Verizon Wireless just saved me as a customer.
I HATE my current Verizon/LG phone. Now Verizon Wireless is going to launch an Android phone from Motorola by the end of the year, according to AMOL SHARMA and SARA SILVER at the Wall Street Journal.
My current Verizon phone boasts "Web access," but only using Verizon Wireless's OS, browser, maps, search engine and other apps and they all SUCK! It give me access to all the major online email programs EXCEPT Gmail. Verizon Wireless generally hates Google for trying to open up the cell phone business.
I had vowed to quit Verizon Wireless as soon as my contract expired in order to get an Android phone, even if it meant switching to T-Mobile.
Now I have a reason to stay. Is the company getting smart, or just desperate? Who knows? It's a good move either way. Maybe the company will actually survive.
A source in the wireless industry recently told me that Verizon had passed up the opportunity to be the first to offer the iPhone, and then passed on the opportunity to be the first to offer the Android phone. It regretted both decisions. Now it's playing catch-up.
Steve Jobs has been frustrated with his deal with AT&T as well, because of its mediocre service.
So the next question is, will Verizon Wireless also get a deal with Steve Jobs to put an iPhone on its network when the contract with AT&T ends?
A victory for openness.
