Official: HTC tablets will not be updated to Android 4.0
HTC’s official Android 4.0 update list includes the majority of the phones which have been rolled out within the past 12-18 months. We’re glad HTC will be keeping most of its newer phone up to date, but we did miss one important piece which was tucked inside HTC’s list. HTC’s Android tablets (the HTC Flyer, EVO View 4G and Jetstream) will not be updated to Android 4.0.
HTC did not explain why their tablet lineup was being abandoned. When it comes to hardware, the HTC flyer variants and the HTC Jetstream have more than capable of handling Google’s latest Android built. But the issue probably has more to do with HTC’s tablet strategy than anything else.
When HTC originally released the HTC Flyer, the idea was to offer a unique product with HTC Scribe pen integration which would help differentiate HTC’s tablets from the competition. Being an owner of the Flyer, I can definitely day that HTC took the right approach. But as good as the HTC flyer and HTC Jetstream are, the Android tablet segment does not offer a great return on investment. Players like Samsung and Amazon have had limited success, but it’s hard to determine if they have been profitable in the segment.
If there are no profits to be made in tablets, HTC will keep its focus on the smartphone segment. Updating the HTC Flyer and Jetstream to Android 4.0 may sound like a simple task to us, but it would require HTC to create a new HTC Sense skin for Android 4.0 which would be delivered to an incredibly small number of customers. The return on investment simply isn’t there.
Fortunately, the development community for the HTC Flyer is very close to releasing several different Android 4.0 builds. There are still some glitches to be worked out, but if you’re willing to root and flash an unofficial build to your HTC tablet, Android 4.0 is within reach.
Source: HTC
About Nick Gray
Tech enthusiast, Android user and founder of the first HTC blog – Nick Gray has been blogging about HTC phones before most people knew what a smartphone even was. Over the years Nick has owned and tested dozens HTC devices and is constantly flashing new ROMs to his Android phones.
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Must say very sad to read this. I only brought the flyer as different from all the other tablets. Having just updated to the HTC One X I just feel let down by HTC, should have gone for the Samsung S3 and a fruit based tablet, HTC very upset and let down.
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HTC Sucks, I brought the htc flyer because it was different,and i stuck with android 3.2 with very mutch bugs.tanks htc!
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I was a big fan of HTC until I found out they are not updating the Flyer to 4.0 ICS. I will not buy anything that bares the HTC logo from this day forward.
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OK! No ICS? At least fix HoneyComb! I can’t believe that Flyer owners are being abandoned like this! Even Pandigital supports their low -end devices better than HTC!
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OK. That is last time I’ve purchased something from HTC. Last piece of crap.
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No more updates on flyer = no more htc for me. Bought myself a tab2 and lg nexus, not because they are that good but only because they are NOT HTC
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I played online with the WiFi hotspot and after the new update I have made I can’t get my ps3 signed on the internet! Thanks for nothing
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Bought a jetstream last month, so sad to know this thing will stuck on android 3.2. Thinking of getting little profit by making this thing upgradable, you’ll lose more rather than gaining if you don’t make both flyer and jetstream to 4.0. Not only this 2 product, but it’ll affect the whole company itself for doing nothing. Disappointed!
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Ive owned HTC mobiles and Flyer now for several years, the ONE and no ICS for the Flyer means Samsung gets my money now…byebye
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