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.

[DoctorDeDroid]

Slap in the customer's face:

So ISIS is available nation wide and STILL not compatible with the Gnex... so in payment... VZW hamstrings Wallet even when ISIS WASNT available because if you hold back everyone when the starting gun goes off because you're too busy picking your nose to run the race... you can still win.

Slap in the customer's face:

VZW sells us a NEXUS phone and BILLS IS AS SUCH... unfortunately did not TREAT it as such.  Then orphaned it nearly a year before sprint or google did.  Foot dragging kept us 6 months behind in updates.

Slap in the customer's face:

ATT now offers a share plan for 4 phones, unlimited talk and text, and a 10 GB plan for $160/month.  Rep on phone said VZW would match at the store... called VZW store, THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT!!!!  The shill at the store said "we don't price match, we don't have that as a policy"... more lies more slaps. 

Slap in the customer's face:

Your stupid "share everything plan" or "more this or that" or WHATEVER you call it these days ... would cost me $160 bucks JUST FOR THE FOUR PHONES AND NOTHING ELSE TO START!!!  10 GB THEN costs an extra $100/month.

On WHAT PLANET DO YOUR (removed) OF AN EXECUTIVE STAFF LIVE ON????  Your left hand doesn't know what the right is doing... I can only come to the conclusion that when someone on your phone lines tells me "X" and then the shills in the store tells me "Y" regarding the SAME TOPC that a) either you (removed) don't talk to one another or b) someone is LYING.  I don't know who, or which but I DON'T MUCH CARE ANYMORE.

You cost too much VZW and you stick it to us EVERY CHANCE YOU GET.  Either your organization is truly, unbelievably incompetent or you run by a bunch of sick, evil, sycophants, who cannot put down a coherent policy to YOUR OWN PEOPLE.

I'm angry and when my contracts are all up... if I can still get that deal on ATT... I'm gone... four lines.. .four phones... POOF... GONE!

I'VE HAD IT

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Message was edited by: Admin Moderator

[RealFramCire]

Im as angry as you are about most of what you said but you do need to know that Verizon DOES have the same 4 lines for $160 that AT&T does because the AT&T plan does NOT include the device charges (approx $25 per device).  Verizon has same plan through edge with discounts.  It is very important to realize that AT&T pricing is almost identical to Verizon in almost all areas,  I went to ATT to talk about switching because Verizon has lied to me directly over the phone at least 1 time and I am frustrated at that,

With this said..... IS VZW ever going to update this phone the final time like EVERY other phone has?  There is no excuse for not pushing the final update.

[vzw_customer_support]

RealFramCire,

I'm saddened to learn you're considering leaving us, I don't want to see you go. We definitely have options for you and offer you nothing but the truth. I apologize if this has not been the case so far. We offer a line access discount on our MORE Everything plans for lines you have out of contract.

AdaS_VZW
Follow us on Twitter at @VZWSupport 

[Ann154]

I see you didn't address the OS update question. The Galaxy Nexus deserves to get the last update it is owed. This delay is even worse than the updates for more recent devices.

[vzw_customer_support]

Ann154,
I certainly understand your concern about an update. However, I don't have any details about an update. You can periodically check our News Center here http://bit.ly/n5snpq or the device support page here http://vz.to/1f5wQtU for any new alerts. Thank you.

TominqueBo_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

[ShawnJG]

Another month has passed. The markets seem to have gone quiet as people give up and VZW Customer Support still has no information to share, correct?

I purchased the phone and, more importantly, renewed my contracted two years of service from VZW at the close of 2012. That was one year after release, and I recognize that not buying bleeding edge technology puts me at odds with a desire for the updated OS, except that at the time the Nexus 4 had yet to be released. I chose that phone for the NEXUS program, to be able to get the current releases - both bugs and efficiencies. I was wrong. Not only has Verizon dragged it's feet well beyond an acceptable testing time frame, but it does so in silence. (Several of the features of the 4.3 update would be security features for me to help protect my family and expand my ability to do my daily job.)

