AT&T promises all 2011 Android smartphones will get Gingerbread

AT&T Android users can breathe a sigh of relief, as the carrier has announced that all post-paid Android smartphones released in 2011 will be getting updated to Gingerbread if they didn't launch with it already. Additionally, last year's Samsung Captivate will be getting the update too.

The HTC Status was released this month with Gingerbread out of the gate, and the Motorola ATRIX 4G just received an update to Android 2.3 Gingerbread last week. The rest of the phones due for the upgrade include the HTC Inspire 4G, LG Phoenix, Pantech Crossover, and the Samsung Infuse 4G. AT&T says that HTC Inspire 4G owners can expect the update to show up in a matter of weeks.

It is nice to see a carrier openly committing to updating their line-up of Android smartphones, even if the updates come much later than hoped for in some cases. This is also the first time we have seen a carrier commit to updating their version of the LG Optimus One (LG Phoenix in this case) to Gingerbread.There are a number of other phones on other carriers that are still languishing on Android 2.2 Froyo (or even 2.1 Eclair) and are begging for an update. We hope that the rest of the market will follow suit and promise updates for recent Android smartphones.