yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] Lopan12:
The problem is, that's what many people in forums like this ("developers" is in the name after all) like to think, but I know that it simply isn't true. I've unlocked several phones, flashed many ROMs, and rooted plenty of devices. But I will readily admit I do not always COMPLETELY grasp what I'm doing. Sure, I've got an idea, but sometimes, that's just enough knowledge to get you into trouble. I work with people who have only a vauge idea of what root-access means, or why it's different than an unlocked bootloader, and they've still opened up their device. Sometimes just to get rid of bloat, or because they want to tweak a couple settings they normally couldn't. The point is, there is definitely a subset of people who would 1-click-root/unlock their phone if the option was available, without knowing the whole deal. They're also the people who probably wouldn't if they had to use ADB and Odin and lots of command line stuff, and they would be just as happy. Not everyone is willing to take the time to research, learn, and ask before unlocking they're phone. Some people just want to do it so they can [insert minor functionality here], and when they bork it, you get the threads of "HELP!! I bricked my phone, what do I do?!?!?!?!?!?".

All in all, I would have payed an extra $30-$60 for the dev phone, if they'd presented me with the option before I pre-ordered. But I'm on the fence on whether to go through the hassle of swapping, when I'm not a serious dev-hobbyist. On my DINC, I'd go through phases; for a few months, I'd hang out here, flash a bunch of ROMs, play around and listen to my wife say "Well it's broke cause you've been f#$%in' with it." :laugh: But then I'd load up a deodexed and un-bloated stock ROM, and be on my way for a few more months...

So there are definitely different levels of knowledge, motivation, and skill.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not supporting VZN in this, I'm just saying, I can't call total BS on them for they're reasoning. I'm hoping you fine, skilled, and limitlessly resourceful folks will be able to turn this into a VZN lock key. Good luck!!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] dpwhitty11:
They have the fastest and best coverage in my area. Same goes for everyone in here, most likely. We sure as hell aren't with them for their customer service :P
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] Vertig0:
i'm confused, I thought there the phone got rooted already? am I missing something? I'm supposed to get my phone this friday.

TIA!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] Rev3ge07:
But seriously why buy this one if ur not gonna root it they kno the reason U want.that phone (to develope) or we wouldnt be having this issuse or youd buy the locked one i just hope triangle away gets to the US version soon then were set

Sent from my Galaxy S3
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] Gadgetz:
Ahh, so it was a money making plot. Bad move Big Red, bad move
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] tailsthecat3:
I recently switched from sprints horrid network and yes, vzw has the best network. I left them in '07, they had the best network then too. Took a cell phone hiatus until '10 when I joined sprint and suffered with their slow, patchy network until a couple of weeks ago. It's nice to have lte everywhere I go. Not to mention the unbelievable 3g/1x voice(SMS) network. Whoops, I mentioned it.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] Morphinity:
This is a ****ing nightmare. They should just provide the damn tools to unlock it and let us make our OWN DECISIONS about whether we want to break warranty or not.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] inm8num2:
Verizon wins again.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] mattydangerfox:
I agree that not only hardcore developers will want to unlock the phone; I exaggerated for effect. However, I still don't understand why Verizon thinks their network will suffer so much. No other network has pulled that garbage excuse. If people ruin their phones then it's their problem. When I started messing with my phone I understood what the risks were, and it is my responsibility to know what I'm doing. I just wish Verizon would take the same stance. You ruin it, you're stuck with it. But don't punish everyone.

For those buying a new phone out of pocket anyway, this is a godsend. To most people that can't just drop $600 and needed the upgrade discount, this is pretty bogus. The timing is fishy, as well.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] rosser725:
I realisticly can't see this phone being released.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] demarcmj:
Here's hoping the Samsung engineers left clues in that version on how to unlock the locked version... as an F U to Verizon.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] manchild83:
/rant

This just reminds me of why I hate being a Verizon customer so much. They fully and completely hate serving their customers they just want the money. They could care less what makes us happy they only care about getting as much money for as little service as possible.

They forced my hand with this Galaxy S3 purchase before 6/28 before I got a chance to see what the phone was like. With their "share more of my money with them" plan and getting rid of my unlimited data that THEY told me over the phone I would be grand fathered into forever.

Then I read about the Galaxy S3 and it sounds like a great phone and for once it's name wouldn't be changed to some nonsense like the "Verizon Fantasmic Flame" or some other nonsense name like that and for once JUST ****ING ONCE since the original droid they would release a phone that was not locked down like Fort Knox with a TON of stupid carrier bloat ware and stupid notifications reminding me that I could be using my phone in a way that is more convenient for them and not me.

