Droid X2 confirmed to not receive ICS

posted by Scott H. / Mar 13, 2012, 12:05 PM

The Motorola Droid X2 comes with a hefty dual-core Tegra2 chipset and debuted less than a year ago, but we can now confirm that it will not be getting an upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich. The phone had never appeared on any of Motorola’s ICS upgrade lists, but since it was listed as “in evaluation and planning” on Motorola's website some users held out hope that it would eventually get the update.

A response sent to a customer who made a Better Business Bureau complaint shows that the DX2 will indeed be staying on Gingerbread. The message is reprinted here in its entirety:

Dear Ivan,

I am responding to the complaint you filed with Better Business Bureau regarding our Droid X2 model phone. I reviewed your recent case notes and it is noted that you received information from Motorola regarding Bootloader unlock and Ice Cream Sandwich.

We are working to balance the operator requirement for security to the end user, while supporting the developer communities desire to use these products as a development platform. It is our intention to enable the unlockable/relockable bootloader currently found on Motorola XOOM on other devices, where carrier and operators will allow it. This process is requiring a good deal of consideration and technical infrastructure and we have no announcements to make at this time for unlocking any devices.

Droid X2 is not on our list of devices that are slated to get Ice Cream Sandwich, but that does not mean it is not continuing to get support. Though it will remain on Gingerbread it is eligible for software updates if it’s determined that any are needed.

Thank You,
Dorothy Hodges
Corporate Consumer Advocacy Office

We think this is pretty disappointing – the hardware is clearly capable of supporting Android 4.0, so it seems pretty harsh that the phone won’t get to see a major software revision that shipped six months after the phone. We imagine that perhaps the Droid X2 simply wasn’t a hot enough seller to justify the development time, but that’s still a bitter pill to swallow for those of you who picked one up. It also is a pointed example of how locking the bootloader hurts consumers - not only has Motorola and Verizon decided to not upgrade the X2, but they've done everything in their power to make sure you can't upgrade it either.

Do you have a Droid X2? Was the ICS update important to you, or are you content on Gingerbread? Let us know in the comments below.

source: Droid-Life

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89 Comments

1. cw0974

Posts: 24; Member since: Dec 07, 2010

not too shocked to hear about this.

posted on Mar 13, 2012, 12:10 PM 7

18. ardent1

Posts: 2000; Member since: Apr 16, 2011

Another example of android fragmentation. If you buy an android device, there is a very high probability that you may never get the latest and greatest android OS, thus the android landscape is littered with android devices of various android OS. Way to go android OEMs -- sucker your buyers with bells and whistles and then abandon them after you got their money.

posted on Mar 13, 2012, 1:40 PM 6

28. iamcc

Posts: 1319; Member since: Oct 07, 2011

Abandon? They are still getting updates... When you buy a computer (PC or Apple) they don't give you the latest OS each time it comes out. Getting substantial upgrades from something like Gingerbread to ICS should be considered a privilege. Motorola didn't advertise the X2 as a phone that would receive ICS so nobody was mislead when buying it. Your sob story about Android fragmentation is weak at best.

posted on Mar 13, 2012, 3:17 PM 4

32. ardent1

Posts: 2000; Member since: Apr 16, 2011

> Getting substantial upgrades from something like Gingerbread to ICS should be considered a privilege. Lol. People who buy android devices in good faith and then get screwed because getting "ICS" is a privilege. >When you buy a computer (PC or Apple) they don't give you the latest OS each time it comes out. When I buy a computer, GUESS WHAT, I can upgrade to the latest OS. Image that. iamcc, you keep saying some of the dumbest things on this site.

posted on Mar 13, 2012, 4:18 PM 3

50. mobileuser

Posts: 66; Member since: Dec 23, 2011

Yes, you can upgrade to the latest OS on a PC by purchasing a copy of the new software. but not automatic, unless you download a pirate copy of the new software somewhere and use an non genuine version.Otherwise there is a price to pay for, no free lunch. So getting gingerbread to ICS is really a bonus, not automatic. People feel that by paying serveral hundred dollars for a 2 years contract for a phone should be deserved to get the latest OS in good faith, this is not necessarily true. Upgrading to ICS is only a bonus, but is not a guarantee. People never know that the phone will be getting ICS when they buy the phone from the carrier and that is really not a selling point by the cell phone carrier. If people are not satisfied with their phone not getting upgrade to ICS, go and upgrade to the GNexus and forever hold your piece.

