Textopoly Mobile Blog » Sprint

Apple me this. . .

Naushad — Mon, 10 May 2010 00:18:39 +0000

Will it? Won’t it? What will AT&T do about it? It’s Spring time and the buzz of what Apple will do, and who it will do it to is in the air. The WSJ could only point to ‘the people who were briefed’ when they delivered their article on a much anticipated CDMA version of the iPhone, slated to be produced by Pegatron Technology Corp, a Taiwanese company who, of course, declined to comment. A CDMN handset would certainly help Verizion boost up the number of smartphone subscribers (about 23% of all smart-phone users) in comparison to AT&T which is holds about 43% of the total smartphone market.

If indeed the exclusive between AT&T and Apple is to fade, it will be a monumental task for AT&T to find something to take its place. In the Q4 of 2009 AT&T activated 3.1 million iPhones. Compare this to 2.7 million phones they activated that weren’t iPhones! Even though AT&T pays a reported $600 to Steve for each iPhone and despite AT&T towers being clogged worse than a restroom at Denny’s the attraction of having that shiny gaget in your showroom floor is mighty tempting. (Besides, let Sprint subscribers have a crack at it. They have the ‘now’ network that has no more than 12 people on it. Of course it’s going to be the fastest 4G network!)

If VZN and Apple come to terms, will VZN require iPhones to play within the confines of their restricted playground? Or will Apple be allowed to roam free. . .in their own restricted playground? Will AT&T freak out if they lose the exclusive which they’ve milked since 2007? Will they look to the iPad exclusive and milk data plans instead? So many questions. . .is there an app for that?

HTC Hero – It’ll Save You!

Asif — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 19:23:16 +0000

In response to Shehzad’s “HTC…No One’s Hero”

Ohhhh little brother… You have so much more to live and learn. Kudos on the attempt though!

We can at least agree on the fact that AT&T’s network is anemic at best. However, when comparing the HTC Hero and Apple iPhone, both of which I have also owned and operated, I still feel as though the HTC, for my purposes is far greater than the iPhone.

Let me address a few of your ‘points…’

1) Size Always Matters

You are definitely correct, the HTC Hero is 10% smaller than the Apple iPhone; I don’t have a huge bulge in my hip pocket when I have the HTC Hero. However, this does not necessarily mean that it is less functional when using the virtual keyboard. I can type text messages and directions just as fast, and when the HTC Hero predicts the word you are trying to type it’s at least close if not exactly what you want to type!

2) HTC Hero = Non- Sense mobile phone

I’ll give you this one. Yes, I agree they should have made a sensor to when you put the phone to your ear it would lock the screen.

2a) HTC Hero = Social Media Guru

One of the other things that the HTC Hero does a lot better than the iPhone, is keep me connected with all my friends and family! Its’ simple integration with my Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter account, keeps me updated on all the ‘status changes’ and organizes my messages from my friends, and overall lets me stay in touch with everyone no matter where I am! I don’t even need the Facebook mobile application! With the iPhone, I have click on the stupid Facebook application, click on ‘home’ to view status updates, click on ‘profile’ to view my profile, why couldn’t they make it all integrated?!

3) Alphabetically? Really?

The menu button in the HTC Hero is really just a buy-product. They didn’t care about it because you can customize your home screen or any of the remaining 6 screens to have whatever you want on them! For example, on my home screen I have the most common items I use: contacts, Pandora, messages, email, and browser. If I flick the screen to the left, it has all of my wireless amenities, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, etc. I customize my phone to fit me and therefore never use the menu button! Furthermore, even if it is in alphabetical order, who cares, it’s so much easier to find things! When I had my iPhone, things were all over the place, and never in order, unless I customized them.

In conclusion, the iPhone is a good phone, its easy to use and meant for every Tom, Dick, and Harry, however, when you really want a phone to do a man’s job, get the HTC Hero, it’s a Hero and a Hero always wins!

PS: Let’s not forget, this is HTC’s first attempt against the iPhone, which is in its 3^rd generation. As soon as HTC gets a bit more comfortable, I have no doubt they will out do the iPhone in every category.

Want to chat about mobile over lunch!? My treat! Email me at: Asif[at]textopoly[dot]com

HTC … No One’s Hero

Shehzad — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:47:17 +0000

In response to this post by Asif: “HTC, My Hero”

Ohhhh Asif.

