Should Verizon's lack of response to Windows 8.1 update questions gives reason for pause.

[Vitki]

While that is a compelling opinion, that is not the entire story for a lot of users that bought an Icon.

The story there goes:

I go into a Verizon store and see the all the phones, I see the Banana phone which works great on the network and I see the Gaga phone, which works great on the network.

I look at both and then I am told about this great drink making feature that the Gaga phone will have "In a week or two, as soon as we release the update". That makes my decision for me and I purchase the Gaga phone based on what I have been told directly by everyone I talked to at the Verizon store and in support.

That is why most of us are upset. We were told one thing to get us to purchase a phone and it turned out to be a lie. I work in software development myself so I know what is behind the scenes in testing and developing.

I'm in the camp that I would like some sort of update on the progress. Even if it is "We're testing and ran into some issues with the modem in this phone. This has set our release effort back by two weeks while we send it back to the developers to look into."

Any information would be great, this silence makes it seem like they are doing nothing.

[#2]

I would first remember part one of the analogy between the Banana Phone and the Gaga Phone.

You are dealing with a sales person. My guard would be up. Based solely on the sale it can be fraught with lies and deceit to make same.

To up-sell you via lying that updates will be coming out soon or in a few weeks is just the way to make a sale.

On the second part of your reply, although you and others would like some information it may not be part of the company line to give out such information. Take Apple for instance they only release information when they are ready, and they work in secret until such time they want information given.

Big companies do this all the time. It is not bad to be silent. It may be not what makes a customer feel good with a company but does not make the company wrong for non release of any information until they are ready.

[DC4000]

I want the phone that makes drinks. It doesn't have to mix them, just dispense the alcohol.

[#4]

You know even though I was joking I went to the play store and found a drink mixing app.

if only the devices gave drinks. I would buy one on the spot

[rednibkram]

Once again, you are incorrect.  If, as in my example, manufacturer X releases a device on Verizon's network and only AFTER thousands of the device has been sold, a potentially severe problem is discovered that could cause damage to the unit, the user (battery explodes from overheating) or Verizon's network, and manufacturer X puts out a fix for this issue, Verizon cannot prevent the distribution of that update.  It is not an "enhancement" update, it is a "repair" update and Verizon cannot prevent the unit from being repaired.  In doing so, they would be opening themselves up to law suits by knowingly preventing a fix for a device that could cause someone to get hurt (exploding battery). 

[#6]

Oh you're at it again I see.... Bad information from you yet again.

The problems with devices having issues are happening after the whining for this update and that update.

Just look at the Kitty Kat update and the iOS updates (Not from Verizon)

What you describe is a Manufacturing Defect covered under the One Year manufacturers warranty Verizon is not responsible for any warranty on devices.

Verizon however facilitates the exchange as a courtesy to their customers and in no way is responsible for fixing the defects.

Many times a device makers web site has the patch for issues not covered under a general device update from say version 1 to version 1.1

I have seen patches pushed out to devices on Verizon and Sprint etc. not related to the general updates. (Cyan, Key Lime Pie, BB 100.10 etc.) So one is not the same as the other.

[t-val79]

My simple mind is confused by all this mumbo jumbo. I understand Verizon has 0 contractual obligations (typical for a 1 sided provider to consumer contract).  I just have a simple question....

Are you going to release the WP 8.1 Cyan update, and if so, when do you anticipate doing so? 

I understand you are contractually free to not respond at all to a straight forward question, but silence is poor customer service, plain and simple.  Just as not updating would also be poor service/support.  Just to be clear, I am not demanding anything. I am just a long time paying customer who is simply asking a question.

[stewfish]

Seriously, Verizon!! CANADA has the CYAN update. CANADA! When we can't even push out a simple update before ALL OF CANADA, then WTF are we doing?  Seriously. Losing to CANADA now?!? 

[rednibkram]

There you go again, trying to twist what I said.  I did not say Verizon is "responsible for any warranty or device," nor did Inot say Verizon is responsible for fixing the defects.  And I am not talking about just plain incremental upgrades or enhancements.  What I said was that Verizon "cannot prevent the unit from being repaired."  In other words if the update is software related (say some algorithm change needed to prevent the battery from overcharging) and the manufacturer needs to send this repair out to the devices OTA, Verizon cannot prevent that repair from being sent to the phone unless they can prove that it will cause problems on Verizon's network.

What if Verizon prevents the update from being sent to the phone without just cause (they would need to be able to prove that it would cause serious problems on their network in a court of law) and a consumer is hurt from, lets say, an exploding battery.  Because they did not get the algorithm change that Verizon blockedt, Verizon could be sued for preventing the update that the manufacturer sent out to repair that device and would be held solely responsible for that persons injury.  Why?  Because that battery would never have exploded and injured that person if Verizon had not blocked the update to repair the device.  Verizon isn't actually fixing the device, nor or they responsible to fix the device, but they are responsible to release the manufacturer's software to fix the device and cannot block it without just cause.  And that "just cause" better be sufficient to please a judge and jury in a court of law.

[#10]

Canada has the most un-used land mass in North America.

It does not have the largest population in these land masses.

Number of cell phone penetration is less.

And Verizon is not a Canadian Provider which has nothing to do with your update here from Verizon.

When and if they want to push it out you will receive it.

No amount of complaining is going to get it to you any faster.