Samsung Noncommital About Android OS 2.3 Upgrades

Samsung has a growing problem with keeping its products up to date with the latest version of Google's operating system. The company has yet to release to Android OS 2.2 upgrades for the smartphones it released over the summer, and OS 2.3 is going to debut later this week.

The Samsung Captivate from AT&T, the Samsung Fascinate from Verizon, and the Samsung Vibrant from T-Mobile are still running Android OS 2.1, though an OS 2.2 upgrade for Sprint's Samsung Epic 4G leaked out last week.

Earlier this month, Google officially announced Android OS 2.3, and many users of Samsung's current  smartphones are wondering when and if they will be seeing an upgrade to this upcoming version, which is often referred to by its code-name "Gingerbread".

The company has released a very vague statement on the matter:

"In case a new version of Android operating system is publicly announced and released, Samsung will review the possibility of implementation of such new version to the existing Samsung products with Android operating system ("Update").

"Such a review will be based on various factors including, without limitation, the overall effect of such Update to Samsung products, the system requirements, the structural limitations, and the level of cooperation from the component suppliers and the software licensors."

This leaves users of Samsung models in the Galaxy S series wondering.

Still, there is some cause for optimism. A Twitter post from Samsung in India late last night said "Gingerbeard [sic] will be available for GalaxyS users.” While hardly definitive proof, it should at least bring a bit of hope.

In addition, the first smartphone running Android OS 2.3 is going to be made by Samsung. Its Nexus S will hit store shelves on Thursday.  

More About Android OS 2.3
Google's main goals in the next version of its operating system were improving the user interface, adding support for new types of communication, plus fostering games development.

Gingerbread is expected to be the fastest version yet. Plus, Google has tweaked the user interface a bit.

The process for cut-and-paste has been enhanced by a set of movable bounding arrows.

Support for multiple cameras has been built into Android OS 2.3 for video conferencing, and the new version also has support for VoIP/SIP software.

The enhancements made to improve gaming are intended to bring smoother animation and increased responsiveness.

Source