Verizon is changing the game

[robrecht]

If Android left Verizon, they'd have like 9 phones left. 2 or 3 being feature phones. ...

But, again, that would be a really stupid move for Google and Samsung. Why would they want to give up all those customers? To make a point about the nature of the Nexus brand? Hardly worth it to them, which is why they would never consider such a move.

 

[kharrigan]

IMHO (which isn't worth much) Verizon is playing masterfully. Remember, the endgame is net subscriber growth. Verizon is the only carrier playing for keeps. S,ince September, there's been a new phone grabbing the headlines every month. As Verizon is the only network with a significant LTE footprint, this is their key differentiator and they want to monetize it.

In September, the SGS2 was released on AT&T and Sprint. Verizon knew that the GNex would blow it out of the water, so they declined carrying it. While we swooned over the SGS2, Apple dropped the iP4S, which made the SGS2 less important. Since then, Verizon has launched TWO new LTE capable phones and when they become less "shiny" will close the year with the GNex - which will start the ICS era.

Verizon is trying to be THE place to go for the latest phones for the rest of the year. THAT seems smart to me. Do I want to wait? No, but I want Verizon to be rewarded for launching leading edge phones so that they do it again next year.

 

[mechapathy]

Not sure if this is posted in the thread, but the US getting started video, upon which we're basing our bloat concerns, shows the open padlock icon when the phone turns on. Thus, unlocked bootloader.[YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXrgIFMfsaQ[/YT]

 

[ManBearPig618]

Where did this locked bootloader nonsense even come from? People are spewing out Nexus-apocalypse scenarios like it's going out of style. Please stop.

 

[DolfanCole]

But what's the real cost to Google? Just that they compromise a little bit on the Nexus philosophy on one carrier, which just happens to be the best and largest carrier. That's a compromise that they needed to make to get what they wanted more.

Thanks, Robrecht

One cost is the loss of potential buyers with all of this nonsense. So why even compromise? Plus, I don't see the Nexus being a big seller and with all that is going on, I think whatever could have been as far as customers is even less. So then why give up anything? And it's not like Google doesn't have other phones on Verizon. There's a whole slew of Android phones on Verizon. So while Verizon may have the best and largest carrier, I'm struggling to see a real tangible benefit to Google of compromising at all just to get the Nexus released on Verizon.

 

[robrecht]

One cost is the loss of potential buyers with all of this nonsense. So why even compromise? Plus, I don't see the Nexus being a big seller and with all that is going on, I think whatever could have been as far as customers is even less. So then why give up anything? And it's not like Google doesn't have other phones on Verizon. There's a whole slew of Android phones on Verizon. So while Verizon may have the best and largest carrier, I'm struggling to see a real tangible benefit to Google of compromising at all just to get the Nexus released on Verizon.

I think they gain many more customers than they risk losing. Apparently so do Google & Samsung. That's why they want a Nexus on Verizon, which is also why Verizon has more leverage in this deal. They want a Nexus on their network but not as badly as Google & Samsung.

Thanks, Robrecht

 

[trivor]

IMHO (which isn't worth much) Verizon is playing masterfully. Remember, the endgame is net subscriber growth. Verizon is the only carrier playing for keeps. S,ince September, there's been a new phone grabbing the headlines every month. As Verizon is the only network with a significant LTE footprint, this is their key differentiator and they want to monetize it.

In September, the SGS2 was released on AT&T and Sprint. Verizon knew that the GNex would blow it out of the water, so they declined carrying it. While we swooned over the SGS2, Apple dropped the iP4S, which made the SGS2 less important. Since then, Verizon has launched TWO new LTE capable phones and when they become less "shiny" will close the year with the GNex - which will start the ICS era.

Verizon is trying to be THE place to go for the latest phones for the rest of the year. THAT seems smart to me. Do I want to wait? No, but I want Verizon to be rewarded for launching leading edge phones so that they do it again next year.

I think this is bang on!!!! All you people threatening to leave are on Verizon because the other carriers either:

A. Don't have coverage like VZW in your area.
B. Are going with the only mass market LTE carrier in the country
C. Don't want to lose unlimited data because all the carriers you might switch (with worse coverage) are all tiered data now.

