Ice Cream Sandwich is coming to the Samsung Galaxy Note -- and may already be among us. Owners of the Note are reporting that the update has landed on their tablet.
The upgrade to the latest version of Android was originally slated for March, but was then pushed back to some time between April and June.
Want to know what Samsung has to say about it? Here goes: "Samsung UK will confirm details regarding the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update for Galaxy Note in due course." We'll keep you posted when any more news comes from Samsung.
The ICS update has been officially dubbed the 'Premium Suite', and includes some new apps specifically designed for the Note. They make the most of the Note's stylus, or S Pen. The S Note app, for example, lets you scribble on web pages, images or maps.
My Story lets you make digital cards for your friends and Video Everywhere plays a video in part of the screen, while you use the rest of the screen to get on with something else.
The 5.3-inch Galaxy Note bridges the gap between phone and tablet but the size has confused some people. That hasn't stopped it selling millions, however. Press play on the video below to see what all the fuss is about:
Quietly launching the Note's Ice Cream Sandwich update seems like the cautious thing to do after the debacle with the Samsung Galaxy S2. Samsung failed to hit the promised date for the ICS upgrade, and drew considerable ire from S2 owners as it continually failed to release the update -- and even worse, failed to tell people what was going on.
This sorry tale revealed the differences between phones on various networks when it comes to upgrading. You'd think that SIM-free devices would be first to get the latest software, but in the case of the S2, they had to wait until the networks had completed their testing and tinkering. We'll keep an eye on the Note to see if that's the case here too.
Do you have a Galaxy Note? Have you received the Ice Cream Sandwich update? Drop me a note in the comments or on our Facebook wall.
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anonymous 10 May, 2012 12:09
nothing for me yet! but quite excited nonetheless... want to be able to connect my xbox360 wired controller!!
anonymous 10 May, 2012 12:19
Galaxy Note on Orange UK
Just checked, it says no update available.
I guess I will have to keep waiting
anonymous 10 May, 2012 12:26
Nowt yet for me on unlocked Germany note from Amazon. De
anonymous 10 May, 2012 12:41
My Note Had the update notice this morning. I started downloading it and about half way thru - it just stopped and disappeared.....So I still don't have it. International Note running on US T Mobile.
anonymous 10 May, 2012 13:48
Just updated my Note to v4.03. Am in UK , no contract, non rooted, bought from Amazon.de in October. Tried using wifi on phone, nothing. Tried via Kies and it worked. Try Kies.
anonymous 10 May, 2012 15:58
Nothing yet for my Note, here in the UK. Tried via Kies and via wifi -
If you are unsure how to update via wifi - this link might help (just found it)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBIryYSaHPM
anonymous 10 May, 2012 18:23
I had he automatic update this morning around 8:30am. As I was abut to leave for work I set it to remind me in 6 hours.
Now that I'm back home there is no update to be found. Even when I manually search for an update it says "No update available". I even tried switching off the phone and restarting it. SO annoying, I was looking forward to an evening with ICS.
I am in the UK and have the unlocked Germany note from Amazon.de
Andysnowboarder 10 May, 2012 19:13
Downloaded via kies, have to say it's pretty crap. No performance difference & not much else in all honestly. Why I got so excited ice no idea. Shame.
theradical 10 May, 2012 21:41
International Galaxy note SIM free on t-mobile in UK - no update OTA or on Kies :(
anonymous 10 May, 2012 21:41
Nothing yet for me. Got from Amazon.de, but Kies still says my firmwares (XEU).
anonymous 10 May, 2012 22:49
UK user, manually flashed update, much smoother and noticeably faster, but battery life seems to be the same, if not a little worse. Still better than most
anonymous 10 May, 2012 23:45
N7000XXLPY ... Find with Google :)))) Stock Open Germany
anonymous 11 May, 2012 03:55
In Panama's Cable and Wireless, international version, factory unlocked. No update yet.
anonymous 11 May, 2012 10:51
what a **** video review, so many wrong points made by the reviewer
anonymous 11 May, 2012 12:11
Here in Taipei, Taiwan, no sandwich available yet!
anonymous 11 May, 2012 13:53
UK factory unlocked phone (sold with O2 contract), no update (WiFi/Kies) ... how much longer they will make us wait. Come on Samsung, its a premium phablet and its still running ancient OS:)
anonymous 11 May, 2012 14:18
Can anyone who already updated their Note to ICS via Kies post their firmware info?
