Rogers Dream 1.6 Update

[GreatBigDog]

IWantMyOne-Point-Six - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[GreatBigDog]

Edited this page Rogers Wireless - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia to show a link to the IWantMyOne-Point-Six page under the "See Also" section.

 

[Klenya]

Edited this page Rogers Wireless - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia to show a link to the IWantMyOne-Point-Six page under the "See Also" section.

Are you sure?

 

[SouthofOttawa]

So, I wrote to HTC Technical Support to ask them since we weren't getting 1.6 are they considering an upgrade to 2.0 instead (wanted to see what they would say) The first response I got (about 20 minutes later which was surprising) was the typical canned response:

"Thank you for contacting HTC!
We apologize for any issues you are experiencing with your HTC Rogers Magic and would be happy to assist. At this time HTC has not released any Android 2.0 upgrades for our devices. You may continue to check our device's support page at HTC.com and visit our self-help user's forum at HTCwiki.com to stay up to date. We do not have any timeline as to when or if the Android 2.0 releases will be available for the HTC Rogers Magic. Please continue to check the Rogers and HTC Canada websites for further updates.
Thank You,
HTC Email Support"

I then wrote back saying I didn't understand why we can't get this update in Canada when they got them in the U.S. and other parts of the world on basically the same phone. I got this response which was a new twist on things.

"Again, I do apologize for any inconvenience this issue has caused you. Android 1.6 was only made available for

 

[Andy2010]

So, I wrote to HTC Technical Support to ask them since we weren't getting 1.6 are they considering an upgrade to 2.0 instead (wanted to see what they would say) The first response I got (about 20 minutes later which was surprising) was the typical canned response:

"Thank you for contacting HTC!
We apologize for any issues you are experiencing with your HTC Rogers Magic and would be happy to assist. At this time HTC has not released any Android 2.0 upgrades for our devices. You may continue to check our device's support page at HTC.com and visit our self-help user's forum at HTCwiki.com to stay up to date. We do not have any timeline as to when or if the Android 2.0 releases will be available for the HTC Rogers Magic. Please continue to check the Rogers and HTC Canada websites for further updates.
Thank You,
HTC Email Support"

I then wrote back saying I didn't understand why we can't get this update in Canada when they got them in the U.S. and other parts of the world on basically the same phone. I got this response which was a new twist on things.

"Again, I do apologize for any inconvenience this issue has caused you. Android 1.6 was only made available for

 

[GreatBigDog]

Are you sure?

Tried again, I'm not even sure how long I can keep the admins at Wikipedia from deleting the original IWantMyOne-Point-Six entry. The have it marked for quick deletion.

gbd

 

[Klenya]

"Again, I do apologize for any inconvenience this issue has caused you. Android 1.6 was only made available for

 

[loconet]

In plain English it means: "Please don't buy HTC-branded devices because we don't care about our customers, if you want any support please buy 'Google' branded devices".

HTC, are you out of your mind? How can you say "we're not supporting devices bearing our logo"?

I think they meant they do not support "Carrier-Branded" devices such as the ones being sold by Rogers. The ones Rogers sells essentially have a custom firmware (we get the bonus of having those lovely virtual space-wasters that are Rogers' own completely useless icons). My bet is that Rogers is supposed to foot the bill for upgrades beyond bugfixes on custom ROMs. HTC can't be supporting custom ROMS for every carrier that wants it. My guess is that Rogers saw it didn't make sense from a cost perspective and are only doing 1.5 updates now.

Bottom line is, Rogers put their stinky paws on the ROM and we are now paying for it.

 

[RatTub]

I think this article from Android and Me says a lot. Seems like the only HTC phones getting a 2.x upgrade are the ones running Sense UI.

Basically, the way I see it, HTC has at least three different OS firmware "versions" to maintain. Firmware fore:
- Google branded phones (or "Google Experience" phones) such as the G1 and MyTouch 3G in the US.
- Sense UI phones, such as the Hero and the Droid Eris
- Other non-google/non-SenseUI phones such as Canadian HTC Magic and HTC Dream.

Seems to me like they will not upgrade those "Other" phones past 1.5. Also, they don't seem to be supporting the "Google Experience" phones anymore either, since they have yet to release 2.0 for them.

Instead, they are obviously focusing on Sense UI phones and releasing 2.1 for them in Q1 2010.

The real question is: Do they plan on releasing Sense UI on any other phones in the near future? Whether it be "Google Experience" phones, or "Other" phones...

