I have a question for those that know, if something was to pass FCC wouldn't it have to be a final working model? how can they pass a piece of technology that isn't properly functioning yet? doesn't it have to be a retail ready version to pass? I ask this not to cause a fight but because I don't know. I've read over and over how they are still working out the bugs on android 2.1 for the 4g apps, so how could the phone have passed if it's not complete yet? doesn't passing the fcc mean it's content complete and fully functional? or is it just a technical thing that they say what bands it will work on and that's it? again this isn't mean to call anyone out or anything I'm just curious if anyone knows what passing through fcc really means and if so could they explain it.
From my own
personal experience as an electrical engineer who has gone through the FCC certification process with video products years ago, I can tell you this simply...
1. FCC certification just means that your product complies with Federal regulated standards for communications and does not emit frequencies or electrical "noise" that interferes with the operating frequencies of other products or devices. The European equivalent version is "CE"
2. Your device doesn't have to be "fully functional" as far as being able to certify it for FCC. They don't care if your system is not consumer ready as long as you can prove that the device or system DOES NOT emit electrical noise or interference during its normal operation. It is ideal, however, to have a (what we used to call) a "gold" unit which is most electrically shielded and as operational as possible to operate at a minimal state.
3. At conventions, shows, etc you can display and demonstrate products that aren't FCC certified yet as long as you DO NOT sell them to the public. Consumer ready products MUST be FCC compliant.
Ok in the case of the EVO, it CAN pass FCC if:
1. The radios at all stated operating frequencies are within the accepted operating range as defined by the FCC for Wifi b/g, EVDO, and 4G.
2. The other components for cell phone operation are within CDMA frequency standards etc etc
3. None of the applications push the components within the device to operate in a manner that emit interference or electrical noise.
I hope this clarifies your question. The device as far as apps and all functionalities don't have to work or be consumer ready. Just that a testable device can prove that there are no interfering electrical noise that is emitted during normal use.