AT&T confirmed on Monday that its entire 2011 Android smartphone lineup will receive the latest Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) update in the future. AT&T will push the OS to the HTC Inspire 4G, the LG Phoenix, the Pantech Crossover, the Samsung Infuse 4G and the Samsung Captivate. Oddly, the LG Thrill 4G is missing from that list, but we suspect that it will also receive the software patch following its release. Motorola released its Gingerbread update to the ATRIX 4G over the weekend. AT&T did not announce a specific timeline in terms of when the devices would receive Android 2.3, and the company said that the upgrade process and release dates will vary by device. Read on for the full press release.
AT&T Customers to Enjoy Gingerbread
Android 2.3 Debuted in the AT&T Portfolio with HTC Status, All Post-paid Android Smartphones Released in 2011 Planned to Receive 2.3 Upgrade
DALLAS, July 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ —
Key Facts
- AT&T* confirmed that upgrades to the Android™ 2.3 (Gingerbread) platform are planned for all post-paid Android smartphones already introduced this year.
- Motorola ATRIX™ 4G users will receive an update to Android 2.3 beginning today and HTC Inspire™ 4G users will receive the update in the coming weeks.
- Motorola ATRIX 4G update will also provide the ability to download applications from third-party stores.
- HTC Status™ arrived in stores July 17, the first AT&T smartphone running Android 2.3.
Upgrade Details
Customers who purchased an Android smartphone from AT&T introduced in 2011 can expect to receive an update to Android 2.3. All of these devices are planned to be upgraded from Android 2.2 to Android 2.3, also referred to as Gingerbread. In addition, Samsung Captivate™ owners will be able to upgrade to Gingerbread.
Delivery methods will vary by device. Whenever possible, upgrades are delivered over-the-air (OTA), however in some cases the size of the file needed to install the update will require the user to connect via Wi-Fi or connect the phone to a PC to install the update. Factors such as manufacturer-defined software and other device performance improvements result in each device requiring a separate update which will vary in timing.
Beginning today and continuing over the next few weeks, Motorola ATRIX 4G users will be prompted to install the update. To download the update, users must be connected via Wi-Fi. In August, HTC Inspire 4G users will be notified that the update is available and can be downloaded when connected to a Wi-Fi network. AT&T smartphone users can access at any one of the company’s more than 26,000 Wi-Fi hotspots at no cost.
The AT&T smartphones planned for a Gingerbread update are:
- HTC Inspire™ 4G
- LG Phoenix™
- Motorola ATRIX™ 4G
- Pantech Crossover™
- Samsung Captivate™ 4G
- Samsung Infuse™ 4G
Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
Gingerbread delivers a number of improvements, such as user interface refinements, refined copy/paste functionality and speed enhancements. The upgrade offers improved power management that offers a more active role in managing applications in addition to an improved on-screen keyboard with multi-touch support that makes typing faster and more accurate.
