FRU Verizon N7 LTE on Groupon $200

[BizzyGeek]

Can I make this work on T-Mobile?

Google Nexus 7 32GB Tablet with Android OS and Verizon LTE from ASUS Deal of the Day | Groupon

 

[NexusLion]

I asked Groupon WTF they meant by "LOCKED" since I thought the whole point of the Nexus LTE was an "UNLOCKED" device....

But "George" answered me and said it is locked to Verizon.

I went ahead and pulled the trigger on one. It's on the way. I figure how can I get hurt. You can barely find 32GB WiFi-only models for $200, so it's almost a no-brainer. Add in the fact that now the device is no longer being sold new on the Play Store...

I'd really like to know if T-mobile and AT&T are options. Especially since I think T-Mobile still has a free 200MB/month plan. I would rarely use the LTE, I just figure for the price, it will be nice to have as a backup to check email quick when stuck in an airport without public wifi.

Apparently even though it is a "Verizon" device people are having trouble activating it. I found a few articles describing people having luck with activation using the "floor model tablet IMEI" trick. I can't post a link yet, but google "Android Police how to activate N7 on VZW." Again I didn't know Google sold separate unlocked/locked models like this.

I feel like there is still something missing... anyone with better information please chime in here - it's appreciated.

 

[NexusLion]

It wasn't posted publicly, but here is an answer I got from Groupon:

Q: can you verify that this is a locked device? This was the whole point of the Nexus 7 2013, for Google to offer an UNLOCKED LTE device you could take to ANY carrier. Can anyone verify this information? All the research I've done indicates there were WiFi ONLY, and WiFi + LTE models made, and the LTE models were all made unlocked. Anyone received this device and used it yet?
A: We have received correct information on the previous answer. They are unlocked, but would only work unlocked up to 3G. Sorry for any confusion.



I'm not sure if he meant to say "correctED information" or not. Before, the Groupon page said they were locked to Verizon. Now he says it would only be unlocked up to 3G.

That doesn't make sense to me at all. I don't think any N7 LTE will work in 3G mode on VZW.

I'm ordering a micro sim from T-mobile right now just for giggles. If it doesn't work I guess I'll throw it away. They still have 200MB/month free data.

If you want to know how to get a mobile internet account and get the sim card for $0.99 instead of $10, read on:

Go to the main T-mobile page.
Scroll to the bottom, under Support, click "refill your pay in advance account." [you are now shopping on prepaid site instead of postpaid]
Shop ---> BYOD
add a tablet micro sim to your cart
enter SIMDEAL99 to change the price from $10 to $0.99

 

[BizzyGeek]

My guess is that it comes with a VZW sim card in it, which is how it's "locked" to Verizon, so I ordered it. Went to T mobile and convinced the rep to give me a free sim. Tablet is going to arrive Friday so I'll post here when I get it, let you know how it goes.

 

[NexusLion]

My guess is that it comes with a VZW sim card in it, which is how it's "locked" to Verizon, so I ordered it. Went to T mobile and convinced the rep to give me a free sim. Tablet is going to arrive Friday so I'll post here when I get it, let you know how it goes.

Finally got a UPS tracking # from Groupon and it is showing Friday as scheduled delivery. T-Mobile emailed me today about my online order to say the SIM card is on it's way via UPS and will be here Friday as well.

I'm surprised T-Mobile does free 2-4 business day shipping for SIM cards and other small items... You'd think it would be cost-prohibitive to ship a $0.99 item via Brown or Purple. Usually you end up getting the 9 business day Fedex Smart Post or UPS Mail Innovations where they involve the USPS and you get the item 2 weeks later. Or just straight-up priority mail. [NEVER use one of those combo "brown-blue" or "purple-blue" options around the holidays, your gifts will never arrive in time.]

I cannot wait for Friday - excited to try it out my new tablet!

Can't believe Groupon hasn't sold out of these yet!

 

[BizzyGeek]

From my refurbished "Verizon" Nexus 7

 

[NexusLion]

From my refurbished "Verizon" Nexus 7

I can't view your pictures for some reason. EDIT I am able to see your speed test.

I take it you got it running?

I got mine unboxed and all set up via wifi. I have since installed the T Mobile SIM card but can't get it to automatically connect via their activation page.

EDIT: After spending 43 minutes on the phone with a rep AND a supervisor, I finally got it activated on 200MB for life!

First lady thought the Nexus 7 was a phone after I said tablet about 7 times.

Gave her SIM # and IMEI, then she says "not eligible" for 200MB plan. Wanted to sell me another Nexus 7. What a great idea! Do I just wipe my *** with this one I have in my hand then?

Told her I wanted to speak to her supervisor who actually knew about BYOD + 200MB for life.

So, in the end, the supervisor tried 2 more computer "systems" after the first rep. I asked, sooooo, what did you do differently? She said she used a "default" IMEI and now that it's activated she would go back to the IMEI from my device. A workaround, she says.

Yeah. A workaround your useless employee.

So, in the end, you can make it happen, it just takes persistence. But, for a device I plan to use 95% WiFi and 5% LTE, it's all I need.

 

[BizzyGeek]

I'm wondering about OTA updates on this thing. It's running the Verizon build of 4.4.2. I know that the unlocked version is already receiveing/received 4.4.4. So we have to wait for Verizon to approve the 4.4.4 update before we receive it, even though we're not activated with Verizon? Also the My T-Mobile app is telling me that the device is rooted, although a root checker utility I installed off Play Store indicates that it is not. So I don't know what the hell is going on with the firmware on this device.

 

[anon(3653)]

Verizon sells the same Nexus 7 that everyone else does. You do not wait after everyone else receives it.

 

[BizzyGeek]

Verizon sells the same Nexus 7 that everyone else does. You do not wait after everyone else receives it.

It's the same hardware but they have their own Kit Kat build on there.

https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images

 

[NexusLion]

Are you able to get the My T-Mobile app working on it? It keeps asking me to log in with phone number instead of the "ConnectMe" credentials, and I get an error.