Moto cancels ICS for Atrix/Photon/Electrify

[lothar]

Normally I'd say that it isn't, but they do own Motorola now. I know that Google has stated that they want to give Motorola a lot of independence, but Google could probably mandate that Motorola provides better support for existing devices. Perhaps not really Google's fault, but they could certainly do something to fix it.

That phone was released before Google acquired Motorola.

If there was ever such a mandate, it likely will only be effective for phones released after the acquisition took place in May of this year.
Motorola didn't release any device between May and September this year.
I will use their recently announced new devices(Droid Razr HD, Razr M, and Razr Maxx HD) to judge them about providing timely updates under Google's belt going forward.
I'm not willing to serve as a beta tester in that regard though.

 

[cheezy321]

Yet another win for the Android Update Alliance!

LOL




Warning for trolling
Try to keep your posts useful and constructive.

Moderator PM

 

[Phynaz]

T
If there was ever such a mandate, it likely will only be effective for phones released after the acquisition took place in May of this year.

Why? Google looks to be the one that killed the update. I don't see why Google couldn't tell Moto "You will release ICS".

 

[lothar]

Why? Google looks to be the one that killed the update. I don't see why Google couldn't tell Moto "You will release ICS".

Proof?

I don't see why Google should have to.

 

[cliftonite]

Yet another win for the Android Update Alliance!

LOL

Another win for a useful post LOL! Why do you care, other than to troll?

 

[Mopetar]

That phone was released before Google acquired Motorola.

So what?

If there was ever such a mandate, it likely will only be effective for phones released after the acquisition took place in May of this year.

Why?

Google now owns them. They can order Motorola to whatever be suits Google's interest. Even now Google could tell them to get an ICS update ready.

As I said, Google has stated that they don't want to have a lot of direct control over Motorola, and it's fairly clear that their inaction shows that they're sticking to this. However, to suggest that Google has no say in the matter doesn't make much sense.

Perhaps they should step in. As others have pointed out, Motorola is squandering the good will of the few customers that they have left and they haven't released much in terms of worthwhile products in a while. Perhaps Google really doesn't care as they have the patents they wanted, but Motorola is still a mess and needs someone to get things turned around.

 

[Brian Stirling]

Hey, if you really want a predictable update get an iPhone! Look, now that iOS6 is out they only have to decide if they want to update or not and about 2/3 of the eligible devices haven't been -- likely the whole maps thing...

There's is nothing in it for the carriers to roll out updates -- they'd rather have you pay an ETF then sign another 2 year contract when you "upgrade" the hard way. The makers are even more inclined to abandon just released products in favor of the next phone they want you to buy.

If the EU is any different it is likely laws to protect customers that are making the difference but that's not the business/regulation climate we in the US deal with.


Brian

 

[Chiropteran]

Same problem as most other phone manufacturers. Too many different phones that really aren't all that different, so too much effort to support them all.

Motorola, hire me as CEO, I'll fix these problems.

1- phone product options streamlined, 1 release per year max. Only need 3 models- slide-out keyboard, touch screen only, and cheapo bargain priced (but nice for the price).

2- support those phones for 3 years from original start of manufacture, minimum.

3- sell them as unlocked and open as possible.

4- enjoy customers showing loyalty, as a customer will be loyal to a company that is loyal to it's customers.

 

[zephxiii]

I tried using my Atrix 2 to log my bike ride via Mapmyride....the Atrix 2 ended up rebooting a couple times during the process and I had to give up on it. Stinks too as i though it was doing a good job. Luckily i was also logging it via iPhone 4 which is more reliable.

SO another thing motorola needs to work on: stability, reliability, and bug freeness.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

Looks like Motorola pushed the ICS update for the Xyboard 8.2 back to sometime in Q4 which is absurd seeing as the international version and even the Verizon Droid Xyboard have all ready been updated.

 

[lothar]

So what?



Why?

Google now owns them. They can order Motorola to whatever be suits Google's interest. Even now Google could tell them to get an ICS update ready.

As I said, Google has stated that they don't want to have a lot of direct control over Motorola, and it's fairly clear that their inaction shows that they're sticking to this. However, to suggest that Google has no say in the matter doesn't make much sense.

Perhaps they should step in. As others have pointed out, Motorola is squandering the good will of the few customers that they have left and they haven't released much in terms of worthwhile products in a while. Perhaps Google really doesn't care as they have the patents they wanted, but Motorola is still a mess and needs someone to get things turned around.

