Gizmodo
Today Verizon Wireless announced that it would offer an email client that supports Yahoo! Mail, AOL Mail, AIM Mail, Windows Live Hotmail and its own Verizon.net, not to mention POP3 accounts the world over. Though an email client is a welcome development, this one comes at a price: $5 per month, to be exact.
That's right. Though it seems identical to software that other carriers hasten to ship for free just to motivate their customers into using more data services, Verizon is charging extra. Does the $5 let you avoid a data plan? Hell no. "Download charges for Get It Now applications vary and airtime charges apply," says VZW.
Verizon is offering a bundled unlimited plan, but starting at $80 for 450 minutes and Unlimited Messaging, V CAST, VZ Navigator and Mobile Email, they make the iPhone plans look like a pittance.
In case you are drawn in by this underwhelming offer, make sure you have the right hardware. The software is currently available on five phones: enV by LG, the MOTORAZR V3m, MOTORAZR V3c, the LG VX8300 and the Chocolate by LG.
VERIZON WIRELESS LAUNCHES MOBILE E-MAIL ON GET IT NOWVerizon Wireless Customers Can Stay Connected with E-mail from Yahoo!, AOL and Windows Live
BASKING RIDGE, N.J. - Verizon Wireless customers can now get their e-mail on-the-go and stay connected to family and friends with the company's new Mobile E-mail application on select Get It Now®-enabled phones. Mobile E-mail provides Verizon Wireless customers with easy access to the world's most popular e-mail services, including Yahoo!® Mail, AOL® Mail, AIM® Mail, Windows Live Hotmail, Verizon.net accounts and more on their mobile phones.
Mobile E-mail from Verizon Wireless, powered by OZ, works with major ISP (Internet Service Providers) and POP3 (Post Office Protocol) or IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) e-mail accounts. Verizon Wireless customers with select Get It Now-enabled phones can access up to 10 e-mail accounts. Each ISP e-mail account will have the same branded "look and feel" on the mobile phone screen as it does on the computer screen. Other features of Mobile E-mail include access and use of the contact list on the phone for all mailbox accounts and regular alert notification of new e-mails.
Mobile E-mail is available today in Verizon Wireless' Get It Now virtual store on the enV by LG, the MOTORAZR V3m, MOTORAZR V3c, the LG VX8300 and the Chocolate by LG for $5.00 monthly access, and the service is expected to be available on additional handsets in the coming weeks and months. Download charges for Get It Now applications vary and airtime charges apply when browsing, downloading and using certain applications. Customers need a Get It Now-enabled handset and Verizon Wireless digital service to access the Get It Now virtual store. Verizon Wireless customers with America's Choice Premium calling plans can access Mobile E-mail for no additional charge or airtime charges; America's Choice® Premium plans start at $79.99 for 450 minutes and Unlimited Messaging, V CAST, VZ Navigator and Mobile E-mail.
Comments
Verizon sucks.
Damn it, it edited out my witty html tags. I am made of fail...
Is it true? Can it be? A post on Gizmodo that does not have the word 'Apple' or 'iPhone' in it?
Oops.. I just did a search, and sure enough, "... they make the iPhone plans look like a pittance."
[sigh]
Anyway, to the story itself .. There is no question that all of the carriers get as many bucks out of their customers as they possibly can. If they can get away with charging an extra $5 per month, plus charge for the data used, they will do it.
As I have said before, cell phones are the work of Satan, at least in the U.S. market.
@Monty: Sorry Monty, I tried to resist it as much as I could. But when I saw that $80 unlimited plan, I just knew what came next.
I wish they would make a gmail app for Brew.. it's not really that bad to use the mobile web version of gmail, but I wish there was a better start page for mobile. Verizon's favorites section is too many clicks out of the way...
It's Verizon, people. Additional charges WILL APPLY.
I'm pretty sure there have been email clients available through Get It Now for quite some time now.
Well verizon as every1 knows is a household name.
Verizon is going to get as much money till Cable companies come out with a cell phone provider.
Verizon Business scks
Optimum LightPath pwns in every way possible.
Verizon Fiberoptics = new
Time Warner = Using since Jerry Springer got hot
Lets be serious they're a good company good speed good customer service but they're not going to get any where by charging an arm and a leg.
they have good data bandwidth now what they need is to lower the prices to the competitor's prices or lower like their Triple Play option.
they got Triple Play from Time Warner, Comcast, and Cablevision.
COME ON CABLE COMPANIES MAKE A DAM COMPANY FOR CELL PHONES thats where the money is at.
Gee, maybe if Verizon would carry a phone I'd want to get my email on and send it back through...but no. Blackberries and Treos don't count.
gmail has a pop3 version, so you can just enter your pop3 info into many cellphones (razr for example, from their press release) without any extra hassle or charges beyond the data downloads.
Seriously, when has Verizon not launched a new service or feature that didn't mention a new or increase in charge? It's the new business of nickel-and-diming their customers to death.
I just use my gmail java app to get and respond to my gmail... or use the pop3 setup and do it that way but the java app works great.
Oh yea... and i don't use verizon just for these reasons.
Remember: Verizon unlimited data = 5GB cap.
"charges may apply" ummm... ya think?
These nobby mobile phone companies are crap.
Verizon Email! Unlimeted (ɐ 1ıɯıʇ oɟ 50 ǝɯɐı1s ɐ ɯonʇɥ) messages
Start a discussion:
Login with your username and password below. Or comment on this post via email.
Forgot your username or password? New User?