Related
Galaxy Nexus is likely to come at $299.99 with contract on Verizon Networks in United States, says WSJ. Verizon is charging same contract pricing for other high-end smartphones like Motorola Droid RAZR, HTC Rezound and 32GB iPhone. Verizon thinks that users will pay the premium for its excellent network and LTE connectivity.
Another report by 9to5Google said that Galaxy Nexus will be headed on Verizon Wireless next week without Google Wallet feature. Although it has NFC chip, the app will not be available in Android Market for Verizon users. The reason to block Google Wallet is their recent creation of a new mobile payment project called ISIS. ISIS is a Wallet like feature created by Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile along with others to roll out in 2012...............
http://mirolta.com/2011/12/06/veriz...-299-99-with-contract-blocking-google-wallet/
Just created an account so that I could comment on how mad I am about no google wallet. In a time when the national sentiment has been bashing corporations for being profit-centered and not caring about their customers, Verizon decides to do something like this? They really need to fire their public relations department, because somebody f'ed up.
Back to lurking the forum.
Yeah, Sprint and Google jumped into bed behind closed doors and locked everyone else out. Brilliant.
Sad, really as NFC needs to take off, like, quick. Now. But it won't, sadly.
So, there will be millions of GNEXs and even SGSII's with dead NFC potential. Sounds great to me! (and while neat, Android beam doesn't count. this is about mobile payments which is crippled beyond belief do to...drum roll...money!).
Absolute boneheads making these deals (looking at you google)
ericshmerick said:
Yeah, Sprint and Google jumped into bed behind closed doors and locked everyone else out. Brilliant.
Sad, really as NFC needs to take off, like, quick. Now. But it won't, sadly.
So, there will be millions of GNEXs and even SGSII's with dead NFC potential. Sounds great to me! (and while neat, Android beam doesn't count. this is about mobile payments which is crippled beyond belief do to...drum roll...money!).
Absolute boneheads making these deals (looking at you google)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you're saying is inaccurate. Sprint and Google didn't block anyone. Tmobile, AT&T, and Verizon are all involved in Isis and apparently don't want Google Wallet competing with them. Reports are saying that all 3 of those companies intend to block Google Wallet. They want to push Isis and don't want the competition posing any type of threat to their investment. The nfc potential will not be dead, as these companies are planning to move forward with it, they just don't like competition. I do question the legality of such a move though, as it is clearly anti-competitive.
I've never seen any of these apps but I understand their value and why these companies are fighting over it.
Google bro isn't my priority here. What's important to me is the app works seamlessly, is safe, is most accepted when I'm out shopping, and doesn't add exorbitant fees. It's very early and consumers don't have much of a say in the matter.
One thing to watch out for is data tracking and selling info to 3rd parties. This would be ripe for this app.
So much for pure Google.
Sent from a can on a string using XDA app.
foister82 said:
So much for pure Google.
Sent from a can on a string using XDA app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
good ol' verizon. I have T-Mobile also(just I prefer the unlimited data I have on verizon)...
word on the street is that this friday's the day. although I have a Rezound atm and considering exchanging it for a GN... I do like the Rezound more(hardware-wise), just with my big hands id prefer to have a phone with the biggest screen possible. that and I got it from Best Buy Mobile so will have to wait until they get it in... hopefully I can get them to price match the $219 I paid for this one.
Really sad. All the more evidence this is Verizon's show, and not Google's.
I totally agree....
I am/was exteremely excited to finally get a plain vanilla android device on VZW, as i'm grandfathered in to the unlimited data and have no plans of changing providers.
When i was in Japan and on DoCoMo i had an essentially plain vanilla device, and it was great. The news that 1) VZW is putting their apps on the phone, and 2) NFC not being able to be utilized for google wallet (at least out of the box), is a HUGE disappointment.
NFC/Google Wallet was one of the biggest things i was excited about for this phone, and i'm VERY sad that i'll have to possibly root it just to run google wallet, or wait for VZW/Google to sort something out.
