I don't understand how this works in the US, why can't Palm just sell its device through all the carriers? Why does every carrier have its own specific phones?
@(Unverified) As I understand it, the wireless carriers have all the power, since they are the ones who get to choose which handsets they put on sale. The carrier decides to sell a $500+ device for a subsidized $200 (or less). So while consumers are the ones who end up buying the handsets, a lot of the handset manufacturers' revenue also comes from the carriers. And I guess a lot of the carriers, when they decide they like a phone, will agree to carry it only if the manufacturer does not offer it through another carrier. (Hence why Palm made an upgraded Pre+ so they could sell it through Verizon.)
I still don't get it, isn't it good for carriers to have a more diverse portfolio of phones on offer? And isn't it good for device manufacturers to sell their phones through more carriers? And of course the consumers would benefit the most by far.
While you are correct that a diverse portfolio is better for a carrier and also having devices placed across multiple carrier is better, there are a lot of costs associated with carrying any particular device. From marketing cost, warehouse cost to support cost. If a company feels a device will not be successful then it is very costly for them to carry it. Or if a device manufacture feel that a particular carrier will not be a good partner they might not sell it to them either.
Either Verizon felt that the original Palm Pre and Pixi was not good enough for them or Palm didn't negotiate with Verizon during the initial launch is something we won't know.
The Rip is the latest addition to the Boogie eWriter line, devices that let you scribble notes and drawings and can be wiped away with the press of a button.
The most commented posts on Engadget over the past 24 hours.
Now that we've thrown 'em off the trail, use the form below to get in touch with the people at Engadget. Please fill in all of the required fields because they're required.
Their problem started when they launch it on Sprint first, should have just partnered right off the bat with Verizon.
@fnineone
I don't understand how this works in the US, why can't Palm just sell its device through all the carriers? Why does every carrier have its own specific phones?
@(Unverified) It's complicated. I wish I knew why the iPhone wasn't with Verizon. I also wish I had a trip to Europe.
@fnineone - it also didn't help that Verizon pushed Droid for "Dads" and Pre for "Moms". Way to go idiots.
@(Unverified)
As I understand it, the wireless carriers have all the power, since they are the ones who get to choose which handsets they put on sale. The carrier decides to sell a $500+ device for a subsidized $200 (or less). So while consumers are the ones who end up buying the handsets, a lot of the handset manufacturers' revenue also comes from the carriers. And I guess a lot of the carriers, when they decide they like a phone, will agree to carry it only if the manufacturer does not offer it through another carrier. (Hence why Palm made an upgraded Pre+ so they could sell it through Verizon.)
@DizWhiz Funny you mention that. My girlfriend, who was dead set on a Pixi Plus, is now questioning it based on the ad campaign.
@Alex
I still don't get it, isn't it good for carriers to have a more diverse portfolio of phones on offer? And isn't it good for device manufacturers to sell their phones through more carriers? And of course the consumers would benefit the most by far.
@(Unverified)
While you are correct that a diverse portfolio is better for a carrier and also having devices placed across multiple carrier is better, there are a lot of costs associated with carrying any particular device. From marketing cost, warehouse cost to support cost. If a company feels a device will not be successful then it is very costly for them to carry it. Or if a device manufacture feel that a particular carrier will not be a good partner they might not sell it to them either.
Either Verizon felt that the original Palm Pre and Pixi was not good enough for them or Palm didn't negotiate with Verizon during the initial launch is something we won't know.