Motorola to not update all handsets to ICS

Earlier this year, it was reported that Motorola had released a roadmap that provided details of their devices that were to receive Google’s latest smartphone operating software, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, on their official blog. At the time, they had provided information on the various steps that needed to be taken in order to upgrade to the current OS. They have detailed the procedure pertaining to the software upgrade process and have divided it into four stages – Evaluation and Planning, Development, Testing and Available. But in a recent post by Motorola, it appears that this latest bit of information may not please some of their users as they state that all handsets will not receive Android 4.0.

As per the post, Motorola states, “You may be wondering why all devices aren’t being upgraded to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). Here’s the deal. We work very closely with Google and cell phone carriers for every software update. And, obviously we want the new release to improve our devices. If we determine that can’t be done—well then, we’re not able to upgrade that particular device.” While this may be quite disappointing to many Motorola users, it seems that this is a commonsensical move by the brand as they are not willing to sacrifice the usability of the handset just so that it can receive the latest software upgrade. Many may question this as lower end devices have already been treated with Ice Cream Sandwich, so one may wonder why the latest dish from Google is not being served on all Motorola handsets. The answer provided by them is pretty straightforward and instead of just upgrading their handsets, they also wish to maintain the usability of the hardware. 

Only certain handsets to receive Android Ice Cream Sandwich

Here is a look at the handsets that will receive the software update in the EMEA area:

• MOTOROLA RAZR
• MOTOROLA XOOM WiFi Only MZ604
• MOTOROLA XOOM 2
• MOTOROLA XOOM 2 Media Edition
• ATRIX MB860/MB861
• MOTOROLA XOOM WiFi + 3G MZ601

Devices that will receive ICS in the Asia Pacific Area are:

• MT917
• MOTOROLA RAZR XT910/XT910S/XT910K
• MOTOROLA XOOM WiFi Only MZ604
• MOTOROLA XOOM WiFi Only MZ606
• XT928
• ATRIX 2
• MOTOROLA XOOM 2
• ATRIX MB860/MB861/ME860
• MOTOROLA XOOM WiFi + 3G MZ601

To check if your device will be upgraded to Android Ice Cream Sandwich, hit the link here.