Is Verizon Losing the Technology War?
Jun 9, 2009, 2:03 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: MA
Programs: DL DM/2MM Marriott Platinum, HH Diamond,
Posts: 8,907
Is Verizon Losing the Technology War?
Several years after the initial intro of the iPhone, all Verizon has to counter was the very flawed BB Storm. With second generation iPhones coming to ATT and the Palm Pre coming to Sprint, it seems to me the VZN is falling further and further behind in the tech wars.
For years, I have been joined at the hip to VZN, but I am getting very impatient waiting for a decent world-capable phone with wifi. I know that Storm 2 is over the horizon, but how did VZN fall so far behind?
What's going on at VZN? Why have they dropped so far behind the competition in terms of technology offerings?
For years, I have been joined at the hip to VZN, but I am getting very impatient waiting for a decent world-capable phone with wifi. I know that Storm 2 is over the horizon, but how did VZN fall so far behind?
What's going on at VZN? Why have they dropped so far behind the competition in terms of technology offerings?
Jun 9, 2009, 2:37 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 37,486
Verizon is getting the HTC Touch Pro 2 and the Diamond 2 this summer, which will put them back on par with most carriers.
I'm convinced that the vast majority of Verizon subscribers just want a simple camera enabled flip phone, and use it on a family plan.
That said - they DO have fantastic 3G coverage, and are currently the only ones selling the MiFi.
Telling Apple "no" to the iPhone was a big mistake, but they are still a very big and profitable operator, something that can't be said about Sprint.
I'm convinced that the vast majority of Verizon subscribers just want a simple camera enabled flip phone, and use it on a family plan.
That said - they DO have fantastic 3G coverage, and are currently the only ones selling the MiFi.
Telling Apple "no" to the iPhone was a big mistake, but they are still a very big and profitable operator, something that can't be said about Sprint.
Jun 9, 2009, 3:02 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: MA
Programs: DL DM/2MM Marriott Platinum, HH Diamond,
Posts: 8,907
Verizon is getting the HTC Touch Pro 2 and the Diamond 2 this summer, which will put them back on par with most carriers.
I'm convinced that the vast majority of Verizon subscribers just want a simple camera enabled flip phone, and use it on a family plan.
That said - they DO have fantastic 3G coverage, and are currently the only ones selling the MiFi.
Telling Apple "no" to the iPhone was a big mistake, but they are still a very big and profitable operator, something that can't be said about Sprint.
I'm convinced that the vast majority of Verizon subscribers just want a simple camera enabled flip phone, and use it on a family plan.
That said - they DO have fantastic 3G coverage, and are currently the only ones selling the MiFi.
Telling Apple "no" to the iPhone was a big mistake, but they are still a very big and profitable operator, something that can't be said about Sprint.
Yup, VZN is sure a big company, but so was GM at one time. It seems to me that it has to be more adaptable, more nimble!
Scott, will these phones that you have alluded to be both CDMA/GSM capable? And will VZN keep the wifi? If so, then they will be a good answer to what many of us need, assuming the battery lasts longer than the one in the Samsung Saga!
Last edited by RobertS975; Jun 9, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Jun 9, 2009, 3:14 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 37,486
The storm is dual mode CDMA/3G and the Touch Pro 2 will be as well. I'm guessing we'll be seeing more of these dual mode phones appear in their business lineup.
Jun 9, 2009, 3:25 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
Posts: 36,062
Verizon keeps the business customers that they do because they have the best coverage for both voice and 3G, period. I never have dropped calls, the voice quality is always high, and I've never been anywhere in the U.S. where I didn't have service. For me, that justifies both the high cost and lack of "interesting" phones.
I think posters also undervalue the Storm. I've had mine for about 6 months now and it does everything that I need. I'm not interested in tweets, downloading music, ringtone managers and the like -- I want push email that is easy to respond to, email from my personal accounts, a reliable alternative phone, quick access to the internet, etc. The Storm does this perfectly.
I think posters also undervalue the Storm. I've had mine for about 6 months now and it does everything that I need. I'm not interested in tweets, downloading music, ringtone managers and the like -- I want push email that is easy to respond to, email from my personal accounts, a reliable alternative phone, quick access to the internet, etc. The Storm does this perfectly.
Jun 9, 2009, 3:32 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Homebase: CAE - Formerly, YUL
Programs: US CP, UA, HH Gold, Marriott Plat, DL, AA, CO, ++
Posts: 2,187
I'll second the Storm. After having downloaded the latest software, my Storm is a highly capable little machine. 3G is fast, and with data + voice capabilities in ALL of Europe... It's great. I don't really see the need for WiFi since so many of them require a password.
HTSC
HTSC
Jun 9, 2009, 5:40 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: SAV
Programs: ??????????
Posts: 963
I'll second the Storm. After having downloaded the latest software, my Storm is a highly capable little machine. 3G is fast, and with data + voice capabilities in ALL of Europe... It's great. I don't really see the need for WiFi since so many of them require a password.
HTSC
HTSC
Jun 9, 2009, 5:48 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SJC, SFO, YYC
Programs: AA-EXP, AA-0.41MM, UA-Gold, Ex UA-1K (2006 thru 2015), PMUA-0.95MM, COUA-1.5MM-lite, AF-Silver
Posts: 13,437
Having observed how long my family's ipods last, I'm not enthralled with the iphone. I am looking forward to moving back to VZ and a Storm after my current ATT contract expires (only on ATT because VZ's only world phone at the time was a monstrous bbery).
Jun 9, 2009, 5:59 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: BDL/PVD/BOS
Posts: 565
Well there is the Blackberry Tour (BB 9630) on VZW's radar. No WiFi, but it looks like a nice BB with estimates of a mid-July release.
Howard Forums Thread
Crackberry Review
Howard Forums Thread
Crackberry Review
Jun 9, 2009, 7:16 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Exclusively OMNI/PR, for Reasons
Posts: 4,188
For all of the BlackBerry Storm users grab the newest 9530 OS. Even if VZW didn't release it it'll work on your device. Early OS's were horrible; hundreds of bugs / performance issues have been resolved / improved.
On May 31, Verizon officially released .148, which is available at this link.
Jun 9, 2009, 7:55 pm
#14
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
Jun 9, 2009, 8:05 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Lower Merion Township, PA, (an inner-ring suburb to the Socialist Workers City/State of Philadelphia, PA)
Posts: 596
The common complaint I hear about VZN is that they cripple the cool features on popular their phones. I'm not sure what means, and I'm not a Verizon customer. Anyone explain?