U.S Samsung Galaxy S Variants Already Rooted Before Release

Even though the smartphone isn't officially released yet, the US versions of the Samsung Galaxy S (T-Mobile Vibrant and AT&T Captivate) have already been rooted. Thanks to justadude from the XDA developer's forums everyone who already has theirs or is about to get one this Thursday can root their phones. The best part about this root is that you only need to download the file, load it, and boot into Samsung's recovery. It is very nice to see that Samsung is playing nice with the hacking and development community, especially when others such as Motorola (who has locked the bootloader) are making things more difficult for many. Check out the instructions below:

Note:

This will work on the T-Mobile US-branded Vibrant and generic Galaxy S Models

Important:

By performing this you are doing so at your own risk, this may void your warranty, and we or anyone else is not responsible if you brick your device.

How To Root Samsung Galaxy S Variants (AT&T Captivate and T-Mobile Vibrant):

Download

SGH-959 Root Update.zip

Instructions

The following method should be pretty care-free but there is always a risk with activities like rooting a device or flashing a new firmware.

1. Download the the file ( SGH-959 Root Update.zip) and rename it to: update.zip


2. Put update.zip on the INTERNAL SD memory (/sdcard if you are using a 3rd party file browser, the root folder if you are using the "Files" app that comes with the Vibrant)


3. From command, prompt /terminal, enter: adb reboot recovery


4. In Recovery menu select 'Reinstall Packages' (use vol_down then power to select)

The phone will reboot and you will have:

1. su+Superuser


2. busybox (/system/xbin/busybox)

Credit goes to justadude from XDA developers and Leshak at Samdroid

Stay tuned for more news and updates from the hacking and development community by following us on Twitter and/or subscribing to our RSS feeds.

HTC "Gold" With Windows Phone 7 Rumored To Release In November

An online phone comparison site Omio, said they got the scoop on some key UK handsets that are set to debut in the second half of 2010. Supposedly the news is a fresh leak from an unspecified UK retiler, the roadmap contains info on phones such as the HTC Vision, being released next to the previously unheard of HTC Ace all arriving alongside the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X8 in October, while November will be the month HTC's first Windows Phone 7 device will be released together with the QWERTY-blessed Nokia E7 and Samsung i8700 Cetus.

Other informtion released included the Nokia E7 which is probably the QWERTY equipped Symbian^3 smartphone that we have been hearing of and that has been labeled the N9 or the N8-001/N8-002 by some. This phone has an aluminum body, like the N8 does, together with a tilting AMOLED touchscreen. Slotting into the Eseries line-up would have made far more sense given Nokia's move away from Symbian^3 in their Nseries devices.

As for the Windows Phone 7 HTC phone, the device is tipped off to be the HTC gold. Although there are no details as to specs at this point many people are excited. The HTC Vision is the phone whose info was leaked earlier this week and nobody seems to know what the HTC Ace is. Finally, Samsung's i8700 Cetus is similarly mysterious but te name suggests that it runs the company's wave-themed bada OS.

Omio says they are 100 percent sure of the source and time will definitely help confirm that pretty soon. It is already July as of right now so the first of the handsets should already be on route to be released soon. More information can be found including the Nokia E5-00, Nokia X6 8GB, Samsung i5500, Sony Ericsson W20, BlackBerry Curve 9300, Nokia X2, Sony Ericsson Hazel and Yendo, and the Nokia N8 at Omio's blog. Are you excited about any of the new phones that are said to be coming out?

Share your thoughts an comments below. As usual stay tuned for more info by following us on Twitter and/or subscribing to our RSS feeds.

Samsung Tablet Spotted and Caught on Video

The Samsung tablet which has been rumored to be released sometime in the near future has surfaced and this time on video. Previously coined names such as Galaxy Tab, the tablet has reappeared as The Samsung Galaxy Tape in its 28 second (blurry) video. The site which published the video OLED-Display.net writes that the specs of the Galaxy Tape, which will carry the P1000 model number will be:

• 7" Super AMOLED display


• 1.2 GHz A8 Processor


• 16GB internal storage


• SD-card reader


• 32GB expansion capabilities


• 4,000 mAh battery


• Android 2.2 "Froyo"


• 370 grams (0.82 lbs)

Take a peak at the video below:

Samsung Galaxy S Tweeted!

