The Kmiec Ramblings

Tag Archive: Verizon

Why I’m Switching Back To The iPhone

Written on February 9, 2011 by Adam Kmiec in Marketing & Advertising, Shopping

When my contract on AT&T was up, there was no doubt in my mind I was going to switch to Verizon. I knew that doing so would mean I’d be giving up my iPhone. I was ok with it. Mostly, because, well…the iPhone was a horrible phone. The AT&T network was horrendous; especially in Chicago. I couldn’t take the dropped calls anymore. In addition to the AT&T infrastructural problems that existed, I had a big philosophical problem with Apple, Steve Jobs and the walled garden approach to the iOS platform. I believe in open. I think open is good. I think open wins the day.

The first phone I switched to from the iPhone was the Google Nexus One. It was nearly flawless and honestly opened my eyes about what a smart phone could really be. I was hooked on Android. I loved the innovation that was happening. I loved the options – well I loved options period…something you didn’t get with Apple. My first phone on Verizon was the HTC Incredible. It wasn’t an iPhone killer. It showed promise. But, poor battery life and some strange ergonomics stopped it from being a real keeper.

Up next was the Samsung Galaxy S. This was so close…so close…so close. As I wrote a few months back:

Here’s the deal, the Samsung Galaxy S Fascinate had all the makings of being a great and legendary Android phone. But, Samsung let Verizon dictate far too many decisions. Additionally, Samsung made a number of puzzling decisions regarding email. Those decisions have an adverse impact on the end user experience and make it tough to recommend for corporate phone users. If you’re looking for a great Android phone with amazing battery life and are planning on using the phone for non corporate activities, this is a great choice. But, for you power users out there, I recommend looking at the HTC Incredible or the Droid X.

Lastly, let me say, if Samsung works out the Bing issue with Verizon and makes the needed updates to the mail app, this is a clear cut winner and would be the best Android phone on the market for Verizon and in my opinion, even the best across all carriers.

I’m on Galaxy S phone #2. My first one went through the washing machine and didn’t survive. I have a love hate relationship with the phone. I love the screen. I love the size. I love ergonomics. I hate the battery life. I hate the bloated pre-installed and un-installable software.

But, here’s what I hate the most and what has me looking at the iPhone, now that it’s on Verizon: the lack of commitment to software upgrades. Samsung Galaxy S owner are running Android 2.2. Many of the competition are already running Android 2.4 and Google is already demoing Android 3.0. Samsung and many of the other Android manufacturers (HTC, Motorola, etc.) have been rather mum on when updates will happen…if at all. Had the Google Nexus S (also made by Samsung), which in my opinion is the BEST Android phone ever built, been launched for Verizon, I’d be switching to that right now. It’s a perfect phone. Flawless. But, it’s only available for AT&T…and we already covered my feelings on that network It’s a shame really, because the Samsung Nexus S shows that Samsung can make a great phone when they aren’t being hamstrung by the carriers.

The lack of software upgrades and commitment to refining the customized flavors of Android created by cell phone manufacturers, leaves users like me feeling left out and working with buggy out of date software. All of that basically means we’re working with inferior phones.

When you talk to Apple iPhone users they often say, “it just works.” That “it just works” comes with a price and a tax. That price is limited customization. That tax is the iTunes store. But…it just works. Well damnit, I want something that just works too.

I won’t be doing the iPhone 4 though. Nope. No need to pony up the dough for out of date technology that is inferior to the Galaxy S. I’ll be waiting for the iPhone 5. I have a feeling it’s going to be a killer phone and on a network (Verizon) that actually works.

Tags: Apple, AT&T, Cell Phones, Samsung, Verizon

The HTC Incredible Isn’t Very Incredible

Written on May 18, 2010 by Adam Kmiec in Marketing & Advertising

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I was a disgruntled iPhone owner. You know the type. I hated Apple’s walled garden approach to the App Store and their Operating System. For all the luster that is anything Apple there was a certain dullness that started to show. As cool as the iPhone itself was, having to use it, or rather not be able to use it, on AT&T’s network made the iPhone a crippling device.

To say I was lusting for something new and different was an understatement. I wasn’t 100% ready to embrace the android platform because I wasn’t impressed with any of the hardware. Even the “Droid” wasn’t enticing. That was, until the Nexus One came to the market. As an early adopter I was one of the first to plop down $549.00+ for a Nexus One. While it wasn’t a perfectly perfect device, it was awesome and it sold me on the android.

The Nexus One I had was set to be used on AT&T, but I was looking forward to eventually getting a Nexus One that would work on Verizon or Sprint. It became clear that unfortunately the Nexus One was never going to make it to those two carriers. So this left me with two choices…wait for the HTC Evo on Sprint or the HTC Incredible on Verizon. Why those two phones? Because, HTC seems to have a great understanding of user experience and design. Sprint’s poor communication about the Evo’s release date made the HTC Incredible the logical choice.

Apologies for the lengthy history and background, but I wanted you to have context. I’ve had the HTC Incredible for a few weeks now and here’s what I can tell you…

The Good
Verizon’s Network – it’s everything you hoped it would be and more

HTC Sense User Interface – better than the stock google android UI and very intuitive
Android Market – thousands of Apps and total flexibility, for example I have 4 browsers installed

Peep – this is HTC’s Twitter client and it’s great, pre installed and with subtle tweaks could be perfect

The Camera – as has been covered elsewhere, it’s stunning, sharp, smart, vibrant and powerful

The Screen – it’s rich, gorgeous responsive and a joy too look at

Weight – lighter than an iPhone and thinner

The Bad
Battery Life – honestly HTC should be ashamed. The battery they chose is horrendous. Thankfully companies Iike Seido offer an extended battery…albeit at a $60.00 incremental investment. This was poor planning and short sighted.

