yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[General Questions and Answers] CorbinStratford1:
Need help...

I live in New Jersey and have downloaded the Nexus toolkit on my computer for the Verizon Galaxy Nexus but don't know how to go from there to have my phone upgraded to 4.04. Here is my email if someone could guide me through the process. Ryanerikk1@gmail.com I will then give my phone number for help through my email. Thanks for anyone that can help.
[Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]] MaxMouseDLL:
Hi All,

Not really sure what's happened, my phone (HTC Desire Bravo PVT4, S-OFF, AlphaRev, CWMR Touch) decided that it wouldn't detect the SD card (In recovery or Cyanogen 7.1).

I've tried all the usual suspects:

Cleared Cache

Cleared Dalvik

Cleared all user data

Tried a different SD card

Nothing... then I noticed my phone is displaying some other curious errors, bluetooth won't enable, and there is no network at all.

The weird thing is, if I clear user data within Cyanogen and reboot, it'll connect to the network provider and give me a data connection for 60 seconds, it's as if clearing something in use data sorts it out, but as the boot process continues it's reverted.

Since SD card mount is disabled within CWMR, I can't flash a backup so I've been looking into ADB to flash the images back (So far without success, as I don't have the bandwidth (using wife's phone as a modem at the moment) to download the entire SDK so I just downloaded: Adb.exe, AdbWinUsbApi.dll, AdbWinApi.dll and installed the Android 1.0 HBOOT usb drivers... adb cannot see the device (Windows detects it fine though))

Unsure if related, on powering up the phone, Windows searches for "Qualcomm CDMA Technologies" the phone is GSM not CDMA.

I have multiple issues here and I'm at a loss as to where to go... any help is appreciated.

Thanks in Advance.

Edit: I can boot to Cyano/HBOOT/Recovery but without SD access, I can't do much, especially with adb not working

Edit: Fixed, it was a USB brick... identifying the issue was the hard part, the fix is easy, you'll need the mini SDK there is a download on this forum: instructions here: androidforums[dot]com/desire-tips-tricks/365476-guide-usb-brick-fix.html

Can't post links... but you get the idea.

Hopefully someone else will stumble on this thread as the symptoms are rather strange.

Keywords for Google: No network, no sd card, no bluetooth
[General Topics] CreatioSoft:
The big American telecos have always been pretty high up on my list of evil corporations, so I wasn't exactly surprised to hear that Verizon – perhaps the worst offender of them all – is making the consumer bear the brunt of another frivolous fee. From now on Verizon subscribers will have to pay a $30 fee every time they upgrade their phones. While we've all gotten used to carriers inventing bogus fees literally out of thin air, it is important to take a step back and understand exactly how Verizon, AT&T and the rest are shamelessly ripping us off with every monthly statement.

For years now, wireless providers have been luring consumers in with top-quality phones at reduced prices in exchange for a two-year commitment. You get to keep the phone, while the carrier has the pleasure of charging you a hefty monthly sum for the service. Seems like a fair enough deal, right? At least, that's what the carriers would like to have you believe. The reality, however, is much more sketchy and sneaky as is often the case with companies that have a quasi-monopoly over any given product or service.

If you actually sit down and do the math, you end up paying the carrier back way more than just the price of the phone. But that's not the story the carriers are selling to the media. In fact, based on the decrease in profits carriers are complaining about how much money they are losing on subsidized phones. So in an attempt to allegedly compensate for providing us with phones at subsidized prices, US carriers have systematically introduced a so-called “upgrade fee” on top of all the existing charges lurking underneath the surface of your cell phone bill.

What may look like a relatively small fee will actually bring Verizon an extra $1 billion a year in terms of profit. And now that they've jumped on the “upgrade fee” bandwagon consumers are left with no choice but to shake their fists at the telcos and shell out an extra $30.

And get this, according to Verizon, this new fee is meant to “help continue to provide customers with the level of service and support they have come to expect”. If by that they mean that we've all become used to the fact that Verizon is one money-thirsty leech of a company with terrible customer service – then, yes, we agree.

