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ICS future for the Atrix 2 gloomy?

Talked with a Motorola rep via support webchat who said that they "don't know" if an update for ICS will come to this phone. This is highly disappointing. Does anybody have any other information? I am considering returning it if they back out on it (as I am still within the return period). Maybe AT&T has a better answer?

toastthemost said:
Talked with a Motorola rep via support webchat who said that they "don't know" if an update for ICS will come to this phone. This is highly disappointing. Does anybody have any other information? I am considering returning it if they back out on it (as I am still within the return period). Maybe AT&T has a better answer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately no AT&T does not have a better answer, actually it is worse. I got the "We are working very hard to have ICS ready for all phones that have the capability, and we don't have any dates to reveal for any phones upgrade to ICS". I then also got the "We have 4 phones getting ready to be released in the next 60 days that will have ICS already on them".
I also asked around at corporate, and I can not get any of the people I work with there to give my any information at all on ICS one way or the other, for any phone.
Don't worry though ports are on the way, I know that both lfaber06 and I will be working to get a real port of it over ASAP. In fact he has a true pre-alpha version already posted this morning.
Jim

Major bummer, considering this phone is only about 2 months old. Either way, I love the phone and I'm keeping it for as long as its functional!
Sent from my MZ617 using Tapatalk

big ach said:
Major bummer, considering this phone is only about 2 months old. Either way, I love the phone and I'm keeping it for as long as its functional!
Sent from my MZ617 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here, its a solid phone.

PeteSeiler2010 said:
Same here, its a solid phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just think it's too "plastic" (while it's still ... a kind of solid)...

If you think this phone is too plasticy...then your best bet would be an HTC phone. I think the Atrix 2 is very solid feeling.

toastthemost said:
Talked with a Motorola rep via support webchat who said that they "don't know" if an update for ICS will come to this phone. This is highly disappointing. Does anybody have any other information? I am considering returning it if they back out on it (as I am still within the return period). Maybe AT&T has a better answer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok lets see if I have this straight
You want to return the Atrix 2 when they don't even have the ICS update for the Motorola Razor yet and it's guaranteed? Me, I'm waiting for the Atrix 2 and here is why.
Google states that phones that run 2.3 can run ICS and it's up to the manufacturer to push the upgrades out. What manufacturer is going to push the hardest to get their handsets running ICS
Motorola/Google hands down

Clovett said:
Ok lets see if I have this straight
You want to return the Atrix 2 when they don't even have the ICS update for the Motorola Razor yet and it's guaranteed? Me, I'm waiting for the Atrix 2 and here is why.
Google states that phones that run 2.3 can run ICS and it's up to the manufacturer to push the upgrades out. What manufacturer is going to push the hardest to get their handsets running ICS
Motorola/Google hands down
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not so fast there.... you are forgetting AT&T is the carrier, and they HAVE to do the actual ROM build, MOTO will give them all of the needed firmware and drivers and such, but it is AT&T who actually does the final build and approval for the releases, what we get off the MOT dev sites, actually is a joint effort from both Moto and AT&T.
I have direct information that if the Atrix 2 gets an ICS build, and IF is the word here, it will not be right away.
Why? You will most likely ask. It is becuase they (Moto and AT&T) are more interested in "Selling" you another more expensive phone, with ICS already on it. Both MOTO and AT&T don't get anything by releasing a new version of the OS to your phone. Just because a Phone can run it, does not mean that they will make it happen. Don't wait for something that might or might not come. If that is the attitude then go get a phone that already has ICS on it, you will be much happier.
I have information that IF, this comes out it will be after June most likely, April or may possibly. This last sentence is unofficial information, the official info I got from my client is posted in the second post here.
Jim

