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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.

4 of 459 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Open Platform? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Apple is the the strict parent that doesn't say they love, but makes sure all of your needs are taken care of. Google is the parent that leaves you the car keys and some cash for pizza, but also may have left the front door open when they left for their vacation.

  2. 2.2 froyo is on mine by charnov · · Score: 4, Interesting

    My tmobile vibrant runs just fine with froyo because I put it on there. It would be nice if it was an ota update but it works great all the same.

    --
    [RIAA] says its concern is artists. That's true, in just the sense that a cattle rancher is concerned about its cattle.
  3. Re:Open Platform? by the_womble · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Exactly. There are multiple vendors with open platforms that let you install whatever OS you like. IF you care about open, you should buy one.

    The specs for Archos internet tablets actually says you can install Agnstrom Linux (or another distribution) instead of Android.

    I am unfortunate enough to live in a country where neither the Nexus or Archos tablets or anything else open with a tablet of smaller format seems to be available .

  4. Re:Open Platform? by MikeBabcock · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Those people haven't figured out how to install their own version of Android on the phone yet, that's all.

    My (very old) G1 supposedly only runs 1.6, final stamp, last year. I'm running 2.2 on it right now thanks to CyanogenMod, as are many others.

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

    Android is a silver bullet, the problem is people forget to pull the trigger.

    --
    - Michael T. Babcock (Yes, I blog)