damagedave

Too little - too late perhaps But links do have a way of finding consumers. My attempt to get the word out.

ace862

I just spoke to a co-worker and he just got the HTC Magic about 5 days ago. It sounds like some retailers are still grossly misinformed about the update issue. He got his phone from a Future Shop in Ottawa.(I'm not sure which one) He stated the salesperson there told him that "The phone will be updated soon so that you will be able to get turn by turn directions from your GPS".
I don't think he was too impressed when I pointed out iwantmyonepointsix.com to him. I think he may try to return the phone.
I'd like to say that Rogers should ensure that those retailers that sell phones on their behalf are giving consumers correct information, but who are we kidding. Most of the time Rogers own employees don't even have the correct information.

yycken

For what its worth here's what I've sent to HTC and Rogers

thanks to everyone else who's in the same boat and won't let this rest!

yycken

as expected received the generic PFO reply from HTC:

I'd like to shove their "terrific user experience" up someone's ass

dahamsta

maybe someone can write to the fifth estate which may be able to make this into a story which may help the cause

sconnelly

This may be old news now (I am still catching up on the posts) but not only is it confirmed for the G1, but the Hero is also getting an update in this U.S.

HTC Here and Samsung Moment updated to Android 2.x

Happy New Year everyone!

dahamsta

will an update work

sconnelly

I am paying $30.00 per month for 6GB. Are you sure about this? Can you scan/attach that portion of your monthly bill for the rest of us please.

Here is a copy of my monthly payments to Rogers:
Dec 04 - Jan 03 250/Unlimited Eve/Wkds Plan................20.00
Data Service Plan 6GB............................................... 30.00
Value Pack.............................................. ................12.00
6PM Early Eve. Calling Option.......................................5.00
Rogers to Rogers Calling........................................... ...5.00
Savings: Rogers to Rogers 3Yr Bonus............................-5.00
Tethering Access............................................ ...........0.00
9-1-1 Emergency Access Fee.......................................0.50
System Access Fee............................................... .....6.95

Total = $75.45 every month for one of two phones (and I KNOW THIS IS NOT A GOOD VALUE!)

Last edited by sconnelly; January 2nd, 2010 at 07:50 PM.

sconnelly

I am now out of patience with Rogers and Android!

Recently, my wife was in a bad car accident and was not able to reach me.

She could not reach me due to the fact that my phone suffers from a well-known OS 1.5 issue, where the phone does not re-acquire a radio signal after losing it.

Issue 2845 - android - After Losing Signal Phone Doesn't Try To Reacquire it - Project Hosting on Google Code

This problem is consistent on nearly every work day. There is a 4-7 minute period where I lose the Rogers radio signal when entering Grandville Station by Skytrain (in Vancouver). Often, I do not notice that my phone failed to re-acquire the signal for much of the day. I should not have to concern myself with such a fundamental aspect of a cell phone.

This problem (and other bugs), and potential life threatening situations marks the end of this utter nonsense!

One way or another, I am getting a better working phone (i.e. iPhone) within the next month.

Why don't I just root the phone? Doing so will void the phone and may jeopardize my chances of replacing the phone with an alternate phone! Besides, one should NOT have to root/mod a phone just to get basic phone functionality!

So considering the life threatening situation a member of my family was just involved in, people (like Rogers Mary) who say, "We believe that Android 1.5 is a stable and reliable software platform that delivers a terrific user experience"
.... uh you know what you (and your ilk) can do with your tweets and canned statements!

*****
BTW, I will let everyone know how I make out with Rogers and especially if I find any loopholes!

Last edited by sconnelly; January 2nd, 2010 at 09:51 PM.

mjschmidt

CONTACT INFO FOR HTC

I have a mission for everyone here willing to help. I've been trying the last few days to find email addresses for HTC Management in North America, and in Taiwan, but so far with no success. I've found someone in the XDA forums who has been in contact with this man, Jason B. Mackenzie (VP Marketing N.A.), and I have emailed him/her to ask for the email addy.

In the mean time, if anyone else can find some of this info it will help us to include HTC more in our online campaign.

__________________
Twitter: http://twitter.com/mjsoctober

cdstewart

1111

Make a wish yall.

GreatBigDog

There is this page at HTC site if anybody wan't to start emailing HTC about 1.6 but as for management, I've not been able to find anything either.

