Gizmodo: any apps, any device

Verizon "Any App, Any Device" Tech Specs Go Up March 19

matt buchanan — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:20:56 EST

Seem like it might be obvious, but the technical specs for wild, woolly and wonderful devices to attach to Verizon's soon-to-be wide open network will be unveiled March 19 at their Open Development Device Conference. Start heating up those soldering irons, boys. [Verizon]

Verizon Wireless Open Development Conference Scheduled for March 19

Wilson Rothman — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 12:59:20 EST

For all of those people wondering about the details of Verizon Wireless's pledge to open its network to all compatible hardware, it seems the answers will come March 19 to 20 in New York City, at the carrier's Open Development Conference. The focus will be on "development for new devices," and from what Verizon is saying, it will be open to any product developers who want to pop by. Maybe we'll see you there. Press release after jump. [Verizon]

VERIZON WIRELESS TO HOST OPEN DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE MARCH 19-20, 2008 IN NEW YORK CITY
BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and WASHINGTON - Verizon Wireless today announced that the company's much-anticipated Open Development Conference will be held in New York City on March 19-20, 2008. The announcement was made by Anthony A. Lewis, Verizon Wireless' newly-appointed vice president of the Open Development initiative, during a panel discussion today hosted by New America Foundation. Information about Verizon Wireless' Open Development initiative is online at www.verizonwireless.com/opendevelopment.

News of the conference, which will focus largely on development for new devices to run on the award-winning Verizon Wireless network, comes just eight weeks after Verizon Wireless announced that later this year it will provide customers the option to use, on its nationwide wireless network, wireless devices, software and applications not offered by the company. Verizon Wireless' Open Development initiative is driven by the company's desire to encourage innovation, give customers wireless choices, and quickly address opportunities to expand the wireless market. Higher data speeds and throughput performance that will come with the rollout of its fourth generation broadband network will open the door to a surge in new consumer electronics enabled by wireless connectivity.

Verizon Wireless is structuring the conference for the development community. The company encourages developers from the device community to attend the two-day event, where they can learn about the technical standards needed for devices to run on the Verizon Wireless network.

"This initial conference is for developers of devices - because before consumers can have open access, you have to have open development," said Lewis. "In hosting this conference, our aim is to jump start the development community by sharing information needed to develop devices for our network that achieve our network performance goals while making it easy for them to deliver devices."

Lewis also indicated that while the company is listening to a segment of customers who want another choice without full service, Verizon Wireless will continue to make available a full-service offering - from retail stores where customers can shop, to 24/7 customer service and technical support, to an easy-to-use handset interface and optimized software applications.

For more information about Verizon Wireless' Open Development Conference, visit www.verizonwireless.com/opendevelopment.

Verizon Says It Will Open Network to "Any Apps, Any Device" in 2008

Wilson Rothman — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 08:22:28 EST

In a startling announcement, Verizon Wireless pledged today to offer its network to "wireless devices, software and applications not offered by the company." We're a bit surprised, given the network protectionism that Verizon is known for. According to the release, Lowell McAdam, Verizon Wireless president and chief executive officer, didn't say this was a change of tactic, but rather an enhancement of service offerings "for customers looking for a different wireless experience." As you'd expect, there seems to be a small catch:

In early 2008, the company will publish the technical standards the development community will need to design products to interface with the Verizon Wireless network. Any device that meets the minimum technical standard will be activated on the network. Devices will be tested and approved in a $20 million state-of-the-art testing lab which received an additional investment this year to gear up for the anticipated new demand. Any application the customer chooses will be allowed on these devices.

So, it's not like you can build your own phone in the basement, then call VZW to apply service. But the press release does mention a conference Verizon will host, "to explain the standards and get input from the development community."

We have so many questions—Why is Verizon doing this now? Who is the target manufacturer for these "BYO" phones?—that we'll be hopping on a call soon to hopefully get to the bottom of it. [Verizon Wireless]