Still holding off on rooting? You might want to now, before your Gnex gets nerfed.

[sdrawkcab25]

You have a lot of confidence that VZW can actually put out an OTA in a timely manner.

Doesn't matter to me anyway. I get to keep my patent infringing roms regardless.

VZW in theory wouldn't have to issue the patch or play any part in it actually. Since it doesn't really affect the OS, it is more like replacing a system app, which google can do itself, remotely, without the knowledge or consent of the end user.

 

[GalaxyNexus]

Google, is going to release an OTA to disable local searches from the search functions on the Galaxy Nexus.

It's in an effort to avoid the ban that would result from the injunction granted in favor of Apple against Samsung and Google regarding certain (questionable) patent claims.

Basically it means that: "No local searches on the device will be performed at all, taking on-device apps, integrated Gmail, and other search results out of play."

If you don't want to get this band-aid patch pushed to your device, rooting now would be a good move.

Damnit, I meant to post to the non-root section.

Doesn't matter for us VZW GNex owners because we won't be getting that update until October anyway.

 

[RichSz]

I was under the impression that if you have an alternate recovery flashed (CWM, for example), you would not get OTA updates. Is this a fallacy?

For me, it's just the principle since I run Nova and don't have that search bar anyway. I have also never used it to search for anything. I'd like to keep the functionality just to be a jerk.

 

[Jay3]

According to Wikipedia:



Clearly, "ordinary skill" means something very different to the people in the patent office than is does to most of us, since, in their view, no one of oridnary skill would conceive of searching content on the same device on which the search is being initiated.

I swear my OG Droid searched locally on the device when i just pressed the magnifying glass button. And that was at a time when the iPhone didn't.

Apple comes out with Siri and decides it's made an invention -- but it was doing that before on Android. I could just say "Call _____" and it would search my contacts. Or "Find" and it would return results on the phone or from the web.

 

[wrecklass]

Doesn't matter to me. I never used the global search on Android or Spotlight on the iPod, which did exist on iPhone before there were any Android phones at all. So yea, Apple may get this one if the patent is deemed valid. "

 

[snapcase]

Doesn't matter to me. I never used the global search on Android or Spotlight on the iPod, which did exist on iPhone before there were any Android phones at all. So yea, Apple may get this one if the patent is deemed valid. "

Even if Apple did do it before Android, Microsoft did it before apple. It's still BS.

 

[AntimonyER]

All OTAs to VZW phones MUST go through VZW, since with CDMA, they OWN the network, and have complete and total control over it. But I imagine this update is fairly small, and will go out nearly the same time as the GSM one does.

 

[Tim K]

Has anyone actually seen this patch actually roll out? I wouldn't be surprised if its only rolled out to 'new activations' thereby leaving existing users as-is. Probably harder to do but it'd be nice.

Its just my guess, but since the injunction only bans new sales and shipments it would be nice if they left us existing owners alone.

 

[Tim K]

All OTAs to VZW phones MUST go through VZW, since with CDMA, they OWN the network, and have complete and total control over it. But I imagine this update is fairly small, and will go out nearly the same time as the GSM one does.

I don't think that is necessarily true. CDMA carriers do have to "authenticate" devices on their networks, which is why things like the 4.0.4 update rolled out so slowly, but I think that relates more to the 'radios' than to anything else. Since 4.0.4 contained new radio files, VZW had to first test and then authenticate that update for their network. GSM carriers OWN their networks too and control what goes on them as well. Technically, every carrier pushes updates for Android... Verizon is just slower because they love testing things.

In the case of a basic OS tweak like this I don't think Verizon needs to test anything as it doesn't relate to the network or radios. I imagine if there is in fact an update to be pushed, it would be pushed at the same time on all carriers.

 

[AntimonyER]

I don't think that is necessarily true. CDMA carriers do have to "authenticate" devices on their networks, which is why things like the 4.0.4 update rolled out so slowly, but I think that relates more to the 'radios' than to anything else. Since 4.0.4 contained new radio files, VZW had to first test and then authenticate that update for their network. GSM carriers OWN their networks too and control what goes on them as well. Technically, every carrier pushes updates for Android... Verizon is just slower because they love testing things.