Mine is PDA:LA6 / PHONE:LA4 / CSC:LA1 (XEU)
Its reported/identified by Kies as latest...
I should have bought my Note from Amazon.de;)
anonymous 12 May, 2012 01:41
After checking for software updates on my Note this afternoon, I downloaded a 70ish mb firmware update which gave a few subtle tweaks including a really great new keyboard. I've been excited for ICS but having read various negative reviews from new Note users, I'm now a bit reluctant to go with ICS initially, especially as I unexpectedly have a great new keyboard which really makes a difference.
anonymous 12 May, 2012 02:19
bought my note on a 3 contract in the uk and hv no updaye on kies or on the device itslf, i check it everyday.... still waitin... If any knws anythn abt the update plz keep me posted....
anonymous 12 May, 2012 09:24
Got mine from Amazon.de to the UK on 9th May update on the 10th (lucky), Running ICS and its smooth, remember to hard reset after installing update. No problems with mine, loving it :-)
anonymous 12 May, 2012 19:29
Got a Sim Free Galaxy Note from carphone warehouse, using it on T-Moblie nothing yet for me either from phone update or trying on Kies, i guess i gotta wait a little while longer (Excited to check it out)
anonymous 14 May, 2012 23:50
The CNET review above is a joke of note (pun intended:-) The dude's an idiot..
anonymous 15 May, 2012 19:06
Faisal Kalair
I have simfree Galaxy Note still no big news for me! but im keeping my eyes opened and keep checking five times a day... Cant wait anymore!!!!!
anonymous 18 May, 2012 02:33
What a ridiculous review, this reviewer should honestly find something else to do. The Galaxy Note is a fantastic phone, it's not for everyone... but for those who need a big screen, such as business users, this is a dream come true. I swapped my 4s for this and I couldn't be happier.
anonymous 18 May, 2012 06:22
Hi Guys, I am in Bangladesh for business trip, and I got the update this morning and its ok. i mean nothing special I have noticed so far. Hopefully with few days of use, will come to know exactly what good or bad it brings to note.
anonymous 20 May, 2012 22:10
Hi There,
Is there a ICS country release schedule maintained somewhere?
I got a Vietnamese Galaxy Note and would like to know when I will be upgraded.
anonymous 21 May, 2012 21:58
On orange uk simfree stil no update so far
anonymous 24 May, 2012 21:58
Unbranded N7000 UK note on three. No update over the air. No update over kies.
theradical 25 May, 2012 21:29
You can follow the progress of the rollout on http://www.samfirmware.com/ - just type GT-N7000 in the search box. Looking at the rollout for 2.3.6 it took a few months for all areas to get an update. Here's hoping it comes to the UK a bit quicker than that ;(
Jean Pier Hawthorne 27 May, 2012 01:15
24/05/2012 01.14
Nothing availabe for the Note on the O2 network. Purchased through Amazon UK. I passed out waiting for this update!
anonymous 27 May, 2012 04:41
sim free Uk galaxy note. still no update
anonymous 29 May, 2012 13:00
My Note was updated this AM. I am disappointed, it seems slow, unstable, and appears to be using a lot more power. I would recommend not doing the upgrade.
BTW I have an unlocked phone no the Tesco network (O2)
anonymous 30 May, 2012 09:42
A very biased and rather anti review in my opinion. I would expect a more balanced and reasonable review from CNet.
It is big. The battery doesn't last as long as other phones. However, it is no where near as bad as made out here.
anonymous 30 May, 2012 20:55
No update yet for my Orange network Galaxy Note here in the UK.
anonymous 31 May, 2012 06:42
my Galaxy Note just received ICS update notification yesterday, and i'm running it right now.. can't wait for it to complete...
anonymous 31 May, 2012 15:46
No update here. O2 UK contract. Tried via WiFi and Kies.
anonymous 31 May, 2012 19:46
Received my Ice Cream Sandwich update for my Note 5 days ago... I live in Germany.
