Last week, it was reported that a massive software update was rolled out by Verizon to the variant of the Samsung Galaxy S4 it released in US shores. Back then, the update was only available through Samsung Kies but we got confirmation that the 1.8GB update is now rolling out via OTA as well. The update reportedly brings the much-needed apps-to-SD card and Knox support to the Samsung flagship device. Today, we finally get a glimpse of what other goodies and treats the update brings to the Samsung Galaxy S IV because Big Red has finally posted its changelog in its official support site.
Based on its changelog, the VRUAEM7 update brings the following enhancements to the Samsung Galaxy S4:
- Touch recognition in VZ Navigator application
- Battery consumption for Group play application
- Stability in Story Album and camera application
- Hovering in email application
- Charging status when removed from wireless charging pad
The update also resolves the following issues:
- Calendar user interface dialog dismiss issue
- Occasional ISIS Mobile Wallet activation issues
- Bluetooth® connectivity with FordSync system
- Occasional cases of garbled text when viewing videos
- Instances, extremely large font was displayed for emails
- Notification alert issue when Sound and Shot selected in camera
- Occasional cases of the screen not waking up for incoming calls
It also adds the following capabilities:
- <+| icon added to the icon glossary (indicates “more” items in the Notification Panel)
- Clear instruction in popup regarding Smart Scroll feature support
- Wi-Fi quick on/off toggle in Notification Panel
- Secure Boot status in About Phone in the Setting Menu
- Background will now dim when help tips display
- A new version of the SHealth application
Be warned though that if you update the Samsung Galaxy S IV to this latest version, you will not be able to tinker with your handset and have it rooted and unlocked. With this update, Big Red was able to effectively close down the exploit previously used in doing these things. Furthermore, the update will not allow you to go back to the earlier D2 or DK version of the software that allowed root access on the device.
In short, if you have rooted your Samsung Galaxy S4 or have plans of doing so in the future, it is best to stay away from this update and just reject the notification that comes up on the handset until the developer community finds a way to come up with a new root method.
For those interested in knowing more about the Samsung Galaxy S IV, the handset is powered by a QualComm APQ8064T SnapDragon chipset while its quad-core 1.9 GHz Krait 300 processor and 2GB of RAM work together in giving the handset a flawless performance. Available in a 16GB and a 32GB variant, the handset also supports memory expansion though its dedicated microSD card slot. As for its display, the Samsung Galaxy S4 sports a 5.0-inch SuperAMOLED HD panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution while its dual-shooter configuration includes a rear 13MP shooter and a front 2MP snapper.
