Have T-Mobile G1 and HTC Dream owners seen their final major upgrade to the Android system? Nothing is set in stone, but there’s understandable nervousness from some Android users that Cupcake (Android 1.5) may be the last development branch available for the G1.
AndroidAndMe speculated that the G1/HTC Dream would probably not be updated with further baked goods like Donut or Eclair. The reason? The G1’s limitations — specifically the storage space that houses the Android OS — makes it difficult for the full features of Donut and Eclair to load onto the phone. When a reader contacted a Google engineer about the issue, the engineer responded with this tweet:
Keep in mind there is no confirmation that G1’s won’t get Donut or Eclair but the “I can’t promise anything” is unsettling. You would hope he’d say, “Of course we’ll update it” or “We’ll do everything in our power.” Granted he’s an engineer and not a PR spinmaster, but the cautious/negative connotation makes me nervous.
T-Mobile for its part has responded with this statement
We plan to continue working with Google to introduce future software updates to the T-Mobile G1. Reports to the contrary are inaccurate.
I think some Donut features will make it onto G1’s but we all need to start realizing that we’re riding a sinking ship. Eventually, some Android updates might not make it onto this phone. If more devices begin to eclipse the G1 or the phone proves incapable of handling Android’s enhancements, we’ll eventually have to be happy with what we’ve got or buy something new. Such is the price you pay for being an early adopter.
August 17th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
We need a device upgrade equivalent to the iPhone 3G to 3GS upgrade, it's that simple. I'm not leaving Android for as long as I can see, I'm addicted to it.
But the more cool stuff I'm wanting to do with my G1, the slower it's becoming. We need the unholy triad – faster processor, more memory, and more battery life. So far I'm not hearing about anything on the horizon that's going to give us that.
August 17th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
Atually, we will get stronger processors and memory in the Motorola Sholes and Sony Xperia Android phones (battery life remains to be seen). Both are all but guaranteed to get stronger specs than the G1 in terms of ROM and RAM. As HTC and other device makers see how powerful Android is becoming, they have no choice but to upgrade the internals and accommodate it.
August 19th, 2009 at 6:42 am
hmm this leaves me wondering about the fate of the whole dev phone users. Google still sells only the G1 as the "Google Dev Phone".
Users outside the US etc (where android phones aren't sold by providers) have no other legitimate option but the Unlocked Dev Phone.
On a different note, if the Xperia does come out, I seriously doubt people will have the patience to wait for a legitimate option
August 19th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
They need to just upgrade the G1. Its an excellent phone. I’m upgrading from black berry being that I have a G1. I know its been real handy and the more powerful, the more business and pleasure. Tmobile is getting stomped on by lazieness…. theyed have the industry on lock if they spent more time on their devices. Especialy the G1! They also need to make an internet TV capability feature. That allows real time TV for free internet sites. Most of that stuff relies on ADOBE flash player acceptance. They should start there then let it flow… we’ll all be happy G1 campers then.
August 19th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
And for the extra point…. they truely hit the market with the G1 development. Why stop now in the midddle of a project? This reminds me of SEGA with the DREAMCAST… of where they hit top shelf with that project to then allow Microsoft to trick them into the 360. And we all know that was a rushed project. And that system is still in infantcy! G1 has the same situation… And they just need to stick with it!!!! They can easily come up with internal upgrades as well as memory card devices that the software should reconize the upgrade data… like the gig memory cards. Or something that you could download from a desk top. Though id rather have the phone automaticly update. G1 is a special device. Please stick with it!!!!