Where's The GDR2/Amber Update... Any Schedule?

[taylorbro]

Ok ATT, when is GDR2 going to be released for the Nokia 920 (and all the other phones).

-taylor

[audidiablo]

It seems many don't understand the update. GDR2 is the OS update from Microsoft. Amber is the firmware update from Nokia. GDR2 is out and has been out without issues. Amber on the other hand as far as I know is having issues specific to this firmware version string. If you check Nokia Lumia amber release availability notice the version numbers. The string with AT&T firmware is not released anywhere worldwide for the 920 which coincides with other reports of issues with the firmware from inside sources. People flashing their Nokia Lumia phones pre mature are doing so with incorrect firmware from another carrier. Albeit functional it is not optimal. I am one to tinker and update my own as I get highly annoyed with the update games many carriers tend to play, but I have a funny feeling it is best to wait. If rumors are true the update should be out and ready between the 7th and 21st of this month. Yes a big window but I'm certain the update is really in the works. I don't buy others F.U.D. and rather stick to simple logic.

[johninsj]

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@Tex413 wrote:

To johninsj

Noticed that you have posted over 2200 posts over the last 3 years.  You also had spent most of your time posting stuff in the iphone forums but recently started posting stuff in the windows phone forums.  Whats with your sudden interest in the windows phone?  Also, why would you post 2200 posts for a company you dont work for.... or do you work for ATT?  I cannot imagine posting 2200 postings for any company, even the one I work for,,,, unless that was my job,,,,,,

Listen, I get it, you are an iPhone fan, working for ATT, trying to change the momentum of this forum.  OK, fine, but at least tell the people in the castle that the natives are getting restless.

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I had an iPhone 4. I switched to Windows Phone (HTC Titan running WP7.x, then Lumia 920 running WP 8) in 2011, so I started answering questions in this forum. I don't work for AT&T nor do I speak for them or get paid by them to post here. I am simply a user of and supporter of the platform.

I have 10,074 posts at dslreports.com - mostly in the comcast forum (I have comcast HSI) but also in the linux, mac, windows, and photography forums. I don't work for them or get paid for that, either.

Some people like to tweet and blog (I do too, but not that much) while others like helping people in forums.

I like helping people in forums.

This GDR2/Amber delay thing is the major topic for the past month - the only help I can give is tracking down any public statements, and posting them. Which I have done.

Believe me I am just as ready as everyone else to get this update so we can start talking about it, rather than talking about why it's late.

[johninsj]

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@Tex413 wrote:

Obviously you are crazy.  This has nothing to do with the OS.  If it was the OS, why would all the other major carriers have been able to deploy it weeks ago?  I have friends that daily taunt me with their updated lumia's.  Saying it is the OS means that you are either a plant or just uneducated. 

If ATT cant get it to update then is is a sign of a lack of technical knowledge.  If they can but choose not to, that is a sign of bad customer service and support.  Either way Sprint is starting to look really good.

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It's the distribution model for the OS - does that make you feel better about my sanity?

This release is a combo release from Nokia (not Microsoft) of GDR2 and Amber.
Microsoft released GDR2 to the OEMs in July. Nokia decided to bundle their next wave of updates on top of features in GDR2, so they did not release firmware for their existing phones with it until Amber was done.

That was in the beginning of September. They they turned that combo release over to their carriers, who decided when to accept it, or rejected it asking Nokia to fix issues.

RUMOR has it that the 920 failed on AT&T's tests, and they asked Nokia to address the issue. That's the rumored reason for the delay. Their lack of communication is frustrating but nothing new - they never communicated update schedules. This thread could have ended after the first post - the answer to the post topic is "No, there is no schedule, there will be no schedule, it will show up when it shows up" - but on the internet that's not very satisfying so we have instead 13 pages of posts rehashing that.

I'm not a plant, I'm just an owner - I have no special knowledge, I read the same blogs and tweets and rumor sites as everyone else. I've been an AT&T customer for 5+ years. I was with sprint for 10 before that (mostly dealing with Windows CE phones - with no carrier support for updates either... when I used to spend all my time on ppcgeeks.com cooking roms.)

At any rate, I am just as ready as everyone else for this stupid update to release, so we can get back to talking about using these things. Which I enjoy doing.

[awong234]

I would like to express my discontent with the roll-out of the update. This appears unnecessarily drawn-out, and there are no good reasons given for the delay on any WP8 newsfeeds. What's the problem ATT?

[audidiablo]

As stated before, Nokia is to fix issues and release the new revised firmware. Once at&t has it they can test and release. Furthermore with that firmware string, no other carrier worldwide has released it, not just at&t. I'm just as annoyed and wanted this update but I'm almost over it now. I just hope they make an extra effort to get GDR3 and bittersweet shimmer out first as a sign of good faith. Either way it isn't at&t writing the firmware so no need to harp only on them.

[razzellu]

Premier partner???

Definition of premier(adj)

Bing Dictionary

pre·mier   

1. best or most important: first in importance, size, or quality.

First:  AT&T (and Aio, which is still AT&T) is the last carrier on the continent to publish the GDR2/Amber update.

Size:  They're reducing the size of the update if/when Data Sense is removed.

Quality: Part of quality is how information is communicated.  There has been no Quality communication, and even the uofficial communication is as vague as not saying anything.

[lnelson15]

Maybe tomorrow...

