Manual installation of Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread on Nexus One and Nexus S

As you might have already known, Google has started rolling out Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread update to Nexus One and Nexus S. But, again, they have mentioned on the tweet that it will take few weeks for the OTA to complete. Some nice guys at XDA Developers have back traced the download link of the updates. In other words, you don’t have to wait for OTA updates and can now download the ROM (they are official Google ROMs) and install it manually on your device. Nexus One Gingerbread update GRI40 from FRG83G. Nexus S Gingerbread GRI40 from GRH78. Read more to know about manual installation.

Steps for manual installation

• First of all download the update from these links - Nexus One Gingerbread update GRI40 from FRG83G. Nexus S Gingerbread GRI40 from GRH78.

• Rename the downloaded file as update.zip and copy it in the root directory of the memory card

• Power down the device.

• Power up the mobile by pressing the power button, volume down key and track ball. This will take you to the boot menu.

• A screen would appear showing your phone’s system searching for various files. Scroll down to “recovery” and press the “Power” button.

• When you see the triangle with an exclamation point symbol, press the “Power” and “Volume Up” buttons at the same time.

• From the menu that appears, select “Apply sdcard:update.zip.”

• This initiates the installation process and the phone gets rebooted automatically once the process got over.

Disclaimer: I am not responsible if you brick your phone in the process of manual installation.

-- Varun

Android 2.3 GingerBread – Quick Preview

Google has recently announced the launch of its new Android Phone Nexus S along with the next version of Android which is 2.3 (code named as GingerBread). I had a quick look at the new and exciting features added in this version. There are lots of exciting things for a developer than for an end user. Not many user features have been added. Many features have been added under-the-hood to increase the performance on Android 2.3.

The first thing I want to tell you guys is that GingerBread is not the major UI refactoring (as we thought). May be the next version Android 3.0 (codenamed HoneyComb) will feature a fully revamped UI. However, there are UI refinements for simplicity and speed in GingerBread. Google’s new phone Nexus S will be the first device to get GingerBread and it will be on sales from Dec 16 in the U.S. Nexus One owners will eventually get OTA update in the next few weeks.

Highlights

• User facing features (Check out the screenshots below)
  • UI refinements and speed.
  • Improved Android keyboard.
  • One touch Copy / Paste
  • Improved power management
  • Internet calling. Yes, its available. :)
  • Download manager
• Developer features
  • Performance improvements for gaming
  • Gyroscope and other new sensors
  • Write native code in your Android app
  • Near Field Communication.
  • Support for new media formats – VP8 and WebM support

Apart from the above mentioned improvements, there are improvements to the platform itself. Linux Kernel has been upgraded to 2.6.35. Dalvik VM has been upgraded to support concurrent garbage collection, JIT optimizations, etc. Some of the core libraries have also been upgraded to enhance the performance. Read the complete platform highlights here.

Android 2.3 GingerBread running on an emulator

 

New icons and notification bar in GingerBread

Android Keyboard on GingerBread and One-touch Copy/Paste

Download Manager

Flat buttons on GingerBread

-- Varun

Nexus One OTA – Android 2.2.1 FRG83D build Part 1

I received an OTA update this morning. The update is the first one of a two-part System update. This part is required to prepare the device to receive the new Android System. The second update containing the new Android System will be received soon after. This confirms that Android 2.3 GingerBread is coming to Nexus One soon. :) Update: This has turned out to be yet another disappointment for Nexus One owners who are waiting for Android 2.3 code named as GingerBread. Both the updates are related to Android 2.2.1 FRG83D build. People who have got the second update confirmed the same. Thanks to @sreekanthnaga for the info. Apologies for the misleading information. I wish Google sends out more technical details in the OTA updates. I originally thought that the first update was for FRG83D and the next one for Android 2.3.

-- Varun