Rogers Dream 1.6 Update

[mjschmidt]

Except that Mary told you they are testing it _now_ and Sherri told me they wouldn't get it to test until _late_ December.

They can't both be right. We need Mary to go check with Sherri specifically and get their answers straight!

 

[Andy2010]

Except that Mary told you they are testing it _now_ and Sherri told me they wouldn't get it to test until _late_ December.

They can't both be right. We need Mary to go check with Sherri specifically and get their answers straight!

You are right. One of them must be wrong. Mike what you need to do is write back to Sherri and say Mary Freeman from OoTP confirms that it is in testing now and ask if it's true. We have to make them eat their own words.

 

[JackTheMan18]

I could be mistaken, but, what was the reason that Rogers blocked the paid market in the first place? Was it for the very same reason that they block SIP port 5060? Are they afraid of new apps that will cut down on cell phone minutes?
Why is Rogers the most customized firmware out there?
What are they trying to do?
Is there a good reason for being suspicious of Rogers' motives?

 

[Andy2010]

I could be mistaken, but, what was the reason that Rogers blocked the paid market in the first place? Was it for the very same reason that they block SIP port 5060? Are they afraid of new apps that will cut down on cell phone minutes?
Why is Rogers the most customized firmware out there?
What are they trying to do?
Is there a good reason for being suspicious of Rogers' motives?

First of all, Rogers did not block the paid market. If you read the earlier post from gnugu, google hasn't open up paid market Canadian but with a little push from Rogers will definitely help. I haven't tried SIP with 3G but with wireless it works. They customized it so that you can't go to other provider with their phones.

 

[JackTheMan18]

Ok, i just tested Sipdroid with data line. It works.

SIPDroid works no problem over wifi, for use over 3G, download the development version, and change the port number from the standard assignment.

 

[mjschmidt]

SIPDroid works no problem over wifi, for use over 3G, download the development version, and change the port number from the standard assignment.

We're getting off topic. For the sake of ensuring the info re getting Android 1.6 does get lost, please fork these discussions to a new thread.

OT = Getting Android 1.6 from Rogers.

 

[TinBasher77]

Well I've been watching this thread for a while now and finally decided to register so I can thank everyone who's doing their best to get answers out of Rogers.

Yesterday I also sent a Tweet to Mary@Rogers and this is the reply I got:

"We evaluate all new updates HTC makes available for our product and we will inform customers of upgrades if applicable"

Nice standard answer eh?

Hopefully Andy2010 is getting more accurate information from Mary than the rest of us seem to be getting.

 

[mjschmidt]

@TinBasker77: Unfortunately, no, we're still getting conflicting reports. If you scroll up a bit, you'll see that Mary from the office of the president told Andy that they were testing the update _now_ but Sherri (from the OotP) told me yesterday that they won't get it from HTC until "late december".

So, someone is lying, or no one in the office of the president actually knows what is going on. I will try to contact Sherri again tonight to ask her to go talk to Mary, and try to get on the same page.

 

[TriC]

I don't even care about 1.6 anymore. By the time we get it from Rogers everyone else will have 2.0 sent down to them...

 

[Macmee]

I unlocked my dream and switched to Bell, I'm still dependent on this 1.6 update though, because I do not feel save using a non official rom with my device, especially since it could brick as I am required to change SPL revisions.

Even though I'm still with Bell now I still rely on Rogers to produce this update. I wish they'd hurry up. I called HTC who told me to call Rogers who told me to call HTC....morons

 

[onlyafterdark]

Well, I just got my token response from Rogers Blackberry tech support. Nothing new to report, just the same old when and if bs about future updates. They did say that they are receiving quite a few comments about the updates which is good to hear. Unfortunately it wont make any difference in my current thoughts about Rogers and future business I will have with them.

What I found really funny about my response from Rogers is that it came from Blackberry support. It shows what we have all been thinking, they have no one who knows anything about Android and were never serious in supporting the Dream or Magic. It will be very interesting to see how Telus and Bell handles Android, but from what I have seen from the big three in the past nothing will be different and Android will remain crippled in Canada.

