Verizon's Android OS Update System
mmpeleg
Newbie

Google released Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean on July 23, 2012. Verizon pushed the update out to the Galaxy S III on December 14, 2012; almost five months later. In the technology world, this is a very long time. Android 4.2.1 was released on November 27, 2012, making the Android version that S3 owners received in December three updates old already. Verizon was last to push Jelly Bean to their customers S3s despite being the largest carrier in the US.

After speaking to both Verizon and Samsung at that time, they both played the blame game on each other. This is very unprofessional and shows me that you guys couldn't care less about your customers. When the update was finally pushed out, I discovered some problems with it right away. There is so much lag for a phone that never lagged before. A lot of times the audio bar (when adjusting audio) won't even show up and typing is a chore because I now have to wait between pressing keys on the keyboard. My battery life was nearly cut in half (easily over 1/3 lost).

I again called Verizon and Samsung to attempt to downgrade back to Android 4.0.4, only to find out that I can't. Now, I'm stuck with defective software until another update comes out. All of the other stuff I can somewhat understand, but that I can't replace the defective software with a working one drives me up a wall. Knowing how the last update went, I can only assume that it will take months before another update occurs. Quite a frustrating situation that many people have to now deal with.

Why does it take so long for Verizon to push updates out?

Why can't I downgrade my phone to the official OS that works how it's suppose to?

Verizon has great coverage and generally great customer support; however, the way Verizon handles updates needs to be changed. I would like to hear other opinions, from both agreeing and disagreeing sides; so, what do you guys think?

Re: Verizon's Android OS Update System
blindthom
Newbie

I agree... to this date I still do not have the update even available to download. By the sounds of it, maybe thats a good thing. Point is they do have some issues with update... If I wasnt in a contract I would most likey have switched by now.

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Re: Verizon's Android OS Update System
CBee23
Newbie

You do not want to update even if you are given the option. My bluetooth no longer works. When I use it, it sounds like a robot. I'm so mad cause now I'm stuck with this crap.

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Re: Verizon's Android OS Update System
rcschnoor
Legend

I have received the update and it is working fine on my phone, so I would disagree that they do not want the update.

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Re: Verizon's Android OS Update System
breezex
Specialist - Level 3

I have to agree that the update for the most part is a good thing, it's the combination of update with apps not designed for Jelly Bean and old/corrupt data that cause the most problems.  My wife's phone updated and after a week or so began to exhibit strange behavior.  The phone would randomly go through a very short reboot process (couldn't have been a full reboot because it was too quick), the palm swipe screenshot would not work, and a couple of other little things.  I did a factory reset (I know it's a pain, but well worth it) and her phone has been fine ever since.  Good battery life, palm screenshot works, Bluetooth works, the whole nine yards, ....

The only thing left to work out is file transfer to the phone via USB, file transfer from the phone is OK.  Via USB cable, files take minutes to transfer and anything over 100Kb times out.  Kies Air works great and transfers files in a flash. This may be a PC/USB problem as much as the phone.

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Re: Verizon's Android OS Update System
demmo86rt
Champion - Level 3

This is the biggest problem with the update process right here. The update, especially jumping Android versions, should come with a factory reset. The problem is, most users would not be able to handle this. So the manufacturers try to shoe horn of the update on top of the existing firmware and that tends to cause problems.

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Re: Verizon's Android OS Update System
beadit
Newbie

I am not very savvy on computers nor phones so please all be patient with my question! I had been having problems with my phone shutting down and I have to take the battery out to reboot it except that is such a pain in the neck because I have the Otter case and long nails!

When I woke up this morning it said my phone has been updated and when I looked at the version it is 4.1.1. It didn't prompt me to do anything.  I don't know what it was before but my email started to work again after not working for 2 days and the notification pull down menu looks different. It now gives me a line of what my emails are about. I was especially having problems with Yahoo but my Gmail was ok.

Why am I reading that some of you have a higher version? How and do I want this version as I am reading there are problems with it?

Thanks,

Sherry

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Re: Verizon's Android OS Update System
Revrick52
Enthusiast - Level 2

How do ya do a factory reset?

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Re: Verizon's Android OS Update System
demmo86rt
Champion - Level 3

Menu >settings >privacy >factory data reset

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