In essence, this app enables you to share wirelessly and manage your mobile device via your internet browsers. If your Samsung Galaxy S2 is not connecting to Kies, perhaps the below tips or suggestions could help you. You need to follow these steps;

• First remove your data cable from your PC.
• Go to Setting and select Application and the to Development
• In the Development tab, if the USB debugging feature is not selected or highlighted, then select it and deselect again
• After that, try to connect your Galaxy S2 with your PC or Laptop. 

This may resolve the issue. 

Another user claimed of experiencing the same issue. The user said that his Galaxy 2 could not be detected by Kies Air app on either windows 7 or Ordinary.  He has also upgraded Android 2.3.4 after rooting. The following tips from forum.xda-developers.com could perhaps help fix the issue. If the phone is upgraded to android 2.3.4 and above and Kies stops recognizing the phone and USB port connection or serial port connection, then perhaps what you need is to do reset on the phone. However, if proper drivers are properly installed in your laptop or PC with Windows 7 and they are not being recognized, then the problem may be with the phone. In addition, if the device manager shows “unknown device” or updating the driver does not show results, then your solution lies on the phone.

• You can start by keying in the dialer number *#7284#
• You will get four options there which are; UART (MODEM/PDA) and  USB (MODEM/PDA)
• In the UBS options, you need to select PDA. If the PDA is already selected, you need to reselect it again by going to Modem and then choosing PDA. Ensure that you only change the USB setting and the Press back.
• Try to reconnect. Your laptop should start recognizing the required drivers and you need to install them.

Other users have reported that they have resolved the problem of Kies Air not recognizing their Galaxy S2 by just doing simple steps like;

• Unplugging the USB cable
• Switching off the Phone
• Switching on the Phone
• Plugging in the USB cable

This simple step works for some users every time their Kies does not work regardless of the windows versions they are using. You may try this to see if it will work for your phone.

Another user commended that by unplugging the cable and cleaning the port with a tiny brush to remove dust or plaque could help. There may be a disconnection due to accumulation of dust.

Moreover, another user claimed that he tried to follow the tricks from different Galaxy S2 forums on how to fix the problem of Kies Air not recognizing his phone. Apparently, the problem seemed to be within the cable. After toiling with the phone for several months with no solution, the user found the problem to be within the cable. The user had mixed up the USB cables. 

He had been using the cable that came with his hands free kit that he obtained from a third party which had the same plug pins. The cable had same number of pins as found within the connector but it seems that it had problems in connecting to the PC. The user then found his cable in the car and connected it and amazingly, Kies detected his phone.

If perhaps you are facing the same problems and non of the above tips tries to resolve it, you may need to try something different. If Kies Air app does not recognize that your Galaxy Samsung S2 is connected to your computer through USB, you may need Synchronizing the Samsung Galaxy S2 with Kies. These are the steps to help you out;

• First disable any anti-virus software on your computer or laptop
• Go to the Kies installed directory and you will find this on-  “C:\Program Files\Samsung\Kies”
• In that directory, there is folder named “USB Driver” and in this folder, there is a file named: “SAMSUNG_USB_Driver_for_Mobile_Phones.exe”
• You need to run this file again and it will install the correct USB drivers for your Galaxy S2phone. 

Allow Kies to synchronize with your phone. Ensure that you re-boot the PC and phone after the above procedure before you allow sync to Kies. In addition, also remember to disable antivirus after rebooting and enable it after synchronizing.

Dust could block the flow of current and you can try using compressed air to clear the dust. Another way you can solve this problem is by rebooting the phone and try connecting again. Some users have reported that the charging works perfect when they try to reboot the phone. This however may not be a permanent solution and should the problem persist, you need to contact Samsung technicians through a primed store. 

If the phone takes too long to charge, instead of taking the required time of two or three hours, then you should make sure that you are using the right 2A rated charger. The charger that is shipped with the device is the most efficient although you can try another charger if the one shipped with the device is damaged. 

