Who wants a premier offer for WP10?ie Lumia 950,950xl

[WP10_950xl]

I have owned and absolutely loved my Lumia 822 and now my Lumia 735. I have been waiting wit bated breathe for the Lumia 950 xl. I figure if the phones that I have been using for the last 2 1/2 years are considered mid level, then high end has to be off the hook. Now I read that VERIZON may not support a flagship WP 10 at all. If that is the case I would seriously consider switching carriers.

[NolMac]

Thanks for sharing the links.

[SickFreak]

I wonder if MSFT will now backtrack?  (I'm also wondering if some of this was staged to see if there would be any outcry?  Remember New Coke / Classic fiasco where they seemed to say that they planned it?)

[NolMac]

Microsoft has definitely made some bonehead calls, but they've also backtracked after they've heard enough out crying. I plan to spam them about this. It doesn't guarantee I'll stay with Verizon, but I just want options.

[stevied07]

For what it is worth, and VZW doesn't really care.... I will be taking my 2 lines elsewhere if they continue to not carry Windows Phones. I can't stand Apple and Droid is all over the place with devices and OS versions. Plus I want one OS across all my devices. Lately between my work place and my new apartment Verizon coverage isn't that great!

[SickFreak]

Interesting article that highlights some of the things we've already said here:

https://www.thurrott.com/mobile/windows-phone/6746/your-fear-of-limited-lumia-availability-is-mispla...

I loved the line: "Limit availability via those carriers that do right by the platform, while also selling the phones directly to individuals in unlocked form."

[Tidbits]

Try finding an unbiased article or website saying that. Sorry to say AT&T isn't so forthcoming about Windows Phone themselves. Even articles fron PC world stated AT&T wasn't all that interested. Sorry playing Devils advocate here.

[SickFreak]

(You always play Devil's advocate. )

Well... out of the 4 major carriers, AT&T is the most 'positive' about @Windows devices.  Next would be T-Mobile which seems more equal/agnostic and then a huge gap then comes Verizon and Sprint.  Whenever I've gone into an AT&T or T-Mobile store, never did I see them try to talk someone out of a Windows device.

[Tidbits]

The Verizon stores near my home they had WP on display and actually had their own little space next to each other.  Some stores may push the other phones simply because that's their best sellers and push those more than other things because generally they are an easy sell.  I have never seen them try and push another product. I guess the people here would rather make any sale than anything else.

The AT&T store near me has no Windows Phones on display or in stock.  I actually had to buy mine online because none of our stores didn't carry them so I ended up buying them unlocked.

T-Mobile only had the 521 in store and not any of the 900 series or Samsung, and HTC devices they had in their line up.  Now you can only see their 635s on display and nothing else, but I assume it might be different in other regions.

Now Sprint I care not.  I hope Softbank does something with them aside from firing people in lower areas.  They need to fire their upper management and then change the culture there first.  Then also fix their logistic nightmare.

[Mistic67]

Whew , that was close! When I first reviewed the specifications, it did look like the 950's were going to work with multiple carriers. But the spectrum is so distorted now, it's a bit difficult distinguishing what phone will work with what carrier. The lack of definitive information created s lot of confusion.

Having read the article, it seems that Microsoft did is all a favor! It's true, carriers sick when it comes to phone updates. And I'm sure we will all agree that we want updates for our 950XL as soon as they come available.

It's looking like I won't have to switch carpets after all.

Mike R

Network Engineer

Sent from my Windows Phone

[IAmVortigaunt]

Just talked to an employee at a Microsoft store.  He basically said Panos Panay just took over the phone division and is working on a total MS phone that would hopefully have wider availability.  The guy said that it had just been so long since a flagship came out that they needed something....plus I imagine they want some phones to feature with Windows 10 this fall.  Between this and other reports online, it's sorta looking like they just got these 950s out the door from old Nokia designs to hold them over.  The guy did mention that CDMA testing was expensive and such, as well.  So basically, MS may not be fully behind these devices.

[SickFreak]

Yea - if you read some of the links some of us provided here, that's the unofficial story.  I fully expect a "Surface Phone" or something similar in about a year or so - something that's 100% Microsoft and not something that was started by Nokia.

Something else that someone else suggested is that even though the chipset is capable of working with Verizon, because Verizon's anti-Windows history, it probably wasn't worth it releasing an 'unlocked' phone that would work with Verizon because Verizon seems to make things harder for people trying to connect those phones to their network.  If it's not automatic, then people might just blame the phone instead of Verizon and return the phone and blame Microsoft for the problem.  Of course, I'm of the mindset that it should be fully unlocked and Microsoft expose Verizon for making things difficult, but I do understand how perception can influence future sales.

[Tidbits]

They don't make it hard... it's easy but people don't understand the complexity.

You can pop a Sim in and it works. No problem if it is supported. The problem is it can't activate sim cards. So the sim has to be preactivated. A seasoned rep will be able to help you or a person can use a Sim adapter with their older device to activate it. Once you are on a Nano sim it's pointless to go back up. Just use a Sim adapter if it ever arises.

