We're currently on a press call with Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam and Google CEO Eric Schmidt to discuss
their new partnership, and while it's mostly a love-fest between the two with no real announcements, there's been some interesting tidbits. First off, Verizon will be launching two Android products in the coming weeks -- we'd say at least one of them will be the
Motorola Sholes, and while the other is still a mystery, Google says it'll be "game-changing." Very intriguing. Second, and perhaps much more interestingly, Verizon's making a big push to be seen as the "open" carrier, and flatly stated that they'll be supporting Google Voice on their network: "Either you have an open device or you don't." That's a big change for Big Red -- just remember that a year ago Google and Verizon were
still at each other's throats over 700MHz open-access rules. Now? Rainbows and kittens all around. Lastly, there will be a major app push coming from these two -- Verizon's obviously going to preload Android Market on its devices, and there should be some 10,000 apps available when all is said and done. Not a bad show of support by Verizon, we'd say -- and there was a lot of talk about long-term roadmaps and a "family" of products, so we'd expect much more than just two phones and smiles over the next few months. Things are certainly getting interesting, no?
posted Oct 6th 2009 10:37AM
ill believe it when i see it.
Well, my Touch Pro 2 wasn't memory crippled, has an unlocked GPS out of the box, unlockable SIM simply by calling tech support, isn't bloated with VZW crap, and was cheaper than the other carriers. I'm still kind of reeling in shock from all that. I guess I could see them trying to be open with Android, too. Never thought I would see the day when Big Red is the 'open' network, huh?
if they keep there word i'll be very impress. the main reason i stick with t-mobile is because they dont give a rats ass what it do (tethering, google voice, etc,) but i'd rather go to verizon cause they have a faster network.
Verizon does not really cripple its smart phones. The dumb phones are crippled to death, but I rarely run into the higher end VZ phones that have been crippled.
@Roro
They have, in the past, typically used half the RAM on many WinMo phones...that's what we call crippling in these parts. Not quite like crippling a Bluetooth profile, but still crippling. Also the locked GPS of prior models could be considered crippling, too.
@RoroCo
You quite obviously never tried to use the original Verizon "Touch Pro"
They "encrypted" the signal coming from the GPS, which required a hack to get make usable without paying for VZ navigator.
They cut the application memory from 256MB to 128MB (which made Touchflo 3D so unusable that it was disabled by default).
They had someone with an IQ lower than peanut butter design the keyboard.
Then they loaded the phone down with a ton of garbage.
They redesigned the case to be a shiny garbage looking brick with sharp edges.
In the end, you had an expensive phone that you hated to deal with for any reason (even placing/receiving/ending calls was laggy).
In contrast, I absolutely love every single thing about my new Touch Pro2, best phone I have ever used.
The leaked Verizon Docs from yesterday puts the Sholes/Tao/Droid for an Oct 30th launch date. So what's the other going to be? The Hero?
I think the title should read "Verizon plans to support Google Voice, will launch two 'GIMPED' Android devices in coming weeks"
its always rainbows and kittens when there's money to be made
what, rainbows and kittens dont start poofing into reality when you make money?
I think Verizon finally has woke up. Looking at what AT&T's done with the Iphone, Sprint's done with the Pre and T-Moblile's done with the G1. Verizon need's a phone to push them to pull people from carriers. It could've been done with the Blackberry Storm but, Verizon rushed it for the holidays. Now seeing this it seems that the news lately has been less of Verizon concentrating on their network but more on what phones are coming around the way.
From the soon to come Palm Pre to the rumored Tegra Accelerated phones coming to Verizon. They have to have an open policy on their high-end phones because when a user gets a new phone like that. They're going to test the limits of where their phone can go and if they find that another carrier can do what they don't allow their customers to do. That could be one less customer that they could've had for two years.
I think in the end it'll come down to the low end phones being locked down with packaged in apps and the high-end phones being completely open. But having that open phone will come at a price. For instance having a Blackberry Storm through Verizon you'll have to have an unlimited data plan. Even if you rarely use this function Verizons still getting their money back even though their customers aren't going to their app or ringtone stores...
It's like the couple that's fighting, about to break up, and then decide to move in together.
I want that
yes. yes. yes. yes. This is going to be a huge game changer boys. Hold on to your hats.
what if I don't wear a hat?
What if I'm not a boy? (but I do have a hat)
I'm In, tell me when..... My phone is about dead now, I need a new one.
Awesome.
I guess I'm going to Verizon or Sprint from AT&T. C'mon AT&T release an Android device, please.
I'm just afraid that "in the coming weeks" we'll be like AT&T's "summer" release of MMS on the iPhone.
