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

[Tstan053]

I can't think of any other industry that refuses to provide basic information on their product.  More proof  of Verizon's quality customer service without the quality.  Soon Verizon may  be without the customers part too.   A sad reflection on Verizon's executive team. 

[ynggrsshppr91]

Oh yes, because so many people are going to flock to other carriers to get a useless firmare on a phone they get no service with. Shooting yourselves in the foot I say.

Did you buy the phone specifically for Cortana? No, because you likely didn't know such a thing exisited. Get a new phone that has it.

[SilentNight]

Unlike most people I have a reason for complaining. My phone does not work properly without Cyan. Lumia 822 Dev Preview 8.1 GDR1 camera and GPS don't work without Cyan. If Verizon doesn't release the update before summer officially ends, I will be switching back to AT&T. I have gone way to long without a camera (4 Months). While it isn't Verizon's fault for my camera not working it is their fault for preventing it from working this long . If anyone at Verizon actually reads this I strongly suggest you send these complaints up the chain. It isn't good to piss off your loyal customers.

[DC4000]

They have millions of customers. The Android ones don't team up with the Windows ones don't team up with the BB ones don't team up with the I-phone ones to complain about things. *Wrote it that way on purpose*

They don't care that one set of users of one specific OS on one specific phone is not happy about one delayed update. Mobile phones are as common as cars these days and you only have a few choices for getting them.

Not trying to be political, but if the government would have let some of these businesses fail, and let the "free market" work as it should, then maybe they'd treat their customers better when they are doing good. There is no motivation to do anything for you beyond the minimum required.

[#5]

The Dev preview & GDR1 was not on the device when purchased, was it not?

When you first purchased your windows phone the camera worked?

The GPS worked?

Placing the developers preview on was your decision, so waiting for a update to fix it may or may not appear right away. You will have to wait and see what happens.

Good Luck

[rednibkram]

Once again, you are so set on defending Verizon, you fail to see the point.

The point is that the update that SilentNight placed on his device was already tested and approved by the manufacturer for his device.  This update however requires some firmware updates to repair some inaccuracies on his device, but the only reaons SilentNight doesn't have this required update is because Verizon is preventing him from accessing it.  Meanwhile, other carriers have already released the update.

Example.  You go to BestBuy and purchase a Toshiba TV with a built-in DVD player and network support.  Your network provider is Cox Cable.  Toshiba says there is new software for your TV that will allow you to now play video games through your DVD player but you have to download the software through your network provider.  The catch is that you will also need a firmware upgrade to allow changes to the DVD player enabling to read the video game DVD software.  You download the software and install it on your computer, but Cox Cable decides they will block access to the firmware needed to update your TV for whatever reason, while ComCast is allowing full access to all its customers.

Question:  How is this Toshiba's fault that you can't get the firmare update through Cox Cable?

You are attempting to displace fault onto the manufacturer either 1) for not having it on the device at time of sale, or 2) for not sending out the update themselves.  However 1) devices are sold and updates are created for all phones and sent out all the time, even the iPhone.  2) The reason they can't send it out themselves is because Verizon DEMANDS interference!  Either way, Verizon is fully at fault for delaying the update!

[#7]

No it is you missing the point.

Silent night did not have to download those programs. It was user inatiated. Because now the phone needs a firmware update to fully correct the enhancement and it has to be approved and then released is again not really an issue with the cell providers.

Let's take your Best Buy analogy. My huge LG TV worked when I bought it right out of the box. I now get a notification telling me there is updates to my new TV. Yes this happened to me.

However I am given multiple options to get this update if I want it. It is not required to operate my TV it is updating my Apps on my TV basically Amazon Prime or Netflix or any other app included.

Same as with my blu ray DVD player. However in this case Road Runner is not blocking me from either letting the TV update through its internet connection nor if I go to the LG website and place it on a USB thumb drive and then update manually.

However if Time Warner blocks the site they better have a good reason for it. Again this is not the same with cell phones.

When I owned the HTC One I went to the HTC website and installed the OS under T-Mobile and it downloaded and functioned perfectly.

However HTC had the update yet T-Mobile did not push over the air.

So now why would I complain? The update I received had to do with my news widget and Facebook and FM radio improvements, it was not a huge hit to have it now sort of update.

This Windows update is also a got to have it now event. If my device works as it did at initial purchase I can wait and be surprised. I did not buy the device to get updates.

