Verizon Wireless Announces "Any App, Any Device, Our Network" in 2008

[ONUOsFan]

By the end of 2008, you'll be able to use any device and app that meets "minimum techincal specs" on the VZ Wireless network.

Could be a good thing for people that like the network but hate the limitations VZ puts on their UI's.

Verizon Wireless opens network to "Any Apps, Any Device" in 2008 - Engadget

 

[Neutron]

How is that going to work??

 

[ONUOsFan]

People have always sold "unlocked" devices, it's just that most carriers wouldn't let you use them on their network.

I imagine it's just part of the setup - getting some kind of hardware ID for the device and "hooking" it to the network. You'll still pay for VZ Wireless service, just don't have to buy the device from them.

 

[diogen]

People have always sold "unlocked" devices, it's just that most carriers wouldn't let you use them on their network.

What do you mean?
I haven't had a US cell phone, but here in Canada (and I suspect it must be vey much the same as in the US) unlocking
a phone does not prevent from using it. At least such are all the cases I've seen...

I wish the HTC Touch would be half as expensive - the best multi-purpose PDA-Cell there is today, IMHO...

Diogen.

 

[ONUOsFan]

What do you mean?
I haven't had a US cell phone, but here in Canada (and I suspect it must be vey much the same as in the US) unlocking
a phone does not prevent from using it. At least such are all the cases I've seen...

I wish the HTC Touch would be half as expensive - the best multi-purpose PDA-Cell there is today, IMHO...

Diogen.

What I mean is that the carriers (some of them, at least) wouldn't let you use an unlocked device on their network. You had to buy one of theirs.

 

[Neutron]

What about the different technologies though?

 

[mike123abc]

ATT has always let me use unlocked GSM phones, just move the smart card over. As a corporate customer one can ask them to unlock a GSM phone locked to ATT for other sim cards when traveling (I doubt the policy applies to the iPhone).

Verizon is joining AT&T now, but really it is a limited move since there really is not a large CDMA market in phones outside the US. Just now sprint phones will be able to work.

 

[diogen]

What I mean is that the carriers (some of them, at least) wouldn't let you use an unlocked device on their network. You had to buy one of theirs.

OK, that sheds some light...
I meant getting a plan from a provider, bying one of their phones, unlocking it (e.g. to install some additional software) and continue using it as if nothing happened.

Diogen.

 

[ONUOsFan]

What about the different technologies though?

I think that's where the "minimum technical specs" come in.

 

[mike123abc]

It comes down to how you view the celluar companies rolls. Should they be a common carrier and you can hook up anything you want to their network provided it meets the specs to transmit on the system?

Right now if ISPs operated like cell phone companies you would only be able to attach their computer to their network. If you did not like what their computer would do, well you had to change providers and of course all the money you spent on your old computer is lost as it turns into a brick.

I would much rather see them offer plans for 1/2 off when you bring your own phone. Why do I need a cell phone company's savings plan, they take $30/month from you to "save up" for you buying a new phone (i.e. free phone for 1-2 year contract).

Maybe phone companies would make more money if they sold minutes for less when you bought your own phone. They would probably sell more minutes.

 

[bateau980]

What about the different technologies though?

This is the fun part. I'm mostly certain that the phone has to support Verizon's protocols. More specifically it has to be CDMA, meaning Sprint, Cricket, Cincinnati Bell Wireless and so on will work. If the phone runs on GSM or the outdated TDMA (older cingular phones), I seriously doubt it will be compatible as they are just now starting to roll this out for Blackberry as part of their "World Phone" program.

Edit:
So Gizmodo posted THIS stating that they are moving to GSM for their future plans. This may end up being a good thing afterall! Go 4G downloads at 100 Mbps!

 

[rockymtnhigh]

Anyone using the EVDO modem via the treo? I know I can add it for $15/month, to enable EVDO on my laptop. I am going on a workshop for a week, starting on the 10th, and do not expect to have wifi access during the day, but would love to have more than just the cell phone for email.

I am guessing there is a cable I will need to get from verizon to connect the phone to the laptop as well... anyone do this?

 

[digiblur]

I wish the HTC Touch would be half as expensive - the best multi-purpose PDA-Cell there is today, IMHO...

Diogen.

I wouldn't trade my HTC 6800 for an iPhone or the HTC Touch. I type on my phone way too much. My work phone is a Blackberry Pearl and I hate it. The little double letter keyed keyboard is stupid. I feel like a retard trying to type on it. I just grab the 6800 and type on it quickly and I don't have to look at the keys.

Plus the Touch is missing WiFi too.