Which wasn't.
Seriously, I'm all about this phone but how much longer can they draw it out? Any chance that this call today laid the groundwork for a Sholes announcement this afternoon at the Motodevo keynote?
Too bad Verizon sucks and none of the phones they have really have WIFI. You guys are starting to look like Verizon cheerleaders because they paid you a few bucks for advertising.
So, because none of their phones really have wifi now, this affects the upcoming phones... how?
mmmm if you are talking about regular phones I understand but almost all PDA's have it and every upcoming blackberry will have it also.
You sound fugging ignorant. Keep an open mind about things. ATT has the iphone but terrible 3g in my area (TX). Verizon has a great network with terrible phones IMHO. If Verizon can marry a great network (consumer reports) with a great phone that will push ATT to better their network and bring in better phones. More competition me consumers will benefit.
SP
@EminiSP Where in Texas do you live and not get AT&T coverage?! AT&T is based out of Texas, and I've been allover this state and fair enough had great coverage just about everywhere, sans Port O' Connor.
Want to know where in texas VZW covers with 3g that ATT doesn't?
Theres a map for that: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/05/verizon-removes-gloves-begins-theres-a-map-for-that-anti-atand/
Sounds kinda flimsy. I'rr berieve it when i see it. I have no doubt that the partnership will enhance the mobile experience but at what cost? I see fee hikes or some sort of tactic to shake us down for the priveleges Big Red bestows upon the poor huddled text-addicted masses. Verizon already raped me once. I don't wanna go back....there....it was...unspeakable. Oh god!!!!
Count me in two. Just got my google voice invite. I'm willing to verizon another chance, Just hope they don't try to nickel and dime me to death again.
Google.....I swear this company is brilliant. The deal is great for all kinds of reasons (as long as Verizon can keep it's natural device-crippling instincts in check.) But the main reason is that fully supporting Google Voice could mean instant number portability to Google Voice. That would be very nice.
I wonder what this means for T-Mobile, though.
Pretty much every smartphone VZ offers today (except for the ancient HTC Touch and Moto Q) has WiFi... Mind you, VZ keeps BlackBerrys separate from smartphones, but I notice nobody goes around saying "SPRINT CRIPPLEZ TEH WIFFY!!!1!1" when they have only WiFi-free BlackBerrys.
HTC Dragon??.. hmm?
The 2nd device is the HTC HD2 (Leo) running Android with Sense UI. (drooooooooooooooooooooooool)
ok I woke up.
That is not something to joke about!!!
Seriously how cool wood (Giggedy) that be? Awesome hardware/Software and a network to back it all up.
Maybe they realized that they have a one-two punch with customer service and network quality, and could get a STRONG third punch with decent open equipment. This will command a premium price.
They'll never be the low-price player, and shouldn't be. You get what you pay for, and there are enough people out there willing to pay for it. Those that aren't willing to pay for a better experience aren't worth having as a customer, anyway.
Unfortunately, here in the middle of no where(South Dakota) Verizon is our only choice. So I can not move until something like in 2011, when AT&T will be in town.
With my blackberry tour, I added my Google Voice # to my friends and family and I can call unlimited! Just loving it.
I just want Google Voice in CANADA!!
i just want my 1ghz 800x480 android device. i don't care which carrier i have to use to get it dammit
The Moto Sholes is 1030MHz (a WHOLE 6MHz above the 1GHz mark!). Most phones (Snapdragon for ex.) combine the GPU and CPU, the Sholes has a dedicated 600MHz CPU and a dedicated 430MHz GPU.
well, i had no idea. so when do we actually get to see a picture of this thing? :D
http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/31/motorola-sholes-android-phone-for-verizon-appears-in-the-flesh/
[gag]
[green face]
[more gag]
seriously?
@Ron: I can't help myself, but 1030MHz is actually... ~30MHz~ above the 1GHz mark. I can understand the confusion in thinking everything in the digital word uses a base 2 system, but this isn't memory, it's frequency. Just good ol' base 10.
Ron: 1030 MHz is 30 MHz more than 1 GHz. Hertz are 10-based; we're not talking memory here.
How is it 1030 MHz if it has a 600 MHz processor and a 430 MHz GPU? That would be like adding your videocard speed to your processor speed in a laptop or desktop, which isn't done.
Sorry guys, must've been high on CAT6 dust (been wiring all day)! The Snapdragon combines the GPU and CPU to come up with the 1GHz mark, why can't phones with dedicated CPU and GPU do the same? It's just numbers in the end...doesn't matter. Like a 3GHz P4 vs a 2GHz Core Solo.
