We recently received a tip from someone who claims to work internally at T-Mobile. Â The information in the tip has just confirmed everything we have ever thought about Samsung, OTA’s and new devices.
Our source has confirmed that there is already a fully functioning 2.2 OTA update ready to be pushed out by T-Mobile but Samsung has told them NOT to release the update for fear of it decreasing the value of the newly announced Vibrant 4G+. Further information has revealed that not only is the Samsung Vibrant 4G nothing more than a Vibrant with a front facing camera (FFC), but the software update would also enable the same 4G speeds that we are already capable of. The only thing missing at this point is a nice little 4G icon on your screen, which is in the update as well.  This is questionable as the hardware needs to support HSDPA+ for this to work, but you never know.
Quote from our Tipster:
Some disturbing things have happened the last week or so concerning our “Vibrant”. Â Samsung has NOT allowed us to push the update OTA for 2.2 because they feel it will decrease the value of the upcoming Vibrant4G +. While from a marketing aspect i totally understand, as the Vibrant 4G is what the original Vibrant should have been in the 1st place. But to shun off and bold face lie to customers is NOT what T-Mobile is about.
…Being that, Vibrant 4G and Vibrant have exactly same stats, added FFC and a new movie and the 4G. But i will tell you this, the original vibrant CAN utilize 4G FULLY. Yes FULLY. not what they are telling you.
This recent information just solidifies our previous thoughts about the the recent device announcement. It’s nothing more then what we already have with the addition of a FFC. News like this also makes me shift more of my frustrations away from T-Mobile and more toward the manufacturers making life extremely difficult.
So what is Samsung doing? I’m not really sure at this point. Everything points to the company being dead set on sales numbers instead of keeping the people that have made them millions happy. If this is Samsung’s business model it sure is not going to keep them in the front running for very long.
We have contacted Samsung and are currently waiting for them to respond.
UPDATE: The source of this information contacted us once more with a little update about the 4G performance he mentioned. Â This is what he said:
We have already put it out there that most of out devices would see a speed boost with the new network. Just the Vibrant will see a bit more. So I dont see why that is such a huge surprise to your readers. But not full 4G.
So as you can read, it’s not going to be full 4G compatibility, but he does say that the Vibrant will get a bigger advantage from the upgrade than other phones on the network. Â I think we’d all like to see any increase in speed no matter how small it is.
We cannot validate nor deny this speculation at this time, however we are just relaying the information provided to us.
