Comments on: I Want To Use All Of My Phone’s Features http://www.romandock.com/i-want-to-use-all-of-my-phones-features/ ham radio, computing, money, and other ramblings Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:29:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.12-alpha by: Nick http://www.romandock.com/i-want-to-use-all-of-my-phones-features/#comment-15422 Fri, 16 Jan 2009 23:39:15 +0000 http://www.romandock.com/i-want-to-use-all-of-my-phones-features/#comment-15422 It will be interesting though to see if people not putting up with it will actually cause the service providers to cave to users requests or if people will just have to become increasingly cunning in getting around these blocks and "hacking" their phones. It will be interesting though to see if people not putting up with it will actually cause the service providers to cave to users requests or if people will just have to become increasingly cunning in getting around these blocks and “hacking” their phones.

]]> by: Lance | Scott http://www.romandock.com/i-want-to-use-all-of-my-phones-features/#comment-15416 Fri, 16 Jan 2009 15:53:32 +0000 http://www.romandock.com/i-want-to-use-all-of-my-phones-features/#comment-15416 I can see why companies would limit the functionality of the phones they offer. As you pointed out, they're doing it for the money. By crippling your phone in some way, they have an opportunity to sell you back the functionality you lost. For now, they're getting away with it. But I feel that as more and more people become more phone savvy, and as the higher end features of phones become easier to use for non savvy consumers, then fewer and fewer people will put up with the crippleware. I can see why companies would limit the functionality of the phones they offer. As you pointed out, they’re doing it for the money. By crippling your phone in some way, they have an opportunity to sell you back the functionality you lost. For now, they’re getting away with it. But I feel that as more and more people become more phone savvy, and as the higher end features of phones become easier to use for non savvy consumers, then fewer and fewer people will put up with the crippleware.

]]> by: Nick http://www.romandock.com/i-want-to-use-all-of-my-phones-features/#comment-15393 Thu, 15 Jan 2009 17:34:00 +0000 http://www.romandock.com/i-want-to-use-all-of-my-phones-features/#comment-15393 I do recall that many of the older phones had a few games on them (I remember spending many hours playing 'snake') but have noticed that almost any new phone does not. However, there are almost always several games available to purchase through the provider's "service". This is similar, however, I'm not so sure that the manufacturers even care to include them any more so not sure whether this is due to the providers or not... I do recall that many of the older phones had a few games on them (I remember spending many hours playing ’snake’) but have noticed that almost any new phone does not. However, there are almost always several games available to purchase through the provider’s “service”. This is similar, however, I’m not so sure that the manufacturers even care to include them any more so not sure whether this is due to the providers or not…

]]> by: Nick http://www.romandock.com/i-want-to-use-all-of-my-phones-features/#comment-15392 Thu, 15 Jan 2009 17:31:45 +0000 http://www.romandock.com/i-want-to-use-all-of-my-phones-features/#comment-15392 Near as I can tell and from what I have experienced, (especially with CDMA phones) that upon "programming" or "activating" the phone with a particular provider, their firmware is going to be downloaded and installed onto the phone so these limitations will still be there. This also goes for updating firmware if you have previously "hacked" the phone to unlock these features. Near as I can tell and from what I have experienced, (especially with CDMA phones) that upon “programming” or “activating” the phone with a particular provider, their firmware is going to be downloaded and installed onto the phone so these limitations will still be there.

This also goes for updating firmware if you have previously “hacked” the phone to unlock these features.

]]> by: Tiger http://www.romandock.com/i-want-to-use-all-of-my-phones-features/#comment-15388 Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:23:16 +0000 http://www.romandock.com/i-want-to-use-all-of-my-phones-features/#comment-15388 I have noticed this trend as well. My first cell phone was a Nokia and I have always liked the quality of their phone. However, the most recent time I bought one, I noticed they were trying something new with their games. They had a poker game on it that was kind of fun, but certainly nothing special. After playing it for a few times, they disabled it and told me I had to pay if I wanted to play again. This is a change from how my other Nokia phones were, which had always had at least one simple free game. My current phone is kind of old, so perhaps they have changed their ways, but I doubt it. I am going to be a lot more careful when I buy a phone next time. I have noticed this trend as well.

My first cell phone was a Nokia and I have always liked the quality of their phone. However, the most recent time I bought one, I noticed they were trying something new with their games.

They had a poker game on it that was kind of fun, but certainly nothing special. After playing it for a few times, they disabled it and told me I had to pay if I wanted to play again. This is a change from how my other Nokia phones were, which had always had at least one simple free game.

My current phone is kind of old, so perhaps they have changed their ways, but I doubt it. I am going to be a lot more careful when I buy a phone next time.

