When will Windows Phone 8.1 and Cyan Update be released? (Update)

[T_Williams]

T-Mobile and AT&T are making progress, but not a word from Verizon Wireless.  What's Up?

[primortal]

Completely out of context. Microsoft announced Windows Phone 8.1 to developers in April.  That is not the official release date for all devices just developers.

July 15 came around and Microsoft announced that Windows Phone 8.1 is available to all.

If Microsoft decided to push the launch date from July 15 to another month/day they would have made an announcement of the change and not be completely silent.

I'm not asking VZW for specific dates.  If they say Windows Phone 8.1 will be released to listed devices by the end of the 3rd quarter of 2014 that would be golden.  If that schedule shifted to end of the 4th quarter and simply updated the schedule with a note that the update has been delayed no big deal.  Sure people would be pissed but it's better than not knowing at all.

No news what so ever is a lot worse than shifting the schedule IMHOP

[mythos28th]

I know the release date was 7/15.  So maybe Microsoft should have been honest in their press releases in early April. I don't care.  I don't pretend to run Verizon or Microsoft or have any sway over their executives.  I am just a dude in a 2 year contract who keeps up his end of the bargain every month.

[primortal]

mythos28th wrote:

I know the release date was 7/15.  So maybe Microsoft should have been honest in their press releases in early April. I don't care.  I don't pretend to run Verizon or Microsoft or have any sway over their executives.  I am just a dude in a 2 year contract who keeps up his end of the bargain every month.

What press releases for the official launch of Windows Phone 8.1?  Please share a link...

[mythos28th]

Microsoft Announces Cortana, Siri-Like Personal Assistant - NBC News

I have a 928 and my wife bought her Icon in June.  "A few months."  4 is pushing it, 6 is a half of year.

[primortal]

Thanks.  Key take away from this.

The update will be available on new phones starting in late April and available to other customers over the next few months, Belfiore said.

The update would be only on new phones released; aka 930 630/635 and other customers/phones would get it over the next few months.

[krisanne1]

That's the best argument that I've heard so far.

Sent from my Windows Phone

[rednibkram]

If I decided to sue Verizon, it would not be over the "lack" of updates or even the "delay" of updates, but rather the "unfair practice of allowing Apple phones to bypass the 'testing' phase, while forcing Microsoft phones to be tested."  It is, in essence, a form of discrimination.  Regardless of popularity or demand of any device, if you claim your testing is required to ensure stability on the network, then ALL devices should be tested, even iPhones.  How do they know the iPhones would cause a major network disruption if they don't test it first?  If Apple is allowed an exclusion to this so-called mandatory testing, then Microsoft should be granted this same exclusion since their OS is "closed" like iOS and Microsoft personally manufactures the Lumia line just like Apple manufactures the iPhones.  Verizion can't make the case that Lumia has different models, because so does Apple (iPhone 5s, 5, 4s, 4, 3G - all with different hardware components).  This unfair practice also gives Apple a "sales advantage" to pursuade undecided customers to buy the iPhone becasue they can claim this "bypass" as a reason to buy Apple instead of Microsoft.  Microsoft should fully get behind this argument.  Could be a reason why WP sales aren't "popping" right now.

[rcschnoor]

rednibkram wrote:

If Apple is allowed an exclusion to this so-called mandatory testing, then Microsoft should be granted this same exclusion since their OS is "closed" like iOS and Microsoft personally manufactures the Lumia line just like Apple manufactures the iPhones.

Nokia manufactures the Lumia line, NOT Microsoft.

[primortal]

rcschnoor wrote:

rednibkram wrote:

If Apple is allowed an exclusion to this so-called mandatory testing, then Microsoft should be granted this same exclusion since their OS is "closed" like iOS and Microsoft personally manufactures the Lumia line just like Apple manufactures the iPhones.

Nokia manufactures the Lumia line, NOT Microsoft.

Microsoft purchased the division from Nokia that produces phones so yes, Microsoft manufactures the Lumia line under the company name Microsoft Mobile Oy. http://www.nokiapoweruser.com/2014/04/19/nokia-oyj-to-become-microsoft-mobile-oy-nokia-to-retain-its...

[rcschnoor]

Yes, I see that sale took place a few months ago, my apologies.

The major difference between the 2 is Apple brought with it "high demand" and a vastly superior assortment of apps for its products to Verizon and was as a result able to get better terms for its devices. Windows phones don't have the same level of demand as iPhones had when first introduced at Verizon and they STILL only have a FRACTION of the apps which are available on the iPhone let alone android phones, therefore Microsoft cannot place the same pressure on Verizon in order to place special demands in order to have their devices on the Verizon network.

Personally, I would prefer ALL updates to be pushed to the phones directly from the manufacturer as it is done with Apple however I don't see this happening anytime in the near future.

POSSIBLY, when/if Microsoft actually stands by and supports it product successfully unlike the way it has done so in the past, this MAY change. I used to have a Windows phone, TouchPro2, which was a mildly popular phone in the past. Unfortunately, Microsoft failed miserably with support/apps for this phone, promising yet never delivering. I have wanted to try a new Windows phone for quite some time, yet MANY of the apps I use on a daily basis have YET to become available in their app store. When they do, I will certainly reconsider my options.

[#12]

The problem with anything Microsoft is like in the James Bond movie where "Eliot Carvers Media group had his software shipped with bugs in it so they can make money on updates for years to come"

If Microsoft was doing the updates it would be a constant update Tuesdays as it is with the Windows operating system.

