Samsung Galaxy S2 to remain on 4.1.2 due to problems with TouchWiz

The future might not be that bright for what was once Samsung‘s impressive flagship devices, contrary to an earlier leak. If this new information is to be believed, the Samsung Galaxy S2 will not be receiving an upgrade to Android 4.2.2 and will hence be stuck with 4.1.2.

Earlier this year, a pre-list was leaked indicating which Samsung devices will be getting upgrades to which Android versions. The list included, under the section for 4.2.2 updates, the Galaxy S2 as well as the Galaxy Note. Both devices have already enjoyed a rather long upgrade journey from Android 2.3.6 to 4.0.4 to 4.1.2. Naturally, owners were overjoyed at the thought of once again getting updates for these devices.

But as with any pre-release information, things may not go as intended. It seems that adjustment problems in Samsung’s custom TouchWiz interface has left the manufacturer with no choice but to scrap that plan and keep the Galaxy S2 on its current Android version. The Galaxy S2 Plus, on the other hand, was confirmed to get a 4.2.2 update soon.

This might not actually be that surprising in a world that churns out new smartphone models almost every year, leaving older models to bite the dust. Motivation to update these devices might also not be that high considering the recently released Galaxy S4, which spawned a whole series of S4 devices, and a soon to be released Galaxy Note III. But still, despite the fact that 4.2.2 was not really a huge update, this news might still disappoint some people.

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Security hole allows anyone to bypass and disable Galaxy Note 2’s lockscreen [video]

 

One of the ways to protect your smartphone from the prying eyes of others is to set a secure lockscreen; be it with the PIN, pattern, or password lock. But then again, they might not be good enough if you own a Samsung handset running Android 4.1.2, or in this particular case, the Galaxy Note 2.
Terrence Eden has opened our eyes last week about the security flaw on the Note 2 that allows well-informed individuals to bypass the phone’s lockscreen. Now, a similar lockscreen bug has been discovered.

All they have to do is place an emergency call from the lockscreen, enter any bogus number, hit the green dial button, dismiss the error message, and press the back button. That’s all it takes for someone to gain access to your homescreen – albeit only for a split second.
However, his video demonstration shows how those windows of opportunity – considering that the process can be easily repeated over and over again – were more than enough to let him access Google Play, do a Voice Search on a lockscreen disabler app, install and run the app, and ultimately defeat the system.
It took some persistence, but he pulled it off in less than 3 minutes.
Eden has contacted Samsung about the bug and the South Korean said that a software patch should be on its way soon. In the meantime, you may want to be extra careful with where you place your precious phone. Better yet, keep it safe with you at all times.

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Facebook releases updated Android app to Google Play

A new Facebook update has now hit the Google Play Store, bringing with it the ability to change profile pictures from within the app. Additionally, it is now easier to manage unwanted stories and spam from within the News Feed. Outside of these two changes, Facebook also made improvements that make it easy to start a group message with fewer taps and less hassle.

As you can see, nothing truly ground-breaking was introduced with this update, though Facebook is changing up the way it launches updates. Even though this update is just now hitting Google Play, some users have had it since Friday.

How does that work exactly? Apparently Facebook has a new beta program that is designed to push out updates to beta testers. The method works silently in the background, outside of Google Play. This gives testers a chance to provide feedback before the update hits a wider range of users via Google Play.

According to Facebook, the silent update feature will be used for testers going forward as a way to make sure that new updates work as they should. It is actually seems like a pretty wise move, as it gives a few willing volunteers early access to updates and at the same time means Facebook can discover bugs and other problems before updates launch. Beyond volunteer testers, Facebook doesn’t seem interested in using this silent update method to replace normal Google Play delivery.

What do you think of the idea of the changes in this new update? Additionally, what do you think of the new silent update method for Google Play testers?

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Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Tab 3 reportedly coming at IFA 2013 

A new report reveals that Samsung could unveil more Galaxy-branded products at IFA 2013 in Berlin, Germany, this September, including the Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Tab 3.

The info comes from Sam Mobile, whose insider had access to such details, although he wasn’t able to share any details about the Galaxy Tab 3’s hardware.

The first Galaxy Tab model was also officially unveiled at IFA, back in 2010, while the second-generation tablet versions were announced at MWC 2012. The report also notes that these devices will apparently stop receiving support from Samsung, with the Galaxy Tab 2 set to stop at Android 4.2.2.

