Following Google's decision to once again directly to consumers, a lead Android engineer used Google+ to vent frustrations about the Android update process, even for Nexus devices that are supposed to receive new software early and often.

, the lead engineer on Google's Android Open Source Project, placed the blame squarely on wireless carriers, :

“The part that blows my mind is that some variants of the Google-engineered flagship devices still haven't received Ice Cream Sandwich (or are stuck with older versions of Ice Cream Sandwich) because of delays introduced by operator approvals,” Queru wrote. “I'm very glad that Google is back in the business of selling phones directly without any middlemen to interfere, and I'll be even happier when I see that program expanded to more countries.”

In the United States, Sprint's Nexus S finally received Android 4.0 in early April--four months after the roll out began for the GSM/UMTS version of the phone that launched on T-Mobile. Owners of the Motorola Xoom 3G/4G are still waiting for the latest version of Android, three months after the Wi-Fi version . And although the unlocked Galaxy Nexus now runs Android 4.0.4, owners of the Verizon variant are still stuck on version 4.0.1.

“Writing the software doesn't mean that Google can deploy it immediately, there are operator approvals for devices that are sold and/or supported by operators,” Queru wrote.