I also had an iPhone, but then switched to Sprint since AT&T’s reception was nearly non-existent in San Francisco. So I do agree with Asif’s opinion of AT&T. However, I don’t agree with his taste in phones.

After moving to Sprint I first tried the Palm Pre for 3 weeks, then the HTC Hero for 2 weeks. I then sprint (!) back to the Palm Pre. Though I do like my Palm Pre, no phone will ever come close to the iPhone.

Maybe Asif and I look for different features in a mobile phone. I mean, of course, I want my phone to make calls, text, get email, etc. But just as important is the usability. As an avid Mac user (and lover) for the past 6 years, trust me when I say that no company infuses their products with more thought, intuition or genius than Apple.

Here are only four of the many reasons why the HTC Hero on Sprint simply does not compete with the iPhone:

1) Size Always Matters

Being a touch-only phone, a bigger screen is essential for speed and ease of use of the virtual keyboard. The HTC Hero’s width is almost 10% smaller than the iPhone – making the iPhone easier to text/email with.

2) HTC Hero = Non-sense mobile phone

One of the most ingenious and intuitive features the iPhone sported years ago was what I will call the “ear sensor.” That is the sensor that turns the screen off when you are on a call so that your ear doesn’t touch things on the screen and accidently hang up the call.

So when HTC decided to follow Apple and make a touch-only screen phone, why would they not include this sensor!!?? At MINIMUM, HTC should strive to do all the things an iPhone does. I mean, no one is asking HTC to be creative or inventive here – just copy what’s out there!

AHHHH!!!!!

Simply Stupid.

3) END and LOCK are not the same HTC!

After discovering #2 above I thought – maybe I should stop being so lazy, and just lock the screen manually when I’m on the phone. I mean, how hard could it be? Just simply press the screen lock button, right?

WRONG! The “screen lock” button is the same as the “end call” button on the Hero! How moronic! Does this company not use their phones before releasing them into the market? I mean, what engineer sat there and thought this was a good idea?

AHHHH!!!!!

Even Stupider!

4) Alphabetically? Really?

For as long as I can remember using a cell phone (about 8-9 years) I have never seen a phone list their applications/icons in alphabetical order! Even the old-school Nokia’s and Motorola’s listed the icons in order from most frequently used to least frequently used.

With the coming of smartphones/PDA phones the user was able to reorganize the icons and applications. So when a phone (and operating system) that boasts themselves on the “customizability” of their phones restricts users to an alphabetically arranged application menu – I was shocked, appalled, and amazed – all at the same time.

I don’t ever use the Amazon MP3 Store! I dont care for it. On the Palm Pre it’s on my last screen… but on the Hero its one of the first icons and it can’t be removed!

AHHHHH!!!!!

Just Idiotic.

Conclusion

Is the iPhone without its own list of issues? Of course not.

But one thing is for sure – the iPhone (and Apple in general) will always be superior to other phones when it comes to usability, and because of that the Sprint HTC Hero is simply not even a competitor in my book.

HTC, My Hero

Asif — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:22:59 +0000

About 7 months ago I made the jump from my Blackberry to the brand new Apple iPhone 3GS; and about 6 months and 2 weeks ago I jumped to the Sprint HTC Hero, and I couldn’t be happier. Now, before you jump to comment on how much the iPhone is better and that I have no idea what I’m talking about, blah blah blah, just hear me out…ready? Are you calm?

So, for my needs, I wanted 3 basic functionalities from my mobile device; 1) make a phone call without interrupted service, or dropped calls, 2) allow me to retrieve my email, make phone calls and let me send text messages for at least 3 hours without the phone dying, and 3) let me upload my music/movies/pictures from different sources without restriction to just one particular machine! During my first week of iPhone 3GS integration, I could not make a phone call without a dropped call, I had a flat tire at 9am and used the phone to send emails, and conduct office work while I waited for the tow truck, and by 11:30am I had less than 20% battery life! To make matters more complicated, I couldn’t transfer music or movies from my brother’s Apple before my flight, and was annoyed by the lady next to me for 3 hours!

I know that the iPhone is very sexy, and they have millions of apps, but really I don’t need that many apps. Just give me Bank of America mobile, ESPN mobile, Facebook, and Sprint Navigation or Google Maps, and I’m all good. All I need is a phone that can take care of the essential parts of my life when I’m away from the office or home. Now, you’re probably wondering why I moved my entire carrier too… well, AT&T’s customer service was the reason why I moved. I won’t get into much detail because then this blog would be more like a novel, but call me, we’ll do lunch and I’ll tell you what happened.

