I have to believe there is something going on behind the scenes with the ATT devices, Samsung Focus, LG Quantum, and HTC Surround. Eric Hautala has updated the Windows Phone Blog this morning stating, “We’re eager to share progress. But these tests are important, and they’re just not quite done. I expect to have more to say soon—so please stay tuned. “

At this point in the game, if they were truly expected to be done in the next few days originally (the 15th marks the second half of the month in my book) they would have a new estimated complete date they could share. I really think there is something going on with firmware testing on these devices that makes them unique compared to the others. Maybe there is a fix for the SD Card issues on the Focus. Perhaps ATT is increasing 3G network speed with a new firmware. It’s all conjecture, but there has to be something special about these devices. Whether it’s good special or bad special I can’t say. Regardless, Microsoft should be giving some insight to the hold up. It would be the right thing to do. But if this isn’t resolved in the next few days, then I expect to see a Where is my Mango update chart added to the “Where is my update page” with the status of “testing” right now. At this rate they’ll have to start in April if they plan to get Mango out before end of 2011.

I still love the platform, I still encourage others to get it, but it’s like having the realization that one of your childhood heroes isn’t the class act you once thought he was. Very disappointing.

On a happier note, Microsoft has added a new Update Central with resources on the update process. It’s a welcome addition to their communication, but not the detail I and many others desire.

Source: Windows Phone Blog

So it is 7 days into April and many still have not had the NODO “February” update pushed to their WP7 devices. It’s been a long wait, and many of the more technical savvy have turned to some really incredible homebrew solutions to bypass the wait and get the update early. Microsoft’s Eric Hautala says if you do this, “your phone might get misconfigured and not receive future updates.” I’m being patient, there is a lot going on in my life at the moment that has taken priority over the blog, but I’m still eager and still waiting and when it is finally pushed to me by ATT I hope to hear news that some of the rumored special “fixes” for the Samsung devices will be coupled with it. I’ll describe that in detail when it happens.

I really do believe Microsoft is trying to communicate better. Over the past year I’ve been very impressed by the amazing support via Twitter for many of their products including Zune, XBox, and Office. Their podcasts (Windows Phone Radio & Zune Insider), although surprisingly “non-corporate”, not only give a glimpse of what it’s like inside the “big M” but also share nuggets of information you just don’t get elsewhere. These are examples of communication from a large company that i’ve really never seen before, and to give Microsoft credit, it truly is communication; back and forth. I personally have conversed via every one of these channels with those at Microsoft. It’s refreshing and they deserve kudos for it.

Conversely the blogs, in particular the Windows Phone Blog, is definitely not as refreshing as the methods listed above. It’s still too corporate, and I’m sure that intentional, but because of that fact the communication is stale and lacking. As I posted previously, the NoDo update was to begin rolling out to handsets yesterday. As more information trickled out it became obvious there was going to be a wait for many to receive the update. The interwebs exploded with “when will I get my update?” questions and ” I haven’t seen NoDo” yet statements. People, including myself, wanted to know where their update was.

So today, in response to the questions, Microsoft posted an update to their Windows Phone Blog providing some information on what to expect. Not surprisingly waiting is part of the answer. But I don’t want to dwell on that. They also provided a chart showing in what stage the update is in depending on the device. Again, expect to wait. It’s a good first step Microsoft, but you can do better. Be proactive!

So I turn my attention to the carriers, who most suspect to be the true culprits here. What can we, as consumers do about their involvement? Not a whole lot, but not nothing. I propose a CALL TO ACTION. I strongly consider you tweet one or both of the following to your carrier daily and follow through on the action. Maybe we can make a difference, at least it’s better than just complaining and waiting.

• Until NoDo is offered by your carrier, cut back on unnecessary expenditures that benefit them. The first thing that pops in my head are text messages. Eliminate them, you have a data plan, send an email instead!

“@windowsphone @att I wont send or respond to text messages until #nodo is delivered to my device #NODOUGHTILLNODO #WP7 http://bit.ly/fYzp1K“

• Take the high road, since most of the devices are currently in the testing phase, maybe the carriers truly don’t have the resources to test this massive update (sarcasm), lets offer to help them out and expedite the process.

“@windowsphone @att I offer to assist in the testing of #NODO in order to expedite its release #WILLWORKFORNODO #WP7 http://bit.ly/fYzp1K“

For those who believe this is a fruitless effort or all hope is lost for Windows Phone, let me remind you of some very deep words…

“You can’t give up hope just because it’s hopeless. You have to hope even harder, cover your ears, and go ‘blah blah blah blah blah!” – Fry, Futurama

The first major update to the Windows Phone 7 is reportedly being rolled out to carrier startings on 3/22/2011. Yet it appears, according to Mary Jo Foley at CNET, that some phones may not see the update for weeks. http://zd.net/g2EKCY

Overall, this coupled with the announcement of new phones across the different carriers is good news, but for those, like myself, who are actively watching and waiting it is again a disappointment.

Complaining will do us little good, so lets prepare. For those of you waiting for the update it will be good to familiarize yourself with the changes included in this update and also the update process itself. It is important to note that you cannot initiate the update yourself, you have to wait till your carrier makes it available to your phone. You will be notified on the phone, and also in the Zune software/ Mac Connector if you check for updates there. I will document in detail the update process when I get the notification and post that on mwgeek.

• NoDo update change log
• How do I update my phone software?