I just read on Droid-Life that they have a new update out this morning for the S4 (VRUAME7) and it was going to be delivered through the desktop installer instead of OTA. Has anyone else heard about this or is it just a rumor?
http://www.droid-life.com/2013/07/09/new-software-update-vruame7-available-for-verizons-galaxy-s4-through-desktop-installer-apps-to-sd-card-included/
I saw this article too. Have you tried the installer to see if it can find the update?
I can confirm this. I just spent the last 20 minutes updating the ME7.
However I am having a problem finding just what the hell it is..lol
only info I found is from the link above and like they said they are guessing.
As someone who is new to Verizon do they post update logs somewhere so you can see what was updated??
I completed the update very easily. This is actually quite nice since Verizon is usually last to the plate when it comes to updates. It appears that most US carriers have posted this update today. The biggest advantage is the ability to install apps directly to the SD card versus internal memory. Not much else has changed. The next update to look forward to will hopefully be 4.3.
I was at work when I seen the article. Had to wait until I got home to try. Its slowly downloading at this time.
I just found out that you can also use Kies to apply the update.
There is usually a change log posted, but I don't know if it is up. Since this update is coming through Samsung and their Kies program, I honestly don't know if Verizon would post the change log.
The only changes that I have found are the ability to transfer apps to your SD card and if I am mistaken there seems to be additional settings of the Driving Mode added under the settings (under the My device tab). The driving mode now has other settings that can be adjusted once it is turned on.
if someone has the secret to download KIES to their PC please let me know.. this seems to be an ongoing problem with Samsung and Kies software... I've tried every way I know of to d/l it from Samsung.. all it does is freeze and crash my FF and Chrome browsers in the 4 PC's I've tried it on... if Verizon is pushing out this new update for the S4 via Kies and the PC there's got to be a better way..
Well I do have an update and I am installing as I type this. It doesn't say what the update is, or I missed it. I have only had the phone a few days so this is my first desktop update. I must admit though I hate the desktop installer already. Mine is painfully slow and I long for the OTA update. Not sure if this was done to cut down on data costs or what, but the desktop installer is way slow.
The initial installation process was very slow as well. Had to walk away at one point and just leave it. When it checks for updates, it checks forever so I finally tuned mine of the auto check mode and just do it manually when I want to check or hear there is an update. When it is checking for updates it interferes with other processes and makes them run slow. Again I am not impressed so far with the desktop installer.
Just finished. Phone restarted and said optimizing app # of 241. So 241 apps being updated? Haven't restarted phone yet, still optimizing so not sure what the will be different. For the short time that I have had the phone, not sure if I will be able to notice anyway.
The biggest difference I see is the ability to go into the application manager and move items to the SD card. Also the default setting on my camera changed to save photos to the SD card. I may find more changes, but these are the big ones that I have noticed so far. Yes I specifically looked for them.
This new firmware also includes the following:
VZW posted update info here: http://support.verizonwireless.com/pdf/system_update/galaxys4.pdf
Included in this doc is "Wi-Fi quick on/off toggle in Notification Panel" Does that work for anyone? I don't see it on my phone. This is a feature that exists on non-VZW S4 phones but VZW removed it in the first release. I would love to get it back.
Dear Stargazer72460, Good afternoon. I know software updates can be exciting! I am happy to confirm the software update available for the Samsung Galaxy S4. However, I would like to clarify how to obtain the software update. The recent update is currently available to obtain via PC. I was unable to locate the software update being available via Kies. When the device is plugged in to a PC, it renders itself as a CD-ROM and allows the you to click a link to download and install the tool. Once installed on the your computer, the tool automatically checks for the device software update and provides you with an option to upgrade a device. The tool also allows you to check for device software updates. Should you have further questions or concerns regarding the update, please feel free to reach out to us. We will be more than happy to assist. Have a great day! Thank You,Michelle_VZWPlease follow us on twitter @VZWSupport
Unless I'm missing something in the VRUAME7 enhancements (see attachment), the ability to move apps to the SD card isn't there. The inability to move apps to the SD card is a major S4 disappointment for me.
It looks like it should work for me. It is listed for some apps for me but not others. I don't quite understand which apps should be able to move to SD and which shouldn't. (I haven't tried it though.)
Not all applications can be installed on the SD card. The developer also has to write the application to allow it to be installed on the SD card. You also don't want to move applications to the SD card if it has a widget and you want the widget to work.
I have looked and looked for this very thing and I do not see it. As one of the most visible parts of this update, it is mysteriously hidden. At least on my S4, it is...
In order to see the wifi toggle after installing the update, you will need to perform a factory reset on your phone. It seems the patch doesn't fully apply until a factory reset is done. A few people, as well as myself also experienced the phone indefinitely hanging on the splash screen after every reboot. This went away after the factory reset.
One thing that VZW "forgot" to mention about this update is a minor detail - it locks the bootloader which in essence means you will not be able to root. The lock is so deep, you won't even be able to downgrade. (even checks for partitions). From what I have read, applying this update while rooted is a very bad idea.
I'm sure the failure to mention any of this was just a simple oversight...
@KellyArens,Updates are meant to improve the function of your device. If your phone is saying 241 apps optimizing it means it's updating the apps on the device.Keep me posted if you need additional assistance.John_VZWPlease follow us on twitter @VZWSupport
Unfortunately, it requires a factory reset.To ease the pain, I used https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.koushikdutta.backup. It didn't restore everything, but it helped.
I actually got into a chat with a Verizon employee and was told the same thing that in order to see the missing Wi-Fi icon in the Notification Panel, you have to do a factory reset. I used Samsung Kies and as my backup program and it backed up most of the stuff I had on my phone. It didn't back up all of the Accounts, but it backed some of my personal settings and all of my text messages.
No, you don't really think...I just can't believe anyone would think that? I heard somewhere they were even late to the table in posting about the update for these phones. I don't even need or want most of it but sooner or later I will have to do it and jump through all these hoops. I just came to the S4 from the S3 and the S3 just finished a fix for a nightmarish upgrade.
The summary of the update says:
The following capabilities have been added:
•<+| icon added to the icon glossary (indicates “more” items in the Notification Panel)
•Clear instruction in popup regarding Smart Scroll feature support
•Wi-Fi quick on/off toggle in Notification Panel
I downloaded it and updated but I cannot find the Wi_Fi quick on/off toggle in the Notification Panel.
Do I have to add it manually? And ,if so, can someone tell me how to do it. Thanks.
If you don't see the Wi-Fi quick on/off toggle in the Notification Panel then you will have to do what I have done as well as others. The update did not apply completely and the only alternative is to do a Factory Reset on the phone. This will wipe all the apps that you have download as well as any settings that you have changed. Basically, the phone will be as it was when you first got it, but it will have the latest update applied to it. If you want you can call an Verizon employee and see if they have found a better solution than the Factory Reset.
