Samsung halts Galaxy S3 Gear-compatible Jelly Bean update
More about Galaxy Gear:
Samsung has pulled a software update for some Galaxy devices after finding it caused problems with the handsets.
The Android 4.3 update for the Samsung Galaxy S3 — meant to give the devices compatibility with the recently announced Galaxy Gear smartwatch — has been suspended in the UK after complaints it was causing devices to freeze and batteries to drain faster than usual.
"As we are currently investigating the reported issues with Galaxy S3 4.3 Jelly Bean update, the upgrading service has been temporarily suspended," Samsung UK told ZDNet in a statement.
"We are committed to providing customers with the best possible mobile experience, and will ensure to resume the upgrading service at the earliest possibility."
Samsung announced in late October that it would begin rolling out 4.3 to Galaxy S4, Galaxy Note II and Galaxy S3 customers in the US, bringing Gear compatibility and Knox, its secure container designed to keep work and personal data separate.
Expanded support for Gear should help Samsung sell the $300 smartwatch, which has received lukewarm reviews so far. The Gear smartwatch launched alongside the Galaxy Note 3 in September. Since then, Samsung has also promised to expand support to the Galaxy S4 mini and Galaxy Mega phablet.
Following a report in a Korean publication this week that Samsung had only sold 50,000 Gear smartwatches, the company on Tuesday told Reuters that it had in fact sold 800,000 units since launch. In the UK, the devices are selling through LTE carrier EEand retailer Phones 4U.
Meanwhile, in the US, AT&T has pulled the Android 4.3 update for the Samsung Galaxy S4, according to Android Police.