Samsung Vibrant System Update (Not 2.2) Released [OTA Discussion]

XXSuntoucherxX said:

And it's still a very likely possibility that I'll do this if I really have to face re installation -vs- not. Right now I'm fighting the principle war mainly because I can, and I want to see how far this gets before someone admits they were wrong. Right now, I was wrong to trust Samsung/T-mobile again. A week from now things may be quite different.

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When it comes to updates, I haven't cared about "principle" since day one of owning a Motorola Razr ;->

If there's a way to get an update, and OTA is NOT the only option, I will generally NOT wait for an OTA (After many years, many phones, and a couple of service providers, I long ago realised that for WHATEVER reason, I personally will most likely NEVER get an OTA update. I must be blacklisted)

Remember guys, debating the topic is fine. Attacking users is never ok though. Let's keep it clean!

That is, if you don't have anything nice to say, it's probably wise to say nothing.

I recently spoke to a Samsung agent on their chat which is is available through samsung.com. This is the information i received. Samsung Agent: I apologize, the Android 2.2 upgrade software is not yet released for users in U.S officially at this moment and hence there is no relevant information or support available for the same.
Samsung Agent: Unfortunately, there is no specific ETA mentioned for the release of the software at this moment, once the Samsung Agent: Once the update has been released by the Carrier, you will receive a notification message to install it on your handset.
Then i asked Visitor: Will Froyo 2.2 will be released for all Galaxy S line?
Samsung Agent: I apologize, we don't have exact information regarding the release.
Samsung Agent: Samsung Voice Support at 1-877-EZ2GALAXY (1-877-392-4252).

A pre-release of the T-Mo version has already been leaked (Eugene's "source" strikes again!), so the T-Mo Vibrant will be getting 2.2 at some point.

Considering the WiFi Hotspotting still references AT&T, I would imagine that the other Galaxy S US variants will as well, seeing as they're essentially the same phone with different bells and whistles (or cameras and keyboards, as it were)

psz said:

A pre-release of the T-Mo version has already been leaked (Eugene's "source" strikes again!), so the T-Mo Vibrant will be getting 2.2 at some point.

Considering the WiFi Hotspotting still references AT&T, I would imagine that the other Galaxy S US variants will as well, seeing as they're essentially the same phone with different bells and whistles (or cameras and keyboards, as it were)

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Makes sense, and I have no doubt the Vibrant will get 2.2 at some point soon.

Sorry, maybe I missed it, but is there a way to FORCE update? I haven't even gotten the first update, let alone anticipating froyo...

Zorlac said:

Sorry, maybe I missed it, but is there a way to FORCE update? I haven't even gotten the first update, let alone anticipating froyo...

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For JI6 you can use Mini Kies to do the update manually. That's what I did. I've also seen posts saying Samsung will provide a version of Kies for the 2.2 update as well, but I'm not sure about that yet.

You can also use Rom Manager to install the JI6 update (I have no luck with getting things OTA, so I pretty much always do it manually now)

(There are a number of posts about how to ODIN/RomManager/Kies various updates to these phones)

So... When I get it, I heard that JK2 is out, i have no idea what it is, but I heard it can boost battery life, what is it and how do I go about getting it?

Oh, and when I bought this thing i was like "I'm going to do so much dirty stuff to you when you get here " but now that I'm too excited, I have no clue what the first thing I should do is x)

And how do phone firmwares and stuff works? I've always owned an iPod touch, never really moved away from apple on smartdevices. But now I'm taking the step ahead.

Thanks guys

Oh, and what is Froyo and why is it such a big deal to people around here?

Your Vibrant came with Android OS 2.1

Froyo is Android OS 2.2


Basically, it adds the ability to download Adobe Air and Adobe Flash to your phone (lets you use a lot of Flash apps on websites, and watch Flash video, but not Hulu), the ability to make phone calls over WiFi (instead of the normal cell towers), some minor performance tweaks (as in so minor you may not notice), WiFi tethering via bluetooth (in theory) and one or two other things.


Overall, from 1.6 to 2.1 to 2.2, I've yet to see anything that made me go "OMG! I SIMPLY *HAVE* TO HAVE THIS VERSION!"

