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Don't Celebrate The Verizon Android Announcement Just Yet
You Might Want To Wait For The Other Android Shoe To Drop

While they normally fight over wireless competition, net neutrality and white spaces, Google and Verizon got along well enough today to announce a collaboration that will bring Google Android handsets to Verizon within weeks. Rumors of Android phones on Verizon have been bubbling for a while, but this morning saw some additional details emerge. Of course everybody's primary question is how Verizon will balance their traditional closed and curmudgeonly approach with the (sometimes) open nature of the Android platform.

In a joint press conference Verizon said that they'll launch two Android devices this month, both of which will come with the Google application store pre-loaded without making consumers jump through hoops. That's good news, given that rumors have suggested Verizon would make their own upcoming application store the default store for most of their broadband-ready phone lineup, as part of an effort to herd users toward Verizon content.


While the company suggested that DC happenings aren't shaping their decisions, Verizon's well aware that regulators are watching AT&T and Apple's blocking of Google Voice closely. As such, the companies announced that Google Voice will be fully enabled on the two new handsets, which is also good news. Verizon also says they'll be making applications like their VCAST video service available via the Google store.

This move is pretty clearly aimed directly at AT&T and Apple, and will go hand in hand with a new Verizon ad campaign mocking AT&T's wireless network. Google CEO Eric Schmidt helped lay the groundwork for the PR offensive, telling the press this morning that it's "an absolute fact that Verizon's network is the best by far." "We had known about that reach," says Schmidt. "We didn't know that they'd take a lead in openness."

Yeah, well Verizon's new BFF might want to wait on the punch and cookies.

Verizon's 2007 promise of open networks and open devices has so far been little more than PR fluff and nonsense. Remember all the press from 2007 about how Verizon had finally embraced an open access paradigm? The several year old promise to offer an ocean of truly open devices on a truly open network has been a no show for consumers. While Verizon's "Open Development Initiative" has netted a few dozen approved devices, the majority of them are enterprise gear. Not that EVDO-powered prison anklets aren't really exciting, mind you.

Meanwhile, Verizon's data pricing remains painfully prohibitive. The company's recent pricing revisions will have a huge segment of their user base paying $9.99 for just 25 MB worth of data per month (at 50 cents each additional MB) or $19.99 for 75 MB worth of data per month (at 30 cents each additional MB). While Verizon might offer something resembling consumer freedom on some devices, these devices will make up a small part of Verizon's overall wireless ambitions. Look at it this way: Verizon wants true consumer choice to be a luxury tier.

Verizon's deepest, darkest fear is to be a dumb-pipe provider where companies like Google gobble up content and ad revenue. To prevent this, you can be sure that the majority of Verizon's attention and marketing dollars will remain on more restrictive platforms, using Verizon's own app store, with prohibitive pricing plans that punish consumers for using non-Verizon content. If Verizon can't control the content, they will squeeze the pipe.

Verizon still has a lot to prove when it comes to really opening things up, and I can't help but think there's going to be a few caveats in their new Android love affair. Will Verizon allow VoIP over 3G? Will any functionality be crippled on the devices? Will they be delivered in any significant number and heavily promoted? There will be a catch. This is Verizon we're talking about. Hold off on the champagne.
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Gbcue
Premium Member
join:2001-09-30
Santa Rosa, CA

Gbcue

Premium Member

Just Watch

These phones will be just as locked down as their Verizon phone brethren.
jvanbrecht
join:2007-01-08
Bowie, MD

jvanbrecht

Member

Re: Just Watch

I doubt it, while they tried to lock down many of their winmo phones, it is easy to get around it (go hit up xda-developer's forums for some insight).

The same goes for any android phone, they will be rooted and violated by the hackers, which is great for the few of us who care about such things, for the rest of the sheep, no one will really notice..

arundc
join:2004-08-11

arundc

Member

Re: Just Watch

2nd. The fact that Verizon still locks down their phones and no WiFi is relatively old news now. For the most part, and I mean most, people don't really care or notice these things. Also, I am sure some know but VZ's Storm II will have WiFi and all of their Berries henceforth will...

ptrowski
Got Helix?
Premium Member
join:2005-03-14
Woodstock, CT

ptrowski

Premium Member

Re: Just Watch

said by arundc:

