On November 10, 2011 Sprint announced the Samsung Epic 4g would be updated to Gingerbread S:D700.0.5S.EI22 over the course of the next ten days.  Sprint’s intent of slowing updating everyone to the EI22 ROM is to be able to monitor the process in the event they have to pull the update due to technical problems. Already users are reporting WiFi, GPS, and keyboard bugs which Sprint or Samsung has yet to acknowledge.

For those of us who are too anxious to wait on the OTA now have several methods available (a few of these methods have fixes already available).

IMPORTANT:  Please make sure that you make backups of all your information before doing any upgrades, while some methods like the update.zip is rather safe, it doesn’t hurt to make a copy of what is important to you. For those who have clockworkmod 2.X (green one), you should upgrade to the latest clockworkmod 3.X (purple) as old clockworkmod backups will not be compatible.

1) First method is to do a manual update.

a) Go to this link and download the file gTen has provided.
b) Rename the file to update.zip (make sure it’s not renamed update.zip.zip)
c) Place the file on the Root of your SD Card
d) shut down your phone and boot into recovery by holding voldown+camera+power
e) Choose to flash update.zip

 Notes:
1 This method will not give you Root
2 If you already rooted the above method will not work
3 This is NOT a custom ROM it is the manual way to upgrade.

2) Second Method Rooting EI22 after OTA or Google update (credits: XDA member metalblaster)

a) Video Provided by qbking77
b) first you need to install the OTA either through the OTA method or through the Google link method.
c) Next you need to go to the ACS forums and Download the ACS recovery 1.0.0.5.tar.md5 file, You will need this file as well

1 confirm you have gingerbread EI22.
2 download the 2 files above (you can use CWM purple version as well if you don’t want the acs Recovery.)
3 Put the su-3.0-efgh-signed.zip file onto your sdcard and turn off the phone.
4 Boot into Download mode by holding the 1 key on the keyboard and the power key
5 open odin and connect the phone to the computer, one of the ID:com boxes will light up to confirm it is connected.
6 put the ACSrecovery.tar.md5 file into the PDA area of odin, make sure everything is uncheck except Auto-reboot and hit start.
7 if done correctly your phone should reboot directly into ACS recovery mode.
8 once in recovery flash the Su-***** .zip file then reboot the phone.
9 If CWM does not stick due to the added script Samsung embedded in the phone kernel you should see below. There are thus far, 2 possible options, Option 1 will give you the Keyboard fix with a relatively Stock experience and Option 2 will give you a Deodexed Rom, nubernal, the keyboard fix and the GPS fix.

***UPDATE***

Apparently Samsung included a script that reflashes the stock recovery upon boot, so if you install a custom recovery (ACS or CWM) it will overwrite it upon boot.

d) (Option 1) Fix so that Clockwork Sticks

i) First Odin Mkasik’s EI22 Keyboard fix Kernel (PDA – Only check Auto Reboot) Then Odin Purple Clockwork.

e) (Option 2) override the built in Samsung issue and make CWM as well as add the nubernal.

i) Follow the steps up until you get into ACS recovery or CWM and flash the .zip in this post rather than the Su.zip file.
ii) This will completely fix your GPS and CWM problems as well as deodex the EI22 version you have.

If you’re an At&t Android user, today is a happy day for you. They have announced that all of their postpaid Android users will get an upgrade to Gingerbread sometime this year. The Motorola Atrix 4G is first on the list, getting their update within the next few weeks. The HTC Inspire 4G will get their’s sometime next month.

One thing I found interesting is that they listed the Samsung Captivate 4G. I was a previous Captivate owner, and it does not have HSPA+ (At&t’s 4G). This is also the first time I’ve seen them call it a 4G phone. I believe it did have HSDPA and HSUPA for faster uploads, but not the +.

Source: PhoneDog

AT&T Customers to Enjoy Gingerbread
Android 2.3 Debuted in the AT&T Portfolio with HTC Status, All Post-paid Android Smartphones Released in 2011 Planned to Receive 2.3 Upgrade

© 2011 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. Mobile broadband not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

Verizon HTC Thunderbolt owners have been frustrated about random reboots, battery life, and GPS lock times, along with other issues, since release. The first update cured some of these issues, but some still remain. Well there are now some new signs pointing to an update for June 30th and with Gingerbread in tow. At least that’s what these new leaked images show us.

