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I am trying to understand why Verizon's tablets are running on Honeycomb and yet others purchased elsewhere are updated. Why is it so difficult to have them updated? Is it a legal issue? I purchased my Samsung 7.7 with the promise from Verizon it would receive and update and it has not. So what am I missing and why can't the upgrade happen?

DalSan
2012-12-20 21:23:49
The reason for the lack of updates is because of having the Verizon branding. Their updates must include Verizon specific software, which means modifications to the plain "Vanilla" versions of updates. Verizon, amongst other phone service providers, have to have the right software added, tweaked, and tested before releasing the updates, which takes time and money. It may be cheaper up-front getting a phone company branded device, but the cost of untimely and lack of updates and extra cost in the long run would make it not worthwhile. As others have said, installing CyanogenMod or other modified operating system would offer much better speed, functionality, and updating ability for any android device capable of it. Just follow the instructions carefully and you should be fine. Having the benefits of blocking most advertisements in most apps Adobe is worth doing so for me, plus getting rid of junk that otherwise could not be rid of, and having speed and battery life improvements.
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DalSan
2012-12-20 21:25:48
*alone, not Adobe.
Ahmed Musani
2012-12-16 08:51:53
You can check for software upgrade via your phone.
Andrew Yen
2012-12-16 06:40:01
just the features and software...
luis donis
2012-12-16 06:19:42
for improvements to the system if you add more things
Junil Maharjan
2012-12-16 05:43:06
I will back what Fawad Mirzad said. Every telco operator and manufacturer create their own version from what google provides them. So every update for every android device takes time.
siddharth singh
2012-12-16 05:15:50
it isn't a legal issue. they take time because they have to add their own custom softwares.
Jack Giebel
2012-12-16 05:09:20
Android is open source, so the manufacturers can modify it all they want. And when a new version of android comes out, they take forever making sure there garbage works right. Then the carries do the same.
Nguyen Huy Anh
2012-12-16 03:07:14
Different versions just have different feature sets. Like the new Holo UI in ICS and up, and Google Now in Jelly Beans and up.I suggest you go online and search for custom ROMs like CyanogenMod. They are very reliable and relatively easy to install. There's a bit of learning curve involved but fret not, you'll be there in no time!
Rohit Pandey
2012-12-16 02:45:16
not difference.......android is an open source operating system.so it can be develop by anyone,anywhere, for suitable hardware.....so eventually the difference is automaticallly gets generated.
Jeffrey Wilson
2012-12-16 01:54:16
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Alex Perkins
2012-12-15 20:27:13
If you get really desperate then you could root and install an updated ROM
Jan Fritsch
2012-12-15 17:17:26
I think the best way to put it is that Android is half-way device specific. Technically a "vanilla" Android could run on all devices. For performance reasons the kernel and ROM doesn't include instructions for all devices and hardware. They are ~ to a certain point ~ hardware specific and it is up to the manufacturer to make it work on their device (all the custom apps and interfaces are just "modding" and "skinning" etc.).If you look at a company e.g. Samsung who have a multitude of Android devices they obviously focus their development on their latest hardware and their flagship devices. All other will be at the end of the line for an update and eventually dropped altogether.One option you do have is too look on the web for compatible ROMs from different devices using the same hardware or custom ROMs for that particular device.
Jan Fritsch
2012-12-15 17:19:52
I forgot ~ as Susendeep pointed out the service providers are also playing into this. Once the manufacturer has updates the firmware for the device the provider may also make changes to it, add their logo and apps and therefor further delaying or cancelling possible updates.
christine st.syr griffin
2012-12-17 07:13:08
thank you jan i do understand most of what you are telling me and i appreciate your time, thanks ever so muchchristine
susendeep dutta
2012-12-15 15:55:51
Samsung has already rolled out Ice Cream Sandwich(ICS) update for your tablet and hence you'll receive the update in phase wise manner.So,don't lose hope and you'll get many features as mentioned in the link below -http://www.phonearena.com/news/Verizons-Samsung-Galaxy-Tab-7.7-to-be-updated-with-Android-ICS_id35274Verizon is yet to roll it out.So,you might need to wait for some time.
ha14
2012-12-15 11:06:39
for some reasons no rights to upgrade?
Kulwinder Rouri
2012-12-15 08:48:24
You can update it yourself, install CM or MIUI or any other rom that is useful for you, but install it carefully because if you do any wrong step it will brick your device.
Shankar C
2012-12-15 07:07:22
you cen update with ginger DX or cyanogen modDo correctly or else it will brick your phone
James Maciel
2012-12-15 17:27:59
I agree you should just install a custom rom because they are much smoother and are continually updated.
Ahamed Yaseen
2012-12-15 05:47:12
See this chart....http://socialcompare.com/en/comparison/android-versions-comparisonGo to settings click on 'About Phone' or 'About Tablet' then click software update...If any update found, you can manually update....
Christine St Syr Griffin
2012-12-15 07:27:18
every other day i am checking for update, and no such luck and yikes you should see verizons forum alot of upset customers all purchased with the same promise. thanks so much. christine
Fawad Mirzad
2012-12-15 05:43:37
Actually all manufacturers make some changes in android user interface and add their own software. so unlike IOS and windows phone if some update is to be released all included parties including device manufacturer and carrier should work on it. this requires some time and some do not spend this time that is why you can not get update for android phones on time and in some cases you will never get an update.If you want to get update you can install latest ROM. just search for a good rom for your tablet/Cellphone. several updated nice roms are available.Make sure that before installing a rom you know the process other wise you will be breaking your phone/tablet.