[Jnbs]

With the new Preview program, MSFT is allowing enthusiasts to get Software early and without cost (App studio).. I am registered developer and have a couple of apps, but I am happy that ANYONE who just signs up for App studio can get GDR3 plus future versions of the OS without waiting for Carriers to approve the updates. Amazing things from MSFT

[luk3ja]

Microsoft have something to announce next week also, that they said is about how future updates will work. They also hinted that a carrier deciding not to provide an update will no longer stop you getting an update.

[John20212]

I just wish Microsoft pushed out all WP updates out like this including OEM updates and new OEM firmware. Microsoft will win lots of love when they finally axe the carriers out completely.

[mjenabi2]

well, if it didint void your warranty it would have been brilliant. but im in two minds about getting the update or not.

[John20212]

well, if it didint void your warranty it would have been brilliant. but im in two minds about getting the update or not.

They said it might void it, to be sure its best to check with your OEM and carrier.

Still it makes no sense for a software update to void a hardware warranty. It's as if I loose my Laptop warranty because I choose to reinstall Windows.

[Shad0wguy]

Microsoft have something to announce next week also, that they said is about how future updates will work. They also hinted that a carrier deciding not to provide an update will no longer stop you getting an update.

I guess the delay of GDR2 on AT&T was the breaking point.

[chezm]

This is a definite step forward, I appreciate MS's early attempt to gain some hand. They gotta keep up this momentum and gain adopters. If they continually release beta/previews for all windows platforms, more will be inclined to join this ecosystem.

[Blacklac]

EVERY other platform allows developers to get early OS updates. This isn't new. :p Although, I cant say any other ones offer it for free...

[ag1986]

They said it might void it, to be sure its best to check with your OEM and carrier.

Still it makes no sense for a software update to void a hardware warranty. It's as if I loose my Laptop warranty because I choose to reinstall Windows.

The carriers will most definitely call the warranty void - the reason they delay it is because they say they're "testing" the update for compatibility with their systems (read preinstalled crapware). If you choose to bypass those tests and get updates early, they will say that's why the phone broke.

[realwarder]

Let's face it... people love that when Apple announce a whole set of OS features, they can say you can download them on X.

Microsoft as a software company needs to be able to do the same thing.

Clearly the separation between cellular radio platform and the OS itself (think GDR2/Amber) permits the OS to be updated without invalidating the physical radio compatibility with cellular providers. They should be able to update the OS when they want.

[SwimSwim]

Same here, it's so nice that users finally have a way of getting around the carrier's tyranny! Three cheers for Microsoft!!!

Just finished installing GDR3 on my phone. Nothing major, of course, but the new ability to force close apps from the multitasking pane is very nice. Now I've just got break my habit of spam pressing the back button....

[ag1986]

Let's face it... people love that when Apple announce a whole set of OS features, they can say you can download them on X.

Microsoft as a software company needs to be able to do the same thing.

Clearly the separation between cellular radio platform and the OS itself (think GDR2/Amber) permits the OS to be updated without invalidating the physical radio compatibility with cellular providers. They should be able to update the OS when they want.

I'm tired of saying the same thing to everyone.

When you own an Apple device, Apple takes the responsibility of doing tech support for those devices. So if you have an iPhone bought on contract with Vodafone, you can go to Apple if it breaks rather than having to go to a Voda store. Unless MS does this, there is zero chance for carrier-less software updates.

As to your second point, the nature of the interface between the OS and the radio hardware means that there's always a chance of breaking something.

[krayziehustler]

Being able to do this for 8.1 would be sweet

[John20212]

The carriers will most definitely call the warranty void - the reason they delay it is because they say they're "testing" the update for compatibility with their systems (read preinstalled crapware). If you choose to bypass those tests and get updates early, they will say that's why the phone broke.

They can say whatever they want, but they would still have to prove it.

[txDrum]

well, if it didint void your warranty it would have been brilliant. but im in two minds about getting the update or not.

Well even if it DOES void your warranty, it only does so for the next coming months. Once you install carrier GDR3 + potential Nokia firmware if nokia, they'll have no way of knowing you actually installed the preview GDR3.