So I ordered this phone and paid them my hard earned money. Then they tell me you will get it two weeks after everyone else; I say fine maybe they are just being realistic. Then it shows up and it had a locked boot loader and no other Galaxy S3 in the WHOLE WORLD has a locked boot loader. I feel cheated plain and simple. They are bastards and snake oil sales men. SHENENIGANS I am getting my broom!!

/rant
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] ih8mydroid:
I have nothing more to add to this thread other than wow. And, I am damn glad to be dropping from big reds service in 2 weeks.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] Mazomark:
This is really a kick in the privates. Do I return phone now? And if I do, what are chances this developer phone is even available anytime soon. Or keep the one I have and hope the community can open it up.

Here's an idea for you Verizon. Offer an unlock tool. Require us to agree that if we use said unlock tool and brick our phone, we're on our own - no warranty. I'd bet a lot of people would take you up on that. Verizon doesn't have to provide customer service to bricks caused by noobs trying to install a GSM custom ROM. And people who really want the freedom to customize

their own

phone will have that freedom. Everybody wins.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] KevTN:
What a crock!! This shows that they can sell an unlocked boot loaded phone n VZW...

Hey Verizon and Samsung guess screw ya both..
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] Imatoasta:
Anybody down for a raid of the Samsung servers that house the boot loader key? I'll bring the crow bar.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] E30kid:
This is awesome for me as I don't want to use an upgrade (unlimited data) and I have an iPhone 4S to sell. I should be able to get a 32GB for around $200 out of pocket. I was just about to trade my 4S for a Galaxy Nexus before this news because of the locked bootloader.

I still don't understand why Verizon decided that locking the bootloader was a good idea. Why did they feel the need to be the only carrier on the planet who was dumb enough to pull this stuff?

Also, to the people who are saying that this is a money-making scheme by Verizon, this thing is being sold on Samsung's own site, so I'm not sure how Verizon will make money on this deal.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] inm8num2:
By having people not leave their network?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] Gadgetz:
So Verizon won't be making any money off the monthly costs of customers will have to pay to use their service?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] Neverendingxsin:
My guess for the reason why Verizon wouldn't sell it as an unlocked phone is because then they have to honor your warranty, problems, etc. But if you have to buy it through Samsung then Verizon doesn't have to deal with any of that.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] E30kid:
People framed it as some sort of scheme where Verizon would be making much more money than they normally would. It's assumed that they would be making money off of people on their service, but I don't believe that they are all too worried about people like us on XDA, otherwise they would have released it with an unsigned bootloader like everyone else.

This seems more like something that Samsung did to save face and to sell additional phones to people like us.

This explanation seems to make the most sense overall.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] Gadgetz:
Verizons stance on locked bootloaders is that it's a security issue. Just seems awfully hypocritical with the release of this device.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] mattydangerfox:
I still want Verizon to explain what is so different about their network that needs to be protected by locking the bootloader. Is there something they know that every other provider doesn't? It's such a joke.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] inm8num2:
But doesn't rooting void the warranty? If so your point doesn't stand.

If someone complains to Verizon about a rooted phone, their claim is nullified because they violated the warranty. So it doesn't make a difference either way.

This is all just business. Samsung agreed to Verizon's terms then convinced them to allow selling unlocked phones separately. What Samsung should really have done is tell Verizon to get lost because the GS3 would sell well on the other carriers. Maybe they did try to leverage that and Verizon didn't bite...I don't know.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] cell128:
I got a question. Lets say u buy one of these phones with unlock able bootloader wont we still need to flash Verizon specific roms? I don't think there will be a strong development community because not everyone wants to spend $600 for they're device
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] Neverendingxsin:
This phone will be identical to the current verizon one except for the unlockable bootloader. So any rom made for the one with a locked bootloader will work on this one. Having the developer one will just make flashing roms, kernels, etc a whole lot easier. For anybody that bought the phone at full retail anyways (like myself) buying from samsung is just better since we already have to spend full retail.

Also the developer phone would be the phone that a lot of the ROM dev's use to make there rom's.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] tailsthecat3:
Samsung is releasing/selling it. Not Verizon.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] tonictonic:
Verizon may not be selling it but they are still letting it on their network. That's the whole point.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] demarcmj:
They still waste a lot of time and money troubleshooting issues with phones that they don't know are rooted. Nobody is gonna call in and say "I rooted my phone and now it doesn't get past the bootloader. Helllp!" (Or if they do, they are idiots).

