HTC ThunderBolt Reboot Update Has A Sinister Side
As you probably know, Verizon rolled out an update for the HTC ThunderBolt that has seemingly fixed the random reboot issues that had been plaguing the device for weeks on end. And while that’s fantastic, there is also a dark side to the update that Verizon decided not to publicize, something that will come in the form of an “update” to other phones in the near future. And no, we’re not talking about bloatware.
The dark side that I speak of is the fact that the ThunderBolt update killed off the free mobile hotspot feature that Verizon had been advertising as a “special feature” for devices like the ThunderBolt, Droid Charge and LG Revolution. So now, in order to use tethering, you’ll need to pay an additional $20 a month on top of a tiered data plan which provides an additional 2GB of monthly data usage or $30 if you are on an unlimited plan.
Going from free to $20 or $30 a month is a shame, especially when the feature has functionality issues, but trust me, it gets darker.
As DSLReports points out:
In Verizon’s case, they cleverly pretended the functionality in a number of these phones was was a “special feature” they were offering free access to for a limited time, so it looked less crooked when they crippled the devices at a later date and forced users to pay for functionality traditionally embedded in Android for free. A number of people seem to buy this logic, not understanding that this is functionality that comes embedded in the phone and/or OS by default, and Verizon is creating a false fee layer by disabling the device’s ability to function as a modem or hotspot — then pretending they provide it as a “service.”
Blocking perfectly legitimate applications and crippling devices to make an extra buck certainly runs contrary to the “open” paradigm Verizon has been paying lip service to since 2007. With users already paying per the byte and incurring additional expense regardless of what device is connected to the network — adding an additional fee to tether or use already-existent hotspot features feels counter-evolutionary and pointlessly punitive.
What’s more is the slimy way Verizon shipped this update out. It rolled the ThunderBolt update out late at night, on a Friday, without any word of caution. In other words, if you updated your ThunderBolt, you walked right into Verizon’s clutches, possibly without even knowing it. And even if you were aware that the update would do this, you still had to decide whether it was worth giving away the mobile hotspot in order to fix the reboots. An extremely tough decision to say the least.
Rooted users probably aren’t safe for long either. It’s hard to imagine Verizon not going down the same road that AT&T took when it started sending out letters to people it suspected of unofficially tethering threatening to automatically sign them up for a tethering plan.
And it doesn’t stop with the ThunderBolt, this is something that is going to continue down the line. Verizon is going to offer similar updates for the LG Revolution and the Samsung Droid Charge that will kill hotspot functionality on those devices as well. And forget about alternative hotspot applications, the carriers pressured Google into removing any sort of third party tethering apps from the market so they could monopolize this. Verizon of course denies it had anything to do with it, but we know better.
Yes, Verizon said this was going to happen but it still doesn’t change the fact that they marketed this as a major feature on these phones, touted it as free, and then ripped it away with a beautifully timed update that rolled out to unsuspecting ThunderBolt owners. Throw in the fact that providers like AT&T and Verizon are making a killing off of a feature that, if it came down to it, they don’t need to charge for.
So, consider this a public service announcement to all Droid Charge and LG Revolution owners who will see an update touting all sorts of beneficial features but will actually with a sinister, unannounced surprise.
iI can’t even get the update. It says No New Update Available, when I havent even updated!! Really?!
The free hotspot was originally suppose to end back in May, but Verizon continued the limited time service until July. Verizon even mentioned that it was for a limited time only. It’s not like they kept it a big secret, so why anyone is surprised is beyond me. The fact that it was free for that long, you should be thankful. They were never going to keep it free. The free tethering was offered as a compensation for dalaying the thunderbolt so long, and for the 4G outage back in April. So be happy you had all this time of free tethering. Now I’m just waiting for the gingerbread update now that the the reboot issue is fixed.
