AT&T How about releasing the Blackberry update 7.1

[JORENO]

We will see, today is 5/16. Maybe they meant 5/16/2013! Lol.

[lylone]

They haven't released it yet.  I just checked and 7.0.0.2392 is the latest...waiting, and waiting....

[pliesenb]

i finally went and updated my Bold 9900 with 7.1.0319. It sure wasn't smooth, even with BSAK it took a while to force the update.

Not sure why AT&T would need to tweak the update because of the Hotspot feature - it doesn't work anyway. It asks you to enable the feature with AT&T. So no excuses, AT&T. This should have been released months ago.

It's early to say whether 7.1 solves the battery issues. My early impressions seem favorable, but I also think Blackberry made a big mistake making the battery in the 9900 smaller, and that the power budget is going to remain tight. But if I can make it through a day of moderate use I'll be happy.

But again a huge "booo!" to AT&T for being about the last mobile carrier on the universe refusing to offer a necessary upgrade to its customers.

[pliesenb]

Wow as an update: it is a night and day difference when it comes to battery life. AT&T is doing its customers a huge disservice by not providing this much improved battery life to its 9900 customers - who spent money on a premium phone.

[pliesenb]

Just for completeness sake, here is what I had to do on Win7:

1. Download the new 7.1 version for the 9900.

2. delete the vendor.xml files.

3. disconnect network connectivity on the computer.

4. using the BSAK (blackberry swiss army knife) software, use the "Load OS" to pick 7.1

5. this will in turn start a BB app called "application loader" - and it is here that the update happens. i could not get the BB Desktop Software to update the OS, nor did it work if i opened the application loader myself. i had to do it with BSAK.

6. application loader will noodle on for a while, leave it alone for an hour or so

7. voila! 7.1 is installed

it's what i did. i am not telling people to do the same - there are risks to it, wnd while i am happy i did it, everybody is on their own with the decision...

[katykate]

I'm new to the community. I have a Blackberry Torch that I spent 2 hours updating last night and now I can't synch my emails. It doesn't matter what password I use -- blackberry, ATT or the regular email password --- my email password works on my laptop. My ATT and Blacberry passwords work on those sites, too. What the heck are they looking for?

Blackberry passes me back to ATT and the "help" doesn't help.

Is it difficult to undo an upgrade? I am not a sophisticated user this is a NIGHTMARE for me.

I get email fine on my laptop.

[JORENO]

AT&T must NOT care about Blackberry!

[lylone]

they don't..  and this surprises you?  Sell hard and leave them out to dry...

[JORENO]

Come on AT&T, I want the simple OS upgrade (7.1) without delete the vender file.

[Stephen_TX]

I agree.  We invested in the phones, and in most cases renewed with AT&T.  There are enhancements in 7.1 that would be useful.  Every other carrier in the US carrying the 9900 series has released 7.1.  We're owed an explanation from AT&T if they're not going to update the software.

[JORENO]

Still waiting AT&T

[JORENO]

AT&T will probably release 7.1 in 2013. They are waiting for BB10 to come out. By then it wont matter because Blackberry lover would have already switched to a different carrier. I have been with ATT since cinguler and I believe SW Mobile. I am sick of their crap concerning my Blackberry!

[chato1946]

Well I got a call today from AT&T telling me  the 7.1 update had been out since Jan. To go to BB sight to upgrade when Tried to  explain that it didn't let AT&T customer, that we were informed we had to wait for AT&T to get it and put it on there sight for us to be able TO UPDATE!  But MY ATTEMPTS TO get across was like talking to a rock. We all need to bomb corporate with emails to get this done. Only way it looks like! Good Luck!

[JORENO]

AT&T is not releasing it, they are pushing sales  to  IPHONE & ANDOID market. They are making more money there!

[guesster]

So sad. :-(

[JORENO]

You would think that AT&T would monitor the forum's to see how their BB customers felt. When BB10 comes out, some might choose another provider that gives updates. I do see that they did delete some of my prior post's on this subject!

[kj77]

There is a known "mic Bug" with some bulids of 7.1 on att blackberry smartphones.  If you are still having this issue, you may want to try a different 7.1 build from a different source.