So if anyone from the big three are reading this thread, I dare you, surprise me.

 

[techthentic]

hey everyone!
joined because i was getting so frustrated with the lack of updates and found this forum on google
Originally I had quite a bit of faith in Rogers, but I highly doubt they're actually reviewing 1.6 for release early next year. Not to mention even if they are telling the truth, 2.0 will be out for most android users elsewhere by the time we get 1.6.
My original decision for the Magic actually hinged on the prospects of having a phone that would be consistently updated, so my phone would not be rendered obsolete way before the end of my 3 year contract.
But considering how our phones are pretty much obsolete about 4 months after launch, has anyone tried to get out of their contract penalty free? or gotten Rogers to switch them to one of the other smartphones (BB, Iphone)?

 

[davidelewis]

My original decision for the Magic actually hinged on the prospects of having a phone that would be consistently updated, so my phone would not be rendered obsolete way before the end of my 3 year contract.

This was also the primary reason that I got my HTC Magic from Rogers. If Rogeres is not prepared to update the Android OS for their phones, then I'll be "rooting" my phone and updating it myself. I would prefer not to do this ... if I have to update it myself, then I will not be renewing my contract with Rogers. I'm sure I'm not the only customer who feels this way!

 

[techthentic]

rooting and updating myself would be the easiest option for me, however, I bought this phone legitimately, I don't want to run any risks of bricking or anything. Hell I just don't even want to waste my time considering os updates should be something Rogers provides.
If they can't keep up and provide the same service as everyone else, how can they expect to have me locked in a contract thats longer than everyone else's

 

[vikingisson]

Well I've rooted and updated. No real difference other than I'm using a different UI. Functionally the same but I don't yet run anything that requires v >1.5. So far only a couple of apps that need root, hence my rooting. So unless there is a critical need I wouldn't get too worked up yet unless they never update and apps start breaking. I don't ever expect much from Rogers or any Canuck provider. The need for sight limited apps a few pages back is the best argument for an update I've heard so far.

I haven't tried SIP with 3G but with wireless it works. They customized it so that you can't go to other provider with their phones.

risking going off topic, not true. I use it against my own PBX just fine, WiFI and 3G. This app is more critical to me so that I won't need my N800 anymore and can pass it down to my kids.

 

[PascalS13]

Good evening,

So I just called Rogers tech support again this evening because my voice dialing does not work on my LG Eve. I already know it is because the LG Eve runs on Android 1.5 but I called anyway. (for those who don't know Android 1.5 does not support voice dialing)

We did some testing and nothing worked (obviously).

But one thing surprised me: without me asking, she started talking about Android 1.6 wich instantly caught my attention. She said the main reason why my LG Eve does not have voice dialing is because Android 1.5 does not support it and Rogers is currently working with HTC to release 1.6! (She said that without me asking me anything, remember!) She also said that it should come out some time after the holidays but she couldn't give me a more precise date.

I then asked why it was already released on other wireless providers (like T-Mobile, etc) and she said that it is mainly because Rogers noticed the blatant problems with voice dialing and 1.5 so they really had no choice but to start workin' on 1.6.

Personnaly, I believe her. She really took the time to help me, was really helpful and I believe this information is true.

 

[onlyafterdark]

I then asked why it was already released on other wireless providers (like T-Mobile, etc) and she said that it is mainly because Rogers noticed the blatant problems with voice dialing and 1.5 so they really had no choice but to start workin' on 1.6.

Except to me, Rogers is coming at this from the wrong direction. Updates to Android phones should not be held back just because Rogers says so. We invest a lot of money over a three year contract on a device that should be upgradeable until there is a hardware limitation.

As others have said already, Android is thought of as a developing platform that will get through its growing pains by frequent updates to the core OS. How is it helping us get the most out of our investment by keeping these updates from us unless there is some blatant bug or if we scream loudly enough? It doesnt. What it does show is that we as Canadians are continually screwed from all angles by the telecoms/phone companies (depending on who is actually keeping the update from us). But that is a topic for another thread.

 

[PascalS13]

I agree with you.

