AT&T Continues to Harm Windows Phone Users - won't release updates

[mvierling]

The reason? They want you to sign a new two year agreement to get a new phone with the updates.  If they allow updates on existing phones, then they lose money from you not upgrading.

http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windowsphone75/att-continues-harm-windows-phone-users-142664

[redpoint73 ACE - Wizard]

AT&T is notorious for releasing updates far later than other carriers.  This goes way back to Windows Mobile 5 days (the extent of my smartphone experience) and probably earlier than that.

That said, I'd still hold out hope on the update.  My experience with software updates for AT&T phones, is that they always come late (compared to similar products on other carriers), but they do usually come, eventually.

[mvierling]

Well, I would not hold out on hope when AT&T has come out and said they will not update.

[redpoint73 ACE - Wizard]

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mvierling wrote:

Well, I would not hold out on hope when AT&T has come out and said they will not update.

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Ahh, well I guess it would have helped if I read the article more thoroughly.  But its just a quote from somebody on this forum, apparently.  And not an official announcement.  So I'd take it with a grain of salt, and maybe hold out a TINY bit of hope.

[htc-davis]

Why even get a windows phone?

[FredW]

I am looking at a windows phone because Microsoft is shaping up to be the first operating system to have the same user interface across all platforms (phone, tablet, netbook, laptop, and desktop). That will be a major selling point. It would even make me look into a new laptop for the touchscreen.

[Infamousdaveman]

At&t WILL release these updates, man, Im really suprised this talk is still going on. Its not even one month until Tango drops and we are GUARANTEED that upgrade per Microsoft so everyone needs to just calm down and wait it out. Sprint still hasnt offered the update to the HTC Arrive either so its not like this is an exclusive ATT issue, and Verizon, they JUST released it a couple weeks ago so relax. Aside from the disappearing keyboard which only happens occasionally and many times easily pops right back up, I dont see why people are so up in arms over it. Think about it, we could all be using some buggy android piece of garbage that even with current updates it still doesnt work as good as our windows phones LOL. Reeelllaaaxxxx.....all good things come to those who wait...

-Happy Focus S user

[jdwinphan]

i\'m not happy because it takes me minutes to write a text message when it should take seconds. I shouldn\'t have to go through the vanishing keyboard bug that has been fixed since January. Microsoft fixed it and AT&T just refuses to release because \"they don\'t like releasing smaller updates\". That was an official responce.

[mrpither]

Microsoft talks about engendering customer loyalty by delivering updates which makes phones better with time:

http://wmpoweruser.com/microsoft-talks-about-engendering-customer-loyalty-by-delivering-updates-whic... 

Hear that AT&T???

[McHale72]

nope.  It's hard to hear the customers over the "ching ching" of the cash registers and adding machines.  Supporting the customer once they've bought a contract is LAST on their list and only if they are forced to do it.  I'm switching from them as soon as the next Windows Phone rev drops.  AT&T will never get a dime from me and that includes me switching my entire company away from them as well.

[johninsj ACE - Wizard]

Its possible to manually update windows phone 7 devices. I did it fairly simply yesterday on a new (ebay) HTC Titan, it went without a hitch.

[Infamousdaveman]

Thats exaggerating a bit, isnt it? When Im writing long emails, thats the only time the disappearing keyboard happens, or sometimes with one single text message, but 95 percent of the time, the device works as it should. I understand your frustration but you can always purchase an unlocked device and always get updates directly from MS or you can get a device for cheap via upgrading or signing a contract and you are at the mercy of the carriers. Lets see, hmmm, I could have paid near 600 dollars for my Samsung Focus S and I wouldnt have to worry about that 5 percent....OR I can enjoy my device that I paid a PENNY for and wait a few months for an update to be released, with only a mild inconvienence. Um....yeah...the penny proposition sounds like a great trade off to me.  And after the huge push from Nokia and ATT, do you really  think things arent going to improve?

Im happy with my WP and Im happy with my ATT service. Again, this isnt an exclusive ATT issue, other carriers across the world have JUST released it, and I see their point, why release it now, or even two weeks ago when we have a major upgrade coming in June? Patience is a virtue...

[McHale72]

I'm not aware of another carrier in the world that hasn't allowed an update since 7720.  And the disappearing keyboard issue isn't the only thing fixed since 7720.  There are critical security patches as well.  I'm glad you're happy with AT&T because I'm not... never have been.  When I was with Cingular and AT&T was a competing carrier, they rated the lowest in customer service and highest in churn.  Cingular at that time had excellent customer service and were gaining customers.  After the merger, it looks like they ran with AT&T's customer service.  I'm happy with my coverage and lack of dropped calls, but their device support is riduclously idiotic.  Remember just a year or so ago when they refused to go with Android?  Or how about when they were purposely having device manufacturers cripple the devices (which they are STILL doing today)?  

I don't know who's running that department but they trulty suck at their jobs.  I've worked in the mobile industry (as an infrastructure manufacturer) for many years and it's no longer an inside joke about how bad AT&T is.  

AT&T could be destroying the market right now with WIndows Phone being a dominant player but because of how poorly they have managed it, it has zero momentum.  AT&T literally screwed Windows Phone for North America.  Remember how the Nokia Lumia 900 was going to be "the biggest handset launch ever, ever, ever!"  ???  It was a joke.  They clearly, CLEARLY have chosen higher profit margins over customer satisfaction and it shows every day.  

-Mc

[Crakker]

Silly people you could buy an unlocked Windows Phone from Rogers and use it with Straight Talk. You get unlimited everything, works great, no contract and only $48 per month including tax.

[chastity1221]

Where's Rogers? I'm new to all the tech stuff, though 38 years old. But that's a good plan and with me and just my son, I am trying to pinch every penny. Can you leave more contact info. Thank you.