"Wireless Handset Manufacturers Focus on Design"

"Wireless handset manufacturers are finding new ways to make their wireless handsets sell. Some manufacturers opt for fashion and design, while others design wireless handsets that incorporate the newest technologies. According to research firm Gartner, wireless phone technology is beginning to stabilize, which forces manufacturers to consider other elements such as design. (Source: Reuters)"

There are wireless manufacturers who make stylish phones, cool looking phones, latest-gadget phones... Then there are wireless providers... who fuck with those phones.

I just found out that Verizon Wireless has introduced several bluetooth phones recently. However, in order to keep their revenue streams in order, they have disabled the ability to transfer files and pictures from the phone to another phone or a computer via bluetooth, forcing everyone to use the Verizon network and pay huge fees for data charges. In most areas where Verizon's high speed data networks do not exist, this is a painfully slow and ultra expensive process (regardless what Andrew Seibold might be saying). This little tweak has inspired several people I know to switch companies.

Verizon tends to be a bit of an evil money-monger. To my knowledge, they are the only company to charge their customers for incoming text messages regardless of the originators of these messages (apparently even if they are mis-sent or come from advertisers). Yes 2c per message is nothing... but it's a little more evil then that. When you buy the SMS-plan with 100-200 messages. The incoming messages count the same as outgoing messages, effectively making these plans much more expensive than the same plans at Cingular for example.

In fact, I now think Cingular is a much better choice (in terms of far friendlier customer service, better phones and more intelligent pricing structures) since the company merged with AT&T wireless and expanded their network, making it the largest network in the country. Of course, if you mainly travel in metropolitan areas and want really cheap data prices, go with T-Mobile. T-Mobile offers the most affordable data/voice package in the business right now (or at least this was the case 6 months ago).

I am curious, however, about Verizon and why the company is counting pennies at this rate. Will the users kick back and move to other providers or will that be too much of a pain? Of course, 2-year plans are insidious as they seem to go on forever, extending every time a minor change is made (without notification of the customer usually). I wonder... how long will it take for Verizon to feel the penny-pinching biting it in the ass? Or will the consumers sheep-along as usual?