It would seem that since Google bought Motorola that promised software updates to Android 4.04 Ice Cream Sandwich would be more than possible. However, Motorola is creating an uproar with customers and also contributing to global warming by denying owners an update that has been promised for months.
Many people who bought top-of-the-line Motorola smartphones a year or less ago are furious and vowing never to buy a Motorola smartphone again. Motorola has updated its Android update page and removed three products from ICS updates.
When the Motorola announced Android Ice Cream Sandwich updates included on the list were many dual-core and high-end smartphones such as the Motorola Atrix 4G , Motorola Photon and Motorola Electrify. The Motorola Photon may have been better named the "Moto Fauxton."
These Atrix and Photon were accessorized with expensive lapdocks or a multimedia dock kit with remote. The Atrix's nom de realty is now "Mo' Accessories Up Ur A-Tricks 4G".
If you go to the Motorola website and look under the Motorola Atrix 4G accessories, the Laptop Dock is gone. It appears that Google wants Motorola to remove any trace of the Laptop Dock that could replace a netbook.
The price of the Atrix Laptop Dock
Back in May, we took a screenshot of the upgrades with included the Motorola Atrix 4G, Motorola Photon 4G and possibly the Motorola Electrify. There were also reports of a soak test in the Motorola forums.
One comment we found was, "Atrix 4g owner bought more accessories when they announced they were updating to ICS. Now hundreds of dollars later I get the shaft with 2 days to go until the update deadline. Never again."
Comments call Motorola at #motofail on Twtter call Motorols a liar and claim "Flagship device officially unsupported in less than a year LOL Hey @Google why are you allowing this?" Many Tweets and protests have swear words implied or edited out.
Owners further complain that since Motorola locked the bootloaders, they can't upgrade to Android ICS, even at their own risk....
A commenter wrote, "Shortly before pushing back the promise of ICS from 3rd quarter to 4th quarter, Motorola pushed an "update" to these phones that locked the bootloader. Anyone who accepted that update (and you were reminded every 4 hours that you needed to download this important update) is now unable to load custom ROMs."
Motorola said in a statement, "Today, we need to let you know about some tough choices related to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich upgrades. Specifically, ATRIX 4G, Photon 4G and Electrify will not receive the ICS upgrade, but continue to be supported with maintenance releases to ensure optimum performance for the consumer."
Instead, they are offering a $100 rebate when you trade-in a Motorola smartphone and buy another Motorola smartphone. This is very bad for the environment smartphones contain toxic chemicals and rare earth minerals. Motorola is defacto telling customers to toss their old phone hardware because they can't get the software to work.
The Motorola Atrix HD has very similar software and they were able to develop an update to Android ICS for that smartphone. With updates problems consumer has no recourse, because they already own the phone.
In the past, owners of phones that were promised updated threatened class action lawsuits and petitions created at change.org. Petitions there ask, Freddie Mas stop selling former meth labs to buyers that are contaminated with chemicals and Google to make a map app for iPhone 5/iOS 6.
Who wants to take on the Motorola juggernaut? You comments are welcome, please omit swear words, if possible.
I bought the A-Tricks because it won awards and I bought all the bells and whistles. Let's see, I've paid thousands of dollars in bills and Moto is too cheap to give us the update they promised.
All they care about is profits. They offer a Droid RAZR, the phones are not on AT&T or Sprint. If I could swear, I would. Somebody ought to sue these idiots. They have broken a contract.
You may have a case, because Motorola posted several times while the Atrix, Photon and Electrify will still selling that would update the phones.
If you bought them, because of the update promise, they are breaching their contact.
Good luck finding an attorney who has the guts to go up against two of the most powerful companies in the country.
The big guns have no accountability except for their own profits.
iPhone owners have been successful suing, you guys may have some A-Tricks up your sleeves.
Ha ha, Apple updates its iPhones for years after purchase. Motorola feeds you to the ROM lions after only a year.
Next time get a Nexus, with pure Google, then you won't have to wait for MotoBlur garbage and locked boots.
I thought your definition of Fauxton and ”Mo’ Accessories Up Ur A-Tricks 4G” was hillarious and more true than the former names. I feel betrayed for listening to their sales pitches. I'm also crying when I see my wireless bill, the monthly costs are the same as an iPhone or Nexus, but I'm paying more in lack of features. Motorola is a Faux google company and a dirty liar.
Change.org can't change greed.
This sucks big time
Since my Atrix is no longer under warranty, my rooted CM9 ICS is working just fine....very minor issues, but liking it so far. Since Motorola won't upgrade my phone, I decided to do it myself. Next year, I will be getting a Samsung...So long Motorola!
I've looked for roots but I use the multimedia dock and Laptop dock. They updated the A-Tricks 2 but not the original, no fair. Is there rooted software that works with the expensive accessories?
Can someone explain why they can't upgrade the 4G when it is so similar to the Atrix 2, which is getting the upgrade? I don't understand this.
Add me to the list of consumers who feel cheated by Motorola
Tagged us along for 9 months promising an Update. Of course now everyone feels cheated by Motorola. Certainly not the way to earn customers. I guess our Wallet will decide the rest.
If they weren't going update the phones, then they shouldn't have said they would. It's bad enough when an update is late, but renegging totally is really bad. Just say not to Moto.
Very very unhappy
thats too cheap n cheat!!! moto!!!
If you want to support my petition for an Ice cream Sandwitch then support me at.
http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/motorola-issue-an-update-for-motorola-4g-ice-cream-sandwitch
This is not fair!!!Just bought mine a month and a week ago cant return back either..and no ICS.Just bought cause they had that in the website to upgrade.PLS PLS PLS Motorola dont do this to us..GOOGOLE COME ON!
Yes it is PHOTON 4G!We need it to be ICS.
Bye Bye Motorola. Another HP WebOS fail. Hello Windows Phone!
I will never again buy a motorola or google phone.
$100 to buy us off, only if we buy another phone that you then won't probably upgrade when its time comes, is more insulting than helpful.
Doug
I would have trashed my Atrix 4G a while ago if I hadn't been strung along with the promise of an update!
Worst yet, they locked the bootloader! I will never, ever, buy a Motorola product again. I don't care how many years pass, or technologies they develop. Motorola has made an enemy for life.
I only bought my Atrix because they publicly committed to update it to ICS. Motorola are nothing but shady conmen that will stoop to anything to get your money.
Dissapointed in Motorola... I too, have been waiting for the ICS update for my Atrix. In a few months I'll be eligible for a new phone, which I would have put off for quite a while. But now I might have to try my first IPhone.
I for one will NEVER EVER buy another motoCRAP device as long as a live. I have a phone less than a year old, bought the car mount and the HD dock. I'm ready to jump ship and say SCREW GOOGLE/MOTOROLA. Lets not forget folks there are two other major players in this game. On one side you have Microsoft and Bing and on the other you have Apple. Time to move on. Dont use Google for your search's and uninstall chrome. AVOID THIS DUO ALL TOGETHER.
Let sign to gent ICS on our Atrix! http://www.change.org/es/peticiones/ics-for-atrix?utm_campaign=share_button_modal&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition&utm_term=25886506
This petition is in Spanish. I find it interesting that Motorola laid off many workers in South America, and has sold many smartphones in South America.