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Not all S4s are created equal....Thanks VZW

I am sure many of you have already read about this, but it is just so frustrating without explaination. Apparently VZW decided to remove some really cool features like BLOCK (just like the sleep function in iPhone, keeps notifications from posting during certain hours). Secondly there is a key missing app Optical Reader, this is just like google glasses, but slightly more integrated. Samsung says they are on the phone, but blocked by VZW software. I guess there are options for other apps from the store to get these similar features, but what is the point of spending 200+ on something that is not equal to counterparts on the market?

I am wondering in legal terms if this is a false advertising issue. I dont see how Samsung can promote these features on their site and in commercials, then VZW removes it WITHOUT notification prior to purchase. Anyone out there feeling my pain? Can we get an answer from VZW on this?

Comments

shimey

I heard these rumblings too, which really didnt make me happy. I would love to see an official statement from VZW.

whyregister_

I too would like to know.

BakerGeckos

This is a community run forum chances are you will not get a official response here....

japetty

Very slim to no chance of that happening

MikeG77

Simple answer is NO. Its pretty funny that Verizon has been taken to court and lost on a few occassions and still continues to cripple, block or remove features from a phone. Don't get me wrong all the carriers make changes to devices but Verizon is by far the worse in regards to software and there awful branding. Verizon blocked Google Wallet which is a free app saying it was a security issue which was complete BS. There exscuse was that it was accessing a secure part of the device and yet there up and coming competing service ISIS does the same thing. If thats not an anti-competative practice i don't know what is.

Next time your ready to buy a new device take a look at all the major phone sites like phonearena, droid-life, engadget, phonedog and pocketnow. They usually go through and explain the physical, software differances and what to be mindful of when buying a certain device which would have spared you the frustration. Just remember wether buying a cell phone or a car.........caveat emptor!

unknown

You see the difference is Apple iphones are fully controlled by Apple Inc. Verizon cannot alter them in anyway.

If more manufacturers made the sale of their phones contingent on the cell carriers not having access to the operating systems and that Samsung and other companies with popular sales figures of these devices could say Verizon, Sprint or T-Mobile this is the device you buy it as is, and we will make the updates etc. for it and that you have no right to tinker with it, would be a better way to go than having Verizon and others hold the customers hostage for these devices.

Verizon should just be the service provider, they should have no say on how the phone functions or of the features it uses.

We are paying customers for service and connectivity but have allowed the carriers to cripple the devices at the cost of the subscriber.

E5Destroyer

I just signed a Verizon contract and got a S$ about 8 days ago.Yall got me a little worried. I use to have STRAIGHT TALK> It had unlimited text, talk and data.

I figured Verizon would be better. But from what I am seeing it is not. Data prices and now this stuff with the S4...yikes....

MikeG77

Looking strictly at a service standpoint Verizon is the best in my opinion BUT it has areas they can def improve upon. If you dont mind me asking why did you leave straight talk and how much more are you paying for Verizon? I don't think 8 days is enough time to really evaluate Verizon and it was not my intent to worry you.

MikeG77

I agree with your statement about Verizon sticking to providing just service BUT Samsung HTC, Apple etc etc need the carrieres more than they carriers need them.

unknown

Actually AT&T opened the door and negotiated to have the top selling phone on Apples terms. Every other carrier was chomping at the bit because they wanted to cash in on it. When Verizon got the right to carry it (you see verizon needed Apple more than Apple needed verizon) the other carriers Sprint and T-Mobile jumped through hoops to carry the iphone under Apples conditions as well. Apple has the top selling phone the carriers know that.

in so doing Apples conditions the updates and the real repairs being controlled by Apple. Also verizon and the other carriers can not mess with the phone nor place bloatware or branding on the phones.

If Samsungs 4s gets as many sales ir the HTC 1 is a top seller they could have made the same conditions but they don't sell as well so they cannot.

MikeG77

I am well aware that Verizon was offered the iPhone first BUT it was only because Verizon wanted too much control and At&t was willing to bend over and agree to Apple's terms. Now in regards to Verizon needing Apple more im going to disagree because Verizon makes money on the service and not as much on the device. From a carrier standpoint the iPhone is not a good deal as it costs the carriers more money to have the device on there network but they make up for it in there increased # of customers. so in a way its a loss leader. Apple makes the most money per phone then any other manufacturer and they make a ton of money on the App Store so they are doing a lot better than the carriers.

Between the 2 HTC would never ever be in a position to make such demands as they don't have the manufacturing capacity or the buying power to match Apple or Samsung in sales.

E5Destroyer

2 reasons I lef Straight TALk:

1. CS do not speak english.

2. Bad phone reception even though I was using Verizon towers.

Those were the 2 main reasons.

I was paying about $98 for 2 phones. Unlimited text, talk and data.

Now I am paying around $145 I think for Unlimited text and talk and 2gb data.

A major loss when it comes to data. I almost went with another provider over Verizon because of the DATA. It really sucks that data costs what it does when 1/2 the apps run off data. Heck I just found out today my GARMIN GPS when it is synced via bluetooth to my phone has some pretty nifty stuff such as finding gas prices, traffic and other things. But I think it uses data also. I got no idea how far 2gb of data goes. I am sure it will take me a few months to see.

SuperSamGalaxy

Yes, they did remove blocking mode. Unfortunately, blocking mode is turned on on my S4. I did not turn it on, as no option exists that allows me to. But I can't turn it off either. My phone is silent after 10, whether I like it or not, and that kind of sucks.

WilburPJohnson

Sign me up in the lawsuit. Defiantly false advertising. Even their own reps are not aware of it missing. Verizons customer service gave me Samsung's phone # because they could not find info on it and the guys in the Verizon store (who told me about the OR feature prior to buying it) were stumped when I took it back to have them show me how it works. I think there are other apps that are missing too just not sure yet. I did not know the OR was missing until I tried to use it.

angel4451

I spoke with Verizon the other day, and accused them of Bait and Switch. The store models had the "blocking mode" and wireless timing on their phones. In fact, when I brought my phone home it was on there, and then overnight, when the OTA happened it was gone. The rep said they are restoring in a future update. I said this is ridiculous, because you are taking away functions that I like.

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