Verizon looks back at 2008...shouldn't we!

I signed up to these forums to talk about Verizon phones and plans. I have been sorely discontent with Verizon as a carrier for the past year, and I wanted to try and get an idea of what people thought of Verizon, their policies, their phones and lack of openness. That last point is a great place to start with this thread.

Openness and Verizon are two things that seem a bit ridiculous to me... no matter what kinds of promises and "breakthroughs" they've made in the past year.

I'm ready for a smart phone. I'm particularly interested in the Andoid-based phones but have all but given up hope that it will be available on a major carrier like AT&T or Verizon, which is all I can use in the area I reside.

But the openness thing... I came really close to buying a Blackberry Storm, but then I started to realize just how closed Verizon is; much more so than AT&T. With the iPhone, AT&T truly is open, allowing Apple to control the phone's OS and downloadable applications.

But every Verizon phone is the same; Verizon puts their own, useless, generic OS on each Verizon phone and even their special "Verizon Blackberry" OS on the Storm is severely crippled.

For one... no WiFi. I know a couple obscure Verizon phones have WiFi, but why not the Storm? The Bold has it... well, it's because Verizon doesn't want you using potential free sources of Internet, they want you paying to use their exceedingly annoying Verizon Browser... I doubt you can even download the far superior Opera Mobile browser.

Also, GPS... the Storm has it, but what about Google Maps? I suppose we're lucky Vz even allows us to download a third-party application to their precious, lock-up-and-throw-away-the-key smartphone, but don't even think about using integrated GPS with Google Maps. Nope, for that, you need to pay a hefty monthly fee to use the Verizon Navigator... which is also inferior to the simple, easy-to-use Google Maps (which you can use with integrated GPS on all AT&T branded Blackberries).

Couple that with expensive voice, data and texting plans, awful customer service at Vz Stores and the most annoying commercials on television... and I'm wondering why I'm still on Verizon.

So based on what I've said and what I'm looking for in a phone... is there anyone who can even recommend Verizon and willing to believe their ridiculous internal hype about how "open" they are?
 
I second that.

I think it is funny how the failed to mention the mandatory data plan for smartphones when they looked back on 2008.
 
Yeah, that's just the tip of the iceberg.

If Verizon really wanted to be "open" they'd embrace open-source technology, like Android. They were offered to carry the iPhone and flat out refused, citing that Apple would have too much control over content. Real "open" of them.

More vendor control would be a good thing... because VCAST SUCKS!

Aside from insulting my intelligence, Verizon is far more like the cable companies than the other telecom providers... by literally telling me that I should be thankful for giving them my money.

Verizon just bought out Alltel; does that mean Alltel subscribers can say goodbye to free calls to five of your numbers and hello to expensive plans for basic text messaging (which carries absolutely no overhead)?

I'm still holding out for that "perfect" smartphone. Something as good as the iPhone... but not from Apple. I already know it'll never come to Vz... so I guess we'll just wait and see.
 
A lot of facts in this thread, you provided, is slightly off target.

The Storm is capable of full access Google maps.

I was actually amazed, when I played with the Storm, how open it was. It has two different templates. One is obviously the ugly, default Verizon style...well, on the newer Blackberry Storm OS version, you can choose a more open style. It makes the entire design of the phone 10 times better.

The Wi-Fi on this phone was a bummer...but no Blackberry I've ever seen has Wi-Fi.

Verizon Wireless, like all other CDMA carriers, have always been given the short end of the stick. Their technology makes it harder to "open" it up. They have to work around their system to open things up. And despite anything anyone has heard, Sprint, Alltel, US Cellular, and all other CDMA carriers are limited the same...and Verizon has made the most progress on improving this.

I have worked for Verizon Wireless in the past...for a total of 8 years. I left to a job with more promotions available for me at a different company...but I still love Verizon. They treat the employees so well...but anyway, I have never seen them make a decision that is poor for the customers or the company. They will make close compormises to help out the Alltel customers. What they know will not all change, I promise.
 