Actually, saying Google has no say in the matter makes perfect sense since Motorola is an independent subsidiary of them as you already mentioned.

 

[s44]

Well, of course now there's a leak.

 

[zephxiii]

ICS for the Atrix 2 was just released btw Just got done installing it.

 

[MagickMan]

Well, of course now there's a leak.

Yep. I put on a Photon custom ROM based on it this morning, I'm doing beta testing, and it's solid as a rock. Maybe Moto has a heart and did a "oops, how did that happen?", who knows?

 

[jhansman]

Just went to ICS on my Atrix2 as well. Very funky at first-battery would not charge beyond 50%, several apps would not run, got quite warm. After about a day, however, all is now well. Battery life is better than ever (mine was decent before), stays cool while charging, and ICS is quite an improvement over GB (apps run much faster). Overall, I'm a happy camper, and glad to see Moto had enough sense to offer this update to those of us with near-legacy phones. My A2 now feels like a 21st century device.

 

[zephxiii]

I didn't have any battery issues but my vm number isn't showing up and att wifi authentication isn't working. I think the radio is behaving better though. Overall very nice and i am very happy.

EDIT: rebooted and VM works now.

 

[Zstream]

Anything for the original Atrix?

 

[Sid59]

there was a alpha leak of the ICS for Atrix but it was pulled. Some say ... they stopped development on the ROM because the finger scanner on the device, the mfg is now owned by Apple but that's all rumors.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1928844

 

[akugami]

Actually, saying Google has no say in the matter makes perfect sense since Motorola is an independent subsidiary of them as you already mentioned.

You are wrong. Google has a lot of say in what Motorola Mobility does and does not do. Motorola Mobility is a wholly owned subsidiary of Google.

Google at any time, may remove Moto's board of directors. Google may demand certain objectives be met. Google may demand Moto conduct business in a certain way. Google has the right to examine Moto's financial reports and business plans to ensure Moto is moving in the right direction.

In short, Google has a crap ton of power over what Motorola Mobility does.

 

[lothar]

You are wrong. Google has a lot of say in what Motorola Mobility does and does not do. Motorola Mobility is a wholly owned subsidiary of Google.

Google at any time, may remove Moto's board of directors. Google may demand certain objectives be met. Google may demand Moto conduct business in a certain way. Google has the right to examine Moto's financial reports and business plans to ensure Moto is moving in the right direction.

In short, Google has a crap ton of power over what Motorola Mobility does.

Motorola is also an independent subsidiary of Google.
The keyword you're missing there in your statement is the word "independent".

If Google claims Motorola is an independent subsidiary, and that they can do whatever the hell they want with their phones(MotoBlur, locked/encrypted boot loaders, not providing Android updates, etc...), who are you and I to question that?

 

[akugami]

Motorola is also an independent subsidiary of Google.
The keyword you're missing there in your statement is the word "independent".

If Google claims Motorola is an independent subsidiary, and that they can do whatever the hell they want with their phones(MotoBlur, locked/encrypted boot loaders, not providing Android updates, etc...), who are you and I to question that?

Yes. I know. But did you realize that everything I said in my first post is still true? Just because it is "independent" doesn't mean it is "independent."

Google has the power to remove and replace anyone on Motorola Mobility's board. They still have the right to monitor Motorola Mobility's finance and approve its business plan. Not to mention Google owns all of the shares of the company so they in essence have 100% voting power in any meeting.

Here is further reading if you want to know what Google can and can't do.

Bottom line, Google controls Motorola Mobility.

*EDIT*

Fixed a spelling mistake.

 

[Ancalagon44]

Same problem as most other phone manufacturers. Too many different phones that really aren't all that different, so too much effort to support them all.

Motorola, hire me as CEO, I'll fix these problems.

1- phone product options streamlined, 1 release per year max. Only need 3 models- slide-out keyboard, touch screen only, and cheapo bargain priced (but nice for the price).

2- support those phones for 3 years from original start of manufacture, minimum.

3- sell them as unlocked and open as possible.

4- enjoy customers showing loyalty, as a customer will be loyal to a company that is loyal to it's customers.

This is exactly what I'd recommend to every manufacturer in the industry.

What I cant understand is why they dont already follow these guidelines. I mean, I know management and exec types are often lacking in common sense, but common. They are supposed to pay people that know the things they dont.

Just do a little more QA before releasing a device, open source everything, and support it for 3 years. Problem solved.

 

[zephxiii]

http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/18/3522940/want-a-google-influenced-motorola-phone-keep-waiting