Verizon and Windows Phone.
I could just leave it here and let Verizon customers tell the rest of the story through loud rants and a litany of curse words. Verizon is by far the best carrier when it comes to network coverage and service, but the provider has been ceremoniously absent when it comes to supporting Windows Phone. Even Verizon's customer service and sales reps will verbally question your decision over Windows Phone, almost as if reading from a memorized company policy. I've had horrid experiences in Verizon stores over this, and even recently when I switched my youngest son to a Windows Phone, the phone support rep scoffed at me for the choice. I asked what he used and he replied it was a Samsung Note 4. I subsequently asked what it was like to hold something the size of a brick to his head.
So, its public knowledge that Verizon isn't a fan of Windows Phone. They can deny it, but we all know how actions speak louder than flowery memos. And, it has shown itself in other areas, most notably in how the company provides timely updates. In December, the carrier finally delivered updates to the Lumia 822 and 928 models, but suggested that the Lumia Icon would have to wait until sometime in 2015. To get perspective, the Lumia Icon went on sale in the U.S. almost exactly a year ago on February 20, 2014.
Today, the company if finally making good to Lumia Icon owners. The Denim update is rolling out right now and many have already reported the update being available for their handsets. Due to the absence of updates, the Icon still runs on the original "Black" version. There's been two updates since the Icon released, Cyan and Denim. The update available today is Denim, allowing Icon users to completely skip Cyan and go straight to the most currently available features.
To figure out how to update, watch the following video:
Additionally, if, for some reason you have trouble updating, Microsoft has updated its software recovery tool for Lumia smartphones. You can find that here: How can I recover/reset/restore my phone software?
And, if you don't want to wait for Verizon to deliver it over-the-air (OTA), you can also use the Software Recovery Tool to update it manually, per…
@maryjofoley@thurrott#Denim is finally on #LumiaIcon! It's live via the Lumia Software Recovery Tool, if you don't want to wait for OTA.
— Spacey O (@SpaceyO2) February 11, 2015
It should be noted (important note!) that using the manual, Software Recovery Tool method will install a clean version of Denim, meaning it will erase the data on your phone. If you don't want to lose anything, wait for the OTA bits to show up.
Does this mean that Verizon has changed its ways? I doubt it, but it’s a step in the right direction, and one the company should use to build from.
You can read Microsoft's announcement on this update here: Lumia Denim now rolling out to Lumia Icon in the U.S.
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