I got the update…no reboots…and my hotspot still works for free…
Not all tethering apps have been “pulled”. The Maketplace filters by your carrier. You can either download MarketEnabler or put your phone on Airplane mode and use wifi to search for tethering apps.
Mine are not pulled, I just downloaded the latest Marketplace, and tether apps are still there.
The update HAS NOT fixes the reboot issue with my phone. Have had 3 reboot that I saw so far, last 2 hours ago. Pathetic phone. Will get bionic day it arrives.
[...] we made a bit of a stir with some people after talking about how we didn’t agree with the way that Verizon rolled out the reboot update to HTC ThunderBolt owners. Some people agreed with the carrier, some didn’t. And just yesterday, we learned that Sprint [...]
[...] HTC ThunderBolt Reboot Update Has A Sinister SideGotta Be MobileAs you probably know, Verizon rolled out an update for the HTC ThunderBolt that has seemingly fixed the random reboot issues that had been plaguing the device for weeks on end. And while that's fantastic, there is also a dark side to the update that …Even After Updates, HTC Thunderbolt Still a Problem for SomeAndroidGuysThunderbolt update nixes unlimited mobile hot spotsCNET (blog)Verizon tethering police reach into your phone and disable the hotspotZDNet (blog)IMSoup -Digitaltrends.com -Lifehackerall 13 news articles » [...]
I read online that the update was released and how to manually download it, which I already knew how to do. I have attempted this download countless times and everytime I select check new it begins searching for the update then just vanishes. I called VZW and the salesman says she and her bf have received the download and their thunderbolt work great now. She recommended I come to the store. I comply but she was no longer there. So I get a different salesmen who also has the thunderbolt and says that the download HAS NOT even been released yet and her phones check new option does the same to her, it just vanished after checking for new. She along with her supervisor recommends that I just wait it out like everyone else. I’m so fed up with VZW and this pos thunderbolt. Mine reboots literally 10-20 times daily. They have done nothing to compensate us consumers for their screw up. Shoulda went to T-Mobile for the HTC sensation. Fk VZW.
I had the same problem for a couple days man, then like 4 days ago, it started saying No New Update Available, which really pissed me off. I suggest you download the manual update off the internet, that’s what I did yesterday. It is simple and straightforward, nothing difficult at all. Just download it (about 420MB), rename to PG05IMG, place on root of phone SD card, bootloader, then wait for update to finish, and there you go! Hope that helps man.
[...] is being described in the article I will have to say there is probably some truth in what is said. HTC ThunderBolt Reboot Update Has A Sinister Side This is my personal experience: In March this year my family moved from AT&T to Verizon [...]
sneaky guys
TThe only problem I have is data connection and lagging keyboard -___-
Well they offer unlimit hotspot for 30$ on the day they stop the unlimit plan but it way only for that day I got it. I hope u did to
[...] before you get too heated, remember this. HTC and Verizon had to deal with that reboot problem and the update for that probably set Gingerbread back a little bit. And second, they are probably [...]
I just found out today that my Verizon Thunderbolt which I bought understanding was a “Mobile HotSpot” now is no longer a “Mobile HotSpot”… but it could be again for a mere $20 more a month! ALL the adds next to EVERY smartphone and tab at the Verizon store, DO NOT in any way say or even slightly suggest that this “Mobil HotSpot” feature will cost you extra. I think this was, and still is, blatantly misleading and that Verizon should have a class action suite filed against them for false advertising and bait and switch!
OK working for verizon and bbeing a programmer let’s me understand how stupid this is Verizon doesnt make the software and only tells Google to add certain bloatware and he mobile hot spot has always been extra. Also because it has a feature doesn’t make it free so any one that thinks that is assinine. Get a flip phone and quit complaining or realize with more features its mmore expensive and more can go wrong thats the risk reward to smart phones always has been.
[...] I feel like I am living the nightmare that HTC ThunderBolt owners lived through back in 2011 where their device kept rebooting for no apparent reason. They then had to wait [...]