VZW disabling tethering apps from market

[yummyDroid]

This conversation needs to be presented to the developers of those apps to go any further.

I agree completely. Anybody know the devs?

 

[gsdreams]

I didn't say they "can". I said the technology is there for them to do so, it does not mean they have implemented it.

As for AT&T vrs Verizon let's compare networks, etc... and tell me who is more likely not only to be able to implement the technology but also afford to do so.


Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using Tapatalk

The thing is though, as long as tethering apps don't report the data, there's nothing even to implement. i.e. if the data telling them that another device isn't created in the first place, there's nothing for them to "get" by implementing on their side.

You can do it by checking packets to differentiate between what a device is using. Privacy concerns could come up if they started doing it, but it wouldn't be hard.

When you visit a website you automatically send information on what browser you are using. Using internet explorer, firefox on a computer, etc... will show that you aren't using a phone. The data collected from one visit to a website would show if you were using your phone or not.

P2P the same thing except not with packets. All they would have to do is bring a P2P client and check the IP address to be able to see that you are not using your phone, but a computer, since 98% of P2P clients broadcast the client name unless disabled.

Netflix from a Wii, BD Player, XBox, etc... also sends distinctive information back to netflix, so another give away.

I never said they "WERE" checking, I said the technology is there to do so.

In a financial sense they are taking steps to eliminate, but they are being financially responsible and starting with the least expensive and quickest steps as I said before. After each step they take they will see how much of a difference it makes and move forward from there until they feel it is down to an acceptable amount or until they feel they have to pursue it because it simply isn't going down.

 

[yummyDroid]

I didn't say they "can". I said the technology is there for them to do so, it does not mean they have implemented it.

As for AT&T vrs Verizon let's compare networks, etc... and tell me who is more likely not only to be able to implement the technology but also afford to do so.


Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using Tapatalk

The thing is though, as long as tethering apps don't report the data, there's nothing even to implement. i.e. if the data telling them that another device isn't created in the first place, there's nothing for them to "get" by implementing on their side.

You can do it by checking packets to differentiate between what a device is using. Privacy concerns could come up if they started doing it, but it wouldn't be hard.

When you visit a website you automatically send information on what browser you are using. Using internet explorer, firefox on a computer, etc... will show that you aren't using a phone. The data collected from one visit to a website would show if you were using your phone or not.

P2P the same thing except not with packets. All they would have to do is bring a P2P client and check the IP address to be able to see that you are not using your phone, but a computer, since 98% of P2P clients broadcast the client name unless disabled.

Netflix from a Wii, BD Player, XBox, etc... also sends distinctive information back to netflix, so another give away.

I never said they "WERE" checking, I said the technology is there to do so.

In a financial sense they are taking steps to eliminate, but they are being financially responsible and starting with the least expensive and quickest steps as I said before. After each step they take they will see how much of a difference it makes and move forward from there until they feel it is down to an acceptable amount or until they feel they have to pursue it because it simply isn't going down.

Ok then we agree then, I was simply saying that the tethering apps themselves are most likely not telling verizon that another device is connected like some people were saying. It's obvious that if you do things through the connection that a smartphone wouldn't do that they can see that.

 

[freezyfreaky]

What's funnier is Verizon is following a smart method to stopping it in a financially realistic sense and no one realizes it.

Step 1 least expensive method to try first - remove the app from the market.

Potential step 2 ask manufacturers to include locks in updates for most commonly known apps.

Etc.....

Verizon isn't going to start with a step that could cost them customers. That will be the last step they take. They will do everything else first.

Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using Tapatalk

I completely agree. I actually posted this earlier in the thread.

 

[yummyDroid]

What's funnier is Verizon is following a smart method to stopping it in a financially realistic sense and no one realizes it.

Step 1 least expensive method to try first - remove the app from the market.

Potential step 2 ask manufacturers to include locks in updates for most commonly known apps.

Etc.....

Verizon isn't going to start with a step that could cost them customers. That will be the last step they take. They will do everything else first.

Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using Tapatalk

I completely agree. I actually posted this earlier in the thread.

Not saying you're wrong, but I think it's interesting that they would start using this "smarter method" now. Verizon has never hesitated historically to tack on charges when they could. Also, using this logic, wouldn't it be "smarter" for them to prevent people from making calls once they run out of minutes and prevent people from sending texts once they run out of texts?

 

[freezyfreaky]

What's funnier is Verizon is following a smart method to stopping it in a financially realistic sense and no one realizes it.

Step 1 least expensive method to try first - remove the app from the market.

Potential step 2 ask manufacturers to include locks in updates for most commonly known apps.

Etc.....

Verizon isn't going to start with a step that could cost them customers. That will be the last step they take. They will do everything else first.

Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using Tapatalk

I completely agree. I actually posted this earlier in the thread.

Not saying you're wrong, but I think it's interesting that they would start using this "smarter method" now. Verizon has never hesitated historically to tack on charges when they could. Also, using this logic, wouldn't it be "smarter" for them to prevent people from making calls once they run out of minutes and prevent people from sending texts once they run out of texts?

That wouldn't make any sense at all. They make money when people go over their minutes or texts. But they can't charge currently when customers are using tethering apps or hacks that make it appear the data used is by the phone on which there is an unlimited data plan.

 

[pc747]

Please do not discuss, or post a link about pirated app markets .

sent from droidforums app

 

[yummyDroid]

I completely agree. I actually posted this earlier in the thread.

Not saying you're wrong, but I think it's interesting that they would start using this "smarter method" now. Verizon has never hesitated historically to tack on charges when they could. Also, using this logic, wouldn't it be "smarter" for them to prevent people from making calls once they run out of minutes and prevent people from sending texts once they run out of texts?

That wouldn't make any sense at all. They make money when people go over their minutes or texts. But they can't charge currently when customers are using tethering apps or hacks that make it appear the data used is by the phone on which there is an unlimited data plan.

So since gsdreams was saying that this method is the reason why they aren't charging customers the method is meaningless. They are currently not charing customers because according to you, they can't.

 

[rebaf]

Please do not discuss, or post a link about pirated app markets .

sent from droidforums app

it was relative to the discussion and offered the FREE app in question from a source.
please if you are gonna delete my post; delete post 350 as i accidently refered people to the wrong site (stating appbrain and not $@##$)

by not deleting that post but deleting my other posts you have sent people on a wild goose chase (since they can no longer see the post i made with the correct name of the place to find the app).

thank you.

 

[freezyfreaky]

Not saying you're wrong, but I think it's interesting that they would start using this "smarter method" now. Verizon has never hesitated historically to tack on charges when they could. Also, using this logic, wouldn't it be "smarter" for them to prevent people from making calls once they run out of minutes and prevent people from sending texts once they run out of texts?

That wouldn't make any sense at all. They make money when people go over their minutes or texts. But they can't charge currently when customers are using tethering apps or hacks that make it appear the data used is by the phone on which there is an unlimited data plan.

So since gsdreams was saying that this method is the reason why they aren't charging customers the method is meaningless. They are currently not charing customers because according to you, they can't.

What we are saying here is that they are going the least costly route to prevent tethering which is to take away some of the tethering apps on the market and eventually pushing out updates to all phones that will break some of the tethering apps and pop up a paywall. This is a good cheap way to stop a bunch of tethering without offending a customer and automatically posting a tethering charge on people's accounts or accusing them of stealing. They don't want to lose you as a customer, they just want you to stop tethering or pay for it.

 

[pc747]

Please do not discuss, or post a link about pirated app markets .

sent from droidforums app

it was relative to the discussion and offered the FREE app in question from a source.
please if you are gonna delete my post; delete post 350 as i accidently refered people to the wrong site (stating appbrain and not $@##$)

by not deleting that post but deleting my other posts you have sent people on a wild goose chase (since they can no longer see the post i made with the correct name of the place to find the app).

thank you.

