Samsung Galaxy S2 Users Get First Stable Android 4.4 KitKat ROM

The Samsung Galaxy S2 smartphone has been released for years now and consumers find the device to be outdated in today’s world. It is true that processors are now faster than before. Even display quality has improved since the S2 got released.

If you’re an S2 user, you are in for some good news. Following the release of Android 4.4 KitKat, a team of modders known as CyanogenMod has launched a ROM of this latest OS specifically for this outdated smartphone from Samsung.

CM11 is now available for the Galaxy S2 GT-i9100 version and it is free of bloatwares. Everything from the official Android 4.4 comes in this ROM. The surplus is that users can install ad-ons from CM with this custom KitKat.

However, installing it will require users to root their device. Here is a checklist on what is required to perform the update.

1: Flash this firmware to the Galaxy S2 GT-I9100 only, as any other models might get damaged.
2: Root the handset and then install a custom recovery like ClockworkMod.
3: Install the right USB drivers for your Galaxy S2 on your PC.
4: Make a manual backup of all your personal info, settings and data files.
5: Ensure that your battery level is at least 50% to stop any power interruptions during the flash.
6: Enable the USB debugging mode on your phone. Head to “Settings > Applications > Development > USB debugging mode” or “Settings > Developer options > USB debugging.”
7: Download CyanogenMod 11 for Galaxy S2 i-9100 and the Google Apps package to your computer.

If all is ready, follow the instructions below.

1: Plug your Galaxy S2 GT-I9100 to your PC via USB.
2: Copy over the CyanogenMod 11 and the Google Apps packages to the SD card of the Galaxy S2. Do not extract the zip files.
3: Unplug the phone from the PC before turning it off.
4: Reboot into recovery mode by pressing and holding the volume up, home and power keys simultaneously until the Samsung logo appears.
5: Inside recovery mode, make an Android backup of your current ROM. Select “backup and restores > backup.” You can then restore the saved ROM inside the SD card anytime you need to.
6: Do a full wipe on your phone. Select “wipe data/factory reset” and “wipe cache partition.” Then choose “advanced > wipe Dalvik cache.”
7: Return to the main menu and install the CyanogenMod 11 by selecting “install zip from SD card > choose zip from SD > search the ROM you have copied earlier > confirm installation.” Do the same thing with the Google Apps.
8: Once the installation has finished, go back and select “reboot system now.”
9: It might take five minutes or so before your Galaxy S2 reaches its home screen after rebooting.

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LG G Pro 2 with 5.9-inch full-HD display, Android 4.4 now available in Korea

LG recently launched the much-awaited G Pro 2 smartphone without revealing the price and availability of the device. Now however, the price of the latest phablet from LG has been revealed thanks its official launch in Korea.The G Pro 2 is listed at a price of 999,900 South Korean Won, which translates to roughly Rs. 58,000 without contract. The LG G Pro 2 is now available in Korea via the country's three major mobile carriers: SKT (SKTelecom), KTF (Korea Telecom Freetel) and LGT (LG Telecom). Notably, the South Korean electronics giant is yet to reveal details of the LG G Pro 2 release in other markets, including India.The LG G Pro 2 runs Android 4.4 KitKat out-of-the-box. It features a 5.9-inch full-HD IPS display with a 1080x1920 pixel resolution and sports a slim bezel. A quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor powers the phablet, clocked at 2.26GHz with an Adreno 330 GPU and 3GB of RAM.LG's new phablet sports a 13-megapixel rear camera with OIS+ (Optical Image Stabiliser Plus) and LED flash, while there is a 2.1-megapixel front-facing camera. The G Pro 2's rear camera supports 4K Ultra HD recording, Magic Focus, Natural Flash, Flash for Selfie, and Burst Shot.The 5.9-inch handset comes in two storage variants: 16GB and 32GB. The G Pro 2 further supports microSD card (no word on maximum storage capacity supported).The G Pro 2 supports Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, AGPS, EDGE, GPRS and 3G connectivity options. It is backed by a 3,200mAh battery and will be available in Titan Black, Silver and White colour variants.The smartphone measures 157.9x81.9x8.3mm and weighs 172 grams. The company has included a new Knock Code feature on the LG G Pro 2 which the company claims is an evolution of the KnockON feature that was first introduced in the LG G2 last year.

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