 

[tawhite]

What do you mean?
I haven't had a US cell phone, but here in Canada (and I suspect it must be vey much the same as in the US) unlocking
a phone does not prevent from using it. At least such are all the cases I've seen...

I wish the HTC Touch would be half as expensive - the best multi-purpose PDA-Cell there is today, IMHO...

Diogen.

Just picked up one of these and it is awesome!!! I had to switch to Sprint to get it but I am very impressed so far!

 

[diogen]

I wouldn't trade my HTC 6800 for an iPhone or the HTC Touch.

Haven't used it, but looks good. A bit too much of a PDA look...

Plus the Touch is missing WiFi too.

The ones I've seen had WiFi - and that's the main reason I like it (802.11g support, that is).

Honestly, I can easily live without a cell at all.
But one that can be used as a universal remote (NetRemote), VoIP phone, GPS, etc. on top of being a cell phone in capability and form factor - that is really nice...

Diogen.

 

[diogen]

An interesting take on this Verizon program:
I, Cringely . The Pulpit . When Networks Collide | PBS
To summarize: don't hold your breath...

Verizon's move is straight from the playbook of the old AT&T back in the 1970s, when that company was trying to keep third-party telephone handsets from being connected to its network. If you are old enough you may remember AT&T expressed great fear back then that telephones not from its Western Electric subsidiary (now Alcatel-Lucent) would somehow "damage" the telephone network. It was the same excuse used to keep old guys like me from wearing jeans in high school.

We will, no doubt, see similar behavior from Verizon as it slowly releases network interface specifications then embarks on a certification program that will surprisingly reject as incompatible a lot of perfectly fine mobile phones. But this is months or even years away. The company's intent right now is to show the appearance of motion.

The appearance of motion: it's sad, wouldn't you say, when this is what American business has come to.

Diogen.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

So, I decided to bite the bullet and pay verizon the $15 for the "tether" capability for the treo 700p. I already pay $45/mo. for the unlimited EVDO data plan.

So, I load up the palm software on the new tablet pc, and install a USB Modem software prc from mobile-stream on the treo 700p. Had to install a driver for winxp to recognize the treo as a modem, but within a minute of configuration, I had the treo tethered to the tablet. (I disabled wifi before hand of course), and I am not connected to a "dialup modem" at 921.6Kbps.

Its 100x better than real dialup, but nowhere near as good as the cable modem, but for the 35 hours I'll be in a workshop next week, without wifi access, it will more than do.

AND at CES in January, when I am reporting for SatelliteGuys, it will also be pretty darn valuable. Heck, I can see lots of use for this.

But I suspect I will add it and subtract it from my contract as needed. But dang, last summer I had 1X EVDO connectivity in rural Wyoming, I could have used this.


I am using it now, by the way...

 

[tonyp56]

Right now, you may be able to use a unlocked phone for AT&T, but some of the features are not enabled or unusable. (I've got an unlocked Razer, when I put my sim card in I can't send multimedia messages through it)

 

[digiblur]

So, I decided to bite the bullet and pay verizon the $15 for the "tether" capability for the treo 700p. I already pay $45/mo. for the unlimited EVDO data plan.

So, I load up the palm software on the new tablet pc, and install a USB Modem software prc from mobile-stream on the treo 700p. Had to install a driver for winxp to recognize the treo as a modem, but within a minute of configuration, I had the treo tethered to the tablet. (I disabled wifi before hand of course), and I am not connected to a "dialup modem" at 921.6Kbps.

Its 100x better than real dialup, but nowhere near as good as the cable modem, but for the 35 hours I'll be in a workshop next week, without wifi access, it will more than do.

AND at CES in January, when I am reporting for SatelliteGuys, it will also be pretty darn valuable. Heck, I can see lots of use for this.

But I suspect I will add it and subtract it from my contract as needed. But dang, last summer I had 1X EVDO connectivity in rural Wyoming, I could have used this.


I am using it now, by the way...

There's also an app out there for the Windows Mobile phones with built in wifi where it turns your phone into a wireless router. Awesome apps these folks build for the phones. Haven't tried it on the Mogul yet, but I did build my first custom ROM for the Mogul the other day.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

There's also an app out there for the Windows Mobile phones with built in wifi where it turns your phone into a wireless router. Awesome apps these folks build for the phones. Haven't tried it on the Mogul yet, but I did build my first custom ROM for the Mogul the other day.

But with verizon at least, they would notice the increased usage, and thus, the tether functionality is critical, as they could shut the broadband access down if they thought you were using it beyond the TOS.

I am looking forward to really testing this out next week. It should make a long layover in DIA go much more quickly.