Samsung Galaxy S Series

[chrissyb1981]

i'll be very surprised if it's out today to be honest. i'd love it to be, as when you check the internet there are claims vodafone are working "double time" to get this release out. if it's by the end of the week i'm happy.

wouldn't it be nice if vodafone surprised us and got it out today?!?

[tinman1]

Now, I understand about bloatware and junkware but what I find hilarious is that vodafone, a mobile provider, needs to quality check a product made by google (world renowned creator of android) and adapted by samsung (who make the galaxy s2 and best understand how it works)

ICS was unveiled last year, 5 months people, and it takes this long for the worlds most prevailant smartphone to get the update? All this experience has taught me, as handset security is of the upmost importance to me, that in future i will be going pure google. Nexus all the way.

[zzubnik]

Well, I think it's important to remember that upgrading existing handsets doesn't make them any money, and can only cause extra problems. Hence, there is no real urge for them to upgrade us.

With my last phone, it was over a year between release, and Vodafone managing to update the handsets.

[chrissyb1981]

sounds like the best way to do things tinman1.

android operating system, ready, samsung adapting it for the s2, ready. vodafone, one of the largest mobile service providers in the UK and also well renowned worldwide.............. coming, erm, not sure...we'll let you know.

the annoying thing about it all is that it appears as if vodafone have had this software for at least a month now. how long does it take to have a team of people make sure it's all "ok for us to use"? this isn't a firmware update for a nokia 3310, this is a firmware update for probably their most popular contract maker. most popular android phone on the market to date! this phone sells, so you would have thought it would be a priority to nail this update and get it out there. show the mobile community that vodafone are the best because they don't drag their feet with updates. i love vodafone as a provider, i love my galaxy s2 but starting to wish i'd bought the thing from carphone warehouse now. i'd have the update by now. but instead i chose to support the mobile network.i could root my phone but as this voids everything i'd rather take the safe route and go with official updates.  something to think about when it comes to upgrade time. 

end of rant

[metastasis2]

Vodafone next time ?

BIG NO ....

[JSK73]

http://crave.cnet.co.uk/mobiles/samsung-galaxy-s2-ics-update-rolling-out-from-today-50007376/

Vodafone had not responded....you really know how to do great PR don't you!

[Rapturoso]

Still nothing on Kies. No SGS2 update.  What's the "roll-out" all about?  Surely if the update has been tested and approved for all generic, unlocked, SIM free and CPW devices then it should already be live?  Putting different regions or supplier branded (not network branded) updates on an artificial web server waiting list, such as the Carphone Warehouse unlocked models, is a bit pointless?

If it's ready and approved, then surely it's ready for everyone regardless of location?  I seriously doubt there would be any kind of bandwidth issue with these updates, assuming they are put on a first come first served basis, like most other reputable Internet based services.

In this day and age of unification this is a seriously poor show.  Dangle a carrot and then take an ice age to do anything about it? Annoying is an understatement.

[tinman1]

Im going to so something different here, show vodafones point of view. Bear with me!

Everyone on this post cares about the upgrade, its obvious as we are here reading and posting, spent time searching for the update, when is it released, what it can do etc. The sad fact is most GS2 owners dont know or care about the update, they just care that at the moment their phone works and are mostly happy with it, mention ICS or touchwiz and expect a blank expression. I know this as i know about 20 people with this phone and so far im the only one who knows that the update iscoming today and about half were interested when I mentioned it.

At this moment I can probably guarantee that vodafones call centres are not inundated with calls from people demanded the update or where it is, today is business as usual. We are in the minority when it comes to the most up to date software for our prized possesion. They are not going to hurry to bow down to the minority. 

Having looked at videos and reviews for TW ICS, it looks pretty much like Gingerbread TW with a few differencies, not exactly the huge change ICS made to Android upon release. Under the hood a lot has changed but on the front its the same. A shame as TW is looking very dated.

[Jimbo96]

I have heard that it has started to be rolled out today, but I havent heard from anyone who has had the update yet? Can anyone give me anymore information?

Thanks in advance

[tbas102]

I heard The update is going to go to the phones which where bought sim free first or if you got your phone from like carphone warehouse of phones 4 u so if yours is pure vodafone then you might have some more waiting to do

[Rapturoso]

@tinman1, It's not unusual to find a power user amongst SGS2 users and I'd hazard a guess that the people among owners who are tech savvy are many more in number than you appear to assume.

