It looks like there's going to be an explosion of these types of cameras over the next year. It makes buying one feel a bit risky, because every company is in overdrive trying to outdo the camera that came out previous. Unfortunately, they all seem to compromise in one way or another. I went ahead and ordered a GH1, because it seems to be closest to what I want. I'm pretty excited to see what Ricoh can do with this though, considering their mastery (so I've heard) of ergonomics. #ricoh
The iPhone "nano" can be about the same size as the Zune HD and still be significantly smaller than the iPhone 3GS. Hell, my iPod touch looks significantly larger than the Zune HD.
As for Verizon, no doubt they'd want their big stupid V-check branded onto the phone, and no doubt the Fruit Comp'ny will say nay. #iphone
@jhonizzle: Yeah, I know all about the HP iPods, but that was when HP produced them, and they were etched into the backplate. AT&T couldn't get their globe logo on the iPhone. Do you really think that Verizon will have better luck with their V? #iphone
If Apple could only say "Fuck AT&T" and release the iPhone (for the same price) factory unlocked, and to work with additional frequencies, the world would be a happier place.
It might just be for the more expensive models that get huge discounts when bought with a plan.
I mean, the Droid is probably going to be expensive without a plan. To make sure people don't buy the phone with a contract, cancel the contract, and resell the phone for cheaper on ebay, the cost of the termination fee need to be greater than or equal to the discount you're getting. #verizonearlyterminationfee
@dogcow: Oh don't get me (grrrr).
I'm PO'd at VZW for my LG phone. I have the new-every-2 plan. But they never told me there is no coverage on the phone after 90 days. And never tried to offer me a warranty to cover it for two years. Who gives you a plan to replace your phone every two years, but not cover the phone in that 2 year period?? I have a phone that has 6 months left and its intermittent.
Yes, VZW is bending us over, first adding data plans to phone that have a keyboard (I only text with mine), and now even more fees.
I understand that smartphones cost more and Verizon is trying to avoid losses that may occur if someone buys a smartphone, and then cancels their contract. However, they could make a tiered ETF.
I had Verizon since it was Bell Atlantic (that's over 17 years). I had four lines. I wanted to upgrade to Blackberry's when they had the buy one get one free deal. I had one line that had the upgrade available, and another line that was due in about 45 days. They refused to do the upgrade. I complained. They said they would give me the upgrade if I would give up my credits on my other three lines. I refused. I offered to give up the credit on one line. They said no deal. I said but my monthly bill will increase because I'm getting the data plan. They didn't care.
I went to AT&T, whom I had one line with. I bought two iPhones. I called Verizon so I could port my numbers. They said "are you buying an iPhone?" I told them I was. They offered me the world. I told them what had occurred. They apologized. I said too little, too late.
My service is fine with AT&T and customer service has been excellent. When my other lines come due at Verizon, I will end all of my business with them.
@leavethegun-takethecannoli: I can explain the problem there. Well hopefully anyway. In a lot of stores the reps you deal with work on commission so doing what you were asking more than not ends in them getting screwed. I know this because I used to be a sales rep and got screwed over a few times. What was even worse is that I always got screwed over when I was bending the rules to help someone. The person on the phone does not have to worry about churn or taking a loss on phones therefore they can do whatever necessary to keep you in contract. Which really sucked for us on the floor because it just made us look bad. The fact of the matter is if you don't have an eligible line, that rep cant give you a deal without taking a hit in his own wallet. I used to offer phones to people at cost if i thought that it would make them happy but that was never cheap enough for most and they thought I was still trying to rip them off. OR you may have just dealt with a bunch or jerks at the Verizon store... that is always a possibility lol. #verizonearlyterminationfee
@mablung: To give you more info, the customer service rep I spoke to told me to go into the Verizon store and speak to the manager as they would be able to give me the deal if they (the manager) waived a few things. The manager told me the customer service rep didn't know what they were talking about. I called customer service again, and they offered me the deal if I would waive the upgrade credits on my other lines. I was upet because I was a customer for 17 years and never made a late payment and never before this had I called to complain or ask for anything. I understand your frustration though. My friend worked for Verizon for years and used to tell me horror stories involving custoemrs. #verizonearlyterminationfee
@leavethegun-takethecannoli: Wasn't necessarily customer horrors. It was more the having my hands tied behind my back when CS reps over the phone were allowed to bend over backwards. The biggest problem with Verizon internally is that the various departments don't work together and are often actually competing. The customer just ends up losing out and in the end ultimately confused. #verizonearlyterminationfee
You want a Droid. It costs $559 retail. You do not have the money, so you ask Verizon for a cheaper price. They say "Sure. How about $199 as long as you agree to stay with us for 2 years." Verizon is footing $360 to help pay for the phone. You go buy your new Droid, and then decide to screw over Verizon by leaving early. How is Verizon evil?