Samsung South Africa's official Twitter page posted an image of a tablet which they referred to as the "Galaxy Tab". As of right now, all we know is that it runs on Android with the TouchWiz UI, operates on 3G networks, has a front-facing camera, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The fact that a "Phone" icon also exists suggests that the Galaxy Tab will also be able to place calls, although it isn't clear yet if a handset or Bluetooth device will be required. A later tweet from Samsung South Africa also claimed that "this particular one is a 7" model and has a high-res TFT screen. It makes sense considering that such a large AMOLED display would be incredibly expensive to produce and sell and that there is currently a shortage of AMOLED displays as well. The S-pad rumors have been around for a while now but the tweet confirms that it's actually in the works. Stay tuned for more info by following us on Twitter and/or subscribing to our RSS feeds.

Samsung Rumored To Have Galaxy S Pro

Samsung presented the Galaxy S - their new cell phone on day 1 of CTIA 2010 event, there is only one word to describe this device and that word is amazing. The Galaxy S is one heck of a smartphone. It’s 4-inch Super AMLOED display should turn heads, and with it’s superior graphic processing power, it has a lot going on for itself everything is bright, crisp, and text legible, the colors are marvelous. For some users, though, that might not be enough some might even want a keyboard with it.

There are rumors circling around of a Pro version of the Samsung's delectable Galaxy S. Eldar Murtazin, the editor of the legendary Russian mobile website Mobile-review, has confirmed on his twitter blog "HDblog.it" that there will be such a handset. Samsung will be adding a QWERTY keyboard onto the already potent Galaxy S hardware and increasing the pricing by an extra €50 (about $67) more. He also added that a June launch date, and pictures of this device has yet to become available.

Overview of Samsung's Galaxy S

Samsung had their presentation on the first day of CTIA in which they announced the upcoming release of their new phone, the Galaxy S. The phone on a quick note can be described as astounding. Everything is bright and crisp, text legible, and the colors are jaw-droppingly beautiful. The touchscreen performance is a standout on this Android 2.1 device and coupled with Samsung's 1GHz Application Processor, not only is the phone very responsive but the UI is smooth and fast. The Galaxy S can shoot HD video at 720p also, with its 5 megapixel cam and it plays back beautifully on its display. The spec sheet lists this as a triple-band HSPA device living in the 900 / 1800 / 1900 realm and while US availability was announced for this year, no word on the carrier has been made. The specs that have been released include the following:

• Network: 2.5G (GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE) : 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz and 3G (HSDPA 7.2Mbps, HSUPA 5.76Mbps) : 900 / 1900 / 2100 MHz
• OS: Android 2.1
• Display: 4.0” WVGA SUPER AMOLED (800x480) with mDNIe
• Camera: 5.0 mega-pixel Camera + VGA Video Telephony Camera, Auto Focus, Self shot, Action shot, Add me, Stop motion, Cartoon shot, Smile shot, Panorama shot
• Video: HD(720p@30fps) video playing & recording; Codec: mpeg4, H.264, H.263, H263Sorenson, DivX HD/ XviD, VC-1; Format: 3gp (mp4), WMV (asf), AVI (divx), MKV, FLV
• Audio: MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WMA, OGG, AMR-NB, WAV, MID, AC3, IMY, FLAC, XMF
• Value Added Features: Integrated Messaging ‘Social Hub’, Android Market for more applications and content, A-GPS, Augmented Reality with Layar Reality Browser, 1 GHz Application Processor, SMS/ MMS/ Email/ Video Messaging/ Exchange ActiveSync, Sensor: Accelerometer, Digital compass, Proximity, Light, Offline & No SIM Mode, Voice Command, RSS Reader, Mobile Widgets, Smart Security
• Connectivity: Bluetooth technology v 3.0, USB v2.0 (High-Speed), Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
• Memory: 8GB / 16GB, external memory slot (upto 32GB)
• Size: 64.2 x 122.4 x 9.9mm, 118g
• Battery: 1500 mAh

The phone is said to be released in Q3 of 2010 and as mentioned earlier, the carrier and pricing of the phone is still a mystery. Earlier versions of the phone were seen to be using AT&T's service so it is likely that AT&T is to receive the phone as part of its line-up upon it's release.

