Verizon Ally owners see Froyo update, while Fascinate owners continue to wait

LG Ally users can rejoice: the Verizon smartphone, which was rumored to get an update to Android 2.2 (Froyo) in February, has just begun receiving OTA updates. It's humorous that the device, a mid-range smartphone, is able to receive a Froyo update OTA while Samsung's top-of-the-line Galaxy S cannot.

It's unclear exactly when the updates began rolling out, but based on the fact that Friday people were still speculating as to when the update would come, it had to begin being pushed out sometime late Friday / early Saturday.

The update (VS740ZVD, Android 2.2.1) brings a ton of improvements to Android, including performance improvements, the ability to move apps to the SD card, improved security, and more.

Verizon LG Ally owners can now wave their devices in front of their Verizon Samsung Fascinate brethren. The only Galaxy S smartphone, of which the Fascinate is one, to receive a Froyo update is the T-Mobile Vibrant, and that requires a cabled install using Samsung's Kies desktop software.

Samsung promises Froyo status soon; claims not charging carriers for Android updates

Samsung Galaxy S owners in the U.S. remain stuck on Android 2.1, and have waited so long for Android 2.2 (Froyo) that many theories have sprung up, including the latest, which is that Samsung is charging carriers for Froyo updates. That one must have struck a nerve with Samsung, as it has reportedly reached out to quash it.

Phonescoop says that Samsung Mobile emailed it, with the following missive:

"No. Samsung is not charging carriers for Froyo updates to Galaxy S. We hope to have more detail on status shortly. Promise!"

Many other phones have received Froyo updates, so it is unclear why there is a holdup on Samsung's. So far, rumors have flown about fried internal storage with the update, Samsung holding it back (specifically on the Vibrant) because of the upcoming Vibrant 4G Plus, and more. There has even been some saber-rattling at XDA about possible class-action lawsuits.

A public update on the matter would be a great idea, Samsung. Issuing a press release with public details on Froyo, or perhaps even Gingerbread, on the Captivate, Fascinate, Vibrant, Epic 4G, and Mesmerize in the U.S. markets would probably reduce the upset.

Samsung responds to Vibrant 'Froyogate' accusations

Samsung has responded to recent accusations that it is artificially blocking the Froyo update to its Vibrant Galaxy S variant so as not to affect sales of its upcoming Vibrant 4G Plus, but not in a way that clears up anything.

When asked by C|Net about the issue, Samsung replied:

Samsung Mobile does not comment on rumors or speculation. With regard to the Froyo update, we recently issued the following statement: "Samsung feels it is important to make the Android 2.2/Froyo upgrade available only after we feel that we can give the millions of U.S. Galaxy S owners a simple and reliable upgrade experience. Due to the complexity and unique functionality of each Galaxy S device, we are performing additional testing and are working to make the Android 2.2/Froyo upgrade available to all U.S. Galaxy S owners, including the Samsung Vibrant, as soon as possible.

That noncommital answer surely isn't going to sit well with Vibrant owners, or owners of Epic 4Gs, Fascinates, or Captivates, either.

Whether or not Samsung is artificially delaying the Vibrant Froyo update, none of the other U.S. Samsung Galaxy S smartphones have seen an update either. When the Galaxy S series of Android phones was first unveiled in late June, Samsung promised Froyo updates. None have come, and many other phones, such as the Motorola Droid X and HTC Evo 4G, have received an Android 2.2 update.

One difference between those phones and the Samsung phones, however, is that Samsung's are "infected" with TouchWiz on top of Android. Those UI layers often cause issues with upgrades, although the Droid X does carry MotoBlur, and the Evo 4G Sense. That, in fact, could be the real issue.  Either way, U.S. Galaxy S owners expect an update.