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Late last week, Motorola Droid users rejoiced as it was announced they would be receiving an Android 2.2 update this week. But now another announcement is leaving a sour taste in users' mouths. Verizon has announced that the update will not contain the Froyo standard USB tethering and Wi-Fi hotspot functionality. In the statement, Verizon claimed it was a hardware issue, saying, "[the Droid] doesn't have [the] hardware to support a mobile hotspot."
Some users are calling Verizon's bluff though. The Droid is one of the most hackable Android phones available, and may custom ROMs exist for it. A rooted Droid is perfectly capable of running a hotspot with some of these ROMs. This fact makes Verizon's statement suspect. A more likely scenario is that Verizon simply doesn't want to allow users to use the free tethering in Froyo.
Some other Verizon phones, like the Droid X, have a special paid hotspot app that Verizon charges monthly for. It's possible Verizon and Motorola did not want to take the time to develop such a feature for a phone that is about to discontinued. What do you think? Conspiracy, or hardware shortcoming?
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twebb86
August 03, 2010 at 10:43am
Verizon is full of it. You can use a teethering and hotspot with a moto droid. Verizon just wants to be the most powerful cell phone company on earth. All they have to do is make a verizon of an apple Iphone and they will rule the airwaves! It is nice that this one will be getting updated to 2.2 but I feel that if the droid X got the app so should the moto droid. Its not that damn hard to make apps for a linux based os!
Lummoxx
August 03, 2010 at 5:48am
This coming from a company that charges the average user $30/month for 421MB of data usage? God forbid that you might have (*gasp*) a family plan account with 2 phones. A ridiculous $60/month for 842MB of data?
So, surprised that they'd try to lie and block functionality just because they can't make an insane profit over it, while complaining that people are using what was sold to them?
I've been happy with VZW, been a customer for over 8 years...but I'm about to go with a cheap pay as you go phone over this. I'd LIKE to have a smartphone with data, but I'm not going to allow myself to be ripped off over it.
Michael Ellis
August 03, 2010 at 5:19am
Of course it is a conspiracy. Gizmodo even suggested that the feature would be removed when it was released prior to this announcement. Verizon just wants to make sure people don't bypass their monthly subscription. The problem is that Verizon users are now screwed if their phones don't support Verizon's software.
This is why I was hesitant to buy from Verizon. They have really good phones, but they always monkey with them.
weengo
August 02, 2010 at 8:50pm
i too use wifi hotspot on my droid
so this is either a lie and verizon thinks we are stupid
or verizon is stupid and doesnt know its possible
i am afraid of what kind of bs is coming down the line from verizon...
athlon11
August 02, 2010 at 7:23pm
Actually it's been in roms since the first Sholes 2.0.1 release, and it's always worked great.
gwhaley262
August 02, 2010 at 6:09pm
I agree. VZW's explanation is bunk. Hotspot functionality have in custom roms since 2.1. So unfortunately they are back to their old ways. so sad.
dstew74
August 02, 2010 at 6:08pm
I have a custom rom of 2.2 loaded on my rooted Droid. The mobile wifi tether works and it's very easy to setup. This is a money grab by a greedy company.
Michael Ellis
August 03, 2010 at 5:21am
After all this crap with the new "Captcha" system, this crap is still circulating. How hard is it to just block the keyword wedding from comments? Seriously, how many peoople are going to legitimately be talking about weddings on a PC website anyway?
docb77
August 02, 2010 at 5:36pm
Agreed, verizon's always been pulling crap like this. My first experience with them was back when the RAZR was new. I bought it thinking, "hey, I can use this phone as a modem" - Nope, functionality disabled.
service providers should worry about letting people get the most out of their devices, not crippling them so they can charge for any little thing.
bikerbub
August 02, 2010 at 5:12pm
goddamnit verizon. i was starting to think you were different. then you went and said you'd usher in limited data, and now this? now, admittedly, i don't need it now, but if they get rid of usb teathering, imma shit a brick.
mstnggt500kr
August 02, 2010 at 4:52pm
I can say 100% that this is bull$#!7 on Verizon's part. I'm running a 2.2 custom ROM on my droid, and the tethering works fine. Verizon is pulling their usual "Charge for standard features" crap. It almost makes you feel that the iPhone is a perfect fit for VZN, with it's "AMAZING NEW FEATURES" that have been available on other handsets for years. Looks like I"m sticking with the custom ROM.
the_river
August 03, 2010 at 6:14am
I was looking forward to the 2.2 update. Now it looks like I want to root it. mstngg500kr, you have an idiot proof way that doesn't have the high risk of bricking it?
Thanks.
Talcum X
August 02, 2010 at 3:02pm
Deffinately conspiracy. Cuz it's all about money in the end. Same reason TracFone blocked use of the USB in my phone so I can't upload ringtones and wallpaper. Still looking to hack that, to no success.
