[IP] more on A New Phone and Techie Controversy at Verizon
Begin forwarded message:
From: Lauren Weinstein <lauren@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: October 5, 2004 2:47:57 PM EDT
To: dave@xxxxxxxxxx
Cc: lauren@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [IP] A New Phone and Techie Controversy at Verizon
Dave,
A few days ago, I had a long chat with a Verizon Wireless spokeswoman
about this issue. I was particularly interested in the privacy
implications of forcing photos through central services instead of
allowing dumping directly to PCs (I do the latter all the time with
a bluetooth-enabled phone subscribed to AT&T Wireless, which has no
such restrictions). I haven't had a chance to write this up in
detail yet, but here's my summary of her comments.
1) She said that Verizon Wireless customers are mainly interested in
quality voice service, not frills like camera phones. She
asserted that Verizon Wireless doesn't push cameras and such in
advertising.
2) Verizon Wireless, she explained, is providing a total service,
not just phones. Integrating the photo servers is part of that
total service.
3) She noted that Verizon Wireless has agreements with third-party
entities (e.g., the photo server services) that might be violated
if Verizon Wireless didn't force customers to route photos from
such phones through those services.
4) She mentioned several times that this whole issue is not set in
concrete and is undergoing continual review.
5) She suggested that there are organized groups on Web sites, etc.
who are attempting to "pressure" Verizon Wireless on this matter.
--Lauren--
Lauren Weinstein
lauren@xxxxxxxx or lauren@xxxxxxxxxx or lauren@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Tel: +1 (818) 225-2800
http://www.pfir.org/lauren
Co-Founder, PFIR - People For Internet Responsibility -
http://www.pfir.org
Co-Founder, Fact Squad - http://www.factsquad.org
Co-Founder, URIICA - Union for Representative International Internet
Cooperation and Analysis - http://www.uriica.org
Moderator, PRIVACY Forum - http://www.vortex.com
Member, ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy
Lauren's Blob: http://www.vortex.com/lauren-blog
- - -
Begin forwarded message:
From: Monty Solomon <monty@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: October 4, 2004 11:12:24 PM EDT
To: undisclosed-recipient:;
Subject: A New Phone and Techie Controversy at Verizon
FROM THE DESK OF DAVID POGUE
A New Phone and Techie Controversy at Verizon
September 30, 2004
Last week on "The Amazing Race for the Perfect Phone," Verizon
Wireless announced that it was emerging from its cocoon of
technological backwardness.
At long last, the carrier with the best signal coverage began
offering a full-featured flip phone with camera, voice dialing,
speakerphone, memory card and Bluetooth: the new Motorola v710. Best
coverage, great phone--what more could a gadget freak want?
Unfortunately, Web sites and blogs are teeming with complaints about
one particular aspect of the v710: it's crippled Bluetooth features.
...
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/30/technology/circuits/30POGUE-
EMAIL.html
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