Is Samsung Blocking Froyo on the Vibrant?

Corporations want to maximize their profits, both for themselves and their shareholders. Thus, this shouldn't come as a surprise.

A tipster has come forward and said that Samsung is holding back the Android 2.2 (Froyo) update from the T-Mobile Vibrant (Samsung Galaxy S variant) because they are afraid that such an update will impact sales of their upcoming Samsung Vibrant 4G Plus.

Reportedly, the new device is little different than the original Vibrant. In addition to the original Vibrant, the Vibrant 4G Plus has a front-facing camera, Android 2.2, and HSDPA+ 21 support.

Here's what the tipster said:

Some disturbing things have happened the last week or so concerning our “Vibrant”. 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.

It should be noted that while at first the tipster said that the Vibrant would achieve the same level of 4G support as the Vibrant 4G Plus, he later backed off of that, saying that wjth Froyo the Vibrant would see a larger speed increase than other devices, but not full 4G.

Naturally, however, every little bit of speed-up is welcome, and nevertheless, assuming this is true, it's shady dealings for Samsung.

Update: Someone has reached out to us and said that a TS rep told them on Thursday that Froyo for the Vibrant was coming on Friday, Jan. 14.  We'll see.