Friends! new MIUI ROM is one of the latest and highly user friendly rom. It gives new and some interesting features to android users. I recommend you to try it at once. It have some useful and toggle features that are not in default android ROM , it has better music,browsing and interference and many extra feature.
So Today we are going to install MIUI 1.7.29 on our Samsung galaxy s2. This latest build of MIUI is in beta stage so it can contain some minor bugs but don’t worry about it , you will never feel that this ROM is incomplete. Now first I will tell you the things we need for installing MIUI.
WARNING:
In this Guide we are rooting our phone , and rooting will void your phone’s warranty. and it can be recovered after unrooting it
Double check all steps before taking any action ,any mistake can brick your phone
As our recommendation Create a complete backup of your current ROM (2nd step), so you can restore it if something happened wrong.
Instructions to install Android 2.3.4 MIUI ROM on Samsung Galaxy S2
Disclaimer: Follow this guide on your risk , during installing process if your device bricked or damaged then androidflip.com is not responsible
First we need to ROOT our Samsung galaxy s2 , rooting will give us ability to make complete backup of our current ROM so we can restore it if something gone wrong OR you don’t like MIUI. if you are afraid about your phone’s warranty then don’t worry we can also unroot it very easily.
You can follow rooting tutorials below according to your firmware version , to check firmware version go to settings > about phone and see build version ,for example in picture below it is GINGERBREAD.XXKG6 so follow XXKG6 rooting guide.
2. Backing up current ROM and preparing phone to flash MIUI
I know how much you love your Galaxy s2 and it is obvious no one want to flush $629 . in case some thing gone wrong OR you just want original rom back , we are going to make a whole system backup that will allow you to restore your original ROM anytime . don’t confuse about clockwork mod recovery and something else we have already install these tools while we root our phone in above step.
Hit the Flash ClockworkMod Recovery and it will give you a list, choose the Samsung Galaxy S2 from the list. when you do this your phone will reboot .
After reboot, run ROM manager again and select Reboot Into Recovery.
Now phone will reboot again.And a special mode ClockworkMod Recovery is appears .In this mode your touch screen will not work. use volume UP/Down and OK keys. in this mode we can make a backup of our current ROM
To start backup process select backup and restore option in recovery menu
Now choose backup, it will begin complete system backup process
when backing up process completes , you will see backup complete message and recovery menu above it.
Now using volume up/down buttons scroll down to wipe data/factory reset > advanced > wipe Dalvik cache
you can select reboot system now to boot your phone in normal mode.
You can restore this backup any time with this method => just boot in recovery > select backup and restore > select restore > and choose your backup file .
3. PC Part , putting MIUI to sd card
Connect your Galaxy S2 to PC
Now its time to put ROM file (We already downloaded MIUI rom in required section) on your phone’s sd card
Copy MIUI-1.7.29-SGS2-beta32.zip (102.1 MB) in the root of phone’s SD Card , root directory is main directory of SD card that comes just after opening it. in easy words just open your memory card and paste ROM file without going to any other folder
Now you can disconnect the phone from PC.
4. Flashing MIUI ROM
Boot your phone into recovery, run rom manager and select reboot in recovery
Now we will install MIUI rom, to do that, in recovery menu select install zip from sdcardthen choose zip from sd card and select file MIUI-1.7.29-SGS2-beta32.zip (we already copied it in above step 3.3)
Installing process will begin , it will not take so much time so take patience
once done , select reboot system now from recovery menu
This will boot your phone and you will see MIUI running on it
OK, so the Android Market is more akin to Lidl or Asda than the iPhone's enormous, indulgent Selfridges-at-Christmas time approach, but the open source nature of Google's OS means there are plenty of apps for Android to be found.
Most of the good stuff on Android is free, thanks to the work of developers who do it for love alone. So here's our pick of the top free Android apps you should install.
And you can find more great apps at Top 150 best Android apps. Also why not check out our video of the top 10 free Android games?
1. Seesmic
There are many Twitter apps on Android - and Twitter itself shook up the scene with the launch of its own-brand app recently - but we're sticking withSeesmic. Offering support for multiple accounts, a home page widget showing latest tweets and an incredibly slick and professional design, it's one of the finest examples of app development out there today.
2. Facebook for Android
Facebook for Android is lacking in features compared to Facebook itself, but a recent update added Inbox support to the Android app, finally allowing its users to communicate in almost real time. The app's fast and stable, with a simplicity that reminds you of the old days when using Facebook used to be bearable.
3. ASTRO File Manager
ASTRO is nothing more than a Windows-style file explorer, but if you're into tinkering and directly installing Android APK files yourself, it's essential to stick something like this on your phone. It makes your phone feel like a computer, and makes you feel like you're in charge of it.
UPDATE: ASTRO still exists as a free ad-supported app, but you'll have to pay for the full version without ads. Our new favourite file explorer app is listed below.
4. UK Jobs
Hey, times are hard and you've got to pay for your oppressive monthly mobile phone contract somehow. Offering a fully searchable database of current UK job vacancies, UK Jobs, which pulls in its data from independent employment site 1job.co.uk is, a slightly cumbersome but useful and non-governmental tool.
5. Hotmail
Microsoft has teamed up with developer SEVEN to offer an official Hotmail app for Android, which gives users a simple, clean interface, push notification support and even lets you manage multiple Hotmail accounts from within the app. If your email needs haven't yet been assimilated by Google, it's a useful option.
6. Google Sky Map
A stunning app that renders Patrick Moore obsolete, by using your phone's orientation tools to give you an accurate representation of the stars and planets on your screen. Point your phone at the sky, then learn what constellations are visible and if that's a UFO or just Venus. Google Sky Mapeven works indoors, if you're not keen on getting cold.
7. Layar
The stunning augmented reality app Layar has recently gone commercial, adding an online shop that allows users to buy AR content such as travel guides, local house price apps and much more. But you're still able to use the numerous free Layers to pop data up over real-world locations, delivering a satisfying futuristic experience.
8. Foursquare
The social media darling Foursquare is represented in fine form on Android, with the Google app offering easy one-click check-ins, integrated Google Maps for a seamless Google-branded experience and home page shortcut options to all your favourite places.
9. WordPress for Android
WordPress for Android started out as independent creation wpToGo, before WordPress decided it liked it so much it bought it up - hiring the maker to develop it in-house. It's very feature-packed, with the latest version offering full integration with other apps, letting you spin content and send it directly to the app for easy updating. It could do with more image insertion tools, though.
10. Google Goggles
A bit of a novelty, in that Google Goggles lets you take photos and have Google analyse them and come back with a search results page for what it thinks you're looking at. However, the app's main use is as a QR code reader, which lets you scan barcodes for quick access to apps and whatever data people choose to embed in the odd little data squares.
11.Winamp
Yes, the same Winamp from a decade ago. It's had an Android app for some time, with recent updates adding support for iTunes, Mac syncing, plenty of music streaming options, new release lists and Shoutcast integration for radio support. It's a fine, free media player.
12.Samsung ChatOn
There are plenty of messaging tools on Android, but Samsung's beats many of them by offering multi-platform support - with clients even available for older Samsung non-smart feature phones. It could be the ideal way to keep in touch with an out of touch relative. More "with it" users will be able to use its drawing, image sharing and social networking features.
13. Skyfire 3.0
The USP of the Skyfire browser is that it supports Flash content, popping up a little window when it detects an embedded YouTube video or something similar. The actual Flash business is handled by Skyfire's server, which does all the computery stuff, then sends the file to your handset. A bit clunky on slower Android phones, but it works like a dream on models with faster processors.Despite the arrival of Flash with Android 2.2, this is still relevant for those on phones and Android versions not able to support Adobe's Flash Player.
14.BBC News
While the BBC's Android iPlayer app is a bit on the disappointing side, the corporation's BBC News app is much more refined. There's a stylish grid-based front page, plus you're able to swipe from left to right to switch between stories in your chosen specialist category. A recent update also added a couple of Home screen widgets, too, plus the ability to submit your own news tips, as if the BBC was a small blog clamouring for content.
15. RAC Traffic
An official production of the motoring organisation, RAC Traffic is dead simple - it guesstimates your location via the mobile signal, then pops up the current traffic alerts for your area. It's much better than having to listen to the radio for the odd update about arterial blockages.
16. Swype
The odd line-drawing alternate keyboard Swype is a love-it or hate-it kind of thing, with the significant amount of re-learning required to make the most of it quite offputting to some users. Once you're familiar with the idea, though, it's genius - with advanced prediction options further speeding your line-typing. Swype is not available through the Android Market - the only way to install is is via a direct download from the maker.
