Dan Hesse sez Android "not yet good enough" for Sprint brand

Look, Dan Hesse is an intelligent individual, which means he knew good and well that he'd start a flame war when making one particular comment to the National Press Club in Washington. The CEO of Sprint casually proclaimed that he didn't feel Android (in its current form) was "good enough to put the Sprint brand on." In all fairness, Sprint has shown a friendly side to Google in the past, and he did promise to sell an Android-powered phone "at some time in the future," but asserting that Sprint is in the position to shy away from what's arguably the most exciting thing to happen to the mobile realm since the advent of the iPhone is, um, questionable at best.

[Via Android Authority]

[Badger_badger_badger @ Oct 25th 2008 4:40PM]

BAG OF HURT

[phanbouy @ Oct 25th 2008 5:08PM]

Tony_Toni_Tone

[Badger_badger_badger @ Oct 25th 2008 5:24PM]

what?

[nerdtalker @ Oct 25th 2008 6:08PM]

Ironic isn't it, considering that Android already has "serious security flaws": http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Security-Flaw-in-Android-Found-98660

Perhaps that's what he's alluding to. Android will come to sprint, as soon as it's a bit more polished and comes in something other than the G1. Sprint just launched the Touch Pro (which is better than I expected in use in my hands), what more do you want?

Even the iPhone doesn't have as many security flaws.

[nerdtalker @ Oct 25th 2008 6:10PM]

Phanbouy_phanbouy_phanbouy?

Fail.

[phanbouy @ Oct 25th 2008 7:52PM]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Toni_Tone

what no pop culture aficionados?

[wootman @ Oct 25th 2008 8:42PM]

Probably because the connection to OP was pretty weak.

[phanbouy @ Oct 25th 2008 9:43PM]

totally. there's so many triple-same-names out there.

[thedesolate1 @ Oct 25th 2008 9:43PM]

I don't think ANY open source OS that will keep carriers from crippling their phones is good enough for any of them. The demand, however, cannot be ignored. The possibilities are endless... Skype or Fring over Wimax any1? USB mass storage mp3 transfers? create your own ringtones on the fly? Tethering? good ol' Snes or GBA?

[ZenStyleJunglist @ Oct 25th 2008 10:57PM]

No probably cause Phanbouy made the most obscure "pop" culture reference in history.

[neodorian @ Oct 26th 2008 2:32AM]

tony toni tone isn't really obscure if you grew up in the 80s/90s. badger badger badger less so if you have spent any time online.

[cwj @ Oct 26th 2008 4:53AM]

Or, perhaps less so if he/she spent *less* time online....

Proper due to PB for a 3T reference on a tech blog.

Delicious.

(all gizmodo ever gives me is the blues)

[Talon Trax @ Oct 26th 2008 11:07AM]

I knew what you were talking about Phanbouy!

[Jon Doe. @ Oct 26th 2008 6:37PM]

nerdtalker ,


http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=1997

Or how about this classic? http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=548

Tag your it.

The difference between Android and OS X on iPhone. Within a year any major security flaws will be cleaned up because its open. Call it trial by fire. Meanwhile Apple has security through obscurity which in the history of the universe has NEVER been a good policy. And if you think the iPhone hasn't had its share of security updates you are a typical iTard Fanboi.
Finally unlike Apple these updates are done over the air. So as long as the person who discovers the hole isn't a complete douche and tells Google before telling the world there is plenty of time to update across the network in a weeks period.

But no. Lets shit on Google because the iHype is God.

[OneLove @ Oct 27th 2008 11:54AM]

I agree with dan the douche.

[zoopthegame @ Oct 27th 2008 3:54PM]

phanbuoy +1

[hexoDAT64 @ Oct 25th 2008 4:40PM]

So maybe he wants the OS to mature and gain some features like on screen keyboard. I'm sure we'll see Android on Sprint sometime in the near future

[High Ranks make you sterile @ Oct 25th 2008 4:57PM]

That is.... if there's still a Sprint sometime in the near future.

[jorvay @ Oct 25th 2008 5:27PM]

Seems fair...though there's also the issue of control. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the big wireless companies are afraid of selling a phone which is inherently difficult to keep locked down.

