Handset updates - 6 September

[CraigR]

Hi all,

I will start with the bad news first this week. There is no good way of saying this but unfortunately the Samsung Galaxy S2 4G “ICS” update has been delayed again. Current estimate is for delivery to Telstra on 7 September but due to the numerous slippages the scheduled dates for this update will be changed to “TBC”. When it is received we will do our best to expedite the testing to get it to you as soon as possible.

On  a similar theme the Nokia N8  “Belle Refresh” update has been delayed due to an issue discovered by Nokia in their local field testing prior to submission to Telstra. Nokia are working on resolving the issue and will provide revised dates as soon as they have them. Until then the schedule dates have been changed to “TBC”.

The HTC EVO 3D schedule has been slipped by one week – HTC submitted the update on time but due to internal Telstra resource constraints a 1 week delay has been introduced.

Now for the positive news. The Android ICS update for the Sony Xperia P was approved ahead of schedule on 5 September. This should commence deploying in a couple of weeks time – current ETA is by 17 September. The LG Optimus 3 has also had a minor “Bugfix” update approved and this also should begin deployment by 17 September.

That’s all for this week. As always let us know if you have any questions or suggestions.

Update status for this week*:

Handset	Update	Status	Expected test rounds	Expected approval date	Expected customer availability date	Notes
Samsung Galaxy Note	Android 4.0 ‘Ice Cream Sandwich’ update	Now available	2	13/08/2012	21/08/2012	Available as an "Over The Air" update or via side load using Samsung "Kies" software on a PC.
Nokia N9	PR 1.3 update	Now available	2	13/08/2012	21/08/2012	Now available via Nokia Software Update software as well as by a an "Over The Air" update
HTC EVO 3D	Android 4.0 ‘Ice Cream Sandwich’ update	Third or greater round of testing	3	17/09/2012	18/09/2012	3rd version received and in test. Telstra resource constraints have delayed the approval by 1 week.
LG Optimus L3	Bugfix update only	Approved by Telstra - waiting for deployment by vendor	1	3/09/2012	17/09/2012	Approved 3 September.
HTC One XL	Android 4.0.4 update	First round testing	1	17/09/2012	18/09/2012	Test submission received and in Telstra testing
Samsung Galaxy S 3	Bugfix update only	First round testing	1	10/09/2012	24/09/2012
Sony Xperia P	Android 4.0 ‘Ice Cream Sandwich’ update	Approved by Telstra - waiting for deployment by vendor	2	5/09/2012	17/09/2012	Update approved ahead of schedule as no "showstopper" problems identified in first round of testing
Nokia N8	PR 3.1 "Belle Refresh"	Waiting for initial vendor submission	1	TBC	TBC	Nokia has advised that the submission of this update has been delayed due to the discovery of an issue in the late stages of Nokia local field testing.
Samsung Galaxy S2 4G	Android 4.0 ‘Ice Cream Sandwich’ update	Waiting for initial vendor submission	2	TBC	TBC	Samsung has advised once again that the firmware submission has further slipped.
Samsung Galaxy Nexus	Android 4.1 ‘Jelly Bean’ update	Waiting for initial vendor submission	2	TBC	TBC	Samsung is preparing an update but is yet to confirm the date it will be submitted for Telstra testing.
HTC One XL	Android 4.1 ‘Jelly Bean’ update	Waiting for initial vendor submission	2	TBC	TBC	HTC is preparing an update but is yet to confirm the date it will be submitted for Telstra testing.
HTC One S	Android 4.1 ‘Jelly Bean’ update	Waiting for initial vendor submission	2	TBC	TBC	HTC is preparing an update but is yet to confirm the date it will be submitted for Telstra testing.
HTC Desire S	Android 4.0 ‘Ice Cream Sandwich’ update	Waiting for initial vendor submission	2	TBC	TBC	HTC is preparing an update but is yet to confirm the date it will be submitted for Telstra testing.
Samsung Galaxy S3	Android 4.1 ‘Jelly Bean’ update	Waiting for initial vendor submission	2	TBC	TBC	Samsung is preparing an update but is yet to confirm the date it will be submitted for Telstra testing.

* - Although accurate at time of publishing these dates are subject to change.

[Magikarp]

-sigh-

I think this Galaxy S2 4G will be the last Samsung device I purchase. Their support sucks.

[bmclemm]

***** HTC One XL Android 4.0.4 update - Test submission received and in Telstra testing, ETA 18/09/2012 *****

Awesome! Luuurve your work Craig!

[Lunchbox201]

Samsung Galaxy S2 4G

Android 4.0 ‘Ice Cream Sandwich’ update

Waiting for initial vendor submission

2

TBC

TBC

Samsung has advised once again that the firmware submission has further slipped.

Yup i can see whats happening here, They just announced the release of the Galaxy S3 4G last week. They will hold of until the S3 release and then turn around and say "No longer supporting this device as superceded by S3 4G"

Then all of us who got stuck with the worst supported phone in all android history get screwed.

Thats my rant, no one else's.

[haydencoonan]

So who do I send my handset to for a refund?  Samsung or Telstra?  'Cause surely there has got to be a point where it goes beyond **bleep** ridiculous!  Was told when I got the handset that the update would be out soon.. all I keep getting now is delay after delay.. if I treated my own customers with this level of contempt, I'd have none left!!!

[Lunchbox201]

I agree, since getting this phone the first day it was released back in late march the sales people all said there will be an ICS update soon. The battery life on this phone has been shyte since day one.

