Own a Samsung Galaxy S III or Galaxy Tab 10.1 on Verizon? Then your weekend is about to get much sweeter, my friend, because Verizon has revealed that each device is due to receive an update soon. First up we've got the Galaxy S III, which will be getting a maintenance update that'll bring it up to software version IMM76D.I535VRALG7. This update's not a big one, but it does contain a handful of bug fixes, as well as Verizon's Remote Diagnostics Tool that allows a support rep to view a user's device (with permission, of course) for training or troubleshooting. The full changelog for the S III's update is as follows:
Device Enhancements
- Improved stability and connectivity with Back Up Assistant.
- Added support for viewing the Guided Tour video’s over the Cellular Network.
- Enhanced Customer Support with Verizon Remote Diagnostics.
- Verizon Wireless customer care, this solution, with the customer’s permission, allows support personnel to remotely view the user’s device for device training, application demonstrations and troubleshooting.
- Improved Data Connectivity when using SBeam.
- NFC (TecTile) tagging issue resolved to ensure pre-programmed text messages are accurate.
- “No SIM” pop up issue has been resolved.
The Galaxy Tab 10.1's update is much bigger, both in size (30.7MB to 248MB) and with what's included. This update will bring the Verizon Galaxy Tab 10.1 up to Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich, with the new software version being i905.LP11. There are a number of enhancements packed in alongside the ICS bump, such as new camera capabilities, a redesigned Gallery app and the inclusion of "Undo" and "Redo" options in the email composer. The Galaxy Tab 10.1's full changelog is available at the bottom of this post.
While the Galaxy S III's update is a minor one, I'm sure owners of the device are glad to see its first software update arrive, especially since it includes a fix for a "No SIM" pop up that sounds like it could get irritating. As for the Galaxy Tab 10.1, it's good that the slate is finally getting updated to Ice Cream Sandwich. Considering that the Wi-Fi-only Tab 10.1 was bumped up to ICS a month ago, some Verizon Tab 10.1 owners were likely getting a little antsy waiting for their own update to arrive. As usual, there's no mention in Verizon's documents of when these updates will be arriving, but you can always go into Settings > About Phone/About device > System updates to check for it manually. If we hear anything about the pushes from Verizon, we'll give you a shout.
QUICK PANEL
- Your Quick Panel has been updated to give you fast access to Driving Mode, Sync and more.
USAGE
- Monitor your data usage all in one place. Set warning levels, check individual app usage or turn off data completely.
- Important Note: The on-device Data Usage meter may not match the amount of data for which the customer will be charged by Verizon Wireless.
- The My Verizon Mobile app reflects billable data usage and best indicator of how much of the current month’s data allowance has been used.
BROWSER DESKTOP VIEW
- Take advantage of a more robust browser experience with the new Desktop View option that has been added in browser.
CALCULATOR
- Calculator will display a “Keep It Simple” basic calculator. The Scientific Calculator will appear when switched to Landscape Mode.
Additional features to this upgrade include:
- Applied Android Ice Cream (ICS) OS upgrade to 4.0.4.
- Pinch to Zoom functionality has been added in homescreen and main menu screen.
- Google Plus has been integrated.
- Google Text-To-Speech Engine has been integrated in the upgrade.
- In Email search menu, search criteria by date, sender & title.
- In Email Composer, ‘undo’ and ‘redo’ options have been added.
- A quick response message may be quickly inserted into the body while composing a message.
- Initiate a ‘New Meeting Invitation’ for Exchange accounts.
- Redesigned Gallery app with photo editor includes:
- More ways to sort albums by time, location, people and tags.
- Photo studio that allows users to crop and rotate pictures, set levels and remove red eyes.
- Improved Picture Gallery widget lets users look at pictures directly on their home screen.
- Rich and versatile camera capabilities including:
- Continuous focus.
- Android 4.0 Zero shutter lag exposure.
- Stabilized image zoom.
- Built-in face detection to locate faces in the frame and automatically set focus.
- Single-motion panorama.
- Apps can now set custom metering regions in a camera preview.
- Wi-Fi Direct support by Android platform.
- Android 4.0 introduces built-in support for connecting to Bluetooth Health Device Profile (HDP) devices, With support from third-party apps, users can connect to wireless medical devices and sensors in hospitals, fitness centers, homes and elsewhere.
Via Droid-Life (1), (2), Verizon Wireless (1), (2)