[Frankenstein Black @ Oct 25th 2008 5:45PM]

Dano, get off of that STUPID CDMA already (like Verizon is going to do) then maybe you will get some first dibs gadget love. CDMA, like a dopey 3rd friend is only good for, well, sloppy 3rds! You are a smart guy and you must know that these device makers want global (i.e. GSM/UMTS/HSDPA) exposure out of the gate. So don't be the ugly 3rd sitting in the corner hating while we (AT&T/T-Mobile) party with the hot new chicks, er phones...

[Andrew @ Oct 26th 2008 1:20AM]

I'm going to agree. I don't think Android is all that hot right now. From looking at the G1, the Android platform leaves a lot to be desired right now. To be honest it looks like every other open source project that depends on a lot of community involvement. I think a lot of us hoped for something different being that it's main developers were Google, but it just isn't mature enough that I'd want it on a phone yet. The good thing is that it IS so open to the community, and I'm sure it will come around very soon. Give it a year or so and it should be a much better choice. Look at how much backing Apple got from the community with the iPhone. Google is a company that has similar pull and can do the same. I still expect great things from Android, however, I'm not ready to spend the money on it just yet.

[neodorian @ Oct 26th 2008 2:35AM]

@Frankenstein: in all fairness, they have a faster network then Verizon and are already rolling out 4g wimax (which I'm on at the moment). Switching your network isn't all that simple and I'm sure it could be tough for any company. If nothing else, convergence will happen in a generation or 2.

[surur @ Oct 25th 2008 4:41PM]

Android so far - poor battery life and massive lack of features. I can see where he is coming from.

A flag-ship device like the Sprint Touch Pro looks and works much better.

[Franky @ Oct 25th 2008 4:48PM]

wtf are you retarded? You must seriously be so out of the loop with technology. Go play on a Razr or something. Ya Touch Pro a closed off Windows Platform thats been covered up to hide most of its ugliness that is stilll Windows Mobile ya so much better plus a lot bulkier then any other device on the market. You see where hes coming from because you're both stupid.

[Sarig @ Oct 25th 2008 5:31PM]

Closed off in what sense? Open source? No. Anyone can make apps for it that doesn't need to be approved and there's no kill switch? Yes.

I'd go with WinMo over iPhoneOS and Android any day of the week.

[boe @ Oct 25th 2008 7:34PM]

MAN- You should read the forums before posting. The Sprint Diamond is being returned by people because even with the larger battery for CDMA the unit won't make it through half the day because of what Sprint did to it (besides humiliating it by making it wear a red dress).

The incredibly bad battery life is due to a very bad radio version for Sprint, a bad network mod made by sprint that keeps the data connection open for 10 minutes every time it is accessed, a flawed 911 GPS mod - pretty much anything sprint did to this otherwise good phone has f'd up what could have been great.

[Bob @ Oct 25th 2008 9:49PM]

Are you guys idiots, or have you just not used the Android OS? I have been playing with the G1 for a few days now and absolutely LOVE the android OS. It's the best OS I've used on a phone yet. I've played with the iPhone a bit and it was good, but Android blows it out of the water in my book, and it *easy* blows WinMo outta the water. No lockdowns, I can download MP3s from Amazon for $0.89 each, I can make VoIP calls over the EDGE / 3G network. Android is incredible, and to say it's not is just ignorance, *especially* if you haven't used it (if you haven't).

[Student Driver @ Oct 25th 2008 9:57PM]

Wow, you really are disonnected from reality in this case. I am a long time winmo fan (still am) and was going to get the Touch Pro, or import the Touch HD, to replace my 2 year old Dash. But, I got this G1 (yeah, posting from it right now) for $179; not a bad deal, so I gave it a shot.

First thing to notice is that the stock browser is way more useful than PIE (the one MS can't seem to update) and the stock alarm clock app works without phantom alarms. Oh, and I haven't had it crash yet, which is way more than can be said for MS first attempt at it.

