LTE upgrade (speculation)

[coreymcl]

Ok so I went ahead and activated my Xoom today, while on the phone with the Verizon rep he stated some interesting things. Don't get me wrong I know most of these folks have no idea of what they are talking about so I'm just passing it along, don't shoot the messenger.

He told me that they were "weeks" away from the upgrade. I questioned this and he said they had a meeting about it just yesterday. The thing that makes me really question this guy was the fact that he stated it would be via a software update. I told him, he is stating something total different that what is posted on both Verizon and Motorola's websites. He then proceeded to put me on hold and confirm what he just stated again after confirming this with a co-worker. He went on to say they intended for this to be a pleasant surprise to customers.

I'm not sure if anyone has torn down a Xoom so they know exactly which radio chipset was included but this would be a great surprise, I only wish I believe it.

 

[p08757]

Motorola Xoom Teardown - iFixit

Look at step 8

Dont feel bad, a few weeks ago I was told LTE would be coming to my area "soon" by a local VZW rep, and I thought he was talking out his ass. Today VZW announced a bunch of city's that will get LTE soon, and mine was one!

 

[timmyboy188]

I don't trust customer support statements in the least bit usually. But to think you actually need to send your Xoom in for this upgrade??? Seems unlikely to me, and I would assume it's a software upgrade. But I'm too new to this Xoom to really assume anything yet I guess...

 

[slinky317]

He's probably confused and referring to the SD card patch. I don't think a software update can activate a radio that was never there in the first place...

 

[varsityhacker]

If there's no LTE antenna then a software update won't do squat and everything I have read and seen points to no antenna.

 

[coreymcl]

Motorola Xoom Teardown - iFixit

Look at step 8

Dont feel bad, a few weeks ago I was told LTE would be coming to my area "soon" by a local VZW rep, and I thought he was talking out his ass. Today VZW announced a bunch of city's that will get LTE soon, and mine was one!

Thanks I figured someone might have torn it down. It's too bad though, man it would have been cool to be a software upgrade. Let's hope the upgrade is coming soon as I can't wait to have LTE on my Xoom.

 

[Live2ride883]

It would be nice if it was a software upgrade but I doubt it, to many areas not ready for 4 g yet. But honestly its gonna suck to have to send my Xoom away for a week or so for the upgrade.

Does anyone know of a good 12 step program that will help with the withdrawl?

 

[timmyboy188]

It would be nice if it was a software upgrade but I doubt it, to many areas not ready for 4 g yet. But honestly its gonna suck to have to send my Xoom away for a week or so for the upgrade.

Does anyone know of a good 12 step program that will help with the withdrawl?

How will they be able to have a one week turn-around? Once it's avaliable everyone will be sending theirs in, I see this one week turning into a 3 week process.....

 

[stopsign002]

How will they be able to have a one week turn-around? Once it's avaliable everyone will be sending theirs in, I see this one week turning into a 3 week process.....

I agree. While they are gearing up for it (so unlike the xbox 360 fiasco, they will be ready), I still can't see this going very well...

 

[barkomatic]

You definitely have to send the Xoom in to get the LTE upgrade:

Motorola Xoom will get LTE in 'approximately 90 days,' requires one week for hardware upgrade (updated) -- Engadget

Personally, I might wait until the Xoom actually ships with the LTE chip already built in before buying. Maybe everything will run smoothly and on time, but such a process is unusual and makes me nervous.

 

[timmyboy188]

It would be nice if Verizon stores could be authorized to do this upgrade, but that would require the Verizon workers to be half competent.

 

[Live2ride883]

It would be nice if Verizon stores could be authorized to do this upgrade, but that would require the Verizon workers to be half competent.

You never know where Verizon employees may be lurking about.

 

[timmyboy188]

Don't kill me Verizon worker!

 

[terrain]

Um.. Yes.

I don't trust customer support statements in the least bit usually. But to think you actually need to send your Xoom in for this upgrade??? Seems unlikely to me, and I would assume it's a software upgrade. But I'm too new to this Xoom to really assume anything yet I guess...

 

[Live2ride883]

Now would that be good customer service?

I don't work on the wireless side, I work on the fios project.

 

[timmyboy188]

lulzzz

 

[kwjones]

shouldn't there be a concern for security if you using it for business or other wise. People have stuffed stored on their Xoom and when the upgrade begins they asking us to kindly hand over our devices without concern. I have a problem with that.

 

[anon(167668)]

shouldn't there be a concern for security if you using it for business or other wise. People have stuffed stored on their Xoom and when the upgrade begins they asking us to kindly hand over our devices without concern. I have a problem with that.

Actually the official instructions from Verizon (Getting Ready for Your Motorola Xoom™ 4G LTE™ Upgrade) specifically cover that. They suggest to back up and reset your Xoom before sending it in, or optionally you can encrypt your Xoom, which is a built-in feature in Honeycomb.

 

[terrain]

Unless you ROOT I'm not aware of any real way to "IMAGE" your xoom -- Agree will be a PITA if to wipe and reload.

 

[anon(167668)]

Apparently all you need to do is copy and paste the root directory and you're good to go. Besides you can just encrypt it and be fine.