Local representatives of Android device manufacturers were recently asked which of their products they plan to update to the latest version of Google’s Android OS.
Of the device makers that responded, however, only HTC and Motorola provided expected timeframes for their software upgrades.
Google released Android version 4.0 – called “Ice Cream Sandwich” or ICS – late last year (2011), with the mobile operating system making its debut on the Samsung-made Galaxy Nexus.
Updates to ICS have appeared on a handful of devices in South Africa, with Samsung recently announcing the availability of Android 4.0 for the Galaxy S2 ahead of the launch of its successor, the Samsung Galaxy S3.
Samsung
Samsung said that software upgrades to Ice Cream Sandwich for the Galaxy Note, Galaxy S II LTE, Galaxy R, Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus, 7.7, 8.9, 8.9 LTE, and 10.1 will follow soon.
Asked when the updates for South Africa-launched devices would be made available locally, Samsung said: “The availability and scheduling of the software upgrade and specific models upgradable to Android 4.0 will vary by market and wireless carriers’ requirements.”
HTC
HTC South Africa provided the following list of devices set to receive updates to ICS, along with expected rollout dates.
- HTC Sensation: already rolled out, FOTA updates available
- HTC Shooter (Evo 3D): first week of June 2012
- HTC Sensation XL: first week of June 2012
- HTC Desire S: 2012
- HTC Desire HD: first week July 2012
“Please note that not all HTC devices will be upgradeable to ICS as there are standard system requirements in order to build an update for the products,” HTC added.
Motorola
Motorola published a schedule for its Android upgrades on its website, which it recently updated.
Although it doesn’t have dates for the SA rollout, Motorola said that it does know which quarter an upgrade is expected to take place in.
According to the Motorola website, its update schedule for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa is as follows:
- Motorola Razr: Rollout begins Q2 2012
- Motorola Xoom W-Fi only MZ604: Rollout begins Q2 2012
- Motorola Xoom 2: Rollout begins Q3 2012
- Motorola Xoom 2 Media Edition: Rollout begins Q3 2012
- Motorola Atrix MB860/MB861: ICS upgrade in evaluation & planning phase, further details to follow
- Motorola Xoom Wi-Fi + 3G MZ601: ICS upgrade in evaluation & planning phase, further details to follow.
Motorola South Africa recently posted an update from its official Twitter account telling followers that Ice Cream Sandwich for the Motorola Razr was in testing with mobile network operators and “is likely to be released in early June”.
Motorola ICS update tweet
LG
Asked which of its devices would receive an update to Android Ice Cream Sandwich, LG South Africa only said that its Optimus L5 and L7 would ship with ICS.
However, the electronics company also said that the ICS upgrade would be made available via the LG PC Suite once development is finished and the software has been tested by South Africa’s mobile networks.
“The development timelines for the Optimus 3D Max is still being finalised and the Optimus L3 will not support the ICS build due to the hardware configuration,” LG said.
Sony
Sony hadn’t responded by the time of publication, but has since stated that the Xperia Ray, Xperia Arc S and Xperia Neo V will get updates to ICS, as well as the Xperia S.
“We are hoping to go to operator testing in the next few weeks for the Xperia S,” Sony Mobile said.
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