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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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 ANALYSIS 
5

Great Network Won't Make Up for Boring Phones

Verizon has reach, but is way behind on sexy smartphones

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(Newser) – Verizon’s network may be the envy of its peers, but its smart phones definitely aren’t, writes Priya Ganapati. Caught off guard by the iPhone phenomenon, the carrier has taken a very cautious approach to new devices, subjecting them to a long testing process. As a result, while its competitors have carved out niches, Verizon is stuck in place.

AT&T has the iPhone, Sprint has the inside line on Palm, and T-Mobile has established itself as the Google Android carrier. All Verizon has is the popular, but critically panned BlackBerry Storm and dull BlackBerry Tour. “They recognize they don’t have compelling devices right now,” says one industry researcher, “but feel they can make up for it with network quality.”

In this July 24, 2009 photo, a display of Verizon Wireless phones at Best Buy in Mountain View, Calif., is shown.
In this July 24, 2009 photo, a display of Verizon Wireless phones at Best Buy in Mountain View, Calif., is shown.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
In this July 28, 2008 file photo, a cell phone user passes a Verizon store in New York.
In this July 28, 2008 file photo, a cell phone user passes a Verizon store in New York.   (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, file)
Eric Roden talks on his cell phone as he walks past a Verizon store in Portland, Ore., Monday, July 28, 2008.
Eric Roden talks on his cell phone as he walks past a Verizon store in Portland, Ore., Monday, July 28, 2008.   (AP Photo/Don Ryan)
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5 comments
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hamsammichs
Sep 17, 09 10:44 AM CDT
So tell me again, what is the point of a sassy smartphone if the service is mediocre? Reply
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pwnage
Sep 17, 09 10:56 AM CDT
I guess it depends where you are. I went with AT&T only because it's the only service that doesn't have dead zones all over my town, including my house.
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+1
Yourself
Sep 17, 09 11:36 AM CDT
and this is why Verizon has been wanting the iPhone now for a while. They had a chance of getting it originally, but didn't like the fact that the appstore was an itunes only feature. they're kicking themselves now and trying to work out a deal with Apple. Reply
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Snarfeh
Sep 17, 09 12:51 PM CDT
Verizon sucks. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Mr.C
Sep 17, 09 11:39 PM CDT
their selection of phones do. They are very stripped down - they take off software that other companies have on the same phone and one VW phone I was set to buy had a button that didn't function at all b/c of VW's software.
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