I'm really interested in the Dell Venue Pro, as I'm sure others are too. The thing that concerns me is their two Android devices, the Aero and Streak shipped with Android 1.5/1.6. This shows that Dell isn't really that interested in provided us with the latest and greatest in OSes and updates.
My question is this.. Who decides whether or not my new device will get WP7 updates and how soon? Carrier, manufacturer, or Microsoft?
from top to bottom priority if your phone is locked to a network.
1. carrier
2. microsoft
if your phone is unlocked like mine
then microsoft handles the updates alone.
even if your phone is locked, the carrier would release the update ASAP and tell microsoft to update all it's customers on wp7 unlike android since update is created by microsoft and carrier just has to test it on their hardware.
powersquad said:
from top to bottom priority if your phone is locked to a network.
1. carrier
2. microsoft
if your phone is unlocked like mine
then microsoft handles the updates alone.
even if your phone is locked, the carrier would release the update ASAP and tell microsoft to update all it's customers on wp7 unlike android since update is created by microsoft and carrier just has to test it on their hardware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So Dell wont have any say in this, unlike on Android?
ericc191 said:
So Dell wont have any say in this, unlike on Android?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nope. even if dell makes dell hubs on wp7 and it's buggy or whatever, dell would only need to release the update in their own hub marketplace itself.
e.g almost all hTC models have this bug in their new wp7 phones in the hTC hub. hTC has pulled the app from their hub marketplace and will release the app again in their hub marketplace again once it's fixed.
so the main OS and main wp7 marketplace are separate to carrier/hardware hubs and their marketplace inside their hub.
and the nice thing is that anyone can uninstall carrier/hardware bloatware from their phone if they wish to even if their phone is network locked.
That's a relief. Thanks!
powersquad said:
if your phone is unlocked like mine
then microsoft handles the updates alone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only if it's unbranded. Weve unlocked Vodafone devices here in Belgium.
The one I get will most likely be locked by T-Mobile.
Well it seems we have another broken promise here: "The truth about Windows Phone 7, software updates, and carriers’ ability to block those updates"
Hey Microsoft, where did remain the equal user experience on every WP7 device in the world? Why are you allowing every OEM/carrier to ruin (again) the whole thing? Really, WTF you're doing?
Actually, this has been discussed at length in mutliple threads.
The carriers can block OTA updates, but updates through Zune come directly from MS and are therefor unblockable - which is the way base OS updates arrive.
Wrong. They can block the WiFi/Zune updates as well. Just read the article. So for example, it's very likely that all of those, who bought a phone now (they are available only through carriers) won't get the major update at January.
There is still debate over this.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-20022445-75.html
All will be reveled after the first update.
But, if the carrier can block it, can't you just unlock the phone and then install the update via Zune?
Sir. Haxalot said:
But, if the carrier can block it, can't you just unlock the phone and then install the update via Zune?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stick in a different sim card and then they can't block the update via Zune
Cutting through the FUD about Windows Phone updates
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/cutting-through-the-fud-about-windows-phone-updates/2596
and they can only block the update for that round, not indefinitely. if they request a block at one round, the next will include that previous update. so really if MS update it frequently, the most you'll ever be behind is the last update.
Exactly and I am hoping by then we will have custom ROMs
..............................
Camn down mate
There will be a solution to this all. If not then there are some really good ppl out here who will have custom roms.
Miss Information
I actually think this is all a giant furphy.
Currently on all aussie HTC W7 phones you can remove HTC and Carrier apps if you don't want them (I'm guessing this would be the same world wide) I have done this on my mozart a few times now. The HTC hub is (in my opinion) is crap and on my phone it is gone. Same with the telstra stuff.
While that is allowed, and given the current MS criteria of having the phones locked down the way the appear to be I doubt anyone will be able to control updates except MS themselves.
my 2 cents worth and you won't convince me otherwise.
BlueAnt1958 said:
...I doubt anyone will be able to control updates except MS themselves.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The info comes from Joe Belfiore, corporate vice president and director of Windows Phone Program Management. So if he doesn’t know how the updates would be rolled up, I can't imagine who knows
Another good article on the topic: "Has Microsoft put Windows Phone 7 updates in the hands of the carriers?"
martoto said:
The info comes from Joe Belfiore, corporate vice president and director of Windows Phone Program Management. So if he doesn’t know how the updates would be rolled up, I can't imagine who knows
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Belfiore knows very well but the ZDNet guy didn't properly interpret Belfiore's statement. Did you read janemanno1's post in the first page?
martoto said:
So for example, it's very likely that all of those, who bought a phone now (they are available only through carriers) won't get the major update at January.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would love to hear the logic that led you to this conclusion.