jimbridgman said:
Not so fast there.... you are forgetting AT&T is the carrier, and they HAVE to do the actual ROM build, MOTO will give them all of the needed firmware and drivers and such, but it is AT&T who actually does the final build and approval for the releases, what we get off the MOT dev sites, actually is a joint effort from both Moto and AT&T.
I have direct information that if the Atrix 2 gets an ICS build, and IF is the word here, it will not be right away.
Why? You will most likely ask. It is becuase they (Moto and AT&T) are more interested in "Selling" you another more expensive phone, with ICS already on it. Both MOTO and AT&T don't get anything by releasing a new version of the OS to your phone. Just because a Phone can run it, does not mean that they will make it happen. Don't wait for something that might or might not come. If that is the attitude then go get a phone that already has ICS on it, you will be much happier.
I have information that IF, this comes out it will be after June most likely, April or may possibly. This last sentence is unofficial information, the official info I got from my client is posted in the second post here.
Jim
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree completely on the time frame. However unlike other releases this one is different for Google. They will press extremely hard and bend over backwards to help update every phone in the field they can. The why is extremely easy
This ICS build will allow Google to build for their tablet platform AND the phone platform. The more phones they convert the larger the base to attract developers. This is the first shot they have had to have a single operating system. If they update every phone that can run ICS in about a year most phones current in the lineup and still in the field will be running ICS. Most tablets will be running ICS. As for the carriers they will leap on board since Google is going to be doing the work for them. The more phones on one platform the easier it will be to support. It's truly a win/win

^ Grabs popcorn
Sent from my MB865 using Tapatalk

If Atrix 2 does get ICS, it will be a very long time before that happens, Motorola hasnt even released an update to 2.3 to fix all the damn bugs on the phone. Atrix 2 is the red headed step child.

Red-heads rock ... FYI ...

assuming the carpet matches the drapes
off-topic apologies... back to maintaining positive ICS thoughts...
From what I have read..it would seem that perhaps manufacturers and the "almighty goog" are fighting over device disk space with their proprietary interface bloatware and OS upgrades as well...hence the perpetual speak of "fragmentation" as well... too many differences and no commonality. To someone else's point, hopefully ICS can bring a closer point of unification.

shanghei said:
If Atrix 2 does get ICS, it will be a very long time before that happens, Motorola hasnt even released an update to 2.3 to fix all the damn bugs on the phone. Atrix 2 is the red headed step child.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting point well taken, but I'd have to as you this
Assuming you are the CEO of a carrier and you are presented with two paths and only have the time to pursue one course of action.
A) Put your programmers on fixing the current system and take them off upgrading as many phones as possible to ICS, even though the bugs with the phone are minor and don't impede actually using it as a phone.
B) Concentrate on moving forward with one platform so you can decrease support costs overall and get a big fat bonus
chose

shanghei said:
If Atrix 2 does get ICS, it will be a very long time before that happens, Motorola hasnt even released an update to 2.3 to fix all the damn bugs on the phone. Atrix 2 is the red headed step child.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Long time or not, as long as it comes before my contract renewal date, I'll be happy
Considering this phone came out about two months ago, I will go ahead and assume that most of us just renewed our at&t contracts to get it... I will also assume that most of us have about two years before we can renew our phones so basically, there's no rush guys lol
Sent from my MZ617 using Tapatalk

The biggest problem I see is that Google is in the process of buying Motorola. The issue is that during such buyouts, there are a lot of movement of people who work there. Usually a lot of instability, layoffs and/or management changes happen during this period. The end result will be that the Atrix 2 will be caught in the shuffle and so I don’t have know if ICS will ever come to this device. Motorola doesn’t even seem to care to address the many bugs as it is with this phone, much less care about ICS.

Clovett said:
Interesting point well taken, but I'd have to as you this
Assuming you are the CEO of a carrier and you are presented with two paths and only have the time to pursue one course of action.
A) Put your programmers on fixing the current system and take them off upgrading as many phones as possible to ICS, even though the bugs with the phone are minor and don't impede actually using it as a phone.
B) Concentrate on moving forward with one platform so you can decrease support costs overall and get a big fat bonus
chose
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It all depends on LOE. If the LOE is less than the cost to implement with newer handsets, then it will happen. If the LOE is more than the cost to implement ICS with all new phones, then it will not happen. Look AT&T has 4 different versions of the Iphone that all can run 5 different versions of IOS, and there is not a way to FORCE anyone on an older Iphone to upgrade, becuase there was not OTA until IOS 5.
Support is not a big issue for the carriers, because they really don't support the devices the manufactures do.
You need think way higher than just google and android in this equation and the fact that AT&T still has to support ANY handset (on their network) that has been sold through AT&T or Cingular since 3g rolled out. There are guys at corporate AT&T that still carry the first HTC Tytn phone (the first 3g phone on cingular / AT&T), because it was a beast for the time, and since it is still 3g, and works, AT&T has to provide support for it. Now are there updates from AT&T or HTC, no, but that is why this community is here. Those guys are all running some form of windows mobile 6 on it, so is it the latest, no, does it do the job, yes.
Again ICS might or might not come (at this point the LOE says no, most likely not), I can't spell it out for you any clearer than that or I will no longer have my current customer. I have way more information than I am letting on, that I can not release at this time.