Without GPS access. Listen; I have a BlackBerry Curve 8310 with GPS on At&T. When I install Google Maps, it has fully integrated GPS access. I am also fully aware that the BlackBerry Storm REFUSES access to GPS in Google Maps, like any other GPS-enabled Verizon phone. Yes, you can download and use Google Maps. But its GPS functionality is unusable. If you want GPS with the Storm, you pay for Verizon Navigator. Simple as that. Prove me wrong.



Could you elaborate on this considerably? There are two Storm OS versions? The new one is "open?" How, specifically? I have several colleagues with Storms. They're all regretting their purchase.



BLACKBERRY BOLD.... Maybe you've heard of it? It's the "inferior" Blackberry released along with the Storm for AT&T. Not only does it support 3G and WiFi, but it allows you to use Google Maps with built-in GPS.

But wait, there's more. MANY BlackBerries have supported WiFi... perhaps you've never heard of them? Probably because Verizon suppresses WiFi access:

WiFi BlackBerry Models:
BlackBerry 8820 (AT&T, T-Mobile)
BlackBerry Curve 8320 (T-Mobile)
BlackBerry Curve 8900 (AT&T, T-Mobile)
BlackBerry Pearl 8120 (AT&T, T-Mobile)
BlackBerry Pearl 8220 (T-Mobile)
BlackBerry Bold 9000 (AT&T)

Wow, look at that. Seems that AT&T and T-Mobile embrace WiFi technology from BlackBerry. Funny how Verizon doesn't want anything to do with that. I wonder, do you suppose it's because WiFi is FREE? Why yes, I do. Your loyalties are becoming clear my friend... if Verizon wanted WiFi on the Storm they could have easily had it... CDMA or not. They CHOSE not to.



Oh, my goodness... I should just stop complaining and get on my knees and thank my lucky stars that Verizon is taking CDMA to levels that will never be as good as GPRS, but at least better than Alltel and Sprint...

Tell me... Palm just previewed the Pre at the Consumer Electronics Show this week... wonder why Sprint is the only company offering it? Oh, that's right... Palm has their own OS that is productive and functional. And Verizon hates those stupid things. "Productivity." "Openness." That's for losers like T-Mobile, Sprint and a little company called AT&T. Early reviews are calling the Pre an easy competitor to the iPhone and Android G1.

The Pre is the next-big-thing in smartphone technology and it's CDMA... Verizon wants nothing to do with it. Why? Awwwww, no V-Cast...



Verizon doesn't care about the customer, and as a result, I hope they die. Not anytime soon... Vz has a hold on the teenage, middle-aged-parent, old-person market. They don't know any better. People don't even know what "openness" is right now. And while AT&T cleans up in the tech-savvy market, Vz could care less... you still have the dolts.

But guess what. Someday... someday soon, SmartPhones will be what people want. The dolts will figure it out. ALL people will want an open platform. And when they see the difference between what Vz offers and what AT&T/T-Mobile offer... they will leave Vz in droves. Just like the tech savvy did when the iPhone was released. PROVE ME WRONG. Vz refuses the iPhone because Verizon would lose their V-Cast deathgrip on a phone for the first time.

maybe you should advise them to cut the "we're all stupid wireless customers" commercials, drop their useless phone (smart or otherwise) OS, and start working with vendors to provide a competitive and functional service to their customers.

If they have any left.

Because I'm about ready to bring this very argument to the independent blogosphere and people will know soon enough that Verizon is the ultimate enemy to openness.

As a smartphone consumer, give me ONE good reason to stay with Verizon. Because I could care less that CDMA isn't as "open." That's Verizon's problem... NOT MINE.
 
What he was referring to was how VZW locks out certain features of a phone, not the capability of the network, by placing a VZW locked down version on the OS. Just check on the manufactures website for the features of the phones and then check what VZW says/allows this phone to do.
 
I do feel your discontent.

The Blackberry Storm has more functionality than you may believe.

It does feature fully functional Google maps. I have used it. I was also the testing agent through my company assigned to test/try out this device and write a review.

Ok...remember, I have seen many phones. Hundreds...thousands. When we begin to test phones from overseas carriers beginning next month, I will see millions. Wi-Fi is usually disabled when we receive them to test. It is before the phone is released.

The two OS versions are simple software updates that all Blackberry users can do. It allows you to update the firmware. When it is updated...you may receive more features. One of the features is the ability to turn the "All Access" option from phone settings on. It changes how your phone works. You may lose some stored data in this process.

Verizon Wireless apparently doesn't decide to benefit from the Blackberry's Wi-Fi access. Contact Blackberry. Verizon only has a small say in what goes into the device. Yes, they do offer some (non Blackberry devices) that have Wi-Fi.

Boo-hoo to Verizon Wireless being locked to CDMA? Well, do you not like crystal clear call quality? CDMA provides the best coverage with the best reception. This isn't arguable and is proven. Even many AT&T representatives will admit this...they have to me.

Verizon Wireless treats wireless customers like family almost. When you call customer service, you expect to be treat almost like royalty, right? They attempt to do so! I have never, as a customer, been treated poorly. Also, as you sat that AT&T is so successful, Verizon Wireless is the only large wireless carrier that is still doing well showing current income. They will continue to prosper. They now have around 80 million customers (which now legally include Alltel's). They are doing fine..while AT&T is threatening bankruptcy again!

As far as the tone? I had done my best to respond do this issue (last post here) as calm as possible. I appreciate similar respect. Yes, I was a bit touchy above.
 
I'm quite sure that CDMA is capable of WiFi and GPS integreation with Google Maps.

Verizon doesn't lock it out specifically though... phones that allow this openness just aren't even available on the Verizon network.

As far as I'm concerned, Verizon lost some serious market share to AT&T because of the iPhone. And they had a chance to make up for that with the Android/Google Phone... they don't want anything to do with that. They're placing their hopes on the Blackberry Storm and, frankly, the Storm just isn't that good... if for no other reason than WiFi is unavailable, GPS is restricted to pay-only Vz Navigator service, and third-party apps are EXTREMELY limited.





Through some research, I've found that GPS isn't "locked" on the Storm, but the GUI makes highly difficult for developers (like Google) to provide a free use of it for us... the consumers. But you say you've tested it, then where is it? As far as I can tell, free use of GPS through Google Maps still is not available on the Storm, so what's the story with that?

Thanks again Vz. Also, where's the visual voicemail? I hear it's "in the works" but where? When?

Call quality is no longer the industry trump card. I currently have two phones... a Verizon personal phone and an AT&T Blackberry (courtesy of my employer). As far as tone is concerned, I'll say this... call quality through Verizon is fantastic. My FIVE PLUS years as a Verizon customer have been complaint free. Verizon has been good to me, and my calls have been good.

But again, I have made something clear... I am in the market for a smart phone. I am a tech-savvy customer. And as a tech-savvy customer, I feel that Vz is leaving me behind. I use the At&T Blackberry for business email, data, txt and voice... call quality is comparable or as-good as Vz, although I'll concede Vz has been excellent in call-quality for me for years. But it's no longer all about call-quality.

As far as being treated like royalty??? Hardly. Last time I went to my Verizon store for a phone upgrade, I knew exactly what model I wanted. I researched it, through C-Net. I'm guesses not many Vz customers do this... especially based on the wireless no-nothings I observed in my small town Vz Store.

I told the CSR exactly which phone I wanted and she was VERY surprised to hear I didn't want a full hands-on explanation, or a review of each phone... by the way, the CSR's were pushing LG's "Chocolate" phone at the time which was among C-Net's lowest-rated.

Well, after deciding the phone I wanted, the CSR proceeded to pick the "Verizon Music Accessory Package" (retail $79.99) from the rack saying "I'll just grab this and check you out." Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?

I proceeded to tell her I didn't want that... it was a memory card/ear phones/software I could get elsewhere and she just got ANGRY!

Tell me, are those accessories commission based? They are, aren't they? F the consumer, push the accessories.... it works on grandma, not on me. Why not treat me like the tech-savvy consumer I am?

Treated like family? Only if you're the smarty, techy person in the family and I'm the feeble, know-nothing.

I call that being taken advantage of.
 
I was just looking wifi up on the BB site. I knew they had wifi. Maybe that was what VZW told you Nick (that BB's didn't have wifi).

Crunk,

nice to know I am not alone.
 
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