Form Factor – the Incredible feels cheap and doesn’t wear well. There’s too many plastic pieces that will flake, show every scratch and lose its luster. Inside of a month, the Incredible will look quite average. Oh and yes the visual aesthetics do matter, because how the phone looks is part of the emotional connection we have with the device.

USB Location – it’s a little thing that’s a big thing. The location of the USB power socket is illogical. It should have been at the bottom of the phone like the Nexus One. This would have made charging the phone via a dock at home or via a lighter in the car easier. As it is right now, charging is cumbersome, which is a big time problem when you consider how bad the battery life is.

Is the HTC incredible a nice phone? Yes. But, to call it an iPhone killer or even “incredible” would be a gross over statement. At best it should have been called the HTC Good. I’m bummed, because I was hopeful for something transformational. Instead we got something neat. The Incredible is the best android phone on the market and it’s on the best network. But, that doesn’t mean it’s Incredible.

Tags: HTC, Mobile, Review, Verizon

The Real Cost Of Faking It

Written on January 20, 2010 by Adam Kmiec in Marketing & Advertising

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Do you know what the problem with advertising is? Do you know why most people don’t trust what’s said in ads? It’s quite simple really, most companies stretch the truth so far that really what they’re doing is telling a lie. Companies like AT&T spend millions of dollars trying to convince the public that their “network” is as good, if not better than Verizon’s. One of the benefits they tout is the consumer’s ability to multi-task on their phone. For example you can talk on the phone and surf the web at the same time.

I’ll let the ad do the real talking:

Technically, what AT&T is saying is true. I say technically, because so long as you are on the AT&T 3G network you can multitask. Of course the problem is that AT&T’s 3G coverage is horrendous. This isn’t a debatable question. The map doesn’t lie:

My belief is that it’s cheaper to simply be the company you want to be instead of paying millions of dollars to try and convince the public that you’re something you really aren’t. Think about it this way. Instead of dumping 10s of millions of dollars into advertising why not put that money into making the network better…into increasing coverage…into ACTUALLY SOLVING THE PROBLEM.

In the movie, Lord Of The Rings, there’s a very poignant scene when Gandalf tells Eragon “become who you were born to be.” Amen! To paraphrase, companies, become the company you should be instead of trying to convince the public you’re something that you aren’t. Trust me on this one…it’ll be cheaper in the long run.

Tags: Ads, AT&T, Cell Phones, Commercials, Verizon, Video, YouTune

The iDon’t

Written on October 18, 2009 by Adam Kmiec in Marketing & Advertising

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I love this new campaign from Verizon. It started with this set of ads that focused on Verizon’s superior coverage and AT&T’s abysmal coverage. As a former Verizon customer and a current iPhone owner I can definitely attest to the accuracy of those ads.

Following the launch of the “There’s A Map For That” spots, they then launched this one called “iDon’t.” It’s fun when you’re the challenger brand and trying to take on the brand leader. When you’re the challenger brand you can take bigger risks and be a bit more spunky. This ad does exactly that:

I’m on the fence about what to do with my cell phone situation. I love the iPhone, but I loathe Apple and I hate AT&T’s horrible coverage. The Palm Pre looks damn tasty and as soon as it launches on Verizon next year, I may have to switch. Interesting times ahead and as with all competitive situations, the consumer will ultimately win.

Tags: Advertising, Apple, Commercial, iPhone, Verizon, Video, YouTube

Infrastructure Will Cripple Mobile

Written on August 11, 2009 by Adam Kmiec in Marketing & Advertising, Travel

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I spent the last 4 days in Las Vegas, Nevada. It’s clear to see that Vegas understands the power of mobile marketing. An overwhelming number of billboards and outdoor ads opted not to use a phone number of web address as the call to action. Instead they opted for “text ABCDE to 12345.” Shows, entertainment, and restaurants alike were all using this call to action. And by watching the number of people who were stopping along the strip to try out the call to action – it was clearly an effective and smart approach by the advertisers.

Boy, I would have loved to have been one of those lucky few people. But, alas, my AT&T service and both of my colleagues’ service kept crapping out. It didn’t matter if we were in a hotel or on the strip our “3G” access was crippled. Texting, phone conversations, and access to the mobile web were all brought to a standstill. Oddly enough, there were times when the 3 of us were standing in the exact same spot, and 1 of us was operating at full capacity. Huh? How does that make sense. My favorite detail is that our iPhones all displayed full bars and 3G. Hysterical.

I’ve heard horror stories about AT&T’s network failures. There’s probably no better and more talked about example than the SXSW debacle. For those of you not in the loop, during the SXSW conference earlier this year, the number of people using the AT&T network literally took the network down. So much for more bars in more places.

Every year it seems that we here, this is the year mobile finally becomes a viable platform and option for marketers. While mobile penetration may be at an all time high, the archaic infrastructure supporting those cell phone owners will ultimately diminish the possibilities for marketers.

Now before you jump to a conclusion and think this was just an AT&T/iPhone problem, there many other people with T-Mobile and Sprint that were having the same problems. The only wireless provider that seemed to be operating at full power was Verizon. I kept thinking to myself…”Adam, just jail break the damn phone already.” I’m close.

Not unlike when the lack of broadband access posed a major hurdle to marketers wanting to capitalize on the power of the internet, our current mobile infrastructure is posing an even higher hurdle. We gotta get this thing fixed. If we don’t, how am I going to sell you discounted left sushi at 3Am when you’re completely hammered?

Tags: AT&T, iPhone, Mobile, Outdoor, SMS, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon