Galaxy Nexus 4.3 OTA Upgrade?

[steampunk_cowboy]

It's Tuesday, 11 June 2013, and rumors continue about the much anticipated release of Google Jelly Bean 4.3 (or some variant of it). Though it didn't happen yesterday the 10th as some had expected--others now say July, an article by Robert Triggs just a few hours ago on Android Authority begs the question "Galaxy Nexus passes through Bluetooth SIG, is Android 4.3 incoming?" Apparently, a GT-I9250 (aka "Maguro": GSM/HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus variant on AT&T/T-Mobile networks) was spied being tested against Bluetooth standards, a requirement for new update releases. That, my friends, is a major step toward our beloved GNexes getting another transfusion that's slated to resolve the over-discussed problems of overheating and rapidly draining batteries. Plus, gaining a couple of new features: a new camera UI and a power-saving Bluetooth upgrade to v4.0 that most higher end devices have. To read Robert Triggs' complete article, go to " http://m.androidauthority.com/galaxy-nexus-passes-bluetooth-android-4-3-224336/ " . I'm so (steam)punked, I check my phone's System Updates in Settings every hour or so.

[SaabyeK]

VZ Support Rep:

I can understand your concern for having your phones updated with the latest software. We do care about our customers and want you to have the best working phone. We do a lot of testing before a software is released. We are unable to provide any information about new software until we receive it from the manufacture.

---

Assuming they meant manufacturer. Guess what. 4.3 binaries have been on the web for toro since June/July. 4.4 binaries for toro are on the web available from the manufacturer, Google. Does VZ not have access to the internet.

I have been watching this board off and on since late July (I loved the post in August that VZ should start working on 4.4 since they would not have 4.3 ready by release). I purchased toro from VZ believing it was a nexus device. The CEO of VZ has stated that data limits must be in place due to physics. LTE is crashing, and the monthly bill is way too high. Two months left and my contract is over. Getting a Nexus 5 from the Play store and switching carriers. I am tired paying too much for a product that is crippled.

[Pyro411]

I hear you, thankfully my contract is up 12/16/2013, so if my unlimited

data plan takes an arrow to the knee I'm out as well. I've been with

Verizon for many many years but there's only a few things that may make me

want to stay...

An Asus Padphone Infinity sold through the Google play store with timely

updates

Samsung Galaxy S5 Google Play edition with Timely updates

Motorola Flagship high end phone Google play edition with timely updates --

see the pattern VZW?

Yes I'm the type that wants the ability to chose a phone without skinning,

and I want timely updates to help ensure the security & stability of my

phone. Seeing as the Galaxy Nexus has the root key bug on it which has

been out for a very long time with the fix out for many months that's

pretty unacceptable.

[bumblebeetuna]

If you let me upgrade to a phone with 4.3 at subsidized prices without signing a contract or losing unlimited data... I would love to stay with Team Verizon!

[vzw_customer_support]

@bumblebeetuna

I'd love for you to stay with us as well!  I see you are interested in upgrading to a new device, but are concerned with losing your unlimited data plan and renewing your contract.  Keep in mind, upgrading at the 2 year promotional pricing requires selecting one of our current tiered data plans.  Did you know that over 90% of our current smartphone customers average under 2 GB's of data usage monthly?  How much do you currently average?  Take a moment to run an Account Analysis here: http://bit.ly/17qD2sj.

You can also purchase new equipment at retail cost and retain your unlimited data plan.  Some customers take advantage of our Device Payment Program http://vz.to/ZILXBT to break up the cost into 12 smaller monthly payments.  How does that sound?

AnthonyTa_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

[djortiz]

Ninety percent stay under 2GB because that's ask they can afford to be

capped at. The least you could do is not lie to your customers.

On Nov 5, 2013 4:20 PM, "Verizon Wireless Customer Support" <

[GameDiversity]

Wow ... why bother to respond, if that is your response .... Ouch!

[clawer87]

TonyG,

Thanks for your response.  I am not eligible for an upgrade, in fact I've still got a little over a year to wait.  I do use wifi all the time.  This month I used about 4.5 GB on wifi and close to my 2 GB limit on mobile data since I stopped using it in the last number of days of the month.