2nd. The fact that Verizon still locks down their phones and no WiFi is relatively old news now. For the most part, and I mean most, people don't really care or notice these things. Also, I am sure some know but VZ's Storm II will have WiFi and all of their Berries henceforth will...
Come on, the wifi claims has been out there for a while. How about the Tour? There is no reason it should not have wifi.
Jonbo298
join:2004-01-12
Council Bluffs, IA

Jonbo298

Member

Re: Just Watch

said by ptrowski:

said by arundc:

2nd. The fact that Verizon still locks down their phones and no WiFi is relatively old news now. For the most part, and I mean most, people don't really care or notice these things. Also, I am sure some know but VZ's Storm II will have WiFi and all of their Berries henceforth will...
Come on, the wifi claims has been out there for a while. How about the Tour? There is no reason it should not have wifi.
You do realize it was said that every 'berry after the Tour would have Wifi on Verizon........right? Plus, it's out there that there is a Tour on the way with wifi built in.

ptrowski
Got Helix?
Premium Member
join:2005-03-14
Woodstock, CT

ptrowski

Premium Member

Re: Just Watch

said by Jonbo298:
said by ptrowski:
said by arundc:

2nd. The fact that Verizon still locks down their phones and no WiFi is relatively old news now. For the most part, and I mean most, people don't really care or notice these things. Also, I am sure some know but VZ's Storm II will have WiFi and all of their Berries henceforth will...
Come on, the wifi claims has been out there for a while. How about the Tour? There is no reason it should not have wifi.
You do realize it was said that every 'berry after the Tour would have Wifi on Verizon........right? Plus, it's out there that there is a Tour on the way with wifi built in.
Yes, that's great and all but when there are BB's on other networks with WIFI then there is no reason not to have it. And yes, people do notice when smartphones don't have WIFI. The Tour really should have had WIFI from the get go.
openbox9
Premium Member
join:2004-01-26
71144

openbox9

Premium Member

Re: Just Watch

This is like the iPhone whining all over again. If you want a BB that has wifi, and other carriers provide such a product, then use the other carriers. If you really want wifi on your BB and VZW doesn't offer it, then move on.
cghh
join:2001-01-15
Milpitas, CA

cghh to Jonbo298

Member

to Jonbo298
said by Jonbo298:

said by ptrowski:

said by arundc:

2nd. The fact that Verizon still locks down their phones and no WiFi is relatively old news now. For the most part, and I mean most, people don't really care or notice these things. Also, I am sure some know but VZ's Storm II will have WiFi and all of their Berries henceforth will...
Come on, the wifi claims has been out there for a while. How about the Tour? There is no reason it should not have wifi.
You do realize it was said that every 'berry after the Tour would have Wifi on Verizon........right? Plus, it's out there that there is a Tour on the way with wifi built in.
Just want to point out that Blackberries are not "crippled" on VZW (any more). Full GPS, no restrictions on where you can download applications. And the lack of WiFi is not specific to VZW. No CDMA BB on any carrier has had WiFi until the upcoming Storm 2.

RickNY
Premium Member
join:2000-11-02
Bellport, NY

RickNY to Jonbo298

Premium Member

to Jonbo298
said by Jonbo298:

You do realize it was said that every 'berry after the Tour would have Wifi on Verizon........right? Plus, it's out there that there is a Tour on the way with wifi built in.
I believe you have that statement confused with Sprint.. Ive seen no reference to Verizon stating that, while Sprint announced back in July that all of their future PDA handsets would be required to support wifi.
dfxmatt
join:2007-08-21
Crystal Lake, IL

dfxmatt to Gbcue

Member

to Gbcue
it's going to be damn hard for them to lock an android phone since all you have to do is flash firmware and you're free, that of which it's unlikely they will lock/be able to.

tuna
@myvzw.com

tuna

Anon

Not Holding My Breath

I don't want to "encumber their network" with my data, yet I am 99% sure there is going to be a data plan requirement. IF they don't cripple the wi-fi, we all know it will default to the 3G to make sure you use their "already strained" magic air tubes at ridiculous prices. I love when big red tells me they're doing me a solid, cuz I know they are doing exactly the opposite.

The VCAST will be "available" in the store? Why? Who would pay for it if it wasn't the only lame option shoved down the customers' throats?

