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Refresh Roundup: week of July 2nd, 2012

zachary lutz
Updated ·4 min read

Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!

Official Android updates

  • Sony Xperia Mini: Good news, because Sony has released Android 4.0 for its pint-sized handset this week. While the update isn't available over-the-air, PC users may snag the latest OS with Sony's PC Companion, whereas Mac users can do the same with the Bridge application. The manufacturer is rolling out the update in waves, however, so be sure to check back if your handset isn't in the early group. [The Inquirer]

  • HTC Incredible S: Like Sony, HTC is making Ice Cream Sandwich available for the Incredible S handset, and as you'd expect, the OTA update contains Sense 3.6. [The Unwired]

  • Motorola MOTOACTV: A certain fitness watch from Motorola has gotten some love in the form of a software update, which is said to offer greater stability and better battery life when WiFi is on. The notification system for unread messages has also been improved, along with tweaks to many of the apps. [Droid Life]

  • LG Prada phone 3.0: Even tech-loving fashionistas can join in the update fun this week, as LG has made Android 4.0 available for owners of unbranded handsets throughout Germany and Italy. The update isn't available over-the-air, however, and instead must be applied through LG Mobile Phone Support for the PC. [The Verge]

  • Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7: And it slowly begins... Android 4.0 is now available for the Galaxy Tab 7.7, which may be downloaded and installed from within Kies. Specifically, this update applies to model GT-P6800, though we'd imagine that updates for other Sammy tablets are now right around the corner. [SamMobile]

  • Bell Mobility: An Android 4.0 release schedule was leaked this week that pertains to a handful of phones and tablets available from Bell Mobility in Canada. First up, the Samsung Galaxy Note is said to receive Ice Cream Sandwich on July 16th, whereas both the LG Optimus LTE and HTC Incredible S should also receive the update sometime in July. Not to stop there, the Samsung Galaxy S II HD LTE, the Galaxy Tab 8.9 and Galaxy Tab 10.1 have each been targeted for an August delivery of Android 4.0. [Mobile Syrup]

Unofficial Android updates, custom ROMs and misc. hackery

  • Motorola Xyboard: A leaked version of Android 4.0 has made its way into the wild for both the 8.2-inch and 10.1-inch versions of the Motorola Xyboard tablet. [TG Daily]

  • Samsung Galaxy S III: Though the smartphone has yet to make its official debut, modders will be glad to know they've a bit of a safety net in the form of a stock firmware image, which was leaked and has been made available for download. [Android Community]

Other platforms

  • BlackBerry Bold 9790: While this smartphone is no longer available from Rogers, that's not to suggest it's been forgotten, as the carrier made BlackBerry OS 7.1.0.523 available as an update for the handset this week. [Mobile Syrup]

Refreshes we covered this week