Last edited by GreatBigDog; January 4th, 2010 at 07:33 AM.

GreatBigDog

I just sent this off via HTC page that I posted above, I don't expect to hear anything positive, but I just want them to know that we haven't forget them. ;-)

mjschmidt

I sent an email through the usual HTC email form and specifically asked that they not send a canned PR response, and that they elevate my email.

Here is the response I got:

"Hello Michael,

I understand your position here, needing a newer version of the Android operating system for certain applications. However, the information that you have read on the subject is the only information available; the decision to bring an update or an upgrade to market is made collaboratively with our carrier partners.

HTC and Rogers will shortly be releasing updates to both Dream and Magic that address several issues and provide enhancements to the user experience. These will remain on the Android 1.5 platform. We believe that Android 1.5 is a stable and reliable software platform that delivers a terrific user experience. I realize that this is the response that you do not want to hear, but I have in fact read your email.

I would like to break down the standard response a bit further. Inasmuch as the decision is made "collaboratively", in all situations regarding ROM updates the carriers have the final sayso as to whether or not an update will be released. I will forward this email to our Feedback department as well; in this way, the issue can be brought up for further review and internal discussion. I do apologize that there is not any further information available at this time.

If you have any other questions, feel free to contact us again. You can find additional support at our user forum HTC Smartphone Wiki - HTC. There is also a customer satisfaction survey for you to take if you are interested.

Philip
HTC Technical Support"

I have italicized and bolded two portions of Philip's response. Note the second part where we have another HTC person saying as recently as 01/03/2010 that it is Rogers who have the final say on these things.

GreatBigDog

Took Philip a lot of words to say SFA ;-)

mjschmidt

So I was able to get some HTC email addresses. Here is the email I just sent. We'll see how quickly, or if, they respond.

"Dear Mr. Mackenzie,

I am writing to you about the HTC Magic & Dream phones your company produced and sold together with Rogers Wireless to Canadians who were misled into believing they were buying cutting-edge Android phones that would be supported on an ongoing basis, specifically with version 1.6 of the Android OS.

I am a part of a very large and growing group of very angry Rogers customers. We began contacting Rogers and HTC in October of 2009 when it was reported that Android 1.6 was being released OTA (Over the air) to customers in the USA and around the world. We were told by HTC that Rogers was responsible for requesting the update from HTC, and that to that point no request had been made. When we contacted Rogers, we received a number of different responses. We were told the update would be coming at the end of October, then it was the end of November. Some Rogers customer service reps (CSRs) told us we could even download 1.6 right away from the Rogers web site. This, of course, was not true. They were sending us to the bug fix/security update for 1.5.

In November of 2009 many of us elevated the issue to Rogers' Office of the President (OotP). I personally spoke with a woman named Sherry on three separate occasions. She had to bring in her "tier-2" support just to find out from the HTC site whether or not an update was available. (This was before HTC updated their web site to say that there were no plans for an update to 1.6). Sherry assured me that Rogers would be receiving the 1.6 update from HTC by the end of December for "testing and evaluation" and that we might receive the update in the new year.

Late in December many of us were informed by Mr. Brian Szeto of Rogers OotP, and by Mary Pretotto (@RogersMary on Twitter) that the official response from HTC was that HTC had no plans to provide an update to Android 1.6 for the Rogers HTC Magic and the HTC Dream, and that HTC feels that 1.5 is a "reliable and stable" OS that provides "A great customer experience". We were also informed that the misinformation about the nature of the relationship between Rogers and HTC (that Rogers would have to request an update) was traced to one HTC support person who had since been "corrected", and that the members of Rogers OotP who had told us Rogers was getting an update for testing and evaluation were "confused" between 1.5 and 1.6.

The last we have been told by HTC and Rogers, is that Rogers and HTC are working on updates to 1.5 that will "address several issues and provide enhancements to the user experience", and that HTC is "investigating options" regarding 1.6.

As a community of Canadian HTC Android phone owners, we are not happy. Our "user experience" and our opinion of HTC has been extremely diminished as a result of this fiasco. Quite simply, we feel we were misled into buying these phones under the belief that we would be getting the same important OS updates that other users around the world were getting. As recently as Christmas Eve sales clerks were informing customers that if they purchased the Rogers HTC Magic they would definitely be able to get the update to Android 1.6 (this happened to ME so I know it to be true).

