Originally Posted by
joeldf Is it possible that the "Wi-Fi update" that is now in 10.2.1.1925 (a subset page of the software update page in Settings) may be a way around that?
Turning off the carrier link or removing the SIM card has never magically allowed a device to natively get any software it wants OTA, it needs a SIM card to link to a carrier, and then to check the carrier's approved OS for that device in order to download an updated OS, whether that download occurs via carrier network or WiFi.
Many carriers (ie AT&T) prohibit software updates over a certain size unless done over WiFi, to reduce the load on their network and/or reduce the large amount of data usage that would cut into a customer's monthly data transfer allowance.
Originally Posted by
joeldf Now, I'm really just asking the question, but is it possible that BlackBerry always had control, but just allowed the carriers to have a say in who got what based on the fact that that's just how they always did it - and perhaps because of manufacturer/carrier agreements?
Whether or not Blackberry has the "technical" capability to push OS updates to devices without carrier approval is immaterial. If their contract with carriers stipulates that the carrier must approve OS updates, attempting to ignore such contracts and push unapproved updates anyway puts their entire business in jeopardy. IE "very dumb move".