Updating Samsung Galaxy Tab from Android 2.2 (Froyo) to Android 2.3.3 (Gingerbread)

Android 2.3.3 (Gingerbread) is available for Samsung Galaxy Tab now.

In order to perform the update using the "official" way, you need a computer installed with latest version of Samsung Kies.

Launch the Kies application in the computer, then connect your Samsung Galaxy Tab to it with the USB cable. Set the connection type to be "Samsung Kies".

Kies will detect the Samsung Galaxy Tab and automatically inform you the availability of Gingerbread update.

The process starts with downloading the update file to your computer.

After that, you are given a chance to backup your data in the phone to Kies. Although this update will not cause any data or setting lost to your Samsung Galaxy Tab, it is always a wise choice to perform a backup, just in case.

Then, your Samsung Galaxy Tab will be automatically rebooted into download mode, and the update file will be transferred from your computer to the Tab.

Once the transfer is completed, the update process will begin. Then, your Tab will be rebooted again. It will take some time during its first boot up after the update.

You will be advised by Kies to disconnect the USB cable, reboot the Tab again, then connect back the USB cable. Your computer will then update its USB driver to connect to your Tab with the new Android Gingerbread ROM.

Among the new things after this update are 2 new apps installed in your Tab, namely Sketch Memo and Pulse. Sketch Memo is a pretty handy app that worth a try, but it doesn't come with any widget, which I think it should.

Clarivue matte anti-glare screen protector for HTC Incredible S

Although HTC Incredible S comes with Corning Gorilla Glass, I think it still need a screen protector that can reduce fingerprint, smudge and glare. So far, I found that only the matte kind of screen protector can fulfill this requirement.

However, the trade-off of using matte screen protector is that, it will reduce the transparency of the screen, and you will see distortion of colourful tiny grains shown up, especially on white background.

Actually, before I went for Clarivue, I've been looking for the SGP Steinheil Ultra Optics screen protector which claims to allow more light transmittance from the screen, as well as minimize the graining effect of its matte surface. But SGP didn't have a clear schedule on when they will produce Steinheil Ultra Optics screen protector for HTC Incredible S, so I ended up using Clarivue instead.

Both SGP and Clarivue are expensive kind of screen protector costing more than US$10 per pack. Actually, screen protectors are just a piece of plastic and should not be more than US$1 when come out from factory. However, a lot of cheap matte screen protectors manufactured in China (and probably distributed from Hong Kong) are of low quality and bring a lot of visual distortion (graining effect) to the screen. So, sometimes we have to pay the premium to get the screen protector from a trusted brand in US (probably manufactured in Japan). In addition, Clarivue Anti-Glare and Ultra-Clear screen protectors come with "lifetime warranty". You can always have a replacement for your screen protector from Clarivue at a handling cost of US$3 for regular shipping.

Clarivue can be ordered online from their website, and they provide free shipping worldwide for their HTC Incredible S matte anti-glare screen protector. Purchase with coupon code "clarivue1210" and you will get a 10% discount directly. I waited about 2 weeks for it to come all the way from USA to Malaysia.

The package of Clarivue comes with 2 pieces of screen protectors and 1 pre-moistened cleaning tissue pack. It is very easy to apply on the phone.

Although there is still some tiny grains on the matte screen, I find the overall screen display is still OK with Clarivue matte screen protector applied on it.

This is how the screen of HTC Incredible S with Clarivue anti-glare screen protector looks like, with the brightness setting to "auto". Note that the vibrant colour from the WVGA Super-LCD screen is still intact. The multi-touch screen is also as responsive as before.

And this is how the screen looks like when I set the brightness setting to 0%. Even at this extremely dim level, the screen is still viewable.

Therefore, I have no complain to Clarivue matte anti-glare screen protector other than its price.

Case-Mate Barely There case for HTC Incredible S

The famous Case-Mate Barely There is a kind of hard plastic shell for mobile phone to protect the phone from scratch, minor impact/drop, etc.

As its name suggested, it fits to the phone perfectly and we can barely feel its existence especially when see from distance.

I have been putting Case-Mate Barely There case on my HTC Incredible S phone the next day after I got the phone. It is very easy to put on and also very easy to take off.

To let you have a better idea of how it looks like, I have taken picture of the case putting together with the naked phone side-by-side.

The front:

And the back:

This is how the phone looks like after putting on the case:

As you can see, Case-Mate Barely There fits nicely to the phone, maintaining the slim profile of HTC Incredible S and provide good access to all the ports, sensors, speakers, buttons, cameras and functions of the phone.

Case-Mate Barely There also provides good protection to the main camera of the phone. As you can see from the 2nd photo above, the back camera's glass surface of HTC Incredible S will have contact to the table surface it lies on when you put the phone facing up. Imagine that glass surface keeps on knocking your table whenever your phone vibrates. Take a look at the 3rd photo, and you will find how Case-Mate Barely There protects the back camera.

The top edge of Case-Mate Barely There is of same level with the power button of HTC Incredible S. This will prevent accidental pressing the power button (and turn on the screen, which in turn drain out your battery) when your phone is in your pocket. However, this also makes pressing the power button a bit harder than naked phone.

The price of Case-Mate is quite expensive. I bought it at the cost of over RM60. However, you will find it worth the price considering its nice design, good quality and the "barely there" feeling.

The packaging of Case-Mate Barely There is bundled together with Case-Mate clear screen protector. However, you will soon find fingerprints and smudge developed on that screen protector. Therefore, my phone is using Clarivue ultra-thin matte anti-glare screen protector instead.