The Galaxy Note 3, which recently appeared in another rumor claiming that AT&T execs will have access to a 5.9-inch mockup unit this week, will also be announced at IFA. Even if not confirmed, such a move would make plenty of sense considering that the Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note 2 were also unveiled at the same German trade show, in previous years.

We’ll be back with more Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Tab 3 details in the following months, as more rumors detailing these devices will surely get leaked.

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T-Mobile equips Galaxy Note 2 with fast 4G LTE powers

Beginning today, T-Mobile will provide a major software update to Samsung Note 2 subscribers that supports its future 4G LTE network. The carrier also confirmed that the first of its LTE service regions will go live by the end of this month.

This is good news for many reasons, primarily because it confirms T-Mobile's commitment to bring 4G LTE coverage to its customers. Until now this big infrastructure revamp was merely the stuff of rumors and vague statements from the carrier. During a recent meeting I had with T-Mobile execs, however, the carrier said it expects to flip the switch on 4G LTE to match availability of its BlackBerry Z10 handsets -- in other words, by the end of the month.

Galaxy Note 2 owners will find reason to cheer here as well since this upgrade, called a maintenance release (MR), enables all the speed a fast 4G LTE has in its took kit. Since the fresh software will take a few weeks to hit all deployed Note 2 phones, T-Mobile's LTE timing makes a lot of sense. Unfortunately T-Mobile is still tight-lipped about exactly where its LTE network will arrive first.

No matter where TMO LTE pops up initially, it's certainly in T-Mobile's interest to supply a fatter wireless data pipe since loyal subscribers could easily be tempted by the LTE offerings of competing networks such as AT&T and Verizon.

But what kind of throughput experience can you expect on a T-Mobile LTE handset? Judging from the download speeds I observed in my meeting with T-Mobile brass, potentially a very zippy one. I personally clocked download speeds in excess of 60 Kbps while uploads pushed through at an impressive 15 Kbps or more.

That's downright screaming, though to be clear, this is more a demonstration of theoretical performance since I was the only surfer on a closed LTE tower T-Mobile fired up solely for these meetings in New York. Real world tests no doubt should be much more down to earth. Let's hope when and if T-Mobile LTE officially comes to my and your neck of the woods, 4G speeds will be this exhilarating.

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Galaxy Note used as only work device for one year by exec

 

A cofounder of a software consulting firm decided to rely only on the Samsung Galaxy Note for all computer-related work for one full year. Benjamin Robbins, cofounder of Palador, worked only on the 5.3-inch phablet and he says he wouldn’t go back to the regular PC as the main work device.

He did admit that it wasn’t always easy, and it took some getting used to performing certain tasks on the smartphone, but in the end he got used to this way of working. Using apps like Box and Dropbox helped him get the job done, but he did miss some of the perks offered by regular computers including having more apps and browser tabs available at the same time or managing files:

For instance, he sometimes had to log into a virtual desktop to access Visio files, as there’s no good Visio equivalent for Android. (He used Xtralogic’s remote desktop client to log on.) Then he had to figure out how to move those files around. “Because I was thinking mobile, I had a strategy for that. But if you’re not, if you’re just storing files on file systems and network shares—doing what people have been doing for last 20 years—there’s a shift there. The file system is a challenge.”

The Galaxy Note is Samsung’s first phablet and since than Samsung has released an even bigger similar device, the Galaxy Note 2. In fact we have seen a video showing how to turn the Galaxy Note 2 into a desktop replacement not too long ago, which is the kind of device Ribbins would like to use in the future, a smartphone that can be connected to a display when a bigger screen and PC-like functionality are needed.

In addition to the Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note 2. there’s also the recently announced 8-inchGalaxy Note 8 also comes with phone features and could be even more useful for work-related chores, at least to some users.

Robbins is thinking about moving to a small tablet for his next experiment, and he’s considering the Galaxy Note 8 (in the picture above,) Nexus 7 and iPad mini for such a purpose.

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Galaxy Note 3 display size possibly outed by Samsung’s new Game pad

Not only did Samsung announce the Galaxy S4 last night, but the Korean tech giant alsoannounced a truck load of accessories that will be available for it. One of those accessories may have unveiled the display size of the rumored Galaxy Note 3.
One of the accessories that will be accompanying the Galaxy S4 is the Game Pad, which makes game playing easier with an adjustable clamp and controller functionality. That clamp is able to scale up to 6.3-inches, which is interesting since Samsung, at the time of writing, does not offer a device that is 6.3-inches in size.

