yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] SamuriHL:
Shouldn't the choice be the consumer's? The business crowd can buy these locked down devices all they want... I have no problem with that. But if I'm just an average Joe consumer, why shouldn't I be able to make up my own mind about whether to unlock my phone or not? I'd accept the warranty trade off... Unlock, warranty gone. It has never been shown that people running unlocked phones affect the network in any way, so their line about keeping the network secure is nonsense. Besides, if that were true developer phones wouldn't exist. No this is about money as it always is. It's about being able to control your user experience by loading a bunch of bloatware so they can make extra money. The reason they don't like gpe devices is because they don't get to "customize" them for us. Even the expensive development phones have bloatware. This has never been about security or the stability of the network. It's about profits pure and simple. They're a business and they're in it to make money. I get that. As such I've taken my business to a company that's slightly less greedy and a little more open about what they allow. I care about root and unlocked bootloaders and I voted with my wallet to show that support. I urge others to consider the same. Each time they plug the security holes that allow root and unsecured code flashing it becomes exponentially more difficult to find new ones. This is why Dan R quit the game. It just takes too much time now. I have no doubt a root exploit will be found for this update. It wouldn't shock me if they found a new way to flash unsecured code, as well. How long will it take and how long before those exploits are patched? This cat and mouse game only gets more and more difficult. The reality is its much easier for them to let the community find the holes so they can plug them. You're doing their security research for them. Lol. The side benefit I guess is that android becomes more secure and thus stronger as a result. Still... I want choice as a consumer and I was willing to pay for it.

---------- Post added at 09:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:26 AM ----------

Factory reset does nothing to affect the OS on your phone. *ALL* it does is erase the data and cache partitions. Nothing more nothing less. It won't even remove root if you've rooted your phone as that's installed to the system partition.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] KidJoe:
You would think so, but in a world of BYOD at many/most companies, it wouldn't work too well.

I like how HTC was doing it for a while there... unlock your phone via their web site while accepting the fact that it voids your warranty. I would like to see that continue, and more phone makers follow. But will the carriers (Verizon/ATT/Sprint) allow it?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] markwebb:
I'm with you. I am returning my phone this coming week. It could be a day, a week, a month, a year or more IF it gets unlocked, etc. I have my escape route now so am taking advantage of it before my window of opp closes. All of the fun has been sapped out of this phone. Good luck to everyone, bounty or no bounty.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] SamuriHL:
Why not? The virtualization on some of these devices allow a business side that's fully locked down and a consumer side that doesn't matter. That's the solution to this problem...a secure virtual environment for business stuff.

I agree. This would be ideal.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Verdictator:
Uhm...

Did you forget to add my 5$ USD to the list? I know it's not much, but it's my way of supporting the devs!

If you don't want it, it's okay. Just putting it out there.

---------- Post added at 09:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:35 AM ----------

I have no idea if this is of relevance to the situation [As i'm a noob skiddie], but I stumbled upon this.

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2369896

Possibly a lead? Relatively new thread.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] rajat12345:
I just posted on the thread for dumps of the bootloader if that would help us
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] garwynn:
And I would remind not all S4 variants are locked. So some of this is at least Verizon. Also.. anyone thinking the Qfuse can be reversed... it's a physical change to phone when the fuse is blown.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] gatesjunior:
Well, to each his own I suppose, but I have faith that it will happen :) Also, I have already built an install file that will add the transparent statusbar, more toggles, including wifi and have enabled blocking mode on the VRUAMDK build. I am currently working on adding the app2sd card now. And this can be installed on a default VRUAMDK stock build that has only been rooted of course. So, if we as devs cannot get the current release to install without issues, we will figure a way to add the features to our phones.. And yes, everything works, including camera/wifi etc.. And does not require full wipe/factory data reset..
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] r_hippy:
Care to send me in the direction of the blocking mode.

Thanks
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] hallstevenson:
What phone was that ? It could simply be a case of not enough people care about a model to invest any time and effort into it.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] SamuriHL:
The OMAP phones (Bionic, RAZR, etc) were never unlocked. And never will be since they blew the eFuse at the factory on retail phones which forces the chipset into a secure mode. It's not very difficult to create a secure phone that can't be broken. And believe me, people tried. Even Dan R looked into them.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] JamesPumaEnjoi:
I don't understand....I know those phones were never unlocked, which you mentioned...why does your signature say unlocked RAZR HD...is that the only exception? Or you're hoping for an unlocked RAZR HD
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] SamuriHL:
RAZR HD is a qualcomm phone, not OMAP. So yes, it's unlocked with a hack that is now closed.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] JamesPumaEnjoi:
Gotcha was just wondering
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] jcase:
A) all devices are locked to a point, even Nexus 4 has firmware which is signed. By less locked, I mean they are less locked. When you get an unlocked model, You have a bit more access than you do with HTC unlocked ones, and more unlocked models are available.

