T-Mobile Takes the Low Road, Vibrant Update is NOT an OTA

What a mess these two company’s have created for themselves and for the consumers. Not only have we been impatiently waiting for some sort of good news from T-Mobile and Samsung about Froyo finally rolling out, but now they force it through Kies Mini.

For the majority of the U.S. users, Samsung Kies Mini isn’t a readily known application. It is a free PCapplication that allows you to sync various files through the software to your device. It is also used for installing updates to your device. The full version of Kies is used extensively in the U.K. for updates and seems to work out pretty well.

Here is the conflict with the program, although it is free, it still requires a bit of technical know how. I am not a complete noob on software and even I had some trouble getting things to connect correctly. Not only does this add one more step and complication for users, but not everyone is on a PC. If you are aMAC user I hope you have some friends that will let you use their Windows based PC.

The way I see it, you may as well have just given up on the official update and gone a head and rooted your phone. After all, it is also ‘just a downloaded application’. Sorry T-mobile but this was not the way to make this happen. This is only going to prolong the situation. There is still no word yet of if an OTA might find its way out to people or not. We will keep an eye out for any development on it.

If you plan on attempting this update through Kies Mini, here are some pointers and the download link.

1. www.tinyurl.com/kiesmini
2. You can view a full support and install instructions from Samsung
3. You will need to register your device or the software won’t recognize it. You can register it atSamsung.com also.
4. Set the USB Setting to “ask on connection”. You do this by going to Menu>Settings>Applications>USB Settings>Ask on Connection. You need to do this so you can select “Kies” when you plug your device into your PC.
5. If you are still having issues getting it to connect, leave the application open and keep unplugging and plugging it in. It should eventually recognize your device.

I hope that helps a few people get through the update process.

Source: Thedroidguy and TmoNews

HTC Thunderbolt Priced at $250, Motorola XOOM Will Go for $799 | Android Phone Fans

HTC Thunderbolt Priced at $250, Motorola XOOM Will Go for $799 | Android Phone Fans: "We could be looking at the pricing for two of Verizon’s most highly anticipated future releases. The HTC Thunderbolt, which should be launching in February, looks to be priced slightly higher than your typical new smartphone release at $249.99. The Motorola XOOM looks to get an unsubsidized pricing of $799.99 (we hope its unsubsidized, at least).
Both prices are sure to turn a few heads and strike up some lively conversation. The Thunderbolt does get 4G, but the hardware makes it not much more than similar handsets retailing for $199.99. Given everything the XOOM offers, we aren’t too turned off by the pricing, but with a bit of room for subsidy there is hope it might drop a bit."

After Further Analysis: No Stolen Java Code Shipping with Android, After all | Android Phone Fans

After Further Analysis: No Stolen Java Code Shipping with Android, After all | Android Phone Fans: "It seems whoever came to the conclusion that Android is shipping with a group of 30+ segments of code copied line by line from Java may have not done their homework. After further analysis of the files in question, Ed Burnette of ZDNet has concluded that there are in fact no instances of copied code shipping directly with Android.
The first set of files in question are a group used for running internal tests, and not meant to ship with a final build of Android on a device. A second set contain files specific to native code audio drivers, and also would not ship with Android. The first set did have some wonky licensing pasted on top of it, but Google has already taken upon itself to delete the files as of January 14th, 2011.
It seems the internet (we included) got a bit worked up over the sensationalist claims that Google is clearly stealing from Oracle and Java and was quick to spread the word without further checking into the code in question."

Hell Freezes Over, Vibrant Gets Froyo Update › AndroidGuys

Hell Freezes Over, Vibrant Gets Froyo Update › AndroidGuys: "Whether or not you believe that all the community outrage at the lack of a Froyo update for the Samsung/T-Mo Vibrant did any good, the update is finally here.

