Froyo Secrecy by Verizon needs to end.

[andr0id]

OK Verizon, I'm really getting sick of all the mystery surrounding updates on your Android line of devices.  I've sat and waited for 2 of them now, and you refuse to have any communication with your customers regarding them.  Maybe for the "average" user, the updates are not really that important, but for many they are highly anticipated and really bring great new features.  Froyo is a huge upgrade.  We will see major speed increases, 720p video recording, mobile hotspot, and bluetooth voice dialing capabilities among other things.  This isn't a few minor tweaks, but rather a major system overhaul.  I'm sure you could imagine why many people are looking forward to it.

Now I know this isn't all on Verizon.  Google obviously has a fragmentation issue, or at the very least a few things to stabilize to Android's core OS.  Then HTC has got the task of getting these new upgrade to work on Sense UI.  It wouldn't seem like Verizon would have much to do with it besides of course to censor out goodies such as free mobile hotspot and tethering, but of course your not going to let it go out without an unnecessary approval.  These things take time, I understand that.  However, my arguement isn't as much about how long it takes, but rather the lack of communication throughout this process. 

We know that Sense is working on Froyo.  Firstly, there is already a leaked version available for manual download, and Sense and Froyo play very well together.  Secondly, Sprint has announced that they are releasing Froyo on the Evo, another HTC device running Sense, this week.  So, to me it seems as Google has released Froyo(that part has been known for awhile), and that HTC has Sense working on Froyo.  Motorola has announced a date for Froyo on the original Droid, yet Verizon won't say a word about it?  Yes, you have the tech page for the Droid updated for an update, but still don't seem willing to talk about it.  So why all the secrecy?  Do I need to wait for Wikileaks to disclose your sensitive target date?!  Also, why does Verizon seem to be the last to release these updates?  Sure, the Nexus One has the distinct advantage of not needing your approval, but even Sprint releases them before you.

The only two response I have heard from Verizon regarding this is A) we don't have any info regarding  X.xx update or B) we don't wan't to release a date we cannot meet due to unexpected factors, thus letting our customers down.  Now, the first one is complete crap.  The people working on this update know where they are at.  Maybe the customer support people don't, but as those are the only people us customers generally get to talk to, maybe they should?  As for the second excuse, sure it's a valid one.  However, I don't think that when Google announces they are working on a new version of the Android OS, nobody is expecting Verizon Wireless to provide a date down to the exact day of when they will push it to our devices.  I don't think many people are ever asking for an exact date.  But how about an update every here and there?  Maybe a "we would like to see update X.xx pushed to customer's phones the last week in July or the first week in August".  Or when you are close to done, maybe "We believe we are getting close to the X.xx update release and would like to see our customers see it in 2 weeks".  Something, man, SOMETHING!!!

Since I am imagining this a perfect world where you would actually listen to my feedback, here is a couple ideas off the top of my head.  You obviously don't want people to root their devices and/or install manual updates from the web, so maybe a little communication would go a long way to help that.  If I knew that Verizon was working on an update and will release it "by the end of the month" maybe I would wait to root my device or install an update from the web.  The way it is now, I never have any idea if I will get an update in a week, or 3 months.  If you won't tell me when I can at least expect it, why wouldn't I want to just grab a stable version, often times you cannot tell the difference from the OTAs, from the web?  I can get it now, or I could possibly wait months for Verizon to release it.  Hmmm.

How about filling in the Customer Service Team?  This must be a pretty popular topic around update time.  Or instead of tweeting multiple times a day about a silly scavenger hunt and where you are hiding stuff,  or about the rule the air campaign where mailboxes turn into robot femtocells, you could give us a little update?  Maybe have a spot on your website with updates?  Here is a good idea:  instead of forcing people to go out and get download updates from 3rd party sources on the web, why don't you offer "Beta Downloads" on your website?  A spot where us power-users can download the most recent version and see where you are at, and get a feel for the new OS? 

These updates are a huge part of the Android OS right now.  Hopefully, someday, that will not be the case and we will not be seeing crucial updates every few months.  But right now, as Android is growing as a mobile OS, it is a big part of it.  I don't want to wait 6 months for updates that come out every 5 months.  I pay extra money to have the best devices, the best service, and the best technology.  As I mentioned before, these updates are a big factor in this.  I believe they should be treated by Verizon as such. 

In all I've said here, the one thing I wish Verizon would take away is that A LITTLE COMMUNICATION CAN GO A LONG WAY!!  Drop us a status update from time to time.  Would that be so hard?  Sprint is letting their customers know when they can expect the next update.  Even Motorola, which I would assume has to go through the same Verizon testing on the Droid, is giving its users a date to expect Froyo.  Why does Verizon Wireless refuse to establish a means of communication regarding updates.  Again, it is very frusterating for those of us who are excitedly waiting for it, and all the amazing new features.

So I challenge you Verizon Wireless, and I challenge you today:  Let us know how the 2.2 update for the Incredible is going.  We are not asking you to scrawl an exact hour of the day in blood.  Just a timeline.  A "target date" that you would like to see it released.  If it will be soon.  Can we expect to see it next week along with the Evo and the Motorola Droid?  The Motorola Droid that was released way before the Incredible and is lacking in hardware compared to the Incredible.  Is it even an option to see it released for the Incredible along side those other devices next week?  When I ask you, when?!?!

Thank you, and I would really appreciate any and all responces(especially any that address the issue at hand!).

andr0id

[budone]

FYI, this is a customer to customer board.

[dabubbakin]

"very soon" lol