Does anyone know whether Verizon will be ensuring that it's Verizon sold Google Pixel phones receive operating system updates right when Google releases them? Not security updates, but operating system updates.
I wish they would clarify this.
Have you seen this?
http://www.droid-life.com/2016/10/06/google-apparently-letting-verizon-handle-major-pixel-system-updates/#more-192286
Yes, I saw it. The Google Store phones are sold out (the XL with 128GB storage), but Verizon has them to sell.
I don't need the OS updates the millisecond that Google releases them, but withing a few days would be nice.
I am not sure why they didn't think about this in all the promotion. By not speaking to it they are allowing would be Pixel buyers to assume that updates will be slow. There is no key message about needing to stability test that would be acceptable to justify delays.
The second I saw this was the second I ordered from Google. I didn't mind having the locked boot loader but I wanted to be able to get updates when Google made them available. Historically, Verizon didn't do this (Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 6) and I didn't want to be in a situation where I had to wait a month or two to enjoy a new feature I read about online. Besides, the Pixel phones that Google sells will work on Verizon and also have Wi-Fi calling as well.
Just to put some perspective on it, I have a Nexus 6p direct from Google store. The android 7 update was supposedly released over a month ago, I didn't get the update till yesterday.
Never buy a Verizon Nexus/Pixel. I reference the Verizon Galaxy Nexus. Fiasco. Don't forget Verizon-installed VZW branded bloatware will come pre-installed on the Verizon Pixel.
The crystal ball and history both agree, no
The Galaxy Nexus was a lousy phone. Period. It had little to do with it being Verizon or not.
radgatt wrote:Besides, the Pixel phones that Google sells will work on Verizon and also have Wi-Fi calling as well.
radgatt wrote:
Besides, the Pixel phones that Google sells will work on Verizon and also have Wi-Fi calling as well.
Do you have a link that the version sold by Google will also have wifi calling which will work on Verizon. I am hesitant to believe this until I see confirmation since both the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X have wifi calling capabilities AND they both work on Verizon as phones, but the wifi calling DOES NOT work on Verizon.
Verizon never really supported it, having given focus to it's exclusive Droid lineup.
This is what concerns me about Google phones on any carrier where the carrier controls the updates:
Verizon will control Android updates for Google Pixel phones it sells - The Verge
Verizon has final say over when its Pixels get Android updates
https://9to5google.com/2016/10/06/google-confirms-that-verizon-will-handle-system-updates-for-pixels-it-sells-but-google…
For one, HTC made the phones, and HTC is struggling right now so support there could be an issue, and two, the whole Galaxy Nexus thing again.
Verizon is NOTORIOUS for very very very slow system updates on ALL of the phones they sell not just Nexus/Pixel etc... Buy unlocked if you want timely system updates on VZW. If you do not care about timely updates then go for it and buy from VZW but do not expect any system update to arrive remotely close to their release date on any phone you buy directly from them.
Looks like the Google versions won't have Wi-Fi calling. http://www.androidcentral.com/dont-buy-your-google-pixel-verizon
I'd be interested to see a Verizon answer to the OP's post. From what I've read, Google is responsible for security updates AND Android updates, BUT the Android updates have to be certified by Verizon first before they're pushed out to the Verizon Pixels. Now, if Verizon's only software presence is going to be 3 apps, all of which can be deleted, I don't understand why it should take Verizon any unreasonable length of time to push the new system updates to the Pixels as they're received by Google.
Any Verizon personnel have any information?
Nope. I have a Droid Turbo. Still waiting on the 6.x update promised to us almost a year ago.
HD Voice and WiFi calling should also be included as proprietary drivers. So 3 apps and at least 2 drivers.
My guess is that as long as the Pixel sells well for Verizon, it will probably receive at least one major update faster than all of the other Android phones it promotes as a carrier. I have to think that this was a discussion point between Google and Verizon. I am also assuming that updates will be lagged but my sense is that Verizon will place greater resources behind the Pixel. I have pretty much stayed with the Samsung line and Nexus line of phones for my Android selections over the past 2 years. I think Samsung is going to suffer big time as a result of his Note 7 issues, which will impact Galaxy S7 purchases as well.
I am hoping that Verizon understand the market it's selling into with the Pixel. It demands updates...
Pixel is still going to be a niche market, like Nexus. Updates will be far and few between, if even plural and not singular.
This article indicates that VzW will update Pixels at the same time as Google:
Update: Verizon says its Pixels will get updates at the same time as Google’s | Ars Technica
Verizon and Google confirm Wi-Fi calling and HD voice will work with Pixel phones from Google Store
I still don't trust them handling the updates even though they say they will be updated at the same time as the Google pixels are updated. My brother's VZW Nexus6 is still on 6.0.1 and Nougat has been out for the N6 for several weeks now but you never know....
