If you own a Galaxy S anywhere in the world or you're thinking of buying one, you're probably well-acquainted at this point with the GPS issues it's been suffering that prevent you from getting anything close to a precise lock on your location -- it might not be a deal-breaker for some, but for anyone planning on using their phone for turn-by-turn nav or fitness tracking (for instance) it's a big deal. Samsung's already committed to updating released versions of the phone in September, but what about the upcoming Epic 4G? Our testing suggests that it's functional -- Google Maps was able to give us extremely precise positions very quickly -- and a statement we've received from Samsung seems to corroborate that:

"We have tested and validated both Network Assisted (indoor) and Autonomous (outdoor) GPS on the Epic 4G. With regards to Vibrant and Captivate, we are currently testing software updates which will optimize GPS performance. We expect to be able to make the updates available in September and will communicate more information and download instructions in the next few weeks."

In other words, the Captivate and the Vibrant have the bug and will be fixed next month; the Epic, meanwhile, should be good to go when it launches on the 31st. Cheers to that, we say.

Samsung says GPS is 'tested and validated' on Epic 4G, our testing agrees originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 20:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC has released a statement to let all those Europeans owning an unlocked HTC Desire know that they will start getting Android 2.2 this weekend. The update will have the latest version of HTC’s Sense UI, improved 720p video capture mode, iTunes integration, and its enhanced Caller ID. For American owners waiting for their cone of Froyo, this is just further proof that HTC has Android 2.2, complete with Sense, ready to rock… it’s only a matter of time now! We’ve got the full statement after the break.

The Android 2.2 (FroYo) update for HTC Desire will start rolling out across Europe this weekend. As well as including the complete set of Android 2.2 features, the update will contain a few special additions of our own through the latest iteration of HTC Sense. The update will provide 720p video capture, HTC’s App Share widget, as well as our enhanced HTC Caller ID, and improved multi-language keyboard. Also, through the update, HTC Sync will allow HTC Desire users to sync their music with iTunes.

HTC Desire users will be notified that the over-the-air update is available to download when their phone automatically checks for software updates. The update won’t delete any of the phone’s content. However, due to the size of the update, we would advise using a WiFi connection to download it wherever possible to avoid additional data charges.

This update will initially roll out to unlocked HTC Desire handsets. Operator specific versions of the update are undergoing testing and we expect to make them available in several weeks’ time.

It appears as though Sprint has stopped pushing out the over-the-air EVO 4G update released to its customers just yesterday. In an official statement, Sprint wrote:

While the vast majority of consumers successfully downloaded and installed the most recent HTC EVO 4G software update, we have received a handful of reports from customers having some issues with the update. In light of this, HTC and Sprint have decided to temporarily halt distribution of this software release until we can investigate further. We expect to be able to resume software updates shortly.

Shortly after the updates release, rumors began flying around the internet about “bricked” handsets after the new code had been applied. True or not, it looks like Sprint isn’t taking any chances with its flagship handset.

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There are two sides to the proverbial “cloud coin” for small business owners. You can view cloud services, like Google Apps, as a time and money saver, allowing you to focus on your core business as opposed to IT needs. Or, you can view them as your worst nightmare, and shun the thought of having all your business data stored on third-party servers. For those whose views align more closely with the former perspective, Google wants to offer you greater flexibility and options for your cloud data. Yesterday, Google announced that Google Apps customers will have the ability to purchase and use third-party tools in their Google Apps cloud deployments. The Apps Marketplace has over 50 applications ranging from payroll and tax software to project management and development tools. “The Google Apps Marketplace eliminates the worry about software updates, keeping track of different passwords and manual syncing and sharing of data, thereby increasing business productivity and lessening frustrations for users and IT administrators alike,” writes Google. Quickly running through the new Apps Marketplace we think this could be a pretty big hit for Google’s Apps service. We’ve got the launch video queued up for you after the break.

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The wild world of rapid-fire phone software updates has spoiled us all, but HP's bringing just a smidgen of that to the world of home servers. This week owners of the last-gen EX470 and EX480 series MediaSmart Servers will be able to nab a DVD that updates their servers to the new 3.0 software currently available on the EX490 and EX495 models, including better Mac support and automatic media transcoding. Unfortunately, this update isn't free: you'll have to pay $25 for the privilege. EX470 / 475 owners are also encouraged to bump their unit up to 1GB of RAM if they haven't already. We aren't thrilled at the fee, but there is something a bit more reassuring in this process than Motorola's "hope and pray" OTA update model.

HP MediaSmart EX470 and EX480 getting 3.0 software upgrade option this week originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While the launch of the BlackBerry Storm2 on Verizon is widely expected to take place on October 28th and the Bold 9700 is so close we can almost taste it, owners of current generation BlackBerry smartphones  — the Pearl Flip 8220/8230, Curve 8300/8310/8320/8330/8350i/8900, Bold 9000, Storm 9500/9530 and Tour 9630 — should be pleased to note that RIM is all set for the launch OS 5.0. Specific dates aren’t easily pinned down as it more or less depends on the device one has and the carrier one is with, but thanks to our connects we know, for example, that Verizon will be dropping for the OS 5.0 for the Storm 9530 tomorrow evening with a fall back date set for Monday. Those that don’t have Desktop Manager set up on either their PC or Mac might want to get everything ready ahead of time as it looks for the most part that OTA software updates will not be made available. Oh well. OS 5.0 is oh so worth the hassle.