Want CNET to notify you of price drops and the latest stories?
X
CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

Samsung Galaxy S3 ROM leaks, S-Voice et al up for download

The S3 Touchwiz ROM has leaked more than a week early, meaning you can play with the software now.

Joe Svetlik Reporter
Joe has been writing about consumer tech for nearly seven years now, but his liking for all things shiny goes back to the Gameboy he received aged eight (and that he still plays on at family gatherings, much to the annoyance of his parents). His pride and joy is an Infocus projector, whose 80-inch picture elevates movie nights to a whole new level.
Joe Svetlik
2 min read
Advertiser Disclosure
Advertiser Disclosure
This advertising widget is powered by Navi and contains advertisements that Navi may be paid for in different ways. You will not be charged for engaging with this advertisement. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, this advertising widget does not include information about every product or service that may be available to you. We make reasonable efforts to ensure that information in the featured advertisements is up to date, each advertiser featured in this widget is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its offer details. It is possible that your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms in this advertising widget and the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser which will be presented to you prior to making a purchase. All information is presented without any warranty or guarantee to you.

The Samsung Galaxy S3 doesn't go on sale until 30 May -- or 29 May if you head down to the Samsung store in London's Westfield shopping centre in Stratford -- but here's how to get a taste of it right now.

The full ROM has leaked over at Android Police, so if you have a rooted Android phone running Ice Cream Sandwich, you can download the S3's version of Touchwiz. That'll bring all the extras like S-Voice (Samsung's Siri-style voice-activated personal assistant), Pop-up Play, and Smart Stay to your handset. Handy if you want a taste of what to expect before you buy.

It's a hefty 800MB download, so be prepared to wait a while if you do want it. And seeing as it isn't an official release, you download at your own risk, so please don't hold us responsible if anything goes awry.

S-Voice is also available as a separate download, if you want to see what all the fuss is about. Pop-up Play lets you watch video in a shrunken window floating on top of the browser, while Smart Stay detects when you're looking at it, and keeps the screen on until you look away -- so no more prodding to wake it up. They're all nifty features, and all seemed impressive in our hands-on.

The S3 is the biggest phone to launch this year (not literally, though it is pretty large, with a 4.8-inch screen). It features a pebble-like design, and runs Android Ice Cream Sandwich. If you are considering splashing out, check out our handy guide to the prices. And have a look at the video below to see it in action. Accessories are also available, including a C-Pen stylus and Flip Cover.

original.jpg
Watch this: Samsung Galaxy S3 hands-on
Will you be picking up the S3? Or downloading the ROM? Let me know how you get on in the comments below, or on our Facebook page.