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Samsung vows to 'review' Jelly Bean update in naff statement

When will the Samsung Galaxy S3 get Android 4.1 Jelly Bean? Samsung's not giving anything away.

Luke Westaway Senior editor
Luke Westaway is a senior editor at CNET and writer/ presenter of Adventures in Tech, a thrilling gadget show produced in our London office. Luke's focus is on keeping you in the loop with a mix of video, features, expert opinion and analysis.
Luke Westaway
2 min read

When will the Samsung Galaxy S3 get Android 4.1 Jelly Bean? Samsung's not giving anything away, telling us only that it will "review the possibility of implementation to existing Samsung products".

"In the case that a new version of an Android operating system is publicly announced and released," the Korean tech giant says, "Samsung will review the possibility of implementation to existing Samsung products with the Android operating system ('Update')."

The statement goes on to clarify (thank goodness!), "Such a review will be based on various factors, including the overall effect of the update to Samsung products, the system requirements, the structural limitations, and the level of cooperation from the component suppliers and the software licensors.

"If Samsung decides to make the update available to the users," the statement concludes, "it will be released upon successful completion of development."

We know when a new version of Android is announced, geeky gadgeteers are -- understandably -- keen to know if and when their smart phones will be getting the new edition.

The evolving nature of Android is one of the best reasons to get involved in the operating system after all, and I'd hoped Samsung would be able to confirm at least that it'll be making the effort to update powerful recent smart phones such as the Galaxy S3.

The muddled attempt to update the Samsung Galaxy S2 to Ice Cream Sandwich is proof that communication is king when it comes to new software. Otherwise phone owners are left fuming with no knowledge of when -- if at all -- their phones and tablets will get a bite of new Android.

Samsung's offering thus far only suggests that Samsung will consider updating some devices, and isn't very helpful to owners of Galaxy phones. I've contacted Samsung requesting more information and of course I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything.

Do you own a Samsung phone? Would you like to see it receive Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, or is the whole updates thing a storm in a teacup? Let me know in the comments or on our Facebook wall.

Watch this: Android 4.1 Jelly Bean hands-on