Froyo is go for Samsung Galaxy S [Updated]

Samsung's Galaxy S smartphone has finally received its official update to Android 2.2 Froyo, with users in Norway, Denmark and Sweden telling BriefMobile that the new I9000 JPM build has shown up in the Samsung Kies software manager.  As well as bringing with it speed increases over the Eclair build of Android that the Galaxy S shipped with, the new ROM has Adobe Flash Player 10.1 support, a GPS fix and a "pinch-to-zoom homescreen flyover".

We're hoping it also addresses the periodic lags and freezes that so frustrated us back when we reviewed the Galaxy S.  Otherwise the handset remains one of the most interesting Android devices on the market, with its brilliant Super AMOLED display and slimline body.

Unfortunately, Mac users are out of luck since Kies is only available as a PC version.  We're installing the latest build – all 138MB of it, plus subsequent downloads – right now, and will update with what we discover.  Meanwhile, among the reported changes are:

  • Android 2.2 JIT compiler
  • Adobe Flash Player 10.1 compatibility
  • New Android Market with auto-updating
  • Speed improvements
  • Pinch-to-zoom homescreen flyover
  • Improved default keyboard
  • Quick links to "GPS" and "Auto rotation" toggles on notification bar added
  • Slightly different graphics and transitions with app drawer and default icon dock
  • Colored icons in settings
  • GPS Fix
  • Colored settings icons
  • Media Hub
  • Darker menu theme, navy blue color
  • Better Exchange support
  • Video records in MP4 format
  • New Search widget
  • New Gmail application
  • [via Android Community - thanks Spary!]

    Update: The press release has confirmed it; Nordic regions first, then "gradually rolled out to other European markets, Southeast Asia, the Middle East Asia, North America, Africa and rest of the world."Press Release:

    Samsung GALAXY S Offers New Android 2.2 Upgrade

    New platform upgrade provides enhanced experience on the go

    SEOUL, Korea – October 18, 2010 – Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a leading mobile phone provider, today announced the Android™ 2.2 (Froyo) upgrade to the Samsung GALAXY S, giving users access to new features, enhanced navigation applications and improved performance.

    The Android 2.2 upgrade will be available via Kies, Samsung's unique in-house software upgrade program. Kies can be downloaded at the Samsung mobile website (http://www.samsungmobile.com).

    The GALAXY S is Samsung's cleverly designed smartphone with a bright 4-inch SUPER AMOLED screen and a 1 GHz application processor, giving users an intelligent, immersive and integrated mobile experience. The Android 2.2 upgrade offers voice-controlled GPS through Google MapsTM with Navigation, faster performance by JIT(Just in Time) compiler. Additionally, further functionalities including Search in-browser, Adobe® Flash® Player 10.1, improved customization options will be provided with OS upgrade.

    - Google MapsTM with Navigation: GPS navigation system with voice guidance

    - Adobe® Flash® Player 10.1: Allow the web browser to make full use of the whole web

    - Setup Wizard: Quickly customize the GALAXY S and access networks with ease

    - Home Screen/Menu Preview and Edit : Preview by pinch-zoom

    - Search in-Browser : Google™, Translate, Wikipedia, Dictionary

    The Android 2.2 upgrade will be available from the mid of October 2010 in the Nordic region and gradually rolled out to other European markets, Southeast Asia, the Middle East Asia, North America, Africa and rest of the world.

    About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2009 consolidated sales of US$116.8 billion. Employing approximately 188,000 people in 185 offices across 65 countries, the company consists of eight independently operated business units: Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, Digital Imaging, Semiconductor and LCD. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

    * All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.

    Samsung reserves the right to make changes to this document and the product described here, at anytime, without obligation on Samsung to provide notification of such change. This document and any formation contained here are provided on "AS IS" basis without warranty of any kind, either implied or expressed, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.

    Google, the Google logo, Google Maps, Android and Android Market are trademarks of Google, Inc.

    Google MapsTM Navigation is not available in countries outside of the Europe, the Americas and Japan regions.

    Adobe, the Flash logo and Flash are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems incorporated in the United States and/or other countries.