14 DAY TRIAL // The first Android tablet launched on the market, Samsung's Galaxy Tab is about to receive the latest Gingerbread upgrade from Verizon Wireless.
The carrier has just published the entire changelog of the update that will bring the original Galaxy Tab firmware to version Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread.
Two years after the official release of the tablet have passed and it's still unclear whether the tablet will receive the long-awaited Android 3.0 Honeycomb upgrade sometime in the future.
However, the fact that the slate has been upgraded to Gingerbread is a big step forward, even though users won't be able to experience the true power and functionality of the Android operating system until the Honeycomb platform will be deployed on the original Galaxy Tab.
Google optimized the Honeycomb operating system to work on larger screens and offer an immersive experience to Android tablet users.
The new software update i800.EI04 provides several improvements and upgrades the original Galaxy Tab to Android 2.3.5 operating system.
Among the most important changes included with the update is the improved word selection and copy functionality, which allows users to select a word by simply tapping and holding their finger on the screen and copy the selected characters.
In addition, the update brings the following improvements for the original Galaxy Tab:
- Use the front-facing camera as a camcorder. Alternate between the front-facing camera and camcorder with the slide of a switch; - Download App icon now displays within the Applications page; - Widgets will resize to accurately reflect landscape or portrait mode; - Enhanced display options have been added (wallpaper, color density, etc.); - Supports Verizon Pay As You Go prepaid data service plans; - Downloads no longer timeout in Android Market; - Corrected recorded video orientation; - Includes Google security patches.
More details about the latest Android 2.3.5 update for the original Galaxy Tab can be found here.