Regardless of how wonderful HTC might feel Android 1.5 is, we disagree, and with good reason. Android 1.6 provides many new features and functionality not available in 1.5. Perhaps more importantly, app developers have begun creating apps that require Android 1.6 or above in order to function! That means, simply, that we can not use these apps! It is important to note that if a dev can not make their existing 1.5 apps backwards compatible (when upgrading them for 1.6) those apps disappear from the Android Market Place. Thus is is entirely possible that within a year Rogers Android customers will not be able to download apps! Our phones are becoming obsolete, sir, and you can bet that we would not be buying a new phone from HTC!

We have been made to understand that US customers of T-Mobile received their update to 1.6 directly from Google, because their phones were not carrier branded, but were "Google experience" phones, and thus HTC had nothing to do with it. We also know that HTC modified Android 1.5 specifically for Rogers, and this appears to be the crux of the matter. Any update to 1.6 would require more customization.

There continues to be confusion regarding who is responsible for providing an update. Rogers claims that they have officially asked HTC for an update, but that HTC says they have no plans to provide an update. Conversely we have heard from HTC that it is up to Rogers (the carrier) to request an update, and that Rogers has the final say in whether or not any update is released.

Can you please clarify for us, who is responsible for releasing Android 1.6 to Rogers customers? Why won't HTC supply it to us, or to Rogers? Would Rogers have to pay HTC for an update to Android 1.6? Why won't HTC create the Android 1.6 update for the Rogers HTC Magic & Dream?

As a community we have created a number of online resources, the purpose of which is to insure that potential customers know the truth and can make an informed decision regarding whether or not to purchase an HTC Android phone (or indeed any HTC phone) from Rogers, or any other Canadian carrier. We have a very active forum community, blogs dedicated to the issue, and we are in constant contact with various online media. Already our cause has been reported on by numerous influential technology and cell phone blogs, and a search on Google for the terms "Rogers, Android, HTC Magic, HTC Dream, or 1.6" will uncover very quickly these resources.

Please do not respond to me with canned PR responses or marketing drivel. Don't insult me with vague promises. We know 1.6 exists, we know it works on these specific phones (Rogers HTC Magic & Dream) because some people have already rooted them to run 1.6. We will continue to do whatever we can online, and by contacting larger media sources, to embarrass HTC and Rogers with the truth until we are provided with an update to Android 1.6. Anything less is just shameless and poor customer service on the part of HTC and Rogers.

Your truly,

Michael Schmidt
I Want My One Point Six - Demanding Android 1.6 for our Rogers HTC Magic & Dream, and LG Eve Phones
http://androidforums.com/rogers/10647-rogers-dream-1-6-update.html"

vikingisson

Like me. 1.6 works great and certainly better than the Rogers/HTC version of 1.5. In fact I just did a minor rev update. I don't miss those little red rogers icons one bit...

EvilGuyWhoEatsBrains

I've been following this thread since the early beginning and felt it was time to share my story.

I bought myself and my wife the Dream through Rogers. This is my first cell phone for a few reasons 1) I always felt the monthly cost was too high 2) I hate talking on the phone.

But then this is more then just a phone so I was quite excited when Rogers made it available and was willing to pay for the $90/month family plan to own these phones.

I choose this phone because I felt Android would be the future of smart phones; I wanted to be on the cutting edge of technology. Unfortunately thanks to Rogers and HTC the phone is already out of date after a few months of ownership... how out of date will it be when my contract ends in 2.5 years?

My first cell phone experience has been a huge let down. I specifically asked about the system access fee and was told it was a one time thing by the Rogers sales person. I was also expecting Rogers to support my phone. Both of which weren't the case.

I'm going to be taking a few things away from my first experience:

1. Don't go with Rogers again. They lie to get the sale and don't support their phones.

2. Don't take what the carrier advertises at face value. I was mislead into thinking I'd be paying $90/month but wound up paying $140/month. This is a $600/year difference... quite large if you ask me for an unsupported phone.

3. Buy an unlocked phone (Nexus One anyone?). Yes it costs more up front, but then you have choice in your carrier and won't be locked into a contract. And as an added bonus the phone will be supported.

I find it extremely sad that all these Android modders, whom are doing it for free, provide better and faster support to our phones then Rogers and HTC. Whilst I pay $140/month for outdated phones.

