So Gingerbread is here, it's set to be in consumer hands in the coming weeks to months, but who exactly is getting it? Well, HTC didn't really help us with their beating-around-the-bush answer. They said:
“We are excited about the OS update coming for Android, and while HTC will definitely have some phones running this OS, we do not have a specific timeframe for new phones or updates at this time. Please stay tuned for more details.”
That doesn't really tell us anything beyond what we already knew...or didn't know. We suspect the G2, myTouch 4G, Incredible, EVO 4G, and maybe some others to receive the Android 2.3 update, seeing that they're all higher-end devices, but nobody really knows.
I imagine all of the Galaxy S series will be recipients of the update seeing that their close kin, the Nexus S, will be the first to ship with Gingerbread, and everything on the inside is about the same. The problem with Samsung is how painfully slow they are at rolling out updates. They promised every Galaxy S phone would have Android 2.2 by the end of last month, and we all see how that went. The question left for Samsung to answer is whether they're going to bypass 2.2 altogether and focus on getting 2.3 out to customers. My guess is no. They have to be close to putting the final touches on their 2.2 updates, so why stop now? The sad part is, that probably means the longer they delay with the 2.2 updates, the longer you Galaxy S owners will have to wait on 2.3.
LG Android users must be a bit confused right now, and I can't say I blame you guys. Yesterday, a Facebook user by the name of Alberto Vidosola asked a question on the LG USA Mobile Facebook account. He asked if the Optimus S would receive Gingerbread. LG's answer was:
“So, the Optimus line won't be getting the Gingerbread update because they have a 600 MHz processor, and the minimum requirements for Gingerbread require 1 GHz processor. In other words, it's not possible to upgrade the processor, unfortunately.”
It's funny they should say that because right before I read this, I had read somewhere that there were no minimum processor requirements for Gingerbread. Not long after, Dan Morrill proved me not to be crazy when he tweeted:
Doh! It looks like someone over at LG either overlooked something or didn't get the memo. Nonetheless, this does mean that the Optimus line is capable of getting the update. It's now just a matter of LG eating their words and delivering that sweet, sweet Gingerbread. I'm betting on them giving in to avoid the onslaught of upset customers that they would have if they decided not to.
As for Motorola users, Droid users specifically, you no longer have to wait with bated breath. I would suspect the Droid X, Droid, Droid 2, and most likely the Droid Pro to get the update. Motorola has actually been alright with getting updates out since the release of the Droid 2 and X. Original Droid owners did have quite a waiting period before they got the beloved Froyo update though.
There are two things standing in the way of you getting your update now (besides the painstakingly slow approval process by the carriers): internal memory on your specific phone, and whether the manufacturer of the device is going to support the update for your device. If you have one of the aforementioned HTC, Motorola, or Samsung devices, I say your chances of getting it are extremely high, but I wouldn't expect it (officially) before February or March. If you have an entry-level device, those odds slant off rather quickly. Mid-range devices, like the Aria or Intercept, are a little bit of gray area. They may get it, but it won't be priority of the manufacturer to roll out those updates. The few proud owners of Nexus Ones (myself included), can rejoice, however. The 2.3 update for it should be making its way to the magical device in the next few weeks.
So sit back, relax, and don't get your panties in a wad. Most of us are still months from seeing Gingerbread on our handsets. Also, don't forget that if your device has a customer user interface on it (SenseUI, MOTOBLUR, TouchWiz, etc.), it will still be skinned when you get 2.3. If you have Froyo and just want your device to look like Gingerbread, you can download the 2.3 launcher from the Market.
Image via CNET AU