This constant complaining about getting an update is just waste of time and in the long run you still will get it or not get it in due course.

Whipping the dead horse does not win the race. It is still looking at a dead horse.

[rednibkram]

Ultimately it is you who keeps missing the point.  As I have already proven that Verizon must ultimately release the update from the manufacturer on the other post, I won't repeat it here.

My point, which has been the case all along, is that Verizon has had this update for testing since July 15th and is taking entirely too long to approve it.  Part of the service I am paying for is the testing of updates to ensure I don't lose connectivity to the network, which I have stated time and time again, I fully support.  What I, and others, have been complaining about is the length of time it takes for Verizon to complete this process.  Others have speculated on the reasons for the delay, personally, I don't care.  I just want the process changed to speed it up.  Because, ultimately, it is all about CUSTOMER SATISFACTION!  Verizon should be more than willing to amend it's testing process to satisfy it's paying customers.  After all, AT&T already has, which, according to a good friend of mine that works for AT&T, is the reason most of their Lumia devices already have the Cyan update.  I don't care if you believe me or not, but dont' be surprised if AT&T beats Verizon to getting the Denim update out first as well.

I am paying Verizon for the use of their network, part of which is Verizon's ability to update and maintain that connectivity.  This also includes testing of device update software and firmware.  So, yes, I am paying for them to test my firmware update.  As a paying customer, if I am unsatisfifed with the length of time it takes Verizon to achieve this testing, I am fully with my right to complain all I want to, whether you, or anyone else, likes it or not.  So please stop trying to tell me to stop complaining, because I won't.  I am just as well within my right to complain as you are to back up Verizon.  Although, I don't think you will receive as many supporters as I will.

So lets put it to a test, those who read this who agree with me, like my post.  Those who agree with Elector, like his.  Let's see who gets the most likes.

[#9]

Take a look at my Likes above on my post replies.

Verizon does not have to update your device. If they desire to that is up to them and when and or if they release it that is up to them, complaining does absolutely zero.

Complain away.

Good Luck

[Th3GingerHitman]

I agree 100% with this, Elector is all over the forums spouting off about how they owe us nothing when in fact they owe us the customer service we are paying for. Instead we get lip service. Literally all I want to know is if there is a plan to release the update. I would be happy knowing there is a plan in place, yet I am stuck in limbo with no idea whether or not I am getting this. I have not updated to Preview because I have heard of a few times that things can go wrong, and my phone functions well now. I know multiple times I have been asked by people to see Cortana after they have seen the commercials, and I have to say I don't have it because Verizon has not released it, and has not given any update on when/if it would be released.

[rednibkram]

Don't have any proof or substantiating documentation (other than the links below), but it appears that the Lumia Icon will mostly likely skip the Cyan update.  Per the below article and via Microsoft's CEO through the recently Germany webcast I viewed, the Lumia Denim firmware update is scheduled to be available for download to the Lumia 930, Lumia 1520 and the Lumia Icon "soon," followed by the rest of the WP 8.0 Lumia line in Q4 of 2014.

I've got my fingers crossed that "soon" means sometime within the next 2 to 3 weeks since Q4 startes 1 October.   I'm using this hope to calm myself down and try to be a little more patient, but if this doesn't pan out, trust me, I will be leading the revolution!  lol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQXfYHb3A4s = Microsoft Lumia Denim webcast.

http://www.engadget.com/2014/09/04/lumia-denim-update/

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-Announces-Lumia-Denim-the-Next-Windows-Phone-8-1-Update-4577...

[rednibkram]

Addendum - you can watch the full version of the Microsoft Lumia Live webcast at the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQXfYHb3A4s

[Th3GingerHitman]

Sadly this does not help me as I am a 928 user, which makes me a second class citizen to the Icon users. I wish I could have waited for the Icon, but I previously owned the HTC Trophy and needed an upgrade when the 928 was released.

[#14]

You know I don't mind the doing the duty of snapping folks out of the delusion that "cell phone updates are customer service issues" they are not.

i Sympathize with the device owners however the device is not really update forever.

In fact the small number of folks posting here are saying they want Verizon wireless to communicate when and if the devices are to be updated. How can you be given any answer other than "they don't know"

is it better to post November 1, 2014 and know its a lie? Or how about an answer of "we decided not to update your devices"? Again how is that going to change anything.