A product I had for less than 6 months was no longer supported, yet I am held in contract for 24. This is according to Google's 18 month policies and Verizon's inability to manage their updates. At least Google can broadcast the end of support for a device. I pay a large amount of money to Verizon Wireless every month for silence (supplemented by the need of a Network Extender as VZW cannot provide coverage to my home - so even the services I am paying for, Verizon is providing over my internet connection that I am paying another ISP for).

Because I renewed my contract when I got the Galaxy "Nexus", Verizon policy is to not allow it to be unlocked regardless of my current account standing, unless I travel internationally. I confirmed this in calls to customer support. I choose not to take further steps to alter the OS until I am legally free to do so.

I do not want a new phone. I do not trust Verizon to provide security updates necessary to the phone after the experiences I have had with the one I have now.

I feel that this program was misrepresented, at best, by Verizon. I have watched this forum thread over the past year and feel that any exchange in the forums with customer support, mirrored by my direct experiences, is an example of how little a consumer matters. I write this as a form of catharsis.

I am tired of the platitudes. I am tired of the misrepresentation, patronization, and worst of all, the silence.

[jtown]

I feel your pain.  I've suggested that carriers should be required to provide all possible security updates for their phones for the length of the customer's contract or until the OS vendor stops providing support.  The GNex doesn't have 4.4 support but it does have 4.3 support and Verizon chose not to release it.  After months of telling people they were testing it to ensure a positive customer experience they just stopped responding to inquiries.  There's no excuse for the Galaxy Nexus being stuck on 4.2.

It shouldn't be necessary to legislate this sort of thing but Verizon's made it pretty clear they don't take updates seriously and it's a security problem.  People are required to continue to use devices that haven't had OS security patches in over a year.  Or pay hundreds of dollars for a new device.  Nice choice.

[Tidbits]

Read the other thread. Google didn't submit code to Verizon. It all starts with the manufacturer. Ask Google about code submission and source. Both things they refuse to answer or give. I already said this would happen long before the phone was released. If Google didn't release any code like they did for the other versions then they are treating it differently. Google even backtracked what they said about carriers when they did the Sony AOSP project. Carriers were the least of concerns.

Google said it wouldn't be treated differently. Being CDMA automatically makes it different than the GSM counterparts and approval processes are a lot more than just the carrier.

FYI I own a GNex for Verizon as well as the GSM counterpart.

[ShawnJG]

@Tidbits, what other thread?

I am aware of Google not providing any code for 4.4 as the Galaxy Nexus is out of their 18 month support window, as I had said. I am aware of the recent discontinuation of the Vodaphone 4.3 update by Samsung and it's restoration. I am aware that Google doesn't have the Factory Image for 4.3 available for either Toro or ToroPlus, though I'm also aware of the Sprint CDMA (ToroPlus) 4.3 release.

I understand that Toro wasn't treated the same from the beginning. I am, however, paying money to VERIZON for the device and services*. Therefore I would expect VERIZON to be providing reasonable information in the event that they are unable to support the device and program, whatever the reason. Google has obviously decided that allowing the customization was a tremendous mistake as they have not released anything to operate on Verizon's network since, with the exception of the Nexus 7 LTE that has also turned into a debacle because Verizon is able to ignore FCC requirements and little to no action is taken. (Note: I am also aware of Verizon stating that Google requested the suspension of certification.)

For anyone who hasn't given up: what legitimate information is available on why the 4.3 update cannot be released to the Verizon Galaxy Nexus?

Verizon: Do you have any information beyond these two sites? Verizon Wireless News Center, http://www.verizonwireless.com/support/devices/Samsung/5801.html

Do you have any steps that can be taken to provide mitigation for the lack of support that was promised on this device and its services, which you are being paid for? Is there any actions that do not involve a consumer paying additional fees to buy an alternate device or end service with your company?