Their phone reception is unequaled in the States, no doubt, but they are the biggest crooks as well. My hopes for Android died shortly after the G1 came out and WAS NOT in this magical "open network" with "open devices". The only reason they said all that was b/c the FCC hadn't given them the UHF bands yet... you remember, the band we desperately needed to free up analog signals on so our emergency responders could use it?
caco
Premium Member
join:2005-03-10
Whittier, AK

caco

Premium Member

SOLD - To the highest bidder!

Google CEO Eric Schmidt helped lay the groundwork for the PR offensive, telling the press this morning that it's "an absolute fact that Verizon’s network is the best by far." "We had known about that reach," says Schmidt. "We didn’t know that they’d take a lead in openness."

I guess once you become a CEO your soul just vanishes into thin air.
rmdir
join:2003-03-13
Chicago, IL

rmdir

Member

Re: SOLD - To the highest bidder!

said by caco:

I guess once you become a CEO your soul just vanishes into thin air.
That became painfully obvious when they sent a C&D order to Cyanogen.

AVD
Respice, Adspice, Prospice
Premium Member
join:2003-02-06
Onion, NJ

1 edit

AVD

Premium Member

Re: SOLD - To the highest bidder!

He was creating his own distribution of android and including Google Apps that are not freely distributable.

MxxCon
join:1999-11-19
Brooklyn, NY

MxxCon

Member

Re: SOLD - To the highest bidder!

which had nothing to do with eric schmidt

AVD
Respice, Adspice, Prospice
Premium Member
join:2003-02-06
Onion, NJ

AVD

Premium Member

Re: SOLD - To the highest bidder!

said by MxxCon:

which had nothing to do with eric schmidt
You're right it was the google elves that come out at night that wrote the C&D
cmaenginsb1
Premium Member
join:2001-03-19
Palmdale, CA

cmaenginsb1 to caco

Premium Member

to caco
said by caco:

Google CEO Eric Schmidt helped lay the groundwork for the PR offensive, telling the press this morning that it's "an absolute fact that Verizon’s network is the best by far." "We had known about that reach," says Schmidt. "We didn’t know that they’d take a lead in openness."

I guess once you become a CEO your soul just vanishes into thin air.
What if the statement is actually true though?

NOCMan
MadMacHatter
Premium Member
join:2004-09-30
Colorado Springs, CO

1 edit

NOCMan

Premium Member

Once Again Verizon Goes with #2

I will not write off a iPhone for Verizon Wireless, but it looks more like they've once again hitched their wagon to a different device. Android is nice, but I've seen the early phones and frankly they need more time to mature. The iPhone is an established beast and is dominating the iPhone.

Part of the problem is that iPhone users are tied into iTunes and likely use iTunes to manage their music. The Google phone is not that way and people would have to learn to manage it a different way, but then again if they've purchased any video on iTunes they'll find out pretty quick they can not play the video on an android phone and that's going to stop a good chunk of people in their tracks.

Hence why I think the iTunes monopoly needs to be broken, that it should have to license their encryption to 3rd parties so people can use their legally purchased content with other devices. iTunes is a true lockdown for many customers and moving to another phone will be a hard pill to swallow for many folks.
JokerX
join:2009-06-17

JokerX

Member

Re: Once Again Verizon Goes with #2

said by NOCMan:

Hence why I think the iTunes monopoly needs to be broken, that it should have to license their encryption to 3rd parties so people can use their legally purchased content with other devices. iTunes is a true lockdown for many customers and moving to another phone will be a hard pill to swallow for many folks.
The only way this will happen is if the studios start selling unencrypted video content like the record companies did with music. Not likely anytime soon. If you want to play iTunes commercial video content -- get an iPhone. Its hardly a huge sacrifice to get one instead of an Android phone.

The iPhone will come to Verizon once the switch from CDMA to LTE (4G) is complete -- in 2011 or 2012. Until then go with Android if you insist on Verizon.
cmaenginsb1
Premium Member
join:2001-03-19
Palmdale, CA

cmaenginsb1 to NOCMan

Premium Member

to NOCMan
said by NOCMan:

I will not write off a iPhone for Verizon Wireless, but it looks more like they've once again hitched their wagon to a different device. Android is nice, but I've seen the early phones and frankly they need more time to mature. The iPhone is an established beast and is dominating the iPhone.

