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T-Mobile's Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 lands Ice Cream Sandwich update
After more than a month of waiting, Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 for T-Mobile has finally joined some of its brethren with an Ice Cream Sandwich update. Big Magenta has posted the Android 4.0.4 download for those who'd like to install the OS manually via Samsung Kies. While the carrier says the Android flavor won't be delivered over-the-air, TmoNews reports that some users have loaded up their hardware with an OTA update. Ready to hop on the ICS bandwagon? Check your slate for an upgrade notice or hit the source link below for instructions and the appropriate download.
OTA Update Center encourages PC-free upgrades for custom Android ROMs
Over-the-air firmware updates are mainstays for most smartphone platforms, but custom ROM builders have rarely had such a luxury, even with Android. The OTA Update Center wants to shoulder that noble burden. Along with simply hosting the updates to prevent outrageous bandwidth bills, the Center enables everything an Android ROM creator might need, such as update checks, on-device firmware flashing and wiping either a cache or all user data for the more dramatic upgrades. In practice, the real perk is the cost: it's free to use, so everyone from hobbyists to seasoned teams can take advantage. While the list of those either using or planning to use the OTAUC isn't public, we're hoping it leads to a few more experimental builds of CyanogenMod and other ROMs that can now get the same tender loving care as the official code.
OTA Honeycomb update rolling out to wealthy HTC Flyer owners
You see that? It's a screenshot from a 32GB 3G + WiFi model of HTC's 7-inch Flyer that's suddenly updated to Honeycomb 3.2 without so much as a note from its mother. A tipster to the French site HTC Hub has revealed that the update (version 3.55.405.1) weighs in at 210MB and updated over the air, but so far no-one with a cheaper 16GB WiFi-only edition has been able to replicate the experience. Either the company is staggering the roll out of Google's tablet-optimized software, or it's only interested in looking after the high-rollers. Update: HTC just confirmed over on Facebook that the GSM 3G version of the Flyer gets the Honeycomb update today, the update for WiFi-only users is "coming soon." [Thanks, Bruno]
Acer starts rolling out Android 3.1 update for the Iconia Tab A500
Almost on schedule, Acer has started pushing out an update for its Iconia Tab A500 that will upgrade the 10-inch slate to Android 3.1. If you'll recall, the update actually leaked late last month, but would have required folks to take the risk of flashing their tablets. As is often the case, it's unclear how long the roll-out will last, so don't be crestfallen if you can't enjoy those resizeable widgets just yet. For those of you who did wake up to an update, have at it -- and do tell us how it goes.
Sprint updating the Samsung Galaxy Tab with Gingerbread on July 5
It's hard out there for a Samsung Galaxy Tab owner, watching Honeycomb slates hit the market by the bushel, with a lucky few stepping up to Android 3.1 and its resizeable widgets. Sprint, at least, is still giving the 'ol Tab some love -- according to an anonymous tipster, the Now Network will push out an update to Gingerbread, something Tab owners overseas have already been enjoying. The upgrade's expected to roll out starting July 5th, and will include not just Android 2.3, but a step up to HID Bluetooth as well. Oh, and while it's at it, Sprint will also release a fix for a bug in the Samsung Transform that has interfered with PRL and data profile updates. Sounds like as fine a way as any to beat the post-holiday weekend blues.
EVO Shift 4G owners start manually upgrading to Gingerbread
Right on schedule, EVO Shift 4G owners should be able to step on up to Android 2.3. Yesterday, an anonymous tipster gave us a heads up that the upgrade was nigh, and indeed, we're seeing reports that people are manually downloading the update, which includes not just Gingerbread, but Swype, a downloads application, and a fix for apps that haven't been able to stream media. In fact, we've heard some folks say they received the update last night, when we had heard it was scheduled to drop today. If for some reason you want to wait until Sprint pushes the update to you, that should happen on Monday. As always, proceed with caution and let us know how it goes. [Thanks, Jeff]
EVO Shift 4G getting Gingerbread, Swype on June 20
Shift owners, you didn't think you were chopped liver, did you? On the heels of blessing the EVO 4G with Gingerbread, the Shift 4G is about to get some Android 2.3 lovin' of its own. According to this leaked page of instructions sent in by an anonymous tipster, the package includes not just Gingerbread, but Swype, a downloads application, and a fix for apps that haven't been able to stream media properly. Officially, the update's coming on Monday, though it looks like impatient folks should be able to manually update their phones starting tomorrow. Let's just hope it's a smoother transition than when the EVO 4G stepped up to Android 2.3 -- we got a deluge of tips from disgruntled readers who found the update had rendered Netflix unusable.
iTunes leak suggests 'Automatic Download' over-the-air updates are coming in iOS 5
In the lead-up to this year's WWDC, we so far know three things for sure: Apple will unveil OS X Lion, iCloud, and... automatic, over-the-air app updates for iOS 5, apparently. While searching for updates in iTunes, a MacRumors reader stumbled upon this page, which alludes to an "Automatic Download" feature that allows for wireless syncing. Also, the fact that Apple went out of its way to say "...if your device has Automatic Download enabled for apps" makes us wonder what else we'll soon be able to update over the air. The company has since pulled the tattletale page in iTunes, but MacRumors grabbed a screenshot while it was still live. Looks like the cat's out of the bag, but we'll let you know when Jobs & Co. make it official on Monday.
OTA Gingerbread 2.3 update now available for Droid X
Android 2.3 hit the web for Droid X owners earlier this week, but that update previously required a tethered, manual install. As of today, the update is available over the air, so cable-free purists can finally start cooking with Gingerbread on their Droid X handsets. We first saw 2.3 popping up on the device in March, but if you opted out of rooting your handset for an early look at the new OS, you can now get your feet wet with speedy navigation, a customizable dock, and an overhauled camera app. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Android 2.2's Froyo goodness hitting the Nexus One already? (update: just press so far)
Sometimes it's good to be the chosen child, the special one, and in the eyes of Google the Nexus One is that special phone -- at least for the moment. As such it seems to have been given a special treat: access to Froyo, earlier than expected. TechCrunch's MG Siegler is reporting that his handset received Android 2.2 overnight. So far we're not hearing too many other reports of folks seeing this update, but that could be thanks to everyone sleeping off a week of exciting announcements. Sound off in comments if you're waking up to this frosty, low-calorie snack. Update: We're not sure how this is being rolled out, as hardly anyone is seeing updates, but via Droidnytt we found a number of reports on Twitter that people are indeed seeing the update. Update 2: Count us among the lucky few who just received the OTA Froyo update, to our original T-Mobile-based device. Update 3: We've done some additional investigation, and as far as we can tell, Google is only updating review Nexus Ones that had been provided to the press -- not off-the-shelf phones. We'll stay on this and let you know more as soon as we do. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