Just the other day I came across not one but a number of my friends, ranting about the USB Host issue on 2.3.4, because Samsung in their infinite wisdom decided to remove all USB Host API access, in favour of only allowing kernel mode access, with the limitation of using the USB port purely for disc drive access and nothing more.  The issue with rooting is that the average user (note: not software engineer) are not interested in compromising security or stability of their mobile media device.

Compare this to the ICS incarnation of Android and you'll find that a ton more devices are supported simply by making the API access more integrated with the OS, therefore making it difficult to completely remove in an acceptable and satisfactory manner,  like it should have been with Gingerbread.

Now owners can start using USB cameras, audio recorders, microphones, disc drives, DSLR cameras with Chainfire's DSLR Controller and whatever they damned well please, as they should have been able to do with 2.3.4.

I don't know many people with the SGS2 that don't try to use it to it's full potential and the people that don't are exactly as you describe. 

Unfortunately Samsung have limited the SGS2's connectivity to such an extent that it is extremely evident, to me at least and to others in my social circle, that the device has become crippled in such a way that limits it from being useful in the fields that it was aimed at. 

Coupling a dual core CPU, enhanced graphics capabilities, a super bright screen, ruggedness allowing multiple drops without breakage and USB Host capability makes it a prime candidate for photographic use such as Chainfire's DSLR Controller amongst others.  Coupled with the ability to add Class 10 microSD storage and HDMI connectivity makes it perfect for High Definition video storage and retrieval.  USB Host capability also allows the use of professional USB mics making the device a more than capable field audio recorder with exceptionally high quality and extreme mobility.  In a nutshell, this is a powerhouse crippled by needless software wankery.

This to me, as it does to many people I know, makes it the ONLY choice for a multi purpose mobile media device, negating the need for lugging around other mobile computing equipment and realising the device's full potential via the use of the HDMI and USB Host capability,  ICS is the Holy Grail for this as it promises the return of USB Host capability in a way that was only dreamed about by Gingerbread and Froyo users.  Only the rooted had the luxury of such functionality but at what cost? Security? Stability? Privacy?

Trying to make a point is one thing, backing it up with sound knowledge and experience from the field and real life is another universe entirely.

[Jimbo96]

That's pretty poor workmanship if you ask me then, because pure vodafone customers who have bought their phone direct from vodafone like I have, will be waiting. But I also don't see why Sim Only should get them first aswell, its the same phone, same sim, same network what's the difference between it all?

[tinman1]

@Rapturoso wait, what? In amongst this post i got the distinct feeling it was a dig at me? My friends and colleagues are mostly health professionals or work in customer service, ask any of them if the know or understand what you just said (I tbh dont as wouldnt use it)

Im not for one second saying that there arent people out there using their phone to its full potential, as i stated before we are here because we want the latest software. However a lot of journalists have reported pretty much what i said in my last post, the majority of mobile phone users, including GS2 owners, use it as a phone first, smartphone functionality second.

[Dmcc89]

Yeah it seems a kick in the teeth, remaining loyal to the network by staying with them and purchasing from them direct - then to be made to wait longer for software which has already been out a good few months just so Vodafone can 'test' it further.

[Markb03]

Jesus people have no patience!

[Northern-dj]

Vodafone do check the roms but we have no idea who with

and they do lightly bloat them

the last had 360 on but as that has now gone

the other thing is Google has to approve this as there using there network now

now if Google does not like what they have done then they will send it back

Now the roll out has clearly not happened and I have not herd anything back yet on my emails

Roll outs can be very sporadic

For XEU customers keep checking kies onece a day

Vodafone customers you will get a message on your phone

Now there is a big launch going on so the updates may happen before the SG3 if not the bad press would be Horrible

the main problem is that its a Major Update and not a fix rom so every one wants it and some need it to fix problems

its will come

[Rapturoso]

@tinman, It's not a personal dig, troll, snipe or otherwise. I was just trying to convey the point that so many people including yourself seem to be glossing over. Granted, there will be people in the medical field that will be using a superphone purely as a glorified PIM with phone and social networking capabilities etc. but it is clear that this hardware was marketed, rather successfully, towards the more tech savvy, namely media, IT and scientific orientated user base. The SGS2s hardware is extremely overkill for just casual use as a smartphone with Facebook, email, Skype etc. Any bog standard HTC phone like the Desire or Wildfire S or even a Samsung Galaxy Ace would do more than admirably for this.