One last thing, I do own a Mac, I would never purchase anything else when it comes to computers and music devices, however, when it comes to mobile, until Apple can get on a carrier that can let me make phone calls, and until they make a phone that can last through an episode of I Love Lucy, I’m sticking to my HTC Hero because it really did save me.

Ireland: land of Guiness, potatoes & mobile

Naushad — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:16:31 +0000

From the moment I landed in Europe mobile campaigns assisting alongside traditional marketing campaigns are widespread. Alcohol brand Carlsberg is using a mobile call to action with a fun campaign called “What’s on, where?”. User can text CARLSBERG to the short code to get information on where the party’s at! The call to actions are properly placed on coasters at all pubs in Dublin and to increase participation, the texts for the Carlsberg campaign are a freetext which does not take away from the users standard rate messaging plan. In the States this is called Free to the End User (FTEU), but is not supported cross-carrier (surprise, surprise). Currently Carriers that will approve a FTEU campaign are T-Mobile, AT&T and perhaps Verizon (yes, “perhaps”). Whether or not U.S. Carriers will support a program from a alcohol brand is on a case-by-case basis with the fundamental thought that if the program encourages a user to drink then it most likely won’t be allowed, but then again there are exceptions to this too.

The Miller Light campaign is called Give It A Twist. The CTAs ask users to take a picture with an interesting twist and text the photo to the long-code 353833333224 for the weekly chance to win money and a trip to NYC. Conceptually we’ve done programs like this in the States, but instead of asking users to send the picture to a phone number the picture is typically sent to an email address. Yes, it would be much easier to have the picture sent via MMS to a short code, but the only Carriers in the U.S. that support a MMS to short code campaign are AT&T and Verizon. Sprint will allow MMS to short code but only if the brand will charge the end user to participate, thus a premium program only. Alltel, Cin Bell and Cricket are ‘maybes’.

Just as we’ve been hearing for the past 3 years, ‘experts’ are saying that this upcoming year is the year for mobile; we’ll see if the Carriers are listening because brands, agencies and creative kats are ready to start using the ubiquitous mobile device in conjunction with traditional marketing more frequently. However, it’s hard when programs such as FTEU, MMS to short codes, downloadable content, and even standard rate alerts services are not cross-carrier! (Yup, even standard rate alerts are not cross-carrier, ask Cricket for starters.)

The Now Network is Now Specific

Karla — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:23:33 +0000

Sprint launched its new Compliancy Program in early July. Since then companies and agencies are scrambling through the Power Point and asking themselves if the Now Network is now too specific.

Sprint’s new attention to minor details and demands might be a bit too excessive for some. For example, the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) regulation for an opt out message is phrased as “text STOP 2 stop”. For Sprint users, however, the Carrier requires different language! This causes a small programming hiccup in that brands will need to setup the message flow for Sprint differently and since Sprint’s required language is longer than the MMA, Sprint users will be delivered less content from the brand. The larger issue with some of these new policies by Sprint is that the inconsistency of rules make our industry appear defragmented, conclusively making entering the mobile marketing world increasingly difficult and off putting.

In fact, specifications from the Now Network sometimes override the Consumer Best Practices (CPB) guidelines, a globally followed regulatory document created by the MMA. For example, the CBP guidelines state that renewal dates need not be mentioned (page 19), in the text to the user, Sprint demands its display (page 87).

Failure to follow these Now Network rules may lead to violations in Sprint’s Severity Violation System. This is a system where violations are rated 1 to 3, with 1 being major and 3 being minor. Violations lead to other unflattering procedures such as audits, which recently, Sprint has been dishing out quite generously. Some repeated violations may lead to termination of the short code.

All this leads me to ponder, if the majority of brands are already abiding by CBP guidelines, which are drafted by Aggregators, major Content Providers AND Carriers, will brands choose not to support Sprint as a participating carrier from their campaigns? I don’t think this will be case, but if individual Carriers begin drafting rules that conflict with what the Best Practices Guidelines say, then what is the value of that document? More importantly, when will the U.S. mobile market have consistency of services, programs, rules and regulations so that developers and spirited innovators can further push this exciting industry?

Although the Now Network may intend to create a more happy mobile world with its compliancy program, they must admit that their policies somewhat differ from the CPB and can potentially lead to some confusion and misdirection.