Samsung Moment owners can now download and install the latest Android 2,1 update for their handset. Spring announced that Android 2.1 was coming to the Moment a few months ago, but it is now finally here. Unfortunately, Sprint’s network infrastructure isn’t equipped to handle the 2.1 OTA (over the air) so Samsung Moment user will need to hear over to Sprint’s website to download and install the new update. Android 2.1 gives users a lot of new features including Facebook contact integration, multiple Gmail accounts, new dialer and contacts application, Google Maps with navigation and more. For a quick look at what Android 2.1 has to offer, check out the short video below.

Yesterday, Samsung and Sprint announced that they have collaborated with Citrix Systems, Inc to verify that the Samsung Moment is the first Android device to be Citrix Ready.  In case you were wondering, Citrix “radically [simplifies] computing for millions of users, delivering applications as an on-demand service to any user, in any location on any device.”  In order for the Samsung Moment to be verified as Citrix Ready, it had to complete a rigorous process to ensure its compability.

According to John Fanelli, the vice president of solutions and community marketing, Citrix Systems, Inc., “Citrix Ready makes it easier for customers to select the most suitable virtualization infrastructure products for their specific needs. By taking part in our program, Sprint and Samsung have enabled its customers to obtain the highest quality user experience available today, and the simplest means for making an informed product purchasing selection.”

Clearly, this new partnership is aimed at business people who are consistently on the move, especially those that are always on the road.  Samsung Moment owners, what do you think of this new partnership?

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Via Press Release

Earlier this year, we mentioned that the Samsung Moment was going to be showcased featuring the Samsung Mobile DTV Chip during the International CES 2010 in Las Vegas.  In case you didn’t know, the Samsung Mobile DTV Chip allowed the Samsung Moment to receive live TV programming from local broadcast stations (including prime-time network programs, local news and sports and emergency alerts).

Below is a short video of the Samsung Moment with Mobile DTV being featured in the Washington, D.C. Consumer Showcase.  Narrated by John Godfrey, the Vice President of Government & Public Affairs, Samsung, the video showcases a specially modified Samsung Moment.  The phone includes a Mobile DTV chip and an antenna to pick up the live broadcasts from local TV stations.  The Samsung Moment is available exclusively with Sprint.

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Samsung

Samsung Moment users have been patiently awaiting and Android 2.1 update for quite a while.  Sprint and Samsung mentioned more than two months ago that an Android 2.1 firmware update was in the works, but it finally appears as though it may be right around the corner.  If you’re a bit adventurous and have a rooted Samsung Moment, you’ll be pleased to hear that leaked Android 2.1 firmware for the moment has made its way to the net.  From what we can tell, the leaked ROM is incomplete and has quite a few bugs.  The new ROM does include a lot of the 2.1 features that are seen on the Nexus One, though Samsung has taken the liberty of customizing a few widgets and the app launcher a bit to add some additional functionality.  You can download the leaked ROM here or check out the forum post on SDX-Developers.com for a few more details. 

Flashing an unapproved ROM to your phone could cause complete phone failure.  Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

“Android update! Upgrades to 2.1 for Hero/Moment now expected early 2Q10. Currently working through options for upgrades w/ HTC and Samsung.”

Samsung Moment owners rejoice!  Yesterday, the following message was found on the Sprint Twitter.   Owners who have been waiting patiently for the upgrade (hopefully) shouldn’t have to wait too much longer.  According to the tweet, the Samsung Moment  is expected to be upgraded from Android 1.5 to Android 2.1 around early Q2 of this year.  Although this is wonderful news, the tweet also alludes to the fact that not all the upgraded options will be available for the Samsung Moment.  As it stands, there is no official word on which upgrades will be included.  However, we will definitely keep you posted once we find out more information.  

Source:

Sprint Twitter

If you’re a Samsung Moment owner, you should be pleased to know that Sprint has recently released  a new software update for your phone.  Although it’s not yet the anticipated upgrade to Android 2.0, it will still make several improvements on your phone.  Known as the CL14, the update includes:

• Network Assist GPS to allow indoor location fix
• Updates to several third-party apps, including Visual Voicemail, NFL, NASCAR and Sprint TV
• Change to Emergency Dial on lock screen
• Hard reset available in recovery mode: remove and reinsert battery; press volume down, send and end keys until reboot option pops up; scroll to wipe data/factory reset; press OK
• Various improvements to battery life

Unfortunately, getting the update is going to be an inconvenience.  According to Sprint, “The latest software update CL14 is currently only available by visiting a Sprint retail location with a Repair Center. Check our store locator to find a Repair Center location near you. We recommend you call ahead and make an appointment to avoid long lines.”  Considering that not all Sprint stores have a repair center, Samsung Moment users might potentially have to travel a further distance to upgrade their phones.  I am quite surprised that Sprint decided to take this route.  Factor in the possibility of waiting in a long line, and this could end up being a bad customer service instead of a good one for Sprint.  What do you think?