Motorola has issued very few statements about devices that will be on the upgrade path to ICS and the ones that were stated are on Verizen and they havnt even been given a specific date as to when to expect the update.
AT&T has a very good record at getting updated to their devices and doing it in a timely manner compared to the other carriers. Look at the phones on Verizen and tell me how many are up to date and running Gingerbread 2.3.5 or higher, very few. Heck their famed Thunderbolt is still trying to get the Gingerbread update going. The OG Atrix recieved the Gingerbread update before 90% of all other phones had.
Im not confirming nor denying that we will get it but we have a very good chance considering AT&T's track record even though they are being tight lipped about things and I personally think we will. But hey I have been proven to be wrong also
So if Jim says May - mid summer I say that is acceptible in my books. Has anyone seen a PROVEN date as to the other devices yet? NO. We all just have to be patient and see how the events play out. Hope everyone has a good day!

JRW 28 said:
Motorola has issued very few statements about devices that will be on the upgrade path to ICS and the ones that were stated are on Verizen and they havnt even been given a specific date as to when to expect the update.
AT&T has a very good record at getting updated to their devices and doing it in a timely manner compared to the other carriers. Look at the phones on Verizen and tell me how many are up to date and running Gingerbread 2.3.5 or higher, very few. Heck their famed Thunderbolt is still trying to get the Gingerbread update going. The OG Atrix recieved the Gingerbread update before 90% of all other phones had.
Im not confirming nor denying that we will get it but we have a very good chance considering AT&T's track record even though they are being tight lipped about things and I personally think we will. But hey I have been proven to be wrong also
So if Jim says May - mid summer I say that is acceptible in my books. Has anyone seen a PROVEN date as to the other devices yet? NO. We all just have to be patient and see how the events play out. Hope everyone has a good day!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is exactly what I have been trying to get across, Thanks! I also want to note that the carriers are not the ones that really care about which OS a phone is on or if it is up to date, just that it does not harm their network.
AT&T is really trying to get phones updated as soon as they can, if it is a feasible LOE. And they do have a good track record of doing so.

mathk said:
I just think it's too "plastic" (while it's still ... a kind of solid)...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to know what everybody does with there phone's that it has to be built like a tank. The A2 seems pretty tough. The only phone I ever had that died was because my dog got it.
Sent from my MB865 using xda premium

Three UK sensation ICS

I have a sensation on Three uk and I have been checking daily for ICS update.
Today, I was talking to customer services about other issue and asked about ICS, they put me through the technical team, and when I asked, they said there is nothing going on with sensation.
I said other networks have released ICS for the Sensation, and they answer was that they don't have to do so, and for now there is no plan to do so either!
I was more waiting for an answer like: we are working on it, or we are testing it...
I know I could root and I have done this when I had my old HD2, but just can't be bothered to do it again lol
I was under the impression that if the software was released from HTC, it should be make available to all users??
Anybody knows what this policy is?

I've been with three for a few years and my experience is they are absolutely useless with firmware updates, your best bet is to just debrand, the only problem is you lose your warranty. and the firmware is released by HTC but its amended by operators and released for their handsets, so if three never bother to change and release the firmware you will never get it.

Will do as soon as warranty expires, I think I will be changing networks after this.
I need some kind of assurance that the phone I am stuck with for 24 months will get the updates released by the manufacturer or I'll go elsewhere...
I though I was getting closer to get rid of the screenshot and overheat problems, but I see that is not the case...

