Not that I like defending the practices or policies of the major carriers (as that they're as customer friendly as prison) but a few facts must be kept in mind when considering your ICS update, and why you probably haven't received one:
1 - The upgrade certification team isn't large
Verizon certifies all updates for devices on their network. This QA team isn't enormous and is responsible for certifying updates for *all* devices, not just the Spectrum. So there is a labor backlog, especially since:
2 - The Spectrum isn't the only device getting their update this season.
Samsung, HTC and Motorola have all pushed out updates to their handsets this month, and in the case of Samsung and Motorola (both high profile devices on vzw) each of those updates (especially for the Droid lineup) need as much QA as any other device (or more in the case of Moto.) Also, some updates are far more emergent than others. Such as...
3 - The HTC Rezound
This ICS update was certified, and released. Then revised in an emergent patch because of latent consumer problems with the upgrade. This patch required priority certification and release, adding to the backlog.
4 - ICS upgrades are not going well for consumers in general.
Tech savvy customers are all clamoring for their upgrades, but when the upgrade lowers the reliability and usability of their handsets, no one wins. Samsung has had very high profile, widespread problems with devices on other carriers when they released their GB->ICS upgrade for the Galaxy SII series, including handsets that have become warranty liabilities. Verizon does not wish its customers to download a certified update only to have it brick or otherwise cripple their phone, so time and care must be taken to ensure that won't happen.
And when it does happen, the integrity of the network comes first, followed by the reliability and integrity of your handset. You aren't its only subscriber, and when you do use your phone, you need, and nay, are entitled to a reliable experience when you do use your phone, for whatever purpose that may be. Objectively, mucking that experience up with a half-baked software update won't make anyone happy - even you, the tech savvy mobile phone consumer.
No one wants a brick.
1 - The upgrade certification team isn't large
Verizon certifies all updates for devices on their network. This QA team isn't enormous and is responsible for certifying updates for *all* devices, not just the Spectrum. So there is a labor backlog, especially since:
2 - The Spectrum isn't the only device getting their update this season.
Samsung, HTC and Motorola have all pushed out updates to their handsets this month, and in the case of Samsung and Motorola (both high profile devices on vzw) each of those updates (especially for the Droid lineup) need as much QA as any other device (or more in the case of Moto.) Also, some updates are far more emergent than others. Such as...
3 - The HTC Rezound
This ICS update was certified, and released. Then revised in an emergent patch because of latent consumer problems with the upgrade. This patch required priority certification and release, adding to the backlog.
4 - ICS upgrades are not going well for consumers in general.
Tech savvy customers are all clamoring for their upgrades, but when the upgrade lowers the reliability and usability of their handsets, no one wins. Samsung has had very high profile, widespread problems with devices on other carriers when they released their GB->ICS upgrade for the Galaxy SII series, including handsets that have become warranty liabilities. Verizon does not wish its customers to download a certified update only to have it brick or otherwise cripple their phone, so time and care must be taken to ensure that won't happen.
And when it does happen, the integrity of the network comes first, followed by the reliability and integrity of your handset. You aren't its only subscriber, and when you do use your phone, you need, and nay, are entitled to a reliable experience when you do use your phone, for whatever purpose that may be. Objectively, mucking that experience up with a half-baked software update won't make anyone happy - even you, the tech savvy mobile phone consumer.
No one wants a brick.
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