We haven’t heard much about the Motorola Cliq 2 getting its long awaited Android 2.3 Gingerbread update since nice a leak last summer, until now. It looks like Motorola has already started testing the new software on the Cliq 2 and is now looking for testers via their support forums. They will select 1000 testers to receive the Cliq 2 update to Android 2.3 Gingerbread and if everything goes well they will release the update within a week of testing.

We are pleased to see that the device is being updated to Android 2.3 Gingerbread although you have to wonder why some devices take so long to get updates to an older OS. This being said we can assume this will be the last update for the Cliq 2 unless maintenance releases are created for fixes here and there.

Sprint is slowly becoming a force to be reckoned with its newer lineup of Android devices. Shortly after they got the Galaxy Nexus they now have announced the LG Viper 4G LTE that comes with Android 2.3 Gingerbread and NFC support.

Sprint LG Viper 4G LTE Features:

• 4G LTE Data
• Android 2.3 Gingerbread
• 5MP rear camera
• Front facing VGA camera
• VGA quality front-facing camera
• 1.2GHz dual-core processor
• NFC (Near Field Communication) w/ Google Wallet
• HotSpot capability
• 4-inch WVGA NOVA display

While there is no word on whether or not the device will get an official Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update at some point. We can almost guarantee that it will since its specs seem to support it and most devices get at least one Android OS upgrade in its life.

Finally T-Mobile and HTC are releasing an OTA (over the air) update for the HTC Sensation to fix known issues since its release. The update will bring the software up to version 1.50.531.1 and Android Gingerbread 2.3.4 to the device.

HTC Sensation Fixes and Improvements:

• Increased Stability
• Improved Battery Life
• Improved Trace Dictionary
• More Responsive Screen
• Smoother Icons
• Improved WiFi Connection

If you haven’t received the update in the form of an OTA you can always manually check for it. Go to “Settings -> About Phone -> HTC Software Update -> Check Now”. Please let us know what you notice in the update good or bad.

If you have a Casio Commando and have already updated to Android 2.3 Gingerbread then this is the way to root your device after the update. This root method does require you to have the Android SDK on your computer and if your using windows be sure to install the C771 USB drivers. Its really quite an easy process.

Root Instructions for the Casio Commando:

1. Download and unzip su.zip (Download Link)
2. Download and unzip zergRush.zip (Download Link)
3. Download Superuser.apk (Download Link)
4. Connect your Casio Commando to your PC via USB
5. Open a command prompt on your PC
6. Navigate to your Android SDK directory
7. type “adb shell mkdir /data/local/tmp” press enter
8. type “adb push [path to zergRush]\zergRush /data/local/tmp” press enter
9. type “adb shell chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/zergRush” press enter
10. type “adb shell/data/local/tmp/zergRush” press enter
11. type “adb remount” press enter
12. type “adb push [path to su]\su /system/bin” press enter
13. type “adb push [path to su]\su /system/xbin” press enter
14. type “adb shell chmod 4755 /system/bin/su” press enter
15. type “adb shell chmod 4755 /system/xbin/su” press enter
16. type “adb install [Path to Superuser.apk]\Superuser.apk” press enter
17. type “adb reboot” press enter
18. Congrats your Casio Commando is Rooted

The HTC Thunderbolt has had a rough time getting updated to Android 2.3 Gingerbread but this could be the final functional attempt. Verizon sent out the OTA (over the air) update originally in September and is now pushing it out again. This update now is said to be complete and includes the HTC Sense security fix as well.

This update will bring the Thunderbolt to Build number 2.11.605.5, Baseband 1.48.00.0906w_2. Some of the Enhancements and additional features that can be found in this update are:

• Download manager app – new app to manage all downloads from web browsing and other apps.
• App and Power Management Details – under manage applications a new running tab displays a list of active apps and the storage, memory being used by each. Power efficiency mode also available under “Settings -> Power”
• New Homescreen – new widgets, icons, and screens
• Alarm notifycations no longer appear when in emergency mode
• Improved security features that reduce device vulnerability.

Lets hope that the Thunderbolt can finally get away from Froyo for everyone. The Thunderbolt is a good 10 months out of date now and it looks like you can finally update to make your device a bit more user friendly.

Finally all of you Droid Pro users out there are getting your long anticipated update to Gingerbread. Verizon has posted the change log for the Droid Pro and many users have already reported getting the update. To find the update and install it go to “settings -> Software update -> check now”.

The OTA (over the air) update comes in the form of an 86 MB file so we recommend connecting to WiFi before beginning the upgrade. It should take around 20 minutes to download and install the update.

As all of you get the update installed let us know how it goes and if its what you expected. Also don’t forget to let us know about any issues with the upgraded software. We hope there are few if any since it took so long to get out in the first place.

The Casio G’Zone Commando is Verizon’s rugged phone that will be getting the Android 2.3 Gingerbread update shortly. The G’Zone Commando was released back in April with Android 2.2 Froyo and no special specifications that we have found.

Verizon released a support document stating that the G’Zone will be receiving the Gingerbread update along with some other bug fixes and improvements to email and calling. This update will bring the software version to C771M070.

Casio G’Zone Commando Improvements with Update:

• Call Features – Screen will brighten upon touch when phone is docked during a voice call. The Proximity sensor will accurately sense presence during a voice call.
• Email and Messaging – Auto signature can be enabled within SMS/MMS messages. Device will no longer generate a draft message when opening a message.
• Additional features – Privacy caution screen will now appear during SetupWizard. V CAST Media Manager now comes preloaded. Lag has been reduced on the device.

The update to the G’Zone Commando hasn’t gone live yet but should be in the next week or so. Once you receive this update let us know how its working out for you.