Three
I tweeted Three three times and each time they have told me it is in testing. A friend of mine got a 4.#### update the other day and he told me it made his phone really laggy. He is on three, I don't know why he got that.

Just take the plunge and flash a custom ICS ROM,
Its easy to revert back to stock if needed.... Either that or wait......... wait for a very long time..

Update today!
Three UK announced on their Twitter this afternoon that the ICS update for the HTC Sensation (Not XE/XL) has been rolled out.
The update should appear soon for you

Samsung to release Jelly Bean for SIII on August 29

techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/samsung-galaxy-s3-jelly-bean-update-expected-august-29-1092199
phonearena.com/news/Samsung-Galaxy-Note-II-image-leaks-Jelly-Bean-coming-to-Galaxy-S-III-on-August-29th_id33275
Again, Verizon may hold things up, but then possibly flash the international version before OTA?
fingers crossed.

When we start seeing leaks, ill believe it.

I'M A BELIEVER!!!!! (hoping, praying, etc etc.....)

oh boy people just dont learn

I don't have high hopes that it will be released for Verizon for a while, but I think I'll be optimistic this time around.

I expect a Verizon update around Christmas time

hollywoodo said:
techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/samsung-galaxy-s3-jelly-bean-update-expected-august-29-1092199
phonearena.com/news/Samsung-Galaxy-Note-II-image-leaks-Jelly-Bean-coming-to-Galaxy-S-III-on-August-29th_id33275
Again, Verizon may hold things up, but then possibly flash the international version before OTA?
fingers crossed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will not be able to flash the international version. Different radios, different processor, different RAM. At best, you soft-brick, at worst, you blow up /efs and effectively turn your phone into a $500 media player.

As previously discussed here, it will be Q4 or Q1 2013 before the Verizon S3 gets JB.

Next summer is probably more accurate for Verizon
Good news is CM10 should have the bugs worked out long before Verizon pushes Jelly Bean.

I don't know about next summer, but I do not have much faith in VZW being timely either.
My "hoping" was based around the fact that starting with Jelly Bean, manufacturers were given the source code much much much sooner than past experience so that they can try to drown out a little bit of the fragmentation within the Android ecosystem by upgrading devices to the same versions together rather than scattered all over the place because "they didn't have time and demand was too intense". Someone somewhere (I don't remember where) said it was intended to move device manufacturers releasing major os updates from the 6-12 month mark up to about 2 months, if not sooner. Again, I don't have source, I can dig for it though.
Not that I wanna open that can of worms again, but now that I think about it, it would be rather strange if Galaxy S3 gets JB pushed "in 2 weeks" when the Verizon Galaxy Nexus hasn't even got it yet.....

I just hope that flash still work's or you can block the JB OTA update.

4ktvs said:
I just hope that flash still work's or you can block the JB OTA update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash is dead on android. Get over it and move on.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

You should be able to side load flash and it should work on jelly bean. It works on my kindle fire running a jelly bean rom.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

I'll keep waiting for the devs the release a leak. i would rather have that over the stock ROM any day.

Knowing Verizon they will hold the update until after dec 21, 2012 to see if the mayans were right. Then if the world doesnt end they will continuing to hold the update for fun
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

Hooray!
I'm actually excited about this! Can't wait to juice up my Sammy!

AlexDeGruven said:
Flash is dead on android. Get over it and move on.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash is DEAD for JB not ICS. For one and two, I will get over it when HTML 5 is not crap and works right. ( And most web sites like youtube work well with it. And can do every thing flash can.)
That and even Nexus 7 guy's can get flash to work via side loading flash player with fire fox 16 or side loading the stock ICS browser.
You can use HTML 5 on the five or so web's sites it works on. I will be doing 1080p video with just about any web site able to work. Have fun.

Hopefully this comes out soon with some bug fixes over anything else that comes out with JB. This phone is great but their are some issues, and I'll wait for Synergy to have a stable rom with Flash working. No Flash, no go.