If the problem is not solved, it could mean that the battery is faulty and you need to contact Samsung. Some users have also reported that the phone produces some sound while charging. Many users have reported that their phones are producing a hissing or buzzing sound when charging.  This problem is cause by the charger and it is abnormal. The solution to this is by charging using USB PC port but then again unless the PC is super quiet, it may not help or it could take longer to charge. 

Other solutions to this problem are trying a different charger or lower rated charger, which will charge slowly with less noise. If the problem persists, you may try charging in a different room where noise does not disrupt you though this is not ideal. 

• You download a USB driver for the phone and for this case, the USB driver for N7000 Note where you install it in your computer.
• The USB debugging mode must also be enabled in the phone. You can do this by going to Menu button on your screen and click on Settings where there are various options. On those options, you have to click on Application and then head to Development where you will see the USB debugging enable and disable button.
• Another thing is that the upgrade only works if the handset is rooted and you have installed ClockworkMod (CWM) on the phone.
• A backup of data is needed because you may not know what may happen. The software upgrade may fail to install properly meaning you lose your vital data.
• Your battery should have good power charge to last the installation and somewhere more than 80 percent could do it.

Once you are done with these preparations, you can begin your step-by-step download of CM10.1 nightly. To start with, you have to;

• Download the CM10.1 nightly on your computer
• The latest version of Google Apps (GApps) is also needed meaning that you should download it.
• The other step is to connect your N7000 phone with your computer using the USB cord. After the connection is authenticated, you have to copy the above files, which are on your computer to the SD on the smartphone. Remember you are only copying these two downloaded files (CM10.1 and GApps) and not extracting them.
• When you are done with copying, you disconnect the phone from the computer and boot it (the phone). You have to boot it into the CWS recovery mode because you do not want to lose your data. You can do this by pressing three buttons simultaneously, which are Volume Up, Power and Home buttons. You have to press until the Samsung log appears. Once the logo appears, you need to pause and release the buttons and then press them again (the three of them). This will pop up the CWS recovery mode on your phone’s screen.
• When done with launching the CWM recovery mode screen, the next thing is backup your current ROM. This is achieved by going to Backup and Restore section and then initiate the Nandroid backup action.
• Following, you have to wipe the data. By going to Wipe data/Factory Resetting, you tap on Yes, which means that you are confirming wiping data. The data will be wiped shortly from the handset.
• Now what you need to do is Press Power button and select on Install zip from SD followed by pressing power button again and tapping on Choose zip from SD storage media. After that, you look for the Jelly Bean custom ROM that you saved to the SD card where you select it and say Yes to start the installation.
• After the Jelly Bean ROM is installed, you also install GApps. With your completed installation, you revert to the CWM menu and then click on Reboot System now. This will enable you restart your handset. You should be able to see the Note N7000 boot to new installed customized Jelly Bean ROM. It may take some time for the phone to start.

Should you want to revert to earlier ROM, it means that you have to boot the CWM recovery mode and head to the section on Backup and Restore where you will be able to choose the ROM file which you may want to restore. With these simple step-by-step installation guidelines for the CM10.1 nightly, an upgrade for Android 4.2.1 that is specifically designed to enable Samsung Note N7000 users gain access and use the operating system in their phones, you can be able to enjoy the features for the operating system. However, you need to ensure that you follow the instructions properly so that you do not have trouble. Make sure the two downloads noted are done on PC and also copied and not extracted to the phone’s SD. Moreover, you need to backup your data in case of any failure in installation, which may happen without your consent.

The new Android 4.2.1 update is minor but besides fixing the few bugs including the “missing December”, Bluetooth and wireless connectivity, it has some improvement on the Facelock mechanism. Some of the users may have received the update as an over the air (OTA) package but for those who have not, they may opt to get the ZIP package and flush it manually. 

Below is a step-by-step guide on how you can update your Nexus 4, 7, and 10 to android 4.2.1 manually. 