What would be really game changing is if they made a decent phone and didn't charge you and arm and a leg to get both voice and data service. Sprint's new $70 plan is a step in the right direction, though I'd still like it to be a bit cheaper. A good Android phone + an unlimited calling/data/whatever plan for between $50-60 would be awesome.
game changing? Announce a reasonable "one price for unlimited everything" plan. THAT would be game changing.
Sorry the screen is blurry from my tears of joy
Puts the kibosh on Verizon Pre support - guess that TheStreet.com article was right (though interpreted wrong far and wide - Pre at Verizon with low to no support).
Verizon has done a LOT for Microsoft for a long time, they've pushed WinMo very hard, default search engine, etc. This cannot be good news long term for Microsoft.
as a long time verizon customer, I will bellieve it when I see it...I am off contract now and need a phone in the coming month this will do it for me
Was just thinking the same thing. Was about to go to T-Mo for a CLIQ when all this news came out. Definitely hoping for the best.
I was about to leave Verizon after 18 years of being a happy customer. But this time the network is just not going to be enough. I need a Real browser in my smartphone. (Blackberries need not apply). I was going to wait until the holiday season to see if they get the Pre this might convince me to get something sooner. that is of course if they do not cripple it.
We desperately need Network Neutrality. Verizon should have no say whatsoever over any device that accesses its network - wireless providers should be relegated to their rightful position of mindless providers of bandwidth. Verizon isn't impressing me by announcing that they've partnered up with Google to provide a phone that is slightly less crippled than all of their other phones.
I'm all for openness, but to say that the people who pay for and build the network should have no say in what it's used for is idiotic.
"Verizon should have no say whatsoever over any device that accesses its network - wireless providers should be relegated to their rightful position of mindless providers of bandwidth."
Oh, so you support a virus-infested netbook (or smartphone or whatever) pumping the stuff over Verizon's network without their interference (i.e., putting the stop on it)? Or one that sends spim or text spam? Please. I'm all for network neutrality, but blanket statements like the above just make no sense.
@Hey Ya: So you think that your internet service provider should be able to control and charge you for any content they desire just because they built the infrastructure? Comcast should be able to charge you $0.20 for every email you send and receive (just like Verizon does with texting)? Time Warner cable should be able to force you to only access the internet via a computer that you purchased directly from them and this computer can ONLY be used to access the internet via Time Warner (just like what Verizon does with their phones)? Your internet service provider should be able to cripple your computer so that you must pay them a fee each time you load a song onto your computer (just like with Verizon's crappy VCast service)? Verizon should have the right to cripple phones by ripping out WiFi functionality so that the only way to access the internet is by giving them more money (recently they have allowed WiFi on some phones, but you are FORCED to purchase a data plan if you want one of these phones)?
Cell phone providers do not operate on the free market, they are oligopolies. The abuses I've mentioned are only the tip of the iceberg. Oligopolies must be regulated. Read up on Network Neutrality - it is a very very good thing.
@Sanskrit: Okay - I'll revise my statement to say that I want network neutrality enforced the way it is for landline phone companies and internet service providers - patently illegal and abusive behavior can be be prohibited. Does everything need to be spelled out for you?
Like I said. I'm all for openness. I like choice.
However, it's easy to break out the pitchforks when you aren't the one putting out billions to pay for the infrastructure. I believe there's a happy medium, where you seem to think you have some kind of right to use the cellular provider's property however you please.
I'm this close to switching to Sprint for a Palm Pre and their new Mobile Everything plan, so Verizon better come out with something good because that Sholes/Droid thing looks mighty ugly.
I switched on Sunday after being a VZW customer for 6 years. Got 2 Palm Pres with the Everything Data plan and pay less than what I was paying for two dumb-phones with unlimited texting on Verizon (Not to mention free roaming on Verizon's network so it's the same coverage). Very happy with the switch.
I think I just saw a pig flying past my window.
How about just getting the pricing right so that a stupid phone and basic internet acces don't cost a fortune? I refuse to pay close to $100/month for a tiny-screen Internet experience. $50 total for a phone a essentially unlimited internet and I'll stay. Otherwise I see Boost as a real alternative.
This can't be good news for AT&T. (No love for Big Blue here) As an iPhone owner I am EXTREMELY excited about this, compounded with the fact that there is a VERY good chance that the exclusivity contract between AT&T and Apple will expire in '10. Apple and Google have a love affair going on as well. I think this move is a CLEAR give away that Big Red is fixin' to pick up the best communications device in the market. I am VERY excited as to the implications of this new relationship as far as opening up the already powerful iPhone. I look forward to maybe making free WiFi calls from my Verizon FiOS at home where my signal strength is weak for one. And with Google the new tech powerhouse on the block, I can't wait to see what added software functionality we will see. This is TRULY good news and exciting to boot. ESPECIALLY for us iPhone owners.