Other apps will come, so I am not concerned about that. Hell, I might even go back to winmo if I don't like this. But, why don't people actually try the damn phone before condemning it. I used the iPhone long enough to know that I hate it.

[dedalus_00 @ Oct 26th 2008 4:59PM]

I've had the G1 since before launch, and I have to say that I am really blown away by Android. It's simple, stable, elegant and can do things the Iphone can't (copy/paste, customized desktop, etc). Of course it isn't perfect, but it is rock solid for a first release and already miles ahead of Winmo. Google has some of the best software engineers out there and they have proved it with Android, and there is no reason to expect that they won't be quick with updates and patches as issues arise given that they really have something to prove in this arena. I agree that the software will be better in a year, but I don't think many of you realize how good it is already.
That said, there are a few annoyances with the G1 although battery life for me has been good. It's really just a matter of tweaking settings - reducing brightness, turning off WiFi when not needed, etc. I routinely get a full days use out of the phone on a single charge under normal usage (some browsing, a lot of e-mails and voice). A few hours of a game will run it down, although it seems pretty darned efficient with media. I think that Android will really come into its own when there are a few more phones on the market. I think Sprint's stance has little to do with the Android user experience, and more to do with figuring out how to adapt to the implications of an open source OS.

[Bob @ Oct 26th 2008 10:55AM]

Agreed dedalus_00, the only negative side is if you use it all day the battery takes a dive. However, even with that, it's way ahead of the iPhone in it's featureset as of yet. Just my opinion.

[Achilles @ Oct 27th 2008 3:20PM]

Flash the ROM for your Touch Diamond and the bloatness goes away, far far away. This also rescues the original format that first developed in the GSM model. The original clock display and most importantly, longer battery life due to removal of Sprint SW bloating. Use the Juicy ROM version, 2.0. Currently works best!

[Fred @ Oct 28th 2008 7:43PM]

I know Android is a 1.0 OS, but can he be serious? WinMo CRASHES during cell calls. WTF kinda mobile OS crashes the phone when using it as a phone? Android 1.2 will be 10x better than WinMo 10+. I'm personally waiting for something like a Diamond Touch Pro or HD Pro with Android. M$ is a waste of my time and money.

[Aydin @ Oct 29th 2008 4:02AM]

I have the HTC Touch... it is the worst phone I've ever owned
80% blame goes to Microsoft and the rest to HTC.

Sprint's CEO's lucky I have a cheap SERO plan - its the only thing that's keeping my account on Sprint's network and away from the G1.

[o29 @ Oct 25th 2008 4:44PM]

Looks to me like this should be another CE-Oh no he didn't! entry.

[Ashwin @ Oct 25th 2008 4:46PM]

Just that the Ce-Oh no he didn't! has too many numbers in it now.

[rtia @ Oct 25th 2008 4:49PM]

lets hope you never have to call SPRINT customer service about THAT phone.

[JuggleNuts @ Oct 25th 2008 5:08PM]

Fail. Sprint just took #1 in customer service in this year's rankings due, likely to Hesse's infusion of leadership.

[Valicore @ Oct 25th 2008 11:26PM]

Actually, the wait times are what went down, not customer satisfaction. If you're hemorrhaging a million + customers a quarter, your CS wait times go down simply because you have less customers to call. Oh yeah, great leadership, bah.

[What the Frack?! @ Oct 27th 2008 12:00PM]

Dan Hesse is one of my heroes/

The Customer Service at Sprint has gotten a lot better. There might not be much personality with their employees, but they're completely helpful.

Look at Dan's resume, he's smart.

[iEye @ Oct 25th 2008 4:51PM]

good....

good....

[Sisyphus @ Oct 25th 2008 4:54PM]

From the looks of it, Sprint hasn't even upgraded to technicolor yet.

[The Dude @ Oct 25th 2008 6:22PM]

No kidding. And it looks like the street behind Hesse is populated with Sprint users. I count 3. 4 including Hesse.

[Clark H. @ Oct 25th 2008 10:34PM]

Perhaps Sprint is "not yet good enough" for Android.

