The story behind the 'Samsung doesn't want you to have Froyo' thing ...

**Phil Nickinson** · 01-12-2011, 07:11 PM

So there's that story going around (first reported at AndroidSpin) from a tipster regarding the Android 2.2 update for the Vibrant, and how Samsung, not T-Mobile, supposedly is holding up the update. We got that tip, too, and we've been talking with the tipster. Here, with his/her permission, is the tip.

We've edited it a bit for readability and to protect a few personal details. But you'll get the gist of it.

I started a Field Trainer for [redacted] and I am now [working Android] at T-Mobile. Some disturbing things have happened the last week or so concerning our "Vibrant". Samsung has NOT allowed us to push the update OTA for 2.2 because they feel it will decrease the value of the upcoming Vibrant4G +.

While from a marketing aspect I totally understand, as the Vibrant 4G is what the original Vibrant should have been in the 1st place. But to shun off and bold face lie to customers is NOT what T-Mobile is about.

Trust me when I tell you, we had an update for the original G1, and HTC begged us not to. In 75% of the cases known to me in my [time] here and my [time] dealing with Android I will say that honestly most upgrade hold offs were the Manufacturer and NOT us as some believe. But we catch the flack.

I am tired. [redacted] I am up to here with Samsung. They pulled the same thing with the Behold 2 that I MYSELF had to clean up and caught wind over. The update to 2.1 update 1 is existant yet Samsung (for marketing reasons) felt that it would be better to just move forward. Samsung's only concern is general sales, NOT RETENTION. They could care less if you buy the phone, get pissed and cancel T-Mobile contract. All they care about is they got your sale.

So pushing out anything like 2.2 or 2.3 is not in the books as something they plan on doing. It has nothing to do with bugs. The US version of Froyo for the Vibrant works flawlessly as I am using it now. But they feel that would be
1 less thing to brag about when Vibrant 4G launches. Being that Vibrant 4G and Vibrant have exactly same stats, added FFC and a new movie and the 4G.

But i will tell you this. the original vibrant CAN utilize 4G FULLY. Yes FULLY. Not what they are telling you. [Later clarified as "I do not mean Hardware is capable of 4G. I'm saying theoretical speeds of up to 5mbps. We already have publicly said that most would see a speed increase and be able to utilize the 4G speeds of our network."]

We were prepared for this with the update which would change the 3G to a 4G logo when in HSPA+ areas. But Sammy again said NO! I writing you so we can honestly move forward. Maybe customers will file a class action will get them off the chair and make them move. Hopefully the information contained herein will help you with an editorial on this serious issue and not blind the people with the "P.R. answers" being given by Sammy's Twitter accounts and Customer Service.

So there you go. The entire tip. Is it all on the level? Dunno. We're not even sure we believe it all. (We're skeptical like that.) But the fact is we're all still waiting on Froyo for the Vibrant.

digitalslacker · 01-12-2011, 07:27 PM

wow...if that's even remotely true I will never buy anything from Samsung.

JayPhill89 · 01-12-2011, 07:38 PM

That's sad but almost expected that Samsung and T-mobile would hold back to boost sales. I'm sure many companies do the same thing with their hardware/software upgrades. The bold faced lies that the Samsung twitter accounts pushes them over the line in my opinion.

I know how skeptical people people were with at&t and Samsung when the Captivate was released. I went ahead and bought one anyway and couldn't be happier with Samsung. There are at least 5 new versions of android for Galaxy S phones posted on XDA and SamFirmwares weekly. It shows that Samsung is prepared to release something, albeit when they feel the timing is right.

With my Captivate running 2.2.1, and a full 2.3 theme of course, I'd still keep Samsung in mind when picking out my next device. They may get some bad publicity but the way things stand now, they can at least build something which gets leaked out. Then the people who know how to tweak and develop until the full potential of the device is reached can do their thing.

And with that, stay optimistic guys!

DroidXcon · 01-12-2011, 07:41 PM

Yeah im taking this with a grain of salt. So he is saying that Samsung thinks that 2.2 is a big enough sell that they would deny the older phones an update....Nexus S had Gingerbread and it didnt outsell any of the other phones. If by that logic why would they sell the Nexus S??????

BlaqkAudio · 01-12-2011, 07:48 PM

This sounds like a bunch of FUD. If Samsung wanted T-Mobile to delay the update, then Samsung themselves would have just delayed developing it. Since when does the carrier develop the actual updates?

Furthermore, would Samsung have developed the so-called Vibrant 4G if T-Mo didn't ask for it? I doubt it. So if anything, it looks like T-Mo would lose out the most if the Vibrant 4G didn't sell.

**Phil Nickinson** · 01-12-2011, 07:49 PM

Regardless, my thing is this: T-Mobile's the one that has to worry about selling Vibrants. Not Sammy. Sammy sells to T-Mo, T-Mo sells to us.

tylerbphoto · 01-12-2011, 07:50 PM

Whether this is info true or not I'm ready to sign my name on a class action lawsuit.

tylerbphoto · 01-12-2011, 07:52 PM

Just read how they predict to sell 60 million phones in 2011?! They'll keep screwing people till people take a stand.

KCphotog · 08:13 PM

This is a two fold situation in my eyes. As a customer I rely on T-mobile to provide me with a good user experience both with the service and device purchased from them.

I can see if Samsung is putting up a wall here that things would be difficult but it would seem that T-Mobile needs to sack up and demand the update for their customers if the problem truly is on Samsungs side.
When we complain Samsung doesn't care. T-mobile or any other carrier has the power of voice here and they seems to be silent. Its not like anyone is forcing these carriers to sell Samsungs products. The other problem is that these carriers are not forcing timely updates. Who do you blame here! Seems they are both equally at fault and at the end of the day we Vibrant users are no better off then the day we purchased the phone.

Another thing that seems odd to me is the fact that other regions are getting the update. Then the talk about other local carriers getting the update on the same line phone. It still feels like a he said she said situation with no hard facts.

Either way... will make for a good conversation on the podcast.
Have we ever really had solid info when it comes to the galaxy s line in the US on anything?

Was looking forward to the new Samsung phones but it seems my Vibrant will be the last one I own. Too bad.

Jerry Hildenbrand · 01-12-2011, 08:04 PM

From a support point of view:

Let's say that the people on the internet are a good representative of the average customer. They aren't but play along

You release the update. You tell customers that the phone has reached end of life, and bug fixes aside, expect no more updates. If a customer is interested in additional features, direct them to the new product. The huge majority of customers are happy, and support is happy.

I don't buy this story.