The Android team updated their OS distribution numbers for the beginning of May this afternoon, showing what appears to be a slight jump for Jelly Bean at 28.4%, which is up from the 25% it topped off at in the beginning of April. We’re seeing a decline in Ice Cream Sandwich’s piece of the pie, which is likely due to devices running Android 4.0+ jumping to Android 4.1+ over the last month. We have seen a number of Jelly Bean updates, after all.

Gingerbread dropped to 38.5%, Honeycomb is barely alive at 0.1%, Froyo dipped to 3.6%, and the rest of the numbers didn’t move for Eclair and Donut.

You can see April’s numbers here, if you’d like to compare. Keep in mind that this numbers are now built using data collected from each device when the user visits the Google Play Store

Via:  Android Developers

Android Distribution Numbers Updated for May – Jelly Bean Jumps Slightly to 28.4% of Devices is a post from: Droid Life

We figured Verizon was pulling an epic April Fools prank and approved an update for the Thunderbolt yesterday. Turns out, it is very real and build 7.02.605.10 is rolling out to owners this morning. The update includes a handful of fixes and small improvements to the Ice Cream Sandwich firmware that was pushed out last month.

The update is 19.3MB in size.

More info.

Cheers Chris!

HTC Thunderbolt Update to Build 7.02.605.10 is Now Live is a post from: Droid Life

With the official Jelly Bean update for the original DROID RAZR and RAZR MAXX hitting testers, we have already seen the update file for those that were running the accidental X-mas build. To make sure that everyone is covered, here is the update file for those still running official Ice Cream Sandwich (6.16.211). This update will bring you to 98.72.16 and Android 4.1.2.

Here is the full changelog.

The file is big at 338MB, but that’s expected when you see an update of this size. 

Instructions:

*For those running official Ice Cream Sandwich 6.16.211. 100% stock.

*If you are running the X-mas build, your instructions are here.

1.  Download and place this file on your external storage (SD card):

Blur_Version.6.16.211.XT912.Verizon.en.US.zip [mirror]

2.  Turn your phone off and boot into recovery.

*With phone off, hold down both Volume Down and Up plus Power until you get to the boot menu. Press Volume Down to highlight “Recovery.” Press Volume Up to select it.

*Once you see the Android and exclamation point, press both Volume Up and Down at the same time.

3.  In recovery, choose “apply update from external storage.”

*Highlight using Volume Down, select using Power.

4.  Find the 6.16.211 file that you downloaded above and select it.
5.  Watch the update install!

Via:  DroidRzr

Cheers darkmiasma!

Download: Official DROID RAZR Jelly Bean Update 98.72.16 for Those on Ice Cream Sandwich 6.16.211 is a post from: Droid Life

Hey, our least favorite time of the month – Android distribution numbers update! Over a 14-day period that ended on March 4, the Android team has come to the conclusion that 16.5% of Android users are now running Jelly Bean (Android 4.1+). The rest of the numbers look like this – Ice Cream Sandwich (28.6%), Honeycomb (1.2%), Gingerbread (44.2%), Froyo (7.6%), Eclair (1.9%), and Donut (0.2%). 

Compared to last month, that’s a 2.9% increase for the newest version of Android. We’re also finally starting to see Gingerbread and Ice Cream Sandwich shares take a bit of a hit after what seems like years. That means a couple of things – people are dropping Gingerbread devices and upgrading to new ones with newer versions of Android and that manufacturers are finally starting to update their phones.

And cue the Apple blogs with ridiculous titles about fragmentation.

Update:  Google has tweaked a couple of the numbers. Froyo now sits at 7.5%, with Gingerbread 10 at 43.9%.

Via:  Android Developers

Android Distribution Numbers Updated for March, Jelly Bean Slowly Rises as the Rest Fall (Updated) is a post from: Droid Life

Back in the early releases of Jelly Bean, Google introduced a new command to adb called “sideload.” Using the sideload command, and the newest version of adb from the Android SDK, one could update their Nexus device through stock recovery, without having to root or flash a custom recovery. It’s something we wish was there from day one, however, at least we have it now. And I know that many of you feel that Nexus devices shouldn’t ever have a stock recovery and that they should be hacked on daily, but try to keep in mind that some like Nexus phones and tablets because of constant updates and  a 100% stock version of Android. 

