T-Mobile Galaxy S II Ice Cream Sandwich update now live in Samsung Kies

T-Mobile and Samsung have made the Ice Cream Sandwich update for the Galaxy S II live and available via Samsung Kies. Because they have labeled this an "optional" update -- ICS brings a good many changes some may not like or want -- there will be no OTA firmware update. Yeah, we don't like Kies either, but what can you do?
Anyhoo, if you do want the optional update to 4.0.3, fire up Kies and follow the on-screen information to update to the latest available firmware. Besides all the goodness that comes with ICS, T-Mobile tells us there are enhancements to Wifi calling, the Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS), and enhancements to user voicemail. We're just glad ICS is finally here.
Source: T-Mobile; Samsung.

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Samsung Galaxy S III gets first official firmware update

Samsung's latest flagship phone, the Galaxy S III, has received its first official firmware update, bringing the phone up to firmware version LF2. Right now we're seeing that the unlocked UK version of the Galaxy S III is the first to have the update pushed out through Kies, as well as over-the-air. Reports vary as to which route Galaxy S III owners are taking to grab the update, and we had to use Kies after our S III wasn't able to find any OTAs. The update apparently includes "stability improvements," though we haven't noticed any immediate changes in our newly-updated Galaxy S III. In any case, the latest firmware also boasts freshly-baked radios and kernel, and it's still based on Android 4.0.4, 'cause that's still the latest version. British S III owners should be able to update right now. Other territories should start to receive the update in the days ahead, so keep checking Kies and the built-in updater.

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C Spire announces it's getting the Galaxy S III

The march of the Galaxy S III continues, with regional carrier C Spire announcing that it plans to carry Samsung's latest. Pricing and availability will be relayed "in the coming weeks," said the carrier formerly known as Cellular South. The GSIII will be one of C Spire's first LTE-capable devices, and the 4G network is still slated to launch in 20 markets in Mississippi in September.

C Spire didn't specify whether it'll carry both the 16- and 32-gigabyte versions of the phone, but it did mention that "it comes" in marble white and pebble blue, which suggests it'll carry both colors.

• Also: Read our definitive Galaxy S III review

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Samsung Galaxy S III will use a different MHL to HDMI adapter

If you're planning on purchasing a shiny new Samsung Galaxy S III, and have an existing Android phone that uses a MHL to HDMI adapter for video out, you'll be needing to replace that adapter. According to Samsung the hardware differences -- the Galaxy S III uses a different pin layout than previous phones did -- make the old adapters incompatible with the phone. 
While it's a bit inconvenient, it's almost to be expected. There's even more stuff crammed inside a thinner phone, so hardware has been redesigned and things that plug in need redesigned, too. It's probably not a conspiracy to force everyone to buy a new adapter (most of us probably will never use one anyway), and the parts themselves retail for about $25 bucks for a Samsung branded OEM model. 
If you're in the UK or Europe, you can grab one at Clove (£20.82-- check out the video after the break), and we're pretty sure you'll be able to find them at your carriers store here in the US when the SGS3 launches. Just don't try your old one -- you don't want to be the guy who finds out what happens when you plug it in and turn it on!
Via: +Arne Hess
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