No Jellybean update

[jimdriver2]

Just read the below page. Lists a load of Samsung devices getting JB. The 10.1 wasn't included and given that various other tabs are (including the Tab 2 10.1) it seems like it's been quite deliberately excluded.

It was probably always a long shot, and at least we got ICS which runs very nicely. But my Nexus 7 is so slick I'd love to have that (or similar) project butter performance on the 10.1, never mind.

Samsung

 

[Jacksmyname]

Yeah, I figured we wouldn't get JB.
But my tab with ICS and the Nova launcher is terrific; no complaints here.

 

[artbytes]

Yeah, I figured we wouldn't get JB.
But my tab with ICS and the Nova launcher is terrific; no complaints here.

Do you have to root to add a new launcher?

Over at the xda-developer forum, they are developing ways to put jelly bean on the tab 10.1. As far as I could tell, they have it mostly working. There are just a few more tweaks needed, so we may be able to get it that way. They said JB would extend the battery time and have Google Now and S voice. Sounds nice.

 

[CargoMatatu]

I too have just received my ICS update and am very pleased with it.

It's a shame that we won't get JB, but it's still a great piece of equipment with ICS and its life has, therefore, been considerably extended for me!

 

[Jacksmyname]

Do you have to root to add a new launcher?

Over at the xda-developer forum, they are developing ways to put jelly bean on the tab 10.1. As far as I could tell, they have it mostly working. There are just a few more tweaks needed, so we may be able to get it that way. They said JB would extend the battery time and have Google Now and S voice. Sounds nice.

I don't know if rooting is required, art. Don't remember if I installed Nova before or after I rooted. No mention of rooting in the description on Play Store, so I think it isn't required (a guess on my part).
Just received an update for Nova a few days ago, and it's even faster and smoother than it already was. Absolutely lightning quick.
I follow developments over at XDA. Still too many people having issues with JB, so I'm
content to stay with ICS.
Hard to imagine the Tab getting better than it is now. ICS and Nova are a great combo for me. Very pleased with everything.

 

[beachcire]

You do not have to root to use the launcher.

 

[Jacksmyname]

You do not have to root to use the launcher.

Thanks, beachcire.

 

[fredgen]

Now that the courts will probably lift the USA sales ban on the Galaxy Tab 10.1 I see no logical reason that we can't get the JellyBean update. We should make our displeasure with Samsung's decision not to upgrade the Tab 10.1s known to them.

 

[SlyFerret]

No logical reason?

It's a discontinued device that has been replaced by newer models. The newer models will probably get JB, but I seriously doubt the original GT 10.1 will get it. The logical reason is that it isn't worth putting the effort into building (and testing) a new firmware for an old device. There is a huge amount of work on Samsung's part to take the stock Android JB release and customize it for our devices. Don't discount the amount of QA testing that goes into a firmware release also. Sure, you can run 3rd party ROM's, but they don't contain all of Samsung's tweaks, and they certainly aren't fully tested. And you can bet that Samsung won't release a firmware that hasn't passed their internal QA standards.

If you haven't noticed already, Samsung doesn't really give much consideration to the displeasure of end users who want updates. Just look at any of the sub-forums here for any Samsung device. You'll see the same threads over and over again.

We're a tiny fraction of their overall user base. We just think we're a bigger fraction because of the internet echo chamber effect. Also keep in mind that Samsung's real customers are the wireless carriers, not so much the end users.

-SF

EDIT: I didn't say I liked it... But I do understand their side from a business perspective.

 

[CargoMatatu]

An "OLD" device?

Still selling like hot cakes all over the place!

 

[SlyFerret]

Replaced already by the Galaxy Tab 10.1 2 and the Note 10.1.

It is an old device.

-SF

 

[jimdriver2]

I agree with SlyFerret, it makes little business sense for Samsung to upgrade the original Tab. To be honest we're pretty luck to have ICS.

I don't think JB would make a major difference TBH. I have ICS on my SGS3 and it runs brilliantly, in many ways probably a bit smoother than JB on my Nexus 7 (although that does feel more slick, if you see the difference.) My conclusion is that it's down to the Hardware, the SGS3 is rammed with the best tech, it was a

 

[Coach70]

I think Samsung might be doing themselves a disservice by not releasing JB on the Galaxy Tab 10.1. Android, and in particular Samsung have a reputation of having infrequent update cycles and short support periods. iOS and iDevices (and Nexus devices for that matter) are much more likely to have frequent updates with longer support periods.

