All together now: finally! After several broken promises and recalled updates, Samsung's just announced that Android 2.2 FroYo will be available through a "brand new version of Kies" (that's Samsung's software upgrade system) early in November for Galaxy S owners in the UK, while "all operator versions" are "expected" to be available by the end of November (hopefully that includes the "operator versions" of the Galaxy S that Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile are currently carrying here in the States). One could complain that it's about four months late, and that's likely due to the evils of custom UIs - but then again, it's better late than never, right? While you're waiting, you might as well hit up the press release that's awaiting you below.
Update: According to @SamsungMobileUS, the press release was about the UK versions of Galaxy S rather than the US versions:
as mentioned. that tweet was from UK counterparts. In the USA we are working with carrier partners to release Froyo this year.
In our defense and in the defense of everyone who misread the press release (Engadget, TmoNews, etc), the PR, produced by Samsung UK (not T-Mobile UK as some assumed), was worded erroneously and misled both the readers and the writers. Ah well, I suppose we'll just have to wait it out a bit longer...
New Android 2.2 Upgrade Announced for Samsung Galaxy S
Latest Platform upgrade provides enhanced experience on the go
LONDON , UK – October 21, 2010 – Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a leading mobile phone provider, today announces the Android™ 2.2 (Froyo) upgrade to the Samsung Galaxy S, giving users access to new features, enhanced navigation applications and improved, faster performance.
The super-slim Galaxy S is an award winning ultra-lightweight large screen Android smartphone. The Galaxy S features an incredible 4-inch Super AMOLED screen and a super-fast 1 GHz application processor, for an intelligent, immersive and integrated mobile experience. The Samsung Galaxy S has led the Android smartphone market since its UK launch this summer.
The Android 2.2 upgrade enhances the great experience of the Galaxy S, making even more of the processor speed, and the exclusive Super AMOLED screen.
The key benefits include:
Improved browser performance: enhances browsing, navigation and the 'pinch and zoom' feature
Enhanced user interface adding vivid colours and features to the android menu structure
Google Maps with Navigation: A GPS navigation system with voice guidance for a turn-by-turn navigation
Adobe Flash Player 10.1: the latest Flash Player for viewing video content
Enhanced user experience including message editing and the ability to save applications to memory card
Search in-browser: Google™, Translate, Wikipedia, Dictionary
Getting the upgrade
The Android 2.2 upgrade, will be available via Kies, Samsung's in-house software upgrade programme. Samsung has developed a brand new version of Kies which will be issued to make the upgrade experience as smooth as possible. The new version of Kies will be downloadable from www.samsungmobile.co.uk
Samsung will also be publishing video tutorials on how to upgrade, providing a step-by-step guide to the simple download process.
The Android 2.2 software is being fully tested with UK operators and the upgrade will be available in the UK from early November. We expect all operator versions of the software to be fully tested and downloadable by the end of November.
Simon Stanford, Managing Director, Mobile, Samsung UK and Ireland, comments; 'Samsung are committed to providing our customers with the best possible mobile experience, and this upgrade enhances the incredible features of the Galaxy S handset. We also want the upgrade process to be simple and hassle-free for customers, hence the new version of our Kies software and the step-by-step video guides.'
via Engadget