KDL-75W855C Oreo upgrade

[ykodryn]

So 2015 android tv series like KDLW800C  get oreo and security updates but my 4000 euro tv KDL-75W855C also from 2015 is not getting it. So sony you sell garbage to east europe ?

[rooobb]

Where did you see that W800C got an Oreo update in europe?

[ykodryn]

For 850C is already released in asia pacific and usa from june. As stated in Sony.com Applicable products for 2015 KDL models are: KDL-**W850C / **W800C so 855 is included or not? Logically the naming should be like this:  KDL-**W8**C

And yes I`m upset because for a 4000eur tv I have to many bugs (app crash, home screen going grey, random reboots) still we don`t have pvr (what? my 200eurt kitchen tv has this already) and top of the cherry... no updates.

[rooobb]

In the us there are different models and naming conventions.  In any case the deploy for European countries has not been confirmed and could not happen at all

[ykodryn]

Auch so sony may ***** on european citizens who bought their tv series?

[Win_88]

Hi @ykodryn

No one said anything about Sony neglecting any customers. Different regions have different regulations and service and therefore, a different update schedule. It's just how things are/

Win_88

[ykodryn]

A reply from sony on my email states otherwise: "Additionally, you may check below the list of the European TVs that are compatible with the Oreo software: Starting from 2016 models onward" 

None said that "be patient please, sooner or later this update will arrive in europe". So asia, usa get the 2015 update but europe a big fu.

[headnail]

I currently own a Sony (W805C), a Samsung (2016) and an LG (2020), the latter two receive regular updates as they are released world wide.

The only hardware difference that I can assume exists between regions for the W800C/W805C (I am no expert) are perhaps that the tuners are different for different regions, with the underlying hardware platform (SoC/RAM etc.) being identical - thus no apparent technical hurdle to roll out Oreo for European models.

I really doubt regulations could be an issue (GDPR??) with regards to firmware updates, at the end of the day Sony is still selling TVs in Europe with Android TV, therefore any regulatory requirements must have been met (and firmware changes can be back ported).

I can see how some "services" might be an issue for propitiatory platforms (webOS/Tizen), however given that the platform in question is Android TV I fail to see how apps (services) can be the issue. Even if this is the case I believe users should be given the choice to forego any problematic services/"features" and opt for an updated and more secure operating system on their TV - if need be explicitly agreeing (as to avoid any future support requests to Sony regarding missing services).

In the grand scheme of things, I can appreciate that likely very few Sony customers will be upset due to the lack Oreo update for their sets - Sony accomplished their marketing goal - they pitched a Smart/Android TV to the potential customer and he/she chose Sony over a competing brand.

The few that are unhappy however might decide to migrate to a different TV manufacturer next time around...I'm sure Sony have in some manner factored this into their decision making process (cost/benefit) analysis, so no big loss for them there....

When I bought my Sony back in the day Android TV, whilst not the main key selling point, was a factor, however given that I assume I paid a premium for it, as opposed to a "dumb" W805C I, as a customer, expect support identical to at least other countries with regards to firmware support, otherwise I am left with a slightly "discriminatory" aftertaste (hmmm....).

At the cost of a slight inconvenience and limited expenses (say 50 euro for a google chrome cast with google tv) I can afford to completely disconnect the (potentially insecure) W805C from my network  and have Android TV 9...however when time came for an OLED purchase, I went with LG given that I considered Sony's offering as "a potential monitor with speakers at a premium price" and focused mainly on the technical aspects of the TV (i.e. input lag, etc.)

Don't get me wrong, I am still quite happy with the picture quality of the W805C, but then again the same can be said about my old 2009 Samsung as well...

[ykodryn]

Yeah I was thinking at LG for next tv. I already have one, is not android but at least I have pvr. One cutomer leaving from here, one from there I hope sony can`t go and sink like titanic. Thank you for reply and have a nice day.

[Win_88]

@headnail

You make very good points, but if the updates was really a few simple amendments away from being tailored to other regions, I don't think Sony would've even let there be a gap wide enough between releases for users to even think about it. Whatever it is, there must be a reason updates are on different schedules.

@ykodryn

I don't remember an instance where an update was only released in one region but not the other. No matter how long the gap is, updates are usually released. Especially if no major issues appeared after the update is released in whatever region first.

Win_88