I Know I don't like being lied to. But silence is a whole lot better than lies to the customers.

I Know I don't like posting the same thing over and over.

[Th3GingerHitman]

At no point did I say updating my phone is a customer service issue, letting me know what is coming down the pipe is a customer service issue. Again this would be great customer service, not that they owe me great customer service.

Is it better to not say anything for months on end or say, we do have plans to push it out to you. Unfortunately we don't know when it will be since we are having issues with it?

I prefer knowing that Verizon is working the issue than not hearing a single word at all.

[#16]

You make a great point. And maybe that is the way it should have been done.

however it wasn't but sometimes saying anything can put you on the spot. You understand that.

i Believe in silence is golden over stating something that may put you on the spot.

say Verizon did as you wanted. Say they said yes we have it and we are testing it and you will get it soon.

now say plans change. Say they don't or cannot give the update for any reason.

would that make you angrier. It would me for now I have been lied to.

situations like this you cannot win either way. A shame but that is what the world has come to.

[SilentNight]

You're right silence is better in some cases however what about for people like me? If Verizon goes on and tells us "Hey, sorry but you aren't getting the update because we don't give a shit about our customers and we just want you to upgrade your phone so we can take your money" I could move on with my life and switch back to AT&T to get a phone with a working camera instead of using a half-working phone.

[Th3GingerHitman]

I actually don't think I would be angry, if there was open communication. I sure would be disappointed, but if they let us know about the progress and then in the end said, "look we aren't going to be able to provide this update we had hoped, because x,y,z. But we are looking for ways to do it."

This is just me though, I know there is a lot of sensationalism on these forums so I am a minority. I am just a person who prefers open and transparent info. I also understand the whole Silence is Golden mentality.

[rednibkram]

I know you disagree with us requesting Verizon to be more open to us customers regarding these update, however, as
I have stated in the past, I believe you to be the minority.  There are a LOT more customers who would prefer Verizon to provide us with some kind of feedback regarding these update rather than leave us in the dark.  I also disagree with your assumption that more people would complain about being told one thing and getting another.  I don't think you give us customer enough credit.  I for one would completely understand if Verizon said we will try to get the update out by the end of September, then they discover something and come back and say "in our testing, we discoverd an issue and are working to correct it, but the update will be delayed."  I would understand the situation, respect Verizon for looking out for my interests, and would be a lot more patient regarding the update.  Will there be others who will complain, sure, but a lot more people currently complaining, wouldn't.

[Tidbits]

rednibkram wrote:

I know you disagree with us requesting Verizon to be more open to us customers regarding these update, however, as
I have stated in the past, I believe you to be the minority.  There are a LOT more customers who would prefer Verizon to provide us with some kind of feedback regarding these update rather than leave us in the dark.  I also disagree with your assumption that more people would complain about being told one thing and getting another.  I don't think you give us customer enough credit.  I for one would completely understand if Verizon said we will try to get the update out by the end of September, then they discover something and come back and say "in our testing, we discoverd an issue and are working to correct it, but the update will be delayed."  I would understand the situation, respect Verizon for looking out for my interests, and would be a lot more patient regarding the update.  Will there be others who will complain, sure, but a lot more people currently complaining, wouldn't.

History has proven what he said correct.  You can see it in these very forums especially early on.  Also the information you want like I said many times before has to come from Nokia.  Carriers don't touch code and test code like popular belief.

[rednibkram]

"Carriers don't touch code and test code like popular belief."  That is not entirely correct.  It is true they don't "touch" code (meaning make edits to it), however they do test it.  I was already informed by the Verizon Executive in charge of testing the firmware that they do indeed receive the firmware update from the manufacturer and install it on a Verizon device.  Verizon technicians test that device on the network to ensure there are no difficulties.  If no difficulites are found, they will grant approval for the firmware to be used on their network and grant the manufacturer permission to push the firmware update out to the devices intended to receive the firmware over Verizon's network (OTA.)

If, however, they do find a problem, they will inform the manufacturer of what the problem is and it is then up to the manufacturer to edit the firmware to make the corrections, to which Verizon will then retest the firmware.

There is NO question that this is the process, as, like I have said, I have already confirmed this with Verizon Executive in charge of actually testing the firmware updates.  I spoke directly with him via phone in regards to my FCC complaint.