This is why they should make a sanctioned unlock, where you agree that your warranty will be voided.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] lowandbehold:
So you think there is going to be a ton of devs that come $600 out of pocket to purchase a phone? There MIGHT be a few devs that buy it, but that will hardly make a difference. People considering purchasing this need to think twice about it. They are going to be flashing the same ROM's as the locked down ones! So why put more money in Verizon's pocket?!?!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] Elite49:
If anyone buys this then your nuts. Your giving into VZW and now Samsung. Start sending BBB complaints to both. I want it unlocked but not for $600, I don't care about phones that much.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] neyenlives:
You are assuming that the same rom that works on the unlocked device will work on the locked ones. I feel that will be the case, but what if there is a hardware measure that enforces the protection?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] lowandbehold:
Not all ROM's made for the unlocked will work on a locked. My reasoning behind that? It is not just the bootloader that is the issue in the Verizon GSIII. The kernel is also encrypted. So why it is still possible to root and install custom ROM's with the locked bootloader, I think the kernel presents the larger issue. It is VERY VERY difficult to get stable AOSP ROM's using the stock kernel. The most you could hope for are some stock based ROM's with Touchwiz removed.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] neyenlives:
Wait....the Linux kernel...is encrypted? Is that even legal for them to do?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] lowandbehold:
http://ewallstreeter.com/verizon-blames-samsung-for-locked-bootloader-in-galaxy-s-iii-5550/#

True story...the source code for the kernel was released, so it is legal. The source code doesn't help in this situation though.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] Kipland007:
FWIW I just sent an email to Verizon complaining about this... I know Verizon sucks, but it is really incomprehensible that they would lock our device, release a statement about security concerns over locked devices, then allow an unlocked version to run on their network. It may be a long shot to try to work through customer service but it's really quite insane what they are doing.

That said, is it possible that Samsung did this without express consent from Verizon? I know they would need it to be legal, but there may be a clause in a contract between the two with some loopholes or ambiguous language that made Samsung think they could force Verizon's hand by offering an unlocked version. I know this is just spitballing, but it seems to me that Verizon really don't want unlocked phones on their network, so I have a hard time believing they would just consent to Samsung selling an unlocked version. First of all, they don't make any money on it, and secondly it means that any individual who has $600 can go and do whatever they want with an unlocked phone.

Anyway my head hurts from thinking about all of this.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] mattydangerfox:
Let's not forget that Verizon allowed the Nexus on its network and that didn't seem to be a concern. So why force a locked bootloader now? And why all these claims about how bad an open phone is to Verizon?

I guess all us former/current GNex owners must have really screwed the network. (sarcasm)
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] lowandbehold:
This was definitely not a choice by Samsung. Samsung is notorious for putting out free and open phones.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] stevessvt:
The RAZR was sold and its bootloader was locked before the GNex ever came out. And on top of that Verizon stated publicly that when ICS for the RAZR is pushed, they would unlock the RAZRs BL. And we know how that turned out.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] mattydangerfox:
I'm saying that if VZW is stating that an unlocked bootloader will hinder the network, cause security concerns, or result in too many returned phones, then why did they carry the GNex? Wouldn't allowing those phones on their network have hindered it, caused security concerns, and resulted in too many returned devices? The GNex was made available to the general public just like the GSIII, so the risk was the same.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] Kipland007:
I meant the developer version being released by Samsung. As in Verizon did not give them express consent to release a developer version on their network but Samsung just did it through some clause in their contract with Verizon (i.e. something about being able to release modified versions, etc.). I have a hard time believing Verizon would be OK with an unlocked version, regardless of warranty coverage. If Verizon is OK with is, why aren't they selling the developer version to make even more money?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] shuura:
this is a bum deal... This option should have been available when pre-ordering opened up for the GS3. I don't have the luxury of being able to return my phone or afford to pay $600 for a "developer" edition. This is such crap...
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] Mean Bro Greene:
Now I'm torn. I had originally planned to pick up a GS3 tomorrow morning, but now I don't know if I should. I have total faith in the community, but I also hate the idea of a locked bootloader. Its the reason I haven't bought a Motorola device since the X.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] mattydangerfox:
Just got off the phone with Verizon customer service. The rep told me that simply activating a phone directly from Samsung would not cancel grandfathered unlimited data. She said only buying a phone at two-year pricing would do that. However, my situation is a little different because I renewed my contract a few months ago and went through six (literally) GNexs with shoddy hardware and ultimately gave up on the phone. I don't know if that locked me into anything or not, so I would check on your specific plan.