In the case of a basic OS tweak like this I don't think Verizon needs to test anything as it doesn't relate to the network or radios. I imagine if there is in fact an update to be pushed, it would be pushed at the same time on all carriers.

CDMA carriers have complete and utter control over every aspect of a device on their network (including updates). Where GSM carriers have no control except when contractually agreed upon by the manufacturer. This is why Verizon can "certify" its devices, and block any other devices from working on its network, while if a GSM phone is physically capable of operating on a carrier's network, the carrier MUST allow it. Basically it can be looked at as on GSM, an update's final say lies with the manufacturer, where on CDMA, the final say lies with the carrier.

 

[brinky]

I will admit this is pretty ridiculous to for Google to have to do, but am I the only one that will not be impacted at all by this 'fix' at all? Pretty sure in all the years I have owned smartphones I have never had the need to do a local search on my phone for anything.

 

[batkinson001]

Has anyone received this update? I am on Canada so I won't be impacted by the ban... as of yet... just curious.

 

[quickaudi]

I will admit this is pretty ridiculous to for Google to have to do, but am I the only one that will not be impacted at all by this 'fix' at all? Pretty sure in all the years I have owned smartphones I have never had the need to do a local search on my phone for anything.

Maybe I misunderstood, but I believed that the Google search function utilized your phone's data to help narrow your search or make it more relevant.

 

[Deleted User]

Maybe I misunderstood, but I believed that the Google search function utilized your phone's data to help narrow your search or make it more relevant.

No, this specifically impacts the local search on your phone, being able to type in a search term and query from your contacts, other apps, files, etc.

 

[Tim K]

CDMA carriers have complete and utter control over every aspect of a device on their network (including updates). Where GSM carriers have no control except when contractually agreed upon by the manufacturer. This is why Verizon can "certify" its devices, and block any other devices from working on its network, while if a GSM phone is physically capable of operating on a carrier's network, the carrier MUST allow it. Basically it can be looked at as on GSM, an update's final say lies with the manufacturer, where on CDMA, the final say lies with the carrier.

Technically Verizon does have "device control", but there's a difference between updates and allowing a device to work. I can put a custom ROM on my phone and it still works on VZW. I can't build my own phone and have Verizon make it work on their network. Verizon doesn't really have any control on updates EXCEPT for they don't have to push the notification to download. Google/Samsung could technically produce an update and email every owner a link to download it and Verizon couldn't do anything about it. Its all about the update notification.

You bring up the point of contractual obligations, and that's probably a more valid reason. I'm sure that as big a control freak as VZW is, they have pretty rigorous rules for their manufacturers to meet, and I'm sure creating an update that could be sideloaded is something they aren't contractually allowed to do.

I guess my point is that the nature of CDMA requiring authentication doesn't really have anything technically to do with the ability to get updates.... only pushing notifications for "authorized updates". Like I said, Samsung could technically produce an update for our phones and post it on their website... and we could all install it manually and there is nothing technically preventing them from doing so (legally/contractually maybe - but our phones would still work). However, I think all that changes when an update has radio file changes where the authentication for CDMA comes into play.

Also, the reality of this update is nothing more than changing an app (search).... and Verizon has nothing to do with regulating app updates.

 

[sdrawkcab25]

CDMA carriers have complete and utter control over every aspect of a device on their network (including updates). Where GSM carriers have no control except when contractually agreed upon by the manufacturer. This is why Verizon can "certify" its devices, and block any other devices from working on its network, while if a GSM phone is physically capable of operating on a carrier's network, the carrier MUST allow it. Basically it can be looked at as on GSM, an update's final say lies with the manufacturer, where on CDMA, the final say lies with the carrier.

The patch wouldn't necessarily be an OTA. It would just be replacing an app on the phone, which google can do itself, it is no different then when they update the "market" to "play store". Would just be a smaller selection of phones being targeted. Google also has the ability to remotely remove any app from anyone's phone, the "kill switch" for malware.

