Fascinate Finally Gets FROYO

[yoworm]

Did not mean to get anyone's hopes up of course it is not for the US because as we have noted through out these discussions Verizon does not give two {word filter avoidance} about existing customers.  Telus on the other hand has provided the FROYO update to their customers.  Thanks again Big RED we can tell customer retention is a big priority.  I can't help but wonder if there is a competition among Verizon management who has said lets see how many customers we get **bleep** off by with holding not only patch fixes but the updates, collect our 350 for the ETF and get them to come back and do it all over again.

Well Verizon can not be blamed for it happening to us over and over and over again as we are the **bleep** that put up with it.  Not only that we have several persons on these forums defending Big Red.  Are the defenders of verizon share holders

[ARossetter]

Question: Should we give you the benefit of the doubt here, or assume that you knew you were intentionally spreading misleading tripe the whole time and just wanted to get the community riled up over the Canadian Fascinate?

I'll assume that since you knew about this release that you follow the typical Android sites (AndroidCentral, Phandroid, etc) and maybe even XDA. So how it managed to escape you that the Telus Fascinate is a GSM phone and the Verizon Fascinate is a CDMA phone is completely beyond me. 

The thing driving me absolutely insane regarding these updates is that, while I am also impatient for our Froyo update, as a developer, I know it isn't just as easy as "MAKE FROYO" and POOF, software update. It isn't as easy as "Take Radio from Epic, put in Froyo" (otherwise, the XDA community would have done it already). These things take time to do right. If I had to guess, we're not waiting on Froyo, we're waiting on an updated radio. How **bleep** off would you be if Samsung released their Froyo update without fixing any of the known issues? You'd blame Big Red for "Not testing their updates", I'm sure, because there are just some people you could never make happy, no matter how hard you tried.

I'll say again: I've posted to both sides of this issue (and I'm not a Verizon shareholder, but thanks for assuming). Though I do have a question: You mentioned paying the $350 ETF, then coming back. Why is it you come back? Could it be that you miss always having a signal everywhere you go? Or Sprint's Customer Service tell you to {word filter avoidance} straight to your face? I agree that Verizon's QA and testing is a bit insane, and *I DON'T DOUBT THAT THEY WITHHOLD SOME UPDATES IN ORDER TO PROMOTE NEW DEVICES*, but you have to appreciate that they'll test (and reject) updates that they believe would cause more harm than good. We'll get our 2.2 update, then you'll realize that it isn't radically different from 2.1. 

{please keep your posts courteous-Thanks!}

- Andy

[demmo86rt]

http://www.androidcentral.com/verizon-still-expecting-get-froyo-fascinate-2011

There's still hope, bud.  Don't get your panties in a bunch.  Oh, and if you wanted Froyo so bad, why didn't you buy a phone that came with it already installed, or could you just not live without Bing?

[PJNC284]

Wouldn't really get my hopes up based on that sheet.  It looks pretty old based on it showing the Droid X as having 2.1

[yoworm]

Demmo

That is why I am so mad.  I bought a phone that did not have FROYO because it had other appealing items with regard to screen size and clarity.  At the time I will admit that I was unaware that every site I go to would have a red triangle and I could not play videos.  At which time I was not concerned with FROYO as I was unaware that I needed to view videos.  When I realized this I went to the store to return the phone even though I really enjoyed the parts of the phone that were functioning.  At which time I was guarnteed by store reps and verizon reps that FROYO was comming in a week or two when that did not happen I went back to the store with a few days left to return the phone and I was told that froyo would be available in November.  As I have been generally happy with the phone I was willing to wait until November.  November came and went and I was told by the end of 2010.  

I then Learned that Samsung and little old T-mobile are selling a phone with gingerbread which is two full updates in front of my eclair with little flash support.  Then everytime I go online I see that the Telus fascinate has FROYO then I see all Galaxy S in the UK have FROYO available through KIES.  It is just disappointing that a company as big as verizon would sit in the slow lane as small companies like T-mobile are flying by them.  Not to mention the 15 to 25 year old persons living in their moms basement that are able to root update and improve on these phones.  This is not a knock to those developers it is a compliment as they are able to accomplish in half the time what the developers in Verizon are able to and they do not have any of the resources that the verizon developers have.   

