T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy SII ICS Upgrade Walkthrough Review

The wait is finally over, The Mobile Galaxy SII from Samsung has an ICS upgrade available through Samsung’s Kies airs software. You can check out our step procedure video in updating your device to ICS via kies airs here.

So what’s new with the ICS update.

New Features

Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
Re-sizeable widgets
Lock screen actions including pull down notifications and adjust volume while device is locked.
Data usage controls.
Face Unlock
Improved battery life
Improved text input and spell checking
Improved menu structure

Can’t create homescreen folders.

I suggest you watch the video to get a full idea of what this update entails.

Lock Screen Action	The Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) Software Update includes new lock screen action: Pull down notification bar (available only if the Security Setting is on the default Swipe setting) Note: this feature will not be active if you enable customized device security.
Lock Options	A New security option is offered with the ICS software update: New – Face Unlock: Samsung introduces ICS’s facial recognition software. This software may have difficulty recognizing your face at times, and ICS has included settings to interactively improve this software. By selecting Improve Facial Recognition in security settings, you are improving the softwares ability to recognize you.
Recent Apps Short Cut	For the ICS software update on the Samsung Galaxy S II, going back and forth to apps is super easy. Tap and hold the Home key to access recent apps and task manager.
Android Beam (NFC)	Android Beam is introduced with the ICS software update and there are many different uses available to Android Beam. The NFC technology is great for getting movie info, sharing pictures, digital content and exchanging files with friends. Near field communication, or NFC, is a standards-based type of wireless communication that transmits a radio field at a very close range, usually within a couple of inches. How do I turn on Android Beam™? To turn Android Beam on, go to Settings. under Wireless and Network, select More Settings. Check the box next to NFC. Then touch Android Beam and move the slider to ON.
Gestures/ Motion	With the ICS software update, Samsung added Gestures. Gestures allow the user to interact with the device via movements. The Galaxy S II devices features the following Gestures: Tilt to Zoom: reduce or enlarge screen in gallery and browser. Pan to edit: move icon to another page in home and application edit mode. Double tap: prepares device for voice commands in voice call. Turn over to mute : mutes incoming calls and playing sounds. To enable Gestures tap Applications, tap Settings icon, scroll down and tap Motion. To open feature, check box. Tap each gesture to activate or for individual tutorial instructions on using each motion.
Data Usage/App	The ICS software update includes a new type of app to help customers keep an eye on their data usage and habits. This app shows usage patterns, as well as apps in order of their usage. Users are able to set custom thresholds specific to their needs and include other features like alarms from data roaming. Users can restrict background data usage and monitor Wi-Fi data as well.
Google Play Apps: Download to Home screen	With the ICS software update, the Google Play app will place a home screen shortcut automatically. To disable: Open the Play Store application. Press Menu. Tap Auto-add Widgets to enable or disable. To move icons: Touch and hold icon. Drag to new location.
Settings menu structure	The Settings menu has been broken down into four categories: Wireless & networks: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct, NFC, Android Beam Device:Sound, display, battery, apps Personal: Accounts and sync, locations service, language and input System:Date and time, accessibility, motion, about phone (software update, model number, serial number, etc,) Note: debugging mode is now under developer options All settings options are now organized under those headings.
Customize Layout: Launch Bar	With the ICS software update, customization options are very robust. The launch bar is a fixed group of apps that are always available, despite which home screen is available. ICS now allows the user to customize that launch bar. To change icons: Tap Applications. Tap Menu. Tap View Type. Select Customizable Grid (Customizable type is required to change launch bar). Tap Menu. Tap Edit. Tap and hold to move icons as needed. Note: To add icons to launch bar, existing icons must be removed. Galaxy S II only supports 4 icons. To save: Tap Menu. Tap Save. To alphabetize apps: Tap Menu. Tap View Type. Tap Alphabetical Grid.
Customize Layout: Apps Menu and Folders	The other customizable option is organization of the Applications menus. You can customize the menu by: Add additional pages: all picture apps on 1 page, all music and move apps on another. Add applications folders: ex. create a folder with all banking applications. Multiple viewing options: custom-arranged application grid, alphabetic grid, or alphabetic list Creating folders and additional pages is very simple. Tap Applications. Tap Menu. Tap View Type. Select Customizable Grid. (Customizable type is required to change launch bar.) From here, tap and hold while dragging applications to add folders or pages. Note: To name a folder, drag from the bottom into the Applications menu. A prompt will appear to name the folder. To save changes: Tap Menu. Tap Save. To alphabetize apps: Tap Menu. View Type. Select Alphabetical Grid.