Posted on 04/28/2012 7:34:50 AM PDT by SmokingJoe
AT&T and Verizon Wireless want Windows Phone smartphones to succeed in the U.S., partly to provide leverage against Apple's demands for subsidies and other concessions required for selling the popular iPhone.
AT&T recently began selling the Nokia Lumia 900 with the Windows Phone 7 operating system for a competitive $99.99 price. Meanwhile, Verizon Chief Financial Officer Fran Shammo recently told Reuters that Verizon is "really looking at the Windows Phone 8.0 platform because that's a differentiator."
Both carriers need a strong competitor -- like Windows Phone -- to go up against the iPhone and Android phones, analysts said. The wireless carriers could then tell Apple that they can sell quality smartphones that don't cost the carriers as much as the iPhone to subsidize. The iPhone sells well but also eats into carrier profits because of the subsidy and related costs.
"Mobile operators are sick of taking orders from Apple, [which is one] reason why carriers like AT&T and Verizon are backing Windows Phone," said Yankee Group analyst Katie Lewis in a blog posted Wednesday. "IPhones are occupying an increasingly dangerous share of operators' smartphone sales," she wrote.
In 2011, iPhones were half of AT&T's smartphone sales -- totaling about 16 million iPhones -- while Verizon has seen a strong surge recently in the same direction, Lewis noted. "The companies' fears of an Apple takeover are growing stronger," she added, partly because customer surveys show an increase in future buyers interested in owning an iPhone.
Apple's demands for subsidies in order for a carrier to sell an iPhone are legendary. U.S. carriers heavily subsidize all smartphone hardware, primarily to entice new customers to buy a two-year service contract that costs more than $1,700 over that period.
(Excerpt) Read more at pcworld.com ...
Why AT&T and Verizon Are Rooting for Windows Phones
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/24/carriers-windows-phone/
I have the iPhone - three in fact in the family. We love it. However, Apple is very unflexible and circuitous about loading files (pictures, CD media, and documents) on it. If you stay with an iPhone you are at Apple’s mercy and mostly locked into iTunes. I realize there are work arounds, etc. but they aren’t as simple as connecting the phone and moving files to/from your computer. Especially without that damned iTunes program.
I can’t remember where I read it, but some expert out there somewhere is predicting Android will take a bigger hit than Apple when windows phones really get rolling. The reasoning was that of the three, only google/chrome/android do not have and do not have plans for a unified desktop/smartphone operating system.
My LG is mal functioning. My son has told me to get an iphone. I am with ATT. What do you recommend?
Intel just released their first proc. for cell phones (and other similar devices) referred to as “Medfield”; first phones utilizing this beastie are now being sold in India (Lava Xolo X900). This is an Android phone, but I bet it’s just a matter of time before you see them in Windows phones.
Intel muscle with MS’s new OS will be very, very powerful indeed. Worth watching.
I’m using a Nokia Lumina 900 Windows phone. So far, I love it. Finally gave up on an old Blackberry, and the transition has been pretty painless. And - I got if for $19 on Amazon with ATT service.
Careful what you're wishing for, there. You just might get it, lol.
I have a Windows7 phone through T-Mobile and couldn’t be happier.
I wish US Cell. had the Lumia 900. I’d give it a try.
Even through Amazon? (I’m not sure how that works with other carriers).
Why would they want Windows Phone to succeed (which is unlikely) as a competitor to Apple, when they already have Android?
For example, the iPhone doesn't include a carrier's logo on the exterior, while most Android phones and others will prominently show the carrier's name above the manufacturer's name, Llamas said. Once turned on, an iPhone relegates the carrier's name to a narrow banner at the top of a home screen along with the number of bars of network reception, while many other phones have a carrier's logo splashed on a separate screen during the booting process. Carrier-branded apps prevalent on many smartphones, including the Lumia 900, are buried in iPhones.
Apple does the same with their computers, too. When you buy a Mac, it's not pre-loaded with tons of useless crap and icons. And it doesn't have 20 stickers on it.
Have you tried a reconditioned IPhone from ATT? You can get a refurbished 3GS for .01, plus shipping and activation. Only available online.
Get an iPhone. You will never look back. I am on my third iPhone, and have loved every one. I upgrade about every two years, not because I have to but because I want the increased speed and new features.
Use a case and a screen protector. The secret of the ages is that even if the phone is beyond the time of its extended warranty, I have had Apple replace them free, if they are in very good condition.
IPhone ping.
My android malfunctions also.
I finally broke down and got an Apple iPhone.
I absolutely love it. For example, I just dictated this post on my cell phone.
Thanks to all of you...I will arrange for an Iphone without hesitation.
Cheers!!
Thanks for the additional recommendation that I use a case and get a screen protector. I think my LG is malfunctioning because of a screen.dispositioning.
I didn’t know about screen protectors!!
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