With a few hours of Ice Cream Sandwich familiarity under our belts, the looming question in everyone’s mind is: when will the Android 4.0 update roll out to existing devices? Well, nobody knows. But after talking with a few authorities on the subject, we at least have a few hints.
Google’s Android Product Manager Gabe Cohen and Android User Experience Director Matias Duarte have promised Ice Cream Sandwich for the Nexus S, and hinted that all other Android 2.3 Gingerbread devices should “theoretically” get ICS as well. Here’s the official quote: “Currently in the process for releasing Ice Cream Sandwich for Nexus S. Theoretically should work for any 2.3 device.” According to Engadget, there still isn’t a clear plan for the Nexus One.
HTC has decided to rest heavily on the fence for this one, saying that they do hope to release ICS to the masses, but will have to figure a way to lay their Sense UI on top of it first. Just like Cohen and Duarte, HTC refuses to give a timeline.
In my quest to dig up some answers, I decided to reach out to the big four carriers as well. T-Mobile never responded, while the rest had either no comment to give, or no information regarding the ICS update schedule.
Many owners of Froyo devices purchased early this year are still waiting on Gingerbread, so hopefully the carriers and phone makers have a more efficient plan for Android 4.0.
But I wouldn’t bet on it.