HTC details Ice Cream Sandwich update times

The HTC Sensation XL (Vodafone) is one of many smartphones that will be updated to the latest Ice Cream Sandwich version of Android.

HTC has published a dedicated Android 4.0 update FAQ on its global Web site detailing when each of its smartphones is expected to receive the Ice Cream Sandwich software update.

The latest version of Google's Android software, 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich was released late in 2011 but updates are slow to hit handsets due to the fragmented Android operating system.

HTC has already updated Australia's first 4G smartphone — the Velocity 4G — to Ice Cream Sandwich, while users with a HTC Sensation XE or HTC Sensation XL smartphone on the Vodafone network should see the update very shortly. Other Australian devices will receive the update sometime between now and August.

"The majority of devices will receive upgrades in June and July 2012 and we expect to finish upgrades in August 2012 for all announced devices," the HTC blog reads. "Because of partner and network testing, and approval processes for device updates, it can take up to 45 days for all carriers and countries to get the update after a rollout has begun."

HTC is keen to point out that the dates published are merely targets rather than a guaranteed time frame. "These dates are targets and may shift due to testing and approvals," it says.

In addition, not all HTC phones released in Australia will receive the update. Australian models that won't be updated to Ice Cream Sandwich include the HTC Desire Z, HTC ChaCha, HTC Salsa, HTC Wildfire S and the HTC Explorer.

"We work hard to ensure each of our products has the optimal user experience and therefore some products will remain at their current version of Android," HTC explained. "In general, devices with 512MB ROM or less will not be upgraded to Android 4.0. Upgrades are not the same thing as ongoing support. Devices not being upgraded to Android 4.0 will still get software improvements, security fixes, and technical support as needed."

All Android 4.0 updates will include HTC Sense 3.6 and not the latest Sense 4 version seen on the HTC One X, One XL and the One S. HTC says Sense 4 "requires dedicated hardware, which is not available on all devices."

HTC's ICS update schedule for Australia is listed below:

Device	Schedule
HTC Desire S	June-July
HTC Desire HD	July-August
HTC EVO 3D	June-July
HTC Incredible S	June-July
HTC Sensation	March-June
HTC Sensation XE	March-June
HTC Sensation XL	April-Jun
HTC Rhyme	June-July
HTC Velocity 4G	March-June

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More about: etwork, Google, HTC, Vodafone

References show all

• Android 4.0 update FAQ
• Ice Cream Sandwich: The most delicious Android yet
• HTC Velocity 4G Android phone
• HTC Sensation XE Android phone
• HTC Sensation XL Android phone
• HTC Desire Z Android smartphone
• HTC ChaCha Android phone
• HTC Salsa Android phone
• HTC Wildfire S Android phone
• HTC One X Android phone
• HTC One XL Android phone
• HTC One S Android phone

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