The Samsung Galaxy Stellar, a device I admittedly know absolutely nothing about because of its low-to-mid tier status, will receive Jelly Bean from Verizon some time in the next week or so. With Android 4.1 comes Google Now, better notifications, Project Butter, and so much more. It’s the update that all Android devices have been hoping to see since Google first announced it at I/O last year.

Along with JB, the Stellar will also support 64GB microSD cards going forward and allow Verizon to tap into your phone with their Remote Diagnostics tool. There are a bunch of other minor tweaks in there as well, which you’ll find in the changelog below.

The update is 403.6MB in size.

How you feelin’ DROID RAZR owners? Stellar +1. 

More info.

Cheers Eric!

Samsung Galaxy Stellar on Verizon Set to Receive Jelly Bean Update, DROID RAZR Snarls is a post from: Droid Life

Verizon and Samsung announced the Galaxy Stellar this morning, a device which includes a “Starter Mode” for first time Android users. It’s an interesting move by Samsung, you know, trying their hardest to dumb down a phone in order to make it appealing and easily understandable to new smartphone owners. Thankfully, it’s really just a set of widgets that can be loaded up by hitting Menu>Settings>Mode Change>Starter Mode. Once a Galaxy Stellar owner gets used to Android though, these starter widgets can be removed in favor of a “Standrad Mode.” Until then, this is what they will be greeted with.

So what kinds of widgets do we get in “Starter Mode?”

• Favorite Contacts:  You have seen it before, but on the Galaxy Stellar, it’s put front and center. A quick tap lets you add your favorite contacts. Once added, another tap gives you a pop up to decide if you want to call or text the person.
• Quick Dialer:  We aren’t sure what is wrong with the phone icon that takes you to the dialer, but if you want to dial someone’s number from your home screen, you can do that with this widget.
• Favorite Settings:  This widget allows you to setup shortcuts to change or check on your favorite settings. You can quickly adjust brightness, check battery status, change your ringtone, and adjust volume if you’d like.
• Favorite Apps:  This is similar to the “Settings” app in that it allows you to pick your favorite apps and set them as shortcuts in a folder type setting. What I’m not understanding, is why an app shortcut on your home screen that you pulled from your app drawer is any different. Well, actually it’s not, but if a new user doesn’t know how to add apps from their app drawer, this widget will be easy enough to understand.

Cheers ___!

First Look at “Starter Mode” Widgets on the Samsung Galaxy Stellar is a post from: Droid Life

Samsung and Verizon have teamed up to offer the Galaxy Stellar, an Android-powered smartphone for those new to the game, that may need a little extra help or simplicity. The Galaxy Stellar will be available online starting September 6 for free after a $50 mail-in-rebate.

This phone will carry two modes (dual-interface) to give those new to Android a way to easily handle the power inside a smartphone. For those that don’t need their hand held, there is a Standard Mode that acts and feels just like normal Android (with Samsung’s TouchWiz interface on top of it). For those that need some extra assistance, they will be able to operate in Starter Mode. Starter Mode simplifies the home screen with preset widgets such as favorite apps, favorite contacts, and settings. It also features a quick dialer icon that allows users to make phone calls directly from the home screen. It’s like a feature phone packed into a smartphone.

On the spec side of things, the Galaxy Stellar packs a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 4″ WVGA display (800×480), 3.2MP rear camera, 1.3MP front camera, a micro SD slot for expandable storage, and connects to Verizon’s 4G LTE network.

If you were looking for an Android phone that wants to help you ease into the smartphone world, this may be a decent option. 

VERIZON WIRELESS LAUNCHES FEATURE-PACKED SAMSUNG GALAXY STELLAR^™ SMARTPHONE

Features 4G LTE Connectivity, Dual-Interface Options and B2B Enterprise Solutions

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and DALLAS – Verizon Wireless and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) announced today that they will offer the exclusive Samsung Galaxy Stellar^™ starting Sept. 6 in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com.

The easy-to-use 4G LTE enabled Samsung Galaxy Stellar is designed to be compact so it fits easily in a customer’s hand and makes the first-time smartphone experience simple.  The Stellar features a dual interface option so customers can choose between Starter Mode or Standard Mode.  Starter Mode features a simplified home screen display with preset widgets such as Favorite Apps, Favorite Contacts and Favorite Settings for quick and easy access to frequently used apps and settings.  Starter Mode also features a quick dialer icon that allows customers to make phone calls directly from the home screen. Standard Mode provides customers with a more conventional layout and gives customers the traditional Android^™ experience.  The Stellar also includes a Help app that features guided tours and tips for changing settings and more, so customers can master their devices.

Samsung Galaxy Stellar customers can take advantage of blazingly fast 4G LTE connectivity to access an array of convenient and multimedia rich apps. A suite of Amazon apps is included that offers customers easy ways to discover content such as watching movie trailers on the IMDB app, downloading audio books with the Audible app, and one-click ordering with the Amazon shopping app.  The Stellar also offers a variety of premium TV and film content for rent or purchase through the Samsung Media Hub.

The Galaxy Stellar is a SAFE^™ (Samsung Approved For Enterprise) approved device featuring on-device AES 256-bit encryption, enhanced support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync^® and support for industry-leading Virtual Private Network (VPN) and Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to make working on the go secure.

Additional features:

• 4G LTE – customers can expect fast download speeds of  5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of 2 to 5 Mbps in 4G LTE coverage areas
• 4-inch WVGA display (800 x 480)
• Android^™ 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich – support for Google Mobile^™ Services including Gmail^™, YouTube^™, Google Talk^™, Google Maps^™ and access to more than 600,000 apps available to download from Google Play
• Suite of Amazon apps includes Kindle, Shopping, MP3, Zappos, IMDB and Audible
• 1.2 dual-core GHz Snapdragon^™ application processor
• Front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera for video chat and 3.2-megapixel rear-facing camera with auto focus
• Backup Assistant Plus – media management and online storage service designed to help customers store and access media content such as music, videos, pictures, documents and contacts.
• Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11 a/b/g/n)
• microSD^™ card slot with support for up to 32 GB

Business features:

Samsung’s SAFE enterprise mobility solutions provide flexibility and connectivity for mobile workforces, ensuring that users are able to operate more efficiently while on–the-move.

• Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync^® (EAS) – communicate directly with your Microsoft Exchange Server enabling push email, calendar and contacts
• Virtual Private Network (VPN) and Mobile Device Management (MDM) Support from Industry-Leading Solutions Providers – supports industry-standard VPN protocols to help users efficiently tap into VPN networks and MDM capabilities that allow IT departments to effectively safeguard employees’ mobile devices and corporate data.
• On Device Encryption –SAFE helps prevent unauthorized access to mobile data by leveraging the AES 256-bit encryption standard, encrypting all data, including app-specific internal data and internal/external memory.

Pricing and availability:

• ·         The Samsung Galaxy Stellar will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com starting Sept. 6 for free after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.  Customers receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.
• ·         Customers purchasing the Galaxy Stellar will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless data plan.  Share Everything Plans allow customers to add the Stellar to their account for $40 monthly access.  For additional information, customers should go to www.verizonwireless.com/shareeverything
• ·         For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go towww.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 94.2 million retail customers, including 88.8 million retail postpaid customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 78,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD).  For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Samsung Mobile

Samsung Mobile (Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC), a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsungwireless.com.

Samsung, Stellar and SAFE are trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Verizon and Samsung Announce the Galaxy Stellar, the Ultimate Starter Smartphone is a post from: Droid Life