 (Does the user interface look kind of familiar?)

Press Release Information:

Samsung Welcomes You to the "Smart Life" with the Global Launch of the Galaxy S


Powered by 4-Inch Super AMOLED and the Latest Version of Android™, Galaxy S Brings Rich Technology and Enhanced Mobile Experience
CTIA Wireless 2010


LAS VEGAS—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a leading mobile phone provider, today introduced the Galaxy S (Model: GT-I9000), a smart phone that makes users' lives more convenient, more exciting, and more integrated. JK Shin, president and head of Samsung Electronics' Mobile Communications Business announced the global launch of the Galaxy S at his keynote speech at the International CTIA Wireless 2010. The Galaxy S will be available in Europe, North America, Latin America, Australia, and Asia soon.


The Android-powered Galaxy S incorporates a 4-inch Super AMOLED screen and a 1 GHz application processor that enables vibrant HD videos, rich augmented reality content through Layar Reality Browser, and advanced LBS (Location Based Services). The ‘Social Hub' provides always-on social networks connectivity allowing users to enjoy communications with their friends, colleagues, and families whenever they want and wherever they are.


The Galaxy S is designed to provide immersive, intelligent and integrated experiences, with the power to enrich people's lives through best-in-class services and technologies. The Galaxy S will allow users around the world to experience the "Smart Life," which Samsung anticipates will shift the way that consumers view smart phones and how they interact with them in their daily lives.


The Galaxy S immerses users in a world of rich multimedia. The large 4-inch Super AMOLED display delivers unrivalled screen quality, with less reflection, free viewing angles and super-fast touch-response. The mDNIe (mobile Digital Natural Image engine) – a technology used in Samsung's best-selling LCD and LED TVs – boosts an even sharper and crisper viewing experience for photos, videos, and e-books. It creates a perfect environment to record, edit and play HD video, to browse the Internet, and to read your favorite e-books. A variety of applications from Android Market™ allows users to even more extend the benefits and excitement of smart phone experience. Plus, users have access to Google™ mobile services, such as Google Search™, Gmail™, and Google Maps™.


Living a "Smart Life" requires intelligence, and the Galaxy S delivers just that by utilizing personal preferences to gather information online that each user needs and wants. With a user-defined daily briefing, lightning-fast processing speeds and location-based search options like Layar Reality Browser – the Galaxy S gives users the information they need wherever and whenever needed. The Galaxy S represents the next level of intelligence in smart phones.


The Galaxy S integrates every aspect of life in a smart and sophisticated way. In addition to wireless integration with a variety of other devices, such as notebooks, TVs and cameras, the highly advanced Social Hub plugs users quickly and conveniently into their complete world of social networking and email.


"The Android-powered Galaxy S will set a new standard for smart phones," said JK Shin, president and head of Mobile Communications Business. "The Galaxy S is the perfect device for people in all corners of the world who want that extra edge; to be more effective, productive, better connected, and in tune with their smart life – both personal and professional – all in a very easy and simple way."


Other Key Features


* Daily Briefing: Offers instant access to weather, news, stocks, and the scheduler.
* All Share: Enables inter-device connectivity via DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) technology.
* Home Cradle: Enables use as a digital photo frame, table clock, calendar, and music station.
* Write and go: Jot down an idea first and later decide on a format such as SMS/ MMS, email, calendar or memo.
* Swype: Provides fast and easy way to input text on screen while on-the-move.
* ThinkFree: Apps to view and edit Microsoft Office 2007 documents.
* Smart Alarm: Wakes up with a natural alarm sound and automatically turned-on display light.

PhoneDog.com posted an awesome video of the phone, which you can catch below:

Seems like Android phones are making a big hit so far at the CTIA event, as the Galaxy S debuted with Sprint's HTC Evo, which was announced on opening day as well. The Android market won't be behind for too much longer given that so many companies are taking on the new OS. What are your thoughts and opinions on Samsung's new phone? the Android market? Share them below.

Stay tuned for more coverage on the CTIA 2010 event. You can follow the news specifically by checking out our CTIA 2010 page!