Can customers really deal with that? Ha ha

Yes the device makers should do their own updates, and the way people blame Verizon for everything I firmly believe tech support and warrantee service should be done by them as well.

This way if Verizon determines the phone cannot connect to WiFi or Bluetooth or photos don't come out etc. They can bump them to the phone makers.

Only support Verizon should give is if the signal is bad or text messages don't send over their network. And if determined its the device just hand it to device makers.

Then see all the complaints on the forum it would be quite a sight.

[primortal]

I highly doubt there would be a patch tuesday for WP.  WP is no where near as complex as the desktop version with all the subsystems, drivers, services etc it has.

I'm liking that WP is taking the core apps and actually making them part store allow updating them more frequently and not dependent on OS updates.

I'm hoping MS can prove to VZW that the members of the developer preview program is a good indication that allow MS to push updates OTA isn't a catastrophic as VZW makes it out to be.  The only thing that VZW won't allow is driver updates for the radios without VZW testing them first which they could easily pass off to MS/HTC/Samsung to test with the test cases VZW uses.

Sadly VZW isn't that smart enough to do it.

[#14]

Yeah I knew it would not be like the windows operating system patch Tuesday. But just imagine if it was?

Someday the device makers will do all their own testing and certifications and push outs which will be much better for all owners of any device.

But how will Verizon get all that crap ware on the devices...

[Tearunner]

Microsoft is able to push their own OS updates to you if you install the Preview for Developers app.  I've been using 8.1 for a couple months now on an Icon and an ATIV SE.  However, firmware updates must go through the carrier.  While I have been using 8.1 some features are not fully functional or in my ATIV SE's case, downright buggy.  The Preview app is a use at your own risk app. Nokia Lumias can be rolled back to 8.0. Other OEM's cannot, again use at your own risk.

That being said, Elector is wrong in that we're waiting on Microsoft. Microsoft released the firmware update couple weeks ago to all carriers.  We're waiting on Verizon now. Not even ATT or TMobile has released 8.1 to all the models they carry. Give them some time to evaluate each one and make sure its safe. A problem was found HTC 8S phones that cannot be updated due to hardware. If Verizon releases an update and bricks your phone you're going to be howling at more than the FCC and Verizon will have to replace your phone.

Yes, Verizon has to update your WP if it is safe to do so. That is not an FCC requirement, that is the requirement of Microsoft. Yes, Verizon cares about WP. If they didn't, they wouldn't be snatching all the flagships as exclusives. They've gotten the Icon, Samsung ATIV SE, and will be getting the HTC One M8 loaded with WP 8.1 update 1 around the 20th of this month as an exclusive in the US as well.

Lastly, I said that 8.1 and accompanying firmware were released a couple weeks ago to carriers. Here is an update list of who has it, which phones have gotten it, and what stage in waiting to get it:

Availability in North America - Nokia

[OldPirate]

My only concern is that when my contract was up I went to Verizon and asked if they were going to release 8.1 fairly quickly when it came out and I was assured it was.  I had considered leaving Verizon for that reason because I had seen and read what 8.1 was about and knew when finished it would certainly be better for me than the IPhone 4S I had.

I really like my Icon and do look every morning in hopes the update has come through.  My wife bought a Galaxy 5S and even with just 8 I prefer my phone to hers.  The integration with all things Windows is what I was after and will be what many will want once 8.1 becomes main stream.

So I bought from Verizon in anticipation of getting 8.1 which was assured me by their representative at the time of being...."soon".

[#17]

Verizon does not have to replace your device if any update bricks it as you stated.

The update is a Microsoft and device maker issue.

The warranty on devices clearly spell out that the device maker warrants your device. Not Verizon.

Verizon facilitates the exchange under manufacturers warranty as a service to their customers. Not as a obligation to do so.

Software updates are never guaranteed. If you update and the functions of the device don't work as before, you call the device maker and not Verizon.

Customer Agreement | Verizon Wireless

Read the sections "My Wireless Device" & "Disclaimers of Warrantee"

Good Luck

[OldPirate]

I have never referenced anything about "bricking". Not sure where you got that from.

[#19]

Please read what poster I replied to.

It was not your post.

[Quote from Tearunner]

If Verizon releases an update and bricks your phone you're going to be howling at more than the FCC and Verizon will have to replace your phone.

[End Quote]

Good Luck

[drako357]

Verizon is responsible if their update (which this is and why they are doing their job and testing it) breaks your phone.   I am glad Verizon is doing their job and testing out this update, I just wish they would have been proactive and done this months ago instead of holding onto an old grudge with Microsoft.

[primortal]

A little off topic, this grudge with Microsoft about the failed Microsoft Kin was entirely VZW fault and not Microsoft's.  Microsoft wanted a custom data plan for Kin and VZW insisted at the time of $30 data plan on top of the $40 voice plan.  So basically if failed because of cost of VZW own doing.

[rcschnoor]

primortal wrote:

A little off topic, this grudge with Microsoft about the failed Microsoft Kin was entirely VZW fault and not Microsoft's.  Microsoft wanted a custom data plan for Kin and VZW insisted at the time of $30 data plan on top of the $40 voice plan.  So basically if failed because of cost of VZW own doing.

This is not completely true. While I have no way of knowing if Microsoft wanted a custom data plan for the Kin device, Verizon DID NOT require any users to have a data plan for it.