Update to AT&T's Samsung GALAXY Note II leaves device at Android 4.1.2

posted by Alan F. / May 11, 2013, 6:30 PM

Update to AT&T's Samsung GALAXY Note II leaves device at Android 4.1.2

The latest update to the AT&T version of the Samsung GALAXY Note II leaves the device at Android 4.1.2

A 69MB update to the AT&T version of the Samsung GALAXY Note II does not take the device to Android 4.2.2. What it does do, according to some who have received it, is change the radio and the kernel on the device while also making a few other changes to boost the performance of the phone. A changelog would have been nice to see, but alas, one has not been issued. What we do know is that besides the aforementioned boost to the phone's performance that comes with the update, stronger and better Wi-Fi connectivity has been reported.

The update has to be downloaded over Wi-Fi and those who have installed it report that their phablet runs faster with apps completely updated and zipping along. One AT&T Samsung GALAXY Note II user was getting some rather poor Wi-Fi speeds of 3 to 4Mbps down and 1Mbps up. After the update, he reported getting speeds over Wi-Fi of 31Mbps down and 5Mbps up.

Additionally, the update is said to include security improvements to the lock screen, improvements to voicemail and enhancements to ISIS. The latter is the mobile payment service founded by T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T, which works on certain Android models that support NFC.

source: AndroidCentral

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12 Comments

1. darkkjedii

Posts: 30836; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

What a bummer I was looking forward to 4.2.2... Oh well here goes nothing.

posted on May 11, 2013, 6:44 PM 4

5. yt6nin

Posts: 100; Member since: Nov 16, 2011

We will eventually get it, but AT&T is really teasing us with these software updates. Except this last update, they forced Google Chrome browser on us, without along us to uninstall it. I hated when AT&T removed the notification panel configuration option in the very first 4.1.2 software update. I do not want to root as of now, but I guess I am going to eventually have to resort to rooting if I want to really enjoy the Note II with AT&T without much limitation... It is such a bummer.

posted on May 11, 2013, 7:48 PM 2

6. darkkjedii

I haven't updated yet... I'm waiting for more reviews.

posted on May 11, 2013, 8:11 PM 1

7. yt6nin

Well from what I see so far from updating, I think there is really no need to do so. Chrome browser comes along with the update without being able to uninstall it, only allowed to enable/disable... I cannot really comment on whether there is a better Wi-Fi connectivity as I had great speeds before the update. Either my Wi-Fi router is close dying, my Note II is often scanning for Wi-Fi when I go under the Wi-Fi , but with great speeds.

posted on May 11, 2013, 9:09 PM 0

9. darkkjedii

Yeah I already have chrome from the play store. Love the card swipe but it doesn't alway allow me to cut/copy/paste. I think I'll wait for 4.2.2 or key lime

posted on May 11, 2013, 9:29 PM 0

2. oister85

Posts: 508; Member since: Apr 27, 2012

Is the s3 from att will get 4.2.2 or 4.1.2?

posted on May 11, 2013, 7:16 PM 0

3. imkyle

Posts: 1112; Member since: Nov 18, 2010

I would imagine.

posted on May 11, 2013, 7:29 PM 0

4. yt6nin

I just downloaded the update, but one thing I found out was that in the update, AT&T put in Google Chrome Browser, which cannot be uninstalled, but only enabled/disabled... I tried out the Chrome browser before and I was not a great fan of it, having bee using Dolphin Browser with the many features available. Going to see if there is any change in the notification panel options, if configuration is possible, which I am strongly doubting... AT&T and their software updates are somewhat more of a disappoint for me, but I'm hesitant of rooting as of now.

posted on May 11, 2013, 7:39 PM 0

8. 1ceTr0n

Posts: 549; Member since: May 20, 2012

I can confirm this update does help with wifi. I'm currently at a hotel nursing my wounds from the Spartan Race and the wifi was rather Sucky and unreliable when I arrived yesterday. Now with the update , my wifi is connecting stronger whole my friends ipad 2 I still flaky lol

posted on May 11, 2013, 9:11 PM 1

10. Topcat488

Posts: 1411; Member since: Sep 29, 2012

I love living here in Germany, if only for the smartphone updates... Yes my OG-Note has had JB 4.1.2 since the end of Feb., Now i find out in the U.S. customers don't have Multi-Window and stuff... sigh... Carrier updates must really suck, wow it makes me sad.

posted on May 12, 2013, 1:44 AM 0

12. yt6nin

Actually, I have multi-window mode available since the first 4.1.2 software update from AT&T, but from that update, AT&T decided to remove the notification panel configuration, which was a major mistake on AT&T's part, which is really considering me to root my phone, except I have to backup a lot of my data that I need to do manually...