Owners of Samsung Galaxy S smartphones will have to be patient with upgrades to Android 2.2 in the United States and in the U.K., where Samsung officials confirmed roll-outs have hit a snag. Samsung issued this press release Oct. 14 stating that Android 2.2 would be rolling out in the Nordic region in mid-October and in the following weeks to other European markets, Southeast Asia, the Middle East Asia, North America and Africa.
But Samsung Mobile’s. U.K. arm said in a Twitter tweet Oct. 21: “The Froyo upgrade will be available in the UK from early November and we expect all operator versions to be available by the end of November.”
A spokesperson for Samsung Mobile in the United States told eWEEK there have been no official announcements on when the Android 2.2 update will be available in the United States.
Judging from Samsung Mobile U.K.’s comments, a November launch for Android 2.2 on Galaxy handsets seems feasible.
When it’s ready, Android 2.2 will be available via Samsung’s Kies software upgrade program for the Verizon Wireless Samsung Fascinate, AT&T Samsung Captivate, Sprint Samsung Epic 4G and T-Mobile Samsung Vibrant handsets, all of which were launched with Android 2.1 this past summer.
Samsung Galaxy S devices have proven very successful for the company, which said earlier this month it had shipped more than 5 million of the handsets worldwide.
Consumers appreciate the 4-inch Super AMOLED screen, which provides quality viewing and access in light or dark environments.
This makes them competitive with Apple’s iPhone, RIM’s Blackberry Torch and other smartphones as the market awaits Windows Phone 7 handsets next month.
The Samsung Galaxy S line is the last batch of major Android smartphones to get Android 2.2 as Google prepares to launch Android 3.0.
Optimized for tablet computers, Android 3.0 will have video chat support, a redesigned user interface and support for YouTube Leanback when it appears on smartphones and tablets late this year or early 2011.