This seems like a clear violation of the Block C auction rules.... not a good move by verizon
It also seems like a violation of anti-trust laws
legality and disappointment aside, there's a pretty good chance we will be able to add Google wallet if we root right?
ejkeebler said:
legality and disappointment aside, there's a pretty good chance we will be able to add Google wallet if we root right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea. If NFC works then we can get it to read Google Wallet. Verizon probably just blocks it from the app market.
This news sucks but in reality, I don't even know anyone in the US that accepts Google Wallet... so I wasn't really leaning toward using it anyway.
Plus I'd rather have support for what works around me. If Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, all use a special kind, then that's what I want.
Obviously they are just trying to monitize on the tech by charging per use... or play big brother like with Carrier IQ crap. I can't trust them to handle my SMS anymore, let alone my transactions.
Well we'll see. I'd prefer Google take the lead on this but who knows if Google is any better at handling my expenses either...
G2x - 2.3.7 CM7
Transformer - 3.2 Revolver OC/UV
foister82 said:
So much for pure Google.
Sent from a can on a string using XDA app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The most shocking thing isn't that VZW commanded it, but that Google accepted it. The whole purpose of a "Google" phone was purity and historically they never bowed to carriers demands. Other than radio differences, the phones were the same regardless of carrier. Google has in effect sold themselves out to move devices in larger quantities. Sad.
This makes me so mad at Verizon. I've been waiting a long time for this phone and I was excited about NFC & Google Wallet. I will be rooting so I'm sure that I will have Google Wallet running in no time, but this sullies the "pure Google" Nexus brand
player911 said:
This news sucks but in reality, I don't even know anyone in the US that accepts Google Wallet... so I wasn't really leaning toward using it anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's true enough, the only place I can think of that currently accept Google Wallet are McDonald's, Macy's, and Peet's Coffee. But the reason this should make you angry is that by limiting access to Google Wallet, Verizon is putting a stranglehold on the growth of the service. This makes it more likely that their "Isis" service, that isn't even available yet, could win out as a mobile payment solution. There have got to be some anti-trust ramifications here. I for one will now refuse to ever use Isis out of principle.
---------- Post added at 01:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:32 PM ----------
BarryH_GEG said:
The most shocking thing isn't that VZW commanded it, but that Google accepted it. The whole purpose of a "Google" phone was purity and historically they never bowed to carriers demands. Other than radio differences, the phones were the same regardless of carrier. Google has in effect sold themselves out to move devices in larger quantities. Sad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We dont know the details, but I'm willing to bet Google didn't just roll over on this one. Verizon isn't just another carrier, they are the largest carrier with the most clout. I have to disagree with your premise that this constitutes Google's "selling out" of the Nexus brand. Imagine the uphill battle that Google must have faced in getting Verizon to even consider allowing a Nexus device to exist on their network.
publicanimal said:
There have got to be some anti-trust ramifications here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point. I bet your right.
player911 said:
Yea. If NFC works then we can get it to read Google Wallet. Verizon probably just blocks it from the app market.
This news sucks but in reality, I don't even know anyone in the US that accepts Google Wallet... so I wasn't really leaning toward using it anyway.
Plus I'd rather have support for what works around me. If Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, all use a special kind, then that's what I want.
Obviously they are just trying to monitize on the tech by charging per use... or play big brother like with Carrier IQ crap. I can't trust them to handle my SMS anymore, let alone my transactions.
Well we'll see. I'd prefer Google take the lead on this but who knows if Google is any better at handling my expenses either...
G2x - 2.3.7 CM7
Transformer - 3.2 Revolver OC/UV
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not places that accept Google Wallet that you'd be looking for, it's places that accept Paypass (from Mastercard). Places that I frequent that accept paypass are Best Buy, Dairy Queen, Riteaid, CVS, McDonalds, and others. There's a Kroger near me that accepts it too. My doctor's office also has paypass, and many gas stations. It isn't available everywhere but it's in enough places that it is useful, as I use it frequently.
Just felt like I should explain my own experiences here. I have a GSM Galaxy Nexus on AT&T and cannot download Google Wallet, either. It seems like the entire device doesn't currently support Google Wallet. So it's not that Verizon is blocking it, it's that they're not adding support for it.
