Upgrade Lies...

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iamian

38 posts

Geek

# 100497 12-Apr-2012 13:12

Why do all the mobile manufacturers/shops seemingly lie about Android upgrade availability?

I've purchased 2 phones in the last 6 months (LG P970 in Oct/Nov & Sony xperia arc s just now), and both times I was told by the shop assistant - and the box had a sticker on it - saying they were upgradable (to gingerbread and ICS respectively)... But both times when I tried to upgrade when I got home I found out the upgrades were not yet available.

With LG it took months before it was upgradable (and then a week after I upgraded it was killed by my son spilling the tiniest amount of milk on it when it was in my pocket!).

While it didn't matter too much it was a little annoying when I was told otherwise. Then with it happening again I wondered why they seem to do it across different manufacturers, and even phone shops.

If they think it's a selling point aren't they just shooting themselves in the foot because anyone who cares about it (or is just a little interested like myself) would quickly and easily find out it isn't the case.

Weird.

eracode

Overarching undertones
3829 posts

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# 608265 12-Apr-2012 14:36

I think this is because 'upgradable' means 'upgradable in due course, when the updated OS becomes available or is released', not necessarily 'upgradable straight away when you get home from the shop'.

iamian

38 posts

Geek

# 608274 12-Apr-2012 14:47

Maybe you're right... It still seems a bit weird to me though! Advertising something that you might not be able to do/use for months to come.

The LG P970 is getting an upgrade to ICS in due course too according to LG, I wonder why they don't advertise this (instead of the gingerbread upgrade), if it's a case of 'upgradable in the future' ??

The stupid thing is I don't think I would have even cared about it not being upgradable if I wasn't told it was!

stevenz

2785 posts

Uber Geek

# 608304 12-Apr-2012 15:23

I think with the case of the 970 they've probably learnt not to push their luck given the general fiasco with ICS.

The 970 would probably benefit from ICS more than most of the lower-end models too, ICS really isn't that big a deal at the end of the day. A marginally faster UI, but other than that no major changes that the vast majority of people would notice/care about.

@KnightNZ

crackrdbycracku

1168 posts

Uber Geek

# 608659 13-Apr-2012 10:35

Completely agree.

If there is on factor pushing me to iOS it is the software upgrades are better, hell even the 3GS got the last upgrade.

If your Android phone isn't 'current gen', say less than three months old, then it is Flash + Mod + pray you don't brick your phone.

Considering you expect to use the same phone for 2 to three years this is going to be a, if not the, major factor in the next phone I buy.

Didn't anybody tell you I was a hacker?

TheUngeek

924 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

# 608815 13-Apr-2012 15:53

Why do you need to upgrade?
It works doesn't it?

allstarnz

1693 posts

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# 608818 13-Apr-2012 15:58

the worst thing is the fragmented nature.

For example Vodafone haven't released 2.3 for the Samsung i5800, but you can get it. I put it on to my phone myself and it worked fine (eventually). The update should come straight from the vendor I reckon.

crackrdbycracku

1168 posts

Uber Geek

# 608837 13-Apr-2012 16:22

The update problems date an Android handset very very quickly, particularly if it isn't at the absolute bleeding edge where you are paying around the $1000 mark.

Buy mid-range and your software will be out of date in six months, in twelve months your software will be out of date and your hardware probably won't be capable of running the new software.

Oh well, live and learn.

Didn't anybody tell you I was a hacker?

CdTDroiD

869 posts

Ultimate Geek

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# 608902 13-Apr-2012 18:35

No mobile shop (Even if the salesperson cared) would be able to tell you when upgrades are coming.. Most people at Google probably couldnt tell you lol.

ICS is still fairly new for anything thats not a direct pure Google device like the Nexus S, Galaxy Nexus etc. everything else you are waiting on all sorts of people not just Google or the Manufacturer or the telco provider.

If you REALLY want to upgrade now then you will have to ROOT and find the respective ROM on XDA

ALSO: With alot of devices you can go to settings > apps and wipe data on "Google Services Framework" that will sometimes trigger an update but more often not

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Wade

2213 posts

Uber Geek

# 608954 13-Apr-2012 19:39

Most people i talk to don't care to update their OS, of those that care most would fall toward the geeky end of the spectrum and looking toward custom roms

FWIW once you go custom rom that you like you will almost get sick of the available updates maybe only updating every 3rd or 4th update. At the moment the more popular ICS roms are probably being updated every couple of days

iamian

38 posts

Geek

# 609047 13-Apr-2012 22:25

TheUngeek: Why do you need to upgrade?

It works doesn't it?

If you read my posts I say that it's not really a big deal... It's more the fact that I'm being told I can do something that I actually can't, as part of the sales pitch.

It just seems weird that it's something that has happened twice, when it's not really true and easy to disprove.

CdTDroiD

869 posts

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# 609048 13-Apr-2012 22:26

Are you really suprised?

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iamian

38 posts

Geek

# 609052 13-Apr-2012 22:30

With the LG is was hanging out for the upgrade a little as the battery life was pants and gingerbread supposedly helped give it a longer life...

TheUngeek

924 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

# 609077 13-Apr-2012 23:22

iamian:
TheUngeek: Why do you need to upgrade?

It works doesn't it?

If you read my posts I say that it's not really a big deal... It's more the fact that I'm being told I can do something that I actually can't, as part of the sales pitch.

It just seems weird that it's something that has happened twice, when it's not really true and easy to disprove.

I think you are assuming you can instantly upgrade it, as opposed to being able to in the future.

Also, store sales people don't know anything. Every time I go to look at a phone or something I end up telling them about it.

CdTDroiD

869 posts

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# 609078 13-Apr-2012 23:24

Hahaha so true man..

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nakedmolerat

4535 posts

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# 609101 14-Apr-2012 00:23

i think you need to re-read and understand what is written on that box. 'upgradeable' does not mean you bought one, go home and able to upgrade it right there and then. what it means is that, your phone is 'future proof' as it is upgradeable to the next version of the operating system in the future. it also means that the company is committed to upgrade the phone OS.