Even if a carrier could block an update, I don't think they would do so without very good reason because it would cause a lot of negative press. If all WP7 users received, for instance, cut 'n' paste in January, but Orange blocked the update, all the fools on Orange would be incensed as their non-Orange mates taunted them mercilessly. Big no-no.
It's probably a minor concession Microsoft made to carriers and it might be there just to give them time to protest to Microsoft about, for instance, an update that includes tethering or VOIP.
I wouldn't get my knickers in a twist over it if I were you. Just buy an unlocked phone and switch carriers if they block an update you want. If you lock yourself into a two year contract then I'm afraid you'll just have to suck it up.
Question
Did any one received an update for WP7???
It's end of January already!!!!
Let me know.
skythunder83 said:
Did any one received an update for WP7???
It's end of January already!!!!
Let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No one has received one yet, because it hasn't been released yet. In fact, Microsoft never confirmed an update was coming in January. The closest they got was having the web page for the patch have "january-update" in the URL, which they soon changed. Apparently the page itself said "January Update" but I don't recall ever seeing that, and even if they did, it has since been replaced. It's still coming.
Ok, I am been a big fan of WP7 since day 1, I now have a bad feeling I have been duped.
Given what we are seeing with the current update, the pre update update and what I and others are being told by carriers about "testing" imagine this scenario.
21.2.11 Microsoft release pre-update update carrier will forward it only after 8 weeks "testing" phase.
8.3.11 Microsoft release NoDo, carrier decides to skip this one
21.4.11 Carrier releases pre-update update to consumers
15.11.11 Microsoft release Mango (late 2011)
16.11.11 Carrier announces Mango will be released with NoDo rolled in after another 8 week "testing" phase.
16.01.12 Consumers get NoDo/ Mango update.
Yes friends, you could end up waiting a full 15 months from the UK launch of WP7 before you get any sort of significant update! "But we knew about the carriers option to skip an update" you say, but we did not know that MS release dates are useless because carriers are allowed to add 2 or 3 months for "testing", this on top of a barely acceptable update cycle from MS. Even if your carrier gets NoDo, that gives them the option to skip Mango in which case, who knows when you will get any functionality beyond C&P (meh).
I am stuck on a 24 month contract with a phone which will possibly not get a full feature set until near the end of that contract and I am pissed at how stupid I have been not to have worked this out before I signed up. My advice? If you really want a WP7 wait until you can get a properly SIM free one that is not tied to any carrier.
I feel you, but don't be like my wife and judge guilty before the crime
It hasn't happened yet, and though I share the sentiment of the jist of your post, remember to base your mindset on fact, not hypothesis.
In a years time, we will know if we truly were duped. You had to know it was a gamble when you signed up, and now the risk is being realised. Just trust in Microsoft to do the right thing, and raise hell if they don't.
adesonic said:
Ok, I am been a big fan of WP7 since day 1, I now have a bad feeling I have been duped.
Given what we are seeing with the current update, the pre update update and what I and others are being told by carriers about "testing" imagine this scenario.
21.2.11 Microsoft release pre-update update carrier will forward it only after 8 weeks "testing" phase.
8.3.11 Microsoft release NoDo, carrier decides to skip this one
21.4.11 Carrier releases pre-update update to consumers
15.11.11 Microsoft release Mango (late 2011)
16.11.11 Carrier announces Mango will be released with NoDo rolled in after another 8 week "testing" phase.
16.01.12 Consumers get NoDo/ Mango update.
Yes friends, you could end up waiting a full 15 months from the UK launch of WP7 before you get any sort of significant update! "But we knew about the carriers option to skip an update" you say, but we did not know that MS release dates are useless because carriers are allowed to add 2 or 3 months for "testing", this on top of a barely acceptable update cycle from MS. Even if your carrier gets NoDo, that gives them the option to skip Mango in which case, who knows when you will get any functionality beyond C&P (meh).
I am stuck on a 24 month contract with a phone which will possibly not get a full feature set until near the end of that contract and I am pissed at how stupid I have been not to have worked this out before I signed up. My advice? If you really want a WP7 wait until you can get a properly SIM free one that is not tied to any carrier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm afraid your carrier testing dates and deadlines are incorrect.
8 weeks is what 2 carriers in the UK have said to consumers here
OP doesn't make sense to me.