I'm very disappointed with Rogers and HTC and will not be recommending either.

At this point my only option is to root it.

I can't wait to see what happens with WIND. I'm hoping the added competition will be a boon for all cell phone users.

visitador02

Well, I believe that is the sense update that HTC has been distributing, beginning in Taiwan, since last November.
AFAIK, HTC has always stated that it won't update its own branded Magics beyond 1.5. But then, I hope with all this outcry, it may change its view. Otherwise, it will find that customers are wise enough and won't buy any HTC Android phone unless it is "Google" branded.

strabl0

Hello guys,

I have been watching this thread like many others for quite some time now and have read it from page one. I too was sucked into buying an HTC Dream only to find out a week later that I was ripped off. I really appreciate all of you who have been making
an effort to get our updates.

strabl0

This has been a very interesting form in your attempts to get Rogers to cave into demands to provide the newest OS for the Android phones.
I support all that everyone has done to apply pressure to Rogers.

Unfortunatly, all your efforts may fall on deaf ears, I hope they dont, but history shows that it will.

But some of you may not agree, but I strongly suggest that you direct just as many comments towards the CRTC. For every one comment you make directly to Rogers and HTC, make two towards the CRTC.

Currently the CRTC is frustrated by the recent squables in the TV/broadcasters wars, which has drawn the average Canadian consumer into the middle. A matter which should not have brought the consumer into the mix. So strike one, the CRTC is not please with these guys, and they include Rogers, same Copr operation, just a different operating business line.

Now we have the Gov of Canada who recently overuled the CRTC and agreed to allow another cell phone provider to enter the Canadian market. Why do you think that is? We have a small market but pay the highest per cell phone rate in the world, and get some of the worst support and technology up dates. And yes I know this as a fact from my extensive travel around the globe. Do you think the Gov of Canada and the CRTC have had enough of these guys? YES I DO.

And now is the time, from the information that this forum has compiled to move with a striking blow towards the CRTC and Members of Parliment. Politicians dont like discomfort, as it causes them a possible loss of votes.

So although you may not agree by getting your local MP and CRTC involved, political pressure does go a long way in making these large multi national firms to comply.

keep up the good work, and DONT stop the pressure on any of the wireless companies. Rogers is in good company with Telus and Bell.

FYI - funny how monopolies are not allowed in Canadian business, but yet we see these companies with almost the same operating principals, policies and business models. Do you think they are having regular back room meetings? do you think their respective CEO's attend the same clubs, eat at the same establishments? Yeah you bet that happens!

gnugu

sconnelly,
are you running the build that is posted here (HTC Mobile Phone Support - HTC Dream? (Rogers) - Downloads

Santa brought one of these suckers for my wife and she never had a problem you describe. I did the microwave test last night and confirm that her phone running the build above picks up a connection after it is lost.

__________________
www.gnugu.com

puleen

Initially I had the same problem as sconnelly, but after doing a full ROM wipe and fresh install of the latest ROM available from HTC for the Magic, the phone reacquires signal quickly when I go in and come out of an elevator, for example.

__________________
http://puleen.com

Andy2010

HTC finally post something on Twitter. Go tweet them

Hopefully everyone had a great close to 2009! Amazing to think it has only been 5 days... 4 minutes ago from web

Demand update for dream and magic

ceaston

Hey guys,

Just stumbled across this forum today and wanted to show some support for what you guys are trying to do.

I bought my HTC Magic in June 2009, the day they were released in Alberta, Canada. This was the first smartphone I have ever bought. I checked back with a Rogers store all morning until they finally received their shipment of Magics. Unfortunately for me, I was told that I was not eligible for a discount towards an upgrade. I had only about 6 months remaining on my current contract so I opted to re-sign for a new 3 year contract so I could get the Magic. For whatever reason, Rogers would not give me a the discounted price of $199 for signing the 3 year deal. The Rogers rep did manage to get me a $50 mail in rebate though.

Yep. I paid $550 for HTC Magic.

Minus the $50 rebate of course.

At the time, I thought I was getting a cutting edge smartphone that would get continuous updates and improvements that would rival the almighty iphone. I was happy with my purchase. Until...

