Verizon Wireless opens network to "Any Apps, Any Device" in 2008
By Thomas Ricker 
posted November 27th 2007 7:59AM
posted November 27th 2007 7:59AM
By the end of 2008, Verizon Wireless will open their network to any device which meets a "minimum technical standard." What that standard is, exactly, VZW isn't saying yet -- that will come in "early 2008." So any device (including applications) tested and certified in VZW's new $20 Million test lab is fair game for use on their wireless network. In other words, Verizon becomes the data pipe, and nothing more for these new "bring-your-own" customers. It's too early to say if this is a watershed moment or not. Verizon certainly thinks so with Lowell McAdam, Verizon Wireless president and chief executive officer, calling it, "a transformation point in the 20-year history of mass market wireless devices." As usual, the devil (certification fees, turnaround times for testing, those magical minimum technical standards, etc.) might be in the details.P.S. In case you're wondering, Verizon is currently not a member of Android's Open Handset Alliance.
Update: More from Verizon on this. Dick Lynch, Verizon's CTO says, "If someone has the technical capability of building something in their basement on a breadboard ... have at it," which should quickly open the market to small-scale device companies. Also of note, only CDMA devices will be supported (naturally) and pricing should be "competitive."
I just want to know if this will convince them to paly nicely with some of the opensource software like bitpim which worked well on my older model but requires hash edits on the newer models to work. $1.99 for a ringtone I already have on my PC is ridiculous, or paying them to send a pic stored on my phone rather than just retrieving it.
it would be so funny if meizu comes out with a unlocked cdma minione/m8 whatever the hell its called now that works on the 800/1900 MHZ bandwidth
that would rule I would def. buy it just for verizon prob better than that plastic rocket ship I mean voyager
noob question...
is there a chance the iphone will work with verizon's network?
November 27, 2007 (Computerworld) -- Verizon Wireless surprised much of the wireless technology world Tuesday with its plan to open its networks to devices and applications it doesn't already offer.
"This news is a big deal and sets a precedent for other U.S. carriers to follow," said Jack Gold, an analyst at J. Gold Associates in Northboro, Mass. "Plus it's a poke in the eye of Google and even Apple and other closed systems."
More like a kick to the nads !
Why don't you read some of the other comments before you post. Verizon is BEHIND, they and Sprint are the ONLY ones with the closed networks, but mainly just Verizon...
This is just to let Sprint customers know where they can take their new unlocked phones.
http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/26/sprint-nextel-agrees-to-start-unlocking-phones/
I am technologically challenged. So forgive me for asking a stupid question, but here it goes:
I have service-specific hardware (a Sidekick II from t-mobile). Love the hardware. Hate the service. I can't lose my data in my Sidekick!!!! Yes, I can check my data online at the tmobile website, but it's not easily downloadable, and certainly not transferable to another device. Is the Sidekick II and its data going to be able to go to Verizon?