The impressive Samsung Galaxy Nexus is due to arrive in November with Google’s latest Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich mobile operating system, but what about current and recently announced devices? When can we see OTA updates pushed out to those devices?
According to Google’s Gabe Cohen and Matias Duarte, Ice Cream Sandwich “theoretically should work for any 2.3 (Gingerbread) device.” Andy Rubin, Senior Vice President of Mobile, expects some units to receive the update “a couple of weeks after” the Galaxy Nexus hits the open market. At least that’s what he said during an interview at the AsiaD conference. That means you could see ICS on your phone as early as mid-December. However, it’s likely most approved devices won’t get an update until the new year. It all depends on the carrier and manufacturer, as they have to rework their customizations to fit with the newly revamped OS.
Here’s what Samsung, HTC, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, and others are saying about the possibility of updating their devices to the latest, greatest and tastiest version of Android.
Samsung has not released an official statement on which handsets will get Ice Cream Sandwich, but it’s already confirmed that the Google Nexus S, the predecessor to the Galaxy Nexus, is in line to receive the latest Android update. Not too surprising, since it’s a Google flagship device just one year removed and we’ve already seen a leak with it running ICS, but it’s good to know it will still be supported for quite some time.
Update: Samsung has supposedly put out a list of upgradeable smartphones and tablets, which includes the Galaxy S II, Galaxy Note, Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Tab 8.9, Galaxy Tab 7.7 and more.
HTC has released an official statement, but they seem standoffish on the idea of re-working Sense UI into the revamped Android 4.0 OS. Let’s hope they at least upgrade their newer dual-core devices, like the EVO 3D and Sensation 4G.
“We are excited about the latest update for Android, Ice Cream Sandwich, and are currently reviewing its features and functionality to determine our upgrade plans. Our goal for Android updates is to give every customer an improved user experience, which means balancing each phone’s unique hardware, HTC Sense experience and the Android kernel. While our goal is to upgrade as many of our recent devices as possible, we are committed to maintaining every phone’s performance and usability first. Please stay tuned for more updates on specific device upgrade plans.”
Update: HTC posted a similar statement on their Facebook page, but the change in tone makes the possibility sound more hopeful.
Update 2: Google has confirmed that the Nexus One will not receive ICS.
Update 3: HTC has confirmed ICS upgrades for the EVO 3D, Sensation (XL/XE), EVO Design 4G, Amaze 4G, Vivid and Rezound. Read their statement here.
Alain Mutricy, senior vice president portfolio and product management, has confirmed that an update to Ice Cream Sandwich will be heading to the recently announced Motorola DROID RAZR (November release) at the “start of 2012.” It’s unclear if the Droid Bionic, Droid 3, Photon 4G, Droid X2 or any other recently released Motorola devices will get the upgrade.
Update: Motorola has confirmed that the Droid Bionic will get Android 4.0 ICS, but they will wait for Google to release the final version before announcing a release schedule.
Update 2: Motorola also confirmed that the Xoom tablet will get an update to ICS. They will also confirm other devices within six weeks of Google releasing ICS to the public.
Update 3: Motorola details ICS update process for 2012.
Sony noted that they’re open to updating their 2011 Xperia lineup to ICS.
“Sony Ericsson is currently rolling out the upgrade to Gingerbread 2.3.4 across its entire 2011 Xperia smartphone portfolio. This software upgrade will be available through a phased roll out in select markets. Beyond Gingerbread 2.3.4, we plan to upgrade our 2011 Xperia smartphone portfolio to the next Android platform made available to us. Official Sony Ericsson communication regarding software upgrades will be published on http://blogs.sonyericsson.com.”
Update: Sony Ericsson will update their 2011 Xperia line to Ice Cream Sandwich.
LG has chimed in with a generic statement, but they’ll be looking into the possibility of upgrades.
“LG is committed to offering the best smartphone experience on our Android Optimus phones. We are currently reviewing the latest Android OS release and will be making a decision with our carrier partners on a rollout schedule. Specific phone models and timing of updates will be posted on relevant local websites or at www.lg.com.”
Update: LG has confirmed that ICS will be coming to the Optimus 2X and other high-end smartphones in their lineup.
Update 2: Two more devices confirmed by LG: Optimus 3D and Optimus Black.
We know the ASUS Transformer 2 tablet will likely be rocking Ice Cream Sandwich, but what about its predecessor, the Eee Pad Transformer?
“Asus Eee Pad Transformer will be getting update to ICS – but we can’t provide a schedule at this stage,” said an official ASUS spokesperson.
Derek Wright, European Marketing Manager:
“Within Viewsonic we are committed to delivering a great out of box experience with our tablet & phone products. The V350, 7e, 10e are our latest products to be announced as value propositions, all featuring Viewscene 3D the visual aspect of Android does not alter so much for the different versions of Android. We are currently evaluating ICS features that overlap with Viewscene 3D and how we best continue to deliver this to consumers as soon as we can without compromising the experience to consumers,”
Note: ZTE, Acer, Dell, and Huawei have yet to release official satatement. We’ll update this post if and when they do.
Source: Pocket-lint, Engadget, TIMN