Marshmallow OTA seems to have disabled M8 FM Radio

My M8 was updated yesterday and my FM radio (via the Next Radio app) no longer works. I've spent an hour on the phone with Verizon and HTC and both claim that the update doesn't state that it removes FM support but EVERY piece of evidence suggests it did.

Verizon, I purchased this phone BECAUSE it had an FM radio. You have stolen that feature from me. Essentially this is like you coming into my house and taking my radio. I am SO SO SO SO angry about this. Its not just unethical and wasteful (stream takes more energy than FM) but it prevents me from accessing important safety information when I'm in the field without taking another device.

Next steps if the feature is not reactivated:

1) Report Verizon to the police for theft. Yes, it seems weird at first, but think about it...that's what it is.

2) Report Verizon to the FTC

3) Drop my Verizon coverage and go to another carrier. I might refuse to pay the balance on the phone too...its not like Verizon could sue for breach of contract under the circumstances.

If others all do the same perhaps Verizon will stop this type of borderline criminal activity.

Please fix IMMEDIATELY

Accepted answers

Tidbits

The phone was never advertised to have FM radio. The FCC didn't even approve the Verizon version to use FM radio. You can try and use your options but Verizon will win it's case against you.

All comments

RushFan2112

Did you get with the NextRadio app folks and ask if their software needs to be updated so the M8 on Marshmallow is supported? It's likely they haven't updated to work with that phone, especially if HTC and Verizon say the FM radio was not disabled.

Tidbits

The phone was never advertised to have FM radio. The FCC didn't even approve the Verizon version to use FM radio. You can try and use your options but Verizon will win it's case against you.

Tidbits

FTC won't bat an eye. You can use option 3 but collections and credit hit will happen and Verizon would be in the right.

WantMyRadio

To save others the time I have a definitive answer from Next Radio:

"We've seen this same complaint from other M8 users on Verizon.

In addition to the FM chip being physically enabled, NextRadio needs a software library included in the operating system in order to control the FM chip. The HTC One M8 had NextRadio support added by HTC at the time of manufacture, making it one of the few phones that support NextRadio regardless of carrier. Unfortunately, when Verizon pushed the update to Marshmallow, the software library is no longer present. There is no way to add it back. I'm sorry for the bad news!

Our goal is to get every phone carrier and manufacturer to unlock the FM chip in all phones in the US. Check out the following website to find out how you can contact Verizon and encourage them to unlock FM. Thanks for your interest in NextRadio!

http://freeradioonmyphone.org/take-action"

So yes, Verizon has disabled the radio which was a feature I purchased the phone for.

Tidbits

No they did not. FCC filing show it was never intended to work. HTC HAD to remove it or else be fined by the FCC. Look at Nexus 4 with LTE as an example and Google removed LTE sub libraries for the EXACT same reasons. Best of luck to you. Verizon didn't remove it.

WantMyRadio

The FM radio is an advertised and reviewed feature on the HTC website. Verizon makes NO MENTION of the fact that they have any right to disable it. Their behavior is disgraceful.

[removal required by the Verizon Wireless Terms of Service]

WantMyRadio

Tidbits: Who the [removal required by the Verizon Wireless Terms of Service] are you?

It was KNOWN to support FM:

Supported Devices - NextRadio

It did work and Verizon DID disable it yesterday. For some reason you are supporting monopoly behavior. [removed]?

IT DOES WORK ON ATT AND T-MOBILE AFTER THE MARSHMALLOW UPDATE so the your comments about the FCC are total [removed] since its the exact same phone except for the firmware.

From Next Radio (the only party who are actually helpful):

[Removal required by the Verizon Wireless Terms of Service]

Tidbits

It was NEVER advertised for the Verizon version. FCC filings WHICH MATTERS shows that it doesn't have FM radio support. Like I said Google went through the same thing with LTE on the Nexus 4, and Google removed said files.

Facts are the facts... Complain all you want, but that's how it works. FYI Verizon or any carrier for that matter pay me. When you say things like that then you realize I am correct so you have to use that response because you have nothing else.

Nexus 4 factory images removed from Google download siteIt seems the Nexus 4…

http://www.androidheadlines.com/2013/02/lte-support-on-the-nexus-4-removed-with-android-4-2-2-update.html

http://pocketnow.com/2012/12/12/google-killing-nexus-4-lte

So complain all you want, and the FCC filings will help Verizon win it's case and also show that HTC is the one that removed it as it was never supports in the first place. Best of luck to you.

Dnk21

Frustrating to say the least.

FM tuner was one of the main reasons I went with this phone, and funny that it worked just fine before the update. Worked awesome with my Sirius FM transmitter for Sat radio in the boat. [Removal required by the ] . Verizon is likely culpable for this, and thankfully I have fulfilled my contract and will be seeking a new carrier. Despicable Verizon

chiliff45

I contacted HTC via the website chat option and the representative I spoke to stated that Verizon intentionally disabled the FM tuner functionality with the Marshmallow update. Verizon continues to deny this...they originally stated they have no control over the software and HTC did it. Now they're telling me Google is responsible.

I tweeted that HTC threw VZW under the bus by confirming VZW disabled the FM tuner and a separate HTC representative confirmed Verizon did so intentionally. I continue to chat and call Verizon demanding action. They continue to deny they are responsible. I will continue to bother them, escalating my requests, asking to speak to supervisors, and generally wasting their time until this issue is corrected.

I urge you to call Verizon and demand they restore the functionality. Don't take no for an answer. I also urge you to take to social media calling out Verizon for this shady business tactics, flat out lying to their customers and generally being scumbags.

Tidbits

chiliff45 wrote:

I contacted HTC via the website chat option and the representative I spoke to stated that Verizon intentionally disabled the FM tuner functionality with the Marshmallow update. Verizon continues to deny this...they originally stated they have no control over the software and HTC did it. Now they're telling me Google is responsible.

I tweeted that HTC threw VZW under the bus by confirming VZW disabled the FM tuner and a separate HTC representative confirmed Verizon did so intentionally. I continue to chat and call Verizon demanding action. They continue to deny they are responsible. I will continue to bother them, escalating my requests, asking to speak to supervisors, and generally wasting their time until this issue is corrected.

I urge you to call Verizon and demand they restore the functionality. Don't take no for an answer. I also urge you to take to social media calling out Verizon for this shady business tactics, flat out lying to their customers and generally being scumbags.

Tell them you want the FCC documents showing it was allowed to be enabled. If they are not willing to do that then you tell them they are lying. If the FCC documents say no FM radio then it's no FM radio or legal action and fines can be placed on HTC. So your urging has no merit against Verizon because the regulations and laws dictate it. If you got a problem with it then you need HTC to get FCC licensing to allow it and then put it back. Without it then you will never get FM radio which you shouldn't have had in the first place.

Also those reps you talked to are bottom of the barrel and will say whatever to get you off the phone. So unless they are willing to give you documentation treat what they say with a grain of salt as the computers in front of them would never give the information you are asking for.

chiliff45

Like this FCC approval record? FCC ID NM80P6B120 by HTC Corporation for Smartphone

The device was designed with an FM radio receiver. The feature was documented in the user manual. The FCC was well aware of the functionality and approved the device.

Tidbits

I see no testing for FM radio in that, and approval. You may be mixing it with OTHER HTC One devices. These testings are NOT for all devices but specific devices.

Show me exactly the papers specifically for the Verizon version and approval.