Until we know what devices this is meant for, I think some are getting a bit too emotional.
Didn't Verizon announce recently that they are offering the Sony Viao P for $299 (possibly 199 after rebate)? [www.engadget.com]
They are offering a few netbooks on discount. So if this is in response for people getting contracts then quickly terminating to get a device cheaper, then I see no problems with this. Nowhere does this state its $350 across the board.
@TKWarrior: For a reasonable hesitancy and willingness to listen before burning down the establishment....you get a heartclick. #verizonearlyterminationfee
@OCEntertainment: Thanks. I find it very humorous how people get so crazy over ETFs when most never deal with them.
Let's be honest here. Most people paying ETFs have nothing to do with bad phones or service, namely because they are waived in most cases (ie: moving to a location with poor reception). There are so many people out there that get a heavily subsidized device and flip it (or their previous unit) for profit even despite an ETF. I've known people that do this regularly to actually pay for their cell bill! Or its the guy that wants the latest and greatest on another network. You signed a contract, so if you want to stay cutting edge then you have to pay for it.
So what are carriers supposed to do? People are quick to cry foul about ETFs then go about paying $100+ service plans. Not to say plans will get cheaper after something like this, but I'd like to see Verizon and AT&T compete with Sprints or T-Mobile's new pricing. Is this the first step? One can dream.
Don't like ETFs? Buy the phone at cost. Can't afford it? Then do some damn basic research to find out which carrier is good in your area. Anyone who gets a phone based only on features, and not on the actual usability on the carrier is a moron anyway.
I left Verizon because I had terrible service in my area. When I told them that, they agreed to waive the ETF pending dtermination of low reception. Nearly three weeks later they called me back and confirmed the signal was terrible and agreed with waive the ETF and the final months' bill (as it had no usage during their alleged test, I'd already gone to T-Mo).
Sounds like a sweet story, except for six months later, I found out they'd left my account active. They kept billing it, yet didn't send me a bill or paperwork of any kind, and it had gone into collection. So, about $500 they claim I owe them on a service I'd canceled, with a phone I no longer own.
Long story short, fuck Verizon. They are absolutely, 100% criminals. They will patiently wait to fuck you over at their earliest convenience and rape your wallet. #verizonearlyterminationfee
@met2art: Wow, I'll be sure to avoid them. I've had my troubles with T-Mobile's billing a couple of times over the few years I've had the service, but nothing that a simple phone call couldn't remedy that same day. #verizonearlyterminationfee
@Kaiser-Machead: I haven't had any trouble with T-Mobile billing (knock on wood), and everything else about them has been exceptional. I really wanted out of Verizon, and I needed a G1. :) I'm glad I didn't listen to naysayers. #verizonearlyterminationfee
@hcho3: Admittedly, the warm fuzzies may have worn a bit, but I promised to love and obey her. But if the bitch does this to me, screw that love shit - I am so dumpin' her ass.
Remember, my friends: It is okay to love your wireless carrier, but don't love your wireless carrier. #verizonearlyterminationfee
@tmilhouse001: Now there's an interesting proposition. But if anything, they'd more likely just buy your ETF and add it on to their own. Three switches later you have a $1,200 ETF and no other carriers left to escape to. #verizonearlyterminationfee
Verizon's network can kiss my ace. I feel confident this ETF change is due to people like me: I had 4 lines with them and moved all but one to AT&T to get iPhones (2 i's, one dumb), and that fourth line is on the chopping block if Droid doesn't rock my world. Jeez, you should have heard how increasingly defeatist the customer support reps sounded on the phone with every success phone line that I switched to Verizon:
1st line: "Sir, I would like to offer you one of our many other smartphones with a discount if you choose to stay with us: (lackluster list follows)".
2nd line: "Did you know that AT&T's exclusivity contract on the iPhone will be over early next year? No need to leave now!"
3rd line: "OK, sir. I see you have been a long-term customer with Verizon. We are sorry to see you go. Can I offer you *anything*, maybe a foot massage, perhaps?".
OK, I exaggerated on the 3rd, but that's what it felt like!
Alright big V, now you guys really want to lock people in who jump on the Droid bandwagon? F that. I'm glad I left. And for the record, my AT&T service in Annapolis, MD is just FINE! #verizonearlyterminationfee
11/08/09
11/07/09
As for Verizon, no doubt they'd want their big stupid V-check branded onto the phone, and no doubt the Fruit Comp'ny will say nay. #iphone
11/07/09
11/07/09
11/07/09
About as real as this, I presume. #iphone
11/06/09
I'd actually like to see a wider switch to how t-mobile is doing it and make it no contract pricing. #998gbiphone3gs
11/06/09
But I know that will never happen :[ #998gbiphone3gs
11/05/09
Two or three giant steps backward on the path toward designing the perfect android hardware... #saygustvphonev1verizonandroid
11/04/09
I mean, the Droid is probably going to be expensive without a plan. To make sure people don't buy the phone with a contract, cancel the contract, and resell the phone for cheaper on ebay, the cost of the termination fee need to be greater than or equal to the discount you're getting. #verizonearlyterminationfee
11/04/09
After all, we are done paying for the hardware subsidy, right?