Hope this helps.... I'm delighted with it, by the way.
anonymous 1 June, 2012 10:28
Eeeeek and squeal, my Note has just prompted me to download my ICS update... Hurrah! I'm in the UK on O2, I got the Note a month ago and have been waiting, sort of patiently, having decided not to risk flashing it myself... I've been following discussions, so I know there's frustration about how little info we've had from O2, but it's great that it's finally here!
anonymous 1 June, 2012 10:33
1st June and OTA just told me ICS time is here on my Galaxy Note on Three Uk
anonymous 1 June, 2012 10:40
No update for me yet... Bought the phone SIM-Free from E-Cell on eBay, with an O2 contract SIM in use. Waiting patiently for ICS
anonymous 1 June, 2012 10:46
Galaxy Note ICS is now here in the Uk I am on Three this reviewer is a **** he totally is an Ifan the I have had the note since day of release and it does fit in regular trousers, havent managed to lose my pen the reviewer obviously still a mummys boy **** the system has been very fast very intuitive and beats the hell out of any other phone battery life is a bit short for me but have energiser 18000 and 2000 for just those emergencys and that keeps me going for a few hours more on the smaller energiser I also own a Ipjhone and that is so over rated compared to the GNote....
anonymous 1 June, 2012 11:14
10am 1/6/2012 - ICS Update Notification received on UK Samsung Galaxy Note. Network = 3
anonymous 1 June, 2012 12:43
my download stopped when i received a call, how can i get it again??
anonymous 1 June, 2012 13:52
Got notification that android 4 is available on O2 contract. Selected to postpone it for 3 hours and now I can't get it! Doh!
anonymous 1 June, 2012 16:17
No OTA update on sim free UK O2 but Kies offers ICS update when connected to pc.
anonymous 2 June, 2012 02:49
Yes you were right - connected to kies and all was fine
anonymous 2 June, 2012 10:18
Ive just got mine on Orange this morning 02/06/12
anonymous 2 June, 2012 16:24
Still noting on o2 UK.
anonymous 2 June, 2012 18:05
Iv'e got it.
Downloaded to my Note via Kies this morning ( Sat. 2nd June)
anonymous 2 June, 2012 19:38
How do you download it through kies?
anonymous 3 June, 2012 07:52
Phone showing no update available through o2, Kies shows available update but fails to download...operation times out.
anonymous 5 June, 2012 19:39
vodafone uk contract no update through kies or ota
anonymous 6 June, 2012 11:14
I recurved the update via the push notifications on my note this morning at 2.30am. Just in the process of applying the update as I'm writing this! Contract o2 in the UK. You can check for the update via settings>about phone>software update.
anonymous 6 June, 2012 13:30
On O2 network in UK, "no update available" on the device so plugged it into the PC and used Kies to upgrade to the latest version of ICS. After running it for 3 days I've noticed a significant decrease in battery life, slight issue with some apps, one example is with Sky News, once you navigate through 2-3 sotries the app freezes, also note several issues with using voice recognition commands when in "Voice Talk" previously this was a great little tool but now it's hopeless.
On the plus side the device is smoother when navigating from page to page, rotating and launching apps. The added features are discreat and can be overlooked easily, for me the battery life is the biggest issue. It's now 13.30pm and I'm down to 15% with very little use since charging the device late last night. Not good at all.
anonymous 6 June, 2012 15:32
Orange UK
Updated wirelessly on 4 June.
The new software (ICS 4.0.3) has plunged the battery life of my Galaxy Note. I cannot figure out how and why is the phone draining the battery so fast.
I hope Samsung will release an emergency fix, otherwise, Galaxy Note will suffer reputation loss.
anonymous 6 June, 2012 17:09
Samsung Note on T-mobile in uk - got the update on Monday Evening during the jubilee celebrations, so far the battery life has suffered mostly, the face unlock feature works quite well.
