Could Samsung have just leaked the Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS via the Galaxy 2’s firmware? Well, an unconfirmed firmware has just leaked, bearing the model name GT-I9200, and there has been some speculation that points to the firmware belonging to the Samsung Galaxy 2. Possibly with Gingerbread.
There’s only one problem, though. There are only two image files in the archive, and it looks like it’s proving harder than usual to just extract them. If this firmware turns out to be legit, we may have Android 2.3 Gingerbread in our hands. The devs over at XDA-Developers are already all over this, but the going isn’t easy. Even worse, it’s said that even if the files are extracted, a program to flash it may be needed, and even if it can be flashed, it may just end up killing the device.
That said, we have a hunch that the XDAers will eventually get the files extracted, and only then can we see whats actually inside – and, more importantly, if we can even benefit from the code within. Some are saying that this may be the firmware from the Nexus S, but it likely isn’t since Google would have distributed the firmware, not Samsung. Whatever the hell it turns out to be, this is surely exciting, and it looks like some of the awesome devs out there will have something to play with this weekend.
Of course, there’s a good chance that this isn’t Gingerbread at all, as the build date is somewhat old. Even if this turns out to be Froyo, there could still be information found within the files that we could find useful.
If you want to follow along, hit up the XDA thread here. Since this was just recently released, there’s not much to read, but that’s a good thing. Once these guys crack open the files, expect the thread to catch on fire, and you’ll likely be sifting through many pages to keep up.
Here’s to blind luck and faith, and to hoping that there is some Gingerbread-flavored Android in there somewhere.
[UPDATE] The guys over at XDA are still all over this, but as it turns out, this particular firmware may not be Android at all. It likely is, but there are also mentions of Vita, which may possibly be related to Samsung’s Bada OS. The following was found while digging through the image. “[PLATFORM_INFO]
platform_name = vita;”
But then we can also find this within the file as well, “/usr/lib/android/system/app”. So what’s inside? Hopefully we’ll eventually find out for real sometime soon.
[Via: XDA-Developers, Phandroid]