Caution: It is worthwhile noting that although the updates have been tested, you are solely responsible for action you take on your device. Though the procedure is safe and has been tested by thousands of users, you are held liable for any damage you cause on your device and no other party shall bear the liability.                                                               

Requirements

There are requirement before you successful make the update manually they include  

• First, you should get the over the air (OTA) update ZIP package and you can easily get this by Googling. You may also get a pre-rooted 4.2.1 package through developer community at XDA.
• The other requirement is that your computer should have the latest version of Android Debug Bridge (ADB) executables readily installed and configured in the PC. 

The procedures

Ideally, there are two procedures applied and they will depend on whether you use the stock recovery or custom recovery. 

Updating with custom recovery

• First, you need to move the update package for your Nexus device to the root of your internal memory.
• Second, you have to reboot the Nexus phone into recovery mode.
• Third, you select Install ZIP from SD Card, and then select Choose ZIP from SD Card.
• Fourth, you need to point to the update package, and flash it.
• Lastly, you have to reboot your phone and you will be done. After that, you can now enjoy the latest 4.2.1 update on your Nexus 4, 7 or 10 smartphone. 

Updating with stock recovery

Although making the Android 4.2.1update on stock recovery image may not be easy, it is also altogether not as difficult as you may imagine. By following these few steps, you can successfully update your Nexus phone.

• First, you need to reboot your Nexus phone by holding and pressing together both Volume Up and Volume Down buttons, and this will lead you to Fastboot menu.
• Secondly, you then select Recovery from the Fastboot menu, and this will lead you to Android doodle, which has a red exclamation sign.
• Thirdly, you need to hold the Volume Up and Power buttons together, after which a new menu pops up. From this menu select, apply update from ADB.
• Fourthly, get your phone connected to the computer using USB cable, and launch a command prompt window. You then have to point to the folder where the update package is located and then run the below command:

               adb sideload ZIP_FILE_NAME.zip 

Note: Remember to replace the ZIP_FILE_NAME part with the real or exact name of the ZIP package. 

• Fifthly, allow your update to complete and then reboot your phone. You will have updated the phone with the 4.2.1 update.

Although the process can be a little tricky, but it definitely can be done. Some operating system dependant things like text messages and call history cannot be transferred, but most of the other data like contacts, photos, videos etc can be transferred easily. Once your iPhone is ready, follow these steps to transfer data from your Android.

• Contacts: Go to the Contacts on your Android phone, and tap on the menu button. Then tap on import/export option and select export to storage. Select the data you want to transfer – many times it is the phone contacts these days.
• Next, you need to connect your Android phone to your PC via USB. While doing so, select the disk Drive mode. This will enable your phone as a separate drive on your PC. If you do have an SD card in the phone, you may see two disk drives that appear.
• The process after your Android gets detected as a disk drive is pretty simple. All you need to do is create a new folder. You can name it anything – like Data from Android.
• You can then go to the newly detected drives from your android and browse for the data that you need to copy to your iPhone. Drag and drop the data to the new folder. All data that you wish to transfer to the iPhone – photos, videos files etc.
• Now, the important part is to search for a vcf file. Save that file carefully – this will help you transfer all your contacts to your iPhone.
• That completes moving data from the Android to PC. Now all you need to do is move the same data from PC to your newest iPhone!
• Beginning with photos and videos, connect to iTunes on your iPhone. Click on your phone’s name on the side pane and then go the Photos tab on the right pane. Select “Sync Photos”. After that’s done, click on “Close Folder” After you navigate to the Android folder on your PC. Your photos shall be transferred to the Photos app on the iPhone.
• For music, you need to drag the folder from your desktop to the iTunes side pane. This will automatically sync your music to iPhone.
• Contacts could be a little tricky. To transfer your contacts from Android to iPhone, you will need to make sure that your vcf file is safely copied to the folder on your PC. Then make sure that your new iPhone has an email configured. Well, then go back to your PC and email the vcf file to the email id that is configured on the iPhone. Now back at the iPhone, open the email that you sent to yourself with the vcf file attachment, and tap the attachment to open it. Then select “Add all contacts”. That’s it! You have just saved all your contacts from your Android phone to your iPhone!