[demmo86rt]

---

yoworm wrote:

Demmo

That is why I am so mad.  I bought a phone that did not have FROYO because it had other appealing items with regard to screen size and clarity.  At the time I will admit that I was unaware that every site I go to would have a red triangle and I could not play videos.  At which time I was not concerned with FROYO as I was unaware that I needed to view videos.  When I realized this I went to the store to return the phone even though I really enjoyed the parts of the phone that were functioning.  At which time I was guarnteed by store reps and verizon reps that FROYO was comming in a week or two when that did not happen I went back to the store with a few days left to return the phone and I was told that froyo would be available in November.  As I have been generally happy with the phone I was willing to wait until November.  November came and went and I was told by the end of 2010.  

I then Learned that Samsung and little old T-mobile are selling a phone with gingerbread which is two full updates in front of my eclair with little flash support.  Then everytime I go online I see that the Telus fascinate has FROYO then I see all Galaxy S in the UK have FROYO available through KIES.  It is just disappointing that a company as big as verizon would sit in the slow lane as small companies like T-mobile are flying by them.  Not to mention the 15 to 25 year old persons living in their moms basement that are able to root update and improve on these phones.  This is not a knock to those developers it is a compliment as they are able to accomplish in half the time what the developers in Verizon are able to and they do not have any of the resources that the verizon developers have.   

---

I think what you have to understand here is the financial responsibility Verizon has regarding these updates.  They are rocky enough as it is, but what do you think would happen if they released an update with a disclaimer of "this or that isn't working yet, but we will try to fix it soon".  Almost every ROM thread at XDA has that disclaimer on it and, while those guys do absolutely amazing work with these phones, unless it is based on something that is currently available for the phone, they can be buggy as hell.  Samsung is notoriously slow with updates (and don't try to woo me with that Nexus S stuff, that is purely Google firmware riding into town on Samsung hardware, on T-Mo's network, they aren't even selling the thing, Best Buy is) and so is Verizon.  Also, if those "15 to 25 year olds in their mom's basements" were to have a corporation behind them with all the add-ons and layovers that the manufacturers and carriers require, I think it would take just as long.  Not to mention, the Canadian Fascinate update is rolling out, now Verizon has to send it back to Bing it out.  I'm not all fire in support of Verizon here, I just think that you aren't seeing the reality of things here and, besides, you're stirring up the natives, people get all riled up when the subject of updates comes up.

[LandLockedPH]

Financial responsibility?

How's this for "financial responsibility"... if the device Verizon sells (to make money) doesn't perform as advertised or as continually promised to perform (past the initial 30 days) they allow the CUSTOMER to choose to continue waiting or opt out of their "contract" with no penalty. 

Why is their contract only one way?  We are paying for "contracted" services which include a device working with full functionality as advertised.  If Verizon cannot deliver on their side of the "contract", why should the customer be forced to continue to pay?

Crazy!

[PJNC284]

The phone works AS ADVERTISED.  Verizon gives you 30 days to get out.  Beyond that Verizon doesn't promise you anything anywhere in the contract you signed.    

[LandLockedPH]

Works "AS ADVERTISED"? 

You obviously haven't been reading the numerous posts on this site; AndroidGuys.com; AndroidCentral.com; forum.xda-developers.com, androidforums.com, fascianteforums.com; droidforums.net; and, elsewhere where people are complaining about all of the "advertised" features of this device NOT working (including GPS and email).

Everyone who has taken their device back to Verizon has been repeatedly told by their sales reps that these issues would be fixed with the Froyo update that would be available "very soon"; "in a couple of weeks"; "any day now"; etc.  Or, with the maintenance release that would be available at the "end of November" or "first week in December".

And like fools, many of us believed them and believed Verizon would stand behind their customers.  Ha!  Never again!

