OTA Update in the UK

pauljriley · 11-07-2008, 03:54 PM

Ok, I have dug around alot and think I now understand how the OTA update procedure works, below is the process as I understand it;

1. Once the Google Android team have produced an update that has been tested and is ready for deployment they place it on a web server called android.clients.google.com/updates. The file itself is a zip file containing an update script and files.
2. The G1 phones requiring the update are sent a SMS text message notifying the update process on the phone that an update is available, and probably includes the name of the update file itself. The user does not see this SMS text message as the phone intercepts it and removes it from the received SMS message folder.
3. The phone then downloads the update over the internet and stores it in a temporary location on the phone.
4. The user will then get a message informing them that an update is available and giving them the opportunity to install the update at that time.
5. The phone goes into an update state, during which time the operating system is updated, before the phone then reboots.
6. Once the reboot is complete the phone will be at the new updated build version.

I summise that the process of sending the SMS text messages is in the control of T-Mobile and runs on receipt of a message from the Google build system, which means that the reason that some users (mainly in the UK) have not received any updates are one of the following;

1. The Google Android team are ignoring the UK market at present (Very bad descission as the number of mobile phones per head of population is the highest in the world).
2. The Google Android team can't get the fixes applied to the US version of Android to work in the UK version (oops).
3. The Google Android team aren't sending T-Mobile UK a signal informing them that an update is available (would have thought that they would have noticed this by now).
4. T-Mobile UK have not got the mechanism setup to send out bulk SMS text messages to their G1 users (probably had other things on their minds at the time, whats for lunch for example).
5. T-Mobile UK have chosen not to switch on the Update system for the UK (Just wait for the headlines in the papers about a flaky operating system).

What ever is the case, I would suggest that rather than posting a reply on one of the numerous user forums telling UK users that they must be cautious about use of the Internet via the phone (i.e. on your head be it), the same urgency that was shown by their sister company T-Mobile US should instead happen.

Please, Please, Please do not kill this wonderful phone while it's still in it's infancy.

sstmax · 11-08-2008, 09:29 AM

I have just spoken with technical support in the UK this morning and the rep that I spoke to put me on hold for 5 mins.

When he came back he said that he'd checked and we should expect an update around the 12th-14th of November.

Let's wait and see!

Andor · 11-08-2008, 03:41 PM

I received an update around 1am this morning (UK), after the reboot however im seeing no visual confirmation of the update. The build is still listed as RC 7

Andor · 11-09-2008, 07:39 PM

Just received this twitter message from a UK T-Mobile rep:

Quote:

The security patch is currently being tested for the UK. Aim to deliver over the air this month.This is high priority for us

pauljriley · 11-11-2008, 09:48 AM

Message posted on another forum:

Quote:

Robin from the Mobile Team Nov 10, 10:03 pm

Hello to all the UK users,

I'm impressed with all the good discussion over the weekend & I'd like
to address some of the questions:

- Yes a patch is still coming out, & will be pushed by Google as soon
as we can. We don't promise specific dates & times because anything
can happen at the last minute, and there's little worse than dashed
hopes.
We're working hard to get the UK patch out; the delay is not an
attempt to show favoritism or to ignore our friends across the pond! I
hear it's coming Very Soon.

- You'll notice that we use Groups for all of our products, not just
"peripherals". We're monitoring them closely & think it's fine to air
things publicly where everyone can weigh in, no matter if the comments
are positive or negative. The London Sales & Engineering Office won't
be able to assist you with these G1 questions; you can continue
posting questions here or sending them to T-Mobile.
Part of the joy of the open platform is that everyone has access to
the code, so Google doesn't become a bottleneck in the process. To be
clear, the only portion of the phone that Google is fully supporting
is the Android Market (which has it's own Help Forum & Help Center).

-Orlovsky - no need to remove your post, though I will mention that
this isn't the recommended way to get updates

Cheers,
Robin

On Nov 10, 9:09 am, Orlovsky wrote:

Andor · 11-11-2008, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pauljriley

Message posted on another forum:

Quote:

Robin from the Mobile Team Nov 10, 10:03 pm

Hello to all the UK users,

I'm impressed with all the good discussion over the weekend & I'd like
to address some of the questions:

- Yes a patch is still coming out, & will be pushed by Google as soon
as we can. We don't promise specific dates & times because anything
can happen at the last minute, and there's little worse than dashed
hopes.
We're working hard to get the UK patch out; the delay is not an
attempt to show favoritism or to ignore our friends across the pond! I
hear it's coming Very Soon.

- You'll notice that we use Groups for all of our products, not just
"peripherals". We're monitoring them closely & think it's fine to air
things publicly where everyone can weigh in, no matter if the comments
are positive or negative. The London Sales & Engineering Office won't
be able to assist you with these G1 questions; you can continue
posting questions here or sending them to T-Mobile.
Part of the joy of the open platform is that everyone has access to
the code, so Google doesn't become a bottleneck in the process. To be
clear, the only portion of the phone that Google is fully supporting
is the Android Market (which has it's own Help Forum & Help Center).

-Orlovsky - no need to remove your post, though I will mention that
this isn't the recommended way to get updates

Cheers,
Robin

On Nov 10, 9:09 am, Orlovsky wrote:

Thanks for posting this update. Good to hear progress is being made with this.

pauljriley · 11-11-2008, 01:00 PM

Report on another forum that RC8 is rolling out today.

Quote:
I received an update this morning, Build now shows TC5-RC8

Anyone know what was done in this update?

sstmax · 11-11-2008, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pauljriley

Report on another forum that RC8 is rolling out today.

Quote:
I received an update this morning, Build now shows TC5-RC8

Anyone know what was done in this update?

I believe that you can check for upgrades by creating an AnyCut shortcut to "Device Info".

Scroll down to the bottom and hit "Check for Upgrade".

Mine isn't reporting any new pending updates yet though...

pauljriley · 11-11-2008, 04:51 PM

Posted on another forum:

"Users in the US already report receiving the update, and Google told the BBC that users in the UK should receive it by 12 November."

BBC Article

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7722367.stm

alrightmon · 11-11-2008, 07:45 PM

Hi,

I have a G1, I have bought it on a brand new T-Mobile contract, however I am using an existing T-Mobile contract SIM card in the phone. Does anyone know whether this will affect me being able to receive updates?

Also does anyone know whether there is a preference given to users connected to 3G rather than 2G?