Well, transferring data from your Android to your iPhone is not as much as troublesome as it sounds! It may take a few steps back and forth from PC to handheld, but it’s definitely not as tricky! Thanks to the technology, today’s electronic devices are compatible or can be made compatible by a few tips and tricks here and there. Switching to a new phone, or a new technology altogether today is not as if you have to start all over. Manually saving data is tedious. Saving one contact at a time like the very old days is history. You can change your mind as many times as possible about your choice of smartphhone and not worry about tedious manual tasks of transferring data. So, go ahead, upgrade your handset to the one of your choice and transfer all your data too without undertaking any hassles!

The popularity of Paranoid Android Rom can be attributed to the superior quality of tablet hybrid User Interface and phones that are associated with them. With custom ROM, you have the customization options on all aspects of User Interface starting from widgets to scaling of icons according to your convenience. The custom ROM is particularly useful for Galaxy Note N7000 as the device is a hybrid of smart phone and mini tablet, also known as phablet. Though there are certain bugs still in the ROM developers have been addressing such issues continually and it is much more reliable than before.

Things to Keep in Mind before Installing ROM

ü  Instructions provided in the user guide for the ROM is specifically for use in Note N7000. If it is used on any other device it may produce undesirable results.

ü  Instructions are only for general circumstances and are provided more as a guide for educational and instructional purposes. Instructions may not work properly if your device has some unique problems or some other software which affects the working of the ROM.

ü  Understanding the entire process is extremely important before you start installing the ROM. Read it till you have a grasp of every step as otherwise you might get stranded in the middle of the installation process.

ü  Take backup for all your important data like phonebook, messages, wifi passwords, internet settings and call logs.

System Requirements

ü  Before installing ROM make sure that your Note N7000 is equipped with ClockWorkMod recovery system and is running on an android open source platform and a custom ROM like CyanogenMod.

ü  If your system does not meet the above requirements you will need to upgrade your phone.

ü  Then you can download Paranoid Android Software from Utecka’s site.

ü  Before starting the installation process, ensure that your phone’s battery is up to 75% or more so that the phone does not get switched off during installation.

Installation Process

1. Start by copying the Paranoid Android ROM for Jelly bean along with the package for GApps to your phone’s internal SD card.
2. After the copying is done, reboot your phone in ClockworkMod recovery mode. In order to boot the phone in recovery mode, you need to simultaneously press the home, volume up and power buttons. The power button can be used to choose the appropriate option in recovery while the volume buttons can be used to navigate through the options.
3. Take a backup for your current ROM to protect against any mishap which may take place during installation. Option for taking backup is provided in the menu restore and backup.
4. Choose the Wipe data/factory option to continue with the installation. The option will ask for a confirmation in the next screen and you need to click on yes.
5. Click on Wipe cache partition next. This option will also ask for a confirmation and you need to respond in the affirmative.
6. After that, go to the advanced menu and look for the Wipe Delvik Cache option. Click on it and then confirm the option to continue.
7. Go to the SD card and click on install ZIP.
8. Once the ZIP is installed navigate through the options in ZIP and click on the appropriate ZIP file for installing Paranoid Android ROM. The installation will ask for confirmation and once you confirm the install process will start.
9. After installing the ROM install GApps Package. The installation for GApps can be done by repeating the steps 7 and 8.
10.  After installing GApps package reboot the system for the changes to take effect. The first boot might take long even up to five minutes. Do not interrupt the boot process and wait patiently.

Once, the system boots your system is ready to run on Android 4.1.1 with jelly bean enabled.

With Google Now, you get accurate weather information for the day so that you can plan your day carefully. While waiting at a train station, you get accurate information on the arrival of the next train too! You can check out your favorite dining places and also check the latest scores for your favorite sports. Moreover, the good thing is, you can choose what updates you wish to see, and rest all is automated!

Let’s take a look at how to set up Google now on your Android. It’s really simple – just follow these steps and you should be all set.