Is it just a coincidence though? No it isn’t  When Samsung, or any manufacturer, makes a product, it goes through a heavy and thorough design process, which means that the Game Pad’s adjustable clamp can scale to 6.3-inches for a reason.
Samsung, of course, will not confirm or deny the rumor, but a 6.3-inch display on the Galaxy Note 3 does fall in line with other rumors. We’ll likely see a Galaxy Note 3 unveiling in August at IFA in Berlin, Germany, which is where the Korean tech giant announced the Galaxy Note 2.

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The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (Verizon Wireless) opens its ports (pictures)

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The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (Verizon Wireless) is a better tablet now than the original Wi-Fi-only version was last year. Unfortunately, the cellular version's price is even higher.

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Galaxy Note 2 lock screen bug lets attackers access popup browser

 

Since we reported last week that Samsung Galaxy Note 2 has a lock screen bug, which lets users take a sneak peek of the home screen and cause limited potential harm, another blogger has discovered more exploits that are possible despite a lock screen protecting the phablet.

An Indian blogger named Ganesh first found the issue and wrote a detailed post about it. To summarize, any user simply needs to select an item listed in the information ticker. The device then prompts the user to enter the passcode to unlock the device. However, by tapping Emergency call button, the device displays the Emergency dialer window but with the Popup Browser open and fully usable. Ganesh claims that any attacker can visit webpages that has stored your personal data. Furthermore, through the browser, the attacker can also see what is in the clipboard.

Naturally, Note 2 users need not worry about this problem unless their device is stolen and has its lock screen’s information ticker enabled. The problem can also be avoided by selecting a full screen Internet browser as the default app for launching links.

On a lighter note, Samsung is well aware of the issue and is planning to release a security patch. A company rep told CNET in an email the following statement:

Samsung considers user privacy and the security of user data its top priority. We are aware of this issue and will release a fix at the earliest possibility.

In the meantime, users can download the Lookout Security & Antivirus app. Its latest update protects Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2, and Galaxy S3 Mini devices from the bug that bypasses their lock screens. It is especially useful for the S3 since its bug can actually disable the lock screen and thereby provide complete control over the device.

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Refurbished AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note 2 on offer for just $.99 with contract, today only

Let’s face it, smartphones are expensive. Even with carrier subsidies, high-end handsets can easily set you back hundreds of dollars. If you want the best, without paying top dollar, AT&T is now offering the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 for $.99.
As you probably already guessed, there is a catch here. AT&T’s offer is for a refurbished model with a 90 day warranty. You also will be required to sign a two year contract. Additionally, the deal is only for today, so you better make your mind up about it quickly.
So is it worth it going the refurbished route? That’s honestly up to you, but keep in mind that refurbished handsets are brought back to original standard and often enough there is really no way on the surface to tell that it isn’t a brand new device. Of course some people just like the peace of mind of knowing they are the first person to use their phone.
AT&T is offering the handset in both white or gray, and is even throwing free shipping into the offer. This is a great way to get your hands on a quad-core 5.5-inch monster of a phone, without having to put hardly anything down upfront. Especially when you consider the normal price for a new handset from AT&T is $299.99 with contract.

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Galaxy Note 3 could feature LCD display for improved S Pen experience

While the focus in the Android world is on the Galaxy S4 this week, today we get to look at a new Galaxy Note 3 rumor that says the future phablet could come with an LCD display on board.
According to Sam Mobile’s insiders, the move from AMOLED to LCD for the Galaxy Note 3 is currently discussed internally at Samsung. Apparently LCD is better for styluses, so Samsung may be interested in improving the S Pen experience in its next-gen Galaxy Note model.
The Galaxy S4 was also rumored to pack an LCD display, although more recent reports say the handset will pack a PHOLED display instead of an AMOLED one.
The Galaxy Note 8 on the other hand, does pack an LCD screen, so maybe Samsung is going to use this display technology only for larger panels. Earlier, we heard that Samsung is planning a 5.9-inch device for later this year, which sounds pretty much like the Galaxy Note 3, although nothing is confirmed so far.
Samsung did purchase a stake in Sharp recently, a company that’s also an Apple supplier, and we could see Sharp panels inside more Samsung products in the near future.

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