Some O2 customers who've upgraded their Dell Streak from Android 1.6 to 2.1 are encountering problems.
The Register reported that the operating-system upgrade has actually taken away more than it's added, with some Streak users reporting that they've lost features such as Windows Media Video playback, PC syncing and the Facebook widget.
Other issues include problems with the touchscreen, Internet browsing and voice commands, the appearance of back-to-front volume keys, and wiped contacts. For some people, the update didn't work, and caused problems with the existing Android 1.6 OS.
On the Dell forum, some users vented their spleen about the situation. Nsaspooks said: "There are a lot of very unhappy Streak owners out there -- some like me, who got their Streak from their network operator only to be left with a pretty-looking, next-to-useless phone."
"This is going to be a hard act for Dell to recover from. [It requires] either a mass recall, or bug-free software and free 32GB memory cards for everyone who's experienced a problem," Nsaspooks continued.
On the O2 forum, Jasyjason claimed to have spoken to Dell, with the manufacturer saying that an extra update would be available this week due to the mass of complaints.
The issues with the Streak update come only days after O2 customers reported problems with upgrading their HTC Desire to Android 2.2, resulting in the update being suspended. Indeed, there have been numerous woeful tales concerning Android upgrades over the past few weeks.
Part of the problem is a chaotic system in which Google releases multiple versions of the Android OS to different manufacturers, who then pass it on to different networks.
PC Pro quoted an analyst from VisionMobile as saying: "'[Google] has released five pretty major upgrades. That's way faster than any other OS vendor has been able to manage and that creates software issues for vendors and developers. By the time they get up to speed... there is a new version to work with."
Who's to blame for this darned mess and how do you think it should be rectified? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Comments 17
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Anonymous 8 September, 2010 11:23
LOL, suckers, should have swallowed your pride and bought an iPad
anonymous 8 September, 2010 11:31
The blame has to lie with the network operators. O2 have totally screwed up their Android update roll out & left their customers in a "will they, won't they?" limbo. Vodafone insist on tricking their subscribers into downloading moneymaking services that they don't need or want.
Google might have made a fantastic open source mobile operating system, & continually strive to innovate & improve upon it, but they must be shaking their heads in disbelief with what some companies are doing to screw it up. Don't mess with a winning formula, just release the damn update.
anonymous 8 September, 2010 11:33
How's that iPad for making calls? Oh, wait a minute.....
Anonymous 8 September, 2010 12:16
So when you buy a tablet, your primary concern is that you can make phone calls? Personally I use my phone and enjoy a tablet that actually works. This isn't Apple lover versus Apple hater it's about looking at the market on the day you choose to invest in a product and buying the best you can afford that meets your needs. At no point since 28 May 2010 has that been the Dell Streak.
billfred 8 September, 2010 12:51
What IS your primary concern when buying a tablet?!
Anonymous 8 September, 2010 13:17
Ultimately the hardware vendor has the responsibility to ensure that all is well between the OS and device. Once you get beyond that it becomes less clear who is responsible for the 'look and feel' and the functionality of the OS on the device.
Who, for example, decides if the front facing camera is included in the camera app? I would say that is down to Dell as it's their hardware. But, on the other hand, Fring and other apps that make sense of a FFcam can use it so the driver is in the OS! Did Google decide FFcam's are not to be native in the camera app - and if so, where does that leave Dell?
You can see the attraction of Apple's approach - at least the hardware and OS are all in one place. I also wonder if this kind of issue lies at the heart of Microsoft's strict hardware specification for the up coming Windows Phone OS?
Still, we are where we are and what really needs to happen is someone needs to 'own' the problems and get around to fixing them. In a tweet from O2 to me they said "We've worked closely with our friends at Dell on 2.1 and will do on 2.2 too" so that implies that there is a join effort underway here. I hope they can get together and bring this 2.1 update to the same level as the original 1.6 version attained. I also hope they can do it quickly!
Anonymous 8 September, 2010 15:41
>So when you buy a tablet, your primary concern is that you can make phone calls?
Depends on whether you see Streak as a tablet or a phone or a hybrid!
AlexMck 8 September, 2010 21:07
Can someone clear this up for me: why is it that with mobile OSes, the firmware update has to go through the obviously convulted process of being sorted by the network operator, whilst on a computer it is pushed to the device straight away? Excepting any phone with a skinned version of Android, what stops all devices from getting the update as soon as it's made?
I'm genuinely confused and more than a little ignorant. Please enlighten me
FunkMaster 9 September, 2010 08:00
@AlexMck ... I suspect it's a few things:
1.) Companies like Vodafone have in the past incorporated into the phone their own software bundles and stuff, like that crap thing called Vodafone 360 ... so when you update your phone you get software you don't really need, but they think you do ... but because your on contract, the phone is theirs till the end of the contract ... so they playing a bit of a monopoly game.
2.) I am no expert, but it might also have something to do with the fact that they want to test the update, to ensure that all their services operate successfully without problems ... which does not make sense, considering people who are not tied to a contract, update the phone and still use it on the same network as other people who are waiting for the update.
