why does verizon cripple phones?

[phoneproblem]

why does verizon cripple bluetooth in all of its phones?

{keep it relevant}

i am trying to solve the following problem: should i or should i not stick with verizon in light of its anti-consumer standpoint?

[phoneproblem]

fyi: this is for a blackberry tour with severely crippled bluetooth

[phoneproblem]

how about answering my question instead of sanitizing my posts?

[TheSpoom]

I'm concerned by this as well.  I was trying a BlackBerry Tour in a Verizon store when my fiancee was getting a new phone (as her previous one has broken).  I noticed, exactly as I expected, that Verizon crippled the bluetooth on it such that you could only use it for headsets and transferring contacts; no picture transfer, no file transfer, none of the features that phones on other networks have built in.

So what of it, Verizon?  You're not presenting a very good case to a potential customer.

{keep it relevant}

[phoneproblem]

exactly! i read somewhere that the get-in-now content providers contract is part of the reason why, but i can't for the life of me get an honest answer out of verizon. there are international standards in place for a reason, and when those standards are broken, people get very confused.

i wanted to transfer four pictures from my tour to my desktop. here is the procedure with broken (let's call it what it is) bluetooth:

1. remove battery cover

2. remove memory card

3. insert memory card into memory card adapter

4. insert memory card adapter into card reader

5. find files on card

6. copy files from card to desktop

7. remove adapter from card reader

8. remove card from adapter

9. insert card into phone

10. replace battery cover

here's how it is done when bluetooth is not broken and the bluetooth partnership has been previously configured:

1. on desktop, initiate connection to phone

2. find files on phone

3. copy files from phone to desktop

so there is the applicable procedure to transfer files from your tour to your desktop, verizon-style.

{keep it relevant}

[Coachbulldog]

I am a BlackBerry Curve user and everytime someone brings up Verizon "crippling phones" bluetooth is the first, almost only, item mentioned. I believe we can stipulate that Verizon cripples the bluetooth function on BlackBerry handsets. My question is this, what other features does Verizon "cripple"? I have been using my Curve for several months now and haven't found anything else I want to do on my phone that I cannot.

[phoneproblem]

GPS is often crippled. they went through a class action lawsuit recently in california.

i could use the USB cable but that would defeat the purpose of bluetooth, had verizon not defeated it first.

forgot to mention tethering as well. did you know windows mobile phones and blackberry devices all come standard with tethering capability, but verizon removes it, then sells it back to you in the form of vzaccess?

[phoneproblem]

---

Coachbulldog wrote:

I am a BlackBerry Curve user and everytime someone brings up Verizon "crippling phones" bluetooth is the first, almost only, item mentioned. I believe we can stipulate that Verizon cripples the bluetooth function on BlackBerry handsets. My question is this, what other features does Verizon "cripple"? I have been using my Curve for several months now and haven't found anything else I want to do on my phone that I cannot.

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congratulations! i'm glad that you are happy with your phone!

however, i'm not you and i use my phone in different ways than you do. so saying that there isn't anything else on your phone that you want to use that is currently crippled is comparing apples and oranges.

[Coachbulldog]

congratulations! i'm glad that you are happy with your phone! ... however, i'm not you and i use my phone in different ways than you do. so saying that there isn't anything else on your phone that you want to use that is currently crippled is comparing apples and oranges.

I'm sorry if my post came across like I was being critical of those that say Verizon cripples phones. My question was sincere, I really wanted to know. Until I started reading forums like this I had no idea that Verizon limited the functions of their phones.

[SaNDman]

I still think it depends on what type phone you have,  as well as the plans you have. Same with all the carriers, if only basic calling and voice mail. Even a "certain smartphone," only now comes out with MMS service because people asked or demanded to have it. Not the "carriers" fault, but the device manufacture?? 

[XtremeBerry]

The two major factors of "crippling" have always been GPS and WIFi. Both of these are now mandated from VZ to be included, thats why all (most) of the new phone models will end in 50.

[applepiter]

you are wrong, there are not two major factores for crippling phones, there is only one GREED. i hear a lot of you people saying the storm and tour have open gps recievers, i can assure you they dont, you can download and use any mapping svs

from any app, but only a vzw approved app will allow you full access (the ability to locate your position). and there isnt any vzw approved apps that gives you anything for free that vzw sells. vzw says that it is a quality control issue, but it isnt, its all about the bottom line, thats how they get away with it.

[SaNDman]

I don't think it's about "greed!" All the carriers are same,  (Blackberry data plans unlimited.)  Depends on phones and voice plan!

