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Verizon Could Hinder the Galaxy Nexus Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Update

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A few days ago, we learned that the Verizon Samsung Galaxy Nexus would be among the first to get the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update. That of course is coming from Google’s mouth and not Verizon’s which has left many wondering whether Verizon will hinder the Galaxy Nexus Android 4.1 release date.

Google has claimed that the Verizon Galaxy Nexus will be one of the first devices to receive the update to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. It didn’t mention the device specifically when it said “all Galaxy Nexus” devices but we assume that terminology encompasses the Verizon and Sprint Galaxy Nexus devices.

However, while Google may have said that, Verizon has remained completely mum about the subject. Not surprising considering the source.

Will Verizon hinder the Galaxy Nexus ICS update?

Read: Jelly Bean Makes Galaxy Nexus Faster, Smoother & Smarter.

For the record, Sprint hasn’t said anything either but Verizon is notoriously silent and slow when it comes to major Android 4.1 updates which is something that has made Verizon Galaxy Nexus owners wonder whether they’ll see the update arrive before the start of 2013.

At this point, there are no guarantees, even if Google has promised that the device will be among the first to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

When the Samsung Galaxy Nexus arrived on Verizon back in December of 2011, there was jubilation. Verizon boasted the largest 4G LTE network and the Galaxy Nexus itself was and still is one of the best Android phones to ever hit shelves.

That joy quickly turned to frustration and outright anger though as Galaxy Nexus owners began to see issues befall their new Nexus smartphone.

However, instead of rolling out an update to squash those bugs in a timely manner, something that has come to be expected of a Nexus smartphone, Verizon took around five months to roll out the Galaxy Nexus’ first software update.

During that stretch of time, it was clear that Google and Verizon did not see eye to eye on the update. Google hinted that it was Verizon’s fault that the update took so long to roll out and Verizon being Verizon, never said a word either way.

What I am getting at here is this.

Owners of the Verizon Galaxy Nexus should, as of right now, temper their expectations. It’s easy to believe what Google said to be true but we must consider Verizon’s past and specifically, its past with the Galaxy Nexus.

It’s my hope that Verizon uses Android 4.1 Jelly Bean to mend its bridges with Google but also with customers who bought the Galaxy Nexus thinking they were buying into the Nexus experience.

And now that Android 4.1 Jelly Bean is rolling out, let’s hope that we get some answers soon.

Anyone else weary that the past might repeat itself and it might be awhile before Verizon updates its Galaxy Nexus to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean?

45 Comments

45 Comments

  1. Frank Allen Combs III

    07/13/2012 at 12:45 pm

    Call me a optimistic pessimist or a pessimistic optimist. Either way,despite past Galaxy Nexus issues from Verizon. I believe now that Google has started to ship pre-orders of Nexus 7 that Verizon will start OTA of Jelly Bean. I’m crossing my fingers on this but won’t hold my breath.

  2. James A Schoch

    07/13/2012 at 1:08 pm

    If the new nexus phone only comes out with 4.1 in nov/dec then why would verizon release 4.1 to the galaxy nexus until 2013? Makes business sense unfortunately.

    • Dan

      07/14/2012 at 9:21 am

      Actually, I disagree. It makes no business sense what-so-ever. It does make sense to continually update the service they provide to customers. Especially when their competitors are releasing updates for the same phone. If Big Red (Verizon) wants to keep competitive they need to provide the same or better service than their competition and providing timely updates is part of that service.

  3. George

    07/13/2012 at 2:14 pm

    You can always install the update yourself instead of waiting for Verizon. I have been running Jelly Bean for 2 weeks now. Verizon will delay this as they always do.

    • Frank Allen Combs III

      07/13/2012 at 2:17 pm

      George,to do that wouldn’t I have to root my Gnex,etc? if not I will try it,any links?

    • MegaLoDunn

      07/14/2012 at 2:01 pm

      Can you tell me where to get this, if possible? I’ve searched the internet and cannot find a single link to upgrade.

      • Carolyn

        07/14/2012 at 2:52 pm

        On Thursday 12th July I received notification of a software update to JellyBean. I have upgraded my software on my Nexus and now have Jelly Bean running. There is definitely a difference, for the better, running speed faster website viewings improved and the option to either always use phone or Skype when calling a contact or just this once to name but a few. The Improvements show. Be a little patient and you will also receive your software upgrade notification without having to root your device and forfeit the warranty on it.

