Droid Turbo: Lollipop software update?

[KSDroid01]

From an AC story on the Lollipop upgrade for the Moto X 2013 (released a year before the Turbo), in a statement from a Moto rep:

"I can see the frustration and in some cases the anger about how long it has taken to get the upgrade deployed. It has been a struggle due to the lack of support from some of our partners..."

Firstly, I think the "anger and frustration" over a slow upgrade to a phone that's almost two years old is a little ironic in light of the Turbo's situation, secondly this is a pretty glaring indictment of the role wireless co's are playing in the delay. It would appear that Moto is feeling the heat a bit from frustrated consumers, and is trying to deflect some of it.

I personally am not waiting impatiently for the improvements L will bring (except maybe the kill switch feature in 5.1, which I think is inexcusably overdue in Android - really, someone had to pass a law first?) but find it galling on principle that Verizon is letting the supposed flagship Turbo sit in the wings while THREE generations-old phones like the S4 are upgraded.

Posted via the Turbo

 

[doogald]

Firstly, I think the "anger and frustration" over a slow upgrade to a phone that's almost two years old is a little ironic in light of the Turbo's situation, secondly this is a pretty glaring indictment of the role wireless co's are playing in the delay.

This has nothing to do with the turbo, but it's interesting that people jump right to carriers. I don't think that David Schuster was talking about carriers in this case. There were reports that Motorola was having trouble getting Lollipop working on the custom system on a chip X8 they used in the 2013 Moto X, and, of course, there are documented issues with the early Lollipop builds by Google.

Motorola doesn't have an update for the unlocked, non-carrier 2013 Moto X yet, so obviously carriers aren't blocking the update to unlocked phones. So I think that's what David Schuster meant by partners - drivers for the custom hardware they used - and not the carriers, at least in this case.

The Droids are different in that they are carrier branded devices made under contract by Motorola, but the X isn't that way. It's a subtle difference, but for the Droids, that's when Verizon becomes a critical decision maker about upgrade timing. But, there are no other high end phones that are carrier branded like the Droids. Any other carrier brand is either low end or medium end, designed to make sales to people who are extremely cost conscious at purchase, and are unlikely to be too worked up over upgrades to their phone.

 

[KPMcClave]

I for one still don't see what all the Lollipop fuss is about. What's it do to make the Turbo better?

Trusted devices? We've got that.

Lockscreen notifications? We've got that.

Encryption? Got that too.

ART runtime? Already an option.

Someone please tell me, in all seriousness, what is so great about Lollipop that has so many up in arms?

If it's just wanting updates, go get an Apple device and be guaranteed at least 1 update a year for about 4 years. Otherwise, enjoy what is already a perfectly performing Droid Turbo.

Sent from my Ballistic Turbo

ART isn't a fully functioning option in the Turbo. There are dozens of apps that don't actually optimize if you switch to ART. I find it odd, since I ran ART on my Droid Maxx without issues.

For the people having issues with Advanced Calling 1.0, it is at least possible the OS update fixes them (in cases where coverage isn't the issue). The same thing can be said for the camera being improved (slow shutter and lowrer light motion).

Since the original promise was that Lollipop would save battery, I also hold out some hope that the Turbo winds up with a bump there after the update settles in. I know some have had battery issues on other handsets after updating to earlier versions of Lollipop (though my wifer's Galaxy S5 on Verixzon has had no issues at all since getting 5.0). Obviously with the Turbo that isn't something that is sorely lacking for us right now, but I also seem to get not much more battery than I did with my Maxx. If nothing else, a more obvious improvement would make me feel better about my upgrade to the Turbo.

Beyond that, there's an unknown for those of us who haven't used Lollipop as yet. It may add things I like (and things I don't), it may make some things work better (or worse), but we won't know until the upgrade rolls out.

At any rate, the implication that there's simply nothing new or to be gained from Loillipop 5.1 is mistaken. We all prioritize things differently, so the potential benefits will differ in their level of importance to us.

 

[travaz]

I think that David Schuster's comments points directly at Verizon. Granted there may be some problems with the drivers required for the processor I see no reason for Qualcom to stiff Moto.

 

[MA2GA28]

Re: no Lollipop a breach of contract?

