We’re declaring March 15 the official Update Your Phone Day. Two weeks out from the wireless industry’s annual convention (CTIA Wireless 2008), we want you to help us send the wireless industry a message: Consumers care about, and want, a steady stream of software updates for their phones.
The industry is starting to get a grasp on software updates, but there’s still a long, long way to go. Very few devices actually maintain themselves, and are set by default to go onto the web and check for software updates. Worse, parts of the industry actually profit from the lack of software updates… we’ve consistently shown how this has artificially inflated the market share of Windows Mobile, for example.
Consumers should not have to pay for new software, through the purchase of new hardware. If software warrants being sold, consumers are more than willing to pay for an upgrade… rather pay than exponentially more for a brand new device (with few, if any performance gains).
So, how can you help? We want you, on March 15, to go get the latest software for your phone. On March 14, we’ll post the details on where to go, and who to ask about your phone’s software version… and find out what’s the latest version.
Some providers (Sprint, Alltel, and Verizon) offer in-store updating. On the 15th, we’d like you to take a short period of time off during your busy day and get your phone updated in-store, if one is available. If you’re on AT&T or T-Mobile… you’re stuck mailing your phone in to the manufacturer. However, we would like you to inquire with them on the 15th to arrange for your phone to be updated.
Now, some phones offer the ability to plug them into your computer to check the update. That’s nice, but it’s not enough. Typical users don’t even know such utilities exist, let alone how to use them. But, because they do exist, we want those users to participate as well… by flooding these servers with requests to check your phone for update. Again, on March 14, we’ll post the details for all the manufacturers. Doing this will show manufacturers that they need to both expand support for computer-driven updaters, as well as move towards autonomous and automatic Firmware Over-The-Air updating.
Best of all, you’ll be getting a better, more reliable phone. Software updates do everything from fixing critical bugs to improving call quality. You want the update (if there is one), we want to help you get that update.
If you’re in the media, we would appreciate your participation by linking to PhoneNews.com on the 15th of March, letting folks know about the movement.
PhoneNews.com has been a leader in the phone software update movement. Our wiki-driven Firmware Tracker was the first, and is still the most comprehensive listing of software updates for every phone in America.
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I have the Mogul, I would love to update to the new ROM on, or before that date!
Good Idea…ill spread the word around !
That’s a great idea! Let’s crash their systems so nobody gets any updates! Brilliant!
Are you just that dumb.. hrmm lets all take our cars in to get oil change at the same time…
Just plain stupid.. Phonenews.. just causing problems for everyone..
First, our movement is only going to take place for a single day. This is not going to cause any interruptions in normal operations. We’re just going to show users that they are entitled to software updates, and have them call in or download those update.
Second, we don’t anticipate any “crashes”… we evaluated that carefully before making this announcement.
Third, with the facilities in-stores, on the phone, and online… we anticipate the industry will be able to meet consumer needs, even while we’re pushing customers to go in and get those updates for their phones.
We do not see the naysaying complaints as valid. The only servers that will be impacted are the ones that are supposed to be serving updates in the first place… we’re just helping consumers get their voices heard at the carriers and the manufacturers.
After all, the manufacturers say that consumers don’t want software updates in a high enough demand. The only way to prove that wrong, is to get customers to inquire about updates.
wuite true chris