        • jon

          07/16/2012 at 4:17 am

          verizon sent you an update?

          • Carolyn

            07/16/2012 at 12:49 pm

            Yep. Everything an fine Inc email. Only one prob. Daily Mail app won’t run properly. Just static. They r aware and r working to fix it. I’m happy. Sorry but I personally couldn’t get on with an iPhone. Nexus however is Fab. I did my research prior and its the best phone mini computer I’ve ever had. But its all about personal preference. No one person is the same.

          • Jon

            07/18/2012 at 7:02 pm

            Carolyn, I’m asking again. You have a CDMA Verizon Galaxy Nexus and received the OTA for your device and are running Jelly Bean? I’m not aware of a single other Verizon user getting that update. Please clarify.

          • Carolyn

            07/18/2012 at 7:13 pm

            Yes Jon. that is correct. I have the 4.1.1 update. It’s much better and certainly no stacking issues with email. They’ve also fixed the Daily Mail online bug that I initially encountered on upgrade. Does that answer your question. Like I said they’re doing it in device number order.

          • Jon

            07/18/2012 at 7:34 pm

            Thanks Carolyn. Let’s see if I get that update. Looking forward to it.
            Im not going to delete the Frameworks cache and force it. I did that to get get 4.0.4 because 4.0.2 wasnt working well. The fixed ics is pretty cool so I will just wait for the rollout by my device number. I bought it the first day Verizon offered it so I must have a pretty low device number. Cheers

        • goukisan

          07/16/2012 at 8:05 pm

          for the record you could always make it use Skype to call a contact. that is not new to jellybean and was a feature from day one on it with skype

          • goukisan

            07/16/2012 at 8:13 pm

            so I smell a liar or someone very uninformed. The whole skype thing you mentioned was not new.

    • Richard

      07/14/2012 at 3:29 pm

      I, for one, do not trust that big red will bring out the update soon. That being said, the solution would be to root your phone, and install the ROM’s manually. I have, and absolutely love JB!

  4. Bryan

    07/13/2012 at 2:27 pm

    Here is the response I received from Verizon:

    The Nexus Jelly Bean update did start being pushed out to the devices starting late last week. It is pushed out by device ID number.

    • Frank Allen Combs III

      07/13/2012 at 2:33 pm

      thanks Bryan

    • Kurt

      07/13/2012 at 2:33 pm

      Verizon also told me that the Nexus would be released 3 weeks before it actually was. I hope you are right though :-)

  5. John

    07/13/2012 at 2:46 pm

    The ICS update didn’t have any amazing new features and it took 5 months for Verizon to get it to us. This update has at least one new killer feature (offline dictation), so I will be amazed if Verizon is allowing is to be pushed to existing device owners just 2 weeks after it was announced. Sorry Verizon, but this kind of pessimism is what you get when you repeatedly refuse to make statements about updates.

    I read somewhere that there was a very minor further 4.0.x update (not 4.1) which Verizon was pushing out to Gnex owners. I bet THAT’s what the above email is about.

    • goukisan

      07/16/2012 at 8:14 pm

      yes there is a bug fix coming out for the nexus shortly

  6. jared

    07/13/2012 at 8:16 pm

    yeah sorry but I call BS Bryan. I’ve been on tons of android blogs, and NO ONE on verizon has started receiving an update for jelly bean. The only update being pushed to the nexus right now is the stupid update that actually removes features, compliments of Apple.

    • Bryan

      07/14/2012 at 6:44 am

      I checked with them again this morning and tech support now says it is “being tested”. I had an overly optimistic and uninformed rep the first time. Just switched to Verizon, hopefully they are smarter with this update than they apparently were in the past.

    • Jason

      07/14/2012 at 7:08 am

      In Verizon’s defence, when I had my original Droid X they had soaks and asked for non disclosure. Maybe Verizon did a first in, first out soak and did the same?

      I know its a long shot, since I think there were rumors and murmurs when the Droid X was doing stuff, you’d think the same for an even bigger device.

    • MegaLoDunn

      07/14/2012 at 1:58 pm

      That’s not true. Samsung actually won that case so features should not be removed on your device.