As someone that has a decent grip on drivers and adb, I have to admit that adb sideload has given me issues since it was introduced, which is why I have yet to fully write a guide about it. But with today’s Android 4.2.2 update becoming available, I decided to take a second look at the process and finally found some solutions to the issues that have taken hours away from my life.

One had to do with my device ID not registering through the USB driver, requiring a manual edit of the “winusb.inf” file. The other was a Windows 8 security issue that wouldn’t allow me to install drivers that had not been signed, which is something that happens after you start manually editing driver files.

So for those that keep it stock and still want to update early with the cool kids, this guide is for you. Below, you’ll find the instructions to adb sideload, with extra posts coming later that will help with some specific issues that I ran into.

*Instructions are for a Nexus device when connected to a Windows 8 PC.

Instructions:  How to use “adb sideload”

1.  First, you need to install the latest Android SDK (or at least steal the newest adb.exe from it). [Android SDK]

*This isn’t a guide on how to get the SDK installed or basic adb. There are dozens of those out there.

2.  Plug in your device to your Windows machine.  Make sure USB Debugging is enabled.
3.  To test that you have adb up and running, and that your device is recognized, open a command prompt.

*The best place to open a command prompt is from within the Platform-Tools in the SDK. Hold SHIFT and the right-click and choose “Open command prompt…”

5.  Type the following”

adb devices

6.  You should get a serial number followed by “device.”

015d182f9a0aac28    device

7.  If you see something along those lines, your adb is working properly, for now.
8.  Download the update.zip from Google to your PC that you would like to install on your Nexus.
9.  Move the file into your Platform-Tools folder.
10.  Type the following:

adb reboot bootloader

11.  Your device will now reboot to the bootloader.
12.  Use Volume Down on your device to until you see “Recovery.”
13.  Select it with the Power button.
14.  Your device will boot to an Android logo with a exclamation mark.
15.  To jump past this, press Volume Up and Power at the same time.
16.  You will now be in stock recovery.
17.  With Volume Down, highlight “apply update from ADB.” Press Power to choose it.
18.  Back to your PC, type the following command:

adb sideload <filename of update.zip>

*I tend to rename update files to something simple when I get them. For example, the 4.2.2 update for the Nexus 7 I renamed to JDQ39.zip, so my command was “adb sideload JDQ39.zip”

19.  If your adb is working properly, you should see the file transfer to your device in adb.

*If you get nothing, it’s time to troubleshoot with the next set of instructions in another post that I am still working on.

20.  Once that finishes, your device will begin to update.
21.  Once it has finished, simply reboot and enjoy the update.

Hope this helps.

The next post with instructions for troubleshooting some specific issues in Windows 8 will be up shortly.

Guide: How to Use “adb sideload” to Update a Nexus Without Root or Custom Recovery is a post from: Droid Life

Now that the official Ice Cream Sandwich build for the Thunderbolt has been released and pushed out to remaining owners (I hear crickets), developers are already working their magic. Last week, a developer released a rooted, deodexed, and more importantly, debloated version of the official ICS build to users. I say more importantly because after looking at the list of removed apps, it’s hard to believe there was any room on the device’s storage for any user-installed applications. 

Removed apps:

• Adobe Reader
• Backup Assistant Sync Service
• Books Tablet
• City ID
• Kindle
• My Report Agent
• My Verizon
• NewbayVaultMarket (VZW crap)
• Polaris Office
• Rock Band
• Slacker Radio
• Tethering Guard
• TuneWiki
• Vcast Tones
• VzNav
• VZW Golf
• VZW Remote Tool

Beyond that, it is a stock ROM with no further modifications. It’s nice and clean.