I am sorry but to me the galaxy nexus isn't a real nexus. At least the verizon edition isn't. I believed the nexus was something that stood apart from other phones in that it came to the customer exactly as google intended. Now verizon dictates what apps are available on it? on a nexus?! Instead of me labeling it more drastically as the "nexus line is dead", I'd rather say that the verizon nexus isn't a real nexus.
NicholasQ said:
I am sorry but to me the galaxy nexus isn't a real nexus. At least the verizon edition isn't. I believed the nexus was something that stood apart from other phones in that it came to the customer exactly as google intended. Now verizon dictates what apps are available on it? on a nexus?! Instead of me labeling it more drastically as the "nexus line is dead", I'd rather say that the verizon nexus isn't a real nexus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.theverge.com/2011/12/6/2...ont-launch-on-the-galaxy-nexus-but-commercial
Just sayin'
copkay said:
http://www.theverge.com/2011/12/6/2...ont-launch-on-the-galaxy-nexus-but-commercial
Just sayin'
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, I see. So it's not confirmed that they are blocking just that they haven't added support yet. Well I guess we will see. But i will say this.... How is google's flagship phone not going to have something like google wallet working out of the box? Something to think about.
For the last 2 days I've been stumbling across this "ISIS Mobile payment" platform. It looks to be getting a lot of attention and is supported by AT&T, T Mobile, and Verizon. According to a few sources it will be available for a few devices (including ours) next month.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/28/isis-mobile-payment-system-primed-for-september-launch-supporte/
http://androidspin.com/2012/08/28/list-of-approved-isis-devices-by-carrier-do-you-have-one/
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-...ystem-to-debut-in-september-after-delays.html
http://androidcommunity.com/isis-mobile-payments-coming-in-september-20120828/
So my question is, why is ISIS getting the attention and props from the carriers over Google Wallet? Is it more secure? Is it financially supported by the carriers?
I'm confused...
the carriers want the money that such a service brings and are trying to screw Google
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
ISIS is a way for operators to get money out of NFC, that's why the operators are blocking Google Wallet from working. This is the same as Tethering.
The only thing starting next month is a test trial in Salt Lake City and Austin. Which, I believe, has been delayed from a previously announced July launch. I'm guessing a wider rollout will be sometime next year.
a4ol said:
ISIS is a way for operators to get money out of NFC, that's why the operators are blocking Google Wallet from working. This is the same as Tethering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting... Makes perfect sense.
I've been reading and saw few YouTube clips... And Iris system looks 10 times more difficult to purchase. (compared to google) the security is ten times greater due to constant changing of the back of plastic 3 digit security code. (whew!)
Google wallet is obviously less with security.
Since Iris is backed by the 3 major 4G and lte service. Many vendors and merchants will adapt this feature very soon. This payment system was long existed in South Korea (visited galaxy s2 days) and citizens use it like it's their wallet.
Not sure Americans would be able to adapt and execute the isis business model and availability of credit cards.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
woostar88 said:
Interesting... Makes perfect sense.
I've been reading and saw few YouTube clips... And Iris system looks 10 times more difficult to purchase. (compared to google) the security is ten times greater due to constant changing of the back of plastic 3 digit security code. (whew!)
Google wallet is obviously less with security.
Since Iris is backed by the 3 major 4G and lte service. Many vendors and merchants will adapt this feature very soon. This payment system was long existed in South Korea (visited galaxy s2 days) and citizens use it like it's their wallet.
Not sure Americans would be able to adapt and execute the isis business model and availability of credit cards.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bull**** NFC chip than. Just let us use google wallet... Perfect option why wait for something else that does the exact same ****ing thing.. Why let us use all these other Google apps but not Wallet? The limitations on our device (and all other devices) are ridiculous especially if you paid a lot of money for it (which we already do)...