I guess I'm having a hard time justifying the value of the plan.  Yes the coverage is good, but the plan that I'm on (450 mins, 1000 texts, 2 GB data) costs more than unlimited plans from competitors.  If I could be helped with the price or data allotment, I think I would be somewhat happier. 

This, of course, does nothing to satisfy my issues with the phone support.  I guess if I heard confirmation that 4.3 will someday hit the galaxy nexus that would make me a little happier too.  I just really don't want to bother with changing out the rom, and that's the main reason I got a nexus phone in the first place.  Stability and updates.  Changing the rom likely compromises the stability of the system.

In all, some competitors have shown a lot of benefits that Verizon still lacks (unlimited plans, unlocked phones, cheaper international support), and it's getting harder for me to justify the value.

Thanks for listening.

[mbe3204m]

I feel the same way many do that have posted here about this, but thank *you*, clawer, for posting something worthwhile to read.  Annoying, troll-like complaints just aren't going to be paid much attention by Verizon, but a message like this will be.  Like many others on this thread, I feel torn between keeping Verizon's network and going elsewhere for more flexibility (no contract, a Nexus 5 phone, that'd be real nice).  Verizon knows about this but let's face it, we are a minority; most people prefer the Moto X or other types of phones and don't really care if they get updates because they will toss the phone as soon as 20 months goes by and they are able to upgrade again.  That's the reality.  So live with it and make your move to another carrier when you can, or not.

[Leonardo77]

I replied and quoted JenniferH_VZW and got rejected. She had a great point on how you treat your customers.  I have yet to see a post from you moderators that shows you think we have a point of contention. You constantly say how Verizon wants to make their customers happy.  I say total propaganda!!  Actions speak louder than words and Verizon's actions do not in any way match your words.

It is pretty amazing how condescending you are to your customers.  Verizon better hope that someone doesn't come up with better coverage/data or they will have a mass exodus of customers.

[NeedMoreCoffee]

Sprint is rolling out 4.3 to the Galaxy Nexus. Guess who is last again?

http://www.droid-life.com/2013/10/31/sprint-galaxy-nexus-getting-update-to-android-4-3-today/

[Adirolf]

Nice!

But, but, but ...

How can they when the page https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images#mysid has not been updated to reflect that it is available?

That's a half fast attempt at humor and poking fun at someone else.

Seriously though, maybe there is hope for the Verizon flavor of the device.

Even more serious. I would like to thank the members of this community for REALLY opening my eyes in the past month to Verizon's history, the device's history, and so many valuable sources of REAL information.

I may be 'stuck' on 4.2.2, but the device is very sweet. Well, after the extended battery purchase.

THANKS ALL and 'Appy 'Alloween. Maybe we will get a treat soon!

[Ann154]

NeedMoreCoffee wrote:

Sprint is rolling out 4.3 to the Galaxy Nexus. Guess who is last again?

http://www.droid-life.com/2013/10/31/sprint-galaxy-nexus-getting-update-to-android-4-3-today/

With this bit of news and past history (going from 4.0.+ to 4.2.2), it wouldn't surprise me if the Verizon Galaxy Nexus skips 4.3 and gets updated to 4.4.

[ChrisGramer]

Ann154 wrote:

With this bit of news and past history (going from 4.0.+ to 4.2.2), it wouldn't surprise me if the Verizon Galaxy Nexus skips 4.3 and gets updated to 4.4.

I hope you're right, though I won't hold my breath that we'll see 4.4 before, say, 2016.

[Ann154]

ChrisGramer wrote:

Ann154 wrote:

With this bit of news and past history (going from 4.0.+ to 4.2.2), it wouldn't surprise me if the Verizon Galaxy Nexus skips 4.3 and gets updated to 4.4.

I hope you're right, though I won't hold my breath that we'll see 4.4 before, say, 2016.

I guess I will have to eat my words there. With the announcement today none of the Galaxy Nexus models (GSM and CDMA versions) will be updated to KitKat (Android 4.4). It is disappointing to say the least. I guess now we need to hound Samsung, Google and Verizon Wireless to release the Android 4.3 update for the Verizon Galaxy Nexus so it ends at the same OS level as the other models.

