Samsung Galaxy Note Ice Cream Sandwich Update, Out in the Philippines! How to Get the Firmware Upgrade?

Great news for all fellow Pinoy Samsung Galaxy Note owners!

Samsung Mobile has just officially released the Android Ice Cream Sandwich firmware upgrade for all of its phablets in the Philippines!

The ICS update brings a slew of noticeable improvements to the already amazing SGNote, including a more intuitive multitasking panel, face unlock feature, extended uptime, and a new data usage center. However, the upgrade didn't really come with other key ICS features introduced by Google, like the new Android Web Browser, the revised App Drawer, and the redesined Gallery, among others -- which is a bit of let down, really. The good thing is that users do get additional useful SNote-specific apps like S Note and a slightly revamped S Memo.

The ICS Multitasking Panel; Browse open applications by swiping up or down and close apps by swiping thumbnails left or right.

So how to get ICS update on your Samsung Galaxy Note Philippines? Well, you can get it in three ways. First is via OTA update; Go to Settings, then About Phone, Software Update, then click update button. If you can't get the notification via OTA then you can try the second and more reliable method which is by using Samsung Kies; Download install and run the latest version of that software, connect your phablet to your Mac or PC via USB cable, let Kies detect and connect to your SGNote, check for software update, if the firmware upgrade is available; just download and install. And third is by taking your unit to an authorized Samsung service center and letting the staff install the update for you for free; just don't forget to get your job order form. Update via service center usually takes about an hour - so if you're going to the mall, you might want to take advantage of this perk.

Here's how ICS looks on Samsung Galaxy Note:



I got the update via WSI Samsung Service Center in SM Manila. I left my SGNote with them sans the back cover and stylus for around an hour or two while my mom and I shopped at the Supermarket. Shout out to Hazel, Elmer, Reynante and Michael!