I'm not sure exactly how this news is (to paraphrase): truly good news for iPhone owners. I certainly don't see it as bad news either, but directly beneficial to current iPhone owners?
For one - what's to say that AT&T doesn't successfully negotiate another exclusivity deal with Apple? I'm not saying it's likely, mind you, but the possibility exists. Money facilities all things in this arena.
Secondly - if Verizon does pick up the iPhone, it'll be with a different radio. Remember that Big V uses CDMA, whereas AT&T (and all iPhones in circulation today, for that matter) use GSM. They aren't compatible radio technologies. That means two things:
-rearchitecting the iPhone with a CDMA radio, which means some kind of cost to factor in, and time as well (if not already underway). Absolutely a possibility, but who knows how likely.
-existing iPhone users cannot transfer their GSM iPhones to Verizon in this hypothetical. GSM will not play in a CDMA environment.
Personally - I see this announcement, along with the technical CDMA/GSM issues, as a sign that the iPhone is unlikely to come to Verizon any time soon.
As a Google Voice and Verizon user, I'm really happy to hear this.
Loving Verizon with my BB Tour, however, I almost wish I could have waited a little longer for this "game-changing" device to come out.
I'll be boxing up my Tour this afternoon and sending it back. Looks like I'll be using a Pearl for a bit, while I wait for the new hotness.
verizon needs something since the iphone/at&t marriage is huge and has been the reason so many customers of theirs have defected.
Also don't expect google to offer something as game changing as the iphone. That is just hype for wallstreet. It'll probably be some bullshit where you can talk and think you're skyping without paying, but read the fine print that will no doubt be in .0000008 wingdings font.Verizon has a business model where they charge your ass for every damn thing short of turning the phone on.And they ain't giving up that gravy for no damn jesus phone. And whatever google offer ups it will have ads ads ads cause that is the reason their stock is over $400.00 per share.
V cast my ass!!!
You're forgetting something: business models change. And from every indicator, while they may keep that current model with the feature/dumbphones, the smartphones and BBs are not being crippled. Whether they end up being gimped (I hope not) or the openness extends to the lower-margin phones (would hope so) remains to be seen, but the future will eventually reveal all.
Well i was all set to get the Sholes but what is the game changer?
To be fair, as of current T-Mobile offers the best android handsets. I doubt Verizon can offer anything too dramatically different then what's already being offered on other carriers.
Well all they have to do to be dramatically different is to offer a phone with a processor other then the qualcom arm 11
the sholes as its rumored to be spec'd would fit the bill nicely
i think Verizon having a partnership like this prolly means that they are not getting the iphone anytime soon
who knows tho
How is Verizon as a carrier? I'm inches away from making a switch. I called Sprint yesterday to see if they'd match Verizon's price on a Touch Pro 2, and I was told "it's more expensive because it's a 4G phone". When I told the rep that was nice, but I'd have a new phone by the time 4G made it to my area (Tennessee), I was told "within the next three months you'll have 4G wherever you have Sprint coverage."
Yeah.
If they won't at least try to match the price for an 11+ year customer, and offer me blatant lies as justification, I just might be done with them.
I switched from Sprint to Verizon about 2.5 years ago. I get better coverage overall with VZ, but sometimes when I'm indoors at the fringes of coverage I feel like I get dead spots more than Sprint. Overall though, I don't get any dropped calls (except those weak zones) like I did with Sprint (when it said I had full bars.)
Verizon's network is really good. Only ever had issues driving through the rural mountains in Western PA. However, their tendency to cripple the phones and push all the VCast this and that is making me want to switch to AT&T (just for an iPhone). These new developments regarding a full functioning Android on the Big Red Check Mark might be enough to keep me saying "Can you hear me now."
Wow. That rep's out to lunch. The Sprint TP2 isn't even 4G.
Is Verzion trying to open the handset market and close down the Internet?
http://www.multichannel.com/article/355868-Verizon_CTO_Metered_Bandwidth_Is_Inevitable.php
Anyone notice the picture from the release of Eric Schmidt holding a Verizon branded what looks to be the chinless HTC Hero, it at least has the Sense UI
http://news.vzw.com/images/releases/GoogleH4Web.jpg
That could very well be the HTC Desire...
I want a Palm Pre!
