Windows Phone 8.1 & Cyan Firmware - When?

[CmdrRom]

I'm seeing many threads on this topic, and I have to add my voice to this matter.

I'm personally sick and tired of waiting for the official release of this firmware when it's been made available to your company by Microsoft since July. Furthermore, without 8.1 being released on VZW officially, users who have opted to not participate in the Developer Preview are being punished. There are ads running that promote Cortana, but that basic feature is NOT available until official Cyan updates are pushed.

So my big question: When are VZW customers going to get these updates? Silence on the matter is only going to fuel animosity.

[#2]

op2388 wrote:

The fact that it is stated in an agreement does not make it right.

If you sign the agreement and use the services are are agreeing to the agreement. If you don't agree your option is to not have service with Verizon.

[op2388]

Again, the agreement makes it legal, not right. Everyone can choose to not sign the agreement and have another carrier but it might also mean they would also agree to having little to no communication signal.

[#4]

op2388 wrote:

Again, the agreement makes it legal, not right. 

All that matters is that it's legal. Once again if you don't agree the solution is to go elsewhere for service. That's the reality of it.

[op2388]

Elector,

Seriously, dude, you can stop parroting your same spiel over and over. We get it, you love Verizon and you think customers have no rights to complain. I think it's pretty obvious by now you're not going to change anyone's mind and get them to stop giving grievances to Verizon. On the other hand, those complaining have a better chance of getting a response back and maybe, just maybe, getting something to change (as some on these forums have already been able to get in contact with upper management). I think people on here have every right to complain and demand the update as the 8.1 update was something that was touted by customer reps as a reason for buying this phone in the first place. Saying something like, "they're customer reps. they don't know anything," is an invalid excuse for trying to justify not having updates and is akin to a "bait and switch" sale because these people represent Verizon and shouldn't be making false statements in their stores to begin with. If you're not a WP user, it doesn't mean you can't participate in the forum but at least try to make your posts constructive. Up until now, I don't really see anything constructive in you saying that everything is fine with the status quo.

[#6]

Customer Agreement | Verizon Wireless

Note the bottom paragraph.

I did not write these agreements but I know how to read and interpret them.

This can also be read by the other poster.

You see in life there are things that should be fought for. Better food, water, safer streets, advances in medicine to cure deseases, lower costs for health care etc.

Having folks constantly come to a help forum (note I did not say complaint or vent forum) and prattle on first about where such and such updates are, then come back here expecting help after those stupid updates disable the phone on which the carriers had absolutely nothing to do with should not need to be constantly rebuttled.

I use my intelligence, what else is more important in life? Surely all this banter is not what is most dear in your world.

You see I have found that when you use common sense to combat stupidity (complain to the FCC, FTC, etc) I get replies of give it up its not swaying this group or that. I should not have to sway anyone. Their own common sense should do that.

Complaints on something you are not entitled to are just wasted complaints. Doubtful other than a hand full of anyone reads or cares and that includes Verizon management.

You want to make a difference send them via USPS certified return receipt requested to the CEO get back that certified card, then you know its right at the main offices.

Not saying it will do any good. But it may be better than posting these complaints here.

And to the other poster, yes I like Verizon I don't have any issues almost for 26+ years under any name they were.

But I don't blame them for anything not related to what I pay for. The service is connectivity to the cellular and data network. That is what we pay Verizon for every month.

Not updates to my devices.

Well have a nice afternoon.

[SeraphX2]

Once they deem it their responsibility to approve the firmware and then inject their apps and their nuances into my phone, then I am, at that point, paying them for more than network access.

[Tidbits]

That's up to the manufacturer who gives them that option unlike popular belief the carrier doesn't do it. The manufacturer gets all that stuff in advance. Carriers don't touch the code.

[SeraphX2]

VZW created the My Verizon Mobile app.

VZW created the VZ Navigator app.

VZW created the Backup Assistant app.

VZW changes the startup screen logo that they want you to see.

[#10]

SeraphX2 wrote:

VZW created the My Verizon Mobile app.

VZW created the VZ Navigator app.

VZW created the Backup Assistant app.

VZW changes the startup screen logo that they want you to see.

So?

[SeraphX2]

So, Tidbits is saying that VZW has nothing to do with firmware or apps that VZW backs.  VZW makes all of the addons they want you to have, not MS.

[Tidbits]

SeraphX2 wrote:

VZW created the My Verizon Mobile app.

VZW created the VZ Navigator app.

VZW created the Backup Assistant app.

VZW changes the startup screen logo that they want you to see.

Verizon paid a 3rd party to make those apps with the ability to change the branding.  They give it to the manufacturer because the manufacturer gives them the option to preinstall apps(see Apple for not giving the option).  From that point everything is handled by the manufacturer.  If Manufacturers can't handle giving options then stop giving them.

[#13]

SeraphX2 wrote:

Once they deem it their responsibility to approve the firmware and then inject their apps and their nuances into my phone, then I am, at that point, paying them for more than network access.

Actually no you are only paying for network access. Research and find any rules or regulations that what you are paying for is not connectivity to the network.

Your device may even have been bought at Verizon acting as a retailer just like Best Buy or Walmarts.