This 'pre' update went to carriers for testing ages ago.
If a carrier skips an update they have to rollout the next update, which will have to include the skipped update.
digime said:
OP doesn't make sense to me.
This 'pre' update went to carriers for testing ages ago.
If a carrier skips an update they have to rollout the next update, which will have to include the skipped update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I read from Microsoft as well, they can skip 1, but they have to push out the next update which also includes the previous one.
adesonic said:
Ok, I am been a big fan of WP7 since day 1, I now have a bad feeling I have been duped.
Given what we are seeing with the current update, the pre update update and what I and others are being told by carriers about "testing" imagine this scenario.
21.2.11 Microsoft release pre-update update carrier will forward it only after 8 weeks "testing" phase.
8.3.11 Microsoft release NoDo, carrier decides to skip this one
21.4.11 Carrier releases pre-update update to consumers
15.11.11 Microsoft release Mango (late 2011)
16.11.11 Carrier announces Mango will be released with NoDo rolled in after another 8 week "testing" phase.
16.01.12 Consumers get NoDo/ Mango update.
Yes friends, you could end up waiting a full 15 months from the UK launch of WP7 before you get any sort of significant update! "But we knew about the carriers option to skip an update" you say, but we did not know that MS release dates are useless because carriers are allowed to add 2 or 3 months for "testing", this on top of a barely acceptable update cycle from MS. Even if your carrier gets NoDo, that gives them the option to skip Mango in which case, who knows when you will get any functionality beyond C&P (meh).
I am stuck on a 24 month contract with a phone which will possibly not get a full feature set until near the end of that contract and I am pissed at how stupid I have been not to have worked this out before I signed up. My advice? If you really want a WP7 wait until you can get a properly SIM free one that is not tied to any carrier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes you were duped: you signed a contract, for a phone.
as far as updates, microsoft has been promising "this is the best windows ever!" since win95. at least you don't have to buy a cd for wp7 updates, if they ever come.
btw, android 3.0 sdk was released , that means. yet another bump for android, like now. hmmm duped indeed.
I suggest waiting until that all gets laid out. Microsoft has been paying attention to the mobile world. I think it is taking the better aspects of Android and iOS. If this is true, they know how important software updates are. They do not want all of the update issues Android has. Trust me. Those voices from the Android crowd are starting to get rather loud boasting about devices being left in the dust, or simply getting an update 6-10 months after the update was released.
As for the new Android sdk, it's tablet only for the moment. The next phone update will be 2.4 that will really bring extra functionality. Heck, Google's own developer phone, the Nexus One is just starting to get the latest update to Gingerbread. Thats over 2 months after it was announced with Nexus S. XDA released it before Google did!
Bottom line, be loud about the updates, but don't speculate. It sounds fine when you do it, but all it does is get you worked up for no real reason. Enjoy the phone for what you bought it for. As key as updates are, you should still buy your phone for what it does now.
This why I am going to wait at least a year or two before I go out and buy a WP7 device, they have so much to work out before it is a functional daily device, but I think in the end they will work all this out.
Me too... I've been looking for a replacement for my ageing sghI780, and as of now the best bet is an android based one. As much as I like the WP7 interface, I want a phone that I can customize anytime I want, with a true offline and not to mention free GPS navigation. I also use my phone to carry important files with me, plus a videos and music files to while away the time. There's a lot of holes that need to be filled in WP7 for the moment. Until those are fulfilled, then I will not own a WP7 device anytime soon. Maybe I'll just get a Galaxy S for the meantime.
I don't feel duped. I knew I was buying into an early mobile os. There is little functionality I miss in day to day operation, and I'm confident that my phone is going to get an update in early march.
Now, if that update for some reason never comes, then I would start to worry, but until then, why cause any more stress than I need to?
digime said:
OP doesn't make sense to me.
This 'pre' update went to carriers for testing ages ago.
If a carrier skips an update they have to rollout the next update, which will have to include the skipped update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If this update went to caariers for testing ages ago, why are carriers telling consumers they cannot release it because they have a 6 to 8 week testing cycle o go through? I am not bothered about this specific update, nor am I bothered by the "carriers can skip one update thing" what bothers me is that we now have to add an indeterminate length of time (6 weeks? 8 weeks?) to whatever date MS give for an update
ohgood said:
yes you were duped: you signed a contract, for a phone.
as far as updates, microsoft has been promising "this is the best windows ever!" since win95. at least you don't have to buy a cd for wp7 updates, if they ever come.
btw, android 3.0 sdk was released , that means. yet another bump for android, like now. hmmm duped indeed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Come on OhGood. You know better than that. The last OS to boast about updates has to be Android.
