Quote:
Originally Posted by Mutiny32
EXCELLENT information!
This issue brings something to mind about a similar issue where Verizon got caught disabling bluetooth features on their phones through the software. As I recall, the FCC didn't like this and they were also hit with a class-action lawsuit and lost. It was only a partial block of features, but an intentional and un-needed feature nonetheless. They had to pay hefty fines as well as not block certain bluetooth features on any phones in the future & make a software update available to all users of existing phones in which the block was in place.
Since it is known and advertised that the BCM4325 does Bluetooth 2.1+EDR (3.0 in the future), WiFi, and FM radio, we can file complaint. Especially since there is no FCC restriction on the use of FM radio in conjunction with Bluetooth, CDMA, or WiFi technologies in the US. To further strengthen this, the GSM (actually it does WCDMA through UMTS, which is CDMA as well) handsets sold in the US through other carriers have this capability. When you install the HTC FM radio cab on a CDMA device, the hardware is active, but there is a software disconnect somewhere. You can tell when you plug in headphone/antennas and it is detected. To take it even further, the registry for both the Sprint and Verizon phones have several references to init strings that appear to have missing key values to allow for complete functionality of the FM radio.
I'm not going to give Sprint, Verizon, or HTC any warning. They've all been asked and it's comes down to corporate marketing to discourage competition with their own OTA pay music services. I'm filing a FCC complaint and a complaint with the Kansas/Missouri Attourney Generals' Offices. I encourage you to do the same. I'm not sure if it falls under trade secret, but since Broadcom has released the source code for this chip, it is no longer under NDA or trade secret. I've had it with tech companies intentionally crippling hardware to force you to purchase something that would otherwise be free.
Since the FCC is currently investigating Apple/AT&T for disallowing Google Voice applications on its store because it would allow for cheaper competition, I'd say HTC/Sprint/Verizon might want to just appease us and turn bad press into great press.
Excuse me, a nerve just got struck. I've got so many devices that I am paying for that are capable of so much more and yet the provider chooses to block it with software to force me to pay for a service or feature that would otherwise be free to me. But I am filing the complaints.
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Well there is more than meets the eye. Not just verizon but all phone companies are doing this and it needs to be stopped. I absolutely hate them all. I really hope the FCC regulates everything... even down to when their "Marketing team" takes a restroom break.
I know an alltel/verizon employee. They hate em too. They criticized Alltel and everything it did along w/ att. I wish i could talk to some of their hire ups and give em a piece of my mind. I'm not sure about how att and everyone else operates but to me Verizon is the biggest stinch as far as carriers.
They screwed over alot of people just to get them to swich from alltel plans to verizon plans. Anything and everything they could think off. ( I know other cases of this than mine) They didnt respect my old alltel 1 yr warranty well so a rep said. He also i could always upgrade to a verizon plan and get a new phone w/ a contract. I left. (thank god i know an alltel employee). I got some kids in trouble but idk. The whole way they operate is pathetic.
Back to the quote. I would love to file a complaint
