Child Item

Site Totals

61410 Questions Answered 270 Categories

Can I get support for the PRIV?

I am a long time VZW customer. From pre-smartphone days, to Android, then to BB and now considering going back to Android. Having experience with both OS's, I feel BB10 is truly a superior OS as compared to Android, but I get it. Kind of like the Betamx vs. VHS days. It's not always the better (IMHO) product that wins out. So the white flag is coming out and a move back to Android is becoming a necessity due to specific business app functionality that I can't achieve on BB10. That being said, I am looking at retiring my Z30 and replacing it with the PRIV, which might help alleviate some of my BB separation anxiety. The problem I have is, I can't get a truthful, knowledgeable answer from anyone at VZW as to their level of commitment to future support for this device (i.e. security updates and more specifically, the MM update). The MM update in particular appears to much improve this phones functionality and security based on reports from non-VZW PRIV owners that have received this update.

I could buy a factory unlocked GSM version of this phone for less$$ than VZW is asking and receive all updates direct from BB, however, as we know, that phone would not work with VZW. So, if I would like to continue my long standing relationship with VZW (and I would) I'll need to purchase this phone from VZW and only VZW. And I'm willing to do that. But, here's the rub: I'm being asked to commit $720 retail dollars to VZW for this device with virtually no commitment from VZW as to what level of future support I can expect. No assurance that if I buy the phone today that I won't be left out to dry with Android LP and no monthly security patches, which are released by BB. That's just not right, is it?

So now to the question: Can someone at VZW answer my question? Does anyone at VZW read these posts? If anyone at VZW with factual knowledge of my concerns reads this long-winded post/question, please, help me. Help me commit to handing over more of my hard earned dollars to you!!!

Thank you for your support.

Comments

INQUIRING-MINDS

Crickets............

Acrillix

Short answer.

No.

But seeing as I spend 9pm-9am on here 4 days a week, I suppose I got a minute to dive into the black scary hole of the BlackBerry PRIV.

As you already have seen, the PRIV features the fluidity of Android but with the backbone of BB. Yeah, security is BB's #1 concern, and it will stay that way. As it states with every device, VZW will support every device with updates at the earliest 1 year. However, for example, the iPhone 4, released back in 10/14/2011 and the last update was aired on 7.1.2 06/27/2014. That's 3 years. So, you know you will be covered. VZW gets updates first pretty much. Have fun.

INQUIRING-MINDS

Acrillix - Not to sound rude or unappreciative for your reply, but I honestly don't understand what you are saying here.

Question: Can I get support for the PRIV?
Short answer: No.

"VZW will support every device with updates at the earliest 1 year."

"So, you know you will be covered. VZW gets updates first pretty much."

On the one hand, you appear to be suggesting that I shouldn't expect any further software support from VZW for this device (short answer: no), and then seem to suggest that VZW will support for 3 years and that they get updates first. Can you clarify your responses?

You state that "you spend 9pm-9am on here 4 days a week". What does that mean? Do you work for VZW? Are you a forum moderator? Do you have inside knowledge of VZW's support criteria for the devices that they offer?

Thanks for you help.

Acrillix

Firstly, no I don't work for VZW. It would be on my profile if I did. I am (as my profile states haha) a very knowledgeable customer. I never said I work for them. I work with phones on a daily basis and I'm on here a lot because at night it's slow and I'm bored.

Look... BB should've known it was (as I said) a dark scary hole they were opening when they created this. Is it even going to work?

I mean they changed the whole OS framework. Of course the phone will be supported by VZW, they sell it. So yeah you call they'll be your knight in shining armor. Just don't expect them to know specifics of when your precious jewel of security updates are coming or even what they mean.

BB is and always will be the leading smartphone for security.

As to clarify, and I apologize for the confusion... Yes. VZW will probably (suggesting that BB doesn't wave the white flag because they bit off more than they can chew) continue to support the PRIV for 3 years. And yeah VZW gets updates first, everyone knows that.

Hope it helps at all. Mark as helpful if it is.

Acrillix

VZW has indicated that the Marshmallow 6.0 Software Update is currently still being tested in-house. They cannot speak of a release date because it is unknown at this time. They are ensuring the update will not cause any issues to us, and once testing is complete, they will push out the update OTA.

Child Item