So quit ranting, raving, and threatening and just accept that this phone will be out when VZW wants to release it (whatever is best for Verizon) or follow thru on your threats and go to another carrier (you will be back when the new carrier sucks).

 

[Andrew Ruffolo]

Where did this locked bootloader nonsense even come from? People are spewing out Nexus-apocalypse scenarios like it's going out of style. Please stop.

The nexus has always had locked bootloaders. Its just extremely easy to disable (its not encrypted).

 

[mechapathy]

I think the concern here is that fastboot oem unlock won't work.

 

[hyperdude]

I think the concern here is that fastboot oem unlock won't work.

That would happen if the bootloader is encrypted. Which (so far) Nexus devices never have been

 

[Andrew Ruffolo]

That would happen if the bootloader is encrypted. Which (so far) Nexus devices never have been

I noticed I can't find the directions on Welcome to Android | Android Open Source... I'm curious now. Maybe I'm just tired (I'm exhausted). but a quick peak I see nothing.

 

[hyperdude]

I noticed I can't find the directions on Welcome to Android | Android Open Source... I'm curious now. Maybe I'm just tired (I'm exhausted). but a quick peak I see nothing.

Directions for what?

 

[mechapathy]

That would happen if the bootloader is encrypted. Which (so far) Nexus devices never have been

Right. That precedent coupled with the open padlock icon in the US Getting Started video leads me to believe this will be no different.

 

[papa54]

Verizon needs Android phones, but they get these from the OEMs, who also need Android. But Google just doesn't have as much leverage as Verizon when it comes to a Nexus phone.

Thanks, Robrecht

well since ev has a chance to say their thoughts about Verizon vs. Google my opinion is that without google verizon would soon be a fly by night operation with lay offs running out their yazoos.. personaly years back i never used google search as all other searches did quite well..
but when it came to the smart phones Google was on top all the way.. I read the specs on a verizon Nexus and to be very truthful i wouldnt give up my charge for it. as for verizon, i use it cause i'm in a fring area but now that goole with open source systems in android phones at&t for example, Verizon best watch its butt, cause i dont have to stay with verizon any more thanks to android and google..
Google has earned a new respect from me and now google is top of the line ...

i can remember when google was a new kid on he block as far as search engines went and nothing more.. So they have earned their place in History and like most i feel Google has more clout than Verizon.. Verizon needs to think where they'd be without any smart phones.. they'd be a better cricket is all.. thats mho.

 

[papa54]

All things said and done "we the consumer are in control of the android/droid market" and the servers we chose... all androids can be made to bounce all towers by devs if they so chose to..
if the people all rose against Verizon then Verizon would be sellin their phones off the tail gates of trucks.
2nd line junkers etc,

 

[Jerry Hildenbrand]

Here's some kindling for your fire, neither of which is speculation.

The Galaxy Nexus LTE is not supported by the AOSP project.
Verizon has the ability to block phones with OEM unlocked bootloaders from their network.

Now you have something to worry about.

 

[altimax98]

Here's some kindling for your fire, neither of which is speculation.

The Galaxy Nexus LTE is not supported by the AOSP project.
Verizon has the ability to block phones with OEM unlocked bootloaders from their network.

Now you have something to worry about.

Agreed.. I'm a bit worried. But if I remember the NS4G wasn't supported either

 

[mechapathy]

Here's some kindling for your fire, neither of which is speculation.

The Galaxy Nexus LTE is not supported by the AOSP project.
Verizon has the ability to block phones with OEM unlocked bootloaders from their network.

Now you have something to worry about.

Source?

 

[TBolt2011]

Source?

"Verizon has the ability to block phones with OEM unlocked bootloaders from their network"

is fact, and does not need a source. Plus, look at who's saying it... If you don't trust him, why do you bother reading things here?

 

[Jerry Hildenbrand]

Source?

I can't source something that doesn't exist. There is no mention of the Galaxy Nexus LTE at the AOSP site, because it's not a supported device. The only supported phone with the current release is the GSM/HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus, a.k.a. "maguro".