Samsung Galaxy S II handsets not tied to a specific carrier no longer have to wait for their Android 4.0 upgrade. According to a tweet from Samsung’s UK Twitter account, unlocked Galaxy S II phones can now download and install the software, known as Ice Cream Sandwich. Orange and T-Mobile customers with a Galaxy S II in Europe remain on Android 2.3, but Samsung says these will “follow as soon as possible.”

SlashGear caught the tweet and notes that the Android 4.0 upgrade can be found through Samsung’s Kies software. Here in the U.S., carriers typically push the software over the air after they’ve tested and tweaked the platform. For that reason some people purchase unlocked handsets, with the reasonable thought that these would be among the first to see updates. Unfortunately, with the Galaxy S II that hasn’t been the case as some carrier models already received Android 4.0.

Along with the updated Google Android software, Samsung has added a Face Unlock feature; similar to that found on stock Android 4.0 devices, such as the Galaxy Nexus. Also included is Samsung’s latest TouchWiz user interface to correspond with Google’s own software updates. It appears that Samsung is pushing the updates out ahead of a May 3 product launch event; likely to be the Galaxy S III.

Source: GIGAOM

HTC announced today via its Facebook Fan Page that it plans to update a number of its smartphones to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich in early 2012.

“HTC knows how excited our fans are to get their hands on Google’s latest version of Android, Ice Cream Sandwich, so we’re thrilled today to announce the first wave of HTC phones that will receive upgrades.

Ice Cream Sandwich is coming in early 2012 to a variety of devices including the HTC Sensation, HTC Sensation XL and HTC Sensation XE, as well as the HTC Rezound*, HTC EVO 3D, HTC EVO Design 4G* and HTC Amaze 4G* through close integration with our carrier partners.

We’re continuing to assess our product portfolio, so stay tuned for more updates on device upgrades, timing and other details about HTC and Ice Cream Sandwich.

*US handsets”

Source: HTC Facebook Page