Dear __________,
Thank you for your email about the shutter sound of the camera and other issues on your HTC EVO 4G LTE device from Sprint.
We appreciate your feedback; we know how important customer feedback is to our products. I have forwarded your comments to the appropriate department.
Please note that we intentionally disabled the option to mute the shutter sound. We made this change to comply with Sprint’s policy that the shutter sound on their devices must be enabled. I respectfully recommend you address any further questions on this issue to Sprint.
...
I responded asking if they had a written policy and asking whom I can contact at Sprint, since Sprint does not have a easy customer service contact for software requests that I know of. I know full well if I tried to go through the normal Sprint channels with a comment about their software decisions it will lead nowhere as all their customer service is directed towards Service, Sales, and Accounts and such. I got this response back:
Dear __________,
Thank you for your reply about the shutter sound on your HTC EVO 4G LTE device from Sprint.
I can appreciate your interest in learning all the facts pertaining to the matter.
HTC has no written policy on shutter sounds for cameras on our phones. However, it is our policy to comply with our carriers’ wishes and specifications on devices branded to them.
Unfortunately, I do not have a point of contact within Sprint for this matter. I respectfully recommend you address your inquiry to Sprint to identify the appropriate department and then forward your request to that department.
...
Sure feels like trying to pass the buck. It wouldn't surprise me if Sprint blamed HTC for shutter sounds.
I will gladly close my current ticket with HTC, however based on the past flip flopping I will still fear the next software update. I may have to desperately try to find someone at Sprint to contact next time.