[haX0r @ Oct 26th 2008 12:08AM]

"shy away from what's arguably the most exciting thing to happen to the mobile realm"

Dan Hesse needs to get some people into Sprint that understand the business. Their network is so so. Their customer service is rising from being dead last and their phone selection leaves a lot to be desired. But I guess when you sell off your towers and then lease them back to yourself, ( http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/sprint-sells-towers-towerco-then-signs-lease-deal/2008-09-25?utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss&cmp-id=OTC-RSS-FW0 )one could probably think that you would have more time to develop better quality of phones.

Dan Hesse is out of touch with the cell phone industry and probably won't be at the control of the Sprint reigns in two years. Why, because customers like myself are going to let their Sprint contracts expire and switch to companies that carry G1's, Storm's or Xperia's = more progressive companies.

[northerngeek @ Oct 25th 2008 4:56PM]

Seems reasonable, he's not ignoring it, he is accepting that this is Google and that they release products before they're ready- this is the company of eternal Betas as we all know. Just because people love Google that doesn't mean a company should accept a product that isn't ready yet.... he just has good sense.

Great to see that people don't just jump on board of Google's products for the sake of a name, and it isn't that interesting wasn't OpenMoko more interesting?

[jason @ Oct 25th 2008 5:21PM]

Just because something is in "beta" state at google, there is a very good chance that it is better than the competition.

Look at Gmail. Sure it has been in "beta" for about 5 years, but it is the best free or non-free web based email around.



just because some companies chose to take the beta off of their products names dosnt make them any more "mature" or refined.

what is in a name?

[PeterF @ Oct 25th 2008 4:56PM]

please do

[JerkyChew @ Oct 25th 2008 4:57PM]

Ahh, Dan, Dan, Dan. Haven't you learned yet? Haven't you seen your own ads claiming that the miserable Instinct beats the 3G iPhone hands down? Haven't you noticed the gross incompetence of your own Customer care that causes average users to wait 3+ hours in a store while the poor store employee has to battle to modify an account?

Look, you have WiMax (At least, that's what I've read). You have those funky broadband-based repeaters (Even though it's a monthly fee per phone and we need a broadband connection). You've changed the game a bit with your $99 flat fee and bring-your-own-hardware with Amazon's Kindle. But look, you're clinging to dying brands like Palm that, while they are selling well now, are so stagnant that they either run Windows Mobile (eek) or have had the same OS since the Treo 600. (Oh yeah, Access or OLP or whatever 3.0 is right around the corner. Sure.)

Sprint is in such a world of hurt. They've sold their towers, but nobody wants to buy the once-dominant Nextel division, whose users are jumping to Verizon faster than rats off the Titanic. They've enacted salary freezes across the board, slashed bonuses, and even dictated how much paper product each store can use per month! All the while, the cool kids are moving their phones and applications to the Apple / Android model of a (semi) open platform with a centralized app store. Dan, why hold out? Is it because you think users will actually start using the miserable Sprint music store? The same store that no longer lets me move my downloaded song from my Blackberry to my PC? The store that I can't even access on my Treo 800? And don't get me started on Sprint TV or trying to access NASCAR or NFL from anything other than an Instinct.

As phones evolve into mini computers, the market will evolve with it. In 3 years your "smartphone" market is going to dominate the profit margin, with three clear winners: Apple, RIM and Android. Nokia's Symbian will be 4th WinMo might hold 5th and all the other phones will be "dumb phones" for grandma who doesn't want the blinken lighten and ballywho. Dan, you only have one of the three right now and while you're doing a fairly decent job with RIM, you NEED to step it up and get in on Android now while the opportunity is there. Get in on the ground floor. Get a model that runs Android and I'll consider buying it. Don't tell us it's not ready for primetime while trying to shove the god-awful Instinct or HTC touch down our throats.

Oh. and stop putting yourself in your commercials. Even Alltell has better ads than you do.

[Drakee @ Oct 25th 2008 5:07PM]

Which customer service are you talking about here?

http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/20/sprints-csr-response-time-skyrockets-to-first-in-recent-survey/

[Surur @ Oct 25th 2008 5:22PM]

TL;DNR