Sources have reported to PhoneNews.com that both Sprint and Verizon had serious reservations about Nexus One’s future software updates, enough that both CDMA carriers may have rejected the devices on their own accord.
One of the big differences about Nexus One is that Google controls the firmware for the device. It has been a key asset to Google in helping make the company mobile; with all development staff sharing a common mule device that can be used in public, they can gain public comments in real time about stuff in development. And, it will be the first device to get Android 2.2, Froyo.
And, Froyo is what appears to have sent a chill down the spines of both Verizon and Sprint. Android 2.2 adds built-in Phone As Modem support, free of any carrier offerings for the service. For Google, this is fine; they already offer PdaNet and other tethering apps on the Android Market, and have told the carriers that since Android is open, that isn’t changing.
However, because Android is an open platform, Sprint and Verizon can tell device makers that they either need to strip the tethering services, or modify them to verify if a customer has a Phone As Modem or BroadBand Access Connect plan on their account. Nexus One wasn’t going to compromise on that.
It may have been easy for Google to opt out, and simply remove tethering on Nexus One. But, that would have meant compromises that the company has already dealt with pain and scars in the past. Without being a device that has all of Android 2.2’s features, Google lost their benefit of Nexus One being open. Faced with sluggish Nexus One sales, and carrier-supported alternatives, Google appears to have pulled the plug on the CDMA venture.
However, sources report that tethering alone wasn’t the problem. But, rather, both Sprint and Verizon’s fear that Google would continue on this path of adding features to Nexus One that sent a chilling effect (or, rather, customers running from carrier-branded phones to unlocked devices). Despite promises from Verizon for years now, their 3G network remains closed, and Sprint has yet to enact class action settlement terms that require them to do the same.
The real question now stands, if Google will try again on CDMA with a successor, or hand the hardware market back to Android device manufacturers.
10 Years from now I think Sprint, Verizon, AT&T, and others will be following Google’s Lead. Do we really think that Cell phone service as we know it will remain the same?(3G, 4G) I remember PCS 10 years ago. Look how far we have come. That is why Google’s “openness” will continue to push them to the head of the pack. Sprint and Verizon’s lack of having a device with an open platform will only, in time, prevent them from growing.
This sounds very realistic, CDMA carriers historically are very protective of the garden. CDMA carriers are ridiculous though you could charge a premium for a unlocked phone to be activated on the network. , as a example if a standard Sprint Everything Plan is $99 dollars, charge $125.00 for a unlocked phone plan to take into consideration any enhancements that a unlocked phone could have, such as hot spot access. It really makes me wonder what people are doing when they tether laptops to phones. I occasionaly do it but mostly I’m streaming music which isn’t in most cases using a bunch of data.
On a somewhat related note, does anyone know what’s next for the Sprint Relay Data-only plan and phone prices? The Sprint Relay Store documents say all current offers expire on 6/5/2010.
@ Tony
“all current offers expire on 6/5/2010”
They will introduce new 4 G plans, most likely less discounts on the features.
I am seriously considering the Nexus one with T.Mobile, as a secondary service provider, now that GOOGLE will provide it with “FROYO”, there is no more attractive buy on ANDROID for me, I wish it had a keyboard.
SPRINT to me, at best is only good for DATA, I don’t get at least 30% of my text messages, unless they are initiated by SPRINT tech support, also someone could be standing next to me, calling me on a SPRINT phone, if it does appear at all, it takes six seconds for it to show up on my phone as an incoming call, the best part is when it beeps to tell me that they left a voice mail, some SIX and a half hours later !!
Outgoing calls can take from five seconds to twenty five seconds to actually connect, that is if it does connect.
So much for the “NOW” network. By the way this has been taking place for over a decade now, the locations are STUDIO CITY & SHERMAN OAKS, some of the trendiest cities in Los Angeles county!
Thank You