AlexDeGruven said:
You will not be able to flash the international version. Different radios, different processor, different RAM. At best, you soft-brick, at worst, you blow up /efs and effectively turn your phone into a $500 media player.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think maybe deathbynukes meant to flash the verizon phone in such a way to enable global operation. While the international version of the phone uses different processor/radios/etc, as you state, the US/vzw version uses the same Qualcomm Snapdragon as the Droid Razr family, already "globalized" by verizon. This chip is capable of either CDMA or GSM operation, as long as the proper radio firmware and software is included in the phone. Samsung's own FCC filings mention GSM operation. So maybe there is a ray of hope that international roaming will come to the vzw S3... but it's not a bright, shiny ray and I'm not reaching for my sunglasses just yet.

tigerdog2000 said:
I think maybe deathbynukes meant to flash the verizon phone in such a way to enable global operation. While the international version of the phone uses different processor/radios/etc, as you state, the US/vzw version uses the same Qualcomm Snapdragon as the Droid Razr family, already "globalized" by verizon. This chip is capable of either CDMA or GSM operation, as long as the proper radio firmware and software is included in the phone. Samsung's own FCC filings mention GSM operation. So maybe there is a ray of hope that international roaming will come to the vzw S3... but it's not a bright, shiny ray and I'm not reaching for my sunglasses just yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The droid razr uses a TI OMAP CPU like the Galaxy Nexus.

Operator update and Baseband

Hello Everybody
I want to know one important thing in this Android update drama for non Nexus mobile phones.
Previously, people was speculating that only because of heavy skinning, non Nexus Mobile Phones takes long time to release updates.
It has been shown recently that updating mobile phone maker's skin for a new version of Android takes very less time.
The recent claim being Operator takes big chunk of time in testing the updates before it being released.
But, few months ago i learnt one important information from an XDA member.
I was looking to update my AT&T Google Nexus S mobile phone to Jellybean.
But the update was not available then for my mobile phone.
So, one of the fellow XDA member converted an OTA delivered update to be installed in all GSM variants of Samsung Google Nexus S.
I asked him wouldn't it cause any compatibility issues when i install an update meant for unlocked mobile phone.
He told me that the update won't update the Baseband and even Google's all OTA based updates won't update baseband.
In this case, what for Mobile Operators are testing the updates?
Why not football4pda or any similar rom developers release their latest roms without updating baseband ?

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=30373108
Sent from my One X using Tapatalk 2

superchilpil said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=30373108
Sent from my One X using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is a general discussion thread, not exactly a question and answer thread.

raddy said:
He told me that the update won't update the Baseband and even Google's all OTA based updates won't update baseband.
In this case, what for Mobile Operators are testing the updates?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure why you would find this relevant to the One X. Do you own a One X also? Every manufacturer does things differently, and every phone is a bit different.
At least for the AT&T One X, every single OTA has included a new baseband radio.
Aside from baseband, the carrier may be testing other things, like general stability and whether their carrier customizations have been properly implemented. And yes, AT&T has an awful reputation for delaying release of updates due to "testing".
raddy said:
Why not football4pda or any similar rom developers release their latest roms without updating baseband ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Custom ROMs are almost always designed to not affect the baseband radio. Often users will want to try different ROMs without changing the radio, since the best radio for reception is often geographically tied more than related to ROM compatibility.

raddy said:
Hello Everybody
I want to know one important thing in this Android update drama for non Nexus mobile phones.
Previously, people was speculating that only because of heavy skinning, non Nexus Mobile Phones takes long time to release updates.
It has been shown recently that updating mobile phone maker's skin for a new version of Android takes very less time.
The recent claim being Operator takes big chunk of time in testing the updates before it being released.
But, few months ago i learnt one important information from an XDA member.
I was looking to update my AT&T Google Nexus S mobile phone to Jellybean.
But the update was not available then for my mobile phone.
So, one of the fellow XDA member converted an OTA delivered update to be installed in all GSM variants of Samsung Google Nexus S.
I asked him wouldn't it cause any compatibility issues when i install an update meant for unlocked mobile phone.
He told me that the update won't update the Baseband and even Google's all OTA based updates won't update baseband.
In this case, what for Mobile Operators are testing the updates?
Why not football4pda or any similar rom developers release their latest roms without updating baseband ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are two important differentiate facts between carrier branded phones and Google Nexus phones:
1. Phone manufacturers need to get Android source code. Customize it and include various drivers for its unique hardware and combine these into a ROM before it can be delivered to you. In the case of Nesus, Google does all that. But out side out Google, things are much more complicated. The Nesus ROM binaries means nothing to manufacuters. They need the source code released from Google. Android OS is not a set of binary that you can install on any Android phone directly. It is a set of source code that needs to be modified and compiled before they can be used on a phone. Hence it is called Opne Source project for a reason. Google hasn't figured out a way to push OS binaries directly to any Android phones other than its own Nexus phones.
2. Carrier branded phones mean carrier need to take care all the tech support and warranty services for 1-year. So, anytime you update anything on the phone, not just baseband, the carrier need to do extensive testing to make sure everything works ok so that customers won't freak out and send their phone back for service or flood the support phone lines, both of which means extra support $$$ for carrier.
Both of these means delays and delays.

