Carriers
What’s holding up T-Mobile’s Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich rollout?
April 25, 2012 | by Andrew Kameka
T-Mobile
T-Mobile says its network is just as fast as other carriers when it comes to download speeds, but that’s not necessarily true in terms of the Android 4.0 rollout. While AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon have all managed to upgrade at least one phone to Android 4.0 or declare it will shortly, T-Mobile has been silent.
The issue became more peculiar earlier this week when Samsung announced a new wave of Android devices that will receive ICS soon. Samsung officially stated that the Samsung Galaxy Captivate Glide, Note, S II, and Skyrocket (AT&T); Galaxy Tab 7.7 and 10.1 (Verizon); and Epic 4G Touch (Sprint) were all on track to receive Android 4.0 in the near future. As for the T-Mobile Galaxy S II, Samsung would only say that it is in “close communication with T-Mobile to ensure that eligible devices are upgraded to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich in the coming months and will provide updates as we have additional details to share.”
T-Mobile customers could use some details now. Every time we write about a new phone getting or being promised an upgrade to Android 4.0, the first thing people ask us is, “What about the HTC Sensation?” or “Has the Galaxy S II been forgotten?” I asked T-Mobile what’s the cause for the delay and received this responses from a T-Mobile spokesperson:
T-Mobile is committed to enhancing customers’ experience with our devices, including providing upgrades to the latest operating systems. We are actively working with our OEM partners to ensure that a number of eligible T-Mobile devices are upgraded to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich in the coming months and will communicate updates as we have additional details to share.
No answers.
T-Mobile USA isn’t alone in its Android 4.0 woes, but it’s lack of clarity or commitment or a reasonable timeframe has proven frustrating for some customers. Meanwhile, even little old regional carrier Cincinnati Bell managed to update the Sensation to ICS. Devices perform differently on different networks, but HTC and T-Mobile should have ironed out these issues by now.
The only thing I can say to frustrated users is that they just need to display a little (maybe a lot) more patience. If it’s any consolation, HTC promised an upgrade for the Amaze and HTC Sensation last month. Samsung users will likely have a longer wait, but an update has to come to you as well. Knock on wood.
We know that Carly is racing through the city faster than a speeding 4G phone, but T-Mobile needs to shift some of that speed to its update process.
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I think it is better to wait for a stable working ICS than one that is buggy. I put ICS 4.0.3 (Sideloaded) on my Nexus S and was disappointed with the battery life. I had to buy two spare batteries to make it though a days use. Now that I have 4.0.4 (OTA) battery life is so much better. The techie will root and load a custom ICS rom. The normal user will be best served waiting for a stable update.
totally frustrating. T-Mo hooked me on the Galaxy SII with the promise that ICS would be rolled out “in the beginning of the year”. Stupid me for believing it. Contract just came up. I am so tempted to buy a Nexus directly from Google for $399 with ICS and not have to worry about being under contract to T-Mo any longer. For a while, they fought really hard to stay relevant, but losing the battle for sure now.
I certainly echo parker’s sentiment here. I like my Galaxy S II, but I’m ready for ICS and T-Mobile is dragging on this. I jumped on that $399 Galaxy Nexus promo, so soon I won’t have to deal with T-Mobile.
The full official update for the sensation, from HTC at least, did already come out a month ago- for unlocked noncontract phones. It’s just a normal OTA update and works perfectly. I’d advice people to unlock or root their phone and get the latest update themselves. You’ll be free of this idiotic dithering and have a better phone all in one sweep.
I am running ICS 4.0.3 on my T-Mobile SGS II from a ported AT&T Skyrocket leak and I love it. I learned with my Vibrant not to wait for OTA updates.
I got my first smarthone last year from here. I was very very lucky
http://gadgetsales.net/exclusive You can get GalaxyS, iPhone and other goodies if you’re eligible. They are doing this promotion for some time this spring.