And HTC also issued downloadable hot fix patches for the HTC incredible that didn't go through verizon. Specifically one for not receiving text messages.


edit: and my blackberry searches locally on the phone as well as the net from the static search bar, wonder why that has never come up in court?

 

[red66charger]

I will admit this is pretty ridiculous to for Google to have to do, but am I the only one that will not be impacted at all by this 'fix' at all? Pretty sure in all the years I have owned smartphones I have never had the need to do a local search on my phone for anything.

For many this is a non-issue, especially those who dislike the search bar and have it disabled. I actually like the search bar and have benefited from the local search function. However losing local search wouldn't impact me nearly as much as my crappy reception does.

As far as I'm concerned, Apple is doing potential VZW Galaxy Nexus owners a favor. I'm partially kidding.

 

[Petrah]

You have a lot of confidence that VZW can actually put out an OTA in a timely manner.

Doesn't matter to me anyway. I get to keep my patent infringing roms regardless.

Doesn't matter for us VZW GNex owners because we won't be getting that update until October anyway.

As I said: Verizon Galaxy Nexus Receiving OTA Update IMM76Q? (Updated) – Droid Life

I got my Gnex yesterday, and not more than 3 minutes after I hooked it up to WiFi I got the update notice. My phone wasn't even activated yet.

 

[AntimonyER]

As I said: Verizon Galaxy Nexus Receiving OTA Update IMM76Q? (Updated)

 

[Petrah]

Well yours is a GSM Nexus right? A lot of times new phones will get immediate updates, because they were manufactured prior to the last OTA going out... I don't think any updates fixing the injunction issue have gone out yet. If I had to guess, it was either 4.0.4 or a maintenance update that your phone recieved.

Google cannot put the Gnex back up for sale until this patch goes out, so why wouldn't they push it to the GSM phones this quickly? Same goes for Verizon. They'll push it out to test devices, if all goes well without any issues, they'll push it out live to customers.

Makes no business sense to wait when they're all losing sales due to the ban. Push out the patch and they can resume making money.

 

[mogelijk]

Google cannot put the Gnex back up for sale until this patch goes out, so why wouldn't they push it to the GSM phones this quickly? Same goes for Verizon. They'll push it out to test devices, if all goes well without any issues, they'll push it out live to customers.

Makes no business sense to wait when they're all losing sales due to the ban. Push out the patch and they can resume making money.

I got my phone today and, while I haven't put the Sim Card in, I've been setting the phone up. I think it took 15 minutes before I got the update notification; unfortunately I just told it to update before really looking at what the update was.

I will say, I think AntimonyER is right, that it isn't the Apple lawsuit update. I say this because I just tried a search on my phone and one result was an app on my phone.

 

[Dubbin1]

Google cannot put the Gnex back up for sale until this patch goes out

No they can't sell another one that isn't patched. There is nothing they can do to make everyone that has one apply an update.

 

[Petrah]

I will say, I think AntimonyER is right, that it isn't the Apple lawsuit update. I say this because I just tried a search on my phone and one result was an app on my phone.

Was just coming here to post about that.. he's right, it's not the patch. I ran across this: Google pushes IMM76I ICS build to HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus, reportedly quells connectivity woes -- Engadget


And on a good note: Samsung gets temporary stay on Galaxy Nexus ban in US while waiting for Apple response -- Engadget

 

[John_Roger]

This is what I opened up today. Still trying to gather the balls to root and flash JB

 

[Petrah]

No they can't sell another one that isn't patched.

How do they plan on doing this without the current unsold boxes being opened, phones patched, and reboxed for shipment? Or do they plan to throw away the current boxed up stock? Seriously, I'm curious as to how that's going to work.

There is nothing they can do to make everyone that has one apply an update.

Perhaps you misunderstood. I never stated or hinted that current customers had to legally apply the patch. I apologize if something I said made it appear that I did so.