SebasC said:
Bull**** NFC chip than. Just let us use google wallet... Perfect option why wait for something else that does the exact same ****ing thing.. Why let us use all these other Google apps but not Wallet? The limitations on our device (and all other devices) are ridiculous especially if you paid a lot of money for it (which we already do)...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Just after I left Verizon, they were fined by the FCC for blocking tethering apps. It was part of their agreement when acquiring LTE spectrum that the customer would be free to use whatever software they wanted on their devices. I wonder if they are also blocking Google Wallet since this would also be in breach of their agreement.
As for ATT and T-Mobile, it would be nice to have support without resorting to workarounds.
Infamous_Cheez said:
Just after I left Verizon, they were fined by the FCC for blocking tethering apps. It was part of their agreement when acquiring LTE spectrum that the customer would be free to use whatever software they wanted on their devices. I wonder if they are also blocking Google Wallet since this would also be in breach of their agreement.
As for ATT and T-Mobile, it would be nice to have support without resorting to workarounds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to think there's an Anti-Trust class action coming if they dont change their ways pretty quickly here.
woostar88 said:
Interesting... Makes perfect sense.
I've been reading and saw few YouTube clips... And Iris system looks 10 times more difficult to purchase. (compared to google) the security is ten times greater due to constant changing of the back of plastic 3 digit security code. (whew!)
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I tried using the Iris system and now I wear an eye patch.
woostar88 said:
Since Iris is backed by the 3 major 4G and lte service. Many vendors and merchants will adapt this feature very soon. This payment system was long existed in South Korea (visited galaxy s2 days) and citizens use it like it's their wallet.
Not sure Americans would be able to adapt and execute the isis business model and availability of credit cards.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess this ISIS release is a positive in this regard as it will give us more places to use Google Wallet. Right now I don't go to a single place regularly that allows me to use Google wallet.
The best part is fine print
www paywithisis com/terms-of-service.xhtml#four
Do you guys think Sprint have something do with Google Wallet not to be released on others carriers. And in the other hand some says that phones from other carriers not sprint doesnt have the corrected codes for wallet. That google would have to update them
gypsy214 said:
Do you guys think Sprint have something do with Google Wallet not to be released on others carriers. And in the other hand some says that phones from other carriers not sprint doesnt have the corrected codes for wallet. That google would have to update them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Plenty of people have Google Wallet up and running on other carriers besides Sprint. Obviously it is a work around, but anyone that truly wants to use Google Wallet doesn't have to look very far or put much effort in getting it to work for their device regardless of carrier.
ingenious247 said:
Yeah, I tried using the Iris system and now I wear an eye patch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think any one (other than me) got that. But very funny
sent from my t-mobile Galaxy S III
Eye saw what he did there.
No ISIS for you! (said in soup nazi voice)
I live in Salt Lake, one of the test cities. I got the isis sim card from tmobile but isis wouldn't install on my s3. I retored my stock rom and it installed just fine. Then I installed my stock rom after rooting and got the following (see image below) when i installed and tried to run isis.
Bottom line, u root, no isis.
So far the only isis specific terminal I've seen here in salt lake is the light rail system. I tried google wallet on it and it said I paid but the transaction never went through. I'm hoping the pay termials will take either. I applaud that isis may make nfc more visible and acceptable to the general public but restrictions make it doa.
All that said, im back to liquid smooth....
f*** Isis, Google FTW
btw how do the carriers make money off nfc with Isis?
AttachedSilver said:
f*** Isis, Google FTW
btw how do the carriers make money off nfc with Isis?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seriously? They get a cut of each transaction. How do you think atm's make money?
Here's your sign.
tony yayo said:
Seriously? They get a cut of each transaction. How do you think atm's make money?
Here's your sign.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So Google doesn't make money for the carriers & that's why they block it?
With Apple's recent decision to not support NFC I'm interested to see where you think NFC will be in a year. Personally I think that more merchants will support the standard as Android phones such as the Galaxy S III put NFC in the hands of more and more consumers. I think that this time next year NFC will be more common and well known than QR codes.
