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Samsung Region locking phones.

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ScaredyCat
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PostPosted: 18:46 - 26 Sep 2013    Post subject: Samsung Region locking phones. Reply with quote
Just a heads up, seems that Samsung have started region locking their phones (from July 2013). What this means is although you'll be able to take your device to a different region you will not be able to swap out the SIM for a local one.

To be clear you can take your UK device to another EU country and use a local SIM but you wont be able to take it to, for example, the USA and use a local SIM. Your UK one would still work but your roaming charges would make you cry.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/188253/_bcf/samsung-fuckers1.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/188253/_bcf/samsung-fuckers2.jpg
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CaNsA
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PostPosted: 19:15 - 26 Sep 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
At what level is that lock placed?

Is it software or hard-coded into the phone?
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ScaredyCat
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PostPosted: 19:22 - 26 Sep 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
Samsung Mobile in Holland are claiming it can't be turned off

Quote:

“Hi Luc,
Unfortunately it is not possible to unlock the phone. On the package and in the user manual it clearly states that there is a Regional Lock on this device. It is however possible to use European simcards in China, but you can’t put a Chinese simcard in this device.
Best regards,
Samsung Mobile NL”


but I've seen reports of people being prompted for pin codes - although that might be that they have a SIM lock on their device and have misunderstood the issue.

It's a bit unclear right now but hopefully more will out as the days pass.
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MinhDinh
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PostPosted: 19:52 - 26 Sep 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
That is so gay. If Samsung pulls that stunt, then I am going to have to go HTC on their ass.
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Irn-Bru
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PostPosted: 20:10 - 26 Sep 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
You know it's bad when Apple don't even stoop that low. In fact, I thought we were over the whole region lock thing, the PS4 is region free even.
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J.M.
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PostPosted: 21:10 - 26 Sep 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
I hope people avoid Samsung until they drop this.

Shit like this should really be lawed against. Like Microsoft only bundling IE with Windows did.
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t121anf
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PostPosted: 21:20 - 26 Sep 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
Quick web search suggests this is only for initial activation, i.e. to stop you buying a phone in the US bringing it home and then trying to register it. If you register it before you left the US you could use a UK sim in it.
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Marmalade
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PostPosted: 12:56 - 28 Sep 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
J.M. wrote:
I hope people avoid Samsung until they drop this.

Shit like this should really be lawed against. Like Microsoft only bundling IE with Windows did.


The microsoft thing was bullshit, in court for adding a freebie to their os !!

Would people complain if you got a free mouse and external keyboard with their laptop?
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Andy_Pagin
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PostPosted: 13:44 - 28 Sep 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
It was far from bullshit, it was about microsofts ant-competive practices preventing competition and consumer choice. Ms know that they're buggered if they have to compete on an even playing field and they fought bloody hard against the Eu Commission, the final judgement ran to over two hundred pages and the fine was colossal. Incidentally Ms have quietly stopped offering the browser choice and are due to face another Eu trial.
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Ste
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PostPosted: 13:50 - 28 Sep 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
Should M$ be forced to include Open Office as an alternative to notepad & wordpad?
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J.M.
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PostPosted: 14:40 - 28 Sep 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
Marmalade wrote:
The microsoft thing was bullshit, in court for adding a freebie to their os !!

Would people complain if you got a free mouse and external keyboard with their laptop?


I partly agree, but it was the best example that came to mind. However the case wasn't just about the fact that the operating system included Internet Explorer. Microsoft claimed it to be a free feature, when really it was an irremovable integral piece of the operating system. Parts of the operating system were developed in such a way to favour IE over 3rd party applications or not allow 3rd party applications. They were in court because they were accused of using their monopoly over the PC market to win the browser war by making it an irremovable extra to their operating system, which isn't free because Internet Explorer's development costs are then included as a part of the operating system.

https://pcsupport.about.com/od/browsers/f/removeiexp.htm

I'm getting seriously fed up of companies imposing so many restrictions on consumer products. When we buy a product, we should be able to do with it what we wish.