B) they can not be changed
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] lmalinofsky:
I believe it was a Milestone

...which apparently is rooted now? But as I recall it took more than a year....:confused:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] rdcamero:
With the Note 3 and maybe a revised S4 with the Snapdragon 800 to be announced in September,Most people will have moved on way before a year if it takes that long.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] markwebb:
Exactly! If anyone has a way out or a way to return, do it now. My gut is telling me this is a futile exercise overall from what I have been learning and reading. Such a shame. If you read between the lines, when djrbliss wished us well in our endeavor,it was just a nice way of saying probably not going to happen.:crying: But, I truly hope I am proven wrong!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] SamuriHL:
That was just Dan's way of saying "Good luck but don't expect me to do it." :D
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] markwebb:
>>>because there is no way of doing it. :laugh::laugh::silly:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] rushless:
My S4 for me already is fast and good battery life. It is faster than my previous devices were, WITH roots and streamlined roms. All I want is root to stop the update madness and kill bloat with extreme prejudice. Anything beyond that will be butter on the biscuit :)
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] thedeveloper1:
Is it possible to flash via Odin a system.img file of Google Edition ROM for the S4? Just only that IMG file
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] hlxanthus:
The hardware is virtually identical across all gs4 with a snapdragon processor. But the software is locked into one device due to the signing of the IMG files.

Sent from my Galaxy S4
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] rdcamero:
We are a fairly small group, so it should not be a problem to sell my phone when another one comes out.I will just revert back to stock and sell it to someone who does not care about root or mods.The phones that have not been updated could end up commanding a premium price come resell time since they maybe the last of the Samsung Verizon phones to have root and recovery.

I guess we will see how things turn out.

---------- Post added at 02:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:47 PM ----------

[/COLOR]

This is why I think a third option should be added for a root only bounty.If there is enough support for this I may create a new thread for bounty just for rooting the current ota.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] SamuriHL:
ROFLMAO! Because it takes too long to do it with really no gain. This next comment is going to sound offensive and I really do apologize but it's to illustrate a point about why Dan is done....it's not like people learned. And what I mean by that is, Dan puts out Motochopper and Loki and everyone gets everything they wanted. Then people took the update and are in a position where they can't use Loki anymore and potentially have even lost root. Why would Dan want to go through all the trouble of finding a new exploit to use when people don't learn?

(Caveat...I'm not referring to people who just bought the phone and had the update pushed without their consent...you people have SOME of my sympathy but you bought a locked device...)

Dan doesn't want to keep playing this game every time a root or unlock exploit is closed. It's not that it can't be done, it just takes longer and longer each time for ZERO gain. It's not like if this gets Loki v2 that people will avoid the next update. The back to square one. It's a vicious game. Dan is simply saying "hey, skip all that and get an unlocked device." And that's what I did. Others who can't or won't do that are stuck waiting, hoping for the next exploit. People are willing to put up for a bounty for each and every update that comes out but aren't willing to shell out for an unlocked phone. That's a choice. And it has consequences.

Again, I don't mean to be offensive so please don't take my post the wrong way. I just want people to understand that the game that's being played here is a fool's errand.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Protibus:
I'd take root only right now. Gives me the ability to tweak a bit. Recovery would be nice but I don't have a warm and fuzzy that it is at all possible.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] dobo84:
Its a cat and mouse game regardless.... with the two largest carriers. Verizon especially since its harder to buy a device full boat with out a warranty. Trust me I'd buy a dev edition if they were in-stock and I could dump this phone off on someone who didn't care or understand anything beyond angry birds. But at this point were all pretty much screwed for the time being...
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] SamuriHL:
THAT I understand. The fact that the DE is sold out is just plain moronic on Samsung's part. I mean, really? It's not like it's some hugely different piece of hardware. Make more for crying out loud. LOL! So I sympathize 100% with that problem. That's complete and total nonsense.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] dobo84:
They will produce more when the phone is irrelevant
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] markwebb:
Very well said and I edited your response so as not to take up space. I agree with you..though I still believe it is futile. :) However, I am a man of my word and honour, so after I have moved on only later to discover this phone has gained at least root and recovery, I WILL donate to the lucky victor...but...my gut still tells me... Ok, enough. :) Good luck!!!!

Now, which phone do I get?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] SamuriHL:
That's exactly what kept me from getting an S3 DE last year. It didn't come out for like 3 months after the consumer version and by that point the consumer version was already unlocked. I didn't see the point so I held off.