Deleted .......

sent from droidforums app

 

[pc747]

That wouldn't make any sense at all. They make money when people go over their minutes or texts. But they can't charge currently when customers are using tethering apps or hacks that make it appear the data used is by the phone on which there is an unlimited data plan.

So since gsdreams was saying that this method is the reason why they aren't charging customers the method is meaningless. They are currently not charing customers because according to you, they can't.

What we are saying here is that they are going the least costly route to prevent tethering which is to take away some of the tethering apps on the market and eventually pushing out updates to all phones that will break some of the tethering apps and pop up a paywall. This is a good cheap way to stop a bunch of tethering without offending a customer and automatically posting a tethering charge on people's accounts or accusing them of stealing. They don't want to lose you as a customer, they just want you to stop tethering or pay for it.

They already did that for gingerblur for the dx/2.

sent from droidforums app

 

[gsdreams]

What's funnier is Verizon is following a smart method to stopping it in a financially realistic sense and no one realizes it.

Step 1 least expensive method to try first - remove the app from the market.

Potential step 2 ask manufacturers to include locks in updates for most commonly known apps.

Etc.....

Verizon isn't going to start with a step that could cost them customers. That will be the last step they take. They will do everything else first.

Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using Tapatalk

I completely agree. I actually posted this earlier in the thread.

Not saying you're wrong, but I think it's interesting that they would start using this "smarter method" now. Verizon has never hesitated historically to tack on charges when they could. Also, using this logic, wouldn't it be "smarter" for them to prevent people from making calls once they run out of minutes and prevent people from sending texts once they run out of texts?

We are talking two different things. People are already in a plan that has x amount of minutes, x amount of talk, or x amount of tethering.

When dealing with this situation they have a two-fold problem. First, the person isn't signed up for a "tethering" plan yet, which means they would need to implement (if not already done) any one of a number of methods to show the customer is tethering.

Now, if you factor in labor, equipment, etc... to catch the minority (I suspect manybe 3% or even 5% of smartphone users actually not only root, but also tether this way) versus the return on that cost it simply isn't worth implementing it "yet" would be my guess.

Now, all those people turning 100gb + data per month are what is going to cause the crack down to get stricter and stricter.

Essentially verizon has to weigh this multiple ways.

1.) If we initiate a method to catch all "non-pay" tethers what percentage of customers will leave.

2.) If we initiate said method how much can we expect to recover.

3.) How much is the non-pay tethers costing us each month in data usage compared to what we would recover.

4.) Are these non-pay tethers affecting other customers in a way that could cause us to lose other customers.

There are many more reasons they will look at as time goes on.

You already know Verizon is starting to take note by the apps being removed from the market place. As time goes on if it continues they are only going to get more and more strict towards it.

 

[cynnar]

That wouldn't make any sense at all. They make money when people go over their minutes or texts. But they can't charge currently when customers are using tethering apps or hacks that make it appear the data used is by the phone on which there is an unlimited data plan.

So since gsdreams was saying that this method is the reason why they aren't charging customers the method is meaningless. They are currently not charing customers because according to you, they can't.

What we are saying here is that they are going the least costly route to prevent tethering which is to take away some of the tethering apps on the market and eventually pushing out updates to all phones that will break some of the tethering apps and pop up a paywall. This is a good cheap way to stop a bunch of tethering without offending a customer and automatically posting a tethering charge on people's accounts or accusing them of stealing. They don't want to lose you as a customer, they just want you to stop tethering or pay for it.

And exactly how are they going to push updates to those who have root and use a custom rom? What about the Droid1 last I heard there is no more support for that device. Didn't Motorola stop with gingerbread?

Sent from my Droid

 

[gsdreams]

Oh, and I should add Verizon already implemented another step:

Verizon can now throttle top five percent of bandwidth hogs, downres multimedia transfers -- Engadget

As PC747 mentioned earlier about throttling, that is exactly what is coming.

So Verizon has now implemented two steps to slowing the tethering down. Now we just wait and see what Verizon does next.