Rogers may have been the first to introduce the Android platform to the Canadian public, but it seems that they’re not willing to extend their services beyond just selling handsets. Case and point, unlike T-Mobile in the US who has already rolled out Android 1.6 to G1/Dream and MyTouch 3G/Magic users in the country since last October, those on Rogers in Canada have yet to receive their fair share of Donut goodness.
There have been a number of Android users in Canada who have tried to get confirmation from Rogers if an Android 1.6 or better yet 2.0 update will be made available to HTC Dream and Magic owners in the country, but unfortunately, the Canadian carrier refused to give a definitive answer. In fact, Android in Canada has even posted an open letter to Rogers asking them if and when an Android 1.6 and 2.0 update will be released in Canada. There is also a heated discussion on this topic found at Android Forums and a petition has also been posted online over here requesting Rogers to release an Android 1.6 update to subscribers in Canada.
We’re not sure if this petition or any other similar requests will actually be enough to pressure Rogers to come out with an Android 1.6 or 2.0 update, but if Bell and Telus who both now have an Android phone as part of their line-up step up their game, maybe Rogers will do the same. Anyway, all is not lost though for Rogers subscribers. Someone in the forum mentioned that an Android 1.6 update might become sometime in early 2010. We’ll have wait and see if this holds or better yet, maybe Rogers will finally issue an official statement on this issue or not.
Comments (9)
They better bring this update out real soon becauce im this close to getting rid of my HTC Magic because of the slow 1.5 software thats on it…it cant handle too many things at once and my sms wont send sometimes…
I got the Rogers HTC Magic because of how great the potential is with the Android operating system. Unfortunately, with Rogers refusal (so far, maybe even forever) to update it from 1.5 to 1.6, all of Rogers Android phones are becoming obsolete and a waste of your hard earned cash.
A warning to anyone considering buying an Android phone from Rogers; Android is awesome ,but you might want to reconsider until Rogers confirms whether or not they will update our phones with the newer OS versions as they become available. Without these updates, your phone can quickly become obsolete as new apps become available that do not work on ver 1.5 of Android.
Call and email Rogers and tell them you won’t buy an Android phone unless OS updates are available. You can read more about the problem here: http://androidforums.com/rogers/10647-rogers-dream-1-6-update.html
I Want My One-Point-Six!
Rogers failed to show us their commitments. Coming from an IT field i know the rep who contacted me on behalf of the CEO was bullshiting me. I can tell you one thing for sure. ROGERS staff does not know what they are talking about. STOP treating us like a we don’t know anything. STOP making decision for the consumer. Start asking the consumer what they want to see and show your commitments!
I’m one of thoes customers who rogers has left out to dry. Stuck at Android 1.5 while everywhere else in the world moves on. Way to step up to the plate Rogers
I purchased my Rogers HTC Dream back in August of 09 expecting something that was running open source software to be on the leading edge of technology. Unfortunately Rogers just wants to sell hardware and never bother to update it. This is why people hack their phones!
Please everyone! Before you purchase a phone and commit yourself to up to 3 years with a phone that may already be obsolete thanks to our Canadian carrier, do some research into what you are signing in to.
I say that because I consider myself to be fairly well informed technologically (for common folk anyway). That being said, I impulsively bought the Roger’s HTC Dream after reading how great it was (in a likely American magazine, where they were probably running 1.6) and could now be stuck with a 3 year service plan and a great phone with obsolete software…. how fun is that!?
Take a brand new quad or 8 core PC, load it up with Windows 3.0 and…. go!
….ya, about that much fun!
Rogers, Rogers, Rogers…….
I guess Rogers really does not care to catch on the android wave and support their products they would just rather sell us new phones. Well all this negative publicity in regards to android will cause new users to look elsewhere due to the lack of support and spend their money with another company. I have no desire to support Rogers when they will not even stand by their own products.
It is very baffling why Rogers would not support the HTC Dream / Magic and update to version 1.6 and eventually 2.0 and so on. Android is the fastest growing market in smart phones and leaving their customers with old OS will ensure that Canada lags behind in Android support.
HTC, HTC, HTC
Well all the blame cannot go to Rogers either cause at the end of the day this is a HTC phone and is obvious they just want to sell handsets but by allowing carriers to not provide updates for the phones they certainly are hurting their image and will cause android users to look at others brands as well.
Google, Google, Google
Great OS but…….You need to learn a thing or two from the iphone and that you need to rollout these updates across the board on these phones just not ones you brand and make. Failing to do so is a major mistake and will cost you in the long run. While android may be taking off and getting a larger market share how do you think the sales are going to be in a few years when android owners are tired of being handcuffed from the carriers and manufactures of your phones by poor support….I love my android phone but i tell you a unlocked iphone is looking allot more attractive to me specially in the long run….Having updates for the android is what makes the Google experience much richer and with carriers not supporting 1.6 or 2.0 android is sure to upset many customers as it has done in Canada already.
In the mean time putting pressure on Rogers and all the negative press they are going to receive on this and loss of revenue may force their hands to actually do something about it instead of responding with their generic corporate responses.
If need be the Android users of Rogers who have the HTC Dream, Magic and EVE will persue this diligently.
All i have to say is thank god my contract is up this summer ….Nexus One, Wind, Dave, Public Mobile will all get a chance to get my money since Rogers has proven all they care about is your money not customer satisfaction.
To educate yourself more on this topic and find out all that has been done and said by the customers, Rogers, HTC regarding Android updates for Canadian users please read the forums.
http://androidforums.com/rogers/10647-rogers-dream-1-6-update.html
I have been pestering Rogers since OCT to get this update. HTC blames Rogers, Rogers blames HTC.
I wonder how Google feels, this is putting the Android OS in a bad light in Canada.
I would advise anyone considering Android to steer clear of Rogers and HTC.
hjk in Toronto
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