As a technologist, it pains me to see technology crippled by vendors just so that they can squeeze another buck off of Joe Citizen. To me, the true benefits of technology are only achieved when the user gets the full benefit of that device.
So, for example, when you purchase a top-of-the-line mobile phone anywhere in the world (except the USA), you get the best technology available from the manufacturer of that handset. As a result, you are a happy customer, you use it, show it off and recommend to your friends to use the carrier and their cool new handsets. Good for the consumer, good for the carrier, win-win. And they know it!
Not so with a certain Carrier in the USA. They advertised and promised to provide a cool handset with all the trimmings (the best that Motorola could and did make at the time - think Bluetooth sync), they then crippled the phone so that none of these features worked. They lied to their customers that they would rectify the issue with an update (blaming Motorola, who kept quiet because they sell a lot of handsets through this Carrier and did not want to lose that business), lost a class action suit on the issue, and squirmed their way out at the end with a settlement that provided no material compensation to their victims, er customers.
But did they learn a lesson? I mean, is it not the purpose of the courts to provide justice and to see that the bad guys get punished, learn their lessons and do not do it again? I must be naive because the Carrier got away with it and did not seem to be punished or learn a thing.
The new RAZR from the Carrier came out with all the cool stuff in a software release v02. So far so good.
Oops, turns out that was an accident. The Carrier pulled this handset as soon as they realized what happened (many lucky customers kept theirs) and released a very crippled version v03 that killed all the cool stuff (no bluetooth sync). And now they released v04 that simply accepts that those customers who had v02 can keep the cool stuff and still get upgraded, but the v03 users remain as crippled as ever, but the bluetooth fairy headsets work. Basically, if you, like most, got a v03 phone, no cool stuff for you. But the character next to you with the same handset from the same Carrier gets it!
Why do they do it? They say its for your own security. Horsepukky! Bluetooth functionality in Motorola handsets does nothing unless the two devices are properly paired and the user has to do that manually - you have to put in a code when pairing or nothing happens. Hackers cannot get in without you allowing them in and in Europe, where everyone has a bluetooth phone, and in the USA where other carriers have the same handset, there is no issue, no problem, no hassle, no nothing. Just FUD (Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt) issued by the Carrier. Horsepukky I say!
The Carrier simply wants its customers to pay a buck here and a buck there to get their photos off their handsets (yes MMS costs extra) or to download (and pay for) music and ringtones using their service instead of allowing the customer to use their own music or a competitor. This is bad for the customer, they cannot use their phones properly and bad for the Carrier in the long run (but they seem not to know it!).
Carrier, you know who you are, please uncripple your phones. You are the best carrier in New York when it comes to service and coverage, and the worst carrier when it comes to phones and cost. And readers, do me a favor, if you have a choice in carrier, go with the one that does not cripple their phones. You will be happier with them, and they will get more business from you.
The Hiltmon has left the website...
No comments:
Post a Comment