Android 2.3.4 brings video chat to Google Talk, better Nexus stability
Google Talk video chat, squashed bugs, improved Nexus battery performance. It's all in the Android 2.3.4 update, coming to a phone near you sometime this decade.
It's time to get your Android phones upgraded again, as version 2.3.4 begins to roll out this week. Your phone, if compatible, should receive it sometime this decade, or you can follow the instructions below and update it yourself.
The biggest feature upgrade is that video chat is now available on Google Talk for all those whose devices with a front-facing camera. You can now call and see your contacts whether they're using a compatible mobile device or Talk-enabled Gmail on their computer.
More importantly for those experiencing performance issues with their Nexus S and Nexus One handsets are updates to improve stability.
Bugs causing intermittent shutdowns or reboots, strange connection icons, navigation problems and poor battery life -- something we've personally experienced -- should now have been kicked into touch. Fingers crossed.
The update is set to roll out to the Nexus S and other 2.3+ devices over the coming weeks.
If you can't wait, have a Nexus S and want to install it manually, follow these instructions:
- Download this ZIP file to your phone.
- Rename the downloaded file 'update.zip' and ensure it's stored in the root folder of your phone.
- Shut down your phone.
- Hold the volume up button while powering on the phone. This boots it into the bootloader mode.
- Highlight 'recovery' from the list using the volume buttons. Select it by pressing the power button.
- When the triangle appears on your screen, press the volume up and power buttons.
- Choose update from the list of options.
Thanks to Android Central forums for these instructions.
If that all looks rather scary, you'll just have to hang on until an update automatically wings its way to you. Be prepared, it could be a long wait.