As Americans we've become addicted to two-year contracts and subsidized phones, but my recommendation to you would be to use your Internet browsing skills and buy your Android phones at full price. Thankfully, there are plenty of good deals to be had on eBay and online discount stores. Don't let the Big Three bleed you to death with fees, fines and small print. Just keep one thing in mind: with these telecos it's always the consumer that gets the short end of the stick.
[General Topics] RovG:
This is not only an issue in America but other parts of world too. I urge all consumers to band together & resist this kind of extortion. Vote with you money. Hurt evil monopolies where it will hurt them the most.
[General Topics] xaccers:
Have you no consumer protection lobbies in the US?

Over here for instance, I've got a HTC Sensation, free on O2 for £32 a month giving me 600 minutes, unlimited texts and 500MB a month along with free access to BT Openzone and O2 wifi hot spots. I also get a discount on my home broadband.

It's a 24 month contract but I can change after 21 months as I'm a valued customer.

So in total it's going to cost me £672.

At the time the Sensation without contract was around the £450 mark from reputable retailers (not ebay where you have very little come back if something goes wrong), even now it's £350.

So the contract actually cost me £222 which is under £11 a month. Even at £350 for the handset it'd be £15 a month.

Now looking at O2's sim only contracts, the same would be £21.50 a month, so it's cheaper to get a free phone on contract.

Even running the whole 24 months it works out at less than £17.50 a month if you take the free phone. To break even you'd need to buy a Sensation for £252 which means second hand.

Having looked at prices on US provider's websites and complaints posted on here, you guys seriously need to get the industry regulated to protect consumers from being ripped off.
[General Topics] the_main_app:
How is it a rip off if I was going to buy that smart phone anyway and use that carrier? If I pick all the options I want carrier with phone and they are willing to subsidize the phone how is that ripping me off? I'd be using that phone and that carrier anyway so why not take the subsidy?
[General Topics] Killbynature:
Good example is tmobile Monthly 4g plan is $70.00 flats fee for unlimited everything talk and text and 5 gigs data. This plan is non contract can leave when you want and comes up to $1680.00 after two years.

Classic plan for tmobile for the same features are 59.99 for talk and text. 35.00 dollars for 5 gig data. $94.99 let's add taxes and fees after. Which is around 11.00 extra which brings you to $105.99 note this is without $8.00 insurance added on. Two years on this plan is $ 2543.76.

Tmobile value plan is for the same features are $74.99 with taxes its $85.99 a month. Again without the insurance. You bring your phone and your also locked in a contract. You get no subsidize phones on this plan. Two years this plan is $2063.76

Classic vs value you save $480 dollars on value plan.

Classic vs monthly 4g you save $863.76. On the monthly 4g non contract plan

Value plan vs monthly 4g you save. $383.76 on the monthly 4g.

When you are on contract you wind up paying more for the phone then what's its worth on the contract. As you can see the savings alone can easily let you buy a phone off contract.
[General Topics] htc fan89:
You guys still have it better with 2 year plans, and we are stuck in "3rd world " like stage with 3 year contracts.... :mad:
[General Topics] I Am Marino:
Regardless of the phone cost, you're still shelling out decent amounts of money for your cell service, if you want to be up in arms, do it about your monthly bill costs.
[General Topics] falconeight:
If you don't see that its a rip off, then you are as much the problem.
[General Topics] gambit333:
It's all about cash flow to be honest. I bought my phone outright thinking it would be cheaper but if you want data then you end up paying over £20 in any case and if think about it only saves you around 30-50, for paying £500 upfront...
[General Topics] xaccers:
Crikey those tariffs are steep!

Would I be right in thinking that the phones offered on the tariff are not free but only subsidised? So you're still forking out $150-250 for a handset?
[General Topics] shardnet:
ACtually it's not the subsidised phone that's a ripoff but the plan itself.

Keep in mind that the price of the plan is the same regardless of you getting a new phone with or not. There's no cheaper plan options for people opting out of the phone. Or any kind of saving.

The phone itself is basically an added benefit to you the user. Compare about the atrocious data and smd plans instead.
[General Topics] Reikyrr:
I got my samsung gio with a vodafone prepaid card + 5 Euro free to use prepaid money, the whole package cost me 112 Euros while in my country the cheapest GIO without a simlock (mine is simlocked) costs around 155 Euros.

