Before all those newly purchased Verizon Galaxy Nexus owners run back to the store and return their device, let’s be clear. The Verizon Nexus will be updated by Google and not Samsung or Verizon. You are safe. The ones that are GSM based (use SIM Cards) might not make the grade in Google’s system.
The issue that has been arising came about after Google released the 4.0.1 update. Many current Galaxy Nexus owners were thrilled to see an update already. Those that tried to flash the software update were met with errors and failed installs. Some people re-downloaded the zip and tried again and still failed. The issue isn’t a bad update file. The problem lies in the device it’s self.
Some of the GSM devices that have been shipping all over the world are carrying region specific Samsung Firmware. Not all models sport the same information in their build.prop files that control the install. All Galaxy Nexus device have the same hardware code of manguro, but there are currently 4 variants of software code that has been identified, yakjuxw, yajusc, yakjukr and yakjuux. Those software codes are the deciding factor on if you will receive updates directly from Google or not, in the case of the four mention, you will not.
There is a workaround that the community has come up with though. Many users have successfully flashed yakju software to their devices which then allows for Google updates. At least it auto prompted for installing the 4.0.1 OTA. They are hoping that it also allows for all future updates as well.
While this will definitely affect many GNex owners around the world, the Verizon version won’t have any issues at all. On the other hand, a huge majority of the people who purchase a GNex are not so interested in updated from Google. They buy the phone for the pure Google experience and openness of the device. Bringing custom ROMs and mods the ultimately make the device even better than it started out being.
Feel free to do a little more research if you are troubled by this information. You can take a closer look at the various unique builds over at XDA.
Source: XDA via AndroidandMe
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I find this article a little ridiculous. Despite the various firmware types on the GSM G Nexus, it is more likely to receive updates than the Verizon Nexus because there isn’t the extra delay of having to deal with a carrier.
I am not familiar with the changelog for the 4.0.1 update, but has it even been considered that the GSM Nexus doesn’t need the 4.0.1 update? Is it possible that the only reason that a 4.0.1 update was required in the first place was because of issues with Verizon’s network? This situation happened with the GSM Nexus S and the Sprint Nexus S. The Sprint NS got a 2.3.7 (gingerbread) update but the GSM Nexus S remained at 2.3.6 because it didn’t need the 2.3.7 update. It fixed issues that were only present on the Sprint Nexus S.
All Galaxy Nexus devices will be updated by Google.
Yeah, I don’t really see how this is a problem. So the current update only asserts a specific build.prop property. They will get this updated for proper flashing. I don’t think google is that dumb.
Australian Galaxy Nexus ships with 4.0.1 anyway.
[...] zekerheid van snelle updates. Dit blijkt wederom met de hierboven beschreven update. Er is echter wat rumoer op het internet ontstaan over verschillende versies van de software, met de codenamen yakjuxw, [...]
Until we start using Samsung Keis to update the Galaxy Nexus I dont think its a problem, too many people are jumping the gun on this issue without knowing whats going on between Google and Samsung.
That is valid thinking. Many would prefer a direct update from Google on a Nexus device rather than a manufacturer or carrier update. Not to many of them have even remotely descent upgrade track records. Also many prefer the fact that a Nexus device is pure Google and easily customizable too. For many having to install Kies and manually do updates on their own is a less desirable option than a simple OTA.
Not a problem? I live in S. Korea with a SKT version of the galaxy nexus (yakjukr (of course they would code name their stuff after booze)) and while the rest of the world is enjoying updates, I’m stuck at 4.0.1 apparently until the end of time.
Hi ALL, I’m very happy to anounce that I have a Yakjuxw version of the Galaxy Nexus, and it shipped with Android 4.0.1 on it.
Now I know that there has been an update out there (4.0.2) since mid-Dicember, and the rummor has it that only Yakju versions of the Galaxy Nexus will have direct updates from Google but this morming (Feb 2) I woke up ( I live in Mexico BTW and got my phone from eBay from a USA seller) and it just was there, waiting for me to clic update, the phone detected the update overnight and downloaded it, it’s fun becouse the last thing I did last night was come to this site to see if anyone non-yakju had gotten any updates yet…
I visited the forums and some guys flashed they phones to Yakju so they get direct updates, some folks argued that it was not necessary, that ALL phones will get updates sooner or later. At first I wanted to flah my phone but since 4.0.2 wasn’t a major upgrade I decided to wait and see..
well, there you have it, expect to get updates soon…
and have a nice weekend =)