No Android 4.0 update for Galaxy S and first Galaxy Tab

ps3ud0 · 24 Dec 2011 at 00:31

Pretty much the main reason why I wont consider Android as a future upgrade, Google really havent been forward thinking when it comes to the growth/maintenance of the platform, there must be a middle ground between too much control (i.e. Apple) and not enough - perhaps thats why Im far more inclined to move back to WM7 or whatever its called now...

ps3ud0 :cool:

Totality · 24 Dec 2011 at 01:51

This is why I gave up on Android and went back to Apple. I was fed up of the way Google have built an Eco system around an app store which is now all over the place because there are so many different versions of the OS out there.

I spent months waiting for Samsung to update to 2.2 back in the day as I desperately needed some of the Exchange email features that it had.

I reckon for ICS Google just need to put their foot down and do what MS have done and stop the vendors putting customised interfaces on the phones. Then when an update is released end users themselves can simply update the phones without having to wait for the manufacturers to faff about. It would also do wonders for the app store and mean an easier time for developers!

My mate has the Galaxy S2 and can't see the new GTA game on the app store. Othe people can! It's a mess of a system. At least with Apple when an app is released you know it will work on all the devices. The same goes for windows phone 7.

If nothing else, this should be done for security reasons so when a new version of the OS is out that fixes flaws, the end user isn't stuck with an old version if the manufacturer doesn't want to update the device as they have their customised touchwiz installed

Kreeeee · 24 Dec 2011 at 02:19

This wouldn't be an issue if the source code was released when support is stopped.

Adnams Drinker · 24 Dec 2011 at 08:08

Robbo said:
This is the call for you to buy an iPhone!

^ Sadly, this.

I love my SGS as much as anyone and I know I'll be able to get ICS via CM9, but in just over a year's time when I'm due another upgrade, I'm now seriously considering going down the Apple route - finances permitting!

I don't like Apple, and the way they are trying to control the smartphone market via this ridiculous patent war is little more than legalised extortion, but I have to admit the way the iPhone is organised just works. Android has become an unholy mess (apps that only run on certain devices on something generically called the 'Android Market' - no thanks) and really needs Google to take the whole thing by the scruff of the neck.

Defiant306 · 24 Dec 2011 at 08:36

I'm no massive Apple or iPhone fan but my 3GS two years later had iOS5. I'm beginning to think there has to be a minimum support time for a handset set market wide because we are seeing more and more examples of phones/devices being released not completed to an acceptable standard. The Playbook being the prime example of a half complete device

Simian · 24 Dec 2011 at 10:06

imb4tman said:
Is this because ICS only supports capacitive buttons, leaving the physical buttons redundant? Users with small screens would end up losing screen real estate.

I also believe this is an issue Google does want to address. Doing something similar to Windows mobile where manufacturers have to meet a minimum specification standard to get Android.

But this kind of thing does annoy me. I got the Desire not long after the release and the updates didn't even last 18 months. Great for people on 24 month contracts.

So how come my Xperia Arc with 'Physical' buttons IS getting an ICS update then!?!?!?... :confused:

Nexus18 · 28 Dec 2011 at 01:58

Well it seems that Samsung has actually noticed the up roar over the GS/tab not getting ICS, shocker! :eek:

For once they are actually listening to the community! Must be turning over a new leaf!

http://www.neowin.net/news/samsung-could-offer-android-40-on-galaxy-stab-after-all

Although they will probably do what HTC did with 2.3. Just offer it via manual dll through PC/samfirmware and then using odin to flash ICS or whatever.

Mr Krugga · 28 Dec 2011 at 09:59

Well the stupid thing is that SGS has basically the same hardware as Nexus S - and ICS source code for that has been out for a couple of weeks now.

Omitting one of the most popular devices is certainly not a good move as it can run ICS beautifully.

With that said, I don't care. Stable unofficial ICS releases are out already and they get rid of all the Samsung bloatware so I would choose them over official updates anyway.

And yes, Ice Cream Sandwich is really that good. I don't feel a need to upgrade my phone any more.

Robbo said:
This is the call for you to buy an iPhone!

Sure, if you're THAT desperate to downgrade.

sunny007 · 28 Dec 2011 at 10:02

Robbo said:
This is the call for you to buy an iPhone!