Thank you so much for your detailed explanation.
Although I very well know that non nexus mobile phone manufacturers needs to prepare every new android release for their own products, I thought they could deliver updates faster if they skip baseband update process as I assumed mobile network operator needs to check for reception and battery life for every new android release only because of baseband update .
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app

The biggest problem with update is bricking an otherwise working phone in the process. Samsung is the master of that It bricks a lot of phones on every other updates. So, carriers need to spend a lot of time testing different configurations to make sure it didn't happen. If a phone bricks, carrier needs to send out a replacement to customer for warranty service.That's a lot of money and hassle. That is also why AT&T don't want you have an unlocked boot loader because a lot of ppl brick their phone flashing a custom ROM. And most of them will call for warranty replacement when that happens even though it is purely their fault in the first place.

[Q] Australian unbranded Note 10.1 N8000 - no JB update yet?

Hi, I have an Australian bought (from JB Hi-fi) unbranded Note 10.1 Wifi+3G and despite some internet reports that this device got Jellybean in the last few weeks, and other internet reports that it got it in November 2012(!), there's no sign of an update for me (it says "No updates available" each time I check). Why?
This article from an Australian retailer says the Note 10.1 got the update in November 2012!
http://www.mobicity.com.au/mobile-b...update-released-for-samsung-galaxy-note-10-1/
Sorry to start another JB update thread, but most of the talk in the other threads is from people who already have it, and this is a question specifically about us Australians who don't.

Ok, the goss from here is that Australia simply doesn't have it yet, and no samsung representatives seem to know when it will.
Hi Peeps,
Does anyone know when our Tablets will get an official update to 4.1.2 or even 4.1.1, I keep watching the Samsung YouTube chanel and they always show of all the features of JB but yetthey wont upgrade ours and leave it on ICS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
talking to the samsung rep at my misses work today, they said they keep getting asked but no one knows.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
JB is a significant improvement, just go ahead and flash it with one of the other country ROMs that are available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
People who have imported them from the US have got them, though.
It's pretty annoying how I keep reading that "pretty much everyone" has it now. We don't! I guess I'll keep waiting. Hope we get it Q1 2013.

Bugger that, use ODIN and get whatever firmware you want... If you want to stick to stock, make sure to get a copy of the Aussie ICS rom from sammobile so you can downgrade and then upgrade to Aussie JB later....
Trust me, it's a heap smoother and JB has a few extra bits and piece over ICS... Worth the upgrade....
You don't need to be rooted for the overseas firmwares... Though I prefer to be... Blocks the security exploits nicely...

^^^
What he said - United Arab Emirates don't have JB yet either.
I just downloaded and flashed German 4.1.2 (XXCLL3) on my N8000.
For my Daughter's N8010 I downloaded and flashed German 4.1.1 (XXBLK9)
Both work perfectly.

As I haven't rooted, I'd rather go with Samsung's upgrade and keep all my app data and settings.
With ODIN I expect I'd lose them (and even if not, I'd be strongly recommended to do a factory reset).

Up to you, but Oz being the ass(you know what I mean) end of the world I wouldn't expect the update any time soon....
Same for most tech, low customer base and too far to ship so we get EVERYTHING last....
I haven't waited for the updates t arrive on any of my phones and tablets as we seem to be about 6 months behind, more if you have a carrier branded device...