I pay 30ct per MB though if I purchase a one month internet bundle via my prepaid money I pay 7ct per MB. I can also buy MB's that are usable for a day which will cost me 10ct per MB. Though the amount of MB's you buy are locked, I am pretty happy with my prepaid phone.

I also agree you should refrain from sticking to multi year contracts, who knows what happens in two years, or even one year.
[General Topics] xxBrun0xx:
http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/18626772.jpg
[General Topics] Killbynature:
Yeah pretty much you can buy a phone from any other place cheaper. I don't know where you live but a free phone in the USA. Isn't free. You have upgrade $30 or $18 just to update. Staying off contract would still be cheaper and you can just sell your old phone and the savings alone would make it cheaper. Another benefit is that you aren't worrying about your carrier for updates. Buy the original phone and it will be updated better than a carrier branded version of the phone.
[General Topics] adelmundo:
Actually in most cases, the big carriers do charge you the same price on the plan regardless of whether you bought the phone subsidized or not. But they are not the only companies you can get a plan with. You can always go the prepaid route and you can get the same mobile and data service as the big carriers as many of the prepaid plans are MVNOs. F0or example I bought an International Galaxy Note recently and put it on Straight Talk's Unlimited Everything plan for $45/month. Over 2 years it will cost me $1080. Add in the cost of the phone, I will have paid $1665 over 2 years. Buy the phone from AT&T for $250 and $100/month on service ($40 for voice, $20 Text unlimited, $30 for 3GB data, and taxes), $2650 total over 2 years. I would have saved almost $1000 over the 2 years AND not tied to a contract.
[General Topics] Killbynature:
Like I said it's different in the USA. Our plans pretty much make us pay for the full price + extra. All phones have a 1 year warranty. Even then using tmobile insurance it will cost you an extra $120 every two years. They also charge you a fee for delivering a replacement now. I think it's $5 om insurance and 20 dollars without.
[General Topics] brooksyx:
I fail to see the point. Yes Verizon is spendy but they are the best. But if you want a cheaper phone and plan there are options. I pay $25 bucks a month for my virgin mobile plan and I paid $240 for my epic touch that I modded to run on virgin mobile USA. I will probably keep this plan for as long as I can. If I need to use more minutes that's what internet calling is for. It may not be as dependable as Verizon or at&t but it gets the job done.
[General Topics] xaccers:
Over here in the UK, phones are generally what is used by providers to snag customers.

So people pick the phone they want then search the providers for the best deal offering that phone, either for free (normally a higher monthly cost) or at a reduced price.

We also have various organisations keeping charges low.
[General Topics] 754boy:
I personally feel the opposite of the OP. How exactly is a subsidized phone a ripoff? The PLAN is going to be the same whether you bring your own phone or get one from the carrier. If you know you aren't going to be sticking around for 2 years then buying your phone outright might be the way to go. Otherwise I'd say save some money.
[General Topics] brooksyx:
edit wrong thread.
[General Topics] shardnet:
Ah so that's different to here. Where the plan's price stays completely the same regardless of you getting the phone (either completely free, or subsidised) or not.
[General Topics] Aerocaptain:
Very true. In the US, the top 3 carriers (Verizon, At&t, and Sprint) charge the same rates whether you have a subsidized device or not. This effectively takes any advantage to purchasing the device without subsidy out of the equation. The only other option is to set up a device with an inferior carrier that offers mediocre quality with severely regionalized service reception (T-Mobile, Revel, Boost, Clear, and about a hundred more). For the most part, the only reason people go to those carriers is either because the city they live in is covered "enough" with that carrier and they don't leave the city much so why not save a few bucks, or they cannot get credit approval with the big 3. (Anyone using those lower carriers, don't get your panties in a knot! I'm generalizing) Unfortunately, those low end carriers are the only ones that offer better rates for unsubsidized phones. Of course to service detriment.

Carrier prepays are a joke...unless you want a pure talk/text phone.

Calling cards are a pain in the ass. Once again pure talk phone.

I hate when people snap at other people without supporting their point. Bunch of followers. Stop going with the crowd and educate yourself.

Q: Are Carrier Subsidies a Rip Off?

A: No, you'd be stupid not to take one with the big 3.

Q: What is the Rip Off?