The Samsung Galaxy Xcover is the first Samsung phone in this category with its water-resistant case and running Android 2.3 Gingerbread. The Galaxy Xcover also sports a protective housing with IP67 certification and a scratch resistant touch screen making this an ideal phone for those in construction and other rough conditions.

According to the press release below the Xcover will be available in October.  This should be a a great addition for those that are in the construction industry as there are currently very few truly tough phones available.  We are interested to see how well this device does.  If the Xcover does well we can only assume that those in the demographic this phone supports will get many more like this.

Samsung’s Press Release on the Galaxy Xcover:

Water-resistant case meets social networking and Android ™ 2.3: The Samsung Galaxy Xcover

Tuesday, 9 August 2011The combination of protective housing with IP67 certification, scratch-resistant touch screen display, Android and Samsung Social Hub ™ 2.3 makes the Samsung Galaxy Xcover the ideal device for users with an active lifestyle

Schwalbach / Ts., 9 August 2011 – With the Galaxy Xcover Samsung expands its range of rugged mobile phones for outdoor use. The device combines outdoor skills with the ability of a powerful smartphone.

Whether water, dust or hard surfaces: the Samsung Galaxy Xcover is well prepared against harmful environmental influences. This IP67 certified enclosure protects the unit against dust and dirt there. In addition, the Samsung Galaxy Xcover to a depth of one meter for a period is waterproof up to half an hour.The touch-screen display with a diagonal measurement of 9.27 inches is made of scratch-resistant tempered glass. The 3.2-megapixel camera of the Samsung Galaxy Xcover is supported by an LED photo light, which can be used when needed as a flashlight or signal light.

Smart through social networking apps and
running the Samsung Galaxy Xcover with the Android ™ 2.3 platform and is using apps ideally suit her personal needs. Provide wireless connectivity for fast n-standard, and an HSDPA connection with a transfer rate of up to 7.2 Mbit / s.

The Samsung Galaxy Xcover is available from October in the trade.

AT&T has sent out a press release stating that all of their previously released Android phones in 2011 will receive Gingerbread updates. Included in these updates are the HTC Inspire 4G, LG Phoenix, Pantech Crossover, Samsung Captivate 4G and the Samsung Infuse 4G. This all started with the Motorola Atrix 4G Gingerbread update a few days ago.

View the full Press Release from AT&T below:

Android 2.3 Debuted in the AT&T Portfolio with HTC Status, All Post-paid Android Smartphones Released in 2011 Planned to Receive 2.3 Upgrade

DALLAS, July 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ –

Key Facts

AT&T* confirmed that upgrades to the Android™ 2.3 (Gingerbread) platform are planned for all post-paid Android smartphones already introduced this year.
Motorola ATRIX™ 4G users will receive an update to Android 2.3 beginning today and HTC Inspire™ 4G users will receive the update in the coming weeks.
Motorola ATRIX 4G update will also provide the ability to download applications from third-party stores.
HTC Status™ arrived in stores July 17, the first AT&T smartphone running Android 2.3.

Upgrade Details

Customers who purchased an Android smartphone from AT&T introduced in 2011 can expect to receive an update to Android 2.3. All of these devices are planned to be upgraded from Android 2.2 to Android 2.3, also referred to as Gingerbread. In addition, Samsung Captivate™ owners will be able to upgrade to Gingerbread.

Delivery methods will vary by device. Whenever possible, upgrades are delivered over-the-air (OTA), however in some cases the size of the file needed to install the update will require the user to connect via Wi-Fi or connect the phone to a PC to install the update. Factors such as manufacturer-defined software and other device performance improvements result in each device requiring a separate update which will vary in timing.

Beginning today and continuing over the next few weeks, Motorola ATRIX 4G users will be prompted to install the update. To download the update, users must be connected via Wi-Fi. In August, HTC Inspire 4G users will be notified that the update is available and can be downloaded when connected to a Wi-Fi network. AT&T smartphone users can access at any one of the company’s more than 26,000 Wi-Fi hotspots at no cost.

The AT&T smartphones planned for a Gingerbread update are:

HTC Inspire™ 4G
LG Phoenix™
Motorola ATRIX™ 4G
Pantech Crossover™
Samsung Captivate™ 4G
Samsung Infuse™ 4G

Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)

Gingerbread delivers a number of improvements, such as user interface refinements, refined copy/paste functionality and speed enhancements. The upgrade offers improved power management that offers a more active role in managing applications in addition to an improved on-screen keyboard with multi-touch support that makes typing faster and more accurate

The Samsung Epic 4G will be receiving the Android 2.3 Gingerbread update by the end of this month. Samsung has been slow at updating its devices over the last few years since pushing Froyo updates to their US Galaxy S devices. Finally they are getting the Gingerbread updates to the Epic 4G after much anticipation.

We can’t say that the update will come smooth as the Epic 4G had a hiccup when being updates to 2.2 Froyo with Sprint having delay after delay. When they finally did puch the update they pulled back fast and now its time to try again with Gingerbread.

From what we’ve heard the update will come some time between July 24th and August 1st. Good luck this time all of you Epic 4G users.

Vodafone UK has released the Android 2.3.4 update for their Nexus One. This device has been on the market for over a year now and still competes with some of the best phones out to date.

Nexus One Features from Update:

• UI Enhancements
• New Android Keyboard
• Better Copy, Paste Features
• Voip over SIP support for internet calling
• Improved power management
• Front a back camera management

Many Nexus One’s already have this update although later this year there is supposed to be another update to put the device on Ice Cream Sandwich. It will be interesting to see if they roll out with everyone else or if this update was released to by a little time for the next update.

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