[Tidbits]

Also like you right now pitting blame on Verizon that's what people perceived not the other way around. Go into the Nexus 6 sub space and you will see all the complaints about activation and not the actual device working. Same for the iphone 6 and higher. People blame Verizon for it without realizing how the technology works and the files needed are not there in an unlocked version. Google made a carrier payload system and also Motorola submitted IMEI numbers as to why they can activate sim cards.  Apple started to just give all their IMEI numbers to carriers and put all the files on all their devices. Surely MS could do the same and Verizon has to accept them due to Block C rules.  Eventually all carriers have to follow these rules if they want more spectrum.

[SickFreak]

Just saw this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDrjNzzzK-0

Goto 45:00

[Tidbits]

Stop giving MS a free pass.  They don't think they can sell enough phones to cover the CDMA costs set by Qualcomm. If they had any faith in their product they'd do it. They are using carriers as a scapegoat. They could have made a phone one fits all and it just won't work on Sprint since they are not bound by Block C. Sprint may accept the device just to appease the fact it can be used on all other carriers and can't afford to lose more customers than they already do. They would manually input the ID into the system like they did with the Nexus, iPhones, and the newest Motorola device.

He says because Apple and Samsung has sales they bend to them. Apple ADC all carriers have to do it. That's where the testing happens. Apple doesn't release the update until all devices meet approval. So it looks timely because of it. If you don't believe join ADC and participate. Samsung on these very forums would tell you otherwise. Talk to those Samsung guys about how that is working out with their phones.

So honestly speaking. I believe the rumor saying that this phone was a stopgap. Put something out there. The real phones are coming out next year where it will be like the iPhones unlocked and works for all carriers under their own branding. That make more financial sense than what they are doing now. Of course MS isn't going to say this because it would undermine the sales of the 950/XL. Some people would simply not buy it and wait until Next year.

[SickFreak]

Believe me, I'm not giving MSFT a pass - far from it.  I've said multiple times that they should have released a fully unlocked phone.  But I also deal with VZW and see how they deal with Windows devices.  While I blame both, I put the majority of it on VZW.

[Tidbits]

Like I said before that's subjected to area and the managers at the stores. Like in my area for example they have their own spots for Windows phones on the floor. They actually have stock and if people are interested they show them off. The problem I see is 100+ people in and out. Maybe lucky to sell 1 a month. MS isn't spending enough on advertising to get the name out there. I see more Surface commercials in a day than I do a windows phone commercial in a 3 month period. I believe that will change when they go with their own brandname that they'll push it more. The Nokia Lumina isn't going to be that phone.

[SickFreak]

I absolutely agree with the lack of Microsoft advertising.  I've seen Surface commercials, but don't remember seeing any phone commercials.  The best marketing thing they've done is product placement of the Surface and phone devices in various CBS shows.  And, of course, the NFL contract for the Surfaces. (But I've mentioned all that before.)  I'd love to see some Continuum commercials.

But I used to travel a lot all over the country and seemed to always be taking someone into a carrier store because of my technical background and they trusted me more than the carrier sales reps (any carrier.)  Once and only once did I find a sales rep that even knew about the Windows phones and he actually had one in his pocket as his personal phone.  Almost every other time, they told stories like there is no such thing to actually trying to talk people out of buying the phone.  And sadly, I'm not the only one - many people have stated the exact same thing on multiple forums.  I've even escalated this to VZW executives, but have been ignored.  As I've said before, I want the carriers to be phone agnostic.  I get tons of e-mails from VZW for iPhones and many Android devices, but never have I seen one for any Windows device - not even the Icon.  The Windows Phone is not the best phone for everyone, but it is a good phone and I'd like to see it be treated equally.

[Geebox]

Lol, tidbits, do you work for Verizon? You don't acknowledge Verizon roll in how they treat Windows Phone. The point of most people complains about Verizon are valid. People just want VZW to treat Windows Phone just like Apple and Android and let the phone succeed or fail on it own. No interference.

Sent from my Windows Phone

[Tidbits]

Look Geebox you know all those Lumina commercials on TV? I be lucky to see one every month. All those commercials are ran by the manufacturers not the carriers. Any business will always push their best sellers that's business 101.

No I don't work for Verizon and have no vested interest in Verizon. Yes I know they can be draconian at times. Block C forces them against that grain and manufacturers of they spend the money Verizon has to accept them. That's the facts. MS doesn't have faith they'll be able to recoup the costs they pay to Qualcomm for CDMA.  That's a sound business decision and I would have probably make the same.

[Geebox]

LOL, Verizon goes all out making iPhone commercials. Just be because your experience in your store does not negate the Marjory of those across the country and all over the net. You just seem to not acknowledge the majority experiences concerning VZW. More objectivity. Just saying.

Sent from my Windows Phone