Even Google has a staggered rollout for updates. The past security updates on my Nexus tablet usually never showed up until the middle of the month or a week or two after the update was made available.
Ann154 wrote:Even Google has a staggered rollout for updates. The past security updates on my Nexus tablet usually never showed up until the middle of the month or a week or two after the update was made available.
Ann154 wrote:
Another example would be the Nougat update for my Nexus 5X. I received that update 2-3 weeks after it was announced it was being sent out to phones. I saw people complaining they had not yet received the same update a week or two after I had already received. it.
@Jamo
my son and I have Nexus 6p, which were supposed to get nougat first. It didn't come through till last week.
Yes, I have the 6P also and have had Nougat for 3weeks now but Google bought Nexus6's (not the 6P) have had Nougat for several weeks also but the VZW Nexus6 still has not received it.
So will the unlocked version on Google play actually work on Verizon network? I tried to find out this info while chatting with someone from Verizon but they seem to keep sidestepping my question.
Yes, both Verizon and Google have confirmed that the device purchased from Google with work on Verizon, including HD Voice and wifi calling.
So based on the most recent announcements last week, it appears that the Verizon sold device will receive major updates as the Google Store sold device. This is great news!
Glad they were able to message it... Very good news...
Good question. Could go either way. If you base it on Verizon's behavior in the past, no. This time around might be different though. Verizon would lose a lot of credibility if they failed to meet their commitment given the public statement that was made and published on the tech websites.
I haven't gotten update since 10/5, which is hard to believe with all the software issues I'm reading about on here and online. They seem to be overwhelmed with the bugs in their flagship phone's debut. Boo!
Considering the phone wasn't actually available until 10/20, I don't know you could have an update from before that date.
JERTID71 wrote:I haven't gotten update since 10/5, which is hard to believe with all the software issues I'm reading about on here and online. They seem to be overwhelmed with the bugs in their flagship phone's debut. Boo!
JERTID71 wrote:
If you're looking at the Android security patch in the phone settings menu (dated Oct 5th) that does not correlate to the last time the phone downloaded an OTA update. There has been one update, and it was released on October 20th with the debut of the phone itself to fix some wifi issues.
That said, most phones (can't think of any actually) do not get multiple firmware updates in a month. The Pixel phone is great, and it's running Android 7.1 which is a super recent version of the operating system. I haven't seen reports of the issues you claim, but I bet many issues could be from apps not being properly prepared for Android 7.1.
Guess you'd have to check with Google for that question. What does your phone say under Settings, About Phone, System Updates?
I'm looking at Settings => About phone => System updates. I see the one from October 20 on Verizon's site, but this needs to be "pushed" to the user, it's not user "initiated." Another person on here helped be resolve that, but I appreciate your response.
True, most phones don't get multiple firmware updates a month, with the exception of brand new flagship phones with multiple unanticipated bugs. While the Pixel is great in theory, there are some issues that need to be ironed out before it's all we were promised it would be. For reports of the issues I'm experiencing (and numerous others), just Google it LOL.
II can understand third party vendor apps being problematic, but I don't understand proprietary Google Apps, (Google Assistant, Google Maps, Google Play, Bluetooth, etc.). I do appreciate your response and more so your tone.
II spoke with one Google tech who basically said Android 7.1 Nougat was so advanced it simply wouldn't work on anything but brand new cars. You can understand it might be cheaper to buy a new phone rather than a new car.
Cheers!
I purchased my Pixel from Verizon on 21 oct. Before I purchased my pixel I asked at least 4 different Verizon employees during 3 separate visits to the Verizon Corporate store if Android updates would come directly from Google and not be controlled by Verizon. Each time I was told all updates would be distributed directly from Google and not go through Verizon. I also called Verizon tech support and asked the same question and received the same answer. Now I find out after asking Google the same question that updates will be processed and distributed by Verizon. Now I have to take responsibility for this since I trusted Verizon and should have called Google before I made my purchase. I have been a Verizon customer for more than 10 years and have always been happy with the cellular service and customer support has usually been very good. My only complaint has been Verizon's poor service when it comes to timely software updates which I figured would be solved by purchasing a phone that would eliminate Verizon from the software delivery loop. Now I'm stuck with a very expensive phone since the purchase was more than 14 days ago and verizon will not take the phone back. I have 4 phones on my account and I planned to replace 2 of them next month but I am very seriously considering taking the lost on my current phones and going to another cell carrier when I replace the 2 phones next month. The lies from Verizon concerning my Pixel has been the last straw.
Did you read the article link in the earlier post in this thread? Re: Will Verizon ensure that it's Google Pixel receives updates at the same time as Google store bought phones?
Verizon Wireless is releasing the updates the same time as Google. It was happened already. Look at the dates for the Pixel phones. Advanced Devices Software Updates | Verizon Wireless
I have the xl from Verizon it does have wifi calling. Also for what it is worth Verizon came out and said when Google puts up updates they would push theirs
