Amazon Fire Phone update brings Android 4.4 KitKat and over 10 new features

Amazon Fire Phone owners might not be a plentiful bunch, but those who are rocking the phone as proud as can be will be happy to know a new upgrade is headed your way. The upgrade brings Fire OS’s base platform version up to Android 4.4 KitKat.

It sounds a bit silly to get excited about KitKat when Lollipop is out, but you have to remember that Fire OS is a completely independent platform that Amazon customizes to the bone. Having KitKat vs Lollipop wouldn’t stand to make much of a difference if Amazon is going to customize them to have exactly the same base functionality.

Along with the more recent version of Android, there are over 10 new features on tap. Here’s what to expect:

• Support for Bluetooth Low Energy: Fire phone now supports Bluetooth Low Energy technology. To learn more, go to Connect to Bluetooth.


• Change the wallpaper on the Home screen: You can now change the Home screen wallpaper to a different color or use your own image. To learn more, go to Change the Home Screen Wallpaper.


• Lock screen notification improvements: View previews of new notifications on the lock screen and manage which apps can show previews on the lock screen. To learn more, go to View & Manage Notifications.


• Additional keyboard options: Amazon’s keyboard now includes color emoji. Choose from hundreds of emoji characters to make your e-mail and multimedia messages fun and personal. You can also change the default keyboard on your Fire phone with another compatible keyboard downloaded from the Amazon Appstore. To learn more, go to Customize Your Language & Keyboard.


• Convert video clips into lenticular images and set HDR to auto: Record video clips and automatically convert them into a lenticular image to share with others or use on the lock screen. With HDR turned to auto, your phone’s camera also determines whether a scene needs HDR and captures it to create a rich, detailed image. To learn more, go to Take Photos & Personal Videos.


• Smarter calling options: Manage up to five people on a conference call, delete all previous calls in your history, and more. To learn more, go to Make & Receive Phone Calls.


• Messaging improvements: Delete or forward multiple messages in a conversation, swipe to delete conversations in your Inbox, and modify your messaging settings with new options, such as the ability to change the text size of your messages. To learn more, go to Send, Read & Manage Messages.


• Choose different colors for calendar events: If you have multiple e-mail accounts synced with your phone, you can assign a color for each account. When you select a new color for an account, your calendar events appear in that color. To learn more, go to General Settings for Email, Contacts, and Calendar.


• Print from your Fire phone: You can now print personal documents, e-mails, contact details, and calendar events from your Fire phone to your compatible HP, Epson, or Canon printers. To learn more, go to Print From Your Fire Phone.


• Enhanced enterprise features: With support for secure work Wi-Fi networks, single sign-on for corporate networks, and AES-256 bit hardware encryption, your Fire phone is ready for more work. To learn more, go to Protect Your Fire Phone with Encryption and Set Up a VPN.


• Accessibility improvements: Easily manage your closed caption settings across the device and enjoy new Screen Reader features—such as independent volume controls and faster reading speed options—when you use the accessibility options on your Fire phone. To learn more, go to Accessibility Features.


• Bug fixes and user interface improvements: Dozens of other bug fixes and user interface improvements.’

You can find instructions on how to get your phone updated to the latest version — which is Fire OS 4.6.1 — right here. And if you’re somehow in the market for one don’t forget you can always buy them pretty cheap from Amazon’s online storefront.

[via Amazon]

Atrix HD wont be receiving KitKat, Motorola apologizes with offer to buy Moto X for $300

The Motorola Atrix HD — now that’s a name we’ve not heard in a long time. The Atrix HD launched back in July 2012 on AT&T, coming out of the box running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. It wasn’t too long after that it received an update to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with Motorola at some promising a future update to Android 4.4. KitKat. That’s a lot of software support.

