Stop Making Locked Phones
Dear Palm,
Please make unlocked versions of your smart phones.
Regards,
Mike
Last week Palm introduced the Centro, the latest addition to their Treo line of smartphones. This model is only $99, and has features of many of the pricier models. However, this model is only available to Sprint customers in the US.
When a phone of any model only works with a certain network, it is considered a “locked” device. This is nothing new, and has been the case in the US for years. In Europe, most phones are unlocked, where you can use them no matter who you get your service from. So if you change service providers, you don’t have to buy a new phone. Sure, in the US you can get some version of a free phone if you switch, but why bother if the old one only ends up in a landfill?
It has taken the Apple iPhone to raise the issue of locked phones. The iPhone is only available to AT&T customers, so if you want to use the new phone, you have to switch. This prompted people around the globe to work to unlock the phones, much to the dismay of Apple. Their response was cool, only saying software upgrades will render an unlocked phone useless, and more electronics to the landfill.
A locked phone does that – it locks you to a network. As mobile phone service seems to be a commodity these days in the US at least – I’d say the exception is T-Mobile, whom I have – a locked phone and a cancellation is the only way providers retain customers, not on the quality of their service. But if your phone will work elsewhere, it is not only allowing you to choose the best service, but the best phone for you as well. This fact has not resonated with the mobile companies in the US, which would also explain why they still call themselves “wireless” and “cellular” and not mobile.
There are plenty of reviews out there on the Centro, and I won’t be able to contribute to the discussion as I won’t be able to buy one. I still own and like my Treo 680, which unfortunately is the only unlocked model sold by Palm. But the insanity must stop, and unlocked phones must become the standard, as it’s well documented we are running out of landfill space.
Business • Technology • (2) Comments • PermalinkA Workspace With a View For a Change
He Likes to Read But Not Write Blogs
Back in July when I wrote a post about Jakob Nielsen not liking blogs, I was not sue then if the title was appropriate. After reading this post on Practical eCommerce's site, Dr. Nielsen does like to reads them, at least the few mentioned.
By reading his blog list, it can be deduced he reads them as Web pages, especially as he suggests Search Engine Land should abandon the blog format. Where I will not argue his opinion, they could take his advice yet still offer its feed with no notice to current feed readers. This points to the value of RSS feeds, whether you are publishing a blog or not. RSS feeds can be added to any Web site to publish any content, including press releases, “what’s new” lists or even as a replacement or addition to email newsletters... such as AlertBox.
I have never been a fan of the term “blogosphere” as it suggests that blogs are on their own and separate from Web sites. The application of technology like RSS helps blur that distinction, and I think this is a very good thing.
Technology • (3) Comments • PermalinkShameless Attempt to Intro The M Show Podcast
If you have perused the list of “Podcasts I Listen To” on the right side of The Hot Iron, you will only see a few podcasts, but it is a small but mighty list. My favorite is The M Show, a weekly podcast by John Wall covering business and marketing. John is a friend, and I have been fortunate to have been a guest on several of his shows.
As an avid reader of The Hot Iron, you may have heard of or subscribe to the spoken feed from Odiogo, a service that reads blogs and creates a podcast from the content. The link to my Odiogo feed is at the top of the right side of the Web pages.
In a shameless attempt to intro The M Show, I will use the Odiogo reading of this blog post to create a vocal intro for John. Without further interruption to you daily schedule:
Hello, this is the digitized voice of Odiogo at Odiogo.com that reads aloud The Hot Iron blog by Mike Maddaloni at thehotiron.com and you are listening to the best podcast ever, The M Show, with John Wall. I hope that sounded OK?
As I hear the podcasts of my posts after they are created, I don’t know how it will sound. Hopefully it will meet John’s strict quality standards!
Diversions • Technology • (2) Comments • PermalinkJoin The Virtual “A” Team to Fight Liver Disease
Since 2001 my family, friends and I have participated in walks in Boston and Chicago to support the American Liver Foundation (ALF). This is a result of my channeling my emotions and energies after the loss of my Mom that year to Primary Biliary Cirrhosis, or PBC, an auto-immune liver disease that mostly affects women. Through funding research, wellness programs and advocacy, ALF is the leading organization in the US fighting liver disease.
This year my lovely wife and I will not be able to participate in the Liver Wellness Walk & Fun Run in Chicago, but that is not stopping us from participating. Taking a page from what I do on the Internet, we are forming The Virtual “A” Team, and out tag line is “We’ll Be There In Spirit!”
Anything you can do to contribute to this cause is greatly appreciated. Please visit our team page to make a contribution by credit card – if you would like to give by check or cash, please contact me directly.
Thank you in advance, and feel free to bookmark or pass along this post!
Announcements • Diversions • (0) Comments • Permalink
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