First, I noticed the paid apps were missing. I went through the same routine as so many of you here and got a response telling me that Rogers was working towards providing the service. I decided to be patient and give Rogers the benefit of the doubt. In time though I emailed again and was told Rogers did not know when or if this service would be made available. Lastly with the 1.6 update released I emailed them again in mid December and received the same run around as everyone else.

I am at least relieved to see was not the only one going through this ordeal. Now after reading through this forum I feel thoroughly, genuinely and utterly ripped off my Rogers and HTC.

Especially now that the Magic costs about as much as 2 tickets for IMAX Avatar and a popcorn combo.

What you guys are doing is great and I hope more people join in to spread the word about this epic blunder.

wlewin

HTC is committed to putting people at the center of everything we do, and we wanted to take this opportunity to clarify the current situation with the HTC Dream and HTC Magic at Rogers with you, the customer. While there has been a lot of confusion regarding software updates for these devices - we want to make sure that everyone knows that Rogers has been pushing hard to ensure the best possible outcome for all customers who have purchased an HTC Dream and Magic. Although we previously announced that we did not plan an upgrade to either device, we have reevaluated based on Rogers request and agreed to move forward.

First, we will be implementing an update for the 1.5 OS to both the HTC Dream and HTC Magic in the upcoming weeks. These will offer a number of benefits for these devices, including bringing the HTC Sense experience to the HTC Magic, although the OS version will remain 1.5.

By mid-year, HTC will issue an upgrade to Android 2.1, including the highly acclaimed HTC Sense experience for the HTC Magic.

However, due to certain limitations on the HTC Dream, the software path for the HTC Dream will be terminated after the next Android 1.5 update. While we regret not being able to offer the same updates to both devices, by bringing this upgrade to the HTC Magic, we are delivering the best solution possible given the situation at hand.

We also want to emphasize that the situation with HTC Dream and HTC Magic devices is true across markets, and is not limited to Canada. While “Google Experience” devices built on the same platform (like the T-Mobile G1) do have different upgrade paths – this is due to the use of a stock Android build, rather than a custom build used on the HTC Dream and HTC Magic.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to reach out to me via the HTC twitter account (@htc)

cdstewart

Wooo!
That seriously just made my day.

bgoody

Congratulations for finally coming to your collective senses and thank you. If I read this correctly the Magic will be going from 1.5 to 2.1 at some undetermined date. Is this written on your official website anywhere so that it we can use the announcement as a basis for decision making as there are plenty of rumors and half-truths about.

ceaston

I almost feel bad for my belated complaint post. Almost.

puleen

Similar response via my blog from Jessika Goldstein from HTC

Puleen Patel Blog Archive HTC Magic / Dream to be upgraded to Android 2.1 with Sense

GreatBigDog

Well that's just poop for me, I have a dream.

Or should I say I had a Dream of 1.6.

Last edited by GreatBigDog; January 5th, 2010 at 07:05 PM.

GreatBigDog

wlewin, thanks for taking the time to come to our forum and let us know directly the plans that HTC has for the Dream / Magic. While I am disappointed in the plans for the dream it wasn't entirely unexpected.

So I just want to know when is HTC sending me out a replacement device that will be updated? After all we are looking at two devices that went on sale in Canada at the exact same time and sold for the exact same amount (I see the Dream is slightly cheaper now)

gbd

zortoflaven

So no Donut, but 2.1 for Magic later?

Not ideal, but better than the original "no updates" stance. I feel sorry for all the dream users, but thank god for XDA

mjschmidt

I can confirm that I received the same information via email directly from Jessika Goldstein, from HTC's PR company. I'm out visiting the in-laws right now, so I will post more later, including on my blog.

While I am elated to hear Rogers & HTC have done the right thing by Magic users, I am _extremely_ disappointed that the same, or similar, is not being done for Dream owners.

RogersMary said she would be checking in this forum after the announcement, and I think she should go back to Rogers and try to offer a deal for Dream owners to exchange their phones for the HTC Magic, so they can get the update.

Given how Rogers customers were misled by Rogers clerks, this is the least Rogers could do at this point.

So, in summary, thank you to Rogers & HTC for fixing this problem, and realizing how important Canadian Android users are, now, Rogers, let's do something to help the Dream owners!

Last edited by mjschmidt; January 5th, 2010 at 10:06 PM.

newuser1

New Magic user here, so I'm glad to hear that we will be getting future updates, many thanks for this turnaround.

It is indeed a shame that the dream users won't get similar treatment and Rogers should do something to help make things right with them.