The point is... If you haven't purchased a Samsung device and aren't already locked into Verizon... DON'T do either!

[PJNC284]

---

LandLockedPH wrote:

Works "AS ADVERTISED"? 

You obviously haven't been reading the numerous posts on this site; AndroidGuys.com; AndroidCentral.com; forum.xda-developers.com, androidforums.com, fascianteforums.com; droidforums.net; and, elsewhere where people are complaining about all of the "advertised" features of this device NOT working (including GPS and email).

Everyone who has taken their device back to Verizon has been repeatedly told by their sales reps that these issues would be fixed with the Froyo update that would be available "very soon"; "in a couple of weeks"; "any day now"; etc.  Or, with the maintenance release that would be available at the "end of November" or "first week in December".

And like fools, many of us believed them and believed Verizon would stand behind their customers.  Ha!  Never again!

The point is... If you haven't purchased a Samsung device and aren't already locked into Verizon... DON'T do either!

---

Non-gmail or exchange email is finicky on android at best.  Froyo isn't going to solve that and will just produce more clutter on this forum of people complaining about something not working like they want.  The slow GPS lock has been a problem for a lot of people and the MR should fix that whenever it comes as it's working perfectly on the DJ05 leak that I'm running.  And you NEVER believe what the reps say.  They're there to sell phones, PERIOD.  A good portion of the people who leave with an Android didn't need one to begin with and thus immediately come to the forums complaining about everything little thing that could be easily solved by searching or actually using the phone instead of wanting someone to hold your hand.  Anyone who did a little bit of research prior to buying would have known what they were getting into.  Verizon has been slow to update phones as is and Samsung doesn't exactly have the best track record either.  I bought the phone knowing that because hardware wise, it's the best on the market and I'm not afraid of a voided warranty to take care of software issues. 

[yoworm]

I agree Landlocked.  I truely believe this misrepresentation is class action worthy.  However verizon knows the case will never go to the courts no firm will take it on as the cost will far out weigh the benifit.  Verizon will continue to take a dump on its customers until a stand is made.  I for one would be willing to make the stand and leave verizon but verizon would not even miss four lines and they would continue taking a dump on its customer.  This is just another example of Big Business taking advantage of its customer and leaving no recourse for its customers.  This is just regarding holding the update hostage not to mention, the so called unlimited internet that you get charged three plus times for (1, home internet 2, cell phone internet per line 3, tethering)  What does unlimited mean again?  Even if it were not called unlimited lets say it was 5 GB shold we as customers not be able to use the full 5GB however we choose whether it be at home, on a cell or tethered to a tablet or PC.  Let us not forget the mysterious fees we have all encountered.

The problem continues to be Verizons lack of respect towards its customers and the fact that some customers are overjoyed with verizon because their network is better.  Does customer service not count in this grandios view of verizon should we as customers settle for a carrier that is better than the other guy or should we as customers want for verizon to strive to get better. 

I have an idea how about not letting Sprint beat you to 4G and having a flagship phone such as the EVO with updates first or How do you let little ole T-mobile beat you to gingerbread with their nexus S while you do not even have FROYO or your fascinate.  It is a **bleep** shame

[demmo86rt]

---

yoworm wrote:

I agree Landlocked.  I truely believe this misrepresentation is class action worthy.  However verizon knows the case will never go to the courts no firm will take it on as the cost will far out weigh the benifit.  Verizon will continue to take a dump on its customers until a stand is made.  I for one would be willing to make the stand and leave verizon but verizon would not even miss four lines and they would continue taking a dump on its customer.  This is just another example of Big Business taking advantage of its customer and leaving no recourse for its customers.  This is just regarding holding the update hostage not to mention, the so called unlimited internet that you get charged three plus times for (1, home internet 2, cell phone internet per line 3, tethering)  What does unlimited mean again?  Even if it were not called unlimited lets say it was 5 GB shold we as customers not be able to use the full 5GB however we choose whether it be at home, on a cell or tethered to a tablet or PC.  Let us not forget the mysterious fees we have all encountered.