I'll be sure to send your baseless plug to Google.
Well lets look at it this way. MS's original, public pitch for WP7 was that updates will come solely from them, with no inteference from carriers, OEM's, tooth fairies or frost giants. Now what has been unveiled, not by MS themselves publicly but by bloggers like Paul Thurrott is that the reality is carriers have the power, just like before, to insert themselves into the update process and delay or block updates as they see fit and again here we are, scrambling around trying to find out where our updates are.
It doesnt really matter if they have to pass the next update after a blocked one, conceivably they can do their "testing" for an indeterminable length of time and still in effect block that update as well. The reality today regarding updates is a far cry from what MS publicly promised, and in typical MS style all mention of that is missing from their website or from any MS official.
Duped, misled, hoodwinked, call it what you will, the truth of the matter is updates are NOT solely controlled by MS, contrary to what was originally claimed and that is not a nice thing to discover AFTER buying the device. It may or may not be better than android's so called "fragmentation" but in reality it pretty much results in the same thing, pissed off users.
Fortunately I'm not on a contract with my WP7. And mine is already sim-unlocked. I wonder if I could put a foreign sim in and see if the update would happen?
The only contract I'm in right now is for my iPhone, which is a sure bet.
theo80 said:
Me too... I've been looking for a replacement for my ageing sghI780, and as of now the best bet is an android based one. As much as I like the WP7 interface, I want a phone that I can customize anytime I want, with a true offline and not to mention free GPS navigation. I also use my phone to carry important files with me, plus a videos and music files to while away the time. There's a lot of holes that need to be filled in WP7 for the moment. Until those are fulfilled, then I will not own a WP7 device anytime soon. Maybe I'll just get a Galaxy S for the meantime.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd wait just a little bit and get a galaxy S2
efjay said:
Duped, misled, hoodwinked, call it what you will, the truth of the matter is updates are NOT solely controlled by MS, contrary to what was originally claimed and that is not a nice thing to discover AFTER buying the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While this may or may not be true (according to bloggers it is - I'm not arguing either way) I very much doubt this pre-update would have gone thru the carriers at all. Microsoft always said smaller updates would be delivered directly. If this isn't considered a small update I don't know what is. More pointing to this fact is that most carriers don't seem to have a clue about the update - sure, they may state there's an internal testing period of x weeks, but these people don't have a clue; they read from a script. If your question doesn't exactly match one available in their script they will pick the closest one - which in this case may have been an Android update.
That said, I don't see why the carriers would block updates at all - unless they include features specifically forbidden on the network in question (i.e. VoIP and similar services). The networks have no financial interest in blocking the updates, on the contrary they should get them out the door as fast as humanly possible to keep their customers happy. OEMs on the other hand does have a financial interest in holding off on delivering updates as it means they can produce an almost identical phone with the latest greatest OS included.
In any case, if carriers were looped in here we would have seen evidence of this. Either by me receiving an update before my wife (I've got an unbranded O7, she's got a TMODE branded O7) or by lots of people complain that their X branded device still hasn't received an update. We haven't seen this, at all. Looking at various surveys online it's pretty clear that devices from just about every network have received the pre-update. Microsoft did state it was a staggered release, so the fact that person Y has received his while person Z hasn't isn't evidence of a carrier blocking it IMO.
Dunno if ive missed something but what network has actually blocked you from receiving the update?
ohgood said:
yes you were duped: you signed a contract, for a phone.
as far as updates, microsoft has been promising "this is the best windows ever!" since win95. at least you don't have to buy a cd for wp7 updates, if they ever come.
btw, android 3.0 sdk was released , that means. yet another bump for android, like now. hmmm duped indeed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stupid analogy. Sounds like you bought into the Apple propaganda commercials, which funny enough you see alot less of since Windows 7 (because Windows 7 is actually decent). Every Windows after 95 has been better.
Android Updates:
1.0 ...5mths... 1.1 ...1mth... 1.5 ...5mths... 1.6 ...1mths... 2.0/2.1 ...7mths... 2.2 ...7mths...
Windows Updates:
1.0 ...?... 1.x and we are 4 months into the offering.