17. Evernote
After the Android version of Dropbox, the next best solution for keeping all your 'business' in one place is Evernote - which lets you stash and sync all your text notes, voice memos and files on your phone and access them through a desktop computer.
18.Flickr
As well as supporting Flickr uploading, this app also lets you capture photos from within the app and comes complete with a set of filters, so you can hipsterise your life with ease. It supports sharing with Twitter and Facebook as well, so your other, non-photo-nerd friends can enjoy the results of today's snapping session.
19. Last.fm
The subscription-based thrills of Last.fm open up a world of music streaming on your mobile. You have to 'buy in' to the odd Last.fm way of organising things and suggesting new music, but if you're easily led and not restricted by bandwidth it's a superb tool.
20. Google Maps Navigation
An absolute must-get. As long as you have Android 1.6 or above, the latest update to Google Maps introduces turn-by-turn voice navigation, simultaneously devastating the satnav industry while boosting the in-car dashboard dock/charger accessory scene. Route calculations are done at the outset of your trip, minimising data transfer en route and keeping you on target even when the GPS signal drops. It's amazing, it works, and it's free.
21. 3banana Notes/ Catch Notes
A simple note-taking tool that lets you sync those disjointed, late night thoughts you have together into one huge, incoherent database. If you have a Snaptic account you're able to sync the Android app with that too - or you can simply log in with your Google details for instant mobile jotting. Once written, notes may also be pinned to the home screen, creating a little post-it note-style reminder icon.
UPDATE: 3banana has undergone a name change and is now known asCatch Notes.
22. gvSIG Mini Maps
gvSIG Mini Maps is an incredibly comprehensive mapping tool which combines major online maps including Google, Bing, Open Street Map and more, which will win UK fans for one huge reason alone - it supports the official and recently open-sourced Ordnance Survey data. This means you're never more than a post code search away from seeing where you are in OS-level detail, which offers much more in the way of accurate local data than other map tools provide.
23. Astrid Task / Todo list
Astrid describes itself as an "open source" task list, which includes syncing support with www.rememberthemilk.com for the ultimate in minutiae management. You set a list of tasks and are then able to order them according to their importance - also setting off a timer to see precisely how long you've wasted on Twitter instead of doing the job in hand. It's basically the world's most complex and in-depth personal to do list, which, if used correctly, will consume more time than the tasks themselves. Ideal for expert-level procrastinators.
24. Shareprice
Shareprice uses your login from financial site www.iii.co.uk to offer live share price updates on your Android phone. Watch your nest-egg lose 50 per cent in value every three weeks during the latest trans-global financial crisis, live! It's ideal for users with share values so low they have to be checked in private, to ensure their partner doesn't see exactly how much money has disappeared into some notional financial black hole.
25. Skifta
Skifta is the first software tool to be granted DLNA certification, meaning it turns your Android phone into an official DLNA device. This in turn means streaming all of your household media to your phone, and beaming your phone videos to your TV. Seems a little buggy at the moment, but there are plenty of updates arriving all the time. Requires Android 2.2 or higher.
Automatically updating every picture you take on your phone to a cloud service is not a new concept. Adobe Photoshop Express uploads to Photoshop.com, and of course the Google+ app automatically uploads to your Picasa web albums. But what if you want to automatically send every picture you take to your Dropbox account?
Enter Syncly. This deceptively simple app links to your Dropbox account and automatically uploads your pictures over Wi-Fi or 3G as you take them. Setup is simple. Just create a Syncly account and link it to your Dropbox account. Bam. Done. Syncly also acts as an image gallery so you can view your uploaded images right from the cloud.
This is a great solution for backing up your photos and feeling safe enough to clear off your SD card if you’re running low on space. If you’re ready to give it a whirl, hit up the market link or QR code below.
Every two weeks Google releases the Android distribution numbers to the masses. The biweekly survey reports what version of Android that a device is running when it accesses the Market. Developers should note that a whopping 58 percent of devices are now running Android 2.3 Gingerbread. This is especially important in determining which software version to prioritize when creating or updating applications. Android 3.0 Honeycomb is currently at 3.4 percent, and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich is only at 1 percent. It seems it will be a little while before they share in Android world domination.
In November of 2011, only 44 percent of devices were running Gingerbread. What caused this large increase in a relatively short amount of time? Perhaps a shiny new Android was the go-to gift during the holiday rush. What do you think?
Android has quite a few mobile video players available, so as users, it can be difficult to choose the best without trying them all one by one. There are so many things to be considered – and you can’t always rely on ratings alone.