Basicly, Rogers never would have worked on releasing on the 1.6 if the 1.5 would have worked great with everything. Even if 1.6 had more features.

 

[4runnerguy]

i am also with rogers i like there services but they are pissing me off for not releasing 1.6 or even 2.0.
i all just keep calling them and bug the sh!t out of them

 

[mjschmidt]

Good evening,

So I just called Rogers tech support again this evening because my voice dialing does not work on my LG Eve. I already know it is because the LG Eve runs on Android 1.5 but I called anyway. (for those who don't know Android 1.5 does not support voice dialing)

I then asked why it was already released on other wireless providers (like T-Mobile, etc) and she said that it is mainly because Rogers noticed the blatant problems with voice dialing and 1.5 so they really had no choice but to start workin' on 1.6.

Personnaly, I believe her. She really took the time to help me, was really helpful and I believe this information is true.

@Pascal: I hate to disappoint you, but I'm afraid she was either lying to you, or is freeforming from her script.

1. While voice dialing does not work _properly_ on Android (like it does on most dumb phones) it _does_ work with some tweaking. As mentioned, I have an HTC Magic with 1.5, and I use my Motorola Blue Tooth headset for handsfree dialing while driving. You can read about it here: http://androidforums.com/android-ap...ialer-not-really-voice-dialer.html#post135394

2. From everything I've read in other threads & forums re the voice dialer, it is NOT fixed in 1.6. So, again, Rogers is either lying, or ignorant. Google hasn't even bothered to fix it yet, they have listed it as an "enhancement" of "medium" priority. You can read more here: Issue 1181 - android - [VoiceDial] Voice confirmation for Voice Dialer - Project Hosting on Google Code

Now, back on topic re: Rogers support of Android and 1.6: Despite what all of you are being told by tech support, please remember, Andy2010 and I have BOTH been in touch with the "Office of the President", and were both told different things!!! So obviously, no matter what a lowly tech tells you, they don't actually know what's going on, if even management can't get their message straight!

I will be emailing the OotP shortly to update them on the conflicting info and see what they say. I will post the contents of my message once it's done.

 

[mjschmidt]

UPDATE: I sent a new email to the Office of the President today asking them to clarify the discrepancy between Sherri's answer, and Mary's answer regarding 1.6 (and the fact that customer service and tech support are also spewing BS to callers)

Here is what I sent:

"On Dec 03 2009 I spoke with Sherri from the Office of the President, with whom I had been talking on and off since Nov 30 2009 regarding Rogers lack of support for Android phones, specifically an update of the operating system from ver 1.5 to ver 1.6.

Sherri was kind enough to spend a good deal of time looking in to this matter for me, including contacting Tier 2 support, and talking to the Director of Device Management from Rogers Wireless. She informed me that Rogers would be getting the Android 1.6 OS update _from_ HTC at the end of December for testing and evaluation, and that we _might_ get the update in the new year.

I shared this information with the growing group of upset Rogers Android customers on one of the very popular Android forums, and heard from another Rogers customer that he had spoken to Mary Freeman from the Office of the President (via email & phone) and that _she_ told him that Rogers was testing 1.6 _now_.

Obviously both things can not be true. Either Rogers is testing 1.6 _now_ or they are getting it to test at the end of December? Which is it?

I am not alone in this. I am very active in an online community of Rogers Android customers who are getting very upset by the misinformation and lack of support, especially when other members of the forum are calling technical & customer support and being told everything from "I don't know" to "You can download it right now from our site" (which is just plain untrue).

So, given the conflicting information, _we_ want a definitive answer regarding Android 1.6. Are you testing it NOW as Mary said, or are you getting it at the end of December, as Sherri said? I suggest Rogers management get the message straight, and make sure customer and technical support are on the same page, because we are all talking to each other online, and we are not going away. Rogers sold us a device under the pretense of supporting it. We expect that we will have Android phones as good as those of customers of other carriers, like our US cousins who are already on 1.6 and, in some cases, 2.0!

Please contact me via phone or email with a DEFINITIVE answer.