Fast forward to today where — nearly 3 years after the phone launched — Motorola is finally ready to throw in the towel. Yes, folks. The sun setting on the ‘ol Atrix HD. According to Motorola, they, along with AT&T, just wont be able to fulfill their promise to update the device to KitKat, although they didn’t mention what exactly was the reasons behind the failed update.

But, in an effort to make amends, Motorola is offering Atrix HD owners a discount on a brand new Motorola Moto X 2014 (2nd Gen). Anyone who registers on Motorola’s page here will get a Pure Edition (AT&T and T-Mobile compatible) for 0 — that’s 0 off. If the Atrix HD is till suiting you just fine, they’re also offering up the Motorola Whisper for , regularly 0.

Motorola says your Atrix HD must have an active phone number in order to be eligible for the promotion. Keep in mind that the offer expires June 30th, so you have a few weeks to take advantage of this deal. Once the form has been filled out, you’ll need to use the promo code/coupon by July 15th. Seriously though, anyone out there still using this as their daily driver?

[Motorola]

AT&T Galaxy S5 G900AUCU2AOA1 No Lollipop Update, still at KitKat

AT&T Galaxy S5 SM-N900A users has started receiving an OTA software update to G900AUCU2AOA1.  But only for those Samsung  Galaxy S5 that still runs with the official Android 4.4.2 KitKat G900AUCU2ANG3, I mean not rooted and modified.  While looking at the software build G900AUCU2AOA1, just looks so deceiving and much likely an Android 5.0 Lollipop update just like the ones what Verizon released the Android 5.0 Lollipop build G900VVRU1BOA8 on its Galaxy S5 SM-N900V users.  But if you’re a AT&T Galaxy S5 user’s don’t get too much over-excited yet, that’s because the update still  in Android 4.4.4 KitKat based firmware.

In addition, the update itself brings the promising HD Voice capabilities on your Galaxy S5. The HD Voice feature is the main key-feature to this update  but  it is also currently available in select markets only.  Along with it are the new features that offers services such as “Uber” which you can request and get a ride thru your Galaxy S5 phone, while the rest are AT&T’s mail, AT&T Live and remote support.

However, if you  are a AT&T Galaxy S5 users and might somehow being skeptical about the update, and or you might reluctant to perform a software update.   Who knows that this might be just another preparation and might be the last KitKat update you will ever seen before your Galaxy S5 gets the Android 5.0 Lollipop update. So you should update your Galaxy S5 right now or otherwise your phone might get outdated.

Here are the technical details of G900AUCU2AOA1: 

• Android version: 4.4.4


• Baseband version: G900AUCU2AOA1


• Kernel version: 3.4.0-3116194


• Build number: KTU84P.G900AUCU2AOA1

Here is the actual screenshot of the G900AUCU2AOA1 Android 4.4.4 once updated to it.  This can be simply seen by navigating through the phone’s Setting>>About Device.

For the complete changelog details about G900AUCU2AOA1 just head-over at AT&T Samsung Galaxy S5 SM-N900A support page.  If you did not see the update yet, just keep on checking. AT&T usually rolls out a software update in gradual manner via over-the-air.  The actual file size of G900AUCU2AOA1  update is 487MB, according to AT&T and Samsung.

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AT&T Galaxy S5 KitKat Update G900AUCU2AND3 brings Find My Mobile and Reactivation Lock

First software update build number G900AUCU2AND3 for AT&T Galaxy S5 SM-G900A officially rolled out by Samsung and AT&T. The update has no any major changes but brings an extra features such as Find My Mobile and Reactivation Lock which Samsung’s default apps, adding the Lookout and YP Mobile as AT&T’s new bloatwares. The update The update file size is 46MB and is made available via over the air or OTA update.

Here are the changelog of G900AUCU2AND3

• AT&T Apps – Adding Lookout and YP Mobile


• Samsung Apps – Adding Find My Mobile and Reactivation Lock

The Find My Mobile feature allows owners to locate the device when lose it.  While the reactivation lock is some kind of security suite found on Samsung Galaxy Note 3, that allows users to lock the device into further customization. Once the user put a reactivation locked to the device it cannot be reset by anyone else without of course the users permission.  Both needs a Samsung account to use such features.

