The phone search continued…
In a recent post I talked about my dilemma while trying to figure out which mobile phone device and provider to go with as my current contract with Verizon is in limbo. As I learn more and more, it looks like I’ll be sticking with Verizon. Still, I feel like all the big wireless providers are limiting the functionality of their service and devices on purpose. (duh)
The thing that sticks out to me is the wifi coverage. If you have a device, such as a smartphone, that has wifi capabilities, you are REQUIRED to have a data plan in order to use it on most networks. You can’t just have a basic mobile plan and use wifi for all of your web needs. Sick. In this day and age of enablers like Google and their currently FREE Google Voice, you still experience the other end of that spectrum with mobile phone providers.
A fellow Anywhere Person, Jeremy Lattimore, talks about a similar dilemma in one of his recent posts.
Also, check out today’s TechCrunch article by Michael Arrington on why he is quitting the iPhone as a result of Apple and AT&T’s response to Google Voice.
Food for thought!
Dave,
Thanks for the link! It is totally frustrating the levels that the providers currently go to. I agree you have to pay for data plans just because you have the phone. The plans are overpriced and slow. Half the phones have been stripped of WiFi. It's truly amazing to me. Sprint seems to have a decent plan option but no phones that really fit what I'm looking for except maybe the Pre and a somewhat limited network in some places. Verizon has a couple of decent phones… but a large data plan fee. May just have to wait a little while and see if competition finally erodes some of the barriers!!
Dave,
Thanks for the link! It is totally frustrating the levels that the providers currently go to. I agree you have to pay for data plans just because you have the phone. The plans are overpriced and slow. Half the phones have been stripped of WiFi. It's truly amazing to me. Sprint seems to have a decent plan option but no phones that really fit what I'm looking for except maybe the Pre and a somewhat limited network in some places. Verizon has a couple of decent phones… but a large data plan fee. May just have to wait a little while and see if competition finally erodes some of the barriers!!