One that really annoys me lately is Android phones. The amount of shit that companies put on them that cannot be removed without rooting the device is getting stupid. Also if I buy a phone on contract, why should it be simlocked to that company? I'm already paying the contract, they're making a profit, if I wish to put in another sim when going abroad, why should I not be allowed? On my phone the bootloader has been locked. What's the point in that? Why should they stop me from customising the device that I'm paying for? I'm still going to have to legally pay for it regardless of whether I break it or not. I got given a Nexus 4 for work and since regret buying a Sony.
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Andy_Pagin
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PostPosted: 16:40 - 28 Sep 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
My view is that monopolies are bad for everyone and consumers should have a choice, why should I be forced to pay for Windows on an x86 machine whether I want it or not? why shouldn't I be able to go into Tescos and play with a range of operating systems, much as I would when choosing a kitchen knife or a camera? would this sort of monopoly be tolerated in any other business area - no.

Back on topic, they're taking the piss, just like HTC are by filling this phone up with crap I'll never use and stopping me from deleting it.
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ScaredyCat
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PostPosted: 23:41 - 28 Sep 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
J.M. wrote:

One that really annoys me lately is Android phones. The amount of shit that companies put on them that cannot be removed without rooting the device is getting stupid.


That's because you're buying a phone from a provider as part of their contract and it's in their interests to give you lots of little crappy apps, most of which you might not find useful some of which you might.

J.M. wrote:

Also if I buy a phone on contract, why should it be simlocked to that company?


Phone them up and ask them for the unlock code.

J.M. wrote:

On my phone the bootloader has been locked. What's the point in that?


To stop you fucking up your phone. 99% of people who use modern phones just use them as they come out of the box. You're a deviation from that.

There are enough phones on the market that don't have their bootloader locked. Pick one of them instead.


J.M. wrote:

Why should they stop me from customising the device that I'm paying for? I'm still going to have to legally pay for it regardless of whether I break it or not. I got given a Nexus 4 for work and


Because there are some things that you really should not get access to without some major effort. Fuck about with the gsm chip firmware and you can screw up the network for everyone else, highjack other devices etc.

Does your TV allow you to reflash it's firmware to one of your choice? What about your stereo? DVD Player? Microwave?


J.M. wrote:
since regret buying a Sony.


You should always regret buying Sony. They are the champions of DRM - buy a device from them, expect it to be locked as much as they can lock it.
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J.M.
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PostPosted: 03:26 - 29 Sep 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
ScaredyCat wrote:
That's because you're buying a phone from a provider as part of their contract and it's in their interests to give you lots of little crappy apps, most of which you might not find useful some of which you might.


Yes, but the bundled software should be uninstallable. If they bundle something that I want to use, great. If not, I want to uninstall it.

ScaredyCat wrote:
Phone them up and ask them for the unlock code.


Yes, but they make you pay for it. I'm already paying for the phone on contract so it seems unfair for them to be able to charge an additional fee to use the phone on other networks.

It's understandable if they sell the phone at a cheaper price in an attempt to earn money from data/minutes/text usage rather than retail, but with a contract they're earning a set profit.

ScaredyCat wrote:
To stop you fucking up your phone. 99% of people who use modern phones just use them as they come out of the box. You're a deviation from that.

There are enough phones on the market that don't have their bootloader locked. Pick one of them instead.


Some phones have a locked bootloader which unlockable, like the Nexus 4 that I have been using. But mine is down right locked and currently not possible to unlock. The average user that doesn't know what they are doing isn't going to accidentally unlock their phone and flash a dud firmware.

Even if they did, why should the phone company care? It's not something the phone company would be obliged to fix due to the nature of it.

ScaredyCat wrote:
Because there are some things that you really should not get access to without some major effort. Fuck about with the gsm chip firmware and you can screw up the network for everyone else, highjack other devices etc.


But you should be able to access the main things with the effort, it shouldn't be made impossible.

If you wanted to fuck around with GSM, you'd just but a GSM module for some microcontroller rather than a phone.

ScaredyCat wrote:
Does your TV allow you to reflash it's firmware to one of your choice? What about your stereo? DVD Player? Microwave?


No, but it would be excellent if they did.

ScaredyCat wrote:
You should always regret buying Sony. They are the champions of DRM - buy a device from them, expect it to be locked as much as they can lock it.


Yeah, I realise that now.
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Tarmacsurfer
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PostPosted: 10:45 - 29 Sep 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
ScaredyCat wrote:
Does your TV allow you to reflash it's firmware to one of your choice? What about your stereo? DVD Player? Microwave?


The only thing I haven't flashed on that list is a microwave Laughing
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