Samsung doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to updating its Android phones. The manufacturer’s slow reaction to newer versions of Android has been a sore subject for many consumers who have found themselves stuck in Android OS limbo while rumors about financial disputes and internal issues have kept them from the latest and greatest features Android has to offer. Fortunately, there is progress to report, and Samsung announced this morning that it will be pushing the Gingerbread update to the Galaxy S.
Before you get too excited, this will be a staggered update. According to the press release, beginning in mid-May the update will roll out to the UK, Nordic countries, and other European market before making its way stateside. Gingerbread will hit Asian and African markets shortly after. The Galaxy Tab will also be getting the upgrade.
Less than a month ago, the Gingerbread update for Galaxy S phones was suspended for UK devices. Vodafone announced that it had “no known performance issues” with the Gingerbread and was “working with Samsung to reinstate the roll out as soon as possible.” We’re inclined to think Samsung may be behind its upgrade problems, seeing as it had a similar situation on its hands with Froyo and its first go at a Windows Phone 7 update fell just short of disaster.
But hopefully this is a sign Samsung is getting its OS update ducks in a row. Android is becoming increasingly aware of its fragmentation issues and is trying to curtailing them with its new handset unity initiative – which Samsung has signed on to be a part of. At the moment, most Android phones are still stuck on Froyo, and considering Ice Cream Sandwich is right around the corner, there’s got to be some anxiety concerning the timeliness of its upgrades. But if you’re a Galaxy S user, we wouldn’t blame you for withholding your excitement until you officially see the Gingerbread OS on your phone.