We know that a fix was is in the works, and it was supposed to come during the second half of June. However, we hadn’t heard any other info about the OTA update, except that MR2 was rumored to have been delayed a bit longer, as has been the case with most every announcement surrounding this device, since we first heard about it.

Well, It seems that this is not just a maintenance release, as has been expected. The leaked document shows some impressive additions to the upcoming update, including features like:

• Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread
• pre-installed Amazon Appstore
• Skype video functionality
• gTalk video compatibility (which comes default with Android 2.3.4)

So it would appear we have quite an impressive update to look forward to.
Not only do we now have more details, but we have a date to expect it.
So if things stay on schedule, we should be expecting to have access to this update as of June 30th.

What are your thoughts on this update?
Is this a believable document and release date?
Are you excited to officially be getting Gingerbread for your HTC Thunderbolt?

source: androidandme

It looks like the Evo Shift 4G will be receiving the Gingerbread treatment that many have been hoping for. According to some new information from Sprint, you can expect to start seeing the update available on your Evo Shift as of June 17th. Sprint will be sending out software update notifications to Evo Shift owners but you can just keep checking for the software update from the settings menu, when that day arrives.

Having come from a qwerty device previously myself, I can see why some users just may see this as a superior device to its’ keyless cousin. Especially seeing how the Shift already has Sense 2.1. Perhaps HTC will keep this in mind when they hit users with the maintenance release for the original Evo 4G.

There is already a leaked version of this Gingerbread update. It is currently available in a rooted version, for the original HTC Evo 4G and runs quite well on the device.
Aside from the standard Gingerbread goodies and fixes, this update includes Swype as the default keyboard, a download manager, and a fix for some known streaming media issues.

With the Shift getting Sense 2.1, do you think HTC will skip giving the Evo 4G(original) Sense 2.1, in efforts to keep everyone upgrading?
Do you look forward to some Gingerbread sweetness on your Evo Shift 4G?
Are there bugs you hope to see corrected in this release?
Let me know what you think.

source: Android Police

On Sprint handhelds, there is a Sprint ID app, which contains a menu for downloading the Sprint Employee Pack for Sprint ID. The employee ID packs were announced to employees in the retail playbook a few weeks ago. They contain links to sales tips and facts about devices. Before it will allow you to download this pack, you are prompted to specify which device you have. Well it appears that there are currently a few new names in this list.

• LG Optimus B
• LG Q
• Samsung Chief
• Motorola Sunfire

Image courtesy of androidcentral

Per the roadmap leak:
o LG Q – is the Optimus Slider/Gelato Q
o Samsung Chief – is the SPHD600BKS, sometimes referred to as the Within, Galaxy S2, Conquer, etc…
o Optimus B – Don’t know, but I’m thinking it’s the Optimus Black
o Moto Sunfire – Probably the new Photon 4G
o Epic 2.3 seen in the image – is likely the Gingerbread update coming very soon.

source: androidcentral

So it appears that after months of talking about bringing Gingerbread to the HTC Desire – HTC throws in the towel and says it is not possible… It appears that they can’t deliver on their promise because there is not enough memory on the device to give them “acceptable” user experience with Gingerbread (2.3) and Sense UI…

Now for you users that have not rooted and flashed a custom ROM on the device – it appears you will forever have that Froyo headache and be missing out on the Gingerbread yumminess. Now I have to raise this question – the HTC Desire is a 1GHz processor with 576MB Ram and 512MB Rom – but the Wildfire has a 600Mhz 512MB Ram and 512MB Rom – and it supports Gingerbread…HMMM what gives here?!

Tell us (and possibly HTC) what you think about this desicion to stop developing for this device…Will this in fact hurt them and make people question why it is not happening? Will this make you leave HTC for a different cell phone manufacture? Tell us PPCGeekers!

Special Thanks Goes out to Mr. X who supplied the source!