Again, the roll out might be in stages make sure to hit your Galaxy S5 Settings>>About Device>>Check for Software Update. To check for more info make sure to hit the source below or follow are simple guide.

How to Upgrade the Galaxy S5 to the latest Software Update

Samsung always advises us to prepare the following important notes to consider before performing the software update.  I have also added some useful insights why you should follow this procedures to keep your  phone in safe.

Recharge the phone’s battery – You should make sure your device is fully recharged before performing the software update. Do not also remove the battery during the software update is in progress. A power failures may cause damaged to your device that might results as we so-called “soft-bricks”. If this happens your device may just stuck on Samsung logo or welcome screen and can’t reboot normally.

Backup important data – You should back-up your important files, including contacts, emails, messages, photos, videos, apps and other stuff. Like I said while during software update process is interrupted there is a possibility that your data stored from your device internal SD card may lose or deleted when a sudden unexpected failure happened and it forces you to perform a factory data reset which basically wipes your phone’s memory. Follow the guide here if you don’t yet on how to backup data on your Galaxy S5.

Galaxy S5 has no root – Your device should not been modified or rooted, there is a certain circumstances that a modified and rooted Galaxy S5  may not accept any official software update anymore or it can accept an update but it might harm your device once the update has made. Learn about the new Samsung KNOX security suite. Most known error that says ‘firmware upgrade encountered an issue, please select recovery mode in kies and try again‘ or “Your device has been modified Software update are not available” you should try to avoid that from happening.

Update via Over-The-Air (OTA)

 This is usually how the carrier branded or locked Samsung Galaxy S5, performs a software update.  This method is Firmware Update through over the air or called as OTA update, which usually a notification message will directly sent to you from your network provider or Samsung and notifies you that there is a new update available for download.  If you did not received any notification messages you can manually check fro the update instead.  Doing this you may only tap on your AT&T Galaxy S5 SM-G900A Settings>>About Device, tap Software Update.

• Find “Software update”


• Slide your finger down the display starting from the top edge of your mobile phone.


• Tap the settings icon.


• Tap About device.


• Tap Software update.

It will automatically tells you that a new update is available or your software is up to date when there is none yet. You can simply tap install now when you want to perform an update or install later.

source: Samsung, AT&T

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G900FXXU1ANE2 Galaxy S5 SM-G900F 4.4.2 KitKat Update, UK Release

G900FXXU1ANE2 a Samsung Galaxy S5 SM-G900F 4.4.2 KitKat  firmware now seen rolling out via Kies software update.  However,  the G900FXXU1ANE2 4.4.2 has only recently seen in the UK and Ireland at this time being, but might also arriving in all countries across Europe. The G900F U1ANE2 4.4.2  this is an incremental software update to the previous 4.4.2 G900FXXU1ANCE. As usual there is no changelog available for the G900F U1ANE2 4.4.2 update, but again once on every updates it brings an improved system stability, minor tweaks for bug-fixes, security enhancements and among other system improvements. G900FXXU1ANE2 is now live and can be downloaded thru Kies software update. You may use Kies 3 to get the the NE2 4.4.2 update, as Kies 3 supports the Galaxy S5 SM-G900F to perform an update.

G900FXXU1ANE2 4.4.2 KitKat Update  Firmware build details:

Here are the build info the Galaxy S5 G900F firmware build version of G900FXXU1ANCE seen in UK and Ireland.

Android version:	4.4.2
Baseband version:	G900FXXU1ANCE
Kernel version:	3.0.4-1539356
Build number:	KOT49H.G900FXXU1ANE2
AP:	G900FXXU1ANE2
CSC	G900FOXA1ANE2
PHONE:	G900FXXU1ANE2

Your Galaxy S5 SM-G900F should run the 4.4.2 KitKat firmware G900FXXU1ANCE and your device is not rooted so you can get the G900FXXU1ANE2 without any hiccups. You may check your device now if its runs on the G900FXXU1ANCE by hitting Settings>More>About Device.

