Sony Ericsson has put a rather firm date on the launch of its forthcoming Android 4.0 update for its 2011 Xperia range, saying the OS upgrade should begin to hit users’ phones from the end of next March.
As usual, it’ll be a “phased roll out” that will arrive on certain batches of handsets in some countries before others, so there will be plenty of time for much INTERNET RAGE to be thrown about the place as other get it first. Here’s a snippet from SE’s announcement:
With the holiday season around the corner, we’re happy to confirm that the first 2011 Xperia™ smartphones will be upgraded to Android 4.0 starting from end March/early April 2012. The first smartphones to get the upgrade are Xperia™ arc S, Xperia™ neo V and Xperia™ ray. Soon after, starting from end April/early May, Xperia™ arc, Xperia™ PLAY, Xperia™ neo, Xperia™ mini and mini pro, Xperia™ pro, Xperia™ active as well as Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman™ will get their upgrades.
Interesting that the newer models get it before the older ones…
…and we’ve already had a brief look at what the Ice Cream Sandwich update will look like on the current Xperia Android range, courtesy of Sony Ericsson’s recently released test version.
Motorola’s latest flagship dual-core Android monster is a massive, original powerhouse, that’s a big improvement on previous MOTOBLUR mobiles – but still isn’t a total winner.
A slim and glamorous phone from Sony Ericsson, with the sharpest display around. It’s no powerhouse and the screen’s not the biggest out there, but we don’t mind. Because it’s cute.
LG’s first glasses-free 3D phone is a heavy, fat monster, with a clever 3D effect that works rather well. As a smartphone, though, it’s heavy and underwhelming.
A very shiny thing from Sony Ericsson, with a 3.7″ screen and Android 2.3.3 inside. But is it exciting enough to win fans in today’s spec-obsessed market? Can man live on one core alone?
INQ’s Android phone is an interesting “boutique” piece of hardware, packed with unique interface customisations that go far beyond the headline Facebook integration. We like it a lot.
MarkG
/ December 21, 2011It’s only natural that the newer models get it first, they are more suited to it, and were originally designed around always being upgraded to ICS.
For example, the ARC S has a different display driver and wifi chipset compared to the ARC, which gives a more robust experience and has better drivers more suitable for ICS.
The older models are more a shoe-horn and more likely to be the ones that get dropped from the upgrade list.
hecatae
/ December 21, 2011So the Live With Walkman was announced and released after the Xperia Ray, but will get ICS later than it?
Screws up the newer models gets it first notion
Gary_C
/ December 21, 2011I suspect a meeting concluded something along the lines of “Who cares about the bloody Live with Walkman, leave that one until last.”
hecatae
/ December 21, 2011it’s HVGA so can be upgrade along with the other HVGA devices…