Anonymous 9 September, 2010 12:09
@AlexMck, @FunkMaster,
There is a genuine reason as well. Google works on Android as a standard mobile platform without considering any specifics of the wide range of devices. There is a wide variety of Android devices with different types of processes, different amounts of RAM, different screensizes, different hardware buttons etc. Now this should obviously be done by device manufecturer (Dell in this case). Dell promised to push Android 2.2 in September but there is no sign of it as yet. O2, which has been touting the September update, tried to overcome the Dell's incompetence to avoid loosing customers but obviously it did not work as expected.
Dell's hardware division produced a fantastic device but the management and software team are letting it down.
Anonymous 9 September, 2010 15:46
Being the infamous Nsaspooks from the Dell forum. Yes I am bitter about the whole experience, first with the antiquated 1.6, then when the promise of 2.2 too follow and find we are given a cut down version of 2.1 which to add insult to injury is badly coded and bricking handsets LRC (left righ centre). Tomorrow I will be on my 7th Streak (Sorry had to give all the others back just in case you were hoping I had a personal stockpile to give away) And I am sure I am not alone. This must be costing Dell a pretty penny.
The worst of it all is Dell's head in the sand approach to problems, there has been no admission of problems in the Dell forum, outspoken critisism of Dell and the pointing out of the problems has resulted in compleate threads being deleted. The staff at Dell Promise a new replacement but then ask you to wait ten days for it, when in truth, your old Dell will be reflashed and returned to you with the old 1.6 firmware. Dell should tell us the truth and not spin lies! Leave Spin for politicians.
I am taking this attitude personally and will ensure my three companies delete Dell from our IT infrastructure. I am happy to entrust our whole IT catalogue with IBM/Lenovo, at least they move Heaven and Earth to resolve any issues to our satisfaction
Sorry Dell but your foray into Android has been an unmittigated disaster from beginning to end. Leave it to those who know what they are doing or employ the likes of HTC to oversee your projects.
Still suspect they employ Chimps in the coding department and remember never to mention FUBAR on Dell's forum unless you want sancions against you.
Anonymous 9 September, 2010 17:39
Well dont know how you got your downloaded updates people, but I have been running android 2.1 for a couple of weeks now and love it! No problems to report here, am I just lucky or have I a better upgrade, which I cant see to be honest.
And yes I now have a tablet that does everything I want, and yes I have a phone too, and I can force Flash to work but its tempermental, but thats Adobe.
Anonymous 10 September, 2010 10:09
Couple of weeks running 2.1??? the official O2 2.1 upgrade was only released on the third September. You must have downloaded the much more Stable prerelease that was nandied about the forums. Yes its one hell of a lot more stable than what they have released asOfficial.
Now Dell have made availble a 2.1 eclair pc suite, it migh be worthwhile trying the unofficial software with the new PC Suite and see if they want to play together. At least it will give us streak users something that is half stable.
Anonymous 13 September, 2010 10:36
I must confess I made the dreadful mistake in purchasing 2 of these dell streaks, one for me,one for my wife when my wife had warned me to never purchase anything thats just put out there until all noted bugs are removed. I reside within the U.S. and having this device with it's elderly OS and no given time of an upgrade was'nt a good or positive move. After hearing all the horror stories in the UK, I am seriously thinking about returning my 2 devices and take a look at either the IPAD or samsung's P1000 which seems to have everythinh within it that dell has yet to achieve. I love dell streak's concept but I can't use just concept at $540.00 each is what I spent on 2 unlocked devices here, and here I am wondering if or when will an upgrade arrive here in the U.S. and if so, will there be a mountain of problems as the in the UK. Again, I warn anyone who may be interested in this dell streak device, please wait until dell releases them fully upgraded and in perfect working condition. Dell should'nt tempt the public with such a beautiful device yet ship practically a bunch of AS-IS antiquated OS devices to us promising undated upgrades.
Anonymous 15 September, 2010 01:09
got a Dell Streak six weeks ago.. it was good but unpolished compared to my old iphone. Got the O2 upgrade and now it is super fast with better battery life and too many improved features to mention. It is now the best phone I have ever had, mainly because it doubles as a tablet. I have had no problems whatsoever since the upgrade and after everyone criticising Dell it suddenly looks like there's is the product that other manufacturers will try and copy/compete with.
Anonymous 25 September, 2010 11:48
Ive just spent approx 1.5 hrs to both o2 and dell, because i cant upgrade to 2.1, my Streak is 3 weeks old and still has the 1.6 on it.
Im being told by Dell and o2 that 2.1 has been withdrawn because of flaws and will not be availble for the forseeable furure as for 2.2 Dell told me it will probaly be avaiable later in the year (heh 2011).
The phone is good and Im not terribly unhappy with it, and apparently there is a problem with PC suite, but I cant download a new version of that either as the link is downloading 'download manager'.
I was very dubious about a Dell product as I had huge problems with a Dell desktop sometime ago and it turned out to be the OS would not suport kmv switches so for that reason I swore I would not buy another Dell, go figure.
Anonymous 2 October, 2010 08:44
this is all very interesting...
the concept is so interesting that I am still waiting for them to become available.... 2 weeks out of stock with O2 and waiting...
Is it possible that Dell are holding onto the next batch of Streaks and not making them available to O2 until they have sorted out the problems??