---------- Post added at 03:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:11 PM ----------

On VZW there aren't a lot of choices for unlockable phones. The DNA is the best option right now. Meh.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] markwebb:
Or I could just order the Dev Edition from Samsung if and when it comes off backorder and NEVER take an update from VZW. Maybe the MOTOX might have a dev edition?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] SamuriHL:
Don't get me started on the Moto X. I've been ranting all day about that useless piece of junk. The S4 DE is a good option for VZW. And you don't have to be afraid to take OTA updates. Take it, restore your custom recovery, flash root in recovery, done. That's how it should be.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] javascriptvoid:
So if I return it to the store then go to a different Verizon store and buy a different s4. Will I be able to root & recovery. Just bought it on Monday lol
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] markwebb:
Hmmm..but I thought users reported by taking the OTA even on the DE, it reverted and locked their bootloader and lost recovery? No?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] SamuriHL:
Not if the sales person does the update "for you"...which has happened to people in this thread. I'd not even bother trying.

---------- Post added at 03:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:23 PM ----------

Uh, no. Maybe reverted recovery to stock, that'd I'd buy. Re-locking their phones when they took an OFFICIAL unlock? Not buying it.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] jorceshaman:
I just hope that when AWS comes out that someone who didn't update is around still to implement it into a rom for me. I didn't take the update. Still got MDK everything. I'm horrible with programming and all I want is root with the ability to connect to the next network. I offered part of the bounty here in hopes that someone will come up with a fix so that I CAN have the latest and greatest updates.

Thank you to everyone who is working their asses off to find a fix and just plain out contributing to the community that allows me to be a leech!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] hallstevenson:
Heh, I thought he did it because he can and for the challenge... To him, it's fun.

---------- Post added at 03:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:40 PM ----------

A company like Samsung probably has their production schedule planned out weeks or months in advance. It's not quite as simple as "making more". Priority goes to the guaranteed orders from carriers who want hundreds of thousands vs non-guaranteed sales of a few thousand DE models.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] markwebb:
So who bought them all and where are they? Seems like no devs bought any... :(
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] SamuriHL:
WAS fun. I don't think he enjoys it anymore and so retired. Pray he gets bored some day. LOL! :D

Ok, your point is SOMEWHAT valid, but, the morons knew from day one they were doing a DE. WHY on God's earth did they not put up a pre-order or "notify me" page like Motorola does with their DE phones? Then they could gauge interest and with the 2 months they've had they could have properly prepared rather than get blindsided. That 650 is a lot of profit to leave on the table because they don't have product.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] mlin:
Yeah, the HTC solution was pretty ideal. I'm just happy my phone had MDK when I bought it on Monday.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] hallstevenson:
I'll venture to say that there's not as many of these DE models out there like people (want to) believe.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Surge1223:
I laughed when I read the last paragraph, anyone who has ever read/used house of bionic would put this at a "1" on the scale of offensive for you (10 being the highest)
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Shotjas:
I get warm fuzzy feelings seeing Sam in the S4 thread. I have many MANY thanks to him for the HOB creation, it really made my Bionic worth having for that year that I did have it, before I sold it back to VZW and got an insane deal on my S4.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] rushless:
Seems presumptuous that those devices will not be locked like this one, but right out the gate. Makes sense the S4 was their pilot device for "improved security" for devices going forward.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Jayrod76:
Yeah..he's OK.. I guess :p

Sent from my Platyraptor extreme ultra maxxxx 4gLTE/GSM/ABC/123 Nick Knack Pattywack Ermegherd GED, MD,RNA,DNA,YMCA Edition S4! Via the 4th dimension....NOW RUNNING ECLIPSE
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] SamuriHL:
Gee... Thanks I think. Lmao!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Jayrod76:
Damn...I should have asked if I could quote you prior to umm,quoting you! Bahahahahaha :p ;)
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] SamuriHL:
Lol.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] hondaboi20002:
OK, so I just returned my s4 for another one at verizon. Checked the build before I left the store. Its the build that I need for root, however, the darn phone started updating automatically and I immediately shut off data. Now I am home..if I turn on data it says it will automatically resume software update, but shouldn't it give me the option once downloaded to install or will it just reboot and install by itself? I'm just trying to figure if I need to go ahead connect to my PC and try to root it...thoughts?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] jcase:
Ok I deleted the "fear mongering" posts to limit drama. Come with provable facts, or don't bring that drama here please. Any root eluded to in this thread, has not been leaked. Possibly referring to any number of vulns that have already been disclosed. Whatever it is, its not it.

---edit--

Debunking time!

The original posting of this rumor also mentions Motorola having 5.0. It has been said by Android team members, time and time again that version numbers are not determined until they are nearing release. We have seen this in the original leak of what became Jellybean 4.2. With 4.3 nearing, I highly doubt 5.0 is coming soon as well.

Full LTE roll out on T-Mobile in a matter of months, when much of their coverage is still EDGE. Even Verizon and AT&T do not have a full roll out.

Pretty sure spectrum is done by auction, I guess Google and dish could have gotten more at auction but that should be public record.

