overheard in providence

My old friend Matt recently decided to write a random post questioning Verizon’s decision to have a great network but subpar phones. I can’t help but feel there are a number of other ways Verizon is short changing their customers.

First, as several of Matt’s commenters point out, Verizon cripples their phones. For years they’ve removed many phones ability to send and receive files via bluetooth. This not only forces customers to pay for ring tones and themes, but also makes it much harder to get photos off camera phones or to sync address books with a computer. More recently they’ve crippled various phones abilities to play MP3s. They’ve also crippled the new Blackberry’s GPS.

Now I realize I’m a giant dork who cares too much about techy features, but Verizon has also worked to stifle municipal WiFi. Even better, their CEO asked customers “Why in the world would you think your (cell) phone would work in your house?” (and don’t worry, he also thinks municipal Wifi maybe one of “the dumbest ideas” he’s ever heard).

I’m not a fan of any phone company. Features like the iPhone’s visual voicemail should have been introduced years ago, and why can’t I get voicemail by e-mail or the web? Verizon, however, actively prevents innovation. Also they’re really bad at math.