 

[mjschmidt]

"Again, I do apologize for any inconvenience this issue has caused you. Android 1.6 was only made available for

 

[Klenya]

Open Handset Alliance

"Innovating in the open
Each member of the Open Handset Alliance is strongly committed to greater openness in the mobile ecosystem. Increased openness will enable everyone in our industry to innovate more rapidly and respond better to consumers' demands. Our first joint project as a new Alliance is Android™. Android was built from the ground up with the explicit goal to be the first open, complete, and free platform created specifically for mobile devices."
Does that mean that HTC as a member of OHA is committed to allow everybody to download free version of Android OS due "openness" of the project and cannot discriminate "HTC-branded" devices?

 

[mjschmidt]

I asked RogersMary: @RogersMary _WHY_ won't HTC provide the upgrade. No one is saying, so we don't believe you. we know it works on these phones.

She replied: RogersMary @IWMOPS According to them, they feel that the 1.5 is a stable, reliable platform.

So I countered with: @RogersMary That's a BS answer If that were really the reason NO ONE would get it, but US owners got it. How about helping us get the truth?

I mean, really, if HTC felt that 1.6 was unnecessary because it is "so stable", then why did they release 1.6 to their US customers? and if 1.5 is so stable, why are they working on big fixes and enhancements?

Sorry, RogersMary, not making any sense.

 

[Trenchant]

Rogers uses a branded version of android. Thats why we haven't received it yet. The software is changed and in a few ways restricted. Thats why theres no onscreen keyboard on rogers htc dreams. Its easy enough to re-add but the rogers version of android doesn't have it.

So when 1.6 came out rogers techs would have to go through the entire OS and create a new branded version for rogers. Now 2.0 is coming out right away which means its time to start again. Thats probably why they are waiting for 2.0 It makes economic sense.

Now the problem. I don't want Rogers standing over my shoulder saying what I can and can't do with service I pay for. Thats why I would say using a fresh copy of android would be a better solution. Rogers won't listen unless theres a mass uproar thats organized. No large company will. The media wont give you attention unless theres a community push.

If you really want to get Rogers attention I would suggest an online petition or anti android rogers service group on facebook. Then get the media to ride the bandwagon.

 

[GreatBigDog]

I think they meant they do not support "Carrier-Branded" devices such as the ones being sold by Rogers. The ones Rogers sells essentially have a custom firmware (we get the bonus of having those lovely virtual space-wasters that are Rogers' own completely useless icons). My bet is that Rogers is supposed to foot the bill for upgrades beyond bugfixes on custom ROMs. HTC can't be supporting custom ROMS for every carrier that wants it. My guess is that Rogers saw it didn't make sense from a cost perspective and are only doing 1.5 updates now.

Bottom line is, Rogers put their stinky paws on the ROM and we are now paying for it.

 

[sconnelly]

I don't think you can complain to CRTC. Unless the software is causing the line to drop or something yeah but firmware update is up to the Carrier.

Actually, there are problems with OS 1.5 which cause random dropped calls. I am experiencing this ALL THE TIME.

Sometimes, the loss of signal is gone until I restart the phone!

This Roger's HTC Magic is barely functional as a phone and I am really surprised that others (in this forum) are not complaining about this issue.

Furthermore, many of the productivity apps I use, are no longer available for updates because they are flagged as OS 1.6 or better. This is becoming worse as OS 1.5 becomes more obsolete.

When I purchased this phone, I was promised by Rogers staff that this would not be the same situation as with my previous HTC Touch Windows Mobile; The Windows Mobile update was available from every other carrier EXCEPT Rogers! Knowing that OS 1.5 had problems, I was assured that they would update the OS on a timely basis! Clearly, this was a lie. More importantly and revealing would be to find out if this was it part of their sales training in order to sell more Android phones? Let's investigate this!

Getting back to the loss of signal, see the issue, my post , and photo attachment here: Issue 2845 - android - After Losing Signal Phone Doesn't Try To Reacquire it - Project Hosting on Google Code

See comment #35

And please feel free to post your Android bug/issue reports in this forum.

BTW, I've been through technical support and the office of the president.... it resulted in nothing but frustration on my part. Forget about Rogers updates, give it up, just do your own update or get an iPhone. It is futile expecting Rogers to change, and if you think the other carriers CARE MORE, you are wrong! They are all cut from the same monopoly cloth!

 

[chrisyak]

would it be possible just to download a 1.6 update or 2.0 from T-Mobile?

 

[Andy2010]

would it be possible just to download a 1.6 update or 2.0 from T-Mobile?