Source: Facebook

You may have heard the rumors on the web today stating that the Motorola Droid X Gingerbread update to version 4.5.588 is quietly hitting devices. Still, no one knows whether or not this is the official build Verizon plans to release but the good news is a leak  has been spotted on the Droid-Life forums. The source suggests this has been confirmed to be the actual update and they have shared it with others.

Are you ready to get started flashing or have you already? If not, below you will find the instructions on how to get Gingerbread version 4.5.588 installed on your Droid X. Keep in mind, rooted users have to go back to Gingerbread version 2.3.340 in order for this to work on your Droid X.

Download this:Blur_Version.2.3.340.MB810.Verizon.en.US.zip

1. Download the file from above and drop it on the root of your SD card.
2. Rename it to update.zip.
3. Turn your phone all the way off.
4. Boot into recovery: *Hold the Home button + Power.  When triangle appears, press Search.
5. Choose the option to install update.zip using your volume keys.
6. Your phone will now load the new Gingerbread.
7. Enjoy!

Let us know what you think about the update once you give it a try. Was the installation this easy? The instructions seem to be simple. We want to know what you think! Feel free to hop into our Droid X Forums and create your own topic on this wonderful leak!! Leave your comments in the box below.

Thanks YoungDC!!

Source: Gottabemobile via DroidXForums

Google has been sued successfully and lost for use of Linux on it’s server platform.  Although this may not be a huge loss to Google financially, this issue could extend to the Android platform. Bedrock Computer Technology has also sued AOL, Yahoo and Amazon to name a few.

Will companies like Bedrock Computer Technologies impede the growth of Linux?

What do you Geek-A-Holics think?
Get your Geek Freak on and let us know.

Source: Intomobile & BBC

Many geeks grabbed the official test Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) ROM for the HTC EVO 4G yesterday from over at XDA and we want to know what you think so far. Was it everything you wanted, what you wanted and more or not exactly what you expected?

What would you say has improved or needs more work? What we’ve heard so far from users so far are comments stating the phone runs significantly faster, smoother and the screen response time is better than iPhone devices in some peoples opinions.

Wanting to give it a shot and haven’t yet? When you get ready to give it a try you can download it from their MultiUpload mirror, and if you have any questions or need help, the source has all the answers. Be sure to let us know what you think! Leave your comments in the box below.

Source: XDA

We recently got word that some owners of the Droid X and Droid 2 received leaked Gingerbread builds with updated MotoBlur. Mydroidworld has shared the leak and we are here spreading the word. This is something very exciting for Motorola Android users and maybe will hold them over until any further official updates are released.

To install the Android Gingerbread 2.3.3 update to the Motorola Droid 2 follow these steps:

1. Download the file from the TBH app (public release in 72 hrs)
2. Use Bootstrap to get your phone into recovery.
3. Create a backup (This is not compatible with new firmware)
4. Install the Firmware using recovery
1. select install zip from sdcard
2. choose zip from sdcard
3. navigate to teamblackhat folder
4. select the file you downloaded
5. Restart phone
6. Re-activate your phone
1. dial *228
2. select 1

To install the Android Gingerbread 2.3.3 update to the Motorola Droid X follow these steps:

1. Download the file from the TBH app (public release in 72 hrs)
2. Use Bootstrap to get your phone into recovery.
3. Create a backup (This is not compatible with new firmware)
4. Install the Firmware using recovery
1. select install zip from sdcard
2. choose zip from sdcard
3. navigate to teamblackhat folder
4. select the file you downloaded
5. Restart phone

Take a look at the Droid X running gingerbread below:

While you are thinking about those, think about this. A new ROM has leaked out for the Euro version of the Samsung Galaxy S recently, found over at XDA. This means that the US version can’t be too far behind right? Hopefully we will start seeing new ROM leaks for us too very soon.

For now, take a look at the video XDA has shared showing you the rooted device running an Android 2.3.3 ROM on the Samsung Galaxy S.

Source: XDA & AC

Some of you may have noticed in Facebook’s changelog that they supposedly enabled push notifications a few versions ago. This wasn’t working for most people, actually, probably 99% of people. Lots of people loved that feature on the iPhone. As a workaround, I always setup SMS/Email notifications, but its just not the same as getting native notifications. Since last week, I’ve seen a few reports of people saying that push notifications are starting to work for them, and others saying it still wasn’t. Mine just started working today.

