Dudes and dudettes, this is why these forums are a blessing AND a curse. We all want to hear the latest rumors and stuff on upcoming devices, that's true. However, you need to realize (and I am the same way too!!) that these are not really "delays" because they've never been announced. We hear a rumor that it will be out on the 6th and when it doesn't come out on the 6th it's like OMG DELAYED! It doesn't have a date until some official announcement comes out. But like i said, I'm just as guilty about getting upset too.. just trying to put some perspective on it.
A smartphone arrives precisely when it means to. :grin:
I think most aren't bothered so much that this has been delayed. I mean, yes, that is annoying, but there's more to it.
And yes, it's not technically "delayed" but for lack of a better word...it basically has been. In the sense that the device has seemingly been ready for months and that the only thing holding it back has been non-technical/business issues. In the early days of hearing about this device it seemed its development was closely tied in with the 1320, and that device got the royal treatment and was rolled out officially almost a month ago. The 929? leak after leak, and the release date goal posts getting pushed back more and more.
Rather, what I think many are bothered about is that this is just yet another example of how little Verizon cares for the WP brand. They never market their WP devices. When you walk into their stores, they never push people towards WP devices. For most clueless consumers, they probably don't even know it exists or what advantages/disadvantages there are to WP. One time in early August, not long after the release of the 928, I tried to find the device on display in some Verizon stores in my area, and almost all (except for one) didn't even have them out for display. The employees were like "yea, uh, I think we have those in the back...I can pull one out for you, I guess?". I think they were surprised I was even asking about a WP device.
So, this "delay" is really annoying because it just shows again that Verizon really has no interest in the WP OS or its devices. They're perfectly content with letting the holidays come and letting the "flagship" device for WP have technology/specs that are over 1 year old (a re-branded 920). Not only that, but it's free (with a contract, of course)! Do you think that they'd let that happen to Android? Or even ios? Yea, didn't think so.
And now it seems they'll be content to release the 929 (or icon) in late winter/early spring...just as 8.1 devices are announced. Basically, again, Verizon is fine with releasing a "flaghship" WP device with outdated specs.
Yea, I know there are complications on the back end that don't make this so cut-and-dry. And I know it's probably not all Verizon's fault (Nokia has never had the marketing power to release on multiple cariers and there are probably exclusivity clauses that they have with AT&T). But it's clearly obvious to any outside observer what Verizon thinks of Windows Phone and its devices. They seriously couldn't care less. It really starts turning into a self-fulfilling prophecy with them. Verizon goes into the WP device selling business half-assed. They don't push anything WP. WP turns out to not be popular (gee I wonder why?). Verizon puts less resources and effort into WP...cycle continues.
If I wasn't locked to Verizon I would have left long ago. Yea, they have great service...but that's about all they've got going for them these days.