No you cannot use T-mobile update file. SPL is different. In order to get 1.6. you have to use cyanogen for Rogers SPL. First you have to root your phone then install Cyanogen. Now if you root your phone, Rogers will void your phone warranty.

 

[loconet]

would it be possible just to download a 1.6 update or 2.0 from T-Mobile?

Not without modification to making it work with your Roggers-infected^H^H^Hbranded phone.

Additionally, that is an unsupported "upgrade" that would very likely void the warranty.

 

[mjschmidt]

If you really want to get Rogers attention I would suggest an online petition or anti android rogers service group on facebook. Then get the media to ride the bandwagon.

@Trenchant: See my sig below. Also, see Big Dog's sig for more. We are on multiple blogs, Twitter, Facebook, and all sorts of forums. We intend to talk about this so much that consumers researching Rogers HTC Magic and HTC Dream, or Rogers Android in general, can't help but find us!

 

[Andy2010]

Bottom line is, even if you root your phone, 1.6 is as high as you can go.

 

[mjschmidt]

Forget about Rogers updates, give it up, just do your own update or get an iPhone. It is futile expecting Rogers to change, and if you think the other carriers CARE MORE, you are wrong! They are all cut from the same monopoly cloth!

@sconnelly: Even if Rogers NEVER gives us 1.6, we won't give up because we want to make sure that any consumers thinking about buying a Rogers Android phone knows what's going on so they can make an informed decision, especially since as early as last Friday night (Dec 18) store clerks were telling people (me specifically) that if we bought a Magic now, we could get 1.6 in the new year.

 

[sconnelly]

That is me . I have several emails into support asking why we can't get the new version of android when iPhones get regular updates. I am also complaining about the poor 3g coverage we get in Ottawa. The phone says that it is in 3g mode with full signal but as soon as ANY data tries to go through the phone it drops down to H. This happens with my Dream, my Treo 750 as well as all my friends that have iPhones. I am also going down the dark and scary path of how come the cell service is non-existent between Ottawa and Toronto when I am on the train, even though the coverage map says that it is covered. If I can get out of my rogers contract without a penalty I will. I will cancel my cell, Internet and television contract with them, it may not be much to them but it is $200 of my dollars a month that they will never see again.

I believe I have a way out of our contracts (my wife and myself) because when I purchased my wife's contract, Rogers had planned to provide full coverage from Chilliwack to Merritt; 7 years later there are still many areas 50km or more of NO SERVICE! This is B.S.!

My wife was recently in a serious accident in one of these many blacked out areas (that their coverage map lies about). I am pissed off that she could have died (and worried about her future safety), that I am ready to go with Telus! I am talking with a legal representative in the new year about the potential canceling our contracts, without penalty.

You may be asking, how are we both under contract after 7 years? Easy, Rogers will restart your 3 yr contract anytime you change your plan! This really should be illegal but they do it and get away with it!

 

[Andy2010]

I believe I have a way out of our contracts (my wife and myself) because when I purchased my wife's contract, Rogers had planned to provide full coverage from Chilliwack to Merritt; 7 years later there are still many areas 50km or more of NO SERVICE! This is B.S.!

My wife was recently in a serious accident in one of these many blacked out areas (that their coverage map lies about). I am pissed off that she could have died (and worried about her future safety), that I am ready to go with Telus! I am talking with a legal representative in the new year about the potential canceling our contracts, without penalty.

You may be asking, how are we both under contract after 7 years? Easy, Rogers will restart your 3 yr contract anytime you change your plan! This really should be illegal but they do it and get away with it!

changing plan does not lock your contract. Only the device are being locked. Unless you renew and get a new handset. When they say they lock your plan for 3 yrs, it means you are guarantee to have the same rate for 3 yrs even if Rogers changes their price.

 

[gnugu]

Android 1.6 was only made available for

 

[TinBasher77]

would it be possible just to download a 1.6 update or 2.0 from T-Mobile?

Unfortunately this won't work because again HTC and Rogers in their infinite wisdom decided to make the Canadian version of the phone different from the US version. It it were that easy trust me I would have done it

The only way it would be possible is if Rogers allowed HTC to upgrade the phones with a standardized Android ROM, much like T-Mobile and Verizon run on theirs.

BTW as a side note for those who aren't following it, the petition is now up to 144 signatures with an amazing 77 just added today!!

I figure if we hit the 200 mark it would be a good time to pass it along to the media, unless you all want to hold out for more signatures?