Video after the break.
Sprint Epic 4G update delayed by 'administrative issues,' consumer rage released on schedule
And this, folks, is a lesson of what not to do if you're a major carrier with a majorly perturbed user base. In a way, this sort of feels like the Instinct update debacle all over again, with users claiming that a promised software update was being held beyond the 30 day return window in order to keep contracts alive. 24 hours after a Sprint forum administrator proudly proclaimed that a long-awaited Epic 4G software update was rolling out over the next few days, another admin has chimed in with a nearly-audible "sike!" Rather than letting users cheer its hard work over the weekend, Epic 4G owners are now being told that "administrative issues" are to blame for a new delay -- a delay that'll stretch on for an undetermined amount of time, to boot. Oh, and back on the topic of what not to do, the operator's forum admin has also thrown a jab at all of you out there that would even think of accusing Sprint of pushing this update beyond the 30 day return window. Look, we all know it's a baseless conspiracy theory, but there's really no need to get feisty, is there? Full announcement is after the break. Update: Looks as if the update is out there if you're brave enough to do it yourself. But honestly, is it worth it? Probably. [Thanks, Edward]
Sprint Epic 4G update now rolling out, promises 'increased 3G upload speeds'
Sprint said it was coming, and lo and behold, the carrier has proven to be true to its word. Here on the final day of September, the year 2010, Sprint has issued a highly anticipated firmware update for the Epic 4G. We're told that it'll be pushed automatically to phones, bringing along four major fixes: WiFi standby battery drain, Amazon MP3 cannot download in 4G, large emails lag in upload speeds and increased 3G upload speeds. The new version is S:D700.0.5S.DI18, should take seven or eight minutes to download and will be beamed across The Now Network over the course of the next few days. Is that a congregation celebrating off in the middle distance? Sure is.