• Firstly, launch Google Now. Scroll up and select the Google icon on your lock screen. If this is your first time launching Google Now, you will see a welcome screen. Tap through the setup to configure it.
• Google Now will guide you through all the steps you need to go through to setup. It will ask you for your location and store it so that it can accurately provide you with traffic alerts, directions etc. It will also use your calendar and Google data to provide you with all the necessary alerts and information.
• It’s now time to setup Google Cards. Launch Google now from the three dots menu button. You can view sample cards here – for Weather, appointments, travel etc. Scroll all the way down and tap on “Show Sample Cards”.
• While configuring your cards, it’s a good idea to leave the default settings initially, just until you get a feel of the app. Then select the information that you will require on a day to day basis. With this, you can easily look for information without having to dig for it!
• Using voice search you can populate your cards with information. By simple tapping on the microphone icon, you can search for your favourite sports team, restaurant, or flights. You can search for something as simple as “Chinese food” or “Weather today”.
• Yet there are more location settings to be setup. If you go to Google Now Settings, and tap on privacy settings, you will see the following settings:

“Manage Location Settings” – You can set an account to login to Google Maps, and manage history and reporting. Your Location and Google search settings will be enabled by default. These settings will be used for your search results.

“Show recent searches will be enabled by default.

You can also set a login account to “Manage Web History”

This is all about your privacy and security settings.

• Tap on Manage location settings. It’s a good idea to leave location history enabled to enable Google Now to provide you with the best results.
• After you have set all the preferences, you can select your cards that you might require more frequently than others.

The good news here is that, if you do not require one card for quite some time, you can just swipe it away! Well, this does not take the card completely away, but returns after the data on it changes or the data on it is updated. For example, if you decide to swipe away the weather card, it will return back only when the location or weather changes.

Well, you can bring it back too – by force. On Google Now, you can tap the menu icon and refresh your card. It will be back – just as you wanted it to! Google Now detects the frequently repeated tasks that a user performs on the device and displays all the relevant information to the user in the form of “cards”. Well, you can choose exactly which cards you want to see and which you do not. This gives you more control over the app and you get more personalized results too.

It’s so convenient when someone can tell you instantly which bus or train arrives next, or which route to your workplace is least congested, or when someone reminds you about your important meeting or appointment! For frequent air travelers, it’s such a relief that someone informs you about flight availability and timings too! Well, Google now is more than just an application it is your true personal assistant that stores loads of information and provides it to you on your request – in just one tap on your screen!

You got a new Galaxy S3, and you need to transfer data from your iPhone 4S. Samsung Galaxy S3 can be easily synced with iTunes. That means that iPhone users can transfer media files like videos, music, photos etc. Even messages and contacts can be easily transferred to Galaxy S3 – Android Smartphone.

You can use Easy Phone Sync App. This is available in both PC and MAC versions. With this, you can transfer data very easily. Now, all the iPhone users who wanted to switch to Androids, need not be as reluctant. This application that Samsung recently included gives every iPhone user a chance to switch to Samsung Galaxy S3, which comes with Android operating system.

It works perfectly with iTunes and can sync your data very easily. The Easy Phone Sync app can be downloaded to your PC or Mac. Easy Phone Sync App is able to transfer most of the data from iTunes to your new Android.

Well, other than the application, there is another way by which you can transfer data from iPhone to Galaxy S3. It is a simple but two step process. You can sync your iPhone contacts with google Contacts and later log on to the Google account on Android. This is simple too!

• Before you begin, take a backup of all your contacts on your iPhone.
• Connect your iPhone to the computer with iTunes.
• Select your phone on the left side bar.
• Select “info” on the right pane.
• Select the “Sync contacts with” option and in the menu that appears, select Google Contacts.
• It will ask you for your Google ID and Password. Once you enter that, click on export the contacts.
• The remaining process is pretty easy. All you need to do is Go to the settings menu on your Galaxy S3.
• Select the Accounts and Sync.
• Then select the Add Account button.
• Select Google and enter your Google ID there.