If you are into flashing ROM’s on your Thunderbolt, go grab it from the via link below.

Via: XDA

Cheers blackhawk!

OMG: Rooted, Deodexed, Debloated ICS ROM Released for the HTC Thunderbolt is a post from: Droid Life

Within the hour, Google released new Android distribution numbers for the month of February. The numbers, as usual, aren’t anything to have your IRC troll group run to reddit with, but they do offer up a look at whether or not any Android OEMs have updated phones over the last month. As expected, there have been, so the numbers are changing in the slightest of ways.

Jelly Bean is up to 13.6% (from 10.2%), Ice Cream Sandwich actually dropped to 29.0% (from 29.1%), Honeycomb dropped to 1.3% (from 1.5%), and Gingerbread still leads all but is down to 45.6% (from 46.6%).

Neat, right? If you say so.

Via:  Android Developers

Android Distribution Numbers Updated for February – Jelly Bean Slithers Along, the Rest Drop is a post from: Droid Life

According to our inbox, and various Android forums like XDA, the Ice Cream Sandwich update that Verizon approved last week for the HTC Thunderbolt, is rolling out now. As expected, the update is a whoppin’ 395MB, but that’s expected with the big jump from Gingerbread to Android 4.0.

Head into Menu>Settings>Software update to pull it. Full changelog.

Update:  Verizon has confirmed that it is indeed rolling out in batches starting today.

Let us know if you can pull it!

Via:  XDA

Cheers James and Paul!

Ice Cream Sandwich Update for the HTC Thunderbolt Rolling Out Now! is a post from: Droid Life

You probably don’t believe this, but Verizon has approved Ice Cream Sandwich for the HTC Thunderbolt. After missing their self-imposed August deadline, the update is finally ready now that we are in January of 2013. The official build number is 7.02.605.06. Once updated, your phone will be running Android 4.0.4 with Sense 3.6.

Welcome to the club Thunderbolt owners, you poor abused souls.

In this update you’ll find lock screen notifications, a custom launch bar, easily create folders, multitask with ease, and more. It’s a major update from Gingerbread.

The update is 395MB in size. 

More info.

Verizon Finally Approves Ice Cream Sandwich for the HTC Thunderbolt as Build 7.02.605.06 is a post from: Droid Life

10%! Ten percent! Diez por ciento! (I think that’s the Spanish version) Jelly Bean, in the newest Android distribution numbers has hit the double digit mark. I don’t know why I’m acting like I’m excited about that fact, but it certainly seems like some sort of a milestone, doesn’t it? Also of note, we have Gingerbread dropping below the 50% mark for the first time in well over a year and Ice Cream Sandwich creeping up towards the 30% mark.

That puts almost 40% of Android users on at least the top two versions of Android. Not bad? Not that good either. An ongoing battle.

Via:  Android Developers

Android Distribution Numbers Update for January – Jelly Bean Tops 10%, Gingerbread Takes a Hit is a post from: Droid Life

Lots of folks are starting to update to Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean, so we think it’s a good time to find out what version of Android you are all currently running. If you want to know how to check your version of Android, open up your Settings menu. Go to “About Phone” and then check your “Android version.”

According to Google’s latest distribution numbers, Gingerbread is on a whopping 50%+ of Android devices, so let’s see how their numbers stack up against ours.

Thursday Poll: What Version of Android is Your Phone Running? is a post from: Droid Life

According to a number of readers with the original RAZR and RAZR MAXX, a massive update weighing in at 331MB and build number 98.72.8 is pushing out. There are no signs of an official update going out from any of the regular spots, so we aren’t sure if this is Jelly Bean, and someone at Motorola accidentally flipped the “Go!” switch or what. The build number starting with a 9 certainly resembles previous Jelly Bean updates on other Motorola phones. The RAZR HD’s update dropped in at 9.1.41.

As we have more, we’ll update this post. 

