14 DAY TRIAL // Android 1.5-based Samsung Behold II, currently available for purchase in the United States via T-Mobile, has never enjoyed an upgrade to a newer flavor of the operating system it runs under, and its owners seem decided to take stance. T-Mobile and Samsung risk a lawsuit on this, especially since they promised that an Android 2/0 software update would come to the handset, but failed to provide it until now.
While users of a Samsung Behold II have started to join forces to push the two companies into delivering an update to them, an official answer on the matter reportedly emerged, though not the one they might have been expecting. In the end, Samsung will provide an upgrade for Behold II, but only to Android 1.6, with no newer flavor of the OS in plan.
“Samsung Mobile and T-Mobile USA are planning to update the Behold II to Android 1.6 which provides access to Google Maps Navigation, Google Voice Search capability and quick search box for Android. The update will also supply additional benefits including Swype, an improved Media Player, updated core Android applications and improved Bluetooth capabilities. However, the Behold II is not upgradeable beyond Android 1.6,” Samsung reportedly stated in a post on AndroidSPIN's forums.
For what it's worth, this wouldn't be the first time users learn that the handset they own won't receive an update to a newer operating system flavor. However, since Behold II owners were already upset with the issue, it remains to be seen how they would react to Samsung's sayings. Android 1.6 might seem old, but it still comes along with a nice range of enhancements over the previous flavor, and it does unlock access to more apps, services and features than Cupcake could support. Hopefully, Samsung and T-Mobile won't be late with releasing at least Android 1.6 for Behold II, although no specific details on this were offered.