All your contacts should be available for you on your Android ready to be used on your Samsung Galaxy S3.

Please note that this is a pre-release version and not the official one from KIES.  There is a chance of  losing your warranty, so please do not test this firmware unless you are 100 percent sure. The firmware: I9300XXDLG4 is based on Android 4.1.1. The build date is July 31 2012. The device must be rooted and have ClockworkMod Recovery flashed. Ensure that there is a Nandroid backup in case things go awry.

Here are the changes seen after upgrade Samsung Galaxy S3 on Jelly Bean

1. A new clock in the notification bar
2. New functionality called ‘ Dormant Mode’.
3.  By touching the Google  Search widget, you come to ‘Google Now’
4. Reboot into test mode
5. Palm swipe can take a screenshot
6. Introduction of a couple of new live wallpapers

Some of the problems that incurred while installing Jelly Bean on Samsung Galaxy S3 were that the internal SDCARD got formatted and some apps were not installed due to issues with smdl2tmp1.asec which seemed lost.  The report says that  it is better to backup your device before installing.

Steps to install Jelly Bean on Galaxy S3

1. Download Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean (Leaked Build: I9300XXDLG4) and ODIN v1.85.a.  You can find both the links here.
2. Extract contents of both zip files
3. Shut down the Galaxy S3. Press and hold Home + Power + Volume Down buttons to go into Download Mode.
4.  Initiate Launch ODIN on your PC from the .zip, extracted in Step 2.
5.  Connect the Galaxy S3 with your PC. ODIN will display a message saying it has recognized the device.
6. From ODIN, click on PDA and choose CODE_I9300XXDLG4_11164_REV00_eng_mid_noship.tar.md5 which will be inside the Jelly Bean ROM.
7.  Ensure sure that you have unchecked re-partition. Click Start.
8.  After being booted, the device goes into  a boot loop. Remove your device’s battery and put it back again.
9. Now boot into ClockworkMod Recovery by pressing and holding Home + Power + Volume Up.
10.  Select wipe / factory reset.
11. Select reboot system now.

Benefits of upgrading to Ice Cream Sandwich

1. The apps as they are developed, they are better optimized for the latest firmware version, which implies work better with the latest version of the software.
2. Updates to the OS are always better because Android engineers work to improve the processing power by tweaking the OS so that you have better experience with using the phone.  You should also see a spike in the battery life because the device consumes less battery with upgrade to the OS.

How to Install Ice Cream Sandwich on Samsung Galaxy S2

1. Download the Samsung Keis software – Go to the Samsung website and  download the Keis desktop software.  This software helps you with the OS upgrade.  So go to the ‘support’ link at the top of the Samsung homepage and search for  ‘Find Useful Software’ section. Click on Samsung Keis 2.0 or go to this link.
2. Launch Samsung Keis software – Once the download is done, install the Keis software on your computer and run the program.  You will come to the Keis homepage and you will be asked to connect your Samsung Galaxy S2 through USB.
3. Connect Samsung Galaxy S2 through USB – Once you connect your phone through US, Windows should detect it and begin the installation.  Through Keis, you can also transfer music, movies apart from installing the latest updates.
4.  Select the firmware update-   The software should quickly recognize that your Samsung Galaxy S2 has not been updated and will prompt you to update the firmware on the phone.  Just click ‘Upgrade’.   ‘Agree to the terms and conditions’ by checking the box and start the upgrade. You can cancel the upgrade at any step.
5. Install Ice-cream sandwich  – The firmware upgrade takes some time, like say a few minutes. When the upgrade is completed,   you will get a notification on your computer and on the Samsung Galaxy S2 home screen. The phone automatically restarts in order to work the new changes  to the OS. When the handset is back up again, you will get options for updates to software update on the top of the firmware. This implies that the menus, programs and apps can be upgraded in tune with Ice-cream sandwich.  You have to agree to the terms and condition and carry on with the upgrade.