I think that if apple announce NFC support for the iphone 5S or 6, not only will it kick off but many would think it's a completely never seen before new idea.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda app-developers app
NFC simply not yet popular in USA and Apple's management have limited geographic knowledges. It doesn't mean that NFC will gone. NFC is being developed by NXP, the main player on contactless payment systems. So it won't gone, but right opposite.
It needs an infrastructure that is global. Google must have ****ed off too many financial institutions with Google Wallet.
I can only see 3 companies in the world that can court groups like VISA to hugely promote common NFC payment register devices:
1. Apple
2. Samsung
3. Google
Apple isn't doing NFC this gen, and Google doesn't seem to want to court anybody. Why can't Samsung do a massive promotional push in partnership with VISA in some major cities around the world to promote 'paying for a drink with your S3 or Note 2' feature that the iPhone 5 will never get? A handful of London, New York, LA, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Paris bars etc. Only for people with VISA etc.
You spend $1 or 2 billion on the marketing and tech (Samsung can build the readers) and roll out this before xmas. Bang! Massive marketing coup for the whole world to see and push forward a feature that will make anybody without NFC envious.
Those banking card companies needs NFC least of all, as it will kill their business. Electronic payment systems, like QIWI, Yandex.Money, Google Wallet - those are who needs NFC most of all.
Right now NFC is dominantly using by transportation operators, like metro, bus. But it's a matter of time.
I believe that the problem is that NFC is not significantly better than mag stripe (for simple debit/credit applications) or QR/bar codes (for simple info & id applications).
If you could show NFC was faster than mag stripe, Walmart and McDonalds would jump on it with both feet. That would drag Visa and MasterCard along with them.
Similarly, if the credit card companies had to adopt chip&pin, NFC demand would increase.
contactless system greatly improve throughput capability on transport over magnetic stripe. that's why moscow metro, tokyo rail companies, hong kong mtr and some other rushed to adopt smart cards in late 1990's. moscow metro switched entirely to contactless system back in 2008.
its definitly a helpful function to pay low prices like the bus or something similar but for the system to work properly we need more users with NFC smartphones and more places where you can pay with that
I thing next year is the year of NFC
I think that you're right, for "dumb" contactless systems like cards. With NFC on cell phones, I suspect it will be slower until users have enough experience. On my Nexus S, I have to unlock the phone to enable NFC. In addition, if I haven't used wallet recently, I have to enter that pin. Not a great burden, but slower than pulling my wallet out and tapping it on the reader.
Google Wallet doesn't have anything to do with technology. It's just an app, that has limited popularity around the world and has a lot of competitors.
You can set NFC always to on and just click a button to confirm payment. Or not to click anything for trusted clients. There could be many ways to use this technology. And metro systems can offer own NFC programs.
I'd guess it will be one or two more years until we see more use of the NFC technology. Theres still alot of hasle with the standards that are not really there, yet. Everybody involved into this want to keep as much of this technology for himself in order to have the biggest piece of the cake. I mean, I can totaly understand that from a business point of view, but in the end it's one of the reasons why NFC doesn't really take off. The big players need to realize that they won't make the big money if this technology never takes of f and thus at some point a compromise will be found which will lead to more standardized approaches to nfc.
I am rooted and run Muzzy's awesome ROM. That doesn't stop me from being pissed about Verizon acting like pricks. I filed a complaint to the FCC regarding the matter. This is the letter that Verizon sent back. It screams of horse****. I also sent a response to their complaint directly to the FCC. See that below as well. I haven't heard back from them on this. Everyone file a complaint. EFF Verizon.
Greg Tolan said:
I am rooted and run Muzzy's awesome ROM. That doesn't stop me from being pissed about Verizon acting like pricks. I filed a complaint to the FCC regarding the matter. This is the letter that Verizon sent back. It screams of horse****. I also sent a response to their complaint directly to the FCC. See that below as well. I haven't heard back from them on this. Everyone file a complaint. EFF Verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
a little more color... This guy called me before sending the response in a letter. When pressed on the technical issues, he couldn't offer any answers. I pushed him on a number of these fronts and all he could say was that he isn't a technical expert and couldn't comment on the specifics...even after I told him the specifics.
