Why did Verizon disable the FM radio hardware with the Marshmallow update?

[AeroBuff99]

Both Next Radio App and the stock HTC FM Radio app no longer function after Marshmallow update.

[SJUncleDave]

+1, Why was this disabled (NextRadio tech support confirms)? This is a safety feature on our handsets and paid for in the cost of the handset too. Verizon needs to face litigation for removing the FM features from phones. Please add the support back.

[WantMyRadio]

My M8 was updated yesterday and Next Radio 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 to...its not like Verizon could sue for breach of contract under the circumstances.

Please fix IMMEDIATELY

[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.

[SJUncleDave]

NextRadio said to me:

Developer response:

Hi Dave,  HTC included support for NextRadio in the M8’s stock firmware, making it one of the few phones that support NextRadio regardless of carrier.  Unfortunately, when your carrier pushed the update to Marshmallow, the necessary system files that NextRadio needs in order to use the FM chip were not included. There is no way to add them back.

[DontBeEvilVzn]

I'm going to, perhaps naively, assume that this was an oversight by Verizon and not some ploy to disable features of my device.  Until it is fixed, are there methods to uninstall Marshmallow?

[Dnk21]

Truly despicable verizon, shame on you!!! 

MM was a downgrade IMO

Your company needs to address this at once.

FM tuner capability was the main reason I returned a samsung phone for this HTC one.

Even the cute little HTC incredible 2 had the ability to plug in head phones and listen to local FM stations.

If this was done in an attempt to steer us towards using more data, then verizon is even more pathetic than advertised.

BTW, an upgrade doesn't take features on our devices away.

[Jimjam13]

I agree. FM radio was the most used app on my phone.  What the h   is up with having it disabled.

[Tidbits · Accepted solution]

The FCC did not approve of the Verizon variant to have FM radio. HTC removed it because of it. If you have problems with that take it up with how the FCC regulate things.

An example of it happening outside of this. Nexus 4 and LTE. It was never approved and Google removed it in an update.