The long-awaited Android Gingerbread was released for the Samsung Galaxy S smartphone in South Africa this month. SAGREN MOODLEY advises how to upgrade from the Froyo edition.
Android Gingerbread V2.3.3 was released for the Samsung Galaxy in South Africa on July 1, prompting a rush to upgrade by users of the phone. Many tried to download a cracked version, despite there being a far better way, i.e. via Samsung Kies.
If you haven’t heard of Samsung Kies, it works on the same premise as Apple iTunes, but a very simple version of it.
But first, a piece of advice: do not download the cracked version of Gingerbread and try to install, even if you are techno savvy enough to do it. Samsung Kies serves its purpose in helping you do the upgrade from Froyo to Gingerbread seamlessly, with very little effort. The best part of it is that it’s free. My phone is from Vodacom and with Samsung Kies, it also upgrades the startup screens to the new Vodacom Logo
Android 2.3 promises faster performance. Multimedia content now has a lower CPU consumption rate all the while offering support for more powerful 3D graphics which enables an enhanced mobile gaming experience.
It also promises upgraded usability. The user interface has been improved, enabling faster access and control and a more intuitive user experience. Users will also benefit from improved copy-and-paste functionality.
Here is how you can upgrade your Galaxy S GTI9000 Froyo to the latest Gingerbread firmware:
To do the Upgrade you will require:
1. Data cable,
2. A fully-charged Samsung Galaxy S GTI9000,
3. 600MB free space on your computer,
5. Samsung Kies, (Click here to Download)
6. An installation of Samsung Kies onto your machine,
7. After the installation is completed, open the application and connect your data cable to the fully-charged Samsung Galaxy S GTI9000
8. A pop up message will appear: ‚A new firmware version is available. Upgrading may improve the performance of GT-I9000. Do you want to upgrade?‚
Indicating your current firmware version and the latest firmware version, follow the steps below.
In screen 2, make sure that you select allow saving of information, should anything go wrong during your installation, you can always rely on remote support from Samsung.
Screen 2: Make sure that you select allow saving of information
In screen 3, I only chose contacts and photos because my music and videos are on my PC all the time, so I wasn’t concerned about losing any of it. But, if you don’t have any of the music and videos backed up on your PC, it’s advisable that you check all options.
Screen 3: It’s advisable that you check all options
For both screens 4 and 5 it irritated me a great deal that I couldn’t see a percentage status or file size that it was downloading. I have a 384k line with max download speeds of 45kbps: I had to go through this process twice, because my phone froze on the downloading firmware screen because I hadn’t created enough space for the upgrade.
Screen 4: Irritating that you cant see a percentage status or file size that it is being downloaded
Screen 5: Download around 500MB
I estimate that the download is around 450MB to 500MB: I left the download unattended to do its thing while I did a photo walk in the city.
Once you are at screen 6, you are almost home free.
Screen 6: Nearly home free
It concerns me that the upgrade doesn’t have a resumable download, which means if Eskom decides to loadshed in your area, you have to start from scratch and you can’t use a third party program like Download Helper to resume if you fail. Having a UPS can be very helpful during your installation.
And there you have it, in screen 7: you have successfully managed to upgrade from Froyo 2.2 to Gingerbread 2.3. Take note the new firmware version number. Once you have seen this screen, it is safe to disconnect your phone after it would’ve restarted itself. I’m not sure how many restarts my phone did during installation.
Screen 7: Your upgrade was a success
After you have disconnected your data cable from your PC, tap Application and move your screens to the Settings app, tap your Settings app, tap About Phone, and you should see screen 8 at the very top with the following corresponding information:
· Sagren Moodley is a blog hobbyist who writes on consumer interests, media and technology. You can visit his site at http://sagren.blogspot.com
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I have tried your instructions, i reldownloaded samsung kies and have the latest version. When i try to check for firmware updates it says “This version of the device cannot be updated. Current firmware version PDA:JS3/PHONE:JPY/CSC:JS# (XFM) “”
Please help, i have froyo and would love ginger on my samsung gti9000 galaxy s. I have rooted the phone. Should i unroot it first? I dont see any other problem
I am using the Vodacom network, so my version of the firmware for Froyo was, 9000XWJS5_XFVJS1_XXJPY for Customers with Open software (i.e. MTN, Cell C, 8.ta and other) Froyo’s version should be: I9000XWJS5-OXXJS4-XXJPYM, These versions are specific to South Africa only because of service provider bloatware (service providers logos and any additional service provider applications) on these handsets.
Its also important for compatibility issues that the South African version of Samsung kies be downloaded, The error message you get “”This version of the device cannot be updated “” for the version PDA:JS3 / PHONE:JPY / CSC:JS# XFM”” refers to European firmware, so in your case instead of downloading the South African version of Samsungs Kies I would recommend trying the European version, so if your phone is currently working on the local networks, make sure you note the network and APN settings because they will have to manually configured once you have successfully upgraded your software.