posted on Mar 13, 2012, 9:56 PM 3

78. ardent1

Posts: 2000; Member since: Apr 16, 2011

> People feel that by paying serveral hundred dollars for a 2 years contract for a phone should be deserved to get the latest OS in good faith, this is not necessarily true. I updated my iPad 2 and iTouch 4G to iOS 5.1 and they were free -- they both came with iOS 4.x My point is: a) android OEMs are screwing people who buy their handsets in good faith b) iOS does a better job allowing the user to decide to upgrade (for free) or not, something that is practically impossible under the android ecosystem since the carriers and OEMs have so much control over an individual's handset. c) btw, rooting is not the same as upgrading. Android OEMs continue to screw android buyers and that is just sad.

posted on Mar 14, 2012, 5:54 PM 0

37. c.hack

Posts: 614; Member since: Dec 09, 2009

When I buy a PC it does not have a locked bootloader that PREVENTS upgrades. I learned my lesson. If you want a phone that is obsolete and abandoned and locked down 9 months into a 2 year contract get Android. If you want to get upgrades for several years get an iPhone. So much for "open" Android. "Open" up and get screwed.

posted on Mar 13, 2012, 5:34 PM 2

45. KingKurogiii

Posts: 5713; Member since: Oct 23, 2011

what does the bootloader have to do with getting upgrades? xD yeah, Apple will support your iPhone longer but all that means is that you get to see for yourself that it wasn't a good idea for your 3G to be running iOS4.

posted on Mar 13, 2012, 8:43 PM 0

79. JunitoNH

Posts: 1946; Member since: Feb 15, 2012

If this is the case why would manufactures like Lg still releasing new phones with an old OS?

posted on Mar 14, 2012, 8:34 PM 1

88. nox404

Posts: 1; Member since: Mar 20, 2012

I agree with you on that when i buy a PC that they do not send me the updates for windows. But they also do not "LOCK ME OUT" from updating my own computer. The DroidX2 has a locked boot loader.

posted on Mar 20, 2012, 12:59 PM 0

60. Mr.Best

Posts: 79; Member since: Jan 17, 2012

There's more than one way to skin a cat with android. If the official doesn't come out then there are always alternative means to get it. Just ask millions of custom ROM users...gotta love android.

posted on Mar 14, 2012, 3:31 AM 1

31. sprockkets

Posts: 1612; Member since: Jan 16, 2012

Neither am I. This is motorola. I'm actually sad Google bought them with their crappy reputation for updates. They release a new droid ever freaking 3 months it seems, which is the most likely reason they won't update the software on the phones.

posted on Mar 13, 2012, 3:56 PM 0

2. SuperAndroidEvo

Posts: 4888; Member since: Apr 15, 2011

Wow low blow Motorola!

posted on Mar 13, 2012, 12:13 PM 8

3. Sniggly

Posts: 7305; Member since: Dec 05, 2009

I think the thing to take away from this is actually that Motorola is still trying to get software out there to unlock bootloaders. It seemed they had given up when the Razr developer edition was released.

posted on Mar 13, 2012, 12:13 PM 3

8. CM_Punk

Posts: 173; Member since: Mar 13, 2012

I think the thing to take away here is that Motorola is basically giving the middle finger to everyone who bought the X2. It's bad enough that Motorola makes terrible phones, but to sit right here and outright deny ICS to a phone that's not even a year old is just stupid. But of course, someone will try and give justification for Motorola. #bestintheworld

posted on Mar 13, 2012, 12:52 PM 5

12. Sniggly

Posts: 7305; Member since: Dec 05, 2009

Many things in your statement are patently wrong. This is compounded by your idea that Motorola has to put money, time and effort into updating every phone they make; that those who bought the phone are entitled to a software update which was never promised. Aren't you done being a jackass yet, Miz?

posted on Mar 13, 2012, 1:08 PM 3

19. ardent1

Posts: 2000; Member since: Apr 16, 2011

The X2 is not getting ICS, and how is that patently wrong. The X2 was released May 2011 (source:http://www.phonearena.com/phones/Motorola-DROID-X2_id5235) making it less than one-year-old since release date and how is that also patently wrong. Motorola wants people who bought the X2 to buy the latest Motorola devices. It's about making more money from the android camp.

posted on Mar 13, 2012, 1:46 PM 2

22. Sniggly

Posts: 7305; Member since: Dec 05, 2009

The statements about Motorola making terrible phones and the stupidity of not updating the X2 are patently wrong. Also, the idea that this move is "giving the middle finger to customers." And really, at this point those people can't buy a device on contract without breaking their current one or paying two phone bills. So if it was about trying to force people into a newer phone this would not be the one to choose.

