Google releases Android 4.1 source code to AOSP

Google developer Jean-Baptiste Queru, also known as JBQ, has announced on Google Groups that Google is now releasing the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean source code to Android Open Source Project (AOSP).

The name of the tagged release is android-4.1.1_r1 and the name of the development branch is jb-dev. The binaries are currently being released for the Nexus 7 and the Galaxy Nexus but will be released for the Nexus S and the Motorola Xoom shortly.

What this means to you is that if you rely on someone like CyanogenMod for your Android ROMs then you can expect a Jelly Bean based ROM very soon as the developers can now begin their work on it, now that they have the source code.

Do note that Google is only uploading the source code for now and this does not mean that you will get the Android 4.1 OTA update to your Nexus device just yet. That is still slated for a mid-July release and will be followed by uploading of the factory images on Google's site.

For more info, click on the source link below.

Source

View the original article here

T-Mobile US releases ICS update for the Galaxy S II

US users who have been waiting patiently for a (legitimate) way to upgrade their Samsung Galaxy S II devices to Android 4.0 will finally have their day in the sun, as T-Mobile finally released the official Ice Cream Sandwich update for the former Samsung flagship.

The update won't be a straightforward OTA update, however, as Samsung and T-Mobile are requiring users to upgrade using Kies software and a computer.

To get the update, download and install the Kies software onto your computer, then connect your S II via a USB cable (making sure USB debugging is enabled) then simply accept the update. Be sure you have the latest software available, as Android 2.3.6 is required to upgrade.

While the update won't wipe all the data on your smartphone (your contacts, apps, etc. should all remain intact), it does restore the homescreen settings to factory default. Nevertheless, it is recommended that you backup your data beforehand just to be safe.

For more detailed information, check out the T-Mobile page here.

HTC releases its Android 4.0 update roadmap

HTC has released a list of phones that they will be updating to Android 4.0 this year. Along with the names of the phones, they also mention the time period during which you can expect the update to arrive for the respective handsets.

From the list, the only phones that have already received the update or are in the process of receiving it are the four Sensation handsets and the HTC Vivid. Other noteworthy phones in the list includes the EVO 3D and Rezound, which will get the update by June-July and the Thunderbolt, which will get the update by July-August.

It's also nice to see older phones like the Desire S and the Incredible S on the list as well, with both getting the update by June-July. What's even more surprising is the presence of the Desire HD in the list, a phone that launched back in 2010 that will soon be rocking the latest version of Android. Kudos to HTC for that.

All handsets that get Android 4.0 will also be upgraded to Sense 3.6.

HTC has also mentioned which devices won't be updated to ICS. This includes phones like the ChaCha, Salsa, Wildfire S and Explorer. It also includes HTC's tablets, namely the Flyer, EVO View 4G and the Jetstream. HTC has clarified that despite not getting the next version of Android, these devices will continue to receive software updates and support.

For the full list of handsets, click on the source link below.

Source

View the original article here