During a conference call that just ended to discuss Verizon’s new strategic partnership with Google to carry a line of Android phones and other devices, Verizon pitched itself as having seen the light and now embracing open platforms. Google CEO Eric Schmidt even commented that when Google started negotiation with Verizon 18 months ago, “We did not know that they would also take a leadership position on openness, which was surprising.”
Pressed on this issue during the Q&A, CEO Lowell McAdam was asked whether Verizon plans to support Google Voice (which Apple doesn’t). McAdam’s response: “Yeah, I guess we do. You either have an open device or you do not.”
If you remember, Apple’s rejection of Google Voice on the iPhone (available only on AT&T in the U.S.), is what got it in hot water with the FCC. But apps like Google Voice threaten to take away some control from the carriers. So it is refreshing to see the biggest wireless carrier in the U.S. (Verizon Wireless has 85 million customers) embrace it, at least in theory. We’ll have to see if and how it is actually implemented.
Other details from the call:
- Verizon will launch two new Android devices this year, with an entire family planned for the following years.
- Those devices will include not just Android smartphones, but “specialty devices” such as netbooks, PDAs, and even simpler feature phones.
- Smartphones currently make up 40% of Verizon’s handset sales, up from 10% a few years ago.
- There are currently 9 Android phones on the market. With the Verizon deal, that will go up to at least 11 before the year is out (earlier Google had hinted at 20 devices by year’s end).
- Currently, Android phones are on 26 carriers in 32 countries, and there are 10,000 apps.
- But 10,000 is not enough. Part of the deal involves joint development of leading edge apps specifically for Verizon Android phones. McAdams noted that “both companies are committed to devoting substantial resources to bringing the latest applications to customers.”
- Google CEO Eric Schmidt says, “This is a major deal for us.”
- When I asked how many total Android phones are in consumer’s hands, Google’s Andy Rubin made up some excuse about how its too “hard to track.” And I thought that math was Google’s strong suit.
The Beach Boys to appear at the United Nations to stop genocide. They will perform Help Me Rwanda.
“I know there is a lesson to be learned here somewhere, but I don’t know what it is.”
(from Peanuts)
“Pressed on this issue during the Q&A, CEO Lowell McAdam was asked whether Verizon plans to support Google Voice (which Apple doesn’t). McAdam’s response: “Yeah, I guess we do. You either have an open device or you do not.”
Telenav on a Blackberry anyone? For months Verizon locked down the GPS chip on Verizon Blackberries, only allowing access to their own navigation software. More open than Apple? I wouldn’t hold my breath. If anything Verizon is worse.
Hopefully Verizon won’t botch this by locking such features down. Can you imagine a google phone without gps enabled?
Verizon has the blackberry so locked down it is about as good as a paper weight when it comes to certain applications. Pay us $10 a month and we will let you use the GPS with our crappy maps/directions and no one elses!
They will probably do the same crap with the Android based phones.
This is no longer true. The Tour and on going, are as open as they come.
GPS has been unlocked on VZ BBs for some time now… as of OS 4.5 if I recall.
OS 4.5 did allow GPS on the 8330 BUT only for approved applications because of SECURITY concerns. Means you can use their crappy maps, but not things like Google Maps or the other GPS versions. So for me, the GPS is still locked and not open.
what “approved apps” can you use GPS for, other than the Verizon crap? This is becoming increasingly frustrating for me…
I’m already using Google Voice on my Verizon Blackberry. The app kind of sucks, but by adding my GV number and the GV app’s access number to my Verizon Friends and Family, I haven’t used a single minute of my Verizon minutes since July!
does it count as data rather than voice?
Does GV have a single access number? I assumed that it would have a dozen or so numbers it would call you from when you try to place a call with it?
There is an option to have all calls come from your Google Voice number, so you can use it with those plans that let you have unlimited minutes with certain numbers.
Incoming calls, I mean. doh
itpro ur wrong…google voice uses ur carrier’s cellular network – duh
You’re missing the point — he can have a 100 minute plan with the “fav 5″ (or whatever it’s called on Verizon) unlimited calling, and then call ANY number using Google Voice, but have it count as one of his “fav 5.”
As a friend just said “it’s like having three wishes, and then wishing for a million more wishes.”
