Bad feeling about Verizon's next Droid update

[superdesi]

I have a really bad feeling that Verizon's rumored update (coming next month) is going to remove Droid's tethering capability. Which means that PDAnet and other programs of the like wont work and that users will be forced to pay $5 extra per month for tethering while using a crappy Verizon program. I guess from Verizon's perspective its a deal but as a user with a smartphone that has the innate capability to tether, thats just not fair. What do you guys think?

 

[mazz0310]

Why do you say that? Windows Mobile and blackberry have had it since I can remember and Verizon hasn't done anything about them. I dont think they can.

 

[tman065]

If I ran VZW, I'd try to maximize my profit. That's why I'd be in business...to make money for me.

 

[glitch32]

I have a really bad feeling that Verizon's rumored update (coming next month) is going to remove Droid's tethering capability. Which means that PDAnet and other programs of the like wont work and that users will be forced to pay $5 extra per month for tethering while using a crappy Verizon program. I guess from Verizon's perspective its a deal but as a user with a smartphone that has the innate capability to tether, thats just not fair. What do you guys think?

Well, I thought they had an unlimited 5GB plan lol! So either way you're using the data, there's a point when it will either get throttled or charged extra for (I'm not sure which one Verizon does).

 

[joneee]

Doesn't Verizon offer tethering for a small fee? I know that they don't allow you to tether without paying for their tethering plan. Blackberry has this app that allows you to tether without paying for the plan, but Verizon can catch you and charge you a fine or void your contract I believe.

 

[chrlswltrs]

There will be ways around it. AT&T still does not allow tethering the iPhone 3GS, but mine was jailbroken and I was tethering the whole time I had the phone. Any phone company wants to find ways to justify nickel and diming their customers but if you really want to tether without paying for it, there will always be ways to do it if you are willing to do a little work for it.

 

[superdesi]

heres a link stating VZW subscribed tethering coming to droid for an additional $30 month... That means you pay $60 for two data plans if you want to you your phone on the VZW network by itself and tethered.... Verizon Droid Tethering Will Cost You - PC World Business Center

 

[superdesi]

verizon already has a tethering plan? I guess I was unaware of that. But i still think that the next VZW update might block out 3rd party tethering apps, though I'm not sure if that is even possible.

 

[boycan]

Verizon does not offer tethering for the Droid yet but they claim they will be soon. I think it is a software issue because the sofware I have from my Q9c does not recognize the Droid. I think google is going to have to give Verizon software before they can charge for it.

 

[Hegemony]

I think the nature of Android will make it hard for Verizon to lock things like that out. We'll just have to wait and see.

 

[superdesi]

Verizon does not offer tethering for the Droid yet but they claim they will be soon. I think it is a software issue because the sofware I have from my Q9c does not recognize the Droid. I think google is going to have to give Verizon software before they can charge for it.

Thats another issue that seems to be a little bit hazy in my opinion. I can't imagine Big Red being happy with a handset that gives them so little control over 3rd party apps, hacking, rooting etc. It's almost like it goes against their business model (at least from what I see with other handsets) of locking the phone down as much as possible so only Verizon approved apps are running on it.

And since Android is an open platform, couldnt VZW bypass Google and make its own crappy apps and then work around the phone with updates and such so that they could lock users in on certain apps? After all the phone is VZW serviced so they should be able to bypass the "open platform" part and attempt to lock down the phone as best they can.

 

[UnsureSherlock]

I have a really bad feeling that Verizon's rumored update (coming next month) is going to remove Droid's tethering capability. Which means that PDAnet and other programs of the like wont work and that users will be forced to pay $5 extra per month for tethering while using a crappy Verizon program. I guess from Verizon's perspective its a deal but as a user with a smartphone that has the innate capability to tether, thats just not fair. What do you guys think?

First off these are based off "feelings". The Salem witch trials occured because people felt that they were witches (Extreme example I know but nonetheless relevant.) "Feeling" and "Experienced Knowledge" are two separate things.

The droid is open-sourced and Google isn't apple, if it isn't porn, it gets into the android market. In other words, they can't stop tethering from happening on the droid, lest Google and Verizon get into a fight over whether or not the market would have to be regulated.

Thats another issue that seems to be a little bit hazy in my opinion. I can't imagine Big Red being happy with a handset that gives them so little control over 3rd party apps, hacking, rooting etc. It's almost like it goes against their business model (at least from what I see with other handsets) of locking the phone down as much as possible so only Verizon approved apps are running on it.

And since Android is an open platform, couldnt VZW bypass Google and make its own crappy apps and then work around the phone with updates and such so that they could lock users in on certain apps? After all the phone is VZW serviced so they should be able to bypass the "open platform" part and attempt to lock down the phone as best they can.