Yeah, didn't think so. #verizonearlyterminationfee
11/04/09
I'm PO'd at VZW for my LG phone. I have the new-every-2 plan. But they never told me there is no coverage on the phone after 90 days. And never tried to offer me a warranty to cover it for two years. Who gives you a plan to replace your phone every two years, but not cover the phone in that 2 year period?? I have a phone that has 6 months left and its intermittent.
Yes, VZW is bending us over, first adding data plans to phone that have a keyboard (I only text with mine), and now even more fees.
Sorry. Needed to vent... #verizonearlyterminationfee
11/04/09
I had Verizon since it was Bell Atlantic (that's over 17 years). I had four lines. I wanted to upgrade to Blackberry's when they had the buy one get one free deal. I had one line that had the upgrade available, and another line that was due in about 45 days. They refused to do the upgrade. I complained. They said they would give me the upgrade if I would give up my credits on my other three lines. I refused. I offered to give up the credit on one line. They said no deal. I said but my monthly bill will increase because I'm getting the data plan. They didn't care.
I went to AT&T, whom I had one line with. I bought two iPhones. I called Verizon so I could port my numbers. They said "are you buying an iPhone?" I told them I was. They offered me the world. I told them what had occurred. They apologized. I said too little, too late.
My service is fine with AT&T and customer service has been excellent. When my other lines come due at Verizon, I will end all of my business with them.
I won't lie though, Verizon does have better reception. #verizonearlyterminationfee
11/04/09
11/04/09
11/04/09
11/04/09
I don't get it...
11/04/09
11/04/09
11/04/09
11/04/09
Didn't Verizon announce recently that they are offering the Sony Viao P for $299 (possibly 199 after rebate)?
[www.engadget.com]
They are offering a few netbooks on discount. So if this is in response for people getting contracts then quickly terminating to get a device cheaper, then I see no problems with this. Nowhere does this state its $350 across the board.
I'll wait until all the info drops before breaking out the pitchforks. #verizonearlyterminationfee
11/04/09
11/04/09
Let's be honest here. Most people paying ETFs have nothing to do with bad phones or service, namely because they are waived in most cases (ie: moving to a location with poor reception). There are so many people out there that get a heavily subsidized device and flip it (or their previous unit) for profit even despite an ETF. I've known people that do this regularly to actually pay for their cell bill! Or its the guy that wants the latest and greatest on another network. You signed a contract, so if you want to stay cutting edge then you have to pay for it.
So what are carriers supposed to do? People are quick to cry foul about ETFs then go about paying $100+ service plans. Not to say plans will get cheaper after something like this, but I'd like to see Verizon and AT&T compete with Sprints or T-Mobile's new pricing. Is this the first step? One can dream.
Don't like ETFs? Buy the phone at cost. Can't afford it? Then do some damn basic research to find out which carrier is good in your area. Anyone who gets a phone based only on features, and not on the actual usability on the carrier is a moron anyway.
11/04/09
Sounds like a sweet story, except for six months later, I found out they'd left my account active. They kept billing it, yet didn't send me a bill or paperwork of any kind, and it had gone into collection. So, about $500 they claim I owe them on a service I'd canceled, with a phone I no longer own.
Long story short, fuck Verizon. They are absolutely, 100% criminals. They will patiently wait to fuck you over at their earliest convenience and rape your wallet. #verizonearlyterminationfee
11/04/09
11/04/09
11/04/09
Do you love your network so much that you can understand this new policy? #verizonearlyterminationfee
11/04/09
Remember, my friends: It is okay to love your wireless carrier, but don't love your wireless carrier. #verizonearlyterminationfee
11/04/09
11/04/09
11/04/09
1st line: "Sir, I would like to offer you one of our many other smartphones with a discount if you choose to stay with us: (lackluster list follows)".
2nd line: "Did you know that AT&T's exclusivity contract on the iPhone will be over early next year? No need to leave now!"
3rd line: "OK, sir. I see you have been a long-term customer with Verizon. We are sorry to see you go. Can I offer you *anything*, maybe a foot massage, perhaps?".
OK, I exaggerated on the 3rd, but that's what it felt like!
Alright big V, now you guys really want to lock people in who jump on the Droid bandwagon? F that. I'm glad I left. And for the record, my AT&T service in Annapolis, MD is just FINE! #verizonearlyterminationfee