]]> by: Tammy http://www.romandock.com/i-want-to-use-all-of-my-phones-features/#comment-15382 Thu, 15 Jan 2009 03:06:50 +0000 http://www.romandock.com/i-want-to-use-all-of-my-phones-features/#comment-15382 haha your response made me lol. But its true what Nick is saying, why do we have to pay extra for what our phone can already do. They already have us locked into a contract isnt that enough? haha your response made me lol. But its true what Nick is saying, why do we have to pay extra for what our phone can already do. They already have us locked into a contract isnt that enough?

]]> by: Martin http://www.romandock.com/i-want-to-use-all-of-my-phones-features/#comment-15379 Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:24:15 +0000 http://www.romandock.com/i-want-to-use-all-of-my-phones-features/#comment-15379 I have to agree - it's rediculous that service providers lock out some functionality in a phone...although this is normally only done when you get a phone as part of a contract package. The alternative is that you buy a phone that's not on a contract, and then sign up with a service provider using your own phone. However, this will typically cost you more than if you get a phone bundled with a contract ;-( I have to agree - it’s rediculous that service providers lock out some functionality in a phone…although this is normally only done when you get a phone as part of a contract package.

The alternative is that you buy a phone that’s not on a contract, and then sign up with a service provider using your own phone. However, this will typically cost you more than if you get a phone bundled with a contract ;-(

]]> by: Derek http://www.romandock.com/i-want-to-use-all-of-my-phones-features/#comment-15374 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:08:53 +0000 http://www.romandock.com/i-want-to-use-all-of-my-phones-features/#comment-15374 True - my wife limits what volume settings I can use on the TV, lol. She's always asking me if I am deaf. What? True - my wife limits what volume settings I can use on the TV, lol. She’s always asking me if I am deaf. What?

]]> by: Nick http://www.romandock.com/i-want-to-use-all-of-my-phones-features/#comment-15373 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:53:00 +0000 http://www.romandock.com/i-want-to-use-all-of-my-phones-features/#comment-15373 I agree with what you say about the relationship working well for them, in order for a rebellion to work ALL of the manufacturers would have to be in on it at the same time because the service providers need to get phones from somewhere. I see where you're going with an analogy to cable TV, except that that is more an effect of the service package that you have signed on for than a feature of the TV. I would compare that to text messaging on a cell phone. Your phone can do it and you have access to the feature on your phone (your TV can display it and you can turn to that channel), but whether or not you can actually send and receive messages (or watch that channel) is dependant upon your agreement with the service provider. Whereas, they don't limit what volume settings you can use or whether or not your closed captioning is accessible or if you can use V-Chip settings (features of the TV). I agree with what you say about the relationship working well for them, in order for a rebellion to work ALL of the manufacturers would have to be in on it at the same time because the service providers need to get phones from somewhere.

I see where you’re going with an analogy to cable TV, except that that is more an effect of the service package that you have signed on for than a feature of the TV. I would compare that to text messaging on a cell phone. Your phone can do it and you have access to the feature on your phone (your TV can display it and you can turn to that channel), but whether or not you can actually send and receive messages (or watch that channel) is dependant upon your agreement with the service provider. Whereas, they don’t limit what volume settings you can use or whether or not your closed captioning is accessible or if you can use V-Chip settings (features of the TV).

]]> by: Derek http://www.romandock.com/i-want-to-use-all-of-my-phones-features/#comment-15372 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:25:56 +0000 http://www.romandock.com/i-want-to-use-all-of-my-phones-features/#comment-15372 I've never really given this much thought, as until recently my phone was basically only capable of making and receiving phone calls. Lol. While I do agree that it would be preferred to have full access to all of the features of the phone, I am sure the phone manufacturers aren't too anxious to rebel against the service providers as that is a relationship that works well for them. You mentioned the cable company, while they don't technically limit the features of your TV, they do a similar thing with their various channel packages. Why do I need to buy a entire sports package to get the Speed Network? Why can't I just add the Speed Network? My TV could display the channel without problem, but they block the channel unless I buy an additional package of service. Again, this is not entirely the same but I immediately thought of this while reading your post. I’ve never really given this much thought, as until recently my phone was basically only capable of making and receiving phone calls. Lol.

While I do agree that it would be preferred to have full access to all of the features of the phone, I am sure the phone manufacturers aren’t too anxious to rebel against the service providers as that is a relationship that works well for them.

You mentioned the cable company, while they don’t technically limit the features of your TV, they do a similar thing with their various channel packages. Why do I need to buy a entire sports package to get the Speed Network? Why can’t I just add the Speed Network? My TV could display the channel without problem, but they block the channel unless I buy an additional package of service. Again, this is not entirely the same but I immediately thought of this while reading your post.

]]>