skydeck

Content Will Be Free

April 26, 2007 | 2 Comments

Russell Buckley reports a claim that the global market for paid content on mobile phones is already worth $20 billion, while the market for paid content on the web is worth only $4 billion. I don’t know the ultimate source, but the numbers probably aren’t far off. Does this mean that consumers are happy to pay for mobile content, or that the mobile market is somehow healthier than the market for content online? Russell is doubtful, and he’s not the only one.

Consumers don’t have any choice about paying for mobile content. Carriers exert so much control over our phones that in some cases - I’m talking about you Verizon - we can’t get free content onto our phones even if the content provider wants to give it away. (more…)

Posted by: Jason
Categories: ThisIsBroken, Mobile Market

Crippled N95

April 16, 2007 | 4 Comments

Carriers have crippled another handset. This time Vodafone and Orange removed access to Internet telephony from their branded Nokia N95. Andy at VoIP Watch suggests that it may be possible to reflash the phone to Nokia’s original settings. But be warned, you will probably void your warranty in the process.

In his post, Andy also reminds us about the E62 on Cingular: it’s just like its E61 twin, except with Wi-Fi removed. That difference is a hardware change, so reflashing won’t solve the problem. Of course, this practice of crippling isn’t limited to GSM carriers or even just Nokia phones. Verizon Wireless is a major offender as well (note that it may be possible to fix Bluetooth in some Verizon Wireless branded phones after purchase, but the details are murky).

Yet another reason to buy your N95 directly from Nokia.

Posted by: Mike
Categories: ThisIsBroken