If you’re using an HTC device on your GSM service, then you may not want to hold your breath, especially if your device includes 512 MB ROM or less. HTC has just updated their Ice Cream Sandwich release timeline to include those devices that are confirmed to get the newest version of the Android OS. The good news is, many of these phones are GSM and thus are unlockable and usable on the global SIM networks, and there is a more specific date available for all of the featured devices (months are shown rather than quarters).
The bad news is, HTC has also added a list of devices that won’t make the cut to receive Ice Cream Sandwich. HTC has laid many phones and tablets to rest in regard to an update to ICS, stating that “in general, devices with 512MB ROM or less will not be upgraded to Android 4.0.”
Unfortunately, the ChaCha, Salsa, Explorer are three GSM phones included in the list of no-ICS. Others will also remain stuck on Gingerbread (my beloved HTC Glacier has not yet been announced for an update). Those that do get updates will be updated to HTC Sense 3.6 rather than 4.0 due to hardware limitations according to HTC.
For those of us who refuse to let sleeping dogs lie and just have to have Ice Cream Sandwich for our devices, well, there are always custom ROMs to turn to.