Actually advertisements are legally binding. Not only would you likely be able to get out of your contract, but you could also receive monetary damages if you bought a phone based on an advertisement and it was found to be false advertising.
The issue here is there was no date given as to when the Turbo will get lollipop, so as long as it is still on track to get it, there is no false advertisement in this case.

Posted from my Droid Turbo, Kelly and Ozone

Yes and no...depends on the definition of legally binding.

What I meant is that a single customer (or even a group) has no footing to file suit based on advertising. However, the FTC can be petitioned and made aware of the alleged advertising claim, and if they rule in your favor then they would impose punishment on the company and some sort of settlement for the customers of said company.

 

[KPMcClave]

I think that David Schuster's comments points directly at Verizon. Granted there may be some problems with the drivers required for the processor I see no reason for Qualcom to stiff Moto.

How do you reconcile that with doogald's point that "Motorola doesn't have an update for the unlocked, non-carrier 2013 Moto X yet, so obviously carriers aren't blocking the update to unlocked phones?" That seems to make sense to me and let Verizon off the hook.

 

[sharkita]

At any rate, the implication that there's simply nothing new or to be gained from Loillipop 5.1 is mistaken. We all prioritize things differently, so the potential benefits will differ in their level of importance to us.

I would add that when folks have a top-of-the-line, premium phone like the Turbo, it is not unreasonable to want to have the latest software - just because. I know I don't need any other compelling reason to upgrade; I just want the option of having the newest version of whatever's out there to try it out for myself.

 

[dusoccer10]

I think that David Schuster's comments points directly at Verizon. Granted there may be some problems with the drivers required for the processor I see no reason for Qualcom to stiff Moto.

Strongly disagree otherwise the unlocked Moto X 2013 would already have been upgraded. Motorola chose to use a custom S4 Pro in the original X. That is a generation behind the 800 and two generations behind the 810. It will be three generations behind the 820 scheduled for release at the end of of 2015/early 2016. Going back to a S4 to update its drivers for Lollipop takes resources and money that Qualcomm would probably prefer to spend in other places.

 

[Ry]

I would add that when folks have a top-of-the-line, premium phone like the Turbo, it is not unreasonable to want to have the latest software - just because. I know I don't need any other compelling reason to upgrade; I just want the option of having the newest version of whatever's out there to try it out for myself.

But this premium, top of the line phone is just a carrier exclusive.

 

[Ry]

This has nothing to do with the turbo, but it's interesting that people jump right to carriers. I don't think that David Schuster was talking about carriers in this case. There were reports that Motorola was having trouble getting Lollipop working on the custom system on a chip X8 they used in the 2013 Moto X, and, of course, there are documented issues with the early Lollipop builds by Google.

Motorola doesn't have an update for the unlocked, non-carrier 2013 Moto X yet, so obviously carriers aren't blocking the update to unlocked phones. So I think that's what David Schuster meant by partners - drivers for the custom hardware they used - and not the carriers, at least in this case.

The Droids are different in that they are carrier branded devices made under contract by Motorola, but the X isn't that way. It's a subtle difference, but for the Droids, that's when Verizon becomes a critical decision maker about upgrade timing. But, there are no other high end phones that are carrier branded like the Droids. Any other carrier brand is either low end or medium end, designed to make sales to people who are extremely cost conscious at purchase, and are unlikely to be too worked up over upgrades to their phone.

It's always easy to blame the carriers.

Yet nothing happens unless the OEM is working on the update.

The Verizon Moto X was one of the first to get an OTA update to Kit Kat. Seems like maybe Verizon and Motorola set the bar really high.

 

[philly]

can people stop implying that upgrading from 4.4 to 5.1 isn't a big thing.
does my phone work fine right now? yes.
do I want lollipop very much so ? yes.
Am I the only one who reads these threads to get updates as to when its coming out (csr members, soak test participants, leaks etc)? why are the apologists and complainers getting so repetitive in here? Please stop repeating how much you don't want or need lollipop, If you don't want it I would suggest you ignore this thread, this is for people who want to discuss something other than your personal reasons for not wanting the update... its terrible how many pages you have to read in here before it gets back on topic.

 

[CharlieL3]

When no news is forthcoming, there really isn't anything to discuss that hasn't been covered here many times already, is there?

