Official 8.1/Denim for the Icon?

[dkediger]

Starting to see the gallows humor in all this for a device whose marketing tagline was "See and hear what you've been missing."

Seriously though - as long as VoLTE doesn't turn in to a fiasco like the 928/AWS "update", most of us would be fine cooling our heels for a while. Still, it only takes about thirty seconds for some .corp PR type to acknowledge/say something on twitter. The phrase "Silence is Deafening" really is more than just a platitude....

And carrier apps are just sooo 2.5G feature phone-ish.....just not really an excuse in 2014 when a phone and service at the level of an Icon/iPhone/SG5/etc. is likely among the top 5 monthly expenses for consumers on an individual basis.

 

[grafixguy#AC]

Well, that two months ago, and let's face it, threatening to leave if you don't have something in a few days is a bit over over the top. But I didn't call you a spoiled child...I said you were acting like one (yes, there is a difference).

Me? I'm just pissed but I'm not paying an ETF to move to ATT and buy a one year old Windows Phone and get worse coverage in the process. I'll deal with the slow camera and wait this out until Windows 10 rolls around and then decide how this will shake out. I may well head back to Android if it hasn't gotten any better.

 

[Indistinguishable]

Well, that two months ago, and let's face it, threatening to leave if you don't have something in a few days is a bit over over the top. But I didn't call you a spoiled child...I said you were acting like one (yes, there is a difference).

Me? I'm just pissed but I'm not paying an ETF to move to ATT and buy a one year old Windows Phone and get worse coverage in the process. I'll deal with the slow camera and wait this out until Windows 10 rolls around and then decide how this will shake out. I may well head back to Android if it hasn't gotten any better.

Aw, c'mon mate. You were rude to me. It's okay to admit it. I really don't hold it against you.

I'm leaving AT&T in February when my contract is up. That wasn't the first time I said it, nor was it the last.

AT&T service is great in my area (Chicago) and i generally only travel to major cities. I'd rather be on a carrier that supports Windows Phones well. And AT&T certainly does a better job than Verizon.

 

[anon(7901790)]

I suppose. Seems it's an academic question anyway, since Microsoft doesn't release GSM firmware either.

It does to the non-carrier branded phones like the 1520.3 and the 930.

 

[djarchow]

I don't think there is any conspiracy either. All of the carriers choose how they allocate their testing and development resources according to their own internal set of priorities (new phones, hot selling phones, large user base etc.) and the Icon and the other Windows phones on Verizon, don't hit any of those categories; so low to no priority.

 

[anon(7901790)]

CDMA is a locked network. Verizon is the ONLY one that can approve firmware for the network. In order for Microsoft to push the firmware without approval, they would have to hack Verizon's network and steal the CDMA keys. This has nothing to do with it being a more difficult protocol it has to do with the closed nature of the protocol. Its like getting into an unlocked car without keys and asking why you can't make it start. Verizon has 100% total control of this network. AT&T and T-Mobile do not. GSM is not like this at all. GSM is simply based on the SIM card and approval isn't necessary.

Yes and no. AT&T and T-Mobile DO have control over their respective networks and ALL associated carrier branded devices. If Microsoft pumped out an update to an AT&T or T-Mobile branded device without specific approval it would get into serious trouble. So yes, AT&T and T-Mobile do test and approve updates for their respective branded devices. Granted, in a much timelier manner though.

However, if it is an non-carrier branded phone like the 1520.3, then Microsoft will pump out the OTA regardless of what the carrier says. That is one of the reasons (if not THE primary reason) why the carriers don't like non-carrier branded phones.

 

[awilliams1701]

AT&T has no control over my unbranded 1520.3. I didn't have to switch from generic Cyan to AT&T Cyan to get it to work. That's all I'm trying to say. With Verizon and Sprint that isn't possible. In theory if a phone was on both Verizon and Sprint and had radios for both, it would require the firmware to be switched to Verizon or Sprint and it would probably have to get added to their IMEI database.

Also the control AT&T and T-Mobile have is lawyer control only. Verizon's isn't just lawyer based, its technical. There is no physical way AT&T or T-Mobile could prevent MS from saying screw it and pushing out an update without permission. Yes they would probably get sued. On Verizon, it would kill the phone's service.

Yes and no. AT&T and T-Mobile DO have control over their respective networks and ALL associated carrier branded devices. If Microsoft pumped out an update to an AT&T or T-Mobile branded device without specific approval it would get into serious trouble. So yes, AT&T and T-Mobile do test and approve updates for their respective branded devices. Granted, in a much timelier manner though.

