[...] larger competitor. In 2009 there were early indicators of a change as Rogers began showing signs of stalling on Android support just as Telus jumped onto the Android bandwagon, running with the new technology through a [...]

[...] is one of several carriers that is struggling to keep their Android phones up to date. We recently reported that several HTC phones might be stuck on the outdated Android 1.5, but it appears the problem is [...]

[...] recently saw HTC go on record and tell us no updates were planned for their Rogers Wireless Dream and Magic phones, so it would not be surprising to see a similar [...]

[...] on the Android blog droidnews.net bringing more light to the issue. As has been reported several times, if you’re on Rogers… you’re probably not going to get the 1.6 update. This sucks… a lot. [...]

[...] is one of several carriers that is struggling to keep their Android phones up to date. We recently reported that several HTC phones might be stuck on the outdated Android 1.5, but it appears the problem is [...]

I went to the Rogers website and wrote this review (for the HTC Magic)…. no idea if they will post it:

Worst experience ever!

Date: December 23, 2009

I am terribly disappointed by “RogersMary” canned reply. Clearly this person does not own a HTC Magic nor has any experience with one!

“….We believe that Android 1.5 is a stable and reliable software platform that delivers a terrific user experience.”
Are you serious?

Where to begin…
1. You show the gesture security in your HTC Magic Photo on this page. Did you know that there is a serious flaw in the security where a few incorrect gestures will cause the phone to permanently lock up in OS 1.5. I found this out in my third day of use. It is documented by Rogers support. No one could help me get back into my phone. I had to factory reset it!
2. OS 1.5 suffers from signal acquisition loss. I lose calls all the time. See picture I posted here: (I cannot post a website but it is under code dot google dot com – android issues detail id=2845)
3. OS 1.5 no longer has access to great deal of Android apps that are flagged as being compatible with OS 1.6 or higher in the Android market.
4. The better paid apps, in the Android market, are not available to Canadians but this is not OS specific.
5. OS 1.5 does not have multi-touch like the iPhone.
6. OS 1.5 only has 3 screens (Hero has 7, iPhone has a great deal more)
7. There are over 200 identified issues with Android 1.5. Many of these are corrected in OS 1.6, and even more are corrected in 2.1. OS 2.1 is the first version of the Android that is actually nearly as functional as the iPhone.

When I purchased my Android in June, I was promised regular updates. I specifically asked this question because I understood that OS 1.5 was incomplete and had issues. Now that Rogers announced no further updates, I now understand that I was misled!

I am tired of lost calls, forced closes (one that occurs immediately upon starting up the phone – even after a factory reset), the fact that several of my productivity apps are no longer available to me in the Market (for updating)…. this is the worst phone experience I have ever had and I want out of my contract.

Actually, the telco has a large amount of say on the “provision” of paid apps on their network and Rogers have “slightly modified” versions of the Dream software. Look at the instructions for installing the CyanogenMod to the EBI1 Dream (Rogers) – why is it different? So Rogers does have at least shared control on both these fronts – if not outright control on what should happen with the phones.

When I contacted Google, their response was that Rogers was responsible for completing the necessary steps (I believe they need to join the open handset alliance, among other things). The response from Rogers was that they were looking into it and that was back in August (which probably means “we aren’t going to do jack-sh*t but sell you these phones without any reasonable support, sucker”). And look, the Dream and Magic aren’t cutting edge hardware – they were around at the end of 2008 and Rogers brought them in in June/July 2009. A really all around half-hearted, half-arsed support for Android phones by Rogers.

The Windows comparison doesn’t work either, as the telco is subsidizing the handset manufacturer / software developer whereas Microsoft are subsidizing the partners usually .

This is nothing new. They were also unwilling to provide an update to Windows Mobile 5 when I got my HTC TyTn, even though the rest of the world had been promised up and down a new version of WinMo. Same thing for Blackberry software, though that is at least much easier to hack onto a phone by deleting the Vendor.xml file. Still, does it suck? Yes. Does Rogers suck? Double yes.

So in the states it’s t-mobile, verizon and what-not that allows paid apps? I don’t think so. This is a Google issue. Paid apps require Google Check-out, a Google service not available in Canada. If you get the Hero on Telus, you’re not gonna get paid apps either. But I am sure the people going to get the Hero understand that already, being Canadian. Isn’t this fact supposed to be fundamental to the Android OS? I mean prove me wrong but how does the founder of “Android and Me” get that wrong?

I also don’t see how an upgrade to a new version of android is grounds for complain to a telco. +1 rep to verizon and tmobile for updating their android devices, but it’s not the responsibility of the service provider to upgrade your hardware. it doesn’t make sense for them to do so when you can unlock your phone and jump onto another network for about 20 bucks, while they are still providing updates for the phone. Put it this way, how many internet providers also provide windows 7 upgrades from windows vista?

To me, this article has got some serious flaws. yes it sucks that rogers isn’t updating, and yes it sucks that a rogers brand android phone can’t get paid apps. But when you understand how this industry works, it has nothing to do with Rogers, it has more to do with HTC and Google. This is like asking mr. lube to swap your engine for free every 4 years when all they are supposed to do is change your oil..

Rogers are an incredibly bad service provider in all service areas. This is no different. They haven’t got paid apps through their network – which is probably because they knew they were going to kill their Android flirtation. This is their loss – they are not the fastest mobile network, not the largest mobile network, and not the most innovative mobile network.