Jelly Bean leaks for Sprint’s Samsung Galaxy S3

Just can’t wait for the official Jelly Bean update for the Samsung Galaxy S3 to come barreling down the pipeline? If you are the owner of Samsung’s flagship smartphone on Sprint’s network, you can take Android 4.1 for a spin now. The official update has leaked for the carrier’s SPH-L710 by way of XDA Forums complete with Samsung’s custom TouchWiz interface. This the JRO03L build of Jelly Bean, Android 4.1.1.

As would be expected, the folks at XDA have already created a few variants on the ROM, including Odex and DeOdexed versions while adding in root access by default. This doesn’t appear to be a final build, as users have reported issues with the stock browser, Google Now, and the phone’s gyroscope sensor. Head on over to the source link below for more details and download links.

[via XDA Forums | Thanks, Eric!]

Black Samsung Galaxy S3 confirmed, in stock in the UK in 4-6 weeks

The folks at UK retailer MobileFun just dropped us a line confirming a series of rumors that surfaced last week pointing to a black color variant of the Samsung Galaxy S3. The latest version of the phone is now listed on the MobileFun website and retails SIM-free for £499.95. The phone isn’t immediately available, however. It should be in stock within 4-6 weeks. Other than a darker coat of paint, the phone remains identical to the already available Pebble Blue and Marble White Galaxy S3 models in the specs department, which includes a quad-core Exynos processor, 4.8-inch display, and Android Ice Cream Sandwich.

[via MobileFun]

Sony Xperia S gets new color: Dark Silver

The Sony Xperia S may not be the newest kid on the block, but Sony’s still behind it 100%. They’ve showed their commitment by announcing a nice new color for the device: Dark Silver. It’s a fancy way of saying “black/carbon”, and despite the need to use fancy color names it does look very nice. The bottom bar, and the back and sides of the device all boast the new color. The only thing I can’t get over is that ugly Xperia logo on the back. It sticks out like a sore thumb in a cast. But it’s there, and if you don’t mind it then you can look forward to the new colorway in the next few weeks. [Sony]

LG Optimus 2X to receive Ice Cream Sandwich after all

When it comes to Android 4.0 and the LG Optimus 2X, signals have been mixed. After initially promising Ice Cream Sandwich for the device, LG seemed to backtrack by posting to the Twitter account of their Canadian branch that the handset would not receive the new Android version. Now the company’s main  branch in Korea is telling us the opposite, informing us that the Optimus 2X’s ICS update is currently in the testing phase.

We’ve said before that there is a chance that some regions won’t see the update while others will, hence the conflicting reports from different local LG contingents, though it’s hard to imagine LG would put the resources towards creating the update only to not send it out to as wide a group of Optimus 2X owners as possible. Regardless, the news should provide some hope for those hoping to see Android 4.0 on the device. When that might actually happen is another matter altogether.

[via AndroidCaotic]

International HTC One X has a new custom ROM baked from leaked RUU

If you've got a Tegra 3 edition of the HTC One X, and like to tweak and tinker, there's a new ROM out today you'll probably want to take a look at. Over at XDA, Football (yes, WM users, that Football) has cranked out a new Sense ROM based on the leaked 2.15.401.5 RUU. It's Sense 4.1, based on Android 4.0.4, and has a huge list of changes and improvements from past versions of Football's MaXimus ROMs.

• Based on new RUU 2.15.401.5
• Android 4.0.4
• Sense 4.1
• Fixed Live Wallpapers
• Improved UI speed
• Improved battery life
• New kernel
• New Radio 2.1204.127.19
• Activated native EQS
• Fixed Video Playback on Stock Kernel
• Enabled hardware acceleration in 3rd-party video players
• Bug fixes and a slew of application version updates

Like most late-model HTC devices, you'll have to flash the boot image in fastboot, but other than that it's the same easy ClockWorkMod flash we're all used to. There's full instructions and all the resources in the source link. Keep in mind that this isn't for the AT&T version, which got it's own update yesterday. Happy flashing!

