Motorola phones getting upgrade to ICS in about 6 months

We have heard and seen plenty of reports from all types of manufacturers over the future of their Android line up. Many have stated when updates to the new Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich will arrive and today Motorola has made the process even more clear. They stated the DROID RAZR would see ICS early next year and also unlock bootloaders, but we’ve heard that chime from them before. Today Motorola breaks down the process but I’m not sure how I feel about the news.


Motorola has also recently tweeted devices would see ICS updates within 6 weeks of Google releasing the source code. We now know that meant we would all receive an update and details on when to expect ICS for their devices — not that they’d actual get updated that fast.
In a Motorola Blog post we now have a breakdown of the events and a timeline for what to expect. How does around 4-6 months and possibly more sound? CM9 anyone? For those expecting Android 4.0 ICS on their new Bionic or RAZR early next year, you might be waiting a little longer than expected.
Here is the breakdown of steps needed to bring an update — according to Motorola:

1. Merge and adapt the new release for different device hardware architecture(s) and carrier customizations
This means that we take the source code and incorporate it into upgrades for devices on which this can perform well, along with making sure the carrier requirements are met. Silicon partners such as Qualcomm, TI, and nVidia adapt this to their chipsets in parallel and we incorporate these as they become available. This is also the time when we begin integrating all of the Motorola-specific software enhancements into the source code. Features like MotoCast, Smart Actions, and our comprehensive enterprise solutions are integral parts of our device experiences, and we want to make sure we continue delivering differentiated experiences for our consumers with these software upgrades.
2. Stabilize and ‘bake’ the result to drive out bugs
This means that we will prepare the upgrade to meet the quality and stability requirements to enter the wireless carrier’s certification lab.
3. Submit the upgrade to the carriers for certification
This is the point in the process where the carrier’s lab qualifies and tests the upgrade. Each carrier has different requirements for phases 2 and 3. There may be a two-month preparation cycle to enter a carrier lab cycle of one to three months.
3.5 Perform a Customer pre-release
We may perform some customer testing before a final release is delivered publicly to our user base.
4. Release the upgrade
We are planning on upgrading as many of our phones as possible. The ability to offer the upgrade depends on a number of factors including the hardware/device capabilities, the underlying chipset software support, the ICS support and then the ability to support the Motorola value add software.

After looking at past updates and how long devices took to receive Gingerbread this actually all sounds pretty accurate. We are looking at around 4 months at the soonest, and 6+ months at worst. Verizon isn’t the quickest company either when it comes to approving software updates so that could also be a factor here. Many phones are just now getting Android 2.3 Gingerbread while 4.0 is already here, so it is same to assume the same could happen for many with this latest iteration of Android. I’ll be rooting and installing custom ROM’s before I wait that long — but that is just me.
[via Motorola]

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Sprint Releases Software Fix EK02 for Epic 4G Touch to Fix Loss of Signal

Sprint has finally released a software fix for the Epic 4G Touch for the dreaded loss of signal bug that’s been plaguing the community for quite some time. The bug would cause the voice and data radios to lose signal, something that was only fixable by a reboot.

It was originally believed that the bug most commonly affected those who were in bad coverage areas. Those who lose signal in bad coverage areas are supposed to be handed over to Verizon’s network until they can recover a Sprint signal, but the handoff to Verizon tends to stall and eventually the radios shut themselves down until you reboot the phone.
We’re glad that this was easily fixed through software even if it took a long time to come to fruition. Sprint also fixed the bug where your 4G hotspot connection would periodically disconnect while on a phone call. Head to this link for instructions on how to pull the update down. If you’re rooted, we’re sure your favorite ROM developer will make no delay in updating their ROMs based on this version if they haven’t already. [via Sprint Feed]

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Rumor With a Capital R: Galaxy Nexus on Verizon Delayed?

I have a feeling a ton of you won’t like this one. Apparently Droid-Life has heard it from multiple independent sources within a short time frame that the Galaxy Nexus has been delayed. We also received one light report of this earlier this morning but decided not to report on it.

Although Verizon never gave a release date to look forward to, all sources and signs pretty much pointed to this Friday, December 9th. I know it’s hard to grasp that they may have delayed this phone even further than they should have considering how soon the rest of the world got it.
We’re not sure what might have triggered them to delay the device if this rumor is indeed true. At this point we’re not sure what to believe anymore. My advice? Don’t get too happy over ANY positive rumors – stick to official press releases with official information and no one will get hurt (emotionally or physically).
[Update]: And apparently the equipment manager page that said 12/9 yesterday is now saying “launch date is coming soon.” Oh well.

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SwiftKey keyboard developer raises $2.4 million from investors

We’ve covered SwiftKey in its various incarnations a lot here on Android Community, and not without good reason. It’s gained notoriety as one of the most popular Android virtual keyboards, no small task when your app duplicates core functionality, even if it is adding in a lot more. Octopus Investments would seem to agree: They’ve invested 1.5 million GBP, about 2.4 million dollars, in the small developer TouchType.