Snapdragon 800, 3gb ram? Sounds nice, but can't imagine them not using their exynos line in a remake.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] dobo84:
So basically no truth to any of it... sounds like a winner to me
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] open1your1eyes0:
Thanks for investigating further and debunking jcase! :good:

Occasionally we will see such guys like this pop up in the forums and spread "exclusive news" that no one has heard of before. Of course how do you prove something wrong you have no evidence against? Then again, how do you prove something you have no evidence FOR? Just saying. ;)
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] jova33:
You can let the update download all day long. After its done downloading it'll ask if you want tio install it now or later. Defer it to later, root your phone, install titanium backup, freeze the OTA app
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] gadget!:
Put me down for $25.

I'm on the old build rooted and rommed so I'm good but let's get this done!

Sent from a Galaxy S4... Far far away.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] HowardZ:
When I received my phone, I rooted, installed titanium backup, froze SDM, and installed apps.

Then I installed the sim card.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] hondaboi20002:
Ok, I am rooted and have titanium, but I see 2 options in the freeze section, Freeze all use & system app or defrost all user & system apps. How did you proceed from those 2 selections?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] jettadieselguy:
Put me in for 10 for root and 20 for boot

Hyperdriven 7 powered GS4
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Cruiserdude:
Go to freeze all user and system data, and then hit "deselect all". Then, scroll through the list and freeze "software update manager" or whatever it's called, and you can select any other bloat you wish to freeze as well (there's a TON). Then just hit the check and let it run.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] rtc1036:
I'm in for $20 as well.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Chopes:
Throw me in on $50 for each.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Surge1223:
Back on topic, I haven't kept up with thread entirely but looked over in the development discussion thread and noticed there arent any recent discussions for for our device in regards to this (since around 7/12) and was wondering is there a thread/area with what has been/has not been tried? Is it only the aboot that was modified since it does the signature checking? I understand not having open discussions discussing possible methods, but having a list of what has been tried could save people time. Also I don't know if its been uploaded or not but is there a place for people to view/download the 329.47 MIB update? If not I can upload it. Also curious if failure logs have been posted, etc.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] eskomo:
Girlfriends VZW S4 just rebooted and updated on its own. She turned and showed me the screen and sure enough it booted into recovery and updated. She says she is positive she wasn't touching the screen before it did it. Idk.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] jova33:
She probably deferred it from earlier. On mine the update downloaded, then asked me if I wanted to update now or later. I set the later for 12 hours, then rooted, then had Rootbox ROM flashed.

If I had let that 12 hours run out, I'm sure it would've went ahead and upgraded.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] gatesjunior:
This could be part of where it came from:

Google wants to experiment with wireless networks using Clearwire spectrum

Search giant asks FCC for two-year experiment window

January 24, 2013 | By Phil Goldstein

I would have posted a link, but the site will not let me yet :) Look on fiercewireless.com/topics/wireless-carrier-news

Tons of news for wireless carriers there where info can be pulled. But to your point, I do not see where anything was granted to them yet...
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] lolzadam:
Yeah I ended up thinking up a solid lie and going back into microcenter with my phone which was "broken by the update." Of course it was broken in a way that they could not validate or invalidate in the store and in my current situation (sob story), I could not wait for warranty. Got it switched for one with MDK (I knew because it was from the same stock mine came from 8 days earlier), and pulled the battery as soon as I left the store until I got home 6 hours later to root it and rename SDM.apk and block the update. Got Eclipse on it now. I do have faith that something will give here, but I am impatient and had an easy out so I took it. Of course, I'm still good for my donation.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] dobo84:
Glad that worked out
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] mentosone:
I did the same thing....no shame. coming from galaxy nexus I never kept a rom for more than 2 weeks.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] WizeGuyDezignz:
Not like anyone cares, but I'm going to be jumping ship to T-Mobile after being with Verizon for over 15 years soon. I have finally just grown tired of locked down phones, high prices and ridiculous policies.

I will agree that Verizon is still the largest and best carrier in the US, but other carriers have caught up close enough that their pricing and policies just don't make sense anymore.

And I know people will laugh at the T-Mobile choice, but they happen to have fantastic coverage where I live in San Diego and I don't travel much.

Anyhow I wish you all the best of luck with this thread and hope it gets figured out! Before I leave I will most likely donate to this cause but I haven't decided on an amount yet. :thumbup:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] SamuriHL:
On that note, LTE coverage by carrier:

VZW: 500 markets

AT&T: 328 markets

TMobile:115 markets

So if you do decide to switch due to this locked down update situation, just be aware that VZW still has the best coverage by a LONG ways. I applaud people taking a stand and switching to networks that are more open and friendly towards the modding community. But there is a trade off.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] thedeveloper1:
Did you have to pay a fee for the trade in? And do you think it is possible to do it at retailers such as Best Buy?