Verizon & Android news

[fanaticbuckeye]

Can Verizon's Motorola 'Droid' Live Up to the Hype? - PC World

I'm certainly interested in it, Especially since I'm already with Verizon.

The positives about Android is the open source operating system and handset selection. As every carrier (this holiday season) launches an Android phone I am more excited for the platform to receive more exposure as it's currently only had the G1 and MyTouch with T Mobile. VZW and Sprint networks and handsets will launch it into a new category of competitive advantage. Another positive is the array of designs that will accompany this operating system, where the iPhone is currently a touchscreen only device, some people prefer keyboards, different look, etc.

 

[Mac]

Yeah I will also be looking at this phone...I'm interested to see if it will pick up WIFI and Verizon doesn't charge extra. If so count me in!!

 

[jwinslow]

I'm stuck in anticipatory buyers remorse... I can't bring myself to upgrade with the tease of the iphone next spring/summer.

Another positive is the array of designs that will accompany this operating system, where the iPhone is currently a touchscreen only device, some people prefer keyboards, different look, etc.

It is nice to not have to look down to tell what keys you're hitting.

 

[MaxBuck]

It's a pretty effective one, and reflects the choice... choosing the best phone/apps or the network, not even close to getting both.

Not sure why anyone calls the iPhone the "best phone," because it's far from being that; it's a pretty mediocre phone. As a total communication and entertainment appliance, though, there's nothing else that comes close.

 

[jwinslow]

Not sure why anyone calls the iPhone the "best phone," because it's far from being that; it's a pretty mediocre phone. As a total communication and entertainment appliance, though, there's nothing else that comes close.

True, but that's generally how cell phones are bought. Many user upgrades take a step back in call quality... my old e815 was great.

 

[jwinslow]

Verizon to Offer Wireless in Its New Quad-Play Bundle

Today, 7:55 AM by Eric M. Zeman
Today Verizon announced that customers in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic markets will be able to choose from a selection of new quad-play bundles that package together wireless, wireline, broadband Internet and TV services (either FiOS or DirecTV) on one bill. The basic FiOS-based bundle includes the 450-minute Nationwide wireless plan, Freedom Essentials voice service, FiOS Internet service with speeds of up to 15/5 Mbps and FiOS TV Essentials service for $135 per month with a one-year agreement. Customers in the aforementioned regions can call customer service to sign up for the new bundles.
more at Verizon ?

 

[MaxBuck]

True, but that's generally how cell phones are bought. Many user upgrades take a step back in call quality... my old e815 was great.

Many such phones have marginal call quality (the e815 was great!), but fortunately people I converse with tell me my BlackBerry Curve (and the Moto Q before it) has excellent voice quality. All Verizon, of course, since I don't have the luxury of telling clients I can't hear them when I travel to BFN.

 

[scarletandgrey]

I'm stuck in anticipatory buyers remorse... I can't bring myself to upgrade with the tease of the iphone next spring/summer.It is nice to not have to look down to tell what keys you're hitting.

I'm curios about the iPhone also but it won't be offered on my carrier(Unless I'm completely wrong about this) and my contract won't be up by then either. I think this might be a solid option.

 

[jlb1705]

I don't own an iPhone or anything and am not a fanboy by any means, but color me skeptical.

How many "iPhone killers" have come and gone so far before this one? Sounds like this new phone has some nice features and definite advantages but...

What was the last decent phone Motorola made? The StarTAC?

 

[fanaticbuckeye]

I don't own an iPhone or anything and am not a fanboy by any means, but color me skeptical.

How many "iPhone killers" have come and gone so far before this one? Sounds like this new phone has some nice features and definite advantages but...

Agreed, Instinct, MyTouch, Pre, HTC Touch, etc. Nowhere near iPhone success.

What was the last decent phone Motorola made? The StarTAC?

V60, RAZR - arguably more iconic than the StarTAC, e815, RAZR2 (largely underrated as well) but I digress

Your point is taken, Motorola is not exactly the beacon of innovation in the smart phone world, though the MotoQ was awfully popular, though flawed.

 

[jwinslow]

How many "iPhone killers" have come and gone so far before this one? Sounds like this new phone has some nice features and definite advantages but...

The Android OS is a pretty solid one. Unless Verizon murks it up with their garbage, it should be a pretty solid alternative to the iphone.

 

[jwinslow]

With the new ads for the Motorola Droid, which is being pushed heavily by Verizon, I have to question if they are actually getting an Apple phone in the future. The entire ad is taking shots at the iPhone.

Is Verizon testing the iPhone 4G on its LTE network? (Phone Arena News)

The rumor that never dies is alive and well once again. According to tipsters who reported this story to fone frenzy, Verizon and Apple are testing a CDMA version of the iPhone on Big Red's 4G LTE network. The sources say that the iPhone is the first 4G phone being tested by the carrier over the LTE network it plans on introducing sometime next year. The testing has been going on for the last couple of months, according to the story.

Besides getting this inside info from some tipsters, the story also claims that when Verizon Wireless CEO Lowell McAdam visited Google recently to tie down the loose ends of the Verizon-Google Android deal, McAdam visited the Apple campus-only 8.5 miles away from Google's headquarters. But, you ask, hasn't Verizon alienated Apple with the current "I don't" ads for the upcoming Motorola Droid? The response is that those ads were developed by Motorola. The bottom line is that until Verizon and/or Apple actually make an announcement, any story claiming that the iPhone is heading to another carrier is just a rumor no matter how much sense it might make.

some interesting comments

This is what I expect and have been telling people I expect from the day Apple launched the Iphone. The fact is though that Apple required total control over the handset. The only way that Verizon Does Business is if they are able to control the distribution and warranty process. Where Apple currently does this. Also they will not subsidize the cost of the Iphone to ATT just like ipods and all other products Apple creates. ATT is on the loosing end of this deal and have said so. It will be interesting to see, if a deal is reached, how this will effect all companies( Apple, ATT, Verizon). My betting money is on Verizon holding those 80 million subs over apples head and letting them know how that might help the bottom line. I feel that Verizon holds a majority of the negotiation power as well. If they have been able to keep churn as low as they have against the Iphone and showing an active interest in filling the gap for Iphone then they hold the power.

I thought what was in the works to happen with Iphone and Verizon now was that they were going to build an LTE/CDMA hybrid device that will be sold for full retail costs in Apple stores and online. Then the customer takes the handset to a VZW store or call in or goes through ITunes to activate it.

I don't think the Verizon sales reps that are on here care too much about the Iphone device itself, but just want the sales that come from it more than anything. I own the phone, and to me it's not that great. It's for sure not the Mesiah of cell phones no matter what some people might think. I just think they want the activation sales from it.

If this happens where people can buy at Apple stores and then walk into a location and activate. Don't you Verizon reps get paid for that activation? Maybe some can chime in? If so, then the people that work at VZW and work next to an Apple Store or work in a Verizon store in a Mall would love working there as they would get tons of people walking right out of that Apple store and right too their booths or stores.

I have heard this also before, because Verizon is not able to handle anything in stores and it's a loop hole through the exclusive with ATT.

They basically sell you an unbranded Apple CDMA/LTE device and it just so happens Verizon is the only person doing both those signals together. But this would leave it open to Sprint as well but just using the device for the CDMA portion and not the LTE.

I heard about this awhile ago as well. I'm curious to see if this is what does end up panning out. I totally forgot about this Sinful, thnx. I work for Sprint and I'm sick of hearing about the Iphone when we have bad ass handsets that do way more for less cost already. I don't get it. But I would so rock one if I could go buy it at full retail. I'm sure customers would too. Cause they have asked if they could go buy one at full price, but then have us activate it on our service.

That would be a win for Verizon and me at sprint. And a WIN for my paycheck!

Yeah, they said that a long time ago. But my wife works for Qualcomm, and they stole a bunch of the CDMA designers on her team to move up to San Francisco Area that now work for Apple. This happened about 8-9 months ago. So it made us curious when we were talking over dinner one night when we had someone watching the kids is to why they would steal a bunch of CDMA designers and pay them enough to jump ship. I think they lost 24 people total. I'll have to ask her again. But really made us go: humph?

I guess since VZW still bought ALLTEL after the funny commercials ALLTEL made about VZW, that I wouldn't put it past APPLE to let VZW run it's device on the VZW network. I do hope tho that if this were to come to pass that all those iDonts are no longer true, otherwise it'd be a crow-eating fest.

That said ... I think this is one rumor that needs laid to rest, for everyone's sanity's sake. CDMA is not iPhone compatible, and last time I checked the LTE Consortium (or whatever they call themselves) agreed to route VOICE over the legacy CDMA network while using the actual 4G LTE network to handle the DATA load.

Yeah, something isn't quite right here.

 

[jlb1705]

Agreed, Instinct, MyTouch, Pre, HTC Touch, etc. Nowhere near iPhone success.

V60, RAZR - arguably more iconic than the StarTAC, e815, RAZR2 (largely underrated as well) but I digress

Your point is taken, Motorola is not exactly the beacon of innovation in the smart phone world, though the MotoQ was awfully popular, though flawed.

I sold v60s, RAZRs and RAZR2s back in the day. Also took a lot of returns, exchanges and repairs on them.

I own the Instinct and can attest to it not being an iPhone killer by any stretch. I'm sticking with it though because of the deal I get on the monthly plan.

 

[AKAK]

I sold v60s, RAZRs and RAZR2s back in the day. Also took a lot of returns, exchanges and repairs on them.

I own the Instinct and can attest to it not being an iPhone killer by any stretch. I'm sticking with it though because of the deal I get on the monthly plan.

Ha...

Had a v60 forever... I abused the shit out of it, and it took it all.

Have a crackberry now... and... well... it's best at the shit I need... I see the iphone's allure, don't get me wrong... but, basically it's a 2 horse race and everyone else is playing catch up.

Though I did play with one of my customers Palm whatever the fuck it's called... pretty cool.

 

[fanaticbuckeye]

I sold v60s, RAZRs and RAZR2s back in the day. Also took a lot of returns, exchanges and repairs on them.

The RAZR was a phenomenal phone when it was overpriced and only came in silver and was Cingular exclusive. When they dropped in price, came in 3 shades of pink, black and silver amongst all carriers is when it really took a nose dive (VZW V3m especially), but I am sure percentage wise, the fail rate was very strong. The RAZR2 on the other hand, is not that old I believe it launched in late spring or early summer 2007 and has solid performance save the carrier installed glitches with it.

Just out of curiosity, where did you sell wireless?