HTC should update this page too:
HTC Mobile Phone Support - HTC Magic? (Rogers) - System and Upgrade

"Can I upgrade my Rogers Magic device to Android 1.6?
HTC is not currently planning any Android 1.6 upgrades for Rogers Dream or Magic. Android 1.6 was only made available for “Google”-branded devices such as the G1. It is not available for HTC-branded products such as the Dream or Magic, which use Android 1.5. We believe that Android 1.5 is a stable and reliable software platform that delivers a terrific user experience"

I definitely agree with the users that some firm dates to expect the 1.5 update and 2.1 update would be appreciated. I'm sure many of us are of the "I'll believe it when I see it" mentality right now.

ace862

Well that is a bitter sweet announcement. Great news for the Magic owners. Now I have to figure out what I want to do with my Dream. I'm hoping Rogers will come up with a deal of some sorts for Dream users.
All in all, while it's not perfect, it is a step in the right direction.

Brando737

Thank you wlewin for letting us know about this great news. I was almost going to get an iphone! I also like the fact that we will be getting the sense UI. While im in the magic pile that will be getting 2.1, I hope rogers does something for the dream users. Also want to thank everybody on this forum for the hard work that they put into this to get us here, notibly mjschmidt.

RatTub

This is great news!

Sounds like when Rogers said they would get an update to test in late December and release in early 2010, it was really the 1.5 Sense UI update.

But who would've guessed that they would jump to 2.1 so soon after that?! Just perfect!

tigrr07

That's fantastic news for Magic owners! To think the salesperson tried to sell me the Dream because of the QWERTY keyboard, but I opted to go with the Magic becasue it was newer. Sorry to the Dream owners, I hope they can fix the problem for you too.
And a HUGE thanks to all the people on this board that pushed hard to make this all possible!

Last edited by tigrr07; January 6th, 2010 at 02:02 AM.

rye

Hi all,
ive been following this thread for a couple of weeks now...and tho i am as excited as some of you have expressed about a possible 2.1 upgrade...i believe we still need to ask the question; what are we getting with this 1.5 update? and i think the question on all of our minds; will we be able to access the new android market with paid apps? which i think is why most of us got involved in this fight in the first place...

also...it seems to me by throwing a quick 1.5 update at us...and telling us they may have a 2.1 upgrade for us in 6 months...is a good way to shut us up for a while...when we all know that htc could just take the free 1.6 os and customize it to rogers in a week or two and upload it on theirs and rogers site for download...i just dont understand why this is so difficult for them to grasp...its not like we're asking for them to create something from nothing.

anyway its sweet we are getting somewhere...i just dont think we should get too excited until we see what we're actually getting...

keep up up the good fight guys...you just added one more to the cause

oh...and sorry to all you dream owners...tho it does look like rogersmary is trying to help

jscrimshaw

Its great that Rogers and HTC are doing something but since I am a Dream owner, I will still be stuck with 1.5 but I guess Sense UI is a plus

Personally I don't think Rogers will be offering anything to us dream owners be it a phone swap or discount for a Magic

I also have an LG Eve and I hope to see updates for that as well

GreatBigDog

You need to re-read the post by wlewin, only the Magic is getting Sense UI

Silvertag

As we said a long time ago (so did @RogersMary and the OotP) the paid apps is regulated by Google and not Rogers or others. We have to nudge Google on this one to get a straight answer on what regulation or problem is delaying the Canadian paid apps market.

http://market.android.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=143779

This is very good news i'm very happy to know that my Magic will get updates with SenseUI. I'm also disappointed for all the Dream users who won't be able to get it unless Rogers makes a hardware trade (which is the right thing to do).

I'm hoping this kind of good news keeps coming in the next month or so.

Last edited by Silvertag; January 6th, 2010 at 08:46 AM.

Silvertag

I believe the Dream will get the 1.5 update with Sense but no further. Only the Magic will get 2.1 with Sense by mid-year. The Dream updates will stop at 1.5 w/ SenseUi.

Last edited by Silvertag; January 6th, 2010 at 08:42 AM.

mjschmidt

@Rye: The paid apps issue is, unfortunately, out of the hands of Rogers & HTC. This is all Google, in this case. While Rogers could be doing more to push Google to make it happen, it is up to Google to turn on the paid app taps, not just in Canada, but in a lot of countries. I have heard rumours that we might get paid apps when the new Android phones start coming to Canada this year, like the Motorola Milestone. Like I said, it's just a rumour. For the record, Bell and Telus don't have access to paid apps on their Android phones either.