A: The policy among the big 3 to charge more money across the board on monthly plan rates to compensate for the subsidies.

Q: Why is that policy a Rip Off?

A: Because it does not give the freedom to purchase a device outright (without taking subsidies) in order to remain off contract with a reduced monthly service plan.

Q: What do we have to blame for the $30 Verizon upgrade charge?

A: The iphone..... Bastards! :mad:

(Actually 80% serious on the last one. I'd explain why but I think this post is too long as is.)

Sent from CDMA V6 SC GNexus w/Liquid & Franco.kernel
[General Topics] :
Sprint has horrible coverage. So does at&t. Unless your on the area. That point is nulled and void. Verizon is the only exception regardless of coverage. Your point is also flawed as I'd you travel a lot your better off swapping out simcards and paying for an international prepaid plan while you are out of the country. If your not in the coverage area tmobile does have wifi calling compatible phones. They also give free signal boosters if your eligible.

Let's see a prepaid carrier straight Talk is $45 a month and can use tmobile and at&t towers. Buying your phone off contract would still be cheaper than paying for subsidies and contract.

Most prepaid plans don't even use calling cards anymore. Walk in pay bill at kiosk or online. Even boost and cricket have them.

If your out of a service area on at&t well too bad no wifi calling and no signal boosters to help you. Sprint is the same way. Verizon only carrier to have a large amount of coverage.

What the problem is people don't understand that having customers buy phones full price would lower rates on contract plans.
[General Topics] phillibl:
What many people forget is there are other service providers you can use that are much cheaper. I am on Page Plus Cellular now and my bill was about about cut in half. Also they use verizon's towers so service is great.
[General Topics] benson12:
I'm with Aerocaptain on this. If you are with the big 3, then you may as well take the subsidy. They don't offer any discount to bring your own phone. If you want the best networks, you have to pay here. T-Mobile offers great discounts to bring your own phone, so if their network works for you, that's your best deal.

I have not looked into MVNOs much other than to find none really work for me (coverage and plan wise). They may be an answer if their coverage is good enough for you.

Essentially, if you are on the big 3, you should use your subsidy, you are paying for it anyway.
[General Topics] adelmundo:
Straight Talk, on their Bring Your Own Device Plan, use both AT&T and T-Mobile for their networks. You can buy any GSM phone that uses either T-Mo band or AT&T bands and just purchase the correct SIM from them (costs $15 for the SIM) and then put it on their Everything Unlmited Plan for $45/month. You get the same coverage area as AT&T postpaid and you will get up to HSPA+ "Faux"G speed, or if you have the T-Mo SIM, you get the same coverage area as T-Mo with up to HSPA+ 42 Mbps. On average I get rougly 2-3 Mbps and as high as 8-9 Mbps in some areas using the Straight Talk AT&T SIM on my International Galaxy Note.

T-Mobile has another plan which they sell at Walmart (both online and in-store) if you use primarily data and text and don't use a lot of voice minutes for $30/month, which includes 100 minutes voice, unlimited text, and unlimited data at up to HSPA+ 42Mbps (throttled after 5 GB per month). You can buy a T-Mobile branded phone (doesn't have to be unlocked) and use this or buy an unlocked AT&T compatible phone that has the chipset to flash a T-Mobile compatible modem (such as the Samsung Galaxy S2 or the AT&T version of the Samsung Galaxy Note).
[General Topics] KingKuba13:
Big 3 here have a monopoly so what are you going to do buy the phone outright and then go and try and get a better monthly deal with wind/mobilicity/etc???

Have fun with that.
[General Topics] thebobp:
I can't confirm or deny this, so let's just say that, if you're picky enough, you'll probably end up paying the most anyway. This does not, mean, however, that everyone else has to as well.

lol wot.

There's an entire thread that says otherwise.
[General Topics] Aerocaptain:
A whole thread? No way! If its in a whole entire thread it must be true.

I want excellent call quality, great coverage areas, helpful CS, and fast data. And that makes me picky? So your saying that if I want better service, I have to pay a little more? Hmmmm, Not exactly a revelation.

As far as my prepay statement, I was referring to the big 3 not allowing smartphones on their prepays.

