dslreports logo
 story category
Sprint 'Fixes' A Problem Nobody Wanted Fixed With Sprint ID
Unveils ad-loaded smartphone 'app packs'
Looking to "simplify the smartphone experience for the user" (read: sell more ads), Sprint this week unveiled a new "Sprint ID" service. According to the Sprint ID website, this new service allows users to "instantly download a 'total experience' like ringtones, wallpapers, apps and widgets all at once" instead of the user picking applications out individually from an application marketplace. Ads of course are at the core of this "new user experience," and Sprint tells MocoNews they're putting a lot of effort behind this push:
quote:
On Sunday, two entry-level Android devices are launching with 16 app packs, and a third device will be available on Halloween. But Hesse said he envisions the service being rolled out on all of its phones and tablets, signaling how much money it is putting behind this concept.
The shift from simple web-based content and software to "apps" has already dumbed down consumer choice significantly, putting companies like Apple and Google in the position of gatekeeper over what's deemed acceptable content. Now you've got carriers trying to inject their presence into this ecosystem as well in the hopes of grabbing additional revenue. All of this seems a futile effort to shift the smartphone away from its ideal role as a truly open computer, and back toward the crippled clamshell platforms of yesterday.

Most recommended from 20 comments



scavio
Premium Member
join:2001-07-14
Melmac

2 recommendations

scavio

Premium Member

Quite a stretch there Karl...

Maybe you should concentrate more on Verizon locking their devices down with Bing, T Mobile doing everything they can to keep folks from tinkering with their G2s or AT&T crippling every device they get their hands on. This is an OPTION. It is no less open than the EVO or Epic. In fact, Sprint has become the leader in the "open" space as far as US based carriers are concerned. No need to spread FUD when there is nothing there to substantiate it.

When my son saw it, he thought it would be cool to download an espn pack. I mentioned to him nothing is free, so there may be some ads involved. He said it would be worth it since he would waste a few hours on customizing it and if the pack would do what he wanted he didn't care.

Sounds like the title should read "Sprint 'fixes' a problem Karl Bode didn't want fixed with Sprint ID because non tech savvy people don't get it like he does."