Verizon Wireless, America’s largest national carrier, has released a software update for the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge. The accompanying release notes highlight that this update is exclusively associated with improvements to Wi-Fi and HD voice calling, which are both VoIP (Voice Over IP) systems: in other words, when you make a call over Wi-Fi or using a HD voice call, you are using Internet data rather than the 2G or 3G call connectivity. The update brings the software version up to MMB29K.G920VVRU4CPH1 and there are no major additional new features being introduced to the devices.
Specifically, on the Wi-Fi side of things the update should result in fewer dropped Wi-Fi calls. Furthermore, Verizon has upgraded their systems such that customers can register for Voice over Wi-Fi calling when roaming and their device is not connected to the Verizon Wireless network, which is the first new feature. For the HD Voice Call technology, there are more improvements. Firstly, Samsung has increased the earpiece volume of calls, which should make this technology much easier to use. Second, the Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge will now only allow customers to make HD Voice Calls when connected to the 4G LTE network, rather than older and slower routes. Finally, when making a video call over a cellular data network, the S6 device will remind customers that this type of call is using data and so therefore using part of their data allowance. This is the second new feature. Although neither of the new features seem that ground breaking, they could be potentially very useful for the customer who is out of North America and wishes to use a Wi-Fi network to make or receive calls, or for customers running low on their data allowance and wishing to make a video call.
In order to run the software update, Verizon recommends customers use either a Wi-Fi network or ensure they have a strong Verizon Wireless signal. Their instructions also state that customers should ensure that their S6’s battery is fully charged and provide a reminder that the update may take some time. Although the update will be pushed to devices, customers can check by going into Settings, About Device, Download Updates Manually.