[There is enough misinformation loose among consumers. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the only way to request assistance is to tie up my immediate time by starting a live chat, making a call to support, stopping in person to a store, or to utilize the forum where Verizon Support has no current information and as such the consumers must speculate among themselves? ]

Sources:

http://www.theverge.com/2013/10/31/5051958/google-galaxy-nexus-will-not-be-upgraded-android-4-4-kit-...

Factory Images for Nexus Devices - Android — Google Developers

Android 4.3 comes to Sprint's Samsung GALAXY Nexus

http://buzzmachine.com/2013/11/06/the-verizon-saga-continues/

[Tidbits]

Sorry fansites don't bother actually looking at the facts and Google hasn't said much to the facts.  I said this about a month before the Galaxy Nexus was released, and I will say it again.  Verizon probably will not say a thing, because it's not on them.  Factory image doesn't mean a thing.  any version is fine.  What matters is the HAL.

Google is lying about treating the device like any other Nexus device(Google can do no evil right?).  CDMA is different than GSM and has to be treated different.  Verizon themselves will not give special treatment to any manufacturer or company even if they have a deal to sell devices.  Just look at Verizon's history for the past 10 years.  I going to love it when someone brings up the iPhone...  iOS actually goes through the SAME testing.  The only difference...  They don't release anything until ALL their devices are ready, and so it looks "timely".  Join ADC for more information, and read their change logs on every beta.  Verizon is apart of ADC and does testing at the same time Apple works on the OS.  Something which Google doesn't do, and something other manufacturers don't do as seen with recent reports(When they built the Nexus 5, and timeline release charts from Motorola, HTC, and from Sony AOSP reports).

Google CAN release the HAL and RIL without any repercussions.  Where are they?  People have been asking for them for a while from Google.  They hide, and avoid the questions in Google groups.  They are different from Sprint.  The custom roms released are using Modified Sprint, or Modified older version of the Verizon Galaxy Nexus version.  They don't have to release the radio if there is one.  If there is a radio change then there is your culprit as to why there is a delay.  If they changed the radio then it would have to go through FCC approval, Qualcomm approval(They also have to sign packages), Verizon needs to sign packages(requirement for CDMA), and during any point in testing and signing any of those 3 find something not working it get's sent back to Google.  Google learned after all this time the hardest and longest process is FCC approval(See Sony AOSP Project).  Since then Google backed off carriers and the reason why we have the HAL to go through FCC more quickly.  Average carrier approval time was 1 month while the FCC approval time has exceeded 6 months more than a handful of times(3-4 months on average, but with time from source release and FCC approval it took 6+ months.  With HAL now this process often takes 1/2 that time).

anyway it doesn't matter.  the device is older than 2 years old.  there is no warranty so if people want the newer versions that bad they could put AOSP on.  They could switch carriers, and speak with their money(this does more than what people are doing right now). Hurt their pocketbooks. 

[ShawnJG]

Again, what other thread?

Obviously my sources of information aren't suitable for reference, do you have better resources? I didn't tangent into mentioning the iPhone, nor did I mention any of the other companies that could be holding the process. I did acknowledge that the phone is physically and fundamentally different from the others which have already received the update. I did, also, state that I was paying Verizon and as such would appreciate information from Verizon on Verizon's forums.

Your suggested solutions are either a breach of my contract with Verizon, or effectively withdrawing under the ETF terms and leaving even fewer people to ask for more information. In either case - your solution is for me to just go away, stop asking questions and stop asking for support, correct?

[Tidbits]

Go search for it in Google Groups where 99% of Nexus related things are best to find.  Even Google bug pages on bugs.  These are controlled and answered by Google themselves and it has been brought up more than a handful of times, and Google own silence, and non compliance of their own licensing is hilarious.  Google can do no evil...  right?  Much like they do what the NSA does at least they tell you in advance right?  Anyway it doesn't matter these threads are more than likely hard to find now as it's 2 years of clutter to sift through.

