Verizon wants its software on mobile phones
Verizon executives Lowell McAdam (left) and Ivan Seidenberg plan to keep Verizon on a software development path.
(Credit: Maggie Reardon/CNET)LAS VEGAS--Verizon Wireless doesn't care who emerges from the coming mobile operating system wars because no matter who wins, Verizon will make sure its software runs on top of that operating system.
"I don't think I need to bet on an operating system," said Lowell McAdam, CEO of Verizon Wireless, in a question-and-answer session at CTIA 2009 Wednesday. "I need to bet on layers that will bridge those operating systems."
McAdam was referring to the news announced Wednesday that Verizon Wireless will join the Joint Innovation Lab (JIL) created by its corporate parent, Vodafone, along with China Mobile and Softbank. JIL plans to build "mobile widgets" for future phones that will apparently run on whatever operating systems Verizon decides to support on its future smartphones.
Seven organizations are currently jockeying for the inside track to run the mobile computer of the future. Symbian, Research in Motion, Apple, Google, Microsoft, Palm, and the LiMo Foundation are all fighting to get their software established as the platform of the future, and not all of them are going to make it: choice is a good thing, but too many choices overwhelms developers and carriers, not to mention users.
Earlier in his keynote address, Verizon Communications CEO Ivan Seidenberg predicted that the current list would get whittled down as the industry coalesces around "an open operating environment." He did not, of course, say which ones Verizon is eyeing, and neither Seidenberg nor McAdam took that bait in the Q&A session following the keynote.
McAdam did say, however, that "three, maybe four" would survive. Verizon's plan with JIL appears to be an extension of its historical strategy of putting its own software--things like VCast--on its phones, which gives it the ability to tightly control what applications run on its network and extend its brand into software and entertainment. For example, Verizon, as part of JIL, will create games for future phones on its network, McAdam said.
It will be interesting to see how Verizon's software works with the applications created by other developers, such as the ones that will appear on the BlackBerry Storm now that BlackBerry App World is up and running. Widgets by definition are pretty lightweight applications, but how Verizon chooses to prioritize those applications on its devices could determine how widely they are used versus applications created by third parties.
This probably also means that barring a major change on strategy, Apple and Verizon are unlikely to hook up any time soon. Right now, there's the obvious barrier in the different networking standards used by the iPhone and phones on Verizon's network, but the companies seem very philosophically opposed when it comes to software: it's hard to imagine Apple agreeing to let Verizon run its own widgets on the iPhone.
It also means Verizon is still bent on avoiding a fate as a "dumb pipe," leaving the software development to others and just making sure its network is running smoothly. As usual, it all comes down to money: people will spend a fortune over the next ten years on mobile software and services, and Verizon wants to make sure it is part of the action.
Tom Krazit writes about the ever-expanding world of Internet search, including Google, Yahoo, online advertising, and portals, as well as the evolution of mobile computing. He has written about traditional PC companies, chip manufacturers, and mobile computers, spending the last three years covering Apple. E-mail Tom.
Verizon please take note, this is not how you attract and retain customers!!!!!!!
It also doesn't come as a surprise that Verizon would want to control exactly what can and can't be done with the phones because they are bar none the most uptight and controlling cell phone company of them all.
There is not one cell phone company that I can say "Yes, I love them." I bounce around companies all the time and they are more than happy to waive all the start-up fees to get a new customer I just tell them I won't switch if they don't get rid of them. Been with Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, and now with AT&T with the iPhone. They each suck in their own little way and are "good" in their own little way but none of them manages to get the job done even 85%.
I concur that VZW needs to lay off their crappy UI, it's terrible and non-intuitive.
And for god sakes, unlock the GPS on my Omnia already. You said you were going to when I bought it, some VP came out and said it would be unlocked Q1 2009 and here I am with a phone that can't fully utilize Windows Live Search. This is almost as bad as when my last Samsung A990 had bluetooth, but I couldn't use it to transfer photos from the phone to a computer.
On the subject of Verizon, I'm reminded of this quote: "The more you tighten your grip Tarken, the more star systems will slip through your fingers!"
As soon as AT&T gets their ducks in a line for a "My Circle" flavored plan, my wife and I will be switching.
I've got 1 year left in law school and I can tell you now, as soon as I graduate, I'll pay the money to have an iPhone and not to have to deal with VZW's terrible apps. For now I'm just frustrated and jealous. I understand that they can make tons of money off of doing it the way they do, but I just wish they took a different route allowing advanced users some freedom. BitPim anyone?
i hacked my VZN phones to bits but still sucked compared to the iPhone, i was in the same boat as you had been with VZN for 10 years and switched to at&t for the iphone, even paid to get out of VZN contract
but i will say, i have regretted it many times i had no idea how great VZN's service was compared to at&t
if you were like me you probably had friend always talking about dropped calls and friends answering their phone saying things like "wait the signal sucks i will call you back", and you never understood what they were talking about.. well switch to at&t my friend and you will know exactly what they have been talking about all these years
can you hear me now?.... i bet you can... because your still on VZN
We both switched to the iPhone a month ago - I will have to agree that AT&T does suck a bit in NYC with bad reception but at least I am able to use WIFI to talk with others when I do have problems. In NJ - no problems at all - where there is a problem there is enough free WIFI in most areas of NJ to make a call.
It is probably the best phones my wife and I ever got in our lives. But at least AT&T didn't block out important features to the iPhone. If the iPhone and AT&T restricted essential features and apps - it really would be a brick.
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by carrrrrlos
April 1, 2009 10:33 PM PDT
- I switched from Sprint to Verizon for better service 2 years ago - I was so unimpressed with their VZW apps - still am. Their reception is great no doubt - but having to pay more fees to unlock features my Blackberry already comes with? Their OS is so clunky. My contract is up in a couple of months and I am switching to ATT and the iPhone for sure. ATT may not have the best network but it has the iPhone + Apple.
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