When will Cortana and Windows Phone 8.1 be available for the Nokia Lumia Icon? I bought the phone in June, and I was told by the Verizon salesperson that I could expect Cortana in a matter of "weeks". It's now three months, and I haven't heard anythin

[rcschnoor]

g2ricotta wrote:

Hello

I need disagree with your theory that the limited number of WP users is a reasonable explanation for the slow release of the update. NOTE: ATT (with the same limted number of WP users) has released the update to all 5 of its phones. So your theory of a big company not having to care about a small group of customers is not subscribed to by ATT.

Thanks

And since AT&T normally distributes android OS updates before Verizon, why wouldn't one believe it would do the same for other platforms, including WP??? The theory that the low number of Verizon users with WP would even lead one to believe the lag between AT&T and Verizon for WP updates may even be GREATER than the lag between AT&T and Verizon for android updates.

[AO180]

Of course, all theories about this are pure speculation. Like I said before, no one really knows except Verizon, and maybe Microsoft. Verizon has a much larger network and user base than AT&T; it doesn't surprise me that AT&T could get the update out first.

Either way, sign up for the free developer update if you want it before the official release. You'll be able to upgrade to Denim soon anyway, assuming it gets released on Verizon lol.

[rednibkram]

"You'll be able to upgrade to Denim soon anyway, assuming it gets released on Verizon lol."

It BETTER get released on Verizon!  Microsoft has already publicly stated that the 930, 1520 and the Icon will receive the Denim firmware update FIRST.  If Verizon does not release the Denim update, be prepared for the towns folk to start gathering around Verizon Headquarters with pitch forks, torches and hound dogs!  lol

[Tidbits]

AO180 wrote:

Of course, all theories about this are pure speculation. Like I said before, no one really knows except Verizon, and maybe Microsoft. Verizon has a much larger network and user base than AT&T; it doesn't surprise me that AT&T could get the update out first.

Either way, sign up for the free developer update if you want it before the official release. You'll be able to upgrade to Denim soon anyway, assuming it gets released on Verizon lol.

People also have to think about something that isn't speculation.  CDMA radios REQUIRE additional testing to get a signed package from Qualcomm.  There's no way around this.  GSM radios do not require the testing so it's never a surprise that AT&T or T-Mobile will get an update out faster than Sprint or Verizon.  Without going through the testing by Qualcomm and getting the signed package it can't be submitted to the FCC to ensure it doesn't cause interference(this has to be done when radio firmware or anything that may affect frequency interference potential).

[rednibkram]

While I might be able to agree with your CDMA/Qualcomm summation that testing/approval is required, I'm a bit more skeptical regarding Verizon/Microsoft's ability to get Qualcomm to "play along."

Prime example is the upcoming Denim firmware update.  Microsoft only recently upgraded the firmware and yet Verizon's Lumia Icon (a CDMA device) is scheduled to be one of 3 devices to be the first to receive the update.  How is it that if Qualcomm is so "difficult" to get things tested/approved, Verizon/Microsoft was able to get the Denim firmware update approved so quickly?  It would appear that if MS/VZW push Qualcomm hard enough, testing/approval really isn't that much of a problem.

[Julius]

"Samuli Hanninen, who runs software program management for the Nokia phones, told me later that going forward, the Lumia group will be focused on things where the hardware can add differentiation on top of the core Windows Phone operating system, like the camera; interaction technology, such as using the sensor core to enable the glance screen or "Hey Cortana"; and connectivity solutions, such as the NFC–enabled screen sharing.

Of course, there's a current update called Lumia Cyan that works with Windows Phone 8.1. I noted that as a Verizon user, I can't get that yet on my Lumia 928, which Hanninen attributed to a need for testing with the special modem in that unit."

[Tidbits]

Which is rumored and not actual factual

[Tidbits]

Also they could possibly be wanting to do the update first on the Icon using the same firmware pertaining to the radio.  So it's under testing right now before denim is complete.  We can run all the speculation, and since the software is proprietary we won't know exactly unless Nokia says something.

[rednibkram]

Microsoft CEO announced it in his webcast just the other day.  I watched it.  He clearly stated,

"Lumia Denim will FIRST be available on our flagship phones, the Lumia 930, Lumia 1520 and the LUMIA ICON.  It will include a wealth of other features and it will then be available to all Lumia smart phones running Windows Phone 8.1 in Q4-2014."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caNta0c0x_Q

Above quote taken from minute 6:45 of linked video.

I doubt he would make that comment if it wasn't true.

[rednibkram]

My view of that means they are currently working with Verizon to complete the Denim update and will skip the Cyan update altogether.  Why would they approve the Cyan update only to turn right around and upgrade again to the Denim update?  Wouldn't make sense.