Was recieved over the air using the update option in settings, takes about 30 mins to download and 15 to install.
anonymous 6 June, 2012 17:52
just bought the phone today from o2. they said they didn't know when the update would be available. Got home and connected to wifi and immediately got update notification - installing now :)
anonymous 7 June, 2012 15:23
Like others who have updated to ICS I have noticed the battery life significantly reduced. Had I known beforehand I would have waited with GB until there is some sort of patch released. A pity because apart from the battery woes, I am liking the improvements, subtle as most may be.
anonymous 7 June, 2012 19:05
I installed yesterday also. T-mobile.but like the new Note application - automatic shape fill, etc. Face Unlock gets a bit annoying after a while, but nice gimmick! I haven't noticed battery issues. I like the fact that gallery images as widgets now go across the full screen. Anything else I should try?
anonymous 7 June, 2012 22:29
Anyone received ics on vodafone contract yet?
anonymous 8 June, 2012 03:27
just got the ics for note update on o2 in the uk. . . . finally
anonymous 8 June, 2012 08:56
still nothing on vodafone contract.
anonymous 8 June, 2012 09:48
Vodafone is always the last to roll out updates for any phone sheer lazynhalfess on their be
anonymous 9 June, 2012 06:32
it sucks on note... i updated last night... it makes da system slow... does anyboby faced same problem...
anonymous 9 June, 2012 10:29
Has anyone got any info to when 3 will make update available for my uk note. Thx
anonymous 9 June, 2012 18:54
Just checked for update on O2 UK contract - downloading now.
anonymous 9 June, 2012 18:55
Just checked for update on O2 UK contract - downloading now.
anonymous 9 June, 2012 18:55
Just checked for update on O2 UK contract - downloading now.
anonymous 9 June, 2012 18:56
Just checked for update on O2 UK contract - downloading now.
anonymous 9 June, 2012 18:57
Just checked for update on O2 UK contract - downloading now.
anonymous 10 June, 2012 10:26
They really need to patch this battery issues, even not using the standby drain like there's no tomorrow, the one thing I really liked this phone was the battery life
anonymous 10 June, 2012 21:47
Beware ICS upgrade -- WAIT: there's a bug in it that can kill your phone.
See http://www.xda-developers.com/android/samsung-diligently-working-towards-hardbrick-fix/ posted on 8 June.
There is no warning on Samsung's website with the link for Kies, very irresponsible of them.
The bug in Samsung's "official" upgrade apparently combines with a bug in Android software, and even though its killer effect may affect only 5 percent of phones, it can be irretrievable. More info elsewhere on the xda developers' website.
anonymous 10 June, 2012 22:10
PS "Only" 5 percent of 5 million Galaxy Notes shipped since November means 50,000 of them are at risk from the current ICS upgrade -- until the bug is fixed.
Also, the terms of Samsung's warranty appear to exclude damage caused by upgrades: "The warranty covers manufacturing defects only."
(Read the rest on Samsung's website)
http://www.samsung.com/uk/support/warranty/warrantyInformation.do
anonymous 10 June, 2012 22:43
PPS For those able to use the following info, see
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1633938 for more:
"DO NOT FLASH OR WIPE USING ANY ICS REPACK OR STOCK KERNEL
Not even wiping in stock recovery is safe with affected kernels. Almost all ICS kernels for the GT-N7000 are affected. Only two are currently known to be safe - see the list below.
Kernels that have been confirmed affected are:
All ICS official releases for the Samsung Galaxy Note (GT-N7000) as of late May 2012 - This includes XXLPY, ZSLPF, and DXLP9, and future kernels should be assumed affected until further notice."
(Official ICS releases for other Samsung phones are also affected.)
anonymous 11 June, 2012 02:20
ICS has landed on the galaxy note for me I am with o2 and it has come and it great
ju5t1n 11 June, 2012 16:57
I've got ICS :) Just got the update today, on Orange contract. GT-N7000, Android Version: 4.0.3, Baseband: N7000XXLPT, Kernel: 3.0.15-N7000XXLQ2-CL605927, Build No: IML74K.XXLQ2
Few changes, like a new lock screen (not sure I like it) and improved menus but I'm sure this is due to ICS and nothing Samsung have done.... we've still got that nasty looking, useless clock with the loud green text. Get a decent clock '3D Flip Clock & Weather' a real widget, yes it actually does stuff other than tell the time and you don't have to look at a horrible nasty bright green font.
