Also remember that you purchased the phone with one set of functionality on it, and Verizon, without your permission decreased that functionality *after the sale of the device*.

State Attorney General offices *exist* for this kind of consumer protection.

I would suggest that everyone, hopefully from all 50 states contact their State Attorney General's Office and file a consumer proteciton complaint on this matter.

Having the Attorney Generals Office of 50 states breathing down their necks will accomplish a lot more than a single "Class Action" lawsuits.  Keep in mind, the Attorney General's office can require compensation to victims, and THEY don't take a percentage of the "damages" (Look at what Microsoft had to refund to every resident in the state of Iowa for every copy of almost every Microsoft product purchased in the state over a multi year period.)  The AG's office also has the authority to prevent a company from doing business in the state.

Unfortunately I can not get involved since Android devices apparenlty are not affected.

If you happen to live in the State of Iowa, here is a link to the AG's office where you can file an online complaint.

http://www.iowa.gov/government/ag/file_complaint/index.html