Very clever – I’d only thought of the implications by combining it with a Skype Dial-In number and the data network.
Interesting, can’t wait to see that upcoming devices especially with the support of GV. Keep us posted TC!
Interesting, I’m french, I have an hero with google voice, but I can test it…
“apps like google voice threaten to take away some control”
But Arrington has been openly weeping and crying that the opposite is true. You two should probably touch base on the facts.
I really hope they keep it “open”. This could lead to some exciting devices on a really powerful network.
Unfortunately, I don’t think Verizon will let go of their crappy software… There is still a huge population of customers who just want a phone and don’t know how to use much else… These people spend their money on crappy vCast and put more money into Verizon’s pocket. Verizon is not going to let this extra money go…
i’ll believe it when i see it!!!
So the phones with the Google-supported OS will support Google Voice? Shocking!
Verizon is the king of the “walled garden” filled with their own crappy software.
They may be running scared from the iPhone, but it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks.
Now if only Verizon would kill that automated biatch that tries to do customer service and wont let me hit ‘0′ to get to a human being no matter how hard I try… she just has to know why Im calling, no matter that she has no ability to properly define the nature of my call… because its about the f*ing idiots who constantly screw up my account and need outside intervention to help them do their jobs!
Yep, data-time efficiency via digital management tools is going well.
Very smart move by Google. The Chess board is hot now.
When do you think Google Maps disappears from the iphone?
Apple controls the software end of the iPhone OS, leaving a conditionally open architecture for app development. This frees the iPhone’s carriers to simply provide the bandwidth. In short, the iPhone’s strength is it’s non-carrier-based content (Apple is the nexus for all, whether carrier network or wifi).
A Google phone, gives Verizon the app ball with its carrier-based and subscription-based services. This wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing except that the Android-equipped phone would do and see only what Verizon allowed. It may mean that Verizon will also limit what Android apps can be used. Doesn’t sound like the promise of success to me. But Verizon’s size means they can serve a “good enough” alternative, even if you are nickeled and dimed by it, and your purchases disappear the minute you lose or switch your phone.
dang! I just used my 2 year contract to buy an Env3 instead. My friend has an iphone and has free GPS service but verizon charges $1.99/month (I believe) to use their GPS navigation app. What a rip off. Verizon also uses Bing.com as their search provider.
Ever since Michael wrote that article on google voice and the mother’s day message, I have lost interest in google voice.
it is a “google” android phone.
when’s GV coming to the rest of the world anyway ?
Love it. Now put something on the market with a modern processor and I’m re-upping Verizon. Please, no G1/myTouch/Hero guts, let’s get some 1 GHz action and give Android the horsepower it deserves.
Jesus Christ. Does anyone on TechCrunch read any reputable news sources? The Motorola Sholes will be dropping sometime between October 30 and December 1st. The combined GPU and CPU speeds are greater than 1Ghz. Not to mention that it supposedly will have 16GB on storage.
Go Verizon! My Blackberry 8830 is feeling a little dated, but I can’t find an interesting phone to replace it with in the Verizon lineup.
I’d freakin love to have an Android phone on Verizon. They have the best network, by far, but they always neuter their damn phones. If a real Android phone comes out that works just like an Android phone on any other network – I’m sold.
Maybe Verizon will open up, after seeing what happened with Apple and how much people want everything open now. Though I will take it with a large grain of salt, really large.
I think if they left everything open, and let the devs. run wild they would have a good hit on the iPhone.
Wow – just heard that Microsoft and Apple are headed out to the bar together! http://bit.ly/5smxR
Overall this will be great for consumers as all of the titans double and triple down to innovate in this space.
Verizon is not known for being “open”. They love to cripple phones to force their customers to buy their lame excused for apps.
10,000 apps is enough to work with. How many will be for needed for people that don’t play games?
Its been a long time coming. Apple better get their crap together (am i aloud to still say that with all of their devices they’ve sold?) or Android will take over by their ability to get their software and apps on multiple carriers.
“Verizon more open than Apple?” hmmm Wifi on a Verizon phone, anyone? Open, schmopen.
OOops, take that back.
Press release from Verizon correcting “You either have an open device or you do not” statement in 3…2…1….
If Verizon is smart they will leave it open, guess we will wait and see.