allow me to point out a couple key things that people are either missing or forgetting;
2. devices that are slated to come out have been going through months and months of testing. just because a software update is available, doesn't mean any of the meanufacturers really care. the incredible/evo is being released with 2.1. 2.2 support will come when HTC releases it (most likely). google has already offered its partners/subscribers information on steps to take in order to provide the upgrade to their devices. ultimately, google has no responsibility in making sure the rest of the market stays current.
3. the rumored june release date does NOT mean june 1. a few people have said that june is only a few days away, which adds to the excitement, but only the excitement of knowing the month has arrived. without a solid release schedule, all dates are speculation and there's no guarantee as to when anyone will see any sort of update.
It will be interesting to see the how the combination of manufacturers and carriers for the various existing devices impacts the release of 2.2. This is the first time, I believe, that a good sample of top tier devices from various sources are all at the same (2.1) release level.
() Nexus1: Release schedule directly controlled by Google with, I presume, input from T-Mobile. Pure Google UI.
() EVO 4G: Manufactured by HTC. Carried by Sprint. HTC Sense UI
() Hero: Manufactured by HTC. Carried by Sprint. HTC Sense UI
() Incredible: Manufactured by HTC. Carried by Verizon. HTC Sense UI
() Droid: Manufactured by Motorola. Carried by Verizon. Google UI.
The combinations present some interesting engineering and marketing challenges for the various vendors.
It seems pretty likely that the N1 will be first at the party. T-Mobile has no reason to hold up the update and neither does Google. And the N1 definitely needs a kickstart after the disastrous internet-only marketing approach from Google.
Sprint faces a major dilemma, I think. Updating the EVO 4G so soon after its introduction, especially with its many tweaks that might be impacted by 2.2 and the refined Sense UI is likely to introduce consumer confusion in trying to sell a new device.
Furthermore, Sprint's Hero is just now getting 2.1. Will Sprint leave it in the dust again? Even if they could do so, I doubt Sprint will release an update for the Hero before they do so for their new flagship EVO 4G.
Verizon has a similar problem. Their new flagship, the Incredible, has the Sense UI to deal with. But are they likely to update the Droid ahead of the DInc? Some web blogs have suggested so, but I'm highly skeptical. The DInc's sales are already limited by supply problems rather than weak demand. Do they really want to update the Droid (which is being almost given away by various retailers) before the Incredible? I don't think so.
And what about the rumored new Motorola phones for Verizon? They seem to be near ready for release in late summer/early fall. But they also (I suspect) have the Motoblur extensions that must be integrated with 2.2. Will Verizon release a Droid2 (or something similar) without a Froyo level o/s? I doubt it.
And then there's AT&T. They're just putting their toe into the Android pool. The FroYo update gives them a chance to jump in with new hot devices at the leading edge. But will they do so at the same time that they're anticipating the release of the iPhone 4gen? How would that impact their relationship with Apple?
Finally, what about all those devices from various carriers that are stuck back at 1.5 or 1.6? Seems unlikely that any carrier would update them to a release level older than 2.2. What's the point? But will any vendor leapfrog an older device running, say, 1.6 to 2.2 ahead of their flagship products?
All in all, the combination of Sense and Motoblur UI extensions and the potential to cannibalize sales for existing and new models presents each carrier with some difficult choices in terms of release dates.