[RufusBSaye]

Well, my 7.1 upgrade process for my 9810 proved to be not too bad... This was done via a Win7 PC.

What made life easier: latest Desktop software (AT&T already HAS released v7.1 of the Desktop software - go figure). Ensure that it's installed and capable of running/connecting A-OK, and it autostarts when your BB gets connected via USB.

First, I got a link to an update (which was actually from RIM - safest in my opinion) via crackberry.com

Second, with Desktop software not running, and BB not connected, downloaded file, and let software install into default location.

Then, located and renamed (better than deletion - I'm cautious) the two vendor.xml files.

Next, disconnected all network access to PC, and connected 9810 via USB to PC.

Last stages were almost anti-climatic - Desktop software woke up, announced an update was available, asked if I wanted to "locate" update [a bit confusing, because software is already 'located' on PC], I answered yes and normal update process started chugging - backup, new package install, data & apps restore, BB restart, and a whole mess of questions from apps wanting/needing access to BB.

In my case, the BES (Enterprise Desktop) staging was repeated also, but was quick, as both AT&T and my wireless connections were up...

After another restart, BB appears A-OK. I had some paid apps that required re-application of license codes; not unexpected. I'll be back early next week and update with news (if any) and opinions... or if I have to undo install :-)

Ooops, two things:

1) Almost forgot: the OS  version downloaded was advertised as 7.1.0.536 and displays (in Desktop software) as version 7.1 Bundle 1672

2) Normal cautions apply here: your experience may not be the same as mine, and if your BB is a different model and/or has hidden issues, it could all go horribly wrong, and you'd be forced to completely purge your unit and roll back and/or reload the OS.

3) Finally: BACK UP YOUR [bleep] PHONE BEFORE MESSING WITH IT!!! You're welcome...

Good luck...

[jkluger]

Looks like AT&T has FINALLY released 7.1 for the BB9900: https://swdownloads.blackberry.com/Downloads/entry.do?code=577BCC914F9E55D5E4E4F82F9F00E7D4

[byoram02]

And...???? How's batter life? I am seriously considering the 9360 as an UPG to my 9700. I am a minimal app user, got few installed like SalesForce and Evernote with few others that are closed most of the time. Will I get battery anxiety with the switch?

Note: I am not a facebook/twitter and heavy texter, just heavily on emails...

Any advise would be appreciated.

[JORENO]

I went from a 9700 to a 9860 and loved it. If I were you, I would wait till 1q 2013 for BB10 if on a new contract.

[byoram02]

Thanks, but I am looking for a keyboard phone..

[bar-j700]

dont know if anyone has downloaded  via wifi connection the update v7.1.0.1997 yet. But i am in the process of doing it now.  i heard of microphone problems with some other 7.1 versions. i havent seen this version 1997 and dont know what will happen. so far its been an hour for the install and appears almost comleat. will post when its over and had a chance to test. 

[JORENO]

They are going to release BB10 in a keyboard phone shortly after. Check http://crackberry.com/

[bar-j700]

One thing I noticed this morning that is different from 7.0 when I powered on was the first 10% of battery use isn't gone in the first hour of light use.  Its been 3 hours currently 94%.  That's never happened!  There are some diagnostic tools that were added that I welcome with the 7.1 update. The usage logs are good, memory, battery power use, network, will come in handy. microphone is fine no problems. good update.

I keep telling myself IM Not ready for the new bb10 phone....yet? Those are going to hard to resist from what I've already seen. It'll be a struggle.

[byoram02]

Thanks for the report, this is what I was looking for before I upgrade from the 9700. wanted to know that the battery life management was improved since 7.0. all I sue the BB is for emails and some web browsing, nothing more. needed to know I can rely on a day of use at minimum.

[KentFannon]

Thanks AT&T for finally releasing the 7.1 update.

[bar-j700]

Problems with the microphone. Just tried to answer 2 incoming calls and couldn't hear anything. I tried calling with my second phone and tested and yep I think there are problems with the microphone. I did a battery pull and now all seems normal.  I could hear and speak after the batt pull. So what next?