 

[vzwuser76]

can people stop implying that upgrading from 4.4 to 5.1 isn't a big thing.
does my phone work fine right now? yes.
do I want lollipop very much so ? yes.
Am I the only one who reads these threads to get updates as to when its coming out (csr members, soak test participants, leaks etc)? why are the apologists and complainers getting so repetitive in here? Please stop repeating how much you don't want or need lollipop, If you don't want it I would suggest you ignore this thread, this is for people who want to discuss something other than your personal reasons for not wanting the update... its terrible how many pages you have to read in here before it gets back on topic.

It's going to be a huge deal for about a week after it arrives, and then the only time you're gonna hear anything about it will be to complain about what it broke from KK or how it's screwing up their device. There have been huge updates before, and that's what happens every time. I don't think I've ever seen someone talking about how great the update is a month after it arrives. I can only speak for myself, but while you consider "apologist" posts needless filler, I would counter the same thing for the "why oh why isn't it here yet" posts. I'd be plenty fine if everyone was just speculating what LP may or may not fix, rather than having a thread for people to vent about why it isn't here yet. None of it is going to affect how quickly it arrives.

And I don't consider myself an apologist, more a realist. You can rant and rave about how things should be done, or you can accept how they are done. The latter is a lot less stressful than the former. I'm used to updates taking months to arrive. In fact last years Moto X/ Droid line and this years X are about the only examples of speedy updates, so far as Motorola is concerned (and Verizon for that matter). But everyone is expecting them to be like they were last year, when in fact it might've been a fluke. Look at Droids before 2013, how quickly were they updated? I think that's a better metric of the timeline we should be expecting. And if you look at the rollout of LP in general, everyone is slow on this update, even the Nexus line. I would speculate the reason the Turbo never saw a 5.0 build and why it's taking so long for a 5.1 update to show is both Motorola and Verizon not wanting a support nightmare on their hands.

Again, not apologizing for Motorola or Verizon, just pointing out how it is.

 

[1Coopgt]

can people stop implying that upgrading from 4.4 to 5.1 isn't a big thing.
does my phone work fine right now? yes.
do I want lollipop very much so ? yes.
Am I the only one who reads these threads to get updates as to when its coming out (csr members, soak test participants, leaks etc)? why are the apologists and complainers getting so repetitive in here? Please stop repeating how much you don't want or need lollipop, If you don't want it I would suggest you ignore this thread, this is for people who want to discuss something other than your personal reasons for not wanting the update... its terrible how many pages you have to read in here before it gets back on topic.

This thread is here for everyone to whine in . ROFL

 

[I800C0LLECT]

Maybe they're spending this extra time making the camera phenomenal?!

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[ckelly33]

Maybe they're spending this extra time making the camera phenomenal?!

Posted via the Android Central App

I can wait for this!

 

[Tom Furlan]

I'd settle for acceptable. My only complaint with the phone is that this camera sucks...and it does. I have great photos taken with this phone - all of still shots in good lighting. Trying to take pictures of pets or people that might move within 3-4 seconds is a joke. Could care less about what Lollipop does if there aren't any camera improvements that come along with it.

 

[TurboHope]

can people stop implying that upgrading from 4.4 to 5.1 isn't a big thing.
does my phone work fine right now? yes.
do I want lollipop very much so ? yes.
Am I the only one who reads these threads to get updates as to when its coming out (csr members, soak test participants, leaks etc)? why are the apologists and complainers getting so repetitive in here? Please stop repeating how much you don't want or need lollipop, If you don't want it I would suggest you ignore this thread, this is for people who want to discuss something other than your personal reasons for not wanting the update... its terrible how many pages you have to read in here before it gets back on topic.

Replying with a complaint is way too ironic. But that's the point of this thread, right? Discuss, complain, compare, speculate, etc. The ones saying it isn't a big deal, like me, aren't saying they Dont want the update. What they are saying is Motorola has already put most feature that lollipop contains on the turbo. The improvements will be incremental at best.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[PowrDroid]

Maybe they're spending this extra time making the camera phenomenal?!

You mean it's not already?

 

[NursingNinja]

Well I'm eligible for an upgrade in a year. If lollipop doesn't come out by then I'll get it with my next phone.

Posted via the Android Central App