14 DAY TRIAL // Last night, wireless carrier AT&T has started to roll out a new software update for the owners of Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphones on its network, currently available for download as version G900AUCU2AND3.
As the guys over at XDA-Developers have found out, the new update does not come to devices with new features, though it might pack some improvements.
One thing that is certain at the moment, however, is that AT&T has included a new set of bloat applications in the new firmware release, such as Yellow Pages and Lookout, along with new software from Samsung, including Find My Mobile and Reactivation Lock.
At the same time, the new software update is said to bring a series of small bug fixes, such as one for a recent apps button issue, though it might not be resolved in all cases, it seems.
The update should be rolling out over-the-air and users will receive a notification as soon as it is available on their phones. They will also be able to check for it manually, through heading to Settings > About device > Software update > Check for updates.
“Effective 5/09/2014, AT&T will release an Over the Air Software Update for the Samsung Galaxy S 5 (SM-G900A). This update will be made available to customers to download via firmware over the air (FOTA) over AT&T's wireless network,” AT&T notes on its website.
The new update weighs only 46MB. According to AT&T, users who will download the update on its network will not see it counting against their monthly data cap.
The new firmware release is based on Android 4.4.2 KitKat, though it might not be too long before the wireless carrier starts pushing the Android 4.4.3 platform upgrade to its users as well.
In the meantime, we should note that those of you who would rather go without the update will be able revert to a previous software release for the smartphone. For specific info on how this can be done, head over to this thread on the XDA-Developers website.
However, you should also keep in mind that the next firmware update for the Galaxy S5 on AT&T’s network might carry the newly included applications as well, which means that you will eventually have to install them.
In the meantime, however, you can also head over to this page on AT&T’s support website to learn some more details on how you can update your smartphone. The steps presented there should be good for any firmware upgrade for the handset.