Update:  Most are reporting that the update is taking forever to download and that there isn’t much of a progress bar. Some claiming it’s Jelly Bean, but we have no confirmation yet. I’m also downloading it on my RAZR. Still updating…

Update 2:  Readers Alan, Julianne, and whozat451 posted up this screenshot, matching the build number of 98.72.8, which also shows that it’s Jelly Bean (Android 4.1.2). Merry Xmas, DROID RAZR owners.

Update 3:  We should point out that we have yet to hear anything official from Verizon or Motorola. Someone either screwed up badly and made this available early, or we’ll hear all about it on Wednesday morning, when everyone returns to work.

Update 4:  The update may have been pulled. My download stopped midway through, as did many others’, saying that the “Download of update failed.” The phone is now showing as up-to-date. Assuming Moto and Verizon caught the early rollout and pulled from servers.

Update 5:  Here is a download link (via Shamo316) to the file for those that want to venture into the land of Jelly Bean. I should warn you that we do not know if this is a final build or not. It could be, but today’s update push also may have been a giant mistake. Proceed with caution. Drop on SD card (not internal storage), boot into recovery, select the file and update. Need to be on .211.

Manually install update:

• Download file from above and drop on SD card (not internal storage)
• Power phone off
• Hold Power and both Volume Up and Down until boot screen appears
• From boot screen, scroll down to “Recovery” with Volume Down
• Press Volume Up to select it once it has been highlighted
• When Android and exclamation show up, press both Volumes at the same time.
• Then “install update from external storage” and find the file.

Cheers Bryan, Alex, @semcc9, John and @Daleinboro!

Original DROID RAZR Receiving Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean Build 98.72.8 (Updated) is a post from: Droid Life

The HTC Thunderbolt was originally supposed to receive its Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) update by the end of August. As we all know, that didn’t exactly happen. So here we are, approaching the end of 2012 and the update is still nowhere in sight. HTC is well aware that they missed their deadline and assure us that they are still working on it, however, they have yet to give us any sort of new time frame to get excited over. All we have heard recently, is that they are working on connectivity issues with Verizon and that they’ll share info as they work through them. 

Well, today, they changed their tone a bit and are now saying that the update “will be here soon.” “Soon” can obviously mean 6 months from now for all we know, but at this point, I don’t think they wouldn’t say “soon” if they didn’t think that they had moved past their issues and are steps away from approving the update.

Unfortunately for Thunderbolt owners, your two years with the device is about up and you are probably about ready to upgrade to something else. It would have been nice if you could have spent your last 6 or 7 months with proper software rather than dealing with the frustrations of Gingerbread.

Via:  @HTCUSA

HTC on Twitter: Thunderbolt Ice Cream Sandwich Update Will be Here “Soon” is a post from: Droid Life

Until Gingerbread falls below 50% on the Android distribution charts, I’m going to continue to use the same post title for these stories over and over again. When did we get Android 2.3? Two years ago? Yep, two years ago, and it’s still dominating the Android platform. While Ice Cream Sandwich has slowly climbed to 27.5% after a year, and Jelly Bean to 6.7% after 6 months, it’s still a mobile OS that will be prone to criticism over its fractured update system. We still love every ounce of it, but that’s the reality of the situation.

But anyway, here are the new numbers for December 2012!

Via:  Android Developers

Android Distribution Numbers Updated for December – Same Gingerbread Story, Just Another Month is a post from: Droid Life

Google is pushing a Gmail update to the Play store this morning, one that includes all of the goodies found in the Android 4.2 version of the app. Once updated, as long as you are running Android 4.0 or higher, you will be able to pinch-to-zoom in emails, swipe them away to either delete or archive, attach photos and videos from within the app, and preview attachements in a much better way.

It’s not showing up on our devices, but it may be on yours. Got it, go check yours! 

Play Link

To check out all of the new goodies in the 4.2 Gmail, hit up the 8:45 mark of this video:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Cheers Adam and Roger!

Gmail Update Released – Includes Pinch-to-Zoom, Swipe-to-Delete, Improved Attachments, and More is a post from: Droid Life