No Further Android Updates for G1; No “Sense” for MyTouch 3G?

No Further Android Updates for G1; No “Sense” for MyTouch 3G?


We early adopters know that we risk not being able to update our first-generation mobile gadgets, but that doesn’t make it any easier to stomach. Android engineers have tweeted that T-Mobile G1 (HTC Dream) phones may not be able to handle any OS updates going forward. It seems that the early G1 model has limited system memory and the current version 1.5 (aka Cupcake) update completely filled it up. That means future updates, aka Donut and Eclair, will likely not be released for the Dream, as new versions almost always require more memory.

“As much as I’m hoping that it’ll be possible to somehow continue updating the G1, I can’t promise anything.”

More disturbing news is coming out of Asia (HTC is a Taiwan company) that the HTC Magic, aka MyTouch 3G, will be receiving the innovative “Sense” UI update in Europe, but that T-Mobile models in the U.S. won’t. This is reportedly due to licensing issues with the T-Mobile versions that require “Google branding.” We’ve voiced our concerns that licensing issues might fragment the Android line with updates in some areas but not others and it looks like that concern might be valid. Which is a real shame, as the MyTouch 3G (Magic) is the newest Android phone in the HTC line and the Sense UI is light years ahead of the native Android UI.


via I4U and Gizmodo)