Android owners getting stiffed on OS updates

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939 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#538612 28-Oct-2011 11:29

Hey there you can copy files onto the iPhone wirelessly via an app like Goodreader. You just turn on Goodreaders wireless feature and then map a drive to the ip address of the iPhone and then you can copy, cut paste till your hearts content.

Linuxluver

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#538617 28-Oct-2011 11:37

myopinion: Hey there you can copy files onto the iPhone wirelessly via an app like Goodreader. You just turn on Goodreaders wireless feature and then map a drive to the ip address of the iPhone and then you can copy, cut paste till your hearts content.

But can you access those files from the system? Last I looked....no.

For example: copy a hundred MP3s to your music folder and play them. Or copy 500 photos from your phone to a Windows / samba share on the LAN....or bluetooth them to another phone.

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myopinion

939 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#538618 28-Oct-2011 11:39

No thats right it wont copy them to the system folder to play in the iPod app. I think you may be able to play them from Goodreader app now though.

TheUngeek

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Ultimate Geek
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#538623 28-Oct-2011 11:45

I don't really get the fuss over updates.
They are new versions of software, not critical security updates.
They are like a bonus free upgrade. So why moan if they don't make it? When you buy a phone is there a piece of paper saying you will get certain upgrades?
WHen looking at a phone it's pretty easy to work out if you will get upgrades.
Consider the spec of the phone and the maker.
A high end HTC will get several.
A low end Sony etc will not.

myopinion

939 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#538625 28-Oct-2011 11:49

Perosnally I like that updates add more functionality to a device. Its like getting something for free. In Apples case alot of this is probably done on purpose to make it feel that way (the features should have been there in the first case). However some updates like Airplay for instance are just plain cool. Security updates are in fact part of the standard updates as well.

Linuxluver

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#538633 28-Oct-2011 12:03

myopinion: Perosnally I like that updates add more functionality to a device. Its like getting something for free. In Apples case alot of this is probably done on purpose to make it feel that way (the features should have been there in the first case). However some updates like Airplay for instance are just plain cool. Security updates are in fact part of the standard updates as well.

People who want this can buy phones from vendors who update frequently: Google's Nexus Phones, HTC and a few others.

But the $139 smartphones may lag.....but then they are 10%-15% the price of a iPhone.

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lchiu7

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#538657 28-Oct-2011 12:45

About the only time I've needed an upgrade was to a Galaxy S to 2.2 so it could be managed by Exchange. This was done using Odin rather than Kies.

Apart from Gingerbread to my N1 the rest of the OTA updates have been nice to have rather than essential.

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robjg63

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#538676 28-Oct-2011 13:03

Having now dipped my toes into the android market (parallel imported Samsung Galaxy Ace) with Gingerbread 2.3.3 already installed (fortunately) I can see the problem.

Its much like the reason Linux hasnt taken off like it should have done. There isnt ONE linux distribution. There isnt one Android distribution. In both cases the OS is somewhat fragmented.

Seeing how Samsung handles it (officially) - that doesnt look ideal either. I think I am correct with the following - someone will correct me if I'm not ;-)

You buy a handset that has a slightly customised version of Android on it. It might identify as Vodafone and have a code to identify NZ. The SIM presumably has code to identify the provider as well.

So you install the Samsung kies program on your PC (Guess other manufacturers have their own proprietary programs). You hook the phone up the PC and the software seems to check against your telco and the codes in your phone. If the telco can be bothered/does support the phone - they may have a firmware update for you to install. If they dont support that phone - or cant be bothered circulating the update - then you wont get it.

Now I purchased a parallel import SG ace which has a european coded OS. Even if my telco (2 degrees as it happens) decided to distribute the latest OS version my phone wont be allowed to download it.

Its bad enough that Samsung may take quite a while to get around to developing an upgrade - but unless you root and tinker with other firmwares off the net its made as difficult as possible to get updates. I dont know why you cant just obtain the firmware directly from the manufacturers site....

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

Wade

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#538684 28-Oct-2011 13:07

The official android update program is fast being overtaken by the unofficial support

On checkrom I am running a checkrom rom which automatically checks for updates on a user selectable schedule. I am effectively bypassing my provider's update program and getting a version of the official update within days of release.

I would argue the telco rom variants are the handbrake here, if my OTA updater linked directly to Samsung rather than say vf updates would be thick and fast?

robjg63

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#538704 28-Oct-2011 13:23

Thats from checkrom.com?

Site looks as cryptic as most of the other android fansites. Yikes!

Ah - Galaxy S II only I see - Good I can ignore it!

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

langers1972

1039 posts

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#538710 28-Oct-2011 13:31

robjg63: Thats from checkrom.com?

Site looks as cryptic as most of the other android fansites. Yikes!

Ah - Galaxy S II only I see - Good I can ignore it!

Look at Rom Manager from the Market, pretty much checks for updates to custom ROMs and does OTA updates. Not rocket science but you need to understand what it's doing to make it work for you

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Wade

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#538763 28-Oct-2011 15:21

Update is built into checkrom kitchen app, cannot get more user friendly

omalozet

15 posts

Geek

#538852 28-Oct-2011 19:07

When I received my Galaxy S2 i9100, it came with stock firmware 2.3.3. I connected the phone to Keis and immediately a update was available to 2.3.4.

After however, I was looking around on XDA forums where there was a leaked 2.3.5 "I9100XWKI8_I9100OXXKI2_I9100XXKI4" ROM. I downloaded the ROM and updated the mobile using Odin3.
Better performance came as a result, including improved battery life and the GPS lock was much faster.

I did find an unofficial leaked 2.3.7 ROM, had a somewhat different interface. I found it to be buggy however so reverted back to the XWKI8 2.3.5 firmware.

astrae

268 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 24

#538877 28-Oct-2011 20:40

Just fyi Sam firmware is reporting a kies update for the telecom Galaxy S2

SamKiesUpdates: TNZ = New Zealand I9100TDOKH1/I9100TTNZKH1"

numfarr

329 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 7

#538882 28-Oct-2011 20:46

Oh noes, the Garminfone never got updated! Bet those three users are miffed.

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