One of the few criticisms about having an Android phone can be the time it takes to get OS updates and some of the grievances we often see in our comments box involve Android users annoyed at the wait. Only yesterday in our article, ‘Apple iOS vs. Google Android: The update factor’, we told how much easier it is for Apple devices to get the updates as they are instantly downloadable, whereas Android phone users seem to be at the mercy of their handset manufacturers and networks.
One of the reason’s rumored to cause these update delays being handed out for U.S. Samsung Galaxy S phones, came from a post at XDA, which alleged that Samsung was charging carriers too much for the upgrade. Another rumored reason came from Allen Kiehl over on Android Spin who spoke of a tipster who told them that an Android 2.2 update was sitting ready to go out to T-Mobile but that Samsung had told them not to release it because it had just announced the Samsung Vibrant 4G+ and didn’t want it to be devalued. We’re not sure that particular rumor has much credibility but you just never know.
Now we hear from Phil Nickinson over on Android Central, sourced from Phonescoop, that Samsung has responded to these rumors asserting, “No. Samsung is not charging carriers for Froyo updates to Galaxy S. We hope to have more detail on status shortly. Promise!” Meanwhile over on Daily Tech, Mark Kurlyandchik also reports on the Froyo update delays from Samsung and adds that a Galaxy S replacement is already being teased for MWC with an announcement due on February 13 at Barcelona for something it calls the ‘next evolution.’ Head over to the samsungunpacked website to see the announcement which says there’s a preview teaser coming on February 1.
This of course may not please a lot of people who’ve been waiting for the Android 2.2 as it might not be long before their phones are superseded anyway. Are you a U.S. Galaxy S phone owner? If so tell us how you feel about the continued delays of the OS updates by sending us your comments.