[XtremeBerry]

No I am not wrong! There are two types of crippling on CDMA blackberries and both of those issues are being rectified on new blackberries.  What the problem is third party software not always working correct with every phone and ever changing OS's.What model do you have Applepiter?

[applepiter]

i have a brand new bb tour, and it is crippled! i called 611 and spoke to a rep and tech support, and was told that the only app that will allow my gps to be located is a VZW approved app! OK, what phone do you have(does not matter), please try this...

go to Amaze.com, download the free app, see if it will locate you (let my know). you may have downloaded an app like google maps, and it works prefictly, i agree it does, only because its not voice nav.... you already have bb maps, so an app like googles does not threaten vzws ten dollar a month vz nav. i dont think you understand what is going on, just because vzw is claiming that they have unlocked there gps recievers, they are backdooring us by only approving apps that are not in direct compatition with there pay apps. i dont want to be rude, and dont get me wrong, i think vzw is a good company and offers a reliable svs, but they are unequivetly crippling your phones abilitys and your ability to make choices for your self.

[applepiter]

OK...... i am FED UP, the posters b4 me say, dont leave, band together, maybe we can change things..... I AGREE.....

 now lets hear some suggestions on what we can possibley do. if they throw me off this  post sight for suggesting this, as they have the right to do. {edit}.

[StreetDocRN]

Hi,

Ok, I've been watching this thread for a few days now and have carefully thought out my response.  As a Tour owner on Verizon, I love the GPS feature.  I agree with the person who started this thread that, not just Verizon, but many of the Blackberry providers block the GPS function from unapproved apps and it can be frustrating.  Each person has their own need for certain types of GPS apps for driving, biking, hiking, even golfing.  Blocking of unapproved GPS apps should be a disclaimer in the advertisment of the device you are wanting to purchase. 

However, leading up to answer the question, "Why does Verizon cripple phones," there are a couple of good ones.  First, Verizon is protecting their network from any type of app which may affect the network.  Next, Verizon wants to make sure that an app has gone through rigorous testing to make sure it performs well for its customers.  Last, Verizon wants to be able to provide technical help if the user should need it.  3rd Party GPS apps spring up at least one or two every month.  Some might be great apps and there is a proceedure for getting that app approved for use on the network.  It is a long process but worth it to get a great app for the end-user to use.  I totally understand about free apps Vs paid apps.  I work hard for my money and if something free works just as good as something you pay for...hey...I'm all for the free one.  An example of this would be Google Maps. 

Don't blame Verizon or any other major provider for looking out for the customer.  Blocking certain apps is done by them with good intentions.  Thanks for letting me put in my opinion. 

Doc

[applepiter]

to streetdocrn,

ive seen lots of your posts, and you seem to me to be a good guy, articulate and have a lot of common sense, honestly- do you beleve that the only apps that vzw deems worthy of approval just happen to be the ones that dont conflict with there pay per month apps? there are tuns of free voice nav apps on the market and none(zero) are approved. do you really think vzw is looking out for our best intrests, or there own. plus if they did not have an approval process, and allowed us to use the apps we wanted to, we would go to the app provider for tech assistence not vzw,and we are paying for unlimited data, so if an app used lots of data, so what, were already paying for it. i would gladly trade off unlimited  data for a pay per use plan, with a wifi bb. and your right its not just vzw, its all the major carriers. we are in a mirrored room fulled with smoke.

[StreetDocRN]

Hi

I am also a Tour owner.  I downloaded the amazegps app and it works great.  Found my location with no problem.  I downloaded the app from my Tour's browser and there was a link for Verizon phones to use.  Anyways, it works on the Tour.  I'll mess around with it for a few days and see how well it functions and let you know.

Doc

[SaNDman]

I don't know about Tour, but you're wrong about Verizon "crippling" Bluetooth. Sure Verizon may only support Bluetooth on headsets, but it really depends on the phone you have. Some, but not all phones can Bluetooth media and etc., back and forth to each other. (Same with all carriers!)  I successfully  Bluetooth pictures to several of my friend's non-smart phones, and they were with other networks! I admit failed to Bluetooth to some friend's Verizon phones, but they have MMS packages.   

[basspro]

Verizon is anti-consumer?  {keep it courteous}Bluetooth isn't the only way to transfer. If you are so convinced that VZW is anti-consumer, go with another carrier.

Have you seen the USB cable that came with your Tour? There is no need to remove the card.