Refresh Roundup: week of June 10th, 2013

Posted on 17/06/2013 by Zachary Lutz

Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software, Mobile

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Smartisan OS goes pre-alpha, available for international Galaxy S III only (video)

Posted on 15/06/2013 by Richard Lai

You may recall that a Chinese startup dubbed Smartisan promised to offer its first custom Android ROM on June 15th. Well, the time has come and the company stuck to its word, but there's a catch: the software is currently still in pre-alpha status, so it's neither stable nor speedy -- definitely not recommended for daily use just yet. That said, the release apparently includes most of the features demonstrated at the three-hour-long launch event.

The other catch is that you'll need an international Samsung Galaxy S III (i9300, WCDMA) plus Windows (presumably non-RT) to flash this early version of Smartisan OS. If you're game then head to the source link for the download and the instructions (but in Chinese). If not, you can wait for the upcoming release for the HTC One X, Samsung Galaxy S II, Xiaomi Phone 2 and Samsung Galaxy Note II. Or you can just wait for Smartisan's very own phone due next year, if you don't mind testing your patience.

Update: Someone's already made a quick hands-on video in Chinese. We've got it right after the break.

Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile

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Via: Engadget China

Source: Smartisan

Mobile Miscellany: week of June 3rd, 2013

Posted on 09/06/2013 by Zachary Lutz

If you didn't get enough mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we've opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This week brought additional peeks at the purported Nokia EOS cameraphone, leaked screenshots of the BlackBerry OS 10.2 update and the arrival of a new budget smartphone from Huawei in the UK. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore all that's happening in the mobile world for this week of June 3rd, 2013.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile

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Verizon Galaxy S III software update adds bug fixes, carrier billing and Multi Window support

Posted on 29/05/2013 by Joseph Volpe

With an AWS-enabled Galaxy S 4 looming on the horizon for Verizon (note: the rhyme has us cringing, too), Samsung's Galaxy S III is gracefully sunsetting its flagship status. But it's not bowing out quietly. A software update is set to roll out to Big Red GS III's that'll bring with it a veritable slew of under-the-hood improvements (i.e., consistent 4G connection when in hotspot mode, easier NFC access, S Voice tweaks, etc.), as well as Multi Window functionality for app multi-tasking and direct carrier billing for Google Play. Owners will also find Flipboard, if they haven't downloaded it already, pre-loaded onto their devices post-update -- though, it arrives without that nifty Air View preview feature. So, you can hold off from the GS4 envy for a bit yet, there's still some life left in Samsung's one-time Android king.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Software, Mobile, Samsung, Verizon

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Via: Phandroid

Source: Verizon

Mobile Miscellany: week of May 20th, 2013

Posted on 26/05/2013 by Zachary Lutz

If you didn't get enough mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we've opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This week brought hints of a revitalized Galaxy Exhibit for T-Mobile, news of two additions to the lineup at Cricket and a peek at the next GoPhone for AT&T. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore all that's happening in the mobile world for this week of May 20th, 2013.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile

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IRL: TYLT cables and a standoff between two Galaxies

Posted on 20/05/2013 by Engadget staff

Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment.

IRL is a column about stuff we're using in real life and yes, that sometimes includes neon-green charging cables. It also includes all manner of smartphones, as you know, and this week we've got a short-and-sweet write-up comparing the GS3 and GS4. Is the 4 worth an early upgrade? Not if you ask Jon Fingas, anyway, but that's mostly because he's happy with the camera, performance and LTE radio on last year's model.

Filed under: Misc, Samsung

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Galaxy S III Android 4.2.2 firmware leaked, adds several S 4 features (video) (update: international model)

Posted on 20/05/2013 by Jamie Rigg

Samsung didn't stray far from its comfort zone when designing the Galaxy S 4, and now a leaked build of Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean for the S III makes it even harder to distinguish the older flagship from the newer one. The folks at SamMobile got their mitts on a test firmware build and, better yet, have combed through it to see what's new. As you may know, the S 4 ships with 4.2.2 under a TouchWiz layer, so it's not surprising to hear most of the features new to this S III build are on the S 4 already: an updated version of S Voice, more lock screen options / unlock effects, new display modes, a redesigned settings interface, voice control, and more. SamMobile has put together a video walkthrough of the build (embedded below), and you'll find an expanded changelog and software screenshots at the source link. Apparently, the firmware "works perfectly," so if you'd rather not wait through the (often lengthy) carrier approval process, you can download it for your S III right now (flashing required, of course).

Update: This is for the international model of the GS III (i9300).

Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile, Samsung, Google

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Via: Sammy Hub

Source: SamMobile

Refresh Roundup: week of May 13th, 2013

Posted on 20/05/2013 by Zachary Lutz

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

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Refresh Roundup: week of April 22nd, 2013

Posted on 28/04/2013 by Zachary Lutz

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software, Mobile

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Eyes-on with Samsung’s eggplant-flavored Galaxy S III

Posted on 11/04/2013 by Ben Gilbert

Main Entry: purple [pur-puhl]
Part of Speech: noun, adjective
Definition: blue and red colors mixed together
Synonyms: amaranthine, amethyst, blue-violet, bluish red, color, heliotrope, lavender, lilac, magenta, mauve, mulberry, orchid, periwinkle, perse, plum, pomegranate, reddish blue, violaceous, violet, wine

Gallery: Samsung Galaxy S3 in Purple (Sprint)