Seriously.
efjay said:
Well lets look at it this way. MS's original, public pitch for WP7 was that updates will come solely from them, with no inteference from carriers, OEM's, tooth fairies or frost giants. Now what has been unveiled, not by MS themselves publicly but by bloggers like Paul Thurrott is that the reality is carriers have the power, just like before, to insert themselves into the update process and delay or block updates as they see fit and again here we are, scrambling around trying to find out where our updates are.
It doesnt really matter if they have to pass the next update after a blocked one, conceivably they can do their "testing" for an indeterminable length of time and still in effect block that update as well. The reality today regarding updates is a far cry from what MS publicly promised, and in typical MS style all mention of that is missing from their website or from any MS official.
Duped, misled, hoodwinked, call it what you will, the truth of the matter is updates are NOT solely controlled by MS, contrary to what was originally claimed and that is not a nice thing to discover AFTER buying the device. It may or may not be better than android's so called "fragmentation" but in reality it pretty much results in the same thing, pissed off users.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Listening to the Windows Weekly podcast is painful & funny at the same time. You can hear & see Paul Thurrott's frustration & his enthusiasm for WP7 slipping away week after week. At the beginning he was gushing over WP7 but now not so much.
One day I fully expect him to announce this is his last podcast, given all the disappointment he's had with WP7, Zune & Windows Home Server.
I have seen articles where two people got the update. Some threads show people have it...My phone says i'm up to date. Can I get the official word?
These are reasons Apple is better than Android. They release an update and within a week 80+% of devices in the wild have taken the update. My two year contracts be up on Droid's before I get updated. Really sucks. Not sure why Google can't get the power over the carriers like Apple has.
EVOme said:
I have seen articles where two people got the update. Some threads show people have it...My phone says i'm up to date. Can I get the official word?
These are reasons Apple is better than Android. They release an update and within a week 80+% of devices in the wild have taken the update. My two year contracts be up on Droid's before I get updated. Really sucks. Not sure why Google can't get the power over the carriers like Apple has.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let's not start the Apple vs Android thing here but know that Verizon controls it, not Google (nor does Apple control Google..).
I duno if Verizon released the update officially but if they did, it should show on their website. Also, it's usually waves so one guy might get the update and you will the next day.
BWolf56 said:
Let's not start the Apple vs Android thing here but know that Verizon controls it, not Google (nor does Apple control Google..).
I duno if Verizon released the update officially but if they did, it should show on their website. Also, it's usually waves so one guy might get the update and you will the next day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm starting it just sucks is all. Not comparing devices. Makes no sense I'm asking for the latest OS on a device that will be replaced by a newer model in a couple months. You blame Verizon, so I ask how is it that Apple is able to get OS' pushed to their devices the day they release to the public, but Google has a year plus fight to get a release pushed down. Hell, they released 5.1 and I bet less than 50% of their devices in the wild have 5.0
EVOme said:
I'm starting it just sucks is all. Not comparing devices. Makes no sense I'm asking for the latest OS on a device that will be replaced by a newer model in a couple months. You blame Verizon, so I ask how is it that Apple is able to get OS' pushed to their devices the day they release to the public, but Google has a year plus fight to get a release pushed down. Hell, they released 5.1 and I bet less than 50% of their devices in the wild have 5.0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, you do realize that Android is on a crazy amount of different device from different company? The OS needs to be update/adapted to every single variant there is = Takes time! Apple has to deal with their products only, which is much easier. So yeah, therefore pushing updates faster across all Iphones.
Now I do agree with you that it sucks to wait for updates longer than others but you phone is working right, isn't it? And it won't become bad cause a new model was released. Afaik, that new model will be running the same version of android as your device when it gets updated (which should be quite soon if it's not up already).
If you really want instant updates, grab a Nexus, which is Google's line. You'd get the updates just as fast as Iphones get theirs. Oh and it never takes a year for Google to release updates? Unless it's on a very very old device.
BWolf56 said:
Ok, you do realize that Android is on a crazy amount of different device from different company? The OS needs to be update/adapted to every single variant there is = Takes time! Apple has to deal with their products only, which is much easier. So yeah, therefore pushing updates faster across all Iphones.
Now I do agree with you that it sucks to wait for updates longer than others but you phone is working right, isn't it? And it won't become bad cause a new model was released. Afaik, that new model will be running the same version of android as your device when it gets updated (which should be quite soon if it's not up already).
If you really want instant updates, grab a Nexus, which is Google's line. You'd get the updates just as fast as Iphones get theirs. Oh and it never takes a year for Google to release updates? Unless it's on a very very old device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Makes sense...I buy new phones as soon as they come out, so the G3s days are numbered, so is my N4.