However, if it is an non-carrier branded phone like the 1520.3, then Microsoft will pump out the OTA regardless of what the carrier says. That is one of the reasons (if not THE primary reason) why the carriers don't like non-carrier branded phones.

 

[anon(7901790)]

Again, yes and no. For AT&T and T-Mobile it is technical too. You mentioned IMEI database. Each carrier, as well as the OEMs and OS manufacturers have access to it. They all know which phones are non-carrier branded and which are. The carriers have control of the IMEIs that are branded to their respective networks, Microsoft and the other OEMs do not (even Apple). So yes, a carrier can keep Microsoft (or any other manufacturer for that matter) from updating without permission ANY device that is branded to that carrier. The exception to that is the developer preview program. That is OS only and does not affect firmware, which is what TRULY affects the network. Any carrier can arbitrarily deactivate a device on its network via that IMEI database; regardless if its branded or not. Of course, there has to be good cause, like not paying your bill or violating the carrier's terms of service, but they can if need be.

 

[GoJays]

Well this can't be a good sign... There are no WP8.1 devices on Verizon's online site as of 2:20 CST. The HTC M8 is missing. I hope it's back soon.

EDIT: Nevermind, it's back

 

[GoJays]

I followed up with an online rep. It has been selectively cut and spliced to remove my name. Please keep in mind CSRs do not know that much (if anything ha!).

Edit: Ignore, it's back now. Of course it goes missing when I'm browsing.

 

[grafixguy#AC]

Saw an Icon in the local VZW store today in the mall and then took a walk to the Microsoft Store. They both had the Icon and M8 also but the Microsoft Store is pushing the 830 hard. There must have 15 of them on display. I picked one up and played around with it for a bit. Very nice device but what I really noticed was how fast the camera is.

That's one of the things we're missing sitting on Lumia Black. The camera takes great pics but it's slow as hell.

 

[Indistinguishable]

And so begins another week of waiting, hoping, and wishing...

 

[grafixguy#AC]

And so begins another week of waiting, hoping, and wishing...

Waiting for sure. Hope? The best hope Verizon customers have is that the rumor of firmware being pushed with the DP turn out to be true.

 

[MikeSo]

So Verizon releases the Softcard app for Windows phones, but the 928 and Icon can't install it, only the HTC One M8, probably due to firmware and/or requirement that the WP 8.1 is official (I tried with Preview on my Icon but no go).

I'd think Softcard would want the app they created to be able to be installed on phones. Maybe they will say something to Verizon to speed this whole thing along. Or maybe not.

 

[nunyazz]

Another week and.... looking for some more dead horses to beat.:angry:
This is beyond ridiculous!

 

[aceoforder]

Hi guys, I thought I'd contribute the email I have below. This is was a Business Solution Specialist in their Business Support department, who reached out to Verizon's Device Engineering Team for me:

"....
I had an opportunity to work with some of my internal technical tools and reps and have found that the potential release on Windows 8.1 for the Icon is still up in the air. There is not a solid release date, however I have seen that there is a possible release before the end of this year. It sounds like due to trying to make sure the patch has no issues working over our network and technology on the phone and other possible legal matters this release has been put on hold between Verizon and Microsoft.

If I do see any further info on this in the near future I will be happy to reach back out to you and let you know more info further.

Thanks,
Chris "

It looks like we have a fair bit of wait yet ahead of us.... "End of year 2014," and it looks like it's definitely related to those damn VZW apps. :eck:

 

[MikeSo]

Thanks for the update. With this and what was reported earlier I guess we can at least be thankful that it seems that it's still being worked on....

 

[puckrazy1]

So, the problem is the VZW apps that I uninstalled the day I got my Icon? Is all the fuss just to make sure that I can't uninstall them?

Personally, my issue isn't that they want things to work "perfect". My issue is more that it took them this long to come to that conclusion.

 

[AlastorX50]

Personally, my issue isn't that they want things to work "perfect". My issue is more that it took them this long to come to that conclusion.

The issue is exactly them wanting to make it "perfect" just for their apps. They are wanting Microsoft to edit Cyan to make Verizons apps work, instead of Verizon updating their apps to work on Cyan.

With Verizon its their way or the highway, everyone knows its bullsh*t even Microsoft. But Verizon wants to be completely backwards when it comes to software development.

 

[nunyazz]

O well... I'm out. I am selling my Icon and getting a Note 4 today. Tired of this run around.....
Peace out.