You definitely need Android 2.2 or higher to get push notifications. In my settings, I have the “refresh interval” set to Never but I have Notifications checked. I’m using a Google Nexus One with the latest CM (CyanogenMOD) 7 nightly build (which is Gingerbread). I also have the app installed to the internal memory, not moved to the SD card like you can do with Froyo/Gingerbread.

Start reporting if its working for you guys or not. Make sure you tell us what your device is and what ROM you’re using.

GLBenchmark has shown a screenshot of what appears to be another new device coming to Sprint, the HTC Shooter. Some say this device is possibly going to have a dual-core Qualcomm processor. What would give that away? Keep reading to learn more.

If you didn’t notice, the image suggests that this device is carrying the new Adreno 220 GPU. Normally, that means it’s going to be paired with twin twin processing units. The image also suggests this device will be running on Android Gingerbread 2.3.2.  Sounds good doesn’t it, or does it? Let us know what you think!

Source: Engadget via glbenchmark

Are you among the crowd who loves using Android but never could figure out why you can’t take screenshots? Most geeks know that your phone has to be rooted if you run Android 2.2 or less and want to take screenshots. That’s why some of you aren’t able to do so. We have good news though! Coming with Android 2.3.3 is the ability to take screenshots without rooting your device. How’s that sound?

Androinica.com happened to come up on a tweet conversation between Cyanogen and phone guru Paul O’Brian, creator of the MoDaCo forum. Take a look at the tweet posted below:

Now all we can do is wait for everyone to have access to Android 2.3.3 and take advantage of screenshots. Do you use any screenshot applications now? Or are you a user who doesn’t want to root your device and would love to have access to screenshot applications in the future? Let us know your thoughts and opinions. Thanks!

Source: Androinica

UPDATE:

It appears there’s been a misunderstanding over the current situation of who really is #1! After speaking with PR Reps from Verizon Wireless, there is a difference between the number of actual subscribers, and machine to machine users on the carrier’s respective networks. It appears, according to Verizon’s statistics, that they are indeed on top!

Here’s quick listing of stats provided by Verizon and noted in a recent article by ComputerWorld

— Customers excluding connections:  94M for Verizon vs. 86M for AT&T

— Customers including connections: 102.2M for Verizon vs. 95.5M AT&T

We have yet to hear from AT&T regarding this.

To read more about it, click here for the ComputerWorld Article!

For months now users of AT&T have asked why aren’t there more high end Android devices available? Most of us imagine it’s because of the iPhone popularity, which is probably going to change soon. With AT&T no longer having the iPhone all to themselves, they are finally putting more focus on Android devices.

At CES, AT&T announced several top-of-the-line Android devices. Shortly following CES, during a conference call, CEO Randall Stephenson stated that “AT&T is going to be a heavy participant in the Android market this year.” He also stated that AT&T would have more focus on not only Android phones but tablets as well.

Do you currently have AT&T? Were you one of the customers waiting for a higher end device? If so, let us know what you think in the comments box below.

Source: BGR

Android Community was just sent a tip that is very interesting and may make some of you upset, if it’s true. If you’re an Android user waiting on the Android 2.3 (aka Gingerbread) update to be available on your device, it sounds like that wait may never end.

What’s been said was that Google is forcing manufacturers to hold back the update to Android 2.3 Gingerbread on ALL handset models until April, possibly even May so that they can sell more Nexus S devices. Does this make sense to you? Maybe they manufactured way more than they thought.

If this is the case, surely Google will announce it, or not? We wish we could get some sort of official announcement but it doesn’t look like that may happen. What do you think? Let us hear your thoughts in the comment boxes below.

Source: AndroidCommunity

Our Geeks have talked about this device and come to find out, it’s absolutely what you expected and more! The Samsung Vibrant 4G has been confirmed by one of  BoyGeniusReport’s tipsters with details and a photo. Looks like TMobile is going to have another popular device available soon but no dates were confirmed.