  7. David Fleishman

    07/14/2012 at 9:52 am

    Here is something I don’t understand, the galaxy nexus is a true Google
    Phone…if so..why do the Carries get involved with the updates. If Google test the updates why doesn’t Google just push the updates to our phones. We all know that this a true Google phone. So let us decide if we don’t want the update. And let’s stop going through the Carries.

  8. MegaLoDunn

    07/14/2012 at 2:05 pm

    I read somewhere that they were supposed to start updates last month on the 27th. Besides that, I haven’t heard anything. I wish that we could have the option to plug it into the computer and update it that way. I’m not a big fan of apple, but keeping their customers updated is something I feel as though they’re good at.

  9. Kevin

    07/15/2012 at 12:09 pm

    This phone is easy to unlock bootloader and root been running Jelly bean for sometime now and man it is buttery smooth. Screw the big red giant rebel and tweak your phone. They have one click apps now that practically do it for you.

  10. jon

    07/16/2012 at 4:09 am

    I would like the update but it’s not as critical as the 4.0.4 debacle. That 6 months I had a brick, an unreliable hunk. 4.0.4 at least made the telephone work. Verizon didn’t freely give it, i had to delete a frameworks file to force the upgrade, Lots of droidsters don’t even admit what crap 4.0.2 was, the crashes and phantom reboots, quirks, battery, keyboard lag, alert volumes etc….4.0.4 fixed a lot of that. Is the email improved in 4.1? Can item be retrieved from the trash? Do replies get stacked vertically so by the time you have 3 threads your reading a single character stacked vertically? (love how droidsters don’t cop to that one)
    I don’t need a crappy almost-siri, i need an email client that works etc…….
    The blame game between google/verizon/samsung is also boring……..If you’ve read this far buy the iphone, i’ll take the flames.

    • Ibonic

      07/16/2012 at 11:30 am

      So Jon let me get this straight. Instead of commenting really on the 4.1 update you simply turned the comment section into your own personal soapbox. Get real man. If you want a apple product that is based off the hierarchy of a 10 year old OS, then get one. If you want to tinker, get an Android phone. Apple fanboy or not, don’t be up on the soapbox talking about the glories of Apple, you’re in the wrong thread bro.

      • Jon

        07/16/2012 at 6:38 pm

        Lbonic, can you read? I said my nexus finally works well with 4.0.4 no need to break it if jb ain’t smooth, the phone works now, do you own one?

        • Mike

          07/16/2012 at 10:36 pm

          John you’re an idiot. You specifically said to get an iPhone and that you were OK with the resulting flame wars. Then when someone says something you bash them. Go away. Nobody likes you or your opinions. Gnex > iPhone. Especially with google now and project butter and the fact that you’re allowed to simultaneously own balls and an android phone.

          • counsel dew

            07/17/2012 at 5:38 pm

            The GNexs I’ve held (5 now) are worthless as they don’t function as phones-may be hardware, software, network, or a combination of causes. I’m glad yours works, but… ugh! See https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=24019

          • Jon

            07/18/2012 at 7:11 pm

            Mike another non-owner talking out his ass/mouth. Does your mommy know your on the interwebs?
            Always amazed that the posters flaming don’t even own the technology. What a joke.
            There ought to be a device code linked to the posts to exclude dopes like mike who don’t even own the products being reviewed.

          • Jon

            07/18/2012 at 7:18 pm

            Android zealots are akin to a certain religious cult that demonizes and vilifies anyone who disagrees with them, won’t mention that name as many android users ironically are part of that cult and if you wanna see a ()$&storm just wait for them get an at-bat.
            Google needs a store or help line with human beings to help with their products rather than employing an army of trolls who post lies about updates and features and assign blame. Hey google get a store or a have a human being somewhere to help and be responsible. What did you say Mike? Project Butter? More talking points? Maybe that butter will help you put your phone where it belongs homey.

        • Jon

          07/18/2012 at 7:56 pm

          Let’s amend the tag line above…..if you’ve read this far I can’t recommend a Nexus device on Verizon. It’s been a frustrating user experience. Maybe Verizon offers a phone they maintain a little better or you can get a variety of phones with a variety of carriers but the Samsung/google/ Verizon isn’t a purchase I will repeat, jelly bean or not.

