Virtual Interview – Calling all Android users!

[Chris_K]

Hello Community folks.

We saw a lot of great activity with our previous ‘Virtual Interviews’. It has been a while since our last one, so we feel it's time to announce our next one and yep, you guessed it, it's about devices- Android specifically! We will have guests representing HTC, Samsung, Sony, Alcatel, LG, Huawei & Motorola who work in the O2 Device Team, who will be here to answer your questions on 15^thJanuary from 12:00PM to 13:30PM (90mins). These guests will be Helen McKerrow, Martin Heap, Richard Biltcliffe, Richard Fowler & Shaun Watt.

We know many of you love your smartphones and we know there's a huge Android fanbase here, interested in both hardware and software alike. If you've got a burning question for any of these manufacturers or anything Android OS related then simply post it below. Your questions could range from the process involving new devices to software updates or anything related to Android’s eco-system.

Virtual Interview topics always generate a lot of interest over and above people asking questions - to make it easier for us and the team to collate and spot questions easily, please highlight your questions in bold if you can.

To ask a question you'll need to be a registered O2 community member and be logged in. Please see this thread for details on how to do this > http://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Welcome-News/What-s-the-O2-community-and-how-to-get-started/td-p/426482

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Question: Why do O2 need to do excessive testing for android updates once OEM's have released them, to say their sim free unlocked handsets? If the OEM thinks it's OK to go through what do O2 then add on other than some apps that can be added in via the play store?

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Hi Karan,

A good example of why we do this was the recent S3 update rolled out to open market devices globally which then had to be revoked by Samsung due to instability, battery issues and devices being bricked.

Vendors often have one Open Market software that is used in multiple markets/Operators.  Sometimes changes and fixes are introduced in software updates for other Operators that could affect its operation on the O2 network, so these need to be tested to ensure there is no negative impact.

Android platform updates can contain 100's of fixes and many new features. We test each update thoroughly to make sure that the bugs are really fixed and the new features work. Performing this testing also gives us an idea of what the customer experience is like, helps us to help our customer service guys and help our network engineers figuring out what to expect when the update goes live. 

It's also important to remember the manufacturer controls the software launch and O2 always tries to be ready with approval for when the vendors ask.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Chris,

Firstly, let me welcome this initiative.

I have read the subsequent responses and noted, that like most forums, the thread of original topic is often quickly lost and there is a need to summarise participants points along the way.  Hence, is would seem (and I agree), that O2 customers would find intentions for f/w upgrades highly desirable.

Regards,

Derek 

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Hi Derek, 

Thanks for your thoughts! Toby has sent you a private message so that we can get some detail on this as it sounds interesting, he can then talk to us about it.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Some more questions from me:

Question 1: The Nexus brand is the official flagship device for android and showcase the new android version. I realize that it still is not very mainstream, but why is it that o2 and other networks do not really support them or promote them as much?  They are meant to showcase the latest and greatest of android and offer quick updates?

Question 2: I noticed how some of the latest phones (Sony Xperia Z compact, Motorola Moto X and LG G flex) that have been announced at events like CES. Would they be available on o2? Will other devices like the new Samsung Galaxy tab pro line up be sold as well? Can you list the new devices that will be available on the community?

Question 3: Will o2 be selling the Moto X with the motomaker option (Ability to customize the phone colours accents, storage etc)?

Karan

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Hi Karan,

1. The 4G Nexus 7 (2013) and Nexus 5 32gb were exclusive to O2. We try to let eveyone know as soon and as often as possible about cool upcoming devices and their features. Sometimes manufacturers only reveal certain information right before the device launch, which means it can be hard to promote a device and all of its features.

2. We've announced that we will be releasing the Sony Xperia Z compact and the Motorola Moto X. We're still working on what we will do with the other devices, but shall keep you posted. If you would like to see device release threads, Toby and Chiara can work on this for the future, so that you are informed as soon as possible. Feel free to send Toby a private message about any ideas you have for the community.

3. I'm afraid we're unable to comment on that as of yet, but keep your eyes peeled for info in the future.

[Anonymous]

Times up! Some really interesting questions including a few that we expected. Everyone here from the O2 device team really enjoyed answering you all today.

With software updates being the most common question, we're thinking of sharing with you the step by step process that we follow with the  different manufacturers which would give you a good detailed view and also give you guys an opportunity to chip in and make suggestions/recommendations to further enhance our process-flow.

Up next, we're planning a 'Virtual Interview' for Windows Phone and its OS. So, gear-up and we'll see you all soon.

We'll keep this thread open for now, so feel free to ask any other Android related questions and Toby can pass them onto us.

Cheers guys!

Helen

[Anonymous]

Fair play. That was a useful exercise. I would certainly be interested in a new release section and a step by step on the OS update process.

When it comes to customer relations, nothing works better than a bit of transparency and fact.

Thanks guys.

[Toby]

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@Anonymous wrote:
When it comes to customer relations, nothing works better than a bit of transparency and fact.

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We'll do our best to achieve that going forward Foshiznik.

Just to let you know guys, we have our next Virtual Interview scheduled for the beginning of next month and you can use the link below to find it.

http://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Welcome-News/Gear-up-for-the-Windows-Phone-Virtual-Interview/m-p/606016#M7458

[a_hcir]

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@Anonymous wrote: 

Using an unknown / unvalidated OS on our network would be a huge security risk and could potentially affect not only the user but other customers too. Even though a customer would not neccesarily be aware of any risks when using their phone, they could still be present behind the scenes. Also, we've seen bugs in the past that have caused congestion on the network which impacted all customers.

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I'm sorry, but I don't buy that. If there was such a big concern about unvalidated operating systems, why allow anyone to bring their own SIM free phones with untested firmware, or even allow resellers sell unbranded hardware for use your network?  When you run a service that depends on consumer grade hardware of unknown provenance, you have to be prepared with ways of dealing with problematic devices. 

[MI5]

02 Would probably block any accounts that they see as a security risk