Only reason 1.5 to 1.6 was such a big deal (for me) was that it added Navigation to Google Maps


Pretty much, 90% of the people who are demanding 2.2 want it simply because it's newer, not because it actually will improve their life with the phone (of the other 10%, most will probably want WiFi calling because, if you live in an area with spotty T-Mo coverage, it's a total life saver)


As for the "how":

When T-Mobile releases the official 2.2 update, your phone should(!) automatically get the update and install it. I say should only because in the last 5+ years, regardless of phone, regardless of carrier, I have yet to EVER receive a single OTA update

If you don't get the OTA (because you have my luck), then there are several ways to get the update.

1) Kies. This is Samsung's update app. Assuming Samsung puts T-Mo's 2.2 update on (which they should), you'd be able to install Kies to you computer, follow the instructions, and have your phone updated.

2) ODIN. This is an app used to flash Android phones to new ROMs. All that's required is an ODIN "package" of the new Android OS ROM, and a few minutes to flash. No Root required

3) Recovery Flash. Using a tool from the Marketplace (Clockwork ROM Manager), you simply download the OS ROM, save it on the phone, and flash via the ROM Manager app. Requires Root.

Root means having Root Access to the phone. There are several methods for doing this (search is your friend!)

psz said:

Pretty much, 90% of the people who are demanding 2.2 want it simply because it's newer, not because it actually will improve their life with the phone (of the other 10%, most will probably want WiFi calling because, if you live in an area with spotty T-Mo coverage, it's a total life saver)

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I don't think that's the case at all.

Look at all of the 2.2 only stuff that's out now.

The new Youtube app is amazing. 2.2 only.

How about editing google docs that came out yesterday? 2.2 only.

I'm sure lots of other things are 2.2 only and more each day.

Why is Samsung taking so long? They are now around 2-4 months behind the competition in delivering froyo. On a device that people probably keep an average of 18 months, that's a long time.

lexluthor said:

I don't think that's the case at all.

Look at all of the 2.2 only stuff that's out now.

The new Youtube app is amazing. 2.2 only.

How about editing google docs that came out yesterday? 2.2 only.

I'm sure lots of other things are 2.2 only and more each day.

Why is Samsung taking so long? They are now around 2-4 months behind the competition in delivering froyo. On a device that people probably keep an average of 18 months, that's a long time.

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They are not the only ones behind HTC is lagging on the froyo update for the Aria, Motorola is just now getting it out for the backflip, and so on and so on.

Ya 2.2 will be nice but I do not think it is going to be a game changer.

lexluthor said:

I don't think that's the case at all.

Look at all of the 2.2 only stuff that's out now.

The new Youtube app is amazing. 2.2 only.

How about editing google docs that came out yesterday? 2.2 only.

I'm sure lots of other things are 2.2 only and more each day.

Why is Samsung taking so long? They are now around 2-4 months behind the competition in delivering froyo. On a device that people probably keep an average of 18 months, that's a long time.

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You know I have been waiting patiently since I got the phone and have even defended Samsung saying be patient they'll do it. But now that the new "Nexus S" phone is being slowly coming to light I realize that we bought a phone and less than 6 months later we were already put on the back burner. I am very much convinced that Samsung has basically said "F**K those guys" to us and focused on that phone. So as of right now I really want to get rid of my Vibrant and go elsewhere. I've had nothing but Samsung phones till the iPhone and came back to Samsung but I'm just about at my limit with Samsung now.

I also never received my GPS update OTA so I had to do it myself over Kies and the GPS is still inaccurate. The only improvement is that it gives me the wrong location in seconds rather than minutes.

lexluthor said:

I don't think that's the case at all.

Look at all of the 2.2 only stuff that's out now.

The new Youtube app is amazing. 2.2 only.

How about editing google docs that came out yesterday? 2.2 only.

I'm sure lots of other things are 2.2 only and more each day.

Why is Samsung taking so long? They are now around 2-4 months behind the competition in delivering froyo. On a device that people probably keep an average of 18 months, that's a long time.

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What makes you think it's Samsung and not Tmobile delaying 2.2 for the Vibrant? I've read that Samsung has delivered the 2.2 ROM to the carriers. Perhaps customizing the ROM is what is taking an inordinate amount of time.

robo21 said:

What makes you think it's Samsung and not Tmobile delaying 2.2 for the Vibrant? I've read that Samsung has delivered the 2.2 ROM to the carriers. Perhaps customizing the ROM is what is taking an inordinate amount of time.

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Well, I'm blaming Samsung mostly because none of the US Galaxy S variants have received 2.2. If all 3 carriers haven't been able to do it yet then the blame really has to be put back on Samsung.