The image above shows you some of what is in store. BGR mentions how the phone above is not skinned with Samsung’s TouchWiz UI but Samsung is supposed to be working on an Android 2.3 compatible version, bollocks. He confirms this is definitely Android 2.3 while the first rumors you heard were that it was Android 2.2. Also, notice the front facing camera, doesn’t that excite you?

Features of the Samsung Vibrant 4G:

• A 21Mbps HSPA+ radio
• TMobile self-proclaimed 4G network
• 4-inch Super AMOLED display
• Android 2.3
• Front Facing Camera

Source: BGR

UPDATE:

After several websites posted this great news we all got so excited about, there seems to be one site who isn’t so sure this is true. Why? Keep reading to find out. They seem to have some pretty interesting points they have picked out as you can tell with their drawings in the image above.

Why Android Police thinks this could very possibly be a fake:

• The example icons in the first image, towards the top left do not match the icons used on the phone.
• The image on the screen of the phone doesn’t fit the actual screen. It’s not even close.
• The phone looks awfully familiar to the iPhone 4  right down to a metal band around the edge.
• The taskbar matches the iPhone 4 also.
• The side of the phone seems to be super-shiny chrome now, when it’s a matte metal in the other renders? The bottom (thumb-side) also looks to be either white or extremely shiny in the side view as well, but that doesn’t match the matte black of the front and back renders.
• DLNA is incorrectly spelled as “DNLA”.
• “Clouding services” is not something Samsung would say. They use  “cloud services.”
• Engadget makes it look like they’re not sure whether the screen is 4.5″ or 4.3″ and downplays this gross inconsistency.
• SAMOLED2 – do you really think this is how we’d find out about the next generation Super AMOLED?

These are some pretty interesting facts that I sure didn’t notice. Good to know someone out there is studying the images a lot closer. Although they aren’t saying this is definitely fake, there are some pretty large factors in the image that do point in the direction of being untrue. What do you think?

Source: Android Police

END OF UPDATE:

So we all just knew Gingerbread was coming today didn’t we? Why didn’t it happen is what I want to know? While you are wondering this at the same time lets take a look at what was just leaked out to Engadget. Apparently a new Samsung Android device is coming in early 2011 with Gingerbread as you can see in the image above.

Study that image above and see what your thoughts are on the specifications. No need for me to explain because they are all right there. I would like to point out my three favorite parts: the sAMOLED screen,1.2GHz processor and of course Gingerbread!

Do you think we will have to wait until then for Gingerbread? I don’t think so but who knows. It was supposed to be released today with no word of it anywhere. What’s up with that? Let us know what you think!

Source: Engadget

Froyo and Gingerbread. Froyo will be built upon Linux Kernel 2.6.32 while Gingerbread will be based on 2.6.33 or 2.6.34. The two known bits of information on Froyo (other than it’s kernel) is that it is expected to be released as as update for the HTC EVO 4G and that it will include functionality for 4G radios. An interesting technical tidbit that may interest the über Android Geeker about the patches that are made to the Android Linux Kernel is the following post by Brian Swetland, who is head of the Android Kernel development team-

We maintain a set of patches on top of Linux, which we periodically rebase to the latest released Linux kernel. We’ve been doing this roughly every other kernel release since about 2.6.14. This week we’re finalizing our move to 2.6.32 for the Android “Froyo” release, and we’ll likely be on .33 or .34 for “Gingerbread”.

These patches fall roughly into four buckets:
– random bugfixes (these are usually pretty easy to submit upstream)
– generic Android related drivers that are standalone (lowmemorykiller, binder, ashmem, logger, etc): These pieces are used by the Android userspace, but not other kernel drivers.
– generic Android related drivers that add new infrastructure. Wakelocks are pretty much the only significant piece here. They are depended on my peripheral drivers, but that can be conditionalized.
– support for new SoCs (msm7k, msm8k, etc) and boards/devices (G1, myTouch, NexusOne, Droid, etc) – they live under arch/arm/mach-*/… and don’t have many special dependencies other than wakelocks (which can be conditionalized)

I wonder what the next version of Android will be codenamed. Maybe Hotcakes? Post your best guess in the comments below!

Source- lwn.net via androidandme.com