I want the Verizon's HTC "Desire"
they need to add Google voice to Canada already
i would use it all the time
I love my BlackBerry Storm on VZW. It has (and always had) unlocked GPS, and I've been running Google Voice on it for a couple of months now with no issues at all.
I am curious to see what they do with the Android phones as much as I like the Storm2 (finally WiFi, better screen, and more memory!!), I just might end up with an Android phone instead.
Verizon is anything but open- they block device's gps capabilities unless you go through them to pay for gps...
unless you have any smartphone released in the past year and a half, then you can use the GPS with any program that has a version for the OS.
Maybe you should look at Verizon phones before you tell people what they can and can't do
Verizon open? LOL.
Want to put music on your phone? There's a fee for that.
Want to get pics off your phone wihtout using email? There's a fee for that.
Verizon and their draconian phone lockdown is the poster child for a closed system.
Want a moron who knows nothing about Verizon smartphones... there's a commenter for that.
I have the first LG EnV phone and I put music on my phone all the time... for the past 2 years actually. I just put my memory card in my PC, put the music on it and then put the card back in my phone.
I also do the same for pictures in reverse. I store my pics on the card and transfer them off to my PC.
Where have you been the past 2-3 years?
want music on your phone?
Us an SD card, or the data cables that come standard in most higher end devices.
Yes, you download it from their music store you'll pay for it.. just like EVERY other music store.
Want to send/recieve pictures? Use picture messaging to send it to email, or use the SD card or data cable.
if you have a phone that doesn't have an SD slot and you are trying to transfer music/pictures, you bought the wrong phone, and that's not the companies fault, that's yours.
If it's October of 2009 and you are using an SD card to transfer music and pictures, you're a tool.
If it's October of 2009 and you are using an SD card to transfer music and pictures, and paying a wireless carrier for the privilege, you're a major tool.
If it's October of 2009 and you are using an SD card to transfer music and pictures, paying a wireless carrier for the privilege, and being critical of someone not as stupid as yourself, you're an ass.
my guess for the game changing device is a replacement for the Verizon Hub home station. Think of it -- an Andriod based netbook-like device with access to all your google apps, and integrated Google Voice support.
This is a complete guess, but I think it's something they should do if they aren't already working on it.
You know what, if you want to be a game-changer, lift up that 5GB limit on EVDO data and push the mifi further.
What a pair – Eric the Vampire seeking to suck out every last bit of data from every source imaginable, and McAdams the Tyrant seeking to mine every penny from the masses for even the most minute transaction.
The only thing 'open' about these two are their mouths as they lie through their teeth. Game changer? Why bother when we can just copy the R&D from everyone else and give it away for nothing so we can suck the data out of our customers and charge corporations big bucks to advertise on mobile devices.
Oh, in a big surprise, the new phones from HTC and Moto blow hard. Really, how difficult can it be to copy the iPhone at a reasonable cost.
Have you even SEEN the HTC Hero or the Moto CLIQ? What do they have in common with the iPhone again? Oh yeah, the whole touch sensitive screen thing... yeah... direct copies...
The experience of an HTC Hero is SO much more conformed to the user than anything I've seen on an iPhone.( I own 3 iPhones before you call me a hater.) What has apple done lately... they created a great phone and then locked it up so tight that you are GUARANTEED to confuse your phone for any of the other millions of iPhones out there. Oh wait, they let you change the wallpaper on your lock screen.... how cute. You want facebook updates? There's an app for that..... you want it as a widget? no dice Apple has basically the same interface as a motorolla razr with prettier icons and some zooming effects.
I'm a realist when it comes to phones. I DON'T believe Apple is a company that is going to sit around and let themselves get trounced by the Android market but come on... Android is NOT a copy.
after 2 and half years of iPhone release, they are still catching up.
Hopefully they can one day catch up to the iPhone, by disabling multitasking, background notifications, widgets, and apps from the web. It would also help if they regulated their app store, and reject apps based on the fact that their costumers would be too confused by them.
Google is so full of crap! They walk around screaming that they are providing an "open" handset then issues a cease and desist on open modders. Completely lame! Now they see that there is BIG money in keeping parts of the OS closed they are battening down the hatches. Just goes to show you what happens to a community centric company once they have investors to please and a board of directors to stroke.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/24/google-hits-android-rom-modder-with-a-cease-and-desist-letter/
The Google apps, were always closed-source. The OS was open. Cyanogen has already worked with Google and released his next mod with Google apps, and now it's officially legal. It only required a couple more steps to back up your Google apps before rooting the mod.
I may switch. I have no love for AT&T and hate their restrictive policies. Verizon has the stupid must force a data policy down your throat too, but otherwise they are looking better than AT&T.