Whats the point of having a 4G phone if you can't use it cause you want to have your phone last all day.

I am currently waiting for my phone to come back from the repair centre for the 3rd time, (twice in a 2 week period it became faulty) and then considering cancelling my contract without any fees. TIO will be contacted if Telstra will not come to the party.

I am afraid to use my phone anymore for what i bought it for as it keeps faulting and i keep losing information everytime this happens.

[ayou7647]

Any news on a Jelly Bean Update for the HTC Velocity 4G ?

[Magikarp]

---

Lunchbox201 wrote:

Samsung Galaxy S2 4G

Android 4.0 ‘Ice Cream Sandwich’ update

Waiting for initial vendor submission

2

TBC

TBC

Samsung has advised once again that the firmware submission has further slipped.

Yup i can see whats happening here, They just announced the release of the Galaxy S3 4G last week. They will hold of until the S3 release and then turn around and say "No longer supporting this device as superceded by S3 4G"

Then all of us who got stuck with the worst supported phone in all android history get screwed.

Thats my rant, no one else's.

---

I think that's the rant of almost every owner of this handset...

Seriously, it's on a fairly costly plan. It's on Telstra (with the 'Telstra Tax'; a fairly hefty premium compared to other carriers), the buy-outright cost is also fairly high. By all means, it's still fairly "high end."

It was pushed by the carrier as a flagship handset for their services.

It was promised updates all through May-September with delay after delay after delay after delay. This isn't being "entitled" or anything, this is just wanting what we were promised when we purchased these handsets. Something that Samsung and Telstra has failed to deliver time and time again. Because - as it turns out - Samsung has wreched support.

[ecips]

Hi,
When I purchased the SGS2 4G handset that I currently have, I made it very clear the the Telstra rep selling me that phone that I needed ICS fimware on the device I was to purchase for compatibility with some software that I need to run on the handset.
I was told at the time that the ICS firmware for the GTI9210T would be available "within a few weeks" and was so convinced to buy the handset. This was back in May.
It is becoming more and more apparent to me that what I have ended up with is an orphan device that Telstra really dont give a **bleep** about supporting.
The arguments about it being Samsung dont hold water for me - the almost identical Samsung models in other parts of the world have had ICS for months.
I would like to know what department withing Telstra I need to contact to either have the contract on the handset removed so that I may purchase a handset that is supported or alternatively have the phone replaced with a device that is supported and is not a dead end/orphan device.
Can you please provide me with the contact details of the department or individual within Telstra that handles these types of matter.
Thanks.

[Magikarp]

Eh, I'm expecting that this handset and all its users (who are mostly on contracts for 2 years and cannot get a new and supported handset without paying a hefty sum of money or cancel their contract for a fairly large sum of money) will be swept under the rug while Samsung and Telstra skip away whistling and holding hands all merrily.

$20 says it's been totally abandoned.

[FreeStyler]

lol, EVO 3D is pushed back another week... this is way beyond funny... How did Vodafone/3 manage to release the (now obsolete) ICS in AUGUST, while Telstra are now getting close to OCTOBER??? Oh yes I know - everyone must be busy raising prices and call rates, taking away whatever tiny value the Telstra mobile plans used to have. Keep up the good work, guys!

[waiwai]

TBC!!!!!

I'm so sick of having a phone which dies so quickly, according to the spec. 

stand by time 250 hour, what a joke!!!! 

[mrtgv]

for all you Galaxy S 2 4G owners, the best info I can provide is this

Product Code: TEL
Latest firmware: I9210TDVLD1/I9210TTELLB1/I9210TDVLD1/I9210TDVLD1
Modified: 19/04/2012 5:36:45 PM
Filename: GT-I9210T_TEL_1_20120419173629_0ez5719kud.zip.enc2

The above is what Check FUS (unofficial Samsung Firmware down-loader program) is showing.

Note: the GT-I9210 is also carrier branded in Portugal and Sweden:

Portuagal

Product Code: GT-I9210DAATMN
Latest firmware: I9210XXLC2/I9210TMNLB3/I9210XXLB3/I9210XXLC2
Modified: 16/03/2012 1:54:48 PM
Filename: GT-I9210_TMN_1_20120316135435_h5t93xgtjz.zip.enc2

Sweden

Product Code: GT-I9210DAACOV
Latest firmware: I9210XXLC2/I9210COVLC1/I9210XXLB3/I9210XXLC2
Modified: 16/03/2012 11:43:44 AM
Filename: GT-I9210_COV_1_20120316114332_0r4c8bl801.zip.enc2

Sadly there is no "non branded" firmware for this device that I find via Check FUS.

Hope this helps you guys out with info about firmware updates:

As for me, I have the HTC One XL, I also own an outright non branded HTC One X (A-Tick approved), I updated the HTC One X with Android 4.0.4 which has given the device one hell of a boost in terms of day to day speed and fixes HTC Sense to 4.1 to higher levels so looking forward to the Telstra based Android 4.0.4 Sense 4.1.

As for LTE 1800MHz, even though the Telstra broadband coverage maps say I am in coverage at my residence, I have yet to see 4G signal at home, I did a network scan and do indeed get Optus 4G LTE 1800Mhz inside my house  but according to their maps I am not supposed to ... either way I am a happy Big T customer.

BUT ONE THING:

1GB is not enough as the included data option, also the team need to realize the the browse plus packs are to expensive for the the amount on offer.

Other than that its all good.

[TyF]

CraigR,

Is Telstra or Samsung serious about the S2 4G ICS update? This was promised in May and nothing has changed.