posted on Mar 13, 2012, 1:52 PM 2

34. taz89

Posts: 2014; Member since: May 03, 2011

you cant defend motorola for not putting ics on a phone that is less than a year old and has dual core..most android phone get at least 1 OS update but the x2 came with gingerbread and is stayong on gingerbread...if it was a low end phone then thats understandable but with the x2 spec it should be at near the top of the line to get ics.

posted on Mar 13, 2012, 4:52 PM 0

38. c.hack

Posts: 614; Member since: Dec 09, 2009

Even if they are too lazy to send out an upgrade to an OS that they got for free from Google, they could at least unlock the bootloader. Get Android and get screwed.

posted on Mar 13, 2012, 5:36 PM 0

46. KingKurogiii

Posts: 5713; Member since: Oct 23, 2011

the X2 came out with Froyo. :P yeah it's dual-core but it also has a minimal 512MB of RAM.

posted on Mar 13, 2012, 8:45 PM 1

61. Sniggly

Posts: 7305; Member since: Dec 05, 2009

You're missing the X2's biggest problem: 512 megs of RAM. It was also a crappy model that didn't sell well. I'm pretty sure that putting ICS on it would cause more problems than it would solve.

posted on Mar 14, 2012, 4:58 AM 0

66. c.hack

Posts: 614; Member since: Dec 09, 2009

That is pure BS. ICS works with 512MB perfectly. Moto may have a problem adding their motblur crapware, but that is their fault. In the end the customer suffers with a POS phone that cost $200 and a 2 year contract.

posted on Mar 14, 2012, 7:58 AM 0

74. KingKurogiii

Posts: 5713; Member since: Oct 23, 2011

to people that don't care about ICS they have a phone i'm sure works just fine for them on Gingerbread but if you're someone that's going to foam at the mouth if you find out you're not going to get ICS then you owe it to yourself to learn more about your phone.

posted on Mar 14, 2012, 11:49 AM 0

57. CM_Punk

Posts: 173; Member since: Mar 13, 2012

Everything you're saying is patently wrong. But don't let me explain, let the poor customers stuck with a phone that'll never see ICS tell you that. #pipebomb

posted on Mar 14, 2012, 2:40 AM 1

56. CM_Punk

Posts: 173; Member since: Mar 13, 2012

Yup, making money. Forget about the loyal customers and screwing them big time.

posted on Mar 14, 2012, 2:38 AM 0

55. CM_Punk

Posts: 173; Member since: Mar 13, 2012

The Miz and CM Punk are not the same guys. Yeah, they're entitled to a software upgrade at least once considering the X2 was primarily Gingerbread when it was released. You know, not everyone can go out and update their phone because of something called contractual obligations. It's just like Motorola to release a phone to the people who pulled it out of the gutter only for them to turn around and basically say "screw you, buy a newer phone." Are you done defending Motorola on the pedestal you placed them on? #bestintheworld

posted on Mar 14, 2012, 2:37 AM 0

62. Sniggly

Posts: 7305; Member since: Dec 05, 2009

You are The_Miz, former poster of comments on Phonearena, the once and future king of slack jawed, bumbling trolls. Where is it ever said that customers are entitled to a major software update they buy long before that update is ever released, and especially long before the maker of the phone has any chance to make the phone so it's able to run with that update? It's like saying someone who bought a computer on Vista should be able to expect to be given 7 for free just because 7 came out six months after their computer was manufactured and bought. Sense of entitlement is one of many things killing humanity these days. Congratulations on contributing to that, jackhole.

posted on Mar 14, 2012, 5:02 AM 0

76. CM_Punk

Posts: 173; Member since: Mar 13, 2012

You're quite bitter regarding the ICS issue. See the problem with your example is that Windows isn't open source nor is it free. Android is. Google provides it free for OEMs and distributes updates to it free, unlike Windows. It's not like me going to the store and buying the latest Windows. Sorry(well actually not), your example is full of bs and is practically worthless, among other things.

posted on Mar 14, 2012, 11:51 AM 0

89. JonnyV

Posts: 17; Member since: Nov 08, 2011

I, as an OWNER of a Droid X2, personally think this is a complete load of crap that we can't update to ICS. There are phones older, and with far inferior hardware out there getting the update. Why should this phone be left out? Comparing PCs and OS's on them to OS's on a phone is like comparing oranges with rocks. PC's are able to support any operating system you put on them. You may change your operating system any time you wish. It is not locked down in any way. Phones on the other hand, come with a locked bootloader, and no conventional methods of installing different operating systems. You are simply at the mercy of the manufacturer. Yes I know you can root your phone and flash new OS's but that is beyond my point. Again, as an ACTUAL OWNER, this is a load of ****!

posted on Apr 16, 2012, 3:37 PM 0

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