In the next few days, Sprint will be rolling out some updates for these devices. Most are pretty minimal. The “Security Update” could be to remove the controversial CarrierIQ software. Here’s what’s included in the updates:

HTC Evo 4G
Security Update
Updated Peep client (to align with Twitter)
Battery life improvements

HTC EVO Design 4G
Security Update
Updated Peep and Sprint Zone clients
Battery life improvements
3LM Enterprise Tool Access (no user interface changes)

Samsung Epic 4G
Security update
Speaker feedback fix
The QIK and Asphalt 5 applications are no longer preloaded – when tapping on their icons you will be redirected to the Android market to download them from there.

Source: IntoMobile

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.

According to the image leaked above, the Samsung Epic, Galaxy Tablet and the Transform will all be getting over the air updates starting March 21, 2011. That’s just around the corner.  Not sure what the updates are? Keep reading to find out more.

The Epic 4G will be updated OTA to EC05 (Android 2.2.1 – Froyo), bluetooth will be improved, flash player enhancements made as well as adding Sprint ID as a feature.

The Galaxy Tablet will be updated to EB28 which is also Android 2.2, added Sprint ID and added DSA to check usage.

The Samsung Transform will also be updated to EB28 (Upgraded to Android 2.2), adding Swype, an upgrade to the Sprint Zone (Version 2.5) and providing various bug fixes in search, mobile hotspot and with Google syncing issues.

Keep in mind it could take up to four days to complete the updates and for everyone to have it on their device. Be patient. The updates will eventually get to you. For now, let us know what you think.

Recently, I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to test out the latest in Seidio’s line of powerful, protective cases for the various fragile and injury-prone devices by Samsung, HTC, and other big Smartphone manufacturers. Today I took a look at the Seidio Innocase Surface for the new Samsung EPIC 4G smartphone.

For starters, I just got back from a trip to the mountainous of Utah. The case held up decently but there comes a point when your phone is tumbling down the mountain trail, banging against dirt, rocks and other debris, when it’s time to choose something with a little more protection. Despite this, it held up just fine when used under normal conditions (such as at the home or office). It isn’t made of super strength alloy or titanium but it sure gets the job done in the end without adding an uncomfortable amount of bulk. One advantage wherever you are is the sleek, rubberized “surface” it’s given for that extra strong grip, hence the name of the product.

Applying it takes a little bit of effort with the interlocking tabs, try not to remove it too often as it feels like it’s made to stay in use rather than to be constantly taken off. Still, I recommend this product highly for the everyday user, as it completed a rigorous amount of testing and is still standing strong. The only thing to look out for is the inner surface, which may scratch your phone accidentally due to the tough interior.

This product is a strong combination of tough, reliable, and high quality. Just what you’d expect from such a case.

This case retails for 29.99 and we thank Seidio for giving us the opportunity to review it. Feel free to pick it up from Seidio Directly (link here)

Sprint has finally announced the pricing and availability of its next big Android phone, the Samsung Epic 4G. It will be available through all retail channels (including partner retailers like Best Buy, Wal-Mart, and RadioShack) on Tuesday, August 31st. It will be $249.99 with a two-year contract and a $100 mail-in rebate (although the retail partners usually offer instant rebates).

“For the first time ever, Sprint is offering customers a unique opportunity to reserve Samsung Epic 4G for purchase. Customers can reserve their smartphone for purchase at www.sprint.com/epic4g beginning Friday, Aug. 13., while supplies last. Customers who reserve Samsung Epic 4G will be able to complete their purchase beginning Tuesday, Aug. 31, and must complete their purchase no later than 6 p.m. local time on Wednesday, Sept. 1. Through the reservation process, customers will be able to reserve their devices online, pick them up in a Sprint Store, and receive the full retail experience, including Sprint’s Ready Now service.”

The press release also says they will be required to have the $10 Premium Data add-on, just like the Evo 4G. I think we all saw that one coming though.

Source: Sprint’s Newsroom

The release of the Sprint Samsung Epic 4G is getting closer and closer each day. While there’s no official release date yet, it just passed through the FCC.

The Epic 4G is Sprint’s 2nd 4G handset (the first being the Evo 4G). This is Sprint’s version of the Samsung Galaxy series with a sliding keyboard. The Galaxy is coming to all four major US carriers, and Sprint, so far, is the only one that opted for the Galaxy Pro (the keyboard version).

When do you think it’ll officially be on sale? We all knew the discussion would arise sometime, which do you think is better; the Evo or the Epic?

Source: AndroidCentral (Thanks for the tip gTen!)

We already knew a version of the highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy was coming to every major US carrier this summer. Its already been announced as the Vibrant on T-Mobile and will be available on July 21st (now rumored to be the 15th). Now, At&t has officially announced their version, the Samsung Captivate, available July 18th. It will be available for $199.99 with a 2-year contract or $349.99 with no contract. Now that official dates are out for the two major GSM carriers, we’re just waiting for official dates from the two major CDMA carriers, Sprint (Epic 4) and Verizon (Fascinate).

Source: Facebook