Has Microsoft Finally Fixed Windows Phone Update Delays?

[TechAbstract]

Mobility Digest ? Has Microsoft Finally Fixed Windows Phone Update Delays?

 

[crash1989]

Improved Windows Phone update delivery coming? - YouTube

 

[paulxxwall]

I'll believe it when I see it

 

[inteller]

They already broke one promise with the enthusiast program that never happened..two actually cause they also said carriers could only skip one update...oh wait three cause they said all Mango phones would get 7.8

 

[alv3st3r]

Windows Phone 8 ‘Update 3′ adds top requested features ahead of 1080p devices. Also Microsoft bypasses carriers to deliver early Windows Phone updates

Announcing our third Windows Phone 8 update

PS: Developers can get Update 3 today.

 

[David A Smith]

It looks like this is what Paul was talking about:

Microsoft takes wraps off new Windows Phone update, developer program | ZDNet

Microsoft also launched a new developer preview program for Windows Phone developers on October 14. Though the Softies aren't officially promoting the program this way, the new preview program will provide many of its Windows Phone enthusiasts with a way to get the latest bits without having to be hamstrung by carriers.

The preview program will allow developers to get Windows Phone updates before they are available to consumers. This will allow developers to make sure their apps work on new releases and give them time to get updates to their apps into the Store before consumers get updates to Windows Phone through official channels.

To participate in the dev preview program, users need to have a Dev Center account, an App Studio account, or a dev unlocked (registered) phone.

 

[androidtoWM]

Microsoft bypasses carriers to deliver early Windows Phone updates | The Verge

Microsoft may have only just announced Windows Phone 8 Update 3, but the company plans to start delivering it to developers later today. After over a year in the making, Microsoft is finally launching its Windows Phone Preview for developers. The program will provide registered developers with early access to Windows Phone 8 updates, bypassing the complex and lengthy carrier testing process. Microsoft is specifically targeting developers with this program, but for $19 a year any Windows Phone 8 user can sign up and get early access to updates. Even registered Windows Phone App Studio developers will be able to get early access.


Windows Phone 8 users that are registered developers or have a developer-unlocked device will be able to download a Windows Phone Preview for Developers app that enables the early access to updates. There are no restrictions on phone type, only that existing Windows Phone 8 handsets have General Distribution Release 2 (GDR2) installed in order to upgrade to Windows Phone 8 Update 3. After the special app is installed, phones will then update through the normal software update process. While this is the quickest way to access updates, and is similar to how Apple provides early access to iOS developers, Microsoft warns it may void any warranty with a mobile operator or device manufacturer.

You may have to trade your warranty for early updates

If a Windows Phone user opts to install the pre-release updates then they'll have to wait until the update is released publicly to be in a "released state" as there's no way to restore back to an older version of Windows Phone 8. The pre-release updates only contain Microsoft's portion of the update, and the software maker isn't rolling out any firmware or driver changes alongside its own OS update. Today's update will bring 1080p display support for unreleased devices, rotation lock, a new Driving Mode, and much more.


Microsoft isn't detailing how it plans to handle future updates through the Windows Phone Preview program, but it's possible the company may take an Apple approach and place developers under NDA to provide early access to upcoming updates. Today's announcement is focused on allowing developers to test apps on real devices ahead of the OS update roll out over the coming weeks. It also provides Microsoft with a way to address the growing frustration over carrier delayed Windows Phone updates. Enthusiasts now have a way to update their handsets before AT&T and others have finished testing the software. It's a win win for both developers and Windows Phone users.

wohooo...GD3 by this evening.

 

[envio]

Mobility Digest ? Has Microsoft Finally Fixed Windows Phone Update Delays?

Have they fixed the delays, erm no. What they are doing is delivering on their promise way back at the launch of WP8 so that registered developers with a developer-unlocked device can receive updates updates in a timely fashion ahead of everyone else. This won't solve the incomprehensible delays that carriers introduce with each update, not one bit. And also bear in mind that you won't get any corresponding hardware firmware updates (like Bittersweet Shimmer for all you lucky Nokia users) until officially released by the manufacturer alongside the official update.

 

[inteller]

the real innovations are happening with Nokia's updates, which we are not getting through this scheme. Hopefully past Bittersweet Shimmer these innovations will get baked directly into base OS updates.

 

[jrdatrackstar1223]

IMO, this may be one of the reasons why Microsoft purchased Nokia. If they can get Nokia as part of their software team, they can Nokia and GDR updates in one bundle, thus truly providing ONE update instead of having to release GDR and then Nokia tidbits. Whatever the case, today has re-established my faith in sticking with Windows Phone. I've learned to be patient while waiting AT&T to release Amber, but it really did get frustrating to the point to where it was either iOS or a Nexus 4, whichever became cheap enough for me to buy first. I would try to hang on to two devices for a while, but I've been down that route too many times to name, and am frankly sick of having to carry two devices because of Microsoft.

So far, I'm hanging in there and plan on staying with Windows Phone, and with new like today, it only solidifies my decision to stay...

EDIT: Updating to GDR3 as we speak. That was simpler than I thought. Definitely sticking with Windows Phone now....

 

[inteller]

there are no game changers in GDR3 to make me jump for it. Since they once again balked on a notification center this update is fluff.

 

[Guzzler3]

What I think will eventually happen:
OS updates will come from straight from MS.
Firmware from mfg's, but vetted by carriers. I.e. Again the carriers will be the bottle neck because they will want to make sure that any firmware updates will not mess up the wireless frequencies or other devices on their network.

But we are getting there. Eventually everyone will just realize that wireless carriers are just ISP's providing bandwidth, and VOIP.

 

[drbanks]

A year ago this month, I got my first WP8 device. Or, maybe it was November; can't really remember. What I can remember is that in the intervening 12 calendar months, I've had 3 feature updates: Portico, GDR2 and Release 3. Yes, I just downloaded and installed R3 during today's staff beating.

Having been with the iPhone from the start, I can say that I've never seen this frequency of feature updates from Apple. Yeah, the MS updates have been rather light compared to, say, a new major iOS rev, but they have been pretty frequent and each has contained at least one really great new feature that I've been looking forward to.

Of course, the only reason I got this third update within that 12 month timeframe is that this time, MS offered a route that bypasses both the vendor (Nokia) and the carrier (for me, T-Mo). Waiting for them, I wouldn't expect to see the official update with Nokia's bittersweet whatever until December at the earliest, but even still, I think MS has been fairly responsive with its updates. Considering the neglect that the product seems to get from MS management, I'd even say freakishly responsive.

And, yeah, I've finally managed to assign a custom text tone to my twitter feed. Yes, a couple years behind Apple for such a small feature, but at least it means one less reason to have to go back to iOS.