To help narrow down the choices for you, we’ve collected a list of Android’s top mobile video players, so you can just get on with the fun of watching your videos.
1. VPlayer
VPlayer is my personal favourite simply because it’s so versatile and can be kept on the SD card, which is handy since it’s over 3MB. It plays all the major video formats, plus it can handle a variety of streaming video types. The free trial is fully featured, and the paid version is only a few dollars if you choose to upgrade.
2. RealPlayer
RealPlayer is an audio player as well as a video player. It has a handy interface to navigate between media types easily and can even display your photos. Sadly, it’s 3MB and can’t be moved to a SD card, so it’s only useful for users without space issues on their phone. It doesn’t say exactly which files it will play, but it couldn’t play my MP4′s. It played my home videos beautifully though.
3. Act 1 Video Player
Act 1 Video Player is designed to play iPhone formats like 3gp, h263, and h264 baseline profile. It also claims to play some baseline MP4 files, but not all (it had no problem with mine). Other files will need converting, but the developer page does point you in the direction of some free software that will do the job nicely. Act 1 is not only a tiny 500KB, but it can also be moved to your SD card.
4. Arc Media
Arc Media player can support a wide variety of video formats, including AVI, DIVX, MKV, MOV, MP4, RMVB, WMV, VOB and XVID. It’s still in beta, but is widely appreciated by testers so far.
5. Meridian
Meridian is a huge 2.5MB, but can easily be moved to the SD card. It asks where your media is kept and quickly finds all of it. Gestures for navigating are intuitive and quick to use.
6. mVideoPlayer
The mVideoPlayer app comes with rave reviews in the Android market. However, this app will only play whichever formats are already supported by your phone. Its 2.6MB install can be moved to the SD card, which is good news. The first search for video files will take a while, but it should load quicker in the future.
7. RockPlayer Lite
RockPlayer is an ad-supported media player which at a massive 13MB fails to live up to the light impression. Thankfully, it can be moved to the SD card. Plays video smoothly and well.
8. VitalPlayer
VitalPlayer’s 5MB install can be automatically installed to your SD card. Sorry, VitalPlayer isn’t yet supported on Gingerbread.
Note: Don’t install this firmware update, much stable ICS update is out, install it
Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream sandwich XXKPA firmware for Samsung galaxy s2 is out. This is third time when Samsung released an ICS beta firmware for its flagship product galaxy s2 and it is also 2012’s first ics firmware leaked by sammobile.
As we know it’s a beta firmware therefor no FOTA (firmware over the air) and no KIES update , we have to install it through a pc tool called Odin. XXKPA is same as previous two ics versions but this time samsung added more stability in this build.
Although there are some minor bugs exists due to beta release. check out what is good in it–
Good battery backup
Much faster than previous firmwares
Smooth touch than old ones
SD card and USB are working fine
Camera app working without any crash
In other words this firmware is worth of trying although we cant compare it with stock firmware.
XXKPA ICS Android 4.0.3 firmware for Samsung Galaxy s2
Android version : 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich Build date : 5 January 2012 PDA: I9100XXKPA PHONE: I9100XXKPA CSC: I9100OXAKPA
Installing Ice Cream Sandwich Android 4.0.3 XXKPA firmware on your Galaxy S2 GT i9100
Step 1.
After downloading firmware from above link , extract it and place files on easy to find place like desktop. Follow this step by step guide to install ics firmware on your phone.
Hit the start button and in few moments kernel installation will complete, now you can disconnect your phone from pc
Note:
For smooth experience , boot your phone in recovery mode (Press Volume Up + Middle Key + Power key simultaneously while phone is switched off).
And select Wipe data/factory reset and also select Wipe Cache partition, once done select reboot system now in order to boot your phone in ICS Android 4.0.3 firmware
After XXKPA beta firmware Samsung released a much stable ICS version for galaxy s2, It is dubbed as XXLP2 firmware. This firmware is build on 10 January 2012 and it is based on latest android 4.0.3
Samsung guys really working hard to make fully stable ICS , and after continues ics versions it is proved. Samfirmware.com also posted a video of this firmware , it is working fine .
What’s new ?
Better battery
Faster than old version
Stable than old ICS builds
Much better touch response
FaceUnlock feature is back
Task manger option
XXLP2 ICS Android 4.0.3 firmware for Samsung Galaxy s2
Android version : 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich Build date : 10 January 2012
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