SwiftKey X and its tablet counterpart have remained at the top keyboard replacements for a few determinable reasons. One, the app never stands still: hardly a month goes by without some sort of update, improving SwiftKey’s performance and predictive text. Two, they cover all the bases: a free preview version allows curious Android users to try out the keyboard before dropping a few dollars on the full version. And finally, they’re quite communicative with their customers and fans, allowing alpha and beta access to geeky types (hello!) who always want to try the latest version.
SwiftKey X regularly lands on the Editor’s Choice list in the Android Market, and its success made it one of the first apps offered in Google’s 10 Billion Apps promotion. It’s currently available for just $.10/£.10, though that may not last long – head over to the Android Market to get in on the reduced price. The company says it will use the cash infusion to strengthen its executive team and increase its presence in the US and Asia.

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Samsung Galaxy Note with AT&T radios gain FCC approval

Back in September, the Samsung Galaxy Note was spotted at the FCC, and for those who have been meaning to get their hands on it, the good news is that the phone/tablet hybrid has recently gotten its stamp of approval from the FCC which means that it is primed for release, although when that is remains a mystery for now.
The hybrid was spotted with AT&T’s radios, which could also suggest that it would be compatible with our neighbors in Canada, although many have speculated that it could indeed arrive on AT&T’s network, but until we see it for ourselves, we’ll take that piece of information with a grain of salt for now.
The Samsung Galaxy Note will feature a 1.4GHz dual-core processor, a 5.3” HD Super AMOLED display, an 8MP/2MP rear/front-facing camera, an S Pen interface and stylus, a 2,500mAh battery on board with Android’s Gingerbread 2.3 on board, although no word if Samsung has plans to bump it up to Android 4.0 in the future. Check back with us again to see if the device will indeed be launched on AT&T’s network in the future.

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Early List of Today’s 10 Cent/10 Pence Apps Revealed

It’s the second day of Google’s 10 day blowout of applications and games for dirt cheap. If you haven’t heard, the Android market recently hit 10 billion downloads and Google’s celebrating by offering different premium apps every day for 10 cents or 10 pence, depending on where you live. Some great apps and games were featured yesterday and today’s crop of apps are already starting to show. The known list so far:

Beautiful Widgets
Fruit Ninja
Reckless Racing
Star Chart
Read It Later Pro
Christmas HD
AirSync by doubleTwist
Flick Golf!

A lot of these are worth a look and for $.10 it definitely couldn’t hurt. These are only 8 apps, though, and considering we saw 10 to start yesterday (those are still on sale, by the way) we wouldn’t be surprised to see two more pop up today.
Google hasn’t added these to the 10 Billion Promo category under the banner yet so be on the lookout to see what other apps they end up adding. Get started with the links above. [via EuroDroid]

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Galaxy Nexus Shows Major Bug That Makes Phone Unusable When Plugged in via USB [video]

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We’re really not too sure what to make of this but one of our readers slipped us this video that shows some weirdness going on with his Galaxy Nexus You can see that screen touches are not being registered correctly, the camera is on a never-ending snapping spree and upon exiting the camera the gallery rolls through all those photos on its own.

Their messaging app also starts up on its own and produces a series of keystrokes without the user even touching the keyboard. He says that the phone only begins acting this way whenever he plugs it in via USB.
We’re not sure what’s going on here, nor are we sure which update he’s working with, but it looks worrisome nevertheless. We’ll be in touch with Samsung and Google to see if they know anything about this. What do you guys think? Video’s above. [Thanks Yusuf!]

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Rumor: HTC EVO View 4G Getting Honeycomb Before the End of the Year

While the HTC Flyer’s Honeycomb upgrade is rolling out across Europe right now, the United States wasn’t given any rollout date other than “soon”. We have Sprint and T-Mobile with their own versions of the flyer and one of those networks (hint: they like the color yellow) may be getting it sooner than we anticipated.

Sprint is rumored to be getting the upgrade before year’s end, a great turnaround time if this turns out to be true. We won’t be mad if this doesn’t turn out to be true since HTC never gave a specific time window themselves but we’ll be all the more joyous if we can get to New Year’s Eve with a piece of Honeycomb on this 7 inch device. [via Sprint Feed]

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• T-Mobile G2x Gingerbread update goes live again, HTC Radar 4G and HD7 get software patches too (tech-gadget.co.in)

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AT&T Galaxy Note Appears at the FCC

It looks like the Galaxy Note could be poised for an American (or North American) launch after all. The 5 inch slate meant for note takers and sketchers has shown up at the FCC with AT&T radios in tow, though these could easily be meant for Canadian carriers. Either way, someone in North America above the Mexican border will soon be able to own one of these. Now to play the waiting game. Head to the FCC to check it out. [Engadget]

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