Samsung Spica upgraded to Android 2.1
It’s been almost a month now since I’ve bought my Samsung Spica aka GT-I5700 from a Samsung Mobile store in the Philippines. Since then, I’ve read that one of the local mobile network provider, Globe Telecom, has offered the Samsung Spica for free at Plan 1800. If you prefer an openline or network unlocked Samsung Spica, you can go to mobile shops and buy one for as low as Php 13,800. If you are planning to flash the firmware, then you’d be better off with a network unlocked mobile phone.
The Spica I bought comes with Android 1.5 firmware. I’ve decided that I’m not going to wait more than the time I’ve waited to get Android 2.1 on my Spica knowing how long these upgrades take time to reach the Philippines. So after finding out how from the Samsung-Firmwares site that an official Android 2.1 (Eclair) firmware/rom has been released for the Samsung Spica, I finally downloaded the needed files and flashed my Spica to get the new Android 2.1 OS.
I’m now running a French version of the Android 2.1 firmware for the Samsung Spica. So far, everything seems to be working. I’ve been able to access the Android Market and installed mobile apps and games. Below are some screenshots of my newly flashed Samsung Spica:
I’ve also tested the stock Android 2.1 web browser to check if my Gerry Ilagan blog and my Connected Phone mobile blog will render properly — and it did. Here’s a couple of screenshots of the sites on the Android web browser:
If you’re also interested in upgrading your Samsung Spica to Android 2.1 (aka Eclair) you can follow this flashing guide (Thanks to lorenz for posting an easy to follow guide) I found on the Internet. WARNING: Perform the procedure at YOUR OWN RISK. A mistake can make your Samsung Spica USELESS. It will also VOID any warranty that you might have on the mobile phone.
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hi gerry,
after flashing a french firmware does 3g works like on 1.5 asian firmware?oh and im also in the philippines…
Hi mac,
Yes 3G/3.5G works after I flashed it.
hey Gerry interesting update. can you share your settings for getting my gprs/mms/internet up and running for my i5700 using globe telecom. thanks
Hi jules,
For globe telecom post paid it’s internet.globe.com.ph, for prepaid it’s http.globe.com.ph
Hi Gerry,
I’m too chicken to do the update on my own..have you ever thought of bringing it over to a Samsung center so they can update it with the Samsung Android 2.1 firmware? I tried connecting mine via the updates in the PC Studio but it isn’t available yet
Thanks
Didn’t bother bringing it to the Samsung Center. I just followed instructions found on the forums and did it on my own. It actually turned out easy to follow. Now I’m waiting for the Android 2.2 firmware to come out.
hi Gerry,
im seeing some articles that android 2.2 should’ve been release by June 2010, is that true? do you know when will be its official release?
Hi ron,
From what I know, it’s going to be sometime in the third quarter but it should probably show up in a pre-release form on the Net before that.
hi Gerry, i did every step here, and now my phone is stuck to the samsung boot screen, it wont even to the main screen, just stucked on the samsung boot screen, help please
have you verified the files you have used?
hi Gerry, after flashing my Samsung Spica, it does not work anymore, whenever i “power-on” my phone, its just stuck on the “samsung” boot screen and won’t start up anymore, does this mean i broke my phone? can you help me please?
hi Gerry, i got it working already! i’m so happy i thought i lost my phone…i must have downloaded the wrong file earlier, its good now, i wish i could treat you for a drink or lunch
Great to know you’ve got it working! Enjoy the 2.1 firmware on your Spica. Hope we get a very much awaited version 2.2 on the Spica. Hold that thought regarding the free drink or lunch — maybe we’ll meet one of these days in a Starbucks or somewhere
hi Gerry, the upgrade was really great and as i am browsing through the menus now i can’t seem to figure out some things like:
1. where is live wallpaper? or how to use it?
2. the samsung keyboard (which is easier for txting) is gone?
3. Globe GPRS settings?
4. how to install apps & games
i tried searching the net for instructions but was hoping if you have other “dummies-like” instructions w/ screenshots
thanks a lot again
Hi ron,
I’ll consider some of your items on my next post. To give you some quick answers:
1. Wallpapers – do a long press on your screen, you’ll see wall papers
2. Never really fond of texting so I didn’t notice the it was gone.
3. For Globe GPRS settings, that’s bit long to discuss here but you can always call the Globe hotline for free. One of these days I really need to put them on my site to help me to remember them easily too.
4. You can install apps and games using the Market app on your Samsung Spica.
Hope that helps. Just subscribe to my blog so you can get updated in case I post any more articles about Android.
Hi Gerry, I recently bought a Samsung Galaxy S (I9000) Globe pre-paid phone kit. Globe gave me a free 5 days unlimited mobile internet browsing as well. The thing is, I cannot access the Android Market & Facebook for Android using GPRS.I can access them though using WIFI. Is there a restriction with Globe in terms of accessing these sites using GPRS?
E-mail me please.
Hi Francis,
First thing comes to mind is whether you’re using postpaid or prepaid? Pls check if you have the proper APN setup.
Why would you want to access it via GPRS when HSDPA is a much faster speed and your phone is able to support HSDPA?
ei Gerry..any news bout the 2.2 Froyo? is it out now in Samsung Center? or can i downlode it on any site…if ever you knew the site message me back…plz..tnx bro..
ei Gerry..any news bout the 2.2 Froyo? is it out now in Samsung Center? or can i download it on any site…if ever you knew the site message me back…plz..tnx bro..forgot to ask bout OTA update will it be out soon for Globe Line users?
I don’t update my Spica via OTA / Globe. I’ve a European firmware which I installed on my phone from samfirmwares.
Hi Gerry,
just checking if Android 2.2 is not yet available? and will it be available for our Samsung Galaxy Spica? some say on forums that the Galaxy Spica’s specs does not fit Android 2.2?
checkout the samdroid.net project. it’s an alpha version.
hi gerry.. im from the phil.. just got my phone few months ago… its version is 2.1, i just wanna know how will i get the gprs setting for this… does tm gives the gprs or should i switch to globe??
Hi Russel,
Sorry, never had the chance to use TM. From what I understand, TM doesn’t do 3G or HSDPA. Maybe I’m wrong.
and how to use hsdpa… pls do answer me.. here’s my num..
[number removed]
Hi Gerry,
Can you help me setup the gprs hspda settings of my htc desire, thanks
@jener, if you’re setting up HSDPA to access the internet, look for APN settings. It’s telco specific so you should ask your service provider for the APN setting.
hi Gerry,
out of curiosity, what is the difference of LkMod 2.5.1 to Leshak’s Lk2.02 mod?
Never got to thinking about it
hi Gerry,
the Android 2.2 (Froyo) for spica cooking on samdroid or this site http://samsungfw.wordpress.com/ is almost finished, but all of them requires a rooted spica with lk2.xx with recovery, the rooting process on Lorenzo’s guide does not include recovery mode. is there a same workaround like the flashing guide using Odin?
A good source for instructions would be the samdroid.net forums.
Hi Gerry,
I was wondering, would you happen to know the exact configuration of http.globe.com.ph (prepaid)?
I can’t seem to get a 3G signal whenever I use it. However, using http://www.globe.com.ph (GPRS – I suppose), lets me browse through the standard-built in browser. But other apps just won’t connect.
I’m only having problem with this one in particular, I’ve no issues using WiFi or anything.
Thanks in advance, mate.
Build Number ECLAIR.DXJC4
The 3G signal would depend on whether there’s a 3G cell site at your location.