[AT&T Galaxy Note 3 General] vampiro:
I would like to know what the hell is AT&T and every other carrier trying to achieve here?

THE OS AND THE LIMITATIONS

As most of us know, Google OS (Android) which is a Linux based OS under the Open Source License. Samsung is the manufacturer for the products with the latest and the greatest available features to build and compete against other manufacturers products and develop the basic software for these features to operate and provide the user with more tools on hand. AT&T is just operating and selling devices that are against this privilege for the user under the OS license. One of the privileges of Open Source is that the OS has community support and the ability to change and modify the kernel as the user and community see fit. The rest of the software that is created for this OS is under the same license policy. Is Samsung/AT&T infringing such licenses? AT&T is restricting and limiting, the possibilities and privileges the software/hardware and every update the OS may bring, perhaps we should request Cyanogenmod come up with a workaround with their OS, even Google provide an GPe OS for these devices to have, such as Apple for the Iphone which every phone comes with the same OS regardless the carrier. I think Google should regulate the OS and restrict Carriers or Manufacturers to restrict the OS the way they do.

CONSUMER DISADVANTAGES

Every single phone being sold whether from Google Store (GPe OS-Unlocked) or XYZ-Carrier (Network Locked) is profit to all of the above companies. Why should they mess around with products the way they do? We pay for the devices full price (Google Store) or locked with a carrier for 2 year agreement and pay for the device their price tags and consume minutes, texts and data as this is a requirement most of the times while acquiring these products. The consumer agrees to their service terms, pay for a device in different options and yet we are limited on what we do and how we use these devices we pay for. Who is the owner of the device after pay off? Devices are locked after the contract expires, why not the same with OS restrictions the same?

ANDROID OS CARRIER UPDATE PROCESS

Carriers and manufacturers should not regulate or have the last word and decision what goes on the device. (see here http://goo.gl/rqte9c)

We can see the repercussions these limitations are having to carriers by implementing bad decisions, or sticking their noses on regulating software for devices. One good example is the cost of carrier services, offered devices and limitations on software. We see, hear and we switch to prepaid services or carriers despite service quality. With other smaller carrier affordable services and devices focused on allowing the consumer/users to be able to reach, bigger carriers loose loyalty customers and become affected by their own practices.

I have been a loyal customer to AT&T and T-Mo for a long time. AT&T's Viva Mexico Plan is the best as I can travel to MX often and have one device without extra charges for LD or Roaming to/from MX. Coverage wise, I'm happy as 98% of the time I have coverage and data is decent for the price. However, since T-Mo has had Hotspot available on their devices, I have had tablets with T-Mo for about 3 years. If AT&T offered this service, I would switch immediately, but that is not the case.

MY ADVICE TO THE CARRIERS

- AT&T - Better go back and RE-THINK on more POSSIBLE ways to offer the quality services you offer without restricting the devices. "The more you give, the more you get"

- T-Mobile - If there was a way to offer more devices and MX plans, more customers under your belt.

I think that the initial intention of restricting devices with a network lock has gone too far. Your only concern should be, I buy the phone form you, my phone only operates with your network, and I keep being a loyal customer. If most popular Android device were available for all carriers, there wouldn't be a need to unlock devices. Perhaps, manufacturers and Google should partner up and have these devices available on Play Store as GPe devices for XYZ-carrier.

- I can choose to update of stay with my OS as it is.

- I have benefit to have the latest OS release as it is released form OEM.

- My phone's OS is not manipulated by you.

- Google provide the OS for 2.x, 3.x, 4.x for any android phone, hardware permits.

- Google allow/provide OS backup of the entire nand as a minimum for user. (This is the primary reason, I think, most root phones for)

Why should it be that much different that purchasing a computer and then installing a new OS if we like? Consider what Microsoft 8 to 8.1 turned out.

CHANGES

This is just my opinion and point of view about the whole messy deal about root privileges and rooting devices. I have four GN3 from AT&T for my wife, daughters and my self. I root my devices to be able to do device backups as sometimes apps are installed and have negative effects and I have to restore my devices with all of my files and apps, but data that goes with apps is lost and this is a big deal to me. I would love to have a device with an OS that uses external SD to store apps data, in case I had to replace a device, or simply chose to update my device and re-install apps and data could be much easier as app data resides on external SD. Internal storage of device should be use for that - storage. I see it pointless to have two storage locations for my device. Most items are pictures, video and music, which by the way I constantly move to my computer to make room for new pictures/video and newer music. Most document files are on cloud storage as is accessible everywhere I need it. In such case, external storage should be movable to available for apps and app's data in due case I need to access the same app on other devices and be less redundant with the same app and different data on all my devices. Google should move on to update these features and resources on the OS not hardware. Apple does a great job with OS reliability, why should Google be the exception as there are more partners and available manufacturers for phone peripherals.

Now, with wearables is going in the same direction. I would like to see a watch, more like a bracelet with a wider screen for other than making phone calls, replying text, playing games or any other silliness. That's the whole deal about manufacturers developing bigger/brighter screens, right?

CONCLUSION

If I was a developer or worked for Google, I would provably create a bracelet with the possibility to operate more like Google Glass, No hands - No hassle. Something as an extension of my phone to be able to see time, date, weather, notifications for texts, heart rate monitor, two-way camera for quick video chat, connect to blue tooth to make phone calls though hands free head set, and other small features - simple is better.

I might end up selling each one of my GN3's and switch to Google Play Editions in the near future. Cleaner OS, faster OS update releases and open for rooting.

YOUR INPUT

What would you like different form Android OS, Manufacturers or Carriers?