Android version:	4.4.2
Baseband version:	G900FXXU1ANCE
Kernel version:	3.0.4-1182732
Build number:	KOT49H.G900FXXU1ANCE
PDA:	G900FXXU1ANCE
CSC:	G900FOXA1ANCE
Phone:	G900FXXU1ANCE

If you are at from the mentioned countries  you may now check for the G900FXXU1ANE2 4.4.2 update through over-the-air  or OTA update or by using Kies 3 while connecting your Galaxy S5 G900F into your computer.  Below are just a simple guide for those, doesn’t any ides how to perform a firmware update.

How to Update the Galaxy S5 SM-G900F to the latest Software Release G900FXXU1ANE2 4.4.2

To update your Galaxy S5 you can select the two known methods such updating thru Kies and via OTA over-the-air.  On unlocked Galaxy S5 devices mostly updates has sent out and only available via Kies while the carrier branded version can be seen on both Kies and OTA updates.

Important Note Before Performing Software Update on your Galaxy S5.

According to Samsung you should prepare the following things before performing the software update. I will also add some useful insights why you should follow this procedures.

• You should make sure your battery is fully charged before performing the software update. Do not also remove the battery during the software update is in progress. A power failures may cause damaged to your device that might results as we so-called   “soft-bricks”.  There is an error message saying “Firmware upgrade encountered an issues please recovery and try again”.  If this happens your device may just stuck on Samsung logo or welcome screen and can’t reboot normally.


• You should back-up your important files, including contacts, emails, messages, photos, videos, apps and other stuff. Like I said while during software update process is interrupted there is a possibility that your data stored from your device internal SD card may lose or deleted when a sudden unexpected failure happens and it forces you to perform a factory.


• Your Galaxy S5 should not been modified or rooted, there is a certain circumstances that a modified and rooted Samsung Galaxy S5 may not accept any official software update anymore or it can accept an update but it might harm your device once the update has made.  Learn about the new Samsung KNOX security suite. Most known error that says ‘firmware upgrade encountered an issue, please select recovery mode in kies and try again‘ you should try to avoid that from happening.

Update your Galaxy S5 SM-G900F to G900FXXU1ANE2 4.4.2 via Over-The-Air (OTA)

You can also tap on your Galaxy S5 Settings>>General tab, scroll down and tap Software Update. It will automatically tells you that a new update is available or your software is up to date when there is none yet. You can simply tap install now when you want to perform an update or install later.

Update your Galaxy S5 SM-G900F to 4.4.2 G900FXXU1ANE2 Using Kies 3

The second method is a firmware update through Samsung Kies. You may head-over to your  local Samsung support page from where you can download Samsung Kies from there, and install it (guide for installation) in your Windows or Mac computer. Choose the new Kies 3 which supports the Galaxy S5 and other Samsung devices running with 4.4.2 and up Android operating system.  Once you installed Kies 3, all you need is connect your Galaxy S5 to the computer using the USB cable, then simply run and follow the Kies on-screen software update instructions. If you already  received the  G900FXXU1ANE2 4.4.2 update on your Galaxy S5 G900F. You may then check everything on how this update performs. Does it increases speed, battery life performance and among other stuff.

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G900FDXU1ANG1 Galaxy S5 SM-G900F 4.4.2 KitKat Update Release in Singapore

New Android 4.4.2 KitKat hitting Singaporeans Samsung Galaxy S5 LTE SM-G900F. The new software update dubbed with firmware build G900FDXU1ANG1 and provides a much higher changelist as we compare to the previous 4.4.2 G900FXXU1ANE2 update.  The G900FDXU1ANG1 is now made available in Samsung Kies firmware server for both Singapore’s unbranded and branded Samsung Galaxy S5 G900F phones.  As usual, there are no official changelog  has yet announced about the new 4.4.2 G900FDXU1ANG1  update,  so make sure to find it and observe how the update performs.