I'm fairly sure that this would break whatever agreements they have with one another. Something you have to keep in mind, these two companies have discussed this before deciding on letting the device on the network, so you usually need not worry.

 

[Icedemon]

When I look on the My Verizon app, there are two options. One for $29.99 and one for $44.99. The latter being internet tethering.

 

[superdesi]

When I look on the My Verizon app, there are two options. One for $29.99 and one for $44.99. The latter being internet tethering.

I always thought the 44.99 plan was a corporate plan for business accounts? But it already seems verizon's created a murky atmosphere around the whole tethering question, with some sources saying they have seen it being offered and other ppl saying that this is not the case.

I understand your points sherlock, but maybe there is some kind of backdoor deals not made aware to the public that two companies agree on. Maybe Google backing off Droid a bit for tighter VZW control was an agreement?

Or maybe im just crying wolf (albeit unintentionally)

 

[nateo200]

Thats another issue that seems to be a little bit hazy in my opinion. I can't imagine Big Red being happy with a handset that gives them so little control over 3rd party apps, hacking, rooting etc. It's almost like it goes against their business model (at least from what I see with other handsets) of locking the phone down as much as possible so only Verizon approved apps are running on it.

And since Android is an open platform, couldnt VZW bypass Google and make its own crappy apps and then work around the phone with updates and such so that they could lock users in on certain apps? After all the phone is VZW serviced so they should be able to bypass the "open platform" part and attempt to lock down the phone as best they can.

Thats a scary thought haha. If that happens I will cancel my verizon contract pay the 350 early termination fee, sell my droid and buy a MyTouch 3G or something on T-Mobile.

 

[craigrn16]

Why do you say that? Windows Mobile and blackberry have had it since I can remember and Verizon hasn't done anything about them. I dont think they can.

Yea my friend has a program on his Verizon blackberry curve(I think) and he has some kind of tethering program on it. He said he learned to do it on youtube. If verizon hasnt stopped that yet I doubt they'll stop this one.

 

[AllDroid]

When I purchased my Droid the salesman told me that the phone is capable of tethering but that if VZW caught me they would just cut of my service and charge me for the early termination as I would have violated our contract. Funny thing is I never said anything to him about tethering, he just volunteered his input.

 

[CRPercodani]

VZW definitely CANNOT lock down the DROID, Android is open source and they can't change that. If they even tried they would be violating the terms of its use from the AOSP and Google. As for tethering, PDAnet can't be blocked as it doesn't use the "traditional" method of tethering.

 

[quadjacks]

Why do you say that? Windows Mobile and blackberry have had it since I can remember and Verizon hasn't done anything about them. I dont think they can.

there are more than 6 other phones that have the ability to tether vs the droid... No worries!!!!!

 

[UnsureSherlock]

I understand your points sherlock, but maybe there is some kind of backdoor deals not made aware to the public that two companies agree on. Maybe Google backing off Droid a bit for tighter VZW control was an agreement?
(albeit unintentionally)

Just as CRPercodani has posted, Android is open source, there is no way Verizon could disable our ability to make a program to tether, not only that, but just as he stated, it was violate the software terms agreement. I don't think Verizon wants to get sued by Google when Verizon is getting more business thanks to them.

 

[ICANSEEYOU7687]

i still havent found anywhere in the contract, or terms of service with verizon that says you cant tether with your own methods...

 

[CRPercodani]

For VZW to have Android phones they have to agree to the AOSP terms, not the other way around. Android was developed for free (mostly) by a large community and has quite a few licenses which if VZW broke would wind up having them in court. No need for anyone to worry.

 

[CRPercodani]

i still havent found anywhere in the contract, or terms of service with verizon that says you cant tether with your own methods...

These features cannot be used to tether your device to laptops, personal computers or other devices for any purpose other than syncing of data; any other use is not permitted using these features.

Taken from Feature Detail

 

[ICANSEEYOU7687]

I love you! couldnt find that. I feel better now lol....

On a side note... cannot you not just some kind of packet sniff, or packet changer, and change the header of the packets leaving your computer to be the same as the headers leaving your phone to prevent you from getting caugt? I'm fairly sure this is how they do it

 

[dmodert66]

When I was paying my VZW bill at the store the other day, the rep asked ME if I was using PDA Net. I told him no, because I didn't want my account disabled. He asked for more details and I told him they may do nothing, they may charge the $30 tethering price, charge data per mb, or cancel my plan all together. He told me he was going to stop immediately so he didn't loose his job...lol