Source: XDA-Developers

LG Nitro HD to get Ice Cream Sandwich July 31st

AT&T has annnounced availability of Ice Cream Sandwich for the LG Nitro HD. This forgotten phone launched earlier this year to a mixed bag of reviews, but no matter how good or bad you think it is you can’t deny that it’s great to finally be getting Ice Cream Sandwich. The wait will be short as AT&T will be pushing the update out to users starting July 31st.

They’ll be employing LG’s mobile support tool made available for Windows PC to allow users to download the upgrade. The update will bring Optimus UI 3.0 and a whole heaping of new features that were introduced with Android 4.0. Head to this blog post by AT&T for more details.

Sprint Galaxy Nexus and Samsung Galaxy S3 Receive OTA Updates – EVO 4G LTE To Follow

Sprint has been busy updating the software on their 4G LTE lineup, starting with the Galaxy Nexus andSamsung Galaxy S3. Both these devices received similar updates addressing the usual bug fixes, with the common fix involving flipping the switch on the default 4G LTE setting from off, to on. I’ve been chatting with my Sprint buddy, and a similar update will soon be rolling out to the HTC EVO 4G LTE as well. Here’s the changelog as posted in the official Sprint Community forums:

If you’re not currently in one of Sprint’s few LTE markets and are looking to save on some battery life, now you know to use the appropriate method to turn the LTE switch back to off. Expect a changelog for the EVO LTE coming sometime in the next few days as well.

[Sprint Galaxy Nexus | Sprint Galaxy S3]

ZTE N880E will relaunch with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

ZTE has announced a relaunch of an old device of theirs. It’s the ZTE N880E, and aside from any Nexus devices they’re boasting it as the first phone to come shipped with Android 4.1 out of the box. If you don’t remember this forgettable phone originally came out in May 2012 with Gingerbread.

Unfortunately the phone isn’t all that impressive. It almost seems as if ZTE just wanted to get something out there so they could have a nice marketing tagline to use. Its specs include 1GHz processor, 512MB of RAM, a 4 inch WVGA display, a 3.2 megapixel camera, 4GB of internal storage, and a 1,650mAh battery.

Yep, nothing special at all. But hey, it runs Jelly Bean now. See if you can’t get your hands on it over in the company’s home turf of China. [via ZTE]

LG Prada 3.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update now available in Germany and Italy

If you happen to own the awkwardly named LG Prada 3.0, you can now take some joy in knowing thatAndroid 4.0 is now available for download provided you're in Germany or Italy and have a non-carrier branded version.

Having launched with Android 2.3.7, the upgrade to ICS can be found by plugging your device into your computer and then using the LG Mobile Phone Support tool that is available for Windows PC's. If you're on a Mac, you'll have to find a Windows machine.

According to the documentation, the update should only take a few minutes and leave your device info intact though, a back up is suggested.

Source: LG Germany, LG Italy via: The Verge

Own the Droid RAZR or Droid MAXX with Verizon and still haven’t received your update to Android 4.0? Tomorrow is your lucky day. According to the twitterings of one VZW rep, on June 30th all users can access their system setting and navigate to the software update dialog to be bumped up to the latest version of Android. In case you aren’t near a calendar, that’s tomorrow.

Provided this goes through as stated, it should end the prolonged wait some users have been experiencing. And with that the long road to Ice Cream Sandwich will end for Droid RAZR owners.

[Twitter via DroidLife]

HTC on Jelly Bean updates

So you just got that shiny, new HTC One X or One S (or One V outside the U.S.), and suddenly it's no longer running the latest version of Android. That's no good. Neither is it HTC's fault, but still.

So what does the Taiwanese manufacturer have planned in the way of updates for Android 4.1 Jelly Bean? Here's the official word:

"We are excited about Android Jelly Bean and are planning to support it across a variety of our devices.  We are reviewing the software to determine our upgrade plans and schedule, so please stay tuned for more updates on specific device upgrade plans."

