Motorola updated the rollout schedule for Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. The upgrade table lists the most recent rollout date and upgrade status for each handset. As expected, the Droid Razr and Razr Maxx will be among the first to get ICS, while Bionic owners will be near the end. It’s meant to be encouraging to Motorola owners, but many may be disappointed by the long wait.
Google released the source code for Ice Cream Sandwich back in November of 2011. That was six months ago. According to Motorola’s latest update, many upgrades are still in the development phase and not slated to arrive until Q3 2012. It’s still shameful that it takes this long to get an update out the door. The reasons for this delay are complicated. Motorola and others blame Google for the delay, while some blame carriers for the delay.
In reality, it’s probably a combination of manufacturers who need time to add an overlay to Android and carriers who drag their feet when it comes to testing. Unfortunately, it’s the customers who get the short end of the stick. Maybe it’s time we abandon the idea of upgrades and buy a phone for what it’s got, not what it will get in a year.
[Motorola]