Greg Tolan said:
... all he could say was that he isn't a technical expert and couldn't comment on the specifics...even after I told him the specifics.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you ask him why he's wasting your time if he's not a technical expert and tell him to put someone who knows what he/she is talking about on the phone?
Bhaha he's trying to pass that Google is blocking Wallet? Semantics, I mean Google is blocking Wallet, but only because Verizon is ordering it. These execs play with semantics, be careful how you word things...
In the meantime we'll root and unlock our phones and use Wallet anyway. I just don't understand why Verizon blocks stuff, from Motorola's My Moto (is that what it was called?) to HTC's Hub and MyHTCSense.com, to tethering natively, to this Wallet thing. Not to mention they have to rape each update so we're reminded who owns us (okay an exaggeration). Unlimited LTE data, that's the only think keeping a lot of us on board.
Here's to OP for being proactive, did any of you complain to the FCC? Neither did I. lol
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Add to this is the fact that Verizon is not blocking the ISIS app (which Verizon is invested in), which uses both the NFC and the secure element. Previous Verizon excuses is that they don't allow Google Wallet because it uses the secure element.
harveydent said:
Add to this is the fact that Verizon is not blocking the ISIS app (which Verizon is invested in), which uses both the NFC and the secure element. Previous Verizon excuses is that they don't allow Google Wallet because it uses the secure element.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Their beef with it still pertains to the SE, but has more to to with the TSM for it than anything if one reads between the lines.
The intriguing thing about Wallet is that, in and of itself, it is a money-losing endeavour for them. Then again, Google's currency is data, and we've been profitable to them in that regard.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
harveydent said:
Add to this is the fact that Verizon is not blocking the ISIS app (which Verizon is invested in), which uses both the NFC and the secure element. Previous Verizon excuses is that they don't allow Google Wallet because it uses the secure element.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It actually does not seem like ISIS uses the secure element build into the phone. Instead it uses a similar secure element build into their sim-cards. But yes I agree that it does seem like a strategical anti competitive decision by Verizon.
Well written letter. Thanks for taking a stand against this crap. If more people would do something rather then sit around complaining (in all aspects of life), the world would be a better place. I've never had Verizon and the more I hear, I am glad about that. I protest with my wallet. It is the reason I'll never own an Apple product.
harveydent said:
Add to this is the fact that Verizon is not blocking the ISIS app (which Verizon is invested in), which uses both the NFC and the secure element. Previous Verizon excuses is that they don't allow Google Wallet because it uses the secure element.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually filed another complaint with the FCC yesterday citing this very fact and uploading both of those letters and asking for an immediate response.
jimmyco2008 said:
Bhaha he's trying to pass that Google is blocking Wallet? Semantics, I mean Google is blocking Wallet, but only because Verizon is ordering it. These execs play with semantics, be careful how you word things...
In the meantime we'll root and unlock our phones and use Wallet anyway. I just don't understand why Verizon blocks stuff, from Motorola's My Moto (is that what it was called?) to HTC's Hub and MyHTCSense.com, to tethering natively, to this Wallet thing. Not to mention they have to rape each update so we're reminded who owns us (okay an exaggeration). Unlimited LTE data, that's the only think keeping a lot of us on board.
Here's to OP for being proactive, did any of you complain to the FCC? Neither did I. lol
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you should. it literally takes 5 minutes to file a complaint on their website.
secretasianman said:
Did you ask him why he's wasting your time if he's not a technical expert and tell him to put someone who knows what he/she is talking about on the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HA! I brow beat him a little bit. But ultimately I am just a name that came across his desk. I try not to kill the middle man. I doubt he has any say in what we can do. I would guess the call is merely used to placate the FCC.
Your points are valid but as someone else pointed out, the Verizon guy is technically correct, the best kind of correct!
Google Wallet is made and distributed by Google. It's their IP. They distribute it through the Play Store, which is also theirs to administer. Verizon has no control over anything in the Play Store that they didn't publish, and they didn't publish Google Wallet.