The simple fact that casual users have this phone doesn't mean that there is a only small user base of advanced users. You just have to look at the specs and the price to work out that it's safe to assume that the majority of users will have based their investment on it's advertised hardware capabilities. The price is just too high and the technobabble just too overwhelming for the average user to justify purchase. It's like the age old argument, do you buy a smart phone for the status symbol and style or for it's raw functionality and features? The former would usually choose the iPhone, unless of course they were subject to an ear bashing from the latter. The guesswork involved in assuming the bulk of a user base really needs some thought. For every one tech savvy user who posts in forums, there will be another thousand just reading them. I don't see how this can be compared to casual users of the same hardware.

[tinman1]

@Rapturoso I think we may have to agree to disagree. I have a couple friends who are graduate masters in computer science, one likes the GS2 for the reasons you state, the other swears by the iphone for the fact of security and robustness, the lack of fragmentation on the newest apple devices means they can run a tight ship and for that i agree but the cost involved with iphones is something i cant justify that and i like my phone to be mine, not the way the manufacturer decides i should like it.

The GS2 can now be picked up 'relatively' cheaply on contract with the handset free, and the common argument is why would they spend £2 - £3 a month less on a phone worth £200 when the £2 - £3 a month more will give them a phone £500+ for free. It comes down to value for money in that sense. That and they like the bigger screen!

My arguments come from the many documented reports using evidence based on research that shows the power users are very much in the minority.

[Northern-dj]

in a sense you guys are both correct

Now I don't normally sing Apples praises but the lack of fragmentation does win votes

Now Your Fellow Galaxy s users are now getting the full force of fragmentation as were not getting ICS

Now like for like the Galaxy s is the same as the Iphone 4 and there getting updates still so i can see the EX iphone users slant on this

Now this is a Samsung Problem

when Google Launch a new rom its then passed to Manufacture now in the mean time the Google phone gets the Rom

Now Manufacture first test the rom on every phone some phones are now so old they will not take it or the specs just can not handle the update

Now Google has a min spec for phone But manufacture please them self on what gets what

Now most manufacture other then Hawawi put there own launchers on to make there phones a bit different

Now back to the S2 a stock S2 has a XEU rom this is a open Europe rom and is made by Samsung now before that update gets sent out its sent to Networks for them to "TEST!!!" ( Or do what ever)  Now the S2 is a exception to the rule as the Vodafone version now updates just like the Google Nexus and HTC devices

This took the S2 upto 2.3.5 stock are on 2.3.4 Now with android because it is open sauce there are a lot of manufactures using this and fragmentation is a nightmare

This is were apple wins as there is only one manufacture

Now if you want a Pure android phone then it has to be Googles own

Now others have different hardware and other stuff e.g. cameras

The main hold up are Networks on the Galaxy S we all got 2.3.5 in October 2011 Vodafone customer got there last ever Rom 2.3.6 last month and its the same as 2.3.5 the version XEU customers are getting has new features so Vod customers will miss out

Google need to stop this Fragmentation and we all thought ICS was going to stop this

But as always Money talks with manufactures holding back

At CES in the USA it was supposed to be all ICS it wasn't and ICS had been out for months

At Barcelona Google took a stand on this thankfully all the new boys were using ICS others blagged there way out of it

Samsung think every thing is all sweet but as they sold 10 Million and they all though we would do what Iphone users do and go for the S2

Nope main reason was updates at some point the S2 will have this problem Sasmusung only do updates on there phone for 12 months but Vodafone pad 12 months out to 24 months and between the updates we all suffer

at the end of the day were all in the same boat

Networks don't Listern FACT!!!!

Manufactures Don't Lister FACT!!!

On here i no its Vodafone but we do and the eforum does on network and accounts stuff

at some point they will st back and listern or we all get Google or Iphones !!!!!!

[uspsilencer]

Any news?