As of right now, if you own a T-Mo Vibrant, you can download the 2.2 Froyo update for your phone using the Kies Mini software that Sammy uses to push builds to devices. If you have questions you can visit the T-Mo discussion thread by clicking here.

We originally thought that this would be an OTA upgrade, but I am glad to see it as a download so people can get it when they are ready (NOW).

Let us know how the upgrade process goes."

Android 2.3.2 Update Pushing to Nexus S Phone, Fixes SMS Bug | Android Phone Fans

Android 2.3.2 Update Pushing to Nexus S Phone, Fixes SMS Bug | Android Phone Fans: "Just yesterday we got word that an update was poised for release on the Nexus S and that it would fix the SMS bug seeing text messages sent to the wrong contact, and now several of you readers have reported in to inform us that the update is starting to reach handsets now. Never mind that yesterday we heard it wouldn’t be out until next week, the update bring the version number on Android on the Nexus S to 2.3.2.
Update is going out over-the-air right now, so hang tight and it should hit your Nexus S shortly if you have one."

Trapster user e-mails and passwords might have been compromised | Android Central

Trapster user e-mails and passwords might have been compromised | Android Central: "We've covered Trapster a few times here in the past but they seem to of have had a run in with some hackers as of late. Recently Trapster has been sending e-mails out to users letting them know hackers may have comprised the Trapster database:

'The Trapster team has recently learned that our website has been the target
of a hacking attempt, and it is possible that your email address and password were compromised. We have taken, and continue to take, preventative measures to avoid future incidents but we are recommending that you change your Trapster password. As always, Trapster recommends that you use distinctive passwords for each site you visit, but if you use the same password on Trapster that you use on other services, we recommend that you change your password on those services as well.'

If you have any questions, you'll want to reach out to Trapster, and if you are a Trapster user please, be sure to change up your password as soon as possible. Thanks to everyone who sent this in!"

Nexus One Getting Update to Android 2.2.2 | Android Phone Fans

Nexus One Getting Update to Android 2.2.2 | Android Phone Fans: "Nexus One Getting Update to Android 2.2.2
by Kevin Krause on January 21st, 2011 at 6:15 pm

Not to be left completely in the dust by its successor the Nexus S, we are also receiving word that the Nexus One is also receiving an update today. The N1′s latest software brings it up to Android 2.2.2, which appears to be a maintenance update more than anything else. We’re still looking into whether or not this update also fixes the SMS bug as does the Nexus S’s Android 2.3.2 update, but we get the feeling it does. Nexus One owners expect this one over the air over the next few days."

Reuters: Nexus One Available Directly Through Google Website January 5 | AndroidGuys

Via:AndroidGuys

Reuters is reporting that a source of theirs indicates a January 5th date for the Nexus One to go on sale. They’ve been advised that it will be at a “reduced price to consumers who agree to a service contract from Deutsche Telekom’s T-Mobile USA“. Are we skeptical? Sure. It’s only a couple weeks away but whatever. We thought it would be months before Google Goggles was ready and here it was rolled out days after we learned of it.

We were looking through our comments from another post and found that the always-fun Charbax dropped by with some information regarding price. We’re not sure were he heard it or how he knows, but here’s what he says…

Here’s the price: $199 unlocked in stores. $100 rebate online if you have an active and old Google account. That $100 rebate is either to buy it $99 online from Google’s online phone store, for using on Android Marketplace or for using on any Google Checkout stores. Can also be used for T-Mobile or AT&T pre-paid Data SIM card service at $29 per month, no contracts required.

Google will push full VOIP usage on these, meaning no voice/sms plans needed at any carrier. Voice calls will go through Google Voice on Data SIM cards and will provide unlimited free voice calling. And SMS is replaced by unlimited free Gtalk.

Finally, Google will provide easy roaming data services in other countries. For example, if you go to Europe, you can roam on HSDPA data networks for the same price of 20€ per month, and if you only stay in Europe for a few days you won’t need to pay for the whole month. You may not even need to change the SIM card.