Re: Microsoft Lumia 950 and 950XL
primortal
Master - Level 1
Verizon HAD to block the 950 and 950XL because of the fact that they are not CDMA phones and they do not include the 700MHz Band 13.

This is a catch-22.  The hardware in the 950/XL fully supports CDMA.  It's uncertain on why Microsoft decided not to pay for the CDMA certification and apply for VZW Open Access Provisions.  Rumor was that VZW wanted to charge Microsoft more for OAP than for other devices.  Another rumor is that VZW wasn't going to sell the devices and Microsoft decided it was to costly to pay for certifications and sell a few amount of devices in their store.

I'm waiting for the Surface Phone next year

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Re: Microsoft Lumia 950 and 950XL
dexman
Community Leader
Community Leader

Verizon Wireless didn't have to block the phones. The phones are incompatible with VZW's network so they would never get onto it in the first place.

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Re: Microsoft Lumia 950 and 950XL
47seijar
Specialist - Level 2

Exactly! it was MICROSOFT that blocked them. Maybe AT&T wangled an exclusive deal. Maybe Verizon wouldn't commit to a minimum number of handsets for Microsoft to get CDMA certification. Whatever the reason, the devices were blocked by MICROSOFT, not Verizon.

If Microsoft was truly serious about making Windows mobile relevant, which it currently is NOT, it seems logical that Microsoft would want their flagship devices in as many customers' hands as possible. Shutting out one of the two biggest carriers in North America is insane if gaining users and marketshare is the goal. Microsoft is huge enough to really get behind a product and push it if they want to. Look what they did with xBox. For the first couple years xBox lost money hand over fist. Microsoft went so far as to buy Bungie to get Halo as an exclusive on their gaming platform. They have no problem spending gobs of money on a product in which they see a future. So why aren't they pushing Windows mobile to the same extent??

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Re: Microsoft Lumia 950 and 950XL
Tidbits
Legend

They will be. They bought Nokia didn't they? I mentioned earlier in this thread. This is what I see.

950/XL are nothing more than a showcase device. They are not spending a lot of resources on it because they needed something to showcase Windows 10. They don't have their Surface Phone ready and they had the 950/XL already on the docket.  Their Surface phone is where they are going to make a big push for market share. Microsoft eluded to a plan and they said themselves this is short term, but they have a long term plan. 950/XL is short term plan, and the Surface Phone is long term. That's their branding and their name they are going to roll forward with much like i(whatever) for Apple, and Nexus for Google.

Oh side note. Digging the 950. Too bad I can only use it at home(when I don't really need a phone). T-Mobile has crap coverage and the only time I use AT&T or Verizon is when at work and traveling. Waiting for the day when I can use one device for all carriers like I do with my Nexus 5X, and my iPhone 6S. It would be easier for me to use my Windows Phones instead of carrying on of the previous mentioned and my 950.

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Re: Microsoft Lumia 950 and 950XL
dexman
Community Leader
Community Leader

Did you get a Continuum interface/dock? If so, how well does it work?

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Re: Microsoft Lumia 950 and 950XL
dexman
Community Leader
Community Leader

But even with at&t, Microsoft is only supplying the 950. The 950XL is not available at at&t stores or T-Mobile. I checked Best Buy and can only find the 950. The XL is unique to Microsoft Stores.

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Re: Microsoft Lumia 950 and 950XL
Tidbits
Legend

Yes I got it, but I haven't used it yet. When I am at home I use my laptop and at work our TV is so old that it doesn't support it. So I been lazy to try it, but I carry it "in case of emergency" type of thing.

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Re: Microsoft Lumia 950 and 950XL
47seijar
Specialist - Level 2

I had both the Lumia 928 and the Icon, both on Verizon. While WP has some glaring omissions, it's a slick and smooth operating system. And they FINALLY have given users the ability to attach files to emails! How does Microsoft, who OWNS the business environment, not have that feature until now??? If Microsoft can sort out the battery issues the 950 will be a serious contender.

As Tidbits said, the 950/950XL is really a placeholder for the upcoming Surface Phone. Microsoft cannot afford to wait for late 2016 to release a high end Windows  phone, but the 950 is not the future. Surface Phone is the future. To stay even somewhat relevant they need a high end device now. But they won't pour the resources into it that you would expect from Microsoft with a true flagship device. That would explain not getting CDMA certification for the 950 even though the bands are there (disabled in the firmware), and why Verizon didn't get the 950.

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