As for skipping 1.6 to 2.1, this gets in to the whole issue of whether or not Rogers has/had to pay HTC for the updates (because of customization done to 1.5) and what their contract was (or if there was a contract). _IF_ it is true that Rogers would have to pay for updates, they likely made a financial decision to pay only once to get us 2.1, than to pay twice for 1.6 and then 2.1. To be frank, I would rather wait and be guaranteed to have 2.1 than to get 1.6 now and have to go through the same fight 6 months from now to try to get 2.1.

Personally I might look in to rooting my phone for now, to get 1.6, and then reset it to the Rogers ROM later to get the official 2.1 update. I am not certain, but I believe it is possible to do that.

DREAM OWNERS: I Want My One Point Six - Demanding Android 1.6 for our Rogers HTC Magic & Dream, and LG Eve Phones is not giving up on you! Though we may be out of luck trying to get updates for you, I think most people here would agree that as a gesture of good RP will on the part of Rogers, Dream owners should be offered the chance to exchange their phones for the HTC Magic, so they can enjoy the same updates.

@RogersMary (if you are reading this): Look at it this way, in other countries the G1 (Dream) came out well before the Magic, so its differences were obvious. By the time the Magic came out, people knew it was a newer (better) phone than the G1. People had time to test out the G1.

In Canada, Rogers debuted the Dream & Magic at the same time, side-by-side. People who didn't know the history of the phones, or the real meaning of the specs under the hood, only saw two cool phones with the SAME operating system, but one had a keyboard and one didn't. If Rogers had done their homework then, and truly understood Android, Customers might have been better informed by employees when making their purchase. At that time, Dream owners had every reason to believe they would get Android 1.6 just like Magic owners believed (and we're told!).

If the truth had been known then, I'm pretty sure the majority of Dream owners would NOT have bought the Dream, but the Magic instead. The way I see it, Rogers OWES Dream owners the chance to exchange their Dream phones for Magic phones, WHICH COST THE SAME!!!

@RogersMary - Part 2: What about LG Eve owners? Has Rogers spoken to LG above updates for the Eve? Does Rogers understand yet that these are NOT simple "web phones" as you've been marketing them, but mini computers! LG Eve owners need answers too!

Last edited by mjschmidt; January 6th, 2010 at 09:04 AM.

mjschmidt

@Silvertag: Here is the line from the post by HTC.

"First, we will be implementing an update for the 1.5 OS to both the HTC Dream and HTC Magic in the upcoming weeks. These will offer a number of benefits for these devices, including bringing the HTC Sense experience to the HTC Magic"

I have bolded and italicized the important part. Only the MAGIC is getting Sense UI.

I apologise for any confusion I may have cause with the post on my blog, which I have corrected (thanks to GBD for pointing it out).

Silvertag

Ah my bad :I ... The second part talking about the 2.1 update gave me the impression Dream user were getting Sense with 1.5 update. (All do i believe the hardware could support it). One more scratch for Dream users.. i hope Rogers will exchange them for Magic.

EvilGuyWhoEatsBrains

While I'm happy for the Magic users, I'm not pleased by this annoucement.

I own 2 htc dreams and paying $140/month for the next 2.5yrs for unsupported and outdated phones.

If the phones are already outdated, what's going to happen in the next 2.5yrs of ownership?

At this point I only have one option... root the phones.

Last edited by EvilGuyWhoEatsBrains; January 6th, 2010 at 09:06 AM.

mjschmidt

We need to make it clear to Rogers that the right thing for them to do is let Dream owners exchange their Dreams for Magics. These phones were sold at the same time, and with the same promises by Rogers clerks who clearly did not truly understand Android. if we had known then what we know now (which is the TRUTH about the support for Android by Rogers & HTC) we would not have bought the HTC Dream.

boualem

Smaller ROM/RAM are a main contributing factor for the dream not being updated:

Dream 256MB ROM / 192MB RAM: running Android 1.5

LG Eve
LG Eve ROM 4GB/2GB? /150MB RAM:

Last edited by boualem; January 6th, 2010 at 09:49 AM.