In journalese, this is known as a reverse ferret. Just before Christmas we brought you news Samsung was updating its line of Galaxy devices to Android Ice Cream Sandwich next year, with the S and Ace being notable omissions. Now comes word it'll do everything it can to bolt ICS onto the S, Pocketnow reports.
We contacted Samsung for comment at the time as to why it was leaving out the Galaxy S, and it never got back to us. According to Pocketnow, the reason the S wouldn't get ICS was because of its Touchwiz UI -- Samsung's own software it put on the device.
Now it seems customer uproar has caused the Korean firm to reconsider. It's investigating ways of making Ice Cream Sandwich work on the S -- which just goes to show, complaining really can make a difference. This news comes via Korean site AJNews -- we won't include the link, as we were warned the site contains malware.
A host of Samsung's devices, including all sizes of Galaxy Tab, the Galaxy S2 and the huge Galaxy Note will get ICS early next year. Sony Ericsson is also upgrading its handsets before March, but LG is taking a more relaxed attitude, to put it kindly. It won't start upgrading until April, with some having to wait until September -- that's almost a year after the software launched. Which we think is a bit unreasonable, as do some of LG's customers. Here's hoping LG listens to its fans like Samsung did.
When are you due an upgrade to ICS? And can it come soon enough? Maybe you've already upgraded -- if so, how's it going? Let us know on our Facebook page, or in the comments below.
Update: Samsung may offer an 'Android value pack' for the Galaxy S, which will bring enhancements but not the full Ice Cream Sandwich treatment, Korean website Duam reports. Apparently the update will bring improved web surfing, better multi-tasking, new widgets, tweaks to the camera, and more. We've contacted Samsung for clarification, we'll let you know as soon as we hear back.
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Comments 8
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anonymous 28 December, 2011 16:47
In the word's of Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth:
"Good news everyone"
*hopefully*
anonymous 28 December, 2011 16:53
Old phone + New software = Slow
anonymous 28 December, 2011 19:49
"Old phone + New software = Slow"
Not necessarily, and the SGS isn't exactly what I'd call an 'old' phone. Yes, today products have very short lifecycles but that’s down to marketing and business strategy, the SGS is not obsolete technology by any means. I have already flashed ICS RC1 from developers on the xda forum and although there are some small issues with the beta software my SGS ran it fine with no hints of major hardware issues.
dezfowler 28 December, 2011 22:24
This news of updates is all well and good but I wish Samsung would sort out their horrendous Kies software. Tried updating both my wife's and bro in law's Galaxy S and neither the Windows or Mac version of it will do it.
iam a wp7 29 December, 2011 02:06
I had a Galaxy S before I switched to Windows Phone 7. It would be a disgrace if this phone doesnt get ics. Most phones come with a 2 year contract as because of this phones should get the latest updates for at least 2 years for the people who signed up for a 2 year contract. If not when people come to the end of their contracts and are looking for a new phone do you really think they will pick Samsung? I dont!
And I agree with "dezfowler" Kies was terrible to use, i was unable to get it to work when I was trying to update to Froyo, after spending a few weeks emailing Samsung for help and getting what seemed like an automated response I had to install kies on my old computer and try to update it using that and it worked, and when I plugged it back into my new computer it worked fine, wasnt happy and think Samsung need to take a leaf out of Microsofts book because the Zune software is fantastic!
anonymous 29 December, 2011 17:19
I have ICS on my Galaxy S (update from Onecosmic on XDA) and it's perfect. It's faster and smoother than it ever was and the battery life is about the same. I find it ridiculous that a team of people not working for Samsung can make this work in weeks, yet Samsung can't. I think it's more of a case of Samsung can't be bothered updating it rather than can't update it.
anonymous 4 January, 2012 14:52
I completely agree with the previous comments it's over diculous a bunch of guys working in the basement can make this work and a company with billions of dollars cant ******* *****
anonymous 23 February, 2012 22:00
Here is another how to install ICS 4.0.3 on Galaxy S: http://wp.me/p1SpR3-25