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Samsung Moment CL14 Maintenance Release

Samsung Mobile left a little to be desired at CES this year.  They failed present anything new at the show, but we did get the chance to see the company’s complete Android lineup all in one place.  Samsung was actually the second manufacturer to release an Android phone last year, the Samsung Galaxy i7500.  The handset offers a 3.2 inch AMOLED screen, 8 GB of internal storage, and is still running on Android 1.5 at this time.  On paper, the Galaxy is very similar to the Behold II, but I found that the build quality is a step ahead of its U..S cousin and the standard Android 1.5 UI works a lot better that the TouchWiz UI on the Behold II.

I also had the chance to play around with the Samsung Galaxy Spica i5700.  The Spica fits in quite nicely with the other Samsung Android lineup, but seems to be lacking a little refinement. The Spica comes in white and black and features a very similar button configuration as the original galaxy.  However, the color highlights and the light plastic give the phone an extremely cheap feel.

Samsung was also showing off the T-Mobile Behold II and the Samsung Moment.  At their pres event last Wednesday, Samsung announced that they were working on a new version of the Samsung Moment with a  Samsung Mobile DTV Chip.  I wasn’t able to get a video of the Moment with DTV Chip, but there’s quite a few on YouTube that have surfaced.

At this point, I’m a bit disappointed with the Android handsets that have come to market.  They started off great with the Samsung Galaxy, but things have not really progressed any since then.  Mobile World Congress is a few short weeks away.  I’m keeping my finger crossed that Samsung will show up with a bang.

• In 2009, Samsung became the number one phone manufacturer in the United States
• Samsung sells one mobile phone every second

I can’t do the math, but I’m sure that add up to a few bucks by the end of the day.

Innovation
Samsung spent the majority of their one hour press event going on about their new 3D technology they plan on rolling out in 2010. They are planning a 3D home ecosystem with advanced 3D televisions, 3D Blu-ray players, with 3D home theater sound system all packaged together with 3D glasses. They will have 3D LED, LCD, and Plasma TV’s launching throughout the year.

On the mobile side, the only innovation that Samsung talked about was the new Samsung Mobile DTV Chip that they will be placing inside the Android powered Samsung Moment. The DTV chip will allow users to watch TV on their handset just as they would on a regular television. No monthly contracts (Verizon) or limiting mobile channels (Sprint), just plain old TV that we all know and love. The DTV equipped Samsung Moment will be launching this sprint in trial markets before it’s rolled out nation wide.

Applications
Samsung seems to be focusing a lot of their efforts in making their products a lot more than what you think they are. They are rolling out a multi-device (mobile, TV, and Blu-ray) app store for many of their new products. The Samsung apps ecosystem will allow developers to create apps that will work on Samsung’s televisions as well as their mobile handsets. Samsung apps will be an open platform, but no information was given about an SDK or development tools. The platform has already launched in England, France, and Italy and will launch in more than 50 other countries in 2010. Current applications include well know names like Twitter, Netflix, Picada, Pandora, and YouTube.

Connectivity
I’ve always been a huge fan of device connectivity. I want all my tech toys to talk to each other and work together to bring me the best user experience possible. Apparently, Samsung has caught my connectivity “bug” and will be creating an ecosystem with their devices in 2010 which will allow them to seamlessly interact with one another. The most exciting demonstration of this new technology was the Samsung Omnia 2 connecting with a Samsung TV. The Omnia 2 will be able to be used as a touch screen remote control for the television, but if you need to walk away for some reason, the handset will pick up the signal from the TV and play the show you were just watching. Samsung didn’t going into detail on who the technology works or when it will be rolled out.

For me it’s hard to judge Samsung’s press event since it was my very first one here at CES. I have time scheduled with them later this week for a full booth tour. I’m hoping that will give me the chance to ask as few questions on items that were not addressed.