Verizon also does nothing to block transmission of data pertaining to Google Wallet on their network. Nor do they modify the version of android that they distribute to block Google Wallet from functioning. As far as Verizon's interaction with customers is concerned, their hands are clean.
What Google is doing, is listing the Google Wallet on the Play Store such that it is incompatible with "toro" devices. There are legitimate reasons to exclude a device from finding and installing an app on the play store, such as lacking hardware that the app requires.
However, as everyone who has sideloaded the Google Wallet apk and used the app has demonstrated, there are no technical barriers to Google Wallet working on the Verizon Galaxy Nexus. So the question becomes, why is Google acting against their own interest and not distributing their app to Verizon phones?
Anyone can play detective and determine that it's highly suspicious that Google is not building a userbase with Verizon customers while Verizon works on their competing ISIS technology. But the questions to put to a regulatory body should be if Google can justify not distributing this program to toro devices (or whatever other devices might be similarly blocked on the play store) in any way other than an anti-competitive agreement with Verizon.
Samsung Galaxy e-SIM False Advertising Investigation | Migliaccio & Rathod LLP
Migliaccio & Rathod LLP is currently investigating Samsung smartphones for advertising e-SIM functionality without providing the advertised functionality. e-SIM is an attractive prospect for buyers who would like to cut down their use of two phones to one because a phone that supports e-SIM...
classlawdc.com
This thing won't go far and is more of a Money grab for the layers that helping us.
If you LOOK at their marketing and terms, you will see:
"eSIM availability may vary depending on software version, country and carrier. Check with your carrier if your mobile network plan supports eSIM.”
There is no mention as to where e-SIM is supported and no promises as to it being available as it is OUT OF SAMSUNG'S HANDS...
It's THERE and Sammy has it available, but CARRIERS decide which phones they will support, so this is suing the WRONG people.
Anyway, just my 2 cents (I used to work for AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint Corporate as one of their top Technical people when I was there and dealt with a LOT of this kind of stuff and have friends that still work there. eSIM IS on the devices AS PROMISED, it's up to the CARRIERS.
WE ALL KNOW they support it as it's on several Android devices and iPhones, it's a money grab not turning it on, but FOR THE CARRIERS.
By the way: If you have a look at the box, the Fold3 was in, you can see, what Samsung advertises. Here in Europe on every box you have two IMEI numbers for the two SIM cards and one EID for the eSIM. If your box doesn't show an EID, your Fold3 has no eSIM support.
As mentioned in another thread: Buyers should tell sellers, that they don't buy Fold3 because of the lack of eSIM. Then something might change ...
I am sent letters from US lawyers almost weekly about some class action lawsuit I could opt in. In the past, I spent hours filling out all the legal paper work and gathering all the records they want and sending it back to the lawyer. Then wait years!
Then I would receive my share of the settlement. A discount coupon from the manufacturer for a few dollars off my next purchase from them that was had a limited time to use and for limited products. So if I used them, I would get like 5 cents per hours for my time filling out all the forms and documentation they required. But I never used any of them as I did not want to deal with that manufacturer ever again.
And many times, the companies fight the lawsuits and hope you die before they settle or the case comes to court. So you never receive anything, including the worthless discounts that you won't use.
Meanwhile, the lawyer made millions in fees.
I wish something could be done about this false advertising. On the Canadian version of Samsungs website, this is still being advertised:
SIM Slot Type
SIM 1 + Embedded SIM
How do they get away with this crap because it isn't true!!
I sued Samsung over false advertising and misrepresentation of eSIM....and won
https://www.reddit.com/r/samsung/comments/lttggm
Can't always trust specs or reviews. Best to wait a few months or longer for the dust to settle before buying. Otherwise it's partially just luck of the draw.
File a FTC complaint. If they get enough complaints they will investigate. The FTC can hand down stiff fines and penalties.
Must be local market specific issue. I've been using the esim even before the Android 12 update on Fold 3. This is an Indian version. I even tried 2 physical sims and one esim, that disables one of the physical sims. You can manually choose which 2 or the 3 sims you want to keep active at a time.