Can AT&T be behind the latest Marketplace calamity?
I am sure most of you have been reading about how Windows Phone Marketplace is experiencing problems with some apps not installing or updating properly on certain devices. Microsoft has narrowed the problem down to Gen 1 devices; Focus, LG Quantum, Surround, Arrive, HD7, Trophy, etc., that “did not” have Mango pre-installed. Apparently there is an issue with security certificates that were implemented when App Hub was recently overhauled. As a precaution, all new app and update submissions have been temporally halted. I can attest to that as I have been patiently waiting for some app updates issued by a developer to Microsoft on August 6th, that still have not been approved or rejected.
Some apps, including WhatsApp, Microsoft Translator and NY Times were cited as examples of apps that were recently updated and can’t currently be installed/updated on these Gen1 devices. When I read about this yesterday I decided to verify with my Gen 1 HTC Surround. Although I have Translator on my L900 (actually got an update for it the other day, with the new certificates I suppose) I never got around to installing it on the Surround. Found it, selected download, and a few seconds later it was installed on my “Gen1” phone. So how could that be.
Well…..I did force update my Surround to 8107 a few months back after waiting what seemed like forever for AT&T to fix my disappearing keyboard issue. My memory is not getting any better but I do recall that after the Mango update there was a minor update which included some “security certificates” that most carrier passed up. That was followed by 8107, the disappearing keyboard fix. So, could it be possible that only Gen1 devices NOT currently running 8107 are affected by this Marketplace bug? Does this make any sense? As AT&T has yet to release 8107, and they represent a large share of all Gen1 Windows Phone devices, my money is on the lack of 8107 (which includes the security certificate update) being the real culprit here.
Maybe there is finally a way to twist AT&Ts arm in getting 8107 out to the tens of thousands of users who have suffered with the disappearing keyboard bug for way too long. Then again, it is AT&T.
If you have a Gen 1 device with or without 8107 installed, maybe you can try to install one of the apps noted above and provide your results. Curious to know if I was just lucky or stumbled upon the real problem.
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I believe the “security certificate” updates you’re referring to were related to compromised SSL certs, not Marketplace related.
Anyway, Verizon Trophy here, running Tango (8773). I’m currently having problems updating WhatsApp and Translator. I force updated 8107 (which was later officially released by Verizon) a while ago. Got the Tango update officially through Zune a week or 2 ago.
AT&T Focus with Mango (only official AT&T updates on my phone). Having an issue with NYTimes update.
No 8107 here yet. 7.10.7720.68. Samsung Focus 1st Gen. Only official updates here. Noticed recently marketplace updates are not as prevalent as they were a few weeks ago. Now what do I do?
Yeah good luck getting AT&T to update phones… they’re very unreliable to the point it seems to me that they just don’t care. They get the phones into the users hands and after that they don’t care update updates or fixing anything…
I’m past due to renew my contract with them, my contract expired and I’m just letting it go for now as I don’t know what I’m going to do. Out of three companies I’ve tried AT&T is the only one where I can reliably get calls in my house so I think I may be stuck with them sadly. I just don’t like how they treat their customers, once you get the phone it ends there it seems.
When I had my Samsung Captivate it took what a year to get the latest update for it after it was actually released? It’s just sickening, I’m to the point where I think it would be better to just buy the phone outright and unlocked unbranded and pop my sim into it then I can get updates directly from the MFG and not have to worry about AT&T bloatware crap either. I’ve got three kids though so spending several hundred dollars on a phone isn’t exactly in my budget though, so I guess I’m stuck.
I agree the security certificates were supposed to be for something else, but I just installed NY Times and WhatsApp on my 8107 Surround without any issues. Can’t get to the WhatsApp settings screen without giving them my cell number (they ain’t gettin’ it) but the NY Times app is Ver 2.2, the same version listed in Marketplace. So unless Microsoft rolled these three apps back (including Translator) then I can install these apps on a Gen1, post Mango device.
Suppose there were different itterations of the 8107 forced update. Got mine using instructions at WPC the night it was announced. I guess 7740 is the update with the certificates. Still seems fishy, although admittedly my theory may be all wet. Need more input.
@Kris: “Out of three companies I’ve tried AT&T is the only one where I can reliably get calls in my house so I think I may be stuck with them sadly.”
That’s pretty much the same boat I’m in.
I’m still running on the laptop, so I’m wireless and have trouble “turning it off” in time to force. My husband has been trying on his desktop with his Focus, but hasn’t had any luck either.
I’m still on 7720 with the Surround, let me try Translator… Nope, 3 tries and all I get is the “Attention required. Tap here” message.
Thanks for that Marti. So I may be on to something here. Have you considered the CAB method for your Surround. That’s what I used and it went very smooth provided you follow the instructions. Not sure if AT&T will everofder another update for our beloved Surrounds.