Add another product not available for the current Vibrant
Full Tilt Poker Rush Mobile - Android app on AppBrain

I'd this point, I'd be very surprised if we got 2.2 this year (as promised) and I'd only be mildly surprised if we didn't ever get it.

There's not even much talk about it at all lately.

lexluthor said:

Add another product not available for the current Vibrant
Full Tilt Poker Rush Mobile - Android app on AppBrain

I'd this point, I'd be very surprised if we got 2.2 this year (as promised) and I'd only be mildly surprised if we didn't ever get it.

There's not even much talk about it at all lately.

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Well now you've got me fired up!
I'm pissed!
No Full Tilt Poker!
I play 1000's of hands/week on Poker Stars and Full Tilt - truth.
I've been waiting for the chance for mobile play.
[great, just what I need]

Honestly, I do believe we will soon see Froyo. However, I am not upset about the delay at all. Sure it will be fun and nice and groovy to have Froyo, but for what I really need to do every day I'm a very happy camper.

I am not making excuses for either the carriers or Samsung, just saying that Froyo won't make or break me.

MannyMel said:

I also never received my GPS update OTA so I had to do it myself over Kies and the GPS is still inaccurate. The only improvement is that it gives me the wrong location in seconds rather than minutes.

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So what you're saying is, the update made your phone more efficient, at least that's an improvement. (lol)

Seriously though, I used Mini Kies last week to get the update I never got, and the only thing I've noticed with it is that it's significantly more difficult to slide the lock screen off whenever I wake up the phone to use it. I actually have to use effort now. I'm thinking that a 2.2 update to the OS won't improve this either.

psz said:

Pretty much, 90% of the people who are demanding 2.2 want it simply because it's newer, not because it actually will improve their life with the phone (of the other 10%, most will probably want WiFi calling because, if you live in an area with spotty T-Mo coverage, it's a total life saver)

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Bluetooth voice dialing. This is why I care about 2.2. I can't understand why it hasn't been included with Android right from the start (a couple of my previous crappier phones had it), but it'll be a blessing to finally have it.

GPS works fine on some phones.

My new Vibrant's GPS works better than my old one - xda-developers

Thanks again to the folks informing me of manual updates.
Call it impatience, but I just successfully upgraded to JI6 via samsung Kies. All went smoothly, and (maybe it's just postive thinking) but my phone seems MUCH snappier now. I like the task manager, and camcorder app. I also locked on to 10 satellites in a few seconds from my house where I NOW GET 4 BARS of 3G....
I'm impressed.

Guys, please keep it enjoyable for everybody. Kelmar had already posted something similar, next time we won't be so lenient.

Kelmar said:

Remember guys, debating the topic is fine. Attacking users is never ok though. Let's keep it clean!

That is, if you don't have anything nice to say, it's probably wise to say nothing.

Click to expand...

robo21 said:

Well now you've got me fired up!

I'm pissed!

No Full Tilt Poker!

I play 1000's of hands/week on Poker Stars and Full Tilt - truth.

I've been waiting for the chance for mobile play.
[great, just what I need]

Honestly, I do believe we will soon see Froyo. However, I am not upset about the delay at all. Sure it will be fun and nice and groovy to have Froyo, but for what I really need to do every day I'm a very happy camper.

I am not making excuses for either the carriers or Samsung, just saying that Froyo won't make or break me.

Click to expand...

full tilt on mobile? say it aint so.....really?

robo21 said:

What makes you think it's Samsung and not Tmobile delaying 2.2 for the Vibrant? I've read that Samsung has delivered the 2.2 ROM to the carriers. Perhaps customizing the ROM is what is taking an inordinate amount of time.

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so i tried using kies...it doesnt work in the U.S.A.?

rayn1328 said:

so i tried using kies...it doesnt work in the U.S.A.?

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Try kies mini http://ars.samsung.com/customer/usa/jsp/faqs/faqs_view_us.jsp?SITE_ID=22&PG_ID=2&PROD_SUB_ID=557&PROD_ID=560&AT_ID=341559

Hey,
I unlocked my Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant to work with T-Mobile. However, I haven't received the OTA update for the vibrant (presumably because I am using it with AT&T). Also, I mainly have access to a Mac so I can't download Kies.
What is the easiest way for me to update the Vibrant so that the GPS fix and other bug fixes can be applied?

Thanks in advance

Edit: Also, would the update force me to unlock again?