Most of us would agree that this is a disadvantage of the Galaxy Tab series and that about 1 year after release you can bet that it will no longer receive upgrades. Any potential buyer of a Samsung device doing some basic research may approach these or other forums to get some advice from the 'experts' and count this as a point against buying a Galaxy Tab.

 

[Deleted User]

I think Samsung might be doing themselves a disservice by not releasing JB on the Galaxy Tab 10.1. Android, and in particular Samsung have a reputation of having infrequent update cycles and short support periods. iOS and iDevices (and Nexus devices for that matter) are much more likely to have frequent updates with longer support periods.

That can be said of all manufacturers that put a UI overlay on top of Android, like HTC, Motorola, etc. It takes a fair bit of time and work to come up with the overlay, program it, test it for feedback and bugs, then release it. All this is done after the source for the new version is released to the manufacturers, so of course it takes a while. And the more updates they release, the more work required with little financial gain. It doesn't make financial sense to keep spending money on updating products that have been replaced with newer models/versions.

When I went shopping for a tablet, I wanted one that was sleek, light, good screen, good battery life, 3G data, plenty of accessories, and have a good UI. The Tab 10.1 was the only viable option at the time. Today it's still one of the better options, although newer models are more appealing.

As for Apple devices, they offer updates for longer periods. But it's not to satisfy customers. Its purpose is to alter the user experience with bigger and heavier code in order to convince users to upgrade to the newer hardware to support the new firmware. Look at the release cycle of firmware and hardware...there's a clear pattern of firmware updates that add some new features (but not all), and new hardware to run the new firmware. It's a way to get repeat business without making it look obvious. And clearly it works for the masses of Apple users.

As for a disservice, I don't think so. The orginal Tab 10.1 is not manufactured anymore as it has been replaced with the Tab 2. That device, or the Note 10.1 is the flagship tablet for Samsung and that's where they will apply updates and marketing as expected. If someone asks if the original Tab 10.1 is still a good purchase, I'd tell them 'it is if it does what they want at the price point'.

 

[SlyFerret]

In addition to the skins or overlays that vendors add on their devices to differentiate themselves from the competition, hardware device drivers also take a significant amount of time to develop and test with each new release of Android.

It is just one more reason why I doubt that we'll get JB. Sammy doesn't want to go back and put the resources on a discontinued product.

If you're on a pure android device (nexus), upgrade cycles are very regular. You can count on getting a new release every year, just like Apple. They have been supporting previous nexus devices with ~2 major updates so far, which equates to about 2 years. It doesn't make sense for them to support beyond two years because the tech changes so fast that nearly all customers are clamoring for a new device when their 2 year contracts are up.

-SF

 

[Coach70]

Based on this, if Google had a 10.1 inch Nexus tablet and it's specifications were comparable to the new upcoming Galaxy Note 10.1, I would be hard pressed to choose the Note over the Nexus (price tags being more or less equal).

So this is my point; Samsung not supporting their tablets beyond one (very late) major upgrade is a disadvantage compared to Nexus and iOS tablets. It should be worth it for them to upgrade the Galaxy Tab to JB to ensure new customers feel confident that their new investment in a Galaxy Note is going to be worthwhile. This is a significant investment for most people, and you tend to feel you're getting better bang for your buck with a Nexus or iDevice as it keeps fresher, longer. You can also bet that Windows RT is going to be more Nexus / iDevice like in its support cycles.

One question: I heard during the ICS release cycle last year that ICS was supposed to make this upgrade cycle much easier for the developers. The theory was that after they reskin to ICS, reskinning to JB should be much simpler. Did this ever pan out?

 

[SlyFerret]

Good question!
-SF

 

[blisterpeanuts]

It's disappointing that Samsung is not rolling out Jelly Bean to this device. I have a 10.1 on my desk at work, and it would be a lot more useful to us if it had the latest OS; we create apps for Nexus devices because we need to demo them using standard hardware and the latest, best OS releases.

Perhaps the original Tab 10.1 didn't sell as well as Samsung would have liked, but that's no excuse. If a company wants to inspire confidence in its products, it has to support them.

The $250 Note 7.0 is competitive with the Nexus 7, with front/rear cameras and a MicroSD slot which the N7 sorely lacks. But I won't buy a Note, because I'm afraid it won't run Key Lime Pie (Ketchup? Kit-Kat? Kefir? [Hershey's] Kisses?).

 

[Jacksmyname]

Salted bagel with butter and cream cheese?