Apple do the same !

3G doesn't get iSO 5!

Robbo · 28 Dec 2011 at 10:05

sunny007 said:
Apple do the same !

3G doesn't get iSO 5!

The 3G is considerably older, so that's irrelevant.

And in fairness, the software would run like a dog on it.

Cosimo · 28 Dec 2011 at 10:23

No one should be surprised about the Galaxy Tab as it’s no spring chicken. It took long enough to get 2.3.3 on it and 3.0 was never on the cards.

If you want you can stick this on it:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1409469

or wait for this:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1385153

Either way I’m not bothered and my old workhorse is going out to pasture in the New Year.

413x · 28 Dec 2011 at 10:25

Tbh i dont think the average joe is that bothered about updating, even i wasnt that bothered about still being on 2.2 on my desire. Nor is my sister with her htc wildfire, updating to 4 would probably confuse her no end. Most of the market audience doesnt really

kona786 · 28 Dec 2011 at 15:07

Samsung Galaxy S to get a Value pack update instead of ICS

http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s_to_get_a_value_pack_update_instead_of_ics-news-3583.php

Robbo · 28 Dec 2011 at 15:12

Value pack...

Nexus18 · 28 Dec 2011 at 15:30

No words to describe that move at all............

Might as well just not bother at all, no doubt it will be a crap job done as well, with problems that will either never get fixed or take forever to fix

:rolleyes:

Why can't they just give the GS stock ICS, do the owners a favour instead of putting their xxxxxwiz all over it and ruining it completely.

Wish google would put their foot down big time now and make every company just stick with stock android and not bother with these xxxxxx skins and if they don't abide by that, then the company doesn't get to use android on any of their devices, which means a big loss to them (much more than google).

If every company just used stock android, official updates for most of the devices wouldn't be as much of a problem then and the time taken to bring the new updates would be a lot less and not to mention much easier for app developers to design a well written good polished app that would work on every device then without any problems, not like at the minute, where you read comments and see people saying it works on this device and other comments where it doesn't work on a different device etc.

As for the average people not being bothered about ICS, personally if I was just an average joe (with some knowledge about android still), I would diff want ICS, if it where 2.2 and 2.3 maybe not then.

Cosimo · 28 Dec 2011 at 15:47

Robbo said:
Value pack...

Discount vouchers for a new model.

kona786 · 28 Dec 2011 at 16:29

tbh I don't think I'll be updating my SGS2 to ICS/tw unless I really have to - I'll lose the apple bounce and have to deal with that gay overscroll glow.

2.3.3 stock on the SGS2 is perfect for me right now - mainly because everything works and its HW accelerated already. Couple that with my themed go launcher and all is perfect.

Next stop will be SGSIII.

Nexus18 · 28 Dec 2011 at 16:40

Locke · 28 Dec 2011 at 16:50

Nexus18:

The "Skins" manufacturers overlay on Android isn't the sole reason of the update delays. It's mostly to do with the different hardware on all these devices and how much effort is needed to write code and test for these new components.

Google would be at a loss if no manufacturer made phones for them, how many phones do Google make?

kona786 said:
tbh I don't think I'll be updating my SGS2 to ICS/tw unless I really have to - I'll lose the apple bounce and have to deal with that gay overscroll glow.

2.3.3 stock on the SGS2 is perfect for me right now - mainly because everything works and its HW accelerated already. Couple that with my themed go launcher and all is perfect.

Next stop will be SGSIII.

Go Launcher isn't as responsive as the TW launcher for me, so I don't use it anymore. I used LPP+ / GO Launcher on my Desire where it actually made a difference. If only this project had more active developers!

Also, most of the new ICS design features are slightly copied from TW 4. However, you will want to upgrade to ICS because it brings all the other nice optimisations for battery life and multitasking (amongst other things).

Mr Krugga · 28 Dec 2011 at 17:04

Locke said:
Nexus18:

The "Skins" manufacturers overlay on Android isn't the sole reason of the update delays. It's mostly to do with the different hardware on all these devices and how much effort is needed to write code and test for these new components.

Google would be at a loss if no manufacturer made phones for them, how many phones do Google make?

ICS for Nexus S is already out, it's basically the same phone as SGS...