The problem continues to be Verizons lack of respect towards its customers and the fact that some customers are overjoyed with verizon because their network is better.  Does customer service not count in this grandios view of verizon should we as customers settle for a carrier that is better than the other guy or should we as customers want for verizon to strive to get better. 

I have an idea how about not letting Sprint beat you to 4G and having a flagship phone such as the EVO with updates first or How do you let little ole T-mobile beat you to gingerbread with their nexus S while you do not even have FROYO or your fascinate.  It is a **bleep** shame

---

Wow, I don't think you understand how many times I read nearly this exact same post while waiting for Eclair for my Eris.  And what ever came of it, absolutely nothing.  In fact, after it was finally released, all the posts turned into 2.1 broke my phone, they never should have released this, I think we should file a class action lawsuit over this bad update.  Get over it.  Verizon corporate has never promised Froyo for the Fascinate and if you really had a problem with the phone, you would have stood your ground and told them to get you a new phone.  Sales reps in stores and techs in their call center do not know what they are talking about, especially when it comes to updates.  On two separate occasions, once in store, and once on the phone, about three weeks apart, I was told the Eris would get the up date "in a couple weeks".  So what?!?  I bought the phone on 1.5, it worked on 1.5, I was never promised anything other than 1.5.  Getting the upgrade to 2.1 was just a bonus.  As for your unlimited internet complaint, I'm sure it's stated somewhere in your contract that it is unlimited FOR THAT DEVICE.  Bandwidth costs money, they figure a certain amount for each device, and surfing on a computer is going to take up a whole lot more that doing so on your phone.  Did you really expect to pay once and be able to use it for every device in your house?  Start looking into the details before you buy into something and find out what you are really entitled to.

[papa_leo]

I am in agreement with all of you who complain about missing deadline of Froyo. In the past several months I was patiently waiting for one but now I am tired of waiting too.

The cancellation of ten, hundred, or even thousand existing lines will not hurt or change Verizon's business module as a positive flow of new subscribers will far outreach number of departed customers. And as one of the user already stated, no  respectful law firm will decide to deal with class action against Verizon if there is nothing in writing. All verbal agreements are only valid when are done in person to person and will be seen only by a small claim court. 

May I suggest one thing to all of you who are unhappy with Verizon not delivering Froyo in time.

What we all need to do is advertise all over the media about poor customer service, misrepresentation of facts/promises in all available social medias. There are YouTube, Tweeter, Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, and local newspapers. It should contain a similar statement that will be posted in all those medias. Great number of posts and variety of their location will draw more Verizon CS attention that anything else. So if all agree, let's use this post to agree what a text should be and let's start posting.

[yoworm]

Papa

I am down with that.  I have been posting on several forums and facebook pages that is until Samsuck band my ip address.  Samsung will also not allow you to post negative reviews on their site.  Verizon on the other hand will allow you to post the negatives because they do not care about current customer retention they the have the best network and are like leave if you want we will have two new fools come in for everyone that leaves.  I already have planes of starting a youtube channel about Samsungs underachieving products and their slow to no customer service. 

The sad thing is I would have gladly waited until January or even March if Verizon or Samsung or both would have enough respect and good business sense to apologize for the delay and explain that there have been unexpected issues that have prevented a timely release.  This would have been a start lord knows they would not give a credit or allow a second upgrade to extend ones contract which would allow them to purchase a phone that is living up to its name such as the droid x.  Thirty days is not enough time if every 7 to 8 days a rep is saying it should be out in a week hold on to your phone you will be happy with it when FROYO comes out. 

[papa_leo]

Yoworm,

The hell will freeze over before Verizon and/or Samsung will apologize.

Whatever Samsung did for you by blocking your IP address is something I had never heard of. But if you can prove it, you can sue Samsung for violation of the First Amendment. 

About upgrade to other Droid phones offers, I actually dropped original Droid and Droid X for poor customer support by both Verizon and Motorola. Anything that I was reporting about those phone were commented as "a know issue which is being worked on". My brother-in-law has HTC Incredible but it's also not without problems (battery in #1 and also random reboots is #2).