[Planner1]

You can also do the thing that Verizon does not want us to talk about......

[DoctorDeDroid]

Ha ha ha ha ha.... You think theyll do anything?!?  You're talking about a company whose only purpose is to separate you from your money... They show time after time they don't give one whit about you because they don't value their customer base... and why shoul they?  The contract we have to agree to is nothing but a waiver for them to ignore the rules of civilized society... you sign it and you're as good as dead to them while the bleed you dry.  We have no way to incentivize them to do anything... Were locked in and we cannot band together and sue them to actually DELIVER what their <<terms removed>> marketing rubbish promised.  Arbitration is all you get... And that's an even bigger joke because THEY are the arbiters!!!  And make sure you thank the US Congress for taking VZW's money and voting for sham regulations, keeping the interest of "the people" at heart...  Yes, VERY funny indeed!

Forget about 4.3... We are NOT getting it <<terms removed>>

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[eturk001]

It seems that Verizon is now the worst hardware/software mobile company on earth. They're stalling upgrades to force people into buying new hardware. and, they will only support hardware purchased through them. Maybe it's to please Apple so they can cash in on being the #1 iPhone company?

They don't want the Nexus 7 on their network and I've read of a law suit because Verizon is ignoring the LTE open network agreement they signed with the FCC. http://www.extremetech.com/mobile/166763-verizon-pleads-incompetence-skirts-illegality-by-refusing-t...

America has the worst mobile corporations. Little competition. Time for us all to move over to another carrier so that carriers stock rises, they gain more profits, and can build out their network. The FCC are the useless lap dogs of the corporations.

I'm off contract in another month and will probably drop Verizon's IBM-like lock outs.

Rant complete.

[readyfireaim]

I think Google is going about this wrong;  Instead of "punishing" VZ by not making a compatible LTE version of the phone with their flagship OS, they should just block ALL Android OSs from operating on VZ.  As soon as a day went by w/o Google Wallet on day 1, or 4.3 in 2 or 3 days, they should've just blocked ALL android OSs from working on VZ.

Android is 81% of the smartphone OS market.  Apple has their crap together when it comes to updates.  If VZ was left with only Apple (For the grandparents), and Windows OS (For the 4 people worldwide that bought it, 3 of which did so accidentally), Google could make VZ actually keep their devices updated.

Heck, just tell VZ, no new Android smartphones until you provide timely updates for Nexus devices.

VZ, your phone lineup reminds me of the 2003 Boost Mobile, phone-in-a-blister-pack-and-sold-at-Walgreens-for $29.99.  Google has passed you up TWICE with their flagship phone.  You have become obsolete. Period.

[eturk001]

Google DOES now have Verizon compatible LTE in the Nexus 7. Single chips for all bands are becoming standard.

BUT, it's blocked by Verizon! It's all Verizon. New devices are coming out now with chips that do all global networks. No more need for a different phone for each company anymore.It's just Verizon forcing customers to buy the product through them and force it to be obsolete in two years. All about profits for Wall Street now. Time to switch companies.

[windnwar]

Sorry Ann... that won't be happening.

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/10/older-nexus-google-play-edition-devices-get-kitkat-in-the-com...

No one knows why but I have a feeling they are tired of hearing from annoyed Verizon customers and figured the fastest way to get away from the debacle Verizon has created is to end support, though by contract I bet they are required to end support for all versions of the Galaxy Nexus and not just the Verizon version. I doubt we will ever see another Google Nexus or Play device on Verizon. Sure makes it simple to figure out what carrier I won't be using.

Verizon, due to the shoddy method of handling this you will lose my business as a customer. I'm sure one of the other providers will be happy to take our account with 80 phones.

[ChrisGramer]

Yep, once my contract is up, I'll take our two lines (says Verizon: "Pfft. Big deal!") to another carrier. My wife will enjoy her new iPhone 6 by being able to talk and surf at the same time and I'll enjoy my new Nexus 5 (or perhaps Nexus 6) with timely updates from Google.

We'll find a way to live without phone coverage in the DC Metro system's tunnels. Buh-bye!