The new Galaxy Note 3 is region-locked
gigaom.com
The new Galaxy Note 3 is region-locked
1–10 of 233 posts
Re: The new Galaxy Note 3 is region-locked
#2if true, unconscionable. The FCC should get on this immediately. I, for one, would never ever buy a Samsung product again.if true
Re: The new Galaxy Note 3 is region-locked
#3Pure speculation here, but my guess is that this has to do with different models being certified by different bodies. IE, perhaps the model sold in Europe is subtly different and hasn't passed FCC or some other certification for use in the states, ergo, they lock them to where they HAVE been certified.
Doesn't change the fact that I wouldn't buy it, but I don't think it is something that is done for some evil reason as some will jump to.
Re: The new Galaxy Note 3 is region-locked
#4[deleted]
Re: The new Galaxy Note 3 is region-locked
#5Pure speculation here, but my guess is that this has to do with different models being certified by different bodies. IE, perhaps the model sold in Europe is subtly different and hasn't passed FCC or some other certification for use in the states, ergo, they lock them to where they HAVE been certified. Doesn't change the fact that I wouldn't buy it, but I don't think it is something that is done for some evil reason…
> hasn't passed FCC or some other certification for use in the states
Possible, but it would still work in the states with a European Sim... So any problems it'd give the FCC wouldn't go away...
Re: The new Galaxy Note 3 is region-locked
#6Pure speculation here, but my guess is that this has to do with different models being certified by different bodies. IE, perhaps the model sold in Europe is subtly different and hasn't passed FCC or some other certification for use in the states, ergo, they lock them to where they HAVE been certified. Doesn't change the fact that I wouldn't buy it, but I don't think it is something that is done for some evil reason…
If it was a certification issue it would affect every mobile device by every device manufacturer. My guess is that this may be an attempt by Samsung to crack down on grey market imports of their devices. The author suggests it might be a requirement buy carriers, but again that would affect more than just one manufacturer. At the moment we're all just speculating.
Re: The new Galaxy Note 3 is region-locked
#7If this is driven by carrier request, as the article speculates, then it is yet another example of how the mobile market is broken... Are phone manufacturers selling to consumers/end-users or are they selling to networks/providers? You can't do both, equally -- at least not at the moment -- because the carrier's interests and profit models generally directly conflict with the interests of consumers. Until the wireless industry works a bit harder to align themselves to the needs of their consumers, stuff like this is going to happen. The exception are models like Apple's where they've figured out how to consistently drive profits by focusing on the consumer and using the phone as a platform for selling other things (i.e.: apps and content like movies and music) -- the carriers are almost incidental in Apple's model. Almost.
Re: The new Galaxy Note 3 is region-locked
#8Different regions have different frequencies, so this might just be a warning that the Note 3 isn't penta-band.
Re: The new Galaxy Note 3 is region-locked
#9This just goes to show that companies will put as many DRM restrictions as possible on their devices and content, if there's no backlash, just because they "think" it would be a good idea to do it. I wish the general public would fight more against DRM, instead of simply accepting it by saying stuff like "but that's the only way I can use X". It sends companies the wrong message.
Re: The new Galaxy Note 3 is region-locked
#10Pure speculation here, but my guess is that this has to do with different models being certified by different bodies. IE, perhaps the model sold in Europe is subtly different and hasn't passed FCC or some other certification for use in the states, ergo, they lock them to where they HAVE been certified. Doesn't change the fact that I wouldn't buy it, but I don't think it is something that is done for some evil reason…
If it was a certification issue it would affect every mobile device by every device manufacturer. My guess is that this may be an attempt by Samsung to crack down on grey market imports of their devices. The author suggests it might be a requirement buy carriers, but again that would affect more than just one manufacturer. At the moment we're all just speculating.
"The author suggests it might be a requirement buy carriers, but again that would affect more than just one manufacturer."
It would only if the other manufacturers caved in to carrier demands. If this is true, more might well do so shortly, but it kind of makes sense -- Samsung is likely looking for every angle to gain share over the iPhone. One could imagine that a sweet deal with carriers could gain them more promotions, greater subsidies (yielding cheaper phones), etc. etc.
But, yes, you're right, it's all speculation.