Refresh Roundup: week of May 21st, 2012
Refresh Roundup: week of May 21st, 2012
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!
Official Android updates
- HTC Amaze 4G: This T-Mobile branded smartphone received its Android 4.0 update from the carrier this week. As you'd expect of all last-gen HTC handsets, the update includes Sense 3.6 rather than Sense 4, though most users are likely to appreciate the improved battery life. [TmoNews]
- ASUS Transformer Pad TF300: Software version 9.4.3.29 is available for ASUS's latest tablet, which is said to bring stability improvements, support for Face Unlock, battery usage details and performance enhancements. What's more, the manufacturer has separately made a bootloader unlock utility available for users that'd like to delve into the world of custom ROMs. [Android Police 1, 2]
- HTC Sensation 4G and Raider 4G: Bell Mobility in Canada is now rolling out the Ice Cream Sandwich update for these two smartphones from HTC. [Android Central]
- Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet: Good news for users of this business-minded tablet -- Android 4.0 is now available in the UK and parts of Europe as an over-the-air download, and US availability is currently slated for June 8th. Along with the system overhaul, the update is said to bring support for GPS and improved performance. [The Verge]
- Samsung Galaxy S II: A new update is available for the T-Mobile USA version of this popular handset. Known as software version T989UVLDE, it's said to resolve random reboot issues, bring stability improvements and security fixes. [Android Police]
- Sony Tablet P: Ice Cream Sandwich is now available for this clamshell tablet from Sony. In addition to the OS overhaul and new media features, it also brings support for mini apps and the ability to launch the camera from the lock screen. [Pocketnow]
Unofficial Android updates, custom ROMs and misc. hackery
- HTC Amaze 4G: The Android 4.0 update became officially available for the Amaze 4G this week, and unsurprisingly, it brings Sense 3.6 along for the ride. Fortunatel y, a new ROM is in the works from Team Nightmare that'll bring Sense 4 to this competent cameraphone. We'd hold off on making it a daily driver just yet, however -- as is, the ROM doesn't support mobile networks or WiFi connections. [Android Life]
- ASUS Transformer Pad TF300: An experimental build of CyanogenMod 9 is now available for the TF300. Currently, the lack of support for MTP is the only known issue. [xda-developers]
- LG Nitro HD: A pre-release build of Ice Cream Sandwich for this LTE smartphone from AT&T has wriggled its way into the wild. The software is said to function well for AT&T, Bell and Fido units. [Android Central]
- Apex Launcher: This third-party launcher for Android 4.0 has received an update to version 1.2. Most notably, it now includes support for ADW, LauncherPro and Go Launcher themes and integration with CyanogenMod 9 settings. Users will also find the ability to create 10 x 10 icon grids on their phones. [Andro id Police]
Other platforms
- Apple iPhone 4 (GSM): Apple has made a minor revision of iOS 5.1.1 available for this particular handset. Known as software build 9B208, it replaces version 9B206, although it's unknown what specific changes the new software brings. [9to5Mac]
- BlackBerry Bold 9900: BlackBerry OS 7.1.0.437 is now available for China Unicom subscribers. [CrackBerry]
- BlackBerry Curve 9360: Rogers has updated this entry-level BlackBerry to software version 7.1.0.391. It brings mobile hotspot functionality and support for BlackBerry Tags. [MobileSyrup]
Refreshes we covered this week
- Motorola shows off Ice Cream Sandwich on a Droid RAZR, sprinkles in Webtop 3.0
- Kanzi: ZTE's 3D UX for ICS handsets
- HTC EVO 4G LTE gives it up, gets rooted on its first day on the town (video)
- Cisco drops Cius tablets after the BYOD crush, plans upgrade to Android 4.0 out of kindness
- Sony pushing ICS to more devices next week, confirms Xperia Play won't be upgraded
- Nokia has its wicked way with Bing Maps, stork delivers traffic advice and geocoding
- Absinthe 2.0 hits the download wire, jailbreaks all iOS 5.1.1 devices but the 32nm iPad 2
- HTC One X for AT&T gets unofficial bootloader unlock
- Facebook Camera hands-on
- Intel posts x86-friendly Android 4.0 image, lets you feel the need for speed
- Facebook for Windows Phone rolls in threaded messaging, tagging, kitchen sink
- Google brings in-app subscriptions to Android
- Samsung spills Galaxy Note's ICS guts, releases kernel source code to devs
- Yahoo Axis on desktop, iOS unifies your bookmarks, makes the web visual (hands-on)
- Nokia 808 PureView enables NFC image share, mobile payment apps to come
- Google Search for iPhone gets the 2.0 remake, full-screen search and swipes aplenty
- PSA: Windows Phone Marketplace now requires Windows Phone 7.5
- HTC refreshes Android update timeline, details which devices won't get Ice Cream Sandwich
- Nokia axes Skype client on Lumia 610, claims user experience wasn't 'up to par'
- Sidecar comes out of beta, reinvents phone calls
- PSA: Marketplace for Windows Mobile 6.x shuts down today
- Amazon Appstore's Test Drive try before you buy feature now available on Android phones
- Verizon purportedly giving DROID 4, RAZR and Rezound 'global' designation via software update (update: confirmed)
- Nokia Lumia 900 Camera Extension app previewed in Hong Kong (video)
- Unofficial S-Voice app gets gagged, Samsung waits for its flagship hero
- Motorola skipping Ice Cream Sandwich for some devices, worries it'll make them fat