I hope this Helps
Thanks Sagren
The only significant feature is Google’s video and voice chat. Previously only available to tablet users on Android 3.0, Google Talk with video and voice chat is now available on Android phones running 2.3.4 that have front-facing cameras, starting with Nexus S. read this link for more info about what the Nexus S is.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nexus_S
Bug fixes for Nexus S & Nexus One (most of the fixes for the Nexus S can also be considered for the Samsung galaxy S as both are built on the same hardware platform)
– Phone shuts down or reboots: a very small percentage of users reported this problem, which is fixed with the latest release. (Nexus S)
– Wi-fi & 3G icons both indicate active: for anyone who saw this strange behavior in your phone’s status bar, it should now be fixed. (Nexus S)
– Battery life: some users let us know that their batteries didn’t seem to be lasting as long: battery life should be improved for these folks. (Nexus One)
– GPS location/navigation: some Nexus One users who noticed location and navigation problems after updating to 2.3.3 should notice improved location accuracy. (Nexus One)
– Updated Filesystem
Once updated you will notice a voice/video chat button next to your contact in Google Talk contact list. You can send an invitation to start a voice/video chat. The Android 2.3.4 update in addition to this new feature also include some bug fixes.Voice video chat in 2.3.4 will be able to use any protocol to to connect to other users unlike the Iphones face time that only relies on Wifi
Here is a video that shows this new feature in action http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJAiH5-64sI&feature=player_embedded.
As for when it will be released here in South Africa, there hasn’t yet been any official press release from Samsung South Africa. I have forwarded this query to Samsung SA and am currently waiting for a response, you can check back here periodically for their response.
Regards
I did the upgrade to gingerbread this weekend,it took about 1 hour 10 minutes,i used the latest kies from samsung website on a ADSL connection from telkom,windows 7 ultimate was the other operating system interestingly the PROGRES STATUS was given in percentage on screan’s 4,5 and 6 and my Galaxy S GT-I9000 restarted only ONCE during the entire upgrade.The phone is much faster and more responsive without a doubt and i can see an improvement with battery life.
Once again i want to thank you for your help with the whole process etc.
Regards
Johan
I just want to know if I will again lose my apps if upgrading to Gingerbread using the Kies method.
Thanks
Farhad
Thanks for the info exactly the answer i was looking for i turn of auto sync and use the wireless functions as i kneed them and my battery lasts between 5-6 days on average with ease,but i’m going to upgrade to gingerbread this weekend will keep you posted and let you know how i experience 2.3.3
Thanx
Cheeers
Thank You
And keep up the good work.
Regards
Johan
From my experience so far, it does improve battery life but this is all relative to how you use your phone. My battery life has improved giving me at least two hours extra in the day. Leaving my HSDPA Off and not using it for anything but making calls and texting it will last for almost 2 full days where previously with Froyo it was more like a day and a half, I personally feel that the Samung Galaxy S1 sacrificed too much of function for its slim design.
My battery life for which ever update comes out will always be poor because I have my HSDPA on all the time, which is not very wise, I listen to the radio, make two skype calls about 30mins at a time, watch at least one episode of my favourite TV series, take plenty of photos along with editing them using adobe photo express, read at least one graphic novel and instant message with whatsapp, gtalk and yahoo messenger all day, previously on froyo with this extravagant behaviour I used to get 6 hours, with gingerbread I get up to 8 and half hours but i am armed with chargers and i usually do a 1hour charge again at about 4pm everyday
Most people don’t prudently monitor their battery usage.The Android OS can be resource hungry if you don’t adjust the running services, the OS can easily utilise 35% to 70% in some cases, this from what I gather is a battery calibration issue that the new firmware is meant to address.To get the most mileage out of your battery charge whether you are on, eclair, froyo or Gingerbread you can Turn off auto sync, auto updates of apps, decrease the brightness of your display, turn off your wireless connectivity and only use it when you need to, turn off applications that you are not using and turn off animations.
Essentially, how ever you use your phone, after the upgrade your battery life will improve but this is relative to the way you use your phone which can only be established through your own benchmarks
This is the official link to the Samsung Australia website
http://www.samsung.com/au/consumer/mobile-phone/mobile-phone/smartphone/GT-I9000HKDXSA/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail&tab=support
Here you will find the latest version of Kies required for the upgrade, the announcement for the Gingerbread firmware should be officially released at the above link, I cant confirm if the version of Kies on the Samsung Australia website will allow you to upgrade to Gingerbread but I do see that they have the Gingerbread manual available for download.
Samsung’s firmware is specific to each country , so downloading the South African version of Kies will also download South Africa’s Mobile Access Point Names instead of Australia’s making it difficult to setup your phone on your countries mobile networks.
Regards Sagren””,””body-href””:””””}]”