Motorola has revealed that the long-awaited update to Android 4.0: Ice Cream Sandwich will only be available if it ‘improves’ the device.
A post on the Inside Motorola blog states:
“You may be wondering why all devices aren’t being upgraded to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). Here’s the deal. We work very closely with Google and cell phone carriers for every software update. And, obviously we want the new release to improve our devices. If we determine that can’t be done—well then, we’re not able to upgrade that particular device. ”
…and finally; “Happy Upgrading!” – quite.
A list of which Motorola smartphones will be getting the update and which will be remaining on earlier versions is available on the Owners Forum. In the UK, the Defy Mini, Defy+, Fire, Milestone 2 and Motoluxe will all remain on Android 2.3 Gingerbread. In the US the Droid 3 won’t be getting the update, despite being quite new.
Although this is hugely disappointing to customers, on some level we have to admire Motorola’s boldness of not wanting to forfeit usability and user experience for the sake of the latest platform.
Perhaps this is something that we will see more of in the future, with handset manufactures holding fast on ensuring the best user experience regardless of the latest versions of the platforms they run? Or is this a bad move from Motorola and will it push customers to HTC and Samsung? Let us know what you think in the comments below or via Twitter or Facebook.
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