  11. HeartStrong07

    07/16/2012 at 3:18 pm

    I know it must be my imagination but even the clarity of the screen looks better in JB. The phone is snappy and very responsive. It is like I have a new phone. I am currently running the Jelly Belly ROM

    I am very pleased I decided to unlock, root and flash! I took the plunge last weekend. If you are not necessarily technology savvy, use a MacBook Air and have a Verizon Galaxy Nexus, I created step-by-step instructions within the rootswiki forum.

  12. Carolyn

    07/16/2012 at 3:42 pm

    One of the new toys that I have great fun using is the Google Speak and Search Internet Browser. If you watch the Demo above of the test between this on the Nexus and Siri on the iPhone, hey guess what……THE NEXUS WINS HANDS DOWN. What a shame Lol. I just love this and it’s so responsive. I have to agree with you HeartStrong, the clarity would appear to be much better and the phone overall has a much improved response time. JB is being rolled out in phone ID no order so for those of you who haven’t got it yet, be patient and you will recieve the update notification. I was one of the lucky first few. Just have to make sure I don’t drop this one like I did my 6 day old Note. I can highly recommend Nexus owners investing in a Ballistics Shell from sfPlanet. They are worth their weight in gold. I get the shakes so dropping things can be the norm for me. I have already dropped my Nexus and it just bounced right back. JELLY BEAN HAS A BIG THUMBS UP FROM ME. Can the next software upgrade be called Black Magic please. It sounds and looks good and when you open the box you like everything inside it. Just give me a marketing job.!!!!!

    For the record Jon, the email works perfectly and the Siri equivalent actually works better on the Nexus than Siri on the iPhone (proven in a head to head test). I tried using an iPhone and found it to be not that user friendly. I have also used a Blackberry, HTC, Nokia, Galaxy Note and now the Galaxy Nexus. I researched a lot before buying. Not a lot of difference between the Nexus and the iPhone. The Nexus is very user friendly, extremely responsive and packed full of very useful apps and functions, oh and the dictation app is quicker than Siri. But what do I know about phones. I’m just a mear woman who spends half her life using one. I love the Samsung Galaxy Nexus especially with the JB upgrade. Each to their own though.

    • Jon

      07/16/2012 at 6:40 pm

      The email client without a doubt has a bug that stacks the characters vertically, so threads in replies get thinner and thinner, is that fixed in jb? Verizon hasn’t notified me, maybe I should delete the frameworks cache again like 4.0.4 and see if it pops up?

  13. Carolyn

    07/18/2012 at 7:36 pm

    I initially placed a comment on here because I thought it would be of help and interest to others. However, I have found that some of those who are commenting on this forum are just downright rude and offensive. I for one do not wish to be apparty to that kind of behaviour. You are meant to be grown ups not immature children who don’t know any better. If you can’t conduct yourself in an appropriate manner then I suggest you don’t place inappropriate comments on here.
    For the record I have no balls and am perfectly happy with my Android phone.

    • Jon

      07/18/2012 at 7:46 pm

      Totally agree

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  15. randygrenier

    07/19/2012 at 10:03 am

    I had Verizon Galaxy Nexus before the 4.04 update, and didn’t have any problems. I guess the “fiasco” didn’t reach me.

    I’m looking forward to the Jelly Bean update.

  16. Peppersprayy

    07/22/2012 at 5:15 am

    It is rediculous as a verizon customer to go through this charade. I’m coming to the end my contract with them and if ts keeps up I will gladly jump ship go to go t mobile. As a customer, I have expectation that if you’re paying for service, they better come through and provide it. They should not impede in our ability to receive updates for our phones.

  17. Bryan

    08/23/2012 at 6:41 pm

    I just got a Verizon Galaxy Nexus and this phone rocks..by far the beat phone I have ever had..this phone is everything I ever wanted from an Android phone I will definately be sticking with Nexus from now on when it comes to upgrading…the only downside is Verizon not pushing the jb update out in a timely manner…I don’t know what there issues is but if vzw screws this update up and another phone comes out or gets jb before the nexus I highly doubt Google will go with vzw again for a nexus phone.
    .

  18. Rachel

    09/11/2012 at 7:32 am

    I am so very tired of waiting for the OTA update to happen. I want to hack my phone and do it myself but I’m not super tech savvy and am afraid I’ll totally screw it up :-/

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