Part of the problem is that iPhone users are tied into iTunes and likely use iTunes to manage their music. The Google phone is not that way and people would have to learn to manage it a different way, but then again if they've purchased any video on iTunes they'll find out pretty quick they can not play the video on an android phone and that's going to stop a good chunk of people in their tracks.

Hence why I think the iTunes monopoly needs to be broken, that it should have to license their encryption to 3rd parties so people can use their legally purchased content with other devices. iTunes is a true lockdown for many customers and moving to another phone will be a hard pill to swallow for many folks.
I use iTunes to manage my music and have a Blackberry. None of the 20+ people I know of bought the iPhone because of iTunes but because of either the cool factor or the fact that it was actually useful compared to other "smart" phones.

BlueArcher
Premium Member
join:2003-03-11
Lexington, KY

BlueArcher

Premium Member

Google Voice

VZW and Google already confirmed on their webcast announcement today that Google Voice would be enabled out of the box on all VZW Android phones.

»www-waa-akam.thomson-web ··· 88275dee

nixen
Rockin' the Boxen
Premium Member
join:2002-10-04
Alexandria, VA

nixen

Premium Member

Re: Google Voice

said by BlueArcher:

VZW and Google already confirmed on their webcast announcement today that Google Voice would be enabled out of the box on all VZW Android phones.

»www-waa-akam.thomson-web ··· 88275dee
With things like Skype or Google Voice, it doesn't make much sense to have regular voice service as part of your plan. Too bad that it's VERY unlikely that VZ will ever offer a data-only "calling plan". If they did (and it wasn't any more expensive than my current voice+data plan), though, I'd trade in my Storm for an Android the same day.

Fruitybatz
@rr.com

Fruitybatz

Anon

Ans also today, AT&T announced....

VOIP iPhone apps over 3G.

ScrewVerizon
@optonline.net

ScrewVerizon

Anon

Hmmm

Verizon supporting Android? Yeah okay, I believe it when I see it.

EDDIE
@statestreet.com

EDDIE

Anon

Re: Hmmm

The two company's CEOs confirming it wasn't enough proof for you? Yeesh...

Anonymous2
@themeganet.com

Anonymous2

Anon

Dumb pipe?

My first thought is that I want Verizon to become just that dumb-pipe. But perhaps there are still services that they can provide, such as Visual Voicemail (as now provided to the iPhone from AT&T). Then again, with Google Voice, is that even a requirement? I think I was right in the first place. I just want them to be a dumb pipe.

Hamranhansen
@mycingular.net

Hamranhansen

Anon

Not GSM, not open

There is absolutely no way for Verizon to be open when they have a proprietary network, not a GSM network. 99% of the world's phones are GSM. If I can't order Verizon service for my GSM phone, that is definitively not open. The reason it is such a big deal for Android devices to come to Verizon is the devices had to be specially customized with proprietary Verizon hardware just to be able to attach to their proprietary network.

If Starbucks had its own kind of proprietary wireless Internet access instead of Wi-Fi, that is how Verizon is set up. Watching these self-styled champions of open networking push Verizon shows how desperate they are. Android is being dramatically outsold by iPod touch.
cmaenginsb1
Premium Member
join:2001-03-19
Palmdale, CA

cmaenginsb1

Premium Member

Re: Not GSM, not open

said by Hamranhansen :

There is absolutely no way for Verizon to be open when they have a proprietary network, not a GSM network. 99% of the world's phones are GSM. If I can't order Verizon service for my GSM phone, that is definitively not open. The reason it is such a big deal for Android devices to come to Verizon is the devices had to be specially customized with proprietary Verizon hardware just to be able to attach to their proprietary network.

If Starbucks had its own kind of proprietary wireless Internet access instead of Wi-Fi, that is how Verizon is set up. Watching these self-styled champions of open networking push Verizon shows how desperate they are. Android is being dramatically outsold by iPod touch.
????? There are plenty of countries where GSM doesn't exist. Japan is almost all CDMA for example. The thing is I can buy any CMDA phone I want and get Verizon to activate it on their network with my account.

The CDMA Android will also work with Sprint and other global CDMA providers. Verizon is not the only ones using CDMA.

From experience traveling globally, GSM while allowing for easy roaming offers worst voice quality, I'd take Skype on a 56k modem before I like GSM.