Droid Turbo Marshmallow - please answer

[neburg964]

When I bought my Turbo, the Moto X 2014 was also on the shelves at the VZW store and it was running Marshmallow.  I was coming out of a first-gen Moto X and really liked the phone, just wanted a bigger screen with more battery power.  My sales rep at the time ASSURED me that the Turbo would in fact be receiving the Marshmallow update "very soon" and this assurance is what led to me deciding on the Turbo rather than the X.  

Motorola says on its website that the update is available "pending partner support".  The Turbo ("Quark XT-1254") is a Verizon exclusive so there is no other partner, at least in the US.  I know that the Turbo received Marshmallow WiFi certification on July 1, 2016 (the WiFi certfication ID is WFA66489) AND that the Indian market version of the Turbo received Android 6.01 on July 21...

So what gives, Verizon?  I was thinking about getting a Z Force but Lenovo is not exactly a paragon of virtue for updating its products and as this phone is a Verizon exclusive, I have lost faith that Verizon will update it in a timely manner.  Next up was the Pixel but now I see Verizon is going to be in charge of software updates on this phone as well.  This is causing me to SERIOUSLY rethink staying with Verizon. These "flagship" phones aren't cheap and if I'm going to give Verizon $600-700-800 dollars, I want GUARANTEES, not "assurances", that updates will be implemented even in a semi-timely manner.

I can always buy a Pixel direct from Google and activate it with AT&T.  Don't want to go there but at this point it has to be a viable option.

So please, Verizon, don't pay us lip service anymore.  Give us a straight answer as to what your plans are with this phone.

[rcschnoor]

neburg964 wrote:

I can always buy a Pixel direct from Google and activate it with AT&T. Don't want to go there but at this point it has to be a viable option.

You can also buy a Pixel direct from Google and activate it with Verizon. That way, Verizon would not be the one pushing updates to your phone.

[neburg964]

That's the way to go then, but I read somewhere that the Google direct versions are for AT&T and T-Mobile (along with Google Fi)

I will definitely look into this.  Thanks!

[neburg964]

I just read that if you buy from Google and not VZW, you lose Hi-Def Voice and Voice over WiFi.  I want both those features.

Verizon, please do the right thing here.

[rcschnoor]

Do you have a link where you read that? I would be surprised that you would lose HD voice, but was wondering about wifi calling. For example, the Nexus 5X purchased direct from Google had HD voice but does not have wifi calling on Verizon.

I have not been able to find an official source which would provide this information. Since it appears the only difference between the phones is that the Verizon version comes with a pre-installed Verizon SIM card, I would be hesitant to believe any info not from an official source. The link to where you read this would be appreciated, though.

[neburg964]

Android Central:

http://www.androidcentral.com/dont-buy-your-google-pixel-verizon

[rcschnoor]

That is not an official source, simply some speculation on Android Central's part. Nothing which has actually been released by Verizon OR Google says anything about this subject.

Previous Nexus phones are compatible with HD voice on Verizon. Wifi calling is not. The reason Verizon states this is because they are not phones it supports. Being that Verizon DOES support the Pixel(XL) means that it is not a clear about wifi calling. Verizon supports the phone. Doesn't mean that it doesn't support the phone when not purchase from Google.

Unlocked iPhones purchased from Apple have wifi calling supported by Verizon. The same could be true for the Pixel. I am still looking for official confirmation one way or the other.

[neburg964]

I hear you, and I agree that this information is critical, not just as to if/when/where I buy the Pixel but whether or not I even stay with Verizon.  I want a definitive answer, yes-or-no, as to whether the Turbo will get Marshmallow and if so, when VZW is planning to release it.

[vzw_customer_support]

neburg964, I like getting my updates quickly as well. I can guarantee you that when we do release our software updates, they have been thoroughly tested to make sure you get the best customer experience possible. You can keep up to date here: http://vz.to/1PABezY.

JosephT_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport
If my response answered your question please click the 'Correct Answer' button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!

[neburg964]

While I thank you for responding,  your answer is actually a non-answer.  It's a simple question : Is Verizon going to update the Turbo to Marshmallow as we were promised?   If yes,  then we'd all appreciate a general time frame.   If no,  VZW needs to man up and tell us so.   Each of us will decide what our best courses of action are.

[Ann154]

The answer previously given is the only answer you are going to get from an official rep until the exact day if or when the update is released. Verizon can't provide a time table because they don't have one either. They are at the mercy of Motorola and Lenovo as the customers for when Motorola completes the update.

[neburg964]

The problem is that nobody is accepting this answer, myself included.  Its a very politically correct non-answer.  The update has been around for several months.  The wi-fi certification was issued 3 months ago. Motorola itself says the Turbo will be updated pending partner support.  The Indian market Turbo has already been updated. 

I can live with not getting a timetable.  Perhaps VZW really is still testing the update.  Can VZW say "We are still testing the update and as soon as we approve it, we will push it out to our subscribers." ? 

Understand that I was told by a Verizon sales rep 15 months ago that the Turbo would "Definitely" be getting Marshmallow.  The Turbo was Verizon's flagship device at the time and I voiced concern that the Moto X 2014 had Marshmallow, but the flagship did not.  The salesperson gave me the assurance I needed that the device would be supported.  Was I lied to?  Or was the salesperson simply mistaken?

In my business, if I make a mistake I own it and I correct it.  Sometimes it costs me money but I do the right thing in order to keep my customers faith.  If you search not only this forum, but forums all over the place, you will see hundreds - if not more - people voicing the same concerns as me.  Verizon gives a great non-answer along the lines of "We like the latest updates too..." and then they try to change the subject by asking "Is your device working properly?"

My Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4, running Lollipop, was thiiiiis close to getting crushed by my car.  Then the Marshmallow update came along and it is now functioning beautifully.  I have noticed some operational jitters and occasional freeze-ups with my Turbo.  Nothing major, just an occasional minor annoyance, but I think the Marshmallow update would fix it.  If it does, I remain a happy and loyal Verizon customer as I have been for the last 13 years.  If the update does happen in a timely fashion but doesn't fix the issues I can say "At least Verizon tried, they did what they said they were going to do" and I have no issues with VZW itself.  If VZW says "Too bad, so sad, no updates for you even though our sales rep promised it" then I have to reevaluate things.

All I - and everyone else - is looking for is some reassurance that this flagship device has not been abandoned.

[Ann154]

The Moto X 2014 doesn't have Marshmallow Android 6.0. It too is running Lollipop Android 5.1. Again, Motorola is the one driving the update bus. They have already kicked the Moto X 2013 and 2014 models to the curb abandoned as you say. Lenovo has reduced the Motorola workforce yet again in the last month or so meaning even less people who are available to work on the phone updates or other projects. I don't like anymore than you. My feelings towards Motorola have soured thanks to them dropping support for the Moto X phones. I don't blame the carriers for any of the delays because it isn't their fault.

The customer agreement overwrites anything a VZW rep verbally told you. Verizon Wireless

[neburg964]

You know what Ann?  You are correct.  My memory - I'm 52 - isn't what it used to be and I'm not due for any software upgrades unfortunately.  I have zero manufacturer support 🙂

When I bought the Turbo it was running KitKat 4.4 and the X was running Lollipop.  My mistake and as I said before, I own it.

As for the Marshmallow upgrade on the Turbo, Motorola says on its website that the Turbo will be updated pending partner support.  And the facts I stated before - WiFi cert was issued in July for the Quark 1254 (which is the Verizon designation) as well as the fact that the Indian Market Quarks were updated July 21, means we should be able to get a straight answer from Verizon.  Are you currently testing the update, yes or no?

I agree with your assessment about Motorola and Lenovo support and this is the main reason why I have not purchased a Droid Z Force.  As much as I like the phone, I will not even consider it until it gets the Nougat update.  At least then I will start my ownership with the most up-to-date OS.  Otherwise, the Pixel has my attention and I have to figure Google and HTC have a much better track record with updates, but the fact that Verizon is marketing the phone exclusively (unless I go with Fi Project) gives me a little hesitation.  Some "straight talk" from Verizon would be appreciated here. 

[Ann154]

There are more partners then Verizon or the wifi certification company. The FCC, Bluetooth, processor manufacturer, etc. all have a part to play with the updates. The biggest problem is that Motorola hasn't done a soak test yet. All the certifications including Verizon's test for network stability is either complete or close to completion when the soak test happens. The fact that the soak test hasn't occurred tells me that there is a hold up in development of the code and Verizon's part of the process to test the final code occurs after all the other partners parts are completed.  I haven't seen where the phone has been through the FCC certification yet. Verizon Wireless won't see the update until after the FCC certification.

[DroidudeAZ]

That isn't entirely correct Ann154. Verizon's 2013 Moto X was finally updated to Lollipop, my roomie's 2013 X received the update and I saw it with my own eyes, so please don't say I'm mistaken. The 2014 Moto X Pure Edition was updated to 6.0 Marshmallow though the Verizon and AT&T variants weren't. Motorola submitted the 2014 X to WiFi and bluetooth certifications and submitted a 6.0 software update for VZW to test. VZW said they would not be testing or issuing any software update for the X 2014 presumably since Moto wasn't selling the 2015 X through their retail channel. AT&T did the same thing. Moto andVZW have committed to updating the OG Turbo to Marshmallow, but it's been a very long time. Don't you find it interesting though how VZW isn't updating the 2014 X when they didn't have the opportunity to sell the 2015 X instore? Yet the OG Turbo is slated (on paper at Moto anyway) to get updated to Marshmallow (they sold the 2015 Turbo 2 instore). Kinda co-incidental.....

[Ann154]

Motorola made the decision to NOT update the carrier variants of the Moto X 2014. The carriers had nothing to do with the decision.

The wifi and Bluetooth certification updates are for only the unlocked GSM model of the Moto X 2014. The carrier variants have a different model number.

Also I wasn't referencing the Moto X 2013 in my previous post other than to say Motorola dropped support for it even though it was quite capable of getting another major system update just like 2014 model. I'm quite familiar with the what version of the OS is on both of Moto X 2014 and 2013 as I have used both of them and watched them both be updated to Lollipop 5.1.

You claim VZW has said something about the support of the phone. Provide the proof.

[DroidudeAZ]

I mis read your comments on the X 2013. I have seen a wifi certification for the VZW X 2014 on 6.0 and I cannot disclose a source, but was told that VZW would not be testing or issuing any 6.0 Marshmallow software updates for the X 2014 submitted by Motorola. (Moto had a 6.0 update ready to send to VZW for the X 2014). 

[vzw_customer_support · Accepted solution]

neburg964 - We strive to provide you all of the answers you seek. I am also a Droid Turbo user and can't wait to have the Marshmallow software on my device. At this time we don't have any information regarding the Marshmallow software you want for your Droid Turbo. You can   check the link we provided for the latest software news.

JacobV_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport
If my response answered your question please click the �Correct Answer� button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[neburg964]

I guess it is what it is.  My gameplan moving forward will be to get the Pixel XL.  There are rumors that Pixels purchased directly from Google will not be able to get WiFi or HD Voice calling on the VZW network. If this turns out to be true, since I want both features, I will buy from Verizon.  However, if this info is incorrect, I will buy direct from Google.

And I will no longer worry about the Turbo.

[Ann154]

Sounds like the Google purchased Pixels phones will have wifi calling and HD Voice while on Verizon Wireless.