[mark.f.masters]

Not expecting tomorrow. That would be too good to ask. Maybe the 21st. Remember, they once said 31st of September....

[lnelson15]

Still maybe tomorrow...

[audidiablo]

I'd split the difference and meet in the middle. I'd hope for the 14th or sooner. I'm sure they are going to work hard to get this out as I'm certain there is visibility over the unhappy customers. It is still a negotiation between Nokia and AT&T. AT&T can't release a revised update they may not have. We need to take all things into consideration.

[Tex413]

Hey John, like your new handle. 

I have to disagree with you.  The amber update (I understand the difference between GDR2 and Amber update thank you) is out and I have both seen it and read about it.  A simple web search should confirm this for anyone who doubts.  Revisionistic to say that it is Noka's fault.  Maybe it is AT&T taking out Datasense and needing to be certifed by Nokia that is taking the time!?  Also, I do understand that any update will have bugs.  iPhones also have bugs when they are updated...so what.  I would rather have a couple of bugs and the update. Go to your favorite search engine and type in "iPhone update problems" and "Android Update Problems" and your will see that this is not isolated to the WP ecosystem.  Problems occur.

As someone else already put it very well, a good solid date with good communications from AT&T would really make us all feel better. 

[Tex413]

Also, I could really care less if you are a plant.  If you are, then great, please express our concerns.  If you are not, then my apologies.  I can understand if you like to type in forums, just saying that it is a bit suspicious.  You certainly have a lot of iPhone posts for a Lumia 920 owner which is what led to my comment.  Regardless, I have a lot better things to do than belabor this.  Peace out!  FINAL POST FROM ME. 

[EJ86]

An iPhone isn't a windows phone and a windows phone isn't an iPhone, so stop comparing the two phones...

[johninsj]

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@Tex413 wrote:

Hey John, like your new handle. 

I have to disagree with you.  The amber update (I understand the difference between GDR2 and Amber update thank you) is out and I have both seen it and read about it.  A simple web search should confirm this for anyone who doubts.  Revisionistic to say that it is Noka's fault.  Maybe it is AT&T taking out Datasense and needing to be certifed by Nokia that is taking the time!?  Also, I do understand that any update will have bugs.  iPhones also have bugs when they are updated...so what.  I would rather have a couple of bugs and the update. Go to your favorite search engine and type in "iPhone update problems" and "Android Update Problems" and your will see that this is not isolated to the WP ecosystem.  Problems occur.

As someone else already put it very well, a good solid date with good communications from AT&T would really make us all feel better. 

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You're disagreeing with the RUMOR posted on WP Central that someone else on this forum posted to this thread.

So, um. Ok.

As I have REPEATEDLY stated, you won't get a solid date with good communications from AT&T concerning the release of a firmware update. Not for WP8, or any other OS. Not for the Lumia 920, or any other hardware. They just don't do it. Believe me, I wish they did.

[audidiablo]

@razzellu
Premier partner???



Definition of premier(adj)

Bing Dictionary



pre·mier

1.best or most important: first in importance, size, or quality.



First: AT&T (and Aio, which is still AT&T) is the last carrier on the continent to publish the GDR2/Amber update.

Size: They're reducing the size of the update if/when Data Sense is removed.

Quality: Part of quality is how information is communicated. There has been no Quality communication, and even the uofficial communication is as vague as not saying anything.
**************************************************************
You left out partner. AT&T sells the service and hardware but does not make the phones or OS. They may be the last on this continent which is a convenient way of wording it. Why narrow it down to just this continent as if the rest of the world doesn't exist? A quick look on Nokia site for Amber firmware release shows many world wide have yet to release this firmware string. Secondly AT&T has released GDR2 for their other head sets as GDR2 isn't the problem, the Amber firmware from Nokia is. Keep on mind, Nokia makes the firmware and releases the firmware, not AT&T. Just as Microsoft makes GDR2 and releases GDR2 you wouldn't ask AT&T to fix the update for Microsoft or Amber for Nokia. It would be as illogical as you being responsible for fixing any network issues they may be having at AT&T if you lose your signal.

Who is to say they are reducing its size? Do you have any proof of this? If this were the case you would also have a pretty good idea on how the update is coming along and when it will be released. Only the privileged have that sort of information. Also be aware Data Sense is part of the OS and would better refer to GDR2 which is Microsoft as Data Sense is part of Windows Phone 8 and not Nokia or the Nokia firmware update named Amber. As mentioned before GDR2 is out and also has been released by AT&T.

AT&T would have a better idea on when it would be released if they had it to release. I think they're taking a lot of the heat for this issue as people only focus on what is in front of them. Sort of like being mad at the dealership for a faulty part in a car... If your Honda has a faulty fuel system and it is a known issue why be mad at the dealer when they had no part of the manufacturing or assembly? I can agree some clarity would be nice from AT&T it isn't entirely their responsibility to do so as it isn't their update. Like getting mad that Dell isn't letting me know when my Windows 8.1 is going to be released. Just plain foolish.

If you want a more concrete answer ask Nokia when they plan on getting their Amber update to AT&T. If they say AT&T has the new Amber update then ask AT&T how far along they are with the new Amber firmware. In any event in sure its just around the corner coming in days or at most couple weeks. I say sit tight and be happy the firmware issue was caught before being released which could have proven detrimental to the flagship Lumia line.