It's not up to Verizon.  Just because you pay them doesn't mean they owe you that.  Source code isn't up to them, and updates are not up to them.  Manufacturers have to do the updates and pass testing.  I have YET to see any manufacturer go through the process and devices not get updated.  The Galaxy Nexus LTE is the only device on the surface, but Google has abandoned it.  It's not a breach of contract, because it's NOT THEIR CODE, and NOT THEIR HARDWARE.  Just because it has their branding on it doesn't mean it's theirs.  That's one of the largest FUDs going through the internet.

Anyway I wish you luck.

[Ann154]

So why are the Android 4.3 binaries available on AOSP for the toro model?

[Tidbits]

Sprint version  a lot of the binaries are the same as to why I said they used a modified Sprint HAL/RIL or used a modified Verizon older version of the HAL/RIL.

Here's a tidbit of information... the Vodaphone HAL/RIL is the same as the Verizon version.  So think about what something that was previously said about the Vodaphone update(a friend of mine just told me this, he's a RIL guy.  He left Verizon a year ago, but he says the HAL/RIL from all manufacturers for Verizon and Vodaphone devices are all the same except for Samsung due to them using different chipsets.

[tvanriper]

I had no problem finding this thread with the following Google search the following search terms:

verizon nexus update

I only did the search because my Nexus tablet, which isn't exactly new, recently got the 4.4.3 update, while my Galaxy Nexus phone from Verizon languishes at 4.2.2.

This hasn't been a stellar experience, honestly.  I'd love for the phone to get updated like any other Google device, regardless of who is at fault, because, bottom line, I prefer to get bug fixes and such for my phone, especially now that hackers like to attack these things, and some bug fixes might include security fixes.  But if neither Google nor Verizon will take ownership for this mess and fix it, I suppose I have to decide whether or not I wish to remain with either Verizon or Google.

As I like the Android OS, I am unlikely to give up on Google.  Google might be responsible in some way for this mess, but its the only viable phone operating system that provides the flexibility that I want in my phone.  I might not like everything they do, but I like neither the iOS nor the Windows OS (whatever they're calling their phone OS... funny I can't recall that, as a Windows developer myself), so I'm sticking with Android.

Which leaves Verizon.  I only switched to Verizon due to superior coverage at the time.  I no longer have the coverage needs I once had, so I don't have that incentive anymore.  I found AT&T to be a reasonably decent carrier, aside from the lack of coverage at the time, so I could consider switching to that, unless Verizon can give me any reason at all to consider remaining with them.  The combination of Verizon's refusal to let Google Wallet on any of the Android devices they sell, and Verizon's inability to update the devices (regardless of fault), gives me a lot of cause to consider another carrier, if I can receive at least enough coverage to handle my needs.

So, I might talk with a representative soon about this.  Seriously, Verizon, this is a pretty serious gaff on your part.  I am being relatively nice in laying out my thoughts openly and honestly, without the vitriol one might expect from a frustrated customer, so perhaps you can consider the issue seriously.

[carseller0822]

I will be shocked if VZW responds in any way to this thread. They washed their hands of anything Nexus related shortly after the launch of the device. I finally switched to the HTC One (M7) because it had a version of Android that I could tolerate. After using it and the M8 for several months I have to say that I really enjoy HTC Sense. No, it's not pure, unadulterated Android. But it's not the confused and jumbled mess that is TouchWhiz (IMO).

[Darkstar_Zero]

So back to the matter at hand. Still no update huh? VZW has got to be the worst wireless carrier in the states. How does this inspire trust in a company, when that company obviously doesn't care about its customers. This update has been around for coming in on a year. But VZW would play us for fools and tell us it's Samsungs fault when samsung doesn't touch the software. If I didn't already have lines on contract I might consider switching, AT&T seems to have better prices anyway with similar coverage in my area of home and work. Yeah, in the end I'll probably stay at verizon... But I'm not very happy about it.

[JohnSatchmo]

Duplicate post/account, see:

Edited by: Admin Moderator

[SCNY72]

4.4 and beyond and we still are stuck on 4.2!!!!  Shameful!