So far, I am much happier with Fascinate then other Droids that I owned and had seen my friends using. However, fact that Froyo is delayed without any explanation is getting absurd.

[yoworm]

Papa

They definately blocked my ip address because after a few days of posting and responding to others post, I was no longer able to post comments to the Samsung facebook site.  I then made a new account and tried to post to the website and it would not allow me too.  After that I created a facebook site at work and was able to post for a day before they prevented that site from posting comments to the Samsung facebook site.  I guess they do not want potential customers knowing that their product update is far from being released. 

I too must admit I love my fascinate I just cant stand little T-mobile passing me by and really cant stand the red triangles I see everyday. 

[yoworm]

Andy

I am aware that the Telus Fascinate and Verizon fascinate are different, and I know that it is not as easy as just releasing that FROYO for the Verizon fascinate.  My point was to point out that FROYO updates are rolling out all around us.  Therefore the problem must be with verizon.  

I am not saying that any of this is easy I am saying that is being done elsewhere and Verizon is a cellphone giant that one would think they would be able to rollout new products there precious Iphone and still be current with updates.  Speaking of its not that easy, let us not pretend that FROYO just came out google sent it out sometime in March and then made gingerbread and honeycomb for the tablets in less time than FROYO could be adjusted for the verizon Fascinate.  Not to mention the persons at XDA are making amazing accomplishments almost daily with limited to no budget.  How many resources do you think verizon has?

 I have not paid the ETF and come back however I am aware in my area Verizon's service is better the problem is that they know it.  They know they can drag their feet and not release the update much less the GPS fix that is available and has been released by the hardworking persons at XDA yet the IT department at Verizon is unable to atleast send out a patch in the interim.  

As far as the other networks they have their own problems as well however Sprint was the first with 4g as small as those areas may be.  Has a family share plan that includes unlimited data which is available to all of their customers, they beat verizon to front facing cameras.  It appears as if they are trying a bit harder for their customers.  T-mobile has the Nexus S and 2.3 and of course AT&T has the iphone.  All of the carriers have pros and cons and I admit for me and maybe many of us Verizon's pro's out number their con's however I do not think that means any of us should accept the lesser of two evils.  I think we should continue to encourage Verizon to strive to be better which would include programs, updates and promotions for existing customers as well as new customers.  I also think that if Samsung is known for being slow on updates that Verizon should hold them to a higher standard or drop their product as they are not keeping up with company standards.  

Normally updates come just in time to wait for the next update in this case the next update is here so I guess the moment we get FROYO we will start asking where Gingerbread.  At this point why even rollout FROYO when they should be working on Gingerbread

[ARossetter]

Verizon doesn't work on the software themselves I'm sure.

But like I mentioned earlier, this is one of two CDMA phones in the Galaxy S line. The epic is getting their update starting the 26th. Being that the radio is so much different, this may explain the delay.


- Andy

[my2cents2]

I had the same experience with promises about new software. I wanted to return the phone within 30 days and was told my phone's software would be upgraded by the end of September.

I feel I was lied to too, which makes me feel quite naive since I loved my iPhone and believed AT&T would come through with their promises to add cell sites in San Francisco.

At least my Verizon cell service works 99.5% of the time now. Ivan make and receive phone calls. This a major improvement.

I wish the Samsung phone had not come with apps I didn't want and can't delete. I am also not used to ads popping up and the volume setting changing unexpectedly .

I plan to sell or give away my Samsung and look for another phone alternative mid-January. I wanted to love this phone too.

[demmo86rt]

So, what would be a timely release and how has Froyo been delayed when neither Verizon nor Samsung OFFICIALLY announced when, or even if, the Fascinate is going to get it?

[yoworm]

Demmo

Verizion and Samsung absolutely indicated that Fascinate would be getting FROYO.  Now you are right they did not print a release date the reps in the stores and the sales persons were responsible for those lies.  Timely release would probably be before the next OS comes out for Samsung on the T-mobile network.

[Edited to comply with Terms of Service]