Nothing surprising there. It's a pretty safe bet that we'll see the HTC One line get updates. But after that? And how long will it take?

Huawei Ascend D Quad delayed until August due to SoC issues

When the Huawei Ascend D Quad was introduced this past February in Barcelona we didn’t think we’d be waiting until the summer months for its release. But it got pushed back to a possible July date, and we thought its arrival was almost certain.

Now, more bad news puts the release date at some point in August. Huawei themselves have confirmed that their own-built quad-core chipset has encountered some technical difficulties.

For that, the delay isn’t too surprising considering that’s the most important component for any phone, but we’re no less disappointed. Huawei had a real opportunity to supplant itself as a premium OEM with this release, but their inability to get the device out in time seems to be hurting that chance.

Quad-core options powered by NVIDIA’s Tegra 3 have since been available in other OEMs’ handsets, and we’re sure Qualcomm is not too far behind with their own.

Huawei may still have one of the most powerful devices when it launches, but we can’t imagine anyone waiting for the phone are willing to wait much longer considering the options HTC and Samsung are coming to town with. [CMNO via Unwired View]

Android 4.0 Update For RAZR/RAZR MAXX Is Finally Official

After months of leaks and rumors, it looks like the Android 4.0.4 update for the Motorola DROID RAZRand RAZR MAXX is finally official. We don’t have an official press release from Verizon, but all the details can be found on Motorola’s official site, complete with walkthrough videos highlighting all the new features users will be able to take advantage of with Ice Cream Sandwich.

I don’t even personally own the device, but I honestly couldn’t be happier for you guys. The 6.16.211 update isn’t exactly being pushed out over-the-air just yet, but we’d expect that should change in the coming days. I’m sure that wont keep you from manually checking everyday though. It’s almost here, guys!

Motorola | VerizonWireless (PDF)

Toshiba Thrive and Thrive 7 ICS update delayed until early Fall

Some bad news just came down the pipeline for you Toshiba Thrive and Toshiba Thrive 7 owners. Ice Cream Sandwich looks like it won’t be here to refresh you this summer after a swing-and-a-miss on a Spring window.

Instead, Toshiba are electing to push the upgrade all the way back to early Fall. Yep, go ahead and let those groans out. Unfortunately we didn’t get any word as to why the update was pushed back.

We’re sure there are bugs to be squashed, but this seems rather long for a delay.  Perhaps Toshiba’s customizations weren’t as easily adaptable to ICS, or perhaps they just have other things to worry about at the moment.

Whatever the case may be, it’s left in dead water until the festive Autumn months arrive. In the meantime, I’m sure XDA and RootzWiki will take care of you quite nicely. [Toshiba, thanks Joel!]

We are working hard to bring Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich to our Thrive tablets. While we originally estimated it would be ready this spring, we now estimate the update will be delivered to all Thrive 10" and 7" tablets by early fall. Apologies for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

OTA update prepped for T-Mobile’s Samsung Exhibit II 4G, rebrands phone to Galaxy Exhibit 4G

T-Mobile has an update ready for the Samsung Exhibit II 4G that brings the phone’s software build to T679UVLE1. The major element of the update that leaves the phone’s software at Android 2.3.6 isn’t what it enhances or fixes with the software but rather a rebranding effort that now has the handset going by the name of Galaxy Exhibit 4G.

Other than the new name, users can expect a security patch, general stability improvements, and improvements to WiFi calling and the phone’s camera app. The rollout will commence May 30th and continue through June 15th.

HTC Sensation XL update being rolled out across some of Europe

The HTC Sensation XL in Europe seems to be joining the Ice Cream Sandwich party as the device is now seeing rollouts across parts of Europe. Those with the unlocked device in many countries should be able to pull down the 197MB update over-the-air, and those on Three seem to be the first with a carrier-specific phone to be seeing the update. It’s odd that they’re seeing it so soon, but we’re no less excited for them. You’ll want to connect to WiFi and see if the update is headed your way ASAP.