Verizon snuffs Google for Microsoft search Verizon has unilaterally updated user Storm 2 BlackBerries and other smartphones so that their browser search boxes can only be used with Microsoft Bing. The move is part of the five-year search and advertising deal Verizon signed with Microsoft in January for a rumored $500m. Verizon pushed the search change over its network …
Don't you think things have gone too far when a telephone network provider can dictate which search engine you use? It's time for government intervention to reign in mobile telcos who have gone too far, trying to control what content you use, rather than giving you the choice.
I've never used the default landing page provided by any mobile telco - they're full of celebutard news and the like and get in the way of (a) real news and (b) why I opened the browser in the first place - both whilst eating some of my bandwidth (that of course we get to pay for ex-nose here)
I can see making Bing the default, but to completely remove anything else seems... short sighted on Verizon's part. Still, it's in keeping with how Microsoft likes to push their stuff. Pay money, force the change, then claim a "huge uptake in the product" without saying that they had to pay oodles to force people to use it.
So here we go again. Lack of choice foisted on people by Microsoft, using money gained from its continuing monopoly on the desktop. It's how they've pushed into new markets for years. Pretty much Standard Operating Procedure for them really.
I'd be pissed if I was one of their users... Bing couldn't find itself if there was a big neon sign saying "I'm here" with an arrow pointing the way.
Seriously, I've been pushed off into a Bing search by MS website 404's, and the result is that it finds nothing. Off to Google, and there I have the answer at the top of the list (using the same query).
I have a T-Mobile Blackberry, and I can choose from Google, Yahoo, Wikipedia or Dictionary.com.
As far as I know, there isn't any way for me to add Bing to that list.
I've been using Bing and Google in recent months on my PC - Google still has the edge, but Bing is less likely to return shopping sites when I'm looking for reviews.
I am sure there will be a hack to disable remote settings change in the near future.
That would be like verzion changing all my mp3 on my phone I bought with verizon mp3 commericals.
STAY AWAY FROM MY USER EXPERIENCE VERIZON OR I WILL HACK MY OWN PHONE
BING SUCKS BIG BALLS FOR SURE!
Yes, this move is excellent! I'm sure someone can now easily make a case for more regulation/oversight with the telcos, and I bet this comes close to overstepping the common carrier provisions.
This is going to blow up in Verizon's face just like comments from AT&T cause Net Neutrality to become a real issue. They will wish they had left well enough alone.
Is this change something that unