Verizon Backs Android

Android on Verizon is a good step forward. Is this a sign of things to come?

Have you used Google Voice? It does not offer free long distance and text messaging. All calls and text messages go over your provider’s network and get billed as such. International calls are not free, but may be less than you would have paid otherwise.

But the question is what specifications Verizon will require. Will have full internet capabilities? Flash video? Will the phones still have to be approved by Verizon such that functionality has to be preapproved?

This sounds like it could be good news, but if I have to sign in to a Google account to use it, I’ll pass.

iPhone = Palm Pilot.

“Either you have an open device or not”

An odd statement from Verizon, which limits phone functionality and charges you for everything you want to add or do with your phone.

Is anyone in the mobile phone industry EVER going to address the Democratic Republic of Congo, and how the mining of cassiterite to make all of these new cell phones is funding a horrific and bloody war? Is it really going to take Leo Dicaprio making another movie about how first world consumerism is destroying the lives of third world and indigenous peoples? Get your heads out of the sand, America.

Color me skeptical on this one. I have a Motorola phone on the Verizon network with all sorts of nice built in features – almost all of which Verizon has disabled, and replaced with inferior for-pay versions…

Exactly Verizon has a history of restricting all manner of functionality and capability. No one it has one of the strongest networks. You can’t use it for very much unless its approved by Verizon.

They might have a map for their network, but do they have a map for unrestricted functionality and capabilities or is it better to ask if they have a map for everything they have restricted?

GoogleVoice is proving troublesome. I have a dedicated line at a client where I consult, and set it to fwd to my GV #; most of the time, it creates an endless loop of failed calls that tie up my device & fill my vm.

@poop – I seriously doubt that. Apple’s too smart to let that happen.

Anything is an improvement when compared to the terrible software most verizon phones run. I don’t want internet access, only a phone that doesn’t suck.

Of the four or five phones that I have returned via manufacturers warranty at least 2 if not more of the defects were likely related to software.

My google account works much better than any Yahoo, MSN or other account; I’ve had it over 5 years.
And Android now has Flash Internet and video.
Verizon finally coming to it’s senses? maybe.

@greg-

google voice on an android device does have free texting. the app connects to the internet and opens the inbox much like gmail.

I’m excited for this because it creates competition to make the better product. I’ll be honest, the G1, however great it is, is a little shoddy, and could use some improvements.

Thought i’d add my two cents

@Greg

Google Voice does offer free texting. It sends texts through the internet connection, not the phone’s SMS service. So it’s free assuming that you have an unlimited internet plan (and with an Android phone, why wouldn’t you?). Even without one, data rates for mobile internet are generally cheaper than for texts, IIRC.

I’m with Skeptic (6). While ALL of the US carriers (and major smartphones) have major failings; I’m pretty fed up with Verizon Wireless. I went into a store the other day intending to buy the HTC Touch Pro2. The store didn’t have any units to look at (no big deal, it’s new and in high demand); but the store manager told me that [AGAIN] the WiFi would be hobbled, the Bluetooth would be hobbled, the GPS would be locked to require Verizon Navigator, and who knew what other havoc VZW would wreak on the ROM (menus, screens, etc.). Thanks, but no thanks.

I know it’s spitting into the wind; but would SOMEONE, PLEASE offer decent service, at a decent price, without doing everything possible to mess with regular customers? For me, none of the options out there are really very enticing.

Google voice is actually free for US long distance & texting if you make it a “my fave or friend & family” number on your cell phone.
Nice thing about Android phones, especially if you have a gmail account — never again do you have to manually type in contacts’ info.

This as a Verizon customer who’s thinking of switching to T-Mobile for the G1 is kind of big news, hard to wait to switch when there’s some savings and less Verizon-screwing-up-phones to deal with.

Skepticism is warranted about openness, but it seems nevertheless that walls are crumbling, and there is probably no going back. This is a good thing.

This is music to my ears! I want an unlimited 3G only plan for my new Verizon Android phone.

I am with Verizon and I agree with others that Verizon nickel and dimes for every service. Their 3G service is not as bad as AT&T’s maybe because no one uses it to its capacity? I understand limiting the number of call minutes, but how can you compute the bytes downloaded, if there is a limit? That kind of plans are dumb, IMHO. Maybe, the carriers should do what other broadband service providers do – provide a differentiated bandwidth based on the plan. So, if you are on a 49ドル plan, you will have a thinner pipe than if you are on a 99ドル plan. But these carriers will never do that since there is no competition to force them.

Great! Now Verizon customers can pay for the privilege of providing all of their contact data, call data, browsing behavior, and app purchases to Google to feed their unquenchable vampiristic business model.

That’s OK. They’re ‘open’.

I tend to agree with Larry’s comment that none of the providors products are enticing. Paying 160ドル a month for 3 phones with 700 minutes talk, limited text, no internet service, and no block feature for text you do not wish to receive but still have to pay for is robbery. The providors need to come back to earth and provide value. It is my hope that Verizon can team up with Google and start to provide value through an open platform, rather than continuing to fleece it’s customers. Customers have paid their share over the years, the time has come to hand over the key’s and unlock value!

I’m very glad I read these comments.As a Tmo.cust.and Android early adopter I was considering a switch to Verizon for Motorla “Sholes”and better 3g coverage.I think I will not.Ill either get the Motorola “Cliq”or an unlocked sholes if not too expensive.Nicer hardware but hobbled svces and nit pick charges,no thank’s

Long distance calling is NOT free, texting is if it’s done through the google voice website though