Samsung Galaxy S3 Android 4.3 update rolling out to international users

Samsung has started rolling out Android 4.3 update for the international version of its Galaxy S3 smartphone (model number GT-i9300); that’s the model with Sammy’s own Exynos quad-core chip.

There’s so much included in this firmware and you’ll want to download it the second your smartphone informs you about the update. Among the things you’ll get are Galaxy Gear and ANT+ support, new UI elements that will make your S3 look like its S4, updated keyboard, newer GPU drivers (that deliver higher GPU benchmark scores), new lockscreen with multiple widgets, driving mode, actionable notifications, new S-Voice, improved camera software (Sound and Shot modes added), and more.

As I’m writing this, not everyone can get this new software. As it’s usually the case, it takes time before the update reaches users all around the world. It is said that Vodafone Ireland customers are among the first ones to benefit from the update but we’re certain the rest of Europe will follow shortly. Feel free to manually check for new firmware from Settings -> About phone and take it from there…

Source: intomobile

IFA Berlin 2013 Preview: 7 Hot Gadgets We Expect to See

This September, the biggest names in technology are getting set to descend on Berlin, Germany to show off their latest wares. From smartwatches and giant smartphones to tablets and Ultrabooks, IFA 2013 is shaping up to be one of the most jam packed tech events in recent memory. We’ll be live from the show floor in Berlin to bring you all of the latest news, previews and our hands-on impressions of your favorite new devices. So, to help wet your appetite for the big show, we’re running down the top seven gadgets we expect to see in Germany.

1. Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Samsung’s Galaxy Note II made its debut at last year’s IFA Berlin conference, and if current rumors are true, we’ll be seeing the Galaxy Note 3 at this year’s show. The Note 3 is expected to feature a larger 5.68-inch display and will reportedly include Samsung’s 1.8-GHz octa-core Exynos 5420 processor and an ARM Mail T628 GPU. It’ll also offer a 13-megapixel camera and come with 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of onboard storage.

2. Samsung Galaxy Gear Smartwatch

Alongside the Galaxy Note 3, Samsung is also expected to announce the Galaxy Gear smartwatch. The watch will reportedly feature a dual-core processor and run on Google’s Android Jelly Bean OS. There are conflicting reports on the timepiece’s touch screen display with some suggesting it will measure 2.5 inches and others indicating it will be a smaller 1.67 inches. The watch could also feature a built-in camera, NFC and Bluetooth support and have on-board sensors for tracking workouts.

3. LG G Watch Smartwatch

Not to be outdone by Samsung, LG is also reportedly working on a smartwatch of its own, which could be called either the G Watch or G Band. Though details concerning LG’s watch are relatively hard to come by, we know that the watch would likely run on either Mozilla’s Firefox OS or Google’s Android OS. There’s still no word on a potential screen size or processor for the G Watch.

4. LG G Pad Tablet

LG may be preparing to make another jump into the tablet space with its rumored G Pad slate. The tablet is expected to feature an 8.3-inch 1920 x 1080 resolution display, quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM. If the G Pad is real, it could be related to the LG tablet that passed through the FCC recently.

5. Nokia Bandit Phablet

When Nokia takes the stage at IFA 2013, it will reportedly unveil a new 6-inch phablet dubbed the Bandit. The handset is expected to come packing a 1080p display and a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. In addition to its big-screen display and powerful processor, the Bandit is rumored to include a 20-megapixel or higher rear camera. If true, the Bandit would launch with Microsoft’s upcoming Windows Phone update, which will reportedly include support for 1080p displays, as well as a few other enhancements.

6. Sony Honami Smartphone

 Sony may have a new smartphone up its sleeve just in time for IFA 2013. The rumored Honami smartphone is a 5-inch handset that will be able to capture video at a resolution of 4,000 x 2,000 pixels. Of course, to watch those 4K videos you’ll have to also purchase a 4K TV. Beyond it’s video capabilities, the Honami is said to include a 20-megapixel rear camera and 2.2-megapixel front shooter.

 7. Convertibles and Ultrabooks

In addition to smartphones, tablets and smartwatches, we’re expecting to see a host of convertibles and Ultrabooks from the likes of Lenovo, Toshiba, Sony and several other key device makers. We’ll be sure to bring you our hands-on impressions of all of these devices live from IFA 2013.

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How To Root Samsung Galaxy S3 LTE (GT-I9305) On Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean Official Firmware

If you have Galaxy S3 GT-I9305 and have already updated your device to the latest firmware version, you may want to root it to gain full control over the phone. Here is an easy step by step guide to help you How To Root Samsung Galaxy S3 LTE (GT-I9305) On Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean Official Firmware.

Important Points To Remember

Rooting your device may erase personal data and settings on it. Hence, it is advisable to back up apps, important data and settings before you proceed.

Warranty on the device will be void after rooting it. Just reinstall the official firmware update to reclaim the hardware warranty.

Download and install Root Checker app from Google Play Store to verify if your Galaxy S3 is rooted successfully or not.

The instructions provided in this guide are meant for reference purpose only and do not cover any warranty claims with device damage or issues arising out of rooting the official Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean firmware on Galaxy S3 I9305. Users are advised to proceed at their own risk.

Pre-requisites

Verify that your phone has at least 80 percent battery power before you proceed, to prevent unexpected device shutdown (due to battery drain) while flashing the CF-Auto-Root tool using ODIN on your Galaxy S3 I9305

Ensure that the correct USB drivers are installed for your Galaxy S3 on the computer (download USB drivers)

Make sure that your Galaxy S3 phone is running on the official Android 4.1.2 XXBLL3 Jelly Bean firmware before you begin the rooting process

Enable USB Debugging mode on your phone by navigating to Settings > Applications > Development

How to root samsung galaxy s3 I9305 on Official Android 4.1.2  XXBLL3 Jelly Bean Firmware

 Step 1: Download CF-Auto-Root to root I9305XXBLL3 firmware (Filename: CF-Auto-Root-m3-m3zh-gti9305.zip) and extract the zip file.

 Step 2: Download Odin3 v1.85.

 Step 3: Power off the phone and put it on Download Mode by pressing Volume Down, Home and Power buttons together. Once you see a warning message on the screen, press Power button again to enter Download Mode.

 Step 4: Run Odin3 v1.85.exe as an Administrator.

 Step 5: Connect the Galaxy S3 I9305 with your PC using USB cable. A message will appear saying “Added” under the Odin’s message box. In addition, if the device is connected properly, you will see COM port with a number in Yellow.

 Step 6: Click the PDA tab in Odin and select the CF-Auto-Root-m3-m3zh-gti9305.tar.md5 file.

 In Odin window, make sure that Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time checkboxes are selected.

 Step 7: Click on the Start button in Odin to begin the installation.

 Step 8: When flashing is completed, you will see a PASS message with green background at the top of Odin. Your device will now reboot automatically.

 After you see the Samsung logo, you can then unplug the USB cable to disconnect your phone from the computer.

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