Saturday, 11 February 2012

Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) update


Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) is a big update to Android for handsets. So big, that it's got some phone makers hesitant whether they'd even update their devices to the new version. First, it was LG which dropped the bomb on Facebook by saying it's not going to update its LG Optimus 2X flagship. The company quickly changed its position and is "currently in the process of planning the ICS OS update for the LG Optimus 2X as well as other LG high-end smartphones," according to a note which also appeared on the social network.

But it's not just LG – pretty much every other major phone maker has been vague about updating its handsets to ICS. HTC, which was recently ranked as the number one smartphone vendor in the States, judging by smartphone shipments, said it "has been looking closely at the new OS's features and functionality to determine our upgrade plans." The Taiwanese are likely to update their high-end handsets, but when it comes to exact models the company says it needs more time: "Our goal is to upgrade as many HTC devices as possible and we'll be sharing details on specific devices and timing in the coming weeks!"
Update HTC: HTC has announced that it's Sensation series will be the first to get ICS by the end of March. It has also added more handsets to its list of ICS-eligible devices, which will get updated later in 2012.

Samsung, which has gathered some negative PR after some of last year's Galaxy S models took a long while to get bumped up to new Android versions, has now said that its top-tier smartphones will get Android 4.0. The list includes all 9xxx models, so that means that last year's Samsung Galaxy S in all of its flavors should also be bumped up to the new Android.

Motorola, which is now closer to Google than any other phone manufacturer, seems to be the only company which has given us exact time frames. Moto has pledged to deliver ICS updates six weeks after Google pushes the public release.

Sony Ericsson has also given us a vague promise that it will bring ICS to its devices, but there it seems that the situation will depend a lot on Sony, which is taking over the company in the near future.

With so much uncertainty, we've decided to post a table of everything we know about Android Ice Cream Sandwich updates on various handsets and tablets. We'll update it as soon as we hear about a particular devices getting the update or being denied, so make sure to bookmark it and check back every once in a while. Below, you'll find what we know so far. But now it's back to you, do you care about your device receiving ICS? Would the ambiguity of ICS updates only boost Android fragmentation? Chime in with your opinions on the issue in the comments below.


PhoneTo beFrom?When?
LG Optimus 2Xupdated?GingerbreadQ2 2012
LG Optimus LTEyesGingerbreadQ2 2012
LG Prada 3.0yesGingerbreadQ2 2012
LG EclipseyesGingerbreadQ2 2012
LG Optimus SolyesGingerbreadQ2 2012
LG myTouch QyesGingerbreadQ2 2012




HTC Nexus OnenoGingerbreadnot specified
HTC RezoundyesGingerbreadearly 2012
HTC SensationyesGingerbreadby end-March
HTC Sensation XLyesGingerbreadby end-March
HTC Sensation XEyesGingerbreadby end-March
HTC EVO 3DyesGingerbreadearly 2012
HTC EVO Design 4GyesGingerbreadearly 2012
HTC Amaze 4GyesGingerbreadearly 2012
HTC VividyesGingerbreadearly 2012
HTC Incredible SyesGingerbreadearly 2012
HTC Desire SyesGingerbreadearly 2012
HTC Desire HDyesGingerbreadearly 2012




Motorola DROID RAZRyesGingerbreadearly 2012
Motorola DROID BIONICyesGingerbreadearly 2012
Samsung Galaxy NoteyesGingerbreadQ1 2012
Samsung Nexus SyesGingerbreadnot specified
Samsung Galaxy Snot fullyGingerbreadnot specified
Samsung Galaxy S IIyesGingerbreadQ1 2012
Samsung Galaxy RyesGingerbreadQ1 2012
Samsung Galaxy S IIyesGingerbreadQ1 2012
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, 8.9, 7.7, 7.0 PlusyesHoneycombQ1 2012




Sony Ericsson Xperia PlayyesGingerbreadApr/May 2012
Sony Ericsson Xperia arc SyesGingerbreadMar/Apr 2012
Sony Ericsson Xperia arcyesGingerbreadApr/May 2012
Sony Ericsson Xperia neo VyesGingerbreadMar/Apr 2012
Sony Ericsson Xperia activeyesGingerbreadApr/May 2012
Sony Ericsson Xperia rayyesGingerbreadMar/Apr 2012
Sony Ericsson Xperia neoyesGingerbreadApr/May 2012
Sony Ericsson Xperia proyesGingerbreadApr/May 2012
Sony Ericsson Xperia mini proyesGingerbreadApr/May 2012
Sony Ericsson Xperia miniyesGingerbreadApr/May 2012
Sony Ericsson Live with WalkmanyesGingerbreadApr/May 2012




Tablet


Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1yesHoneycombnot specified
Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9yesHoneycombnot specified
Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7yesHoneycombnot specified
Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 PlusyesHoneycombnot specified
Notion Ink AdamyesFroyonot specified
Motorola XOOMyesHoneycombearly 2012
Lenovo ThinkPadyesHoneycombQ2 2012
Asus Transformer PrimeyesHoneycombupdated

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