Point is, you might not get screwed out of data if you activate the dev phone on Verizon.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] Mean Bro Greene:
It was my understanding that the only way (at the moment) to lose unlimited is to buy a subsidized phone after the 28th of last month. Full price phones from Verizon or purchased from ANY other source (read: ebay, craigslist, direct from manufacturer at full retail) should hold NO bearing on what plan you have, as long as the phone is compatible with said plan.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] grpatter:
This is absurd.

Do I sell my already opened locked version on eBay and pray I make enough to buy the dev version outright? Or do I stick with the locked version and pray we can convert it somehow? Are the XDA devs going to be using locked or unlocked versions? Or are they going to say ***k this and leave the device out of disgust?

I really wish VZW wasn't the only one with decent coverage around here, I'd be gone yesterday.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] Mean Bro Greene:
This! I was so looking forward to this phone. Switched off of VZW temporarily a few months back to play with the GSM GNex, and literally every other carrier around here is ****. Either on Edge over 75% of their coverage area or they have massive dead zones.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] mad96:
Can somebody explain to me how Verizon locks the bootloader on this device because of security issues but is fully backing the the fully unlocked incredible 4g? I mean REALLY! How!

M.yA.nD.droidS3
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] knifedroid:
I wonder if enough pressure could be put on Samsung to get them to swap their unlocked phones for locked ones.

I plan to try that, anyway.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] kthung:
Don't give them any ideas..
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] tlp5002:
I'll second this as well. I received my phone on 7/6 and my 14-day window is closing quickly. I shouldn't have to go through this much hassle for a phone I should have received in the first place.

I believe XDA devs have said they'll be using both devices. I'm no genius but I suspect once the unlocked Verizon SIII is released, they'll be able to reverse engineer it somehow. I have faith that some of the brilliant folks around here will make it happen.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] Skizzy034:
I'd be pissed. Once the other phone is available what makes you think developers are gonna wanna work on an unlocked version? They'll all flock to the developer edition.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] stevessvt:
Probably because their work will be for nothing if the 99.99999999% of VZW GS3's out there cant use it because of locked BL.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] lowandbehold:
Reverse engineering huh? You can't reverse engineer encryption. Like I said, in terms of the kernel, the source code has been made available. What you are saying is the equivalent to me giving you 2 safes. One safe is wide open showing you the contents, and the other safe is closed and secure. Just because you have one of them open doesn't mean you are going to be able to figure out the combination to the other.

---------- Post added at 12:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:58 PM ----------

I don't think they are all going to flock to a phone that is $600 out of pocket.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] devo1929:
FWIW, I had gotten a survey request sent to me via email from Verizon asking about my device and how I liked everything. To sum up my response, I pretty much said I would be going to another company after my contract end and would never refer a friend or family member to use Verizon again. I told them I was considered very tech-savvy among family and friends and am typically sought for advice on what devices to use/get.

I thought this would fall on deaf ears like everything else with Verizon, but I actually got a direct phone call from a representative. She told me while she's not familiar with the process of using custom software, she has seen many other similar complaints regarding this phone and that she would be bubbling this issue up. "We take the surveys and the responses we get from them very seriously." <-- her words

Will it bubble up far enough? probably not... If it does, will they even care? probably not either...

Maybe they're feeling the heat put on by Samsung announcing the dev version.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] emcd4:
I would also like to know if my sim card from my galaxy nexus would work in this phone.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] dmbatson:
It does. I had the GNex on Verizon and just popped it in to the GS3. Worked great. Next day on my account it even showed my line as GS3.

Way simple. No issues thus far and its been 2 days.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] Neverendingxsin:
So let me get this straight, people complain that VERIZON locks the boot loader, but then when samsung tries to offer you an unlocked one at full price (sadly but makes sense) people still complain? You do realize you could just sell the one that verizon sold you for full price and then buy the samsung one and still practically break even right?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] chakra:
I got the same survey, I said almost the same things LOl. I said I would not recommend and I was going to leave, and gave them a 2 out of 10.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] Mean Bro Greene:
I don't know about you, but if I lose $250, I don't really consider that breaking even.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] Boss428man:
We should all pester Verizon about giving customers the option of unlocking our phones with the agreement that we void our warranty on flashing issues.. Non-defect issues. It will save them some returns. Make it easy for us.. and we can flash new roms.. They sold us the Galaxy S3 and we expect the full Galaxy S3 experience.. as they did not note changes that our phones have on their site at this time or our time of purchase.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] firsttimer44:
As soon as the phone drops in stores tomorrow I would be shocked if anyone could get $600+ for their phone. People are selling the AT&T version for $500 now. There is no way anybody is breaking even.