Glad to see the My Story & Video Everywhere apps are not installed, looks like they are optional via Samsung Hub, thank god! I would hate to see my phone filled with useless software I couldn't remove. I honestly thought 'what are these guys on?' when I 1st heard about the video everywhere app. and as for 'My Story' who needs another way to share stuff with people?
They had a chance to impress us here with this update & I'm afraid I'm not... I hope I find something I like about this update after I've had a good play...
anonymous 11 June, 2012 21:29
got my ics update for my vodafone note via kies ...looking good..
anonymous 14 June, 2012 10:33
I have upgraded the version of Kies software I was on then the ICS firmware upgrade was available. however after downloading the ICS components Kies reported that there was a firmware upgrade and I kept going round in a circle.
anonymous 14 June, 2012 19:07
received ics upgrade around 15May2012 for galaxy note on o2 contract which is a sim free phone. I have the following problems.
1)Premuim suite and Angry bird full level is missing .
2) the phone goes to a black screen when plone rings when iam in co pilot live navigation. when the phone stops ringing , then it gives a error message say two services something like android .sys services phone.sys service is stopped . the caller id is not picked by . in otherwords . when I am using co pilot live and someone rings me the phone crashes and i dont know who called . \i hasd to re boot to get out the crash.
spoke to o2 custumers service . they say talk to samsung as ther said they had a very ics upgrade problems.
I will be talking to samsung and co pilot live technical people and see what they say.
Vennwood 22 June, 2012 11:24
Well I upgraded to ICS two weeks ago via Kies on 02 contract and apart from the odd bug it seems ok EXCEPT that I now cannot connect to my vehicle via Bluetooth - it just does not see the car profile. Anyone else had Bluetooth issues? Spoke to Samsung customer services who said it was an Android issue and MAY be fixed at a later date. If this really cannot be fixed it will become a show stopper for me and I will have to downgrade to 2.3 as that worked ok
anonymous 26 June, 2012 08:45
On O2 and before upgrade the NOTE was a dream to use. Since upgrade to ICS via Kies the phone is slow and the battery life is half of what it was.
I was searching the web to try and find a fix when I came across this site.
I wish I could go back to Gingerbread. :(
anonymous 26 June, 2012 17:04
Updated to 'Ice Cream Sandwich' and love it to bits.
But, and its a big but, I have now lost all data links over Vodafone and the phone is adamant that it is PAYG and not contract.
Waiting for comments from Vodafone or a fix from Samsung.
It will be great when it's finished.
anonymous 7 July, 2012 21:42
I had wanted one of there for ages since my Dell Streak bit the dust, wasn't going to a smaller screen. I just updated it without even trying whatever was preloaded previously so can't comment. Only thing I say is I use an iPad and the Note, gets confusing as to what to can and can't do and what screen gestures you can use as well. I think I was expecting to be mega impressed with the Note, but the iPad experience has kinda diluted the upgrade from the Streak to the Note, I think the Notes still the best for me though out there, well at least until the Note 2 arrives
anonymous 9 July, 2012 14:16
Upgraded to ICS and my much loved Galaxy Note is now an expensive paperweight.
Apps slow, less than 24 hours battery life in sleep mode, issues with the pen.
Samsung have now asked me to bag the phone up and send it back to them, and in about 2 weeks they'll het it back to me all fixed.
2 weeks, no phone. Great.
My advice? DON'T DO IT!!
anonymous 20 July, 2012 00:43
think i got the ics today and my note is very slow home pages and apps slow response time and started throwing me out of apps think i might have to send phone back very laggy
anonymous 8 August, 2012 03:21
Mine went auto too, now i has stuffed up my phone. I cant get into contacts... twlauncher not responding. How do i go back to old version :(
anonymous 24 August, 2012 10:01
i only just got a note a month ago on orange contract n came with 4.0.4
anonymous 10 May, 2013 00:57
Initially no problem. Now it has developed a red and white coordinares bar permanently on top of the notification bar, and a thin line traces the movement of your finger on the screen - this line disappears only when you touch the screen again and a new line appears!
anonymous 18 June, 2013 13:03
abso lutley rubbish mate
anonymous 18 June, 2013 13:06
mate sort it out