You can follow the forum of very upset users here: http://androidforums.com/rogers/10647-rogers-dream-1-6-update.html

You can also read an interesting article and reactions of Rogers customers here: Dear Rogers: When Will Android Users Get 1.6 and 2.0 Updates? | Android in Canada Blog

Thank you,

Michael Schmidt
Very Upset Rogers Customer"


Please everyone remember, no matter what you hear from Customer Support or Tech Support, the official line from the Office of the President has been the following:

Sherri: Rogers will get it from HTC to test at the end of Dec.
Mary: It is in testing _now_.

They can't both be right.

If/when you call customer or tech support, if they tell you something different, ask to elevate the call, because they don't know what they are talking about. No matter what they tell you, what you see above if the current official response 9even though it conflicts).

You can also contact the Office of the President here: Contact Rogers - Call Us, Email Us, Send Mail

Click on Tab 3 to send them an email, but only after you have jumped through the hoop of contacting regular support (make sure to get the name of the person to whom you spoke/emailed).

 

[GreatBigDog]

In response to my tweet:
GreatBigDog01: @RogersHelps I need Andrioid 1.6 update for my HTC Dream to use Google Maps Navigation. When will you have the update available?

This is what I get back:
RogersHelps: @GreatBigDog01 Hi Dan. We evaluate all updates HTC makes available for our product and we will inform customers of upgrades if applicable

 

[mjschmidt]

In response to my tweet:
GreatBigDog01: @RogersHelps I need Andrioid 1.6 update for my HTC Dream to use Google Maps Navigation. When will you have the update available?

This is what I get back:
RogersHelps: @GreatBigDog01 Hi Dan. We evaluate all updates HTC makes available for our product and we will inform customers of upgrades if applicable

You should reply and say " You did not answer my question. Did not ask if you would inform me. I asked when it will be available. Please answer question asked." (132 chars with spaces).

 

[GreatBigDog]

I finally received an email back from an inquiry that I sent through rogers web site last week.

Dear Don Rayner,

Thank you for taking the time to write to us, we appreciate your use of online customer service.

To download the new Android 1.6 software please visit the following link and select the drop down menu options that are applicable to your phone: Redirect to the right page

If you require any additional information or services, please do not hesitate to contact us again by replying to this email, or by visiting:
Redirect to the right page
We would be glad to assist you in any manner possible.

We appreciate your business and thank you for using our online services.

For future email correspondence with respect to this e-mail, please quote reference number 42463681

Regards,
Danielle D Rogers Online Customer Service http://www.rogers.com

Original Message Follows: ------------------------

Customer Request

The below are the details provided by the user:

E-mail Address : greatbigdog01@xxxxxx.com
Name : Don Rayner
Wireless number xxxxxxxxxx


Message
I first posed this question more than a week ago. I would expect to get an answer back in more timely manner. I want to know when Rogers will have the Android 1.6 update available for the HTC Dream. This update is required to be able to use the new Google Maps Navigation. I'm not talking about the 1.5 upgrade that you already have available so please don't point me to there. This upgrade has been available for a few months now from HTC and if your company has no plans to keep the phone updated I should have been informed of such when I purchased the phone. Would you please give me some sort of response this time.

You can guess where it points me. This is my reply back.

Thank you for your reply, although it's been much more than the 24hrs that was stated when I sent the inquiry. I specifically asked not to be pointed to the 1.5 version that you have already on your site and that's exactly where I was pointed to. My HTC Dream is running Android 1.5 with a build number of 1.86.631. 146733 CL#42949 and unless the PDF document http://downloads.rogers.com/wireless/products/htc/dream/dream_software_update_final.pdf is incorrect it's the same build number that I am currently running which is Android 1.5.

So I ask again please let me know when the 1.6 update will be available.

If you are unable to provide me with an answer could you kindly refer me to someone else in your orginization that may have more information that you have.

Regards,
Don Rayner

 

[GreatBigDog]

You should reply and say " You did not answer my question. Did not ask if you would inform me. I asked when it will be available. Please answer question asked." (132 chars with spaces).

Tweeted them back, had to adjust it a bit as the @RogersHelps counts towards the total characters.