However after 14 days as with the rest your manufacturers warranty kicks in. Verizon does not make any devices, they make no code for updates (they give to device makers to put all that crapware on) they do not warranty your device. They only sell you access to their cellular and data network for a set dollar amount.

We may on occasion need help with the calling or texting or emailing or voice mail set up, but actually nothing else.

Updates and the issues after any update is between we the customer and device maker and OS developer.

Who knows maybe someday it will be like iOS updates. Verizon totally out of the loop.

I just don't know.

[SeraphX2]

Then they shouldn't be messing with my phone.  Whatever I pay them, some of that money goes to their developers to add apps to my phone and mess with how it works.  Regardless of what it *says* I am paying for, my monthly fee goes to somehow pay their developers.

How the heck do you know they give it to the MFG?  It says VZW published it, not MS.  MS puts their name on apps they publish that have come from third parties.  They've done it before.  So why would this be different?  Or is that VZW forcing them to put the VZW name on that as well?

[#15]

SeraphX2 wrote:

Then they shouldn't be messing with my phone.  Whatever I pay them, some of that money goes to their developers to add apps to my phone and mess with how it works.  Regardless of what it *says* I am paying for, my monthly fee goes to somehow pay their developers.

I am sure our money pays all salary and benefits to all officers and employees. I know it pays on my stocks, it pays for roaming agreements, it pays for system upgrades and advertising and probably much more.

I know before I retired we used in house developers and programmers as well as outsourced vendors. So even if that is true does not negate what the price we pay is for.

As per our customer agreements it is for connectivity to the network, and even in that is a gotcha. That connectivity is not guaranteed. I know its crazy and I don't have to agree with it but we are all caught in that gotcha.

And being a user of Microsoft products I have many systems using 8.1 now going all the way back to DOS.

Windows 3.1, 95, 98, ME, XP,7,vista right on up.

When you say messing with your device, is that not what Microsoft has done from the beginning?

Let's see every Tuesday is "patch Tuesday" every OS they upgrade to is later downgraded later on.

Security issues abound. The os upgrades even favor one vendor over another while making a perfectly good perphial device kaput. So isn't that Microsoft messing with peoples machines?

Its all in how we look at a situation.

[Alexvrb]

Elector wrote:

I am sure our money pays all salary and benefits to all officers and employees. I know it pays on my stocks,

Aha, now it all makes sense. I missed that "tidbit" earlier.

[#17]

Don't get above yourself. My wife and I own AT&T and Frontier Communications and about three other communication stocks. As well as others not in communication.

When Verizon makes money investors make money. In any business.

So no you don't understand.

[RiptideLA]

This Elector guy is kind of clueless.

Suggesting that the carrier owes us nothing is false. You keep your customers happy or lose them, I don't care what the contract may say.

And carriers do way more than just provide bandwidth. They sell devices and services. And locking people into contracts means that there is a relationship. Every carrier DOES offer operating system upgrades, regardless of whether it's in the contract or not.

I work in telecom, and specifically in the area of contracting with the carrier's largest customers. So I have a pretty sophisticated understanding of telecom contracts relative to the average person. I don't work in retail, but in that area, the contracts, while meaningful, are only part of the story.

[#19]

You are looking at services in a different perspective.

Verizon as a retailer sells many devices. However as a retailer (and I have read the largest retailer of devices) they are just like best buy or Walmart or Costco or Target etc.

This is a separate entity than Verizon as a service provider.

Think of it this way, you buy any phone from let's us Walmart. Now because Walmart sold that device does not mean they service it, warrant it or update it. The same applies to any carrier they sell devices that work on them.

Verizon as a cellular company sells you service to the cellular and data network with a device supplied by you to work on their network. This is as far as their liability extends.

The device on purchase and this is just an example was sold with an OS called Blue. Now a few months later the phone makers and OS developers now have a new OS call Red. However the phone at time of sale worked as stated on purchase. However nothing in our contracts or in our sales receipts state " you will get OS updates from the carriers for life" its not in there. Contracts are contracts.

Now let's step up to the customers and wanting to make them happy, as a company I am not obligated to make you happy by providing updates, I provide you service to the network. You pay for that service or you go to another service. However as if you state work or worked in communications industry you know that the complaints to the FCC is not going to do any good. The FCC cannot compel any carrier to update a phone they do not make or warrant. 

The locking in of a customer is not one sided. The lock comes from taking an $800 device for Zero to $199 which is a cost savings. The lock is customer iniated not carrier iniated. Big difference.

And as you must know by your post, the carrier does not have to update any device from original sale. But you believe Verizon and others should do so to "keep the customers happy" that is not a legal standing.

[bsites1968]

Rumor has it Verizon retired the Icon.  If so, extremely disappointed in my switch to them.  They certainly haven't handled the Windows Phone well at all.  I honestly thought they'd be better at this stuff as a business.  Live and learn...

[47seijar]

The Icon is still for sale at both Verizon stores and on their website. It remains their flagship WP8 phone, UNretired. Folks are just making up rumors now out of frustration about the lack of Cyan/8.1 update.

[SickFreak]

I looked before posting.  The Icon is no longer showing on the website as an option to purchase.  It is also no longer at many local stores.

\Windows Smartphones - Verizon Wireless

The only Windows phones currently available for purchase is the:

• Samsung ATIV SE
• Nokia 928
• HTC 8X
• HTC One (M8)