Sure you can go with an off carrier that rents towers from the big 3, but do you want to suffer through spotty coverage areas, outsourced CS, and heavily throttled & reduced data speeds? Prepay discussion is better left in the prepay thread for the minority of people it is good for.

Sent from CDMA V6 SC GNexus w/Liquid & Franco.kernel
[General Topics] Deggy:
Whether I pay $200 or $500 for a phone, I'm still paying the same monthly amount anyways. Unless I go to straight talk or T-Mobile. /thread.
[General Topics] thebobp:
Actually, yes. It demonstrates that too many people have found prepaid useful to just take your opinion at face value.

1) Actually, yes. Unless you travel everywhere, call customer service every week, why do you need all that?

2) You know that prepaid doesn't have these things, how, exactly?

3) If your prepaid doesn't work out.... switch plans. The advantage of prepaid (in addition to cost) is that you aren't locked-in.

Maybe you should actually read that thread (unless the Galaxy Nexus doesn't count as a smartphone).

sent from my Terran Command Center.
[General Topics] Aerocaptain:
Hahaha, I know these things because I worked for Verizon. I've talked to both customers of these subcarriers as well as the subcarriers themselves. I have found that service as a whole is subpar when you contrast services rendered by the 3 main carriers. I'm amazed that you have never heard of people getting throttled and sometimes kicked of their unlimited plan. Or the piss poor CS, or the reduced coverage area provided by these subcarriers.

It appears that you are saying that the services rendered with prepay subcarriers matches the services on Verizon, At&t or Sprint. For that you are 100% wrong.

Which of the big 3 has a Galaxy Nexus on prepay?

I'm not saying that prepay is useless. Its definitely a cheaper alternative to contract. However, there are many concessions people would have to make for the services to fit the average individual.

Sent from CDMA V6 SC GNexus w/Liquid & Franco.kernel
[General Topics] vetvito:
I havent took a concession. My phone still works the same, same call quality, text, good net speeds. Only difference is I'm not paying much.

No contracts, no hidden fees, not stuck with the same phone.

I have good credit. I was taught to only sign paperwork for a home, and stuff that pays me.
[General Topics] PoXFreak:
This thread only proves that so many different people with so many different plans, contract or prepaid, all have varying thoughts and experiences with their cellular carriers.

I, for one, have been pleased overall with the QOS I have recieved from AT&T, I just may be one of the exceptions though. I live in a busy bustling area with LOTS of towers serving LOTS of different carriers, mostly owned and/or operated by the Big 3.

I have been with AT&T for around 5 years with only ONE problem that was quickly corrected. I was happy enough with them to go ahead and use their UVerse service here in the states which, to my knowledge, has never failed.

Don't get me wrong, I am not plugging anyone here, just voicing an opening opinion.

On the subject of subsidy, I used an old HTC Kaiser running Android 2.2.2 for almost 2 1/2 years before taking the dive and getting a new phone. No increase in fees or charges, (yes the extra $36 activation fee sucks), AND I get a new phone for the 2 years on contract.

Sure, upgrades in the near future are almost impossible, but why upgrade when I did my homework and got a phone with some longevity and usefulness? Enough to cover the next 2 years... hard to tell at this point. I do know that I will be happy with my selection for those 2 years.

Just my $.02
[General Topics] Aerocaptain:
Like I said earlier, prepay works for some. Not the majority. No matter how you look at it, concessions do exist moving from a big 3 carrier to a prepay carrier that rents towers. If those concessions work for you, more power to you. The truth of the matter is, prepay does not save thousands with the same quality of service. Let's look at cost analysis real quick.

If 2 people wanted the galaxy nexus, one on Verizon, one on Straight talk when the device first came out.

Verizon consumer (this is what I paid): purchased the device for $150 w/contract on letstalk and I pay $90 per month. Total investment till next upgrade where the cycle repeats (20months):$1950

Straight talk consumer pays $700 for the device and pays $45 per month for a comparable rate plan. Total investment: $1600.

$350 difference over the period. ($17.50 extra per month with verizon). And I'm getting better coverage, better CS, and LTE speeds. In my opinion its worth it. If we compared straight talk with sprint, the monthly difference would be close to nil.

Sent from CDMA V6 SC GNexus w/Liquid & Franco.kernel