[Blacklac]

Well even if it DOES void your warranty, it only does so for the next coming months. Once you install carrier GDR3 + potential Nokia firmware if nokia, they'll have no way of knowing you actually installed the preview GDR3.

As an AT&T customer, I'm assuming I may have never gotten GDR3 from them... Haha.

[SwimSwim]

I'm tired of saying the same thing to everyone.

When you own an Apple device, Apple takes the responsibility of doing tech support for those devices. So if you have an iPhone bought on contract with Vodafone, you can go to Apple if it breaks rather than having to go to a Voda store. Unless MS does this, there is zero chance for carrier-less software updates.

As to your second point, the nature of the interface between the OS and the radio hardware means that there's always a chance of breaking something.

Umm, you can go to a Microsoft Store, should you please, just like you can take an iPhone to an AT&T Store, should you please.

[drbanks]

Just installed on my 925. Finally, Microsoft delivers on the promise that Thurrot has been beating them over the head with for the last couple of years: an actual update that isn't totally gated by the vendors and carriers. I like it.

[Jas00555]

I do find it kinda surprising that they're doing this for a minor update. Although they could have done it specifically for a minor update so AT&T wouldn't flip the hell out.

[Blacklac]

I do find it kinda surprising that they're doing this for a minor update. Although they could have done it specifically for a minor update so AT&T wouldn't flip the hell out.

honestly, I'd rather they did it for a bigger update. I mean, I want Nokia's firmware update but I'm way more worried about not getting 8.1 or whatever is next. As an AT&T customer.

This was a pretty minor update, it wouldn't have upset me to not get it really. I'm glad to take it but I hope they continue this option for major updates.

[SwimSwim]

I do find it kinda surprising that they're doing this for a minor update. Although they could have done it specifically for a minor update so AT&T wouldn't flip the hell out.

I'm assuming this is just the beginning, and we'll get the same deal with larger updates (Like 8.1/Blue). GDR3 just happens to be the first update they're using this model on, but I'm highly doubtful it will be the last.

[Jas00555]

honestly, I'd rather they did it for a bigger update. I mean, I want Nokia's firmware update but I'm way more worried about not getting 8.1 or whatever is next. As an AT&T customer.

This was a pretty minor update, it wouldn't have upset me to not get it really. I'm glad to take it but I hope they continue this option for major updates.

I think we all would enjoy a major update, but I think if Microsoft did this for 8.1, AT&T would definitely do something like block the update somehow or just drop support completely (MS and AT&T do have a business agreement after all).

I hope this is just the beginning though. I don't think we'll ever get the Apple deal, but honestly, I don't really want it after all the crap that came from IOS 7.

[haydt1]

I'm tired of saying the same thing to everyone.

When you own an Apple device, Apple takes the responsibility of doing tech support for those devices. So if you have an iPhone bought on contract with Vodafone, you can go to Apple if it breaks rather than having to go to a Voda store. Unless MS does this, there is zero chance for carrier-less software updates.

As to your second point, the nature of the interface between the OS and the radio hardware means that there's always a chance of breaking something.

That's a BS reason. I constantly read on these boards about how smartphones are mini computers. Well OK then, so ATT blocking an update for as long as they did is no different than your ISP blocking windows updates or any other software update for your PC until they "tested" it. I doubt anyone would put up with that and there is far more chance something will go wrong with a PC update than a phone update.

[Loiselle]

I, too, am happy with how Microsoft is handling this. Much like Apple, I wish Microsoft would actually bypass the carriers and release the update direct to the end user. It is the ONLY thing I miss about Apple and the iPhone. When they updated the OS, THEY'RE in charge of deploying it, not the carriers.

[Jas00555]

That's a BS reason. I constantly read on these boards about how smartphones are mini computers. Well OK then, so ATT blocking an update for as long as they did is no different than your ISP blocking windows updates or any other software update for your PC until they "tested" it. I doubt anyone would put up with that and there is far more chance something will go wrong with a PC update than a phone update.

I think the problem is that if your PC stops working, you're not gonna go to your ISP to get it fixed. Plus, the carriers have to worry about phone radios, not just data (WiFi)