In addition some folks already received the G900FDXU1ANG1 says that it adds an improved system stability, security enhancements and bug-fixes, while the features stays the same and no other major changes. Advanced users also acknowledge  that they are struggling to root the new 4.4.2 G900FDXU1ANG1 using towelroot, this scenario is not new since once in a while a new update arrived it includes user’s security enhancements.

(see details here)

G900FDXU1ANG1 Firmware Info:

Here are the build info of  the 4.4.2 update build version G900FDXU1ANG1 Galaxy S5 G900F:

Android version:	4.4.2 (KitKat OS)
Baseband version:	G900FDXU1ANE2
Kernel version:	3.0.4-2091818
Build number:	KOT49H.G900FDXU1ANG1
PDA:	G900FDXU1ANG1
CSC:	G900FOLC1ANG1
Phone:	G900FDXU1ANE2
Build Date:	July 1st 2014

 

How to Upgrade the Galaxy S5 SM-G900F 4.4.2  to the latest 4.4.2 Software Update

Samsung always advises us to prepare the following important notes to consider before performing the software update.  I have also added some useful insights why you should follow this procedures to keep your  phone in safe.

Recharge the phone’s battery – You should make sure your device is fully recharged before performing the software update. Do not also remove the battery during the software update is in progress. A power failures may cause damaged to your device that might results as we so-called “soft-bricks”. If this happens your device may just stuck on Samsung logo or welcome screen and can’t reboot normally.

Back important data – You should back-up your important files, including contacts, emails, messages, photos, videos, apps and other stuff. Like I said while during software update process is interrupted there is a possibility that your data stored from your device internal SD card may lose or deleted when a sudden unexpected failure happened and it forces you to perform a factory data reset which basically wipes your phone’s memory.

Galaxy S5 has no root – Your device should not been modified or rooted, there is a certain circumstances that a modified and rooted Galaxy S5 SM-G900F may not accept any official software update anymore or it can accept an update but it might harm your device once the update has made. Learn about the new Samsung KNOX security suite. Most known error that says ‘firmware upgrade encountered an issue, please select recovery mode in kies and try again‘ or “Your device has been modified Software update are not available” you should try to avoid that from happening.

Update to 4.4.2 G900FDXU1ANG1 via Over-The-Air (OTA)

 This is usually how the carrier branded or locked Samsung Galaxy S5, performs a software update.  This method is Firmware Update through over the air or called as OTA update, which usually a notification message will directly sent to you from your network provider or Samsung and notifies you that there is a new update available for download.  If you did not received any notification messages you can manually check fro the update instead.  Doing this you may only tap on your Galaxy S5 SM-G900F Settings>>About Device, tap Software Update.

• Find “Software update”


• Slide your finger down the display starting from the top edge of your mobile phone.


• Tap the settings icon.


• Tap About device.


• Tap Software update.

It will automatically tells you that a new update is available or your software is up to date when there is none yet. You can simply tap install now when you want to perform an update or install later.

Update to 4.4.2 G900FDXU1ANG1 Through Kies

The second method is a firmware update through Samsung Kies. You may head-over to your  local Samsung support page from where you can download Samsung Kies from there, and install it (guide for installation) in your Windows or Mac computer. Choose the new Kies 3 which supports the Galaxy S5 SM-G900F and other Samsung devices running with 4.3, 4.4.2 and up OS .  Once you installed Kies 3, all you need is connect your Samsung Galaxy S5 SM-G900F to the computer using the USB cable, then simply run and follow Kies on-screen software update instructions.

If you already received this update, just do shed us some info on how the G900FDXU1ANG1 4.4.2 software update performs on your Samsung Galaxy S5 SM-G900F.

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