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Is Samsung Blocking Updates To Froyo?

Posted by timothy on from the my-captivate-weeps-for-froyo dept.

jfruhlinger writes "One of the complaints about Android is its fragmentation; many different versions of the OS are out there in the wild, and often users are held back from upgrading by their hardware or their carrier. But now a disturbing rumor has it that Samsung is strong-arming T-Mobile to prevent an over-the-air upgrade to Android 2.2 (Froyo) for Samsung Vibrant owners. The reason? Samsung wants people to shell out for the new Vibrant 4G — which, other than the fact that it ships running Froyo, is largely identical to the Vibrant." Reader CWmike contributes an informative link if you'd like to know which Android vendors are actually delivering timely upgrades.

3 of 459 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Open Platform? by mjwx · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    Right, but it can't cut both ways - that argument works, but it counteracts the "fragmentation is not an issue" argument that people like to also air on slashdot (in a 'android can do no wrong' sort of way. (although I agree with your argument)

    Explain how.

    Thought not.

    You see a custom ROM like Darky's for the Samsung Galaxy S is still using the same version of Dalvik and the native compiler for C. You can run the same programs on it and how is the later version of Dalvik not backwards compatible. I don't think you understand what fragmentation is which is why you're making a big deal out of it.

    But then again, it really is the best thing you've got to attack Android, especially seeing as the key word in the article is "allegedly" as in "T-Mobile allegedly has an update for".

    --
    Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
  2. At least one by SuperKendall · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    You can install iOS4
    even on older phones

    Since there's only been one iOS device pair (original iPhone/Touch) you cannot install the most recent OS to, I'm not sure what use I would get from a "custom distro".

    Instead far more popular is a repository of system customizations and applications called Cydia. Why have a whole custom OS when you can just pick and chose what to modify? They leave Apple to enhance the OS, and build advanced features atop that.

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
  3. Re:Open Platform? by BasilBrush · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    How many roll-your-own distros are there of iOS allowing you to upgrade any old phone to the latest version? Hmmm?

    Apple already releases the OS for all older iPhone variants that are reasonably capable of running the new version. iOS 4 was the first version which didn't support all previous iPhone models. And even there, only the very first iPhone was left behind.

    When Apple releases a new version of the OS, every compatible phone gets the update available at the very same time. iPhone owners don't need to wait for a bunch of amateurs to come up with a "roll-your own version".

    iPhone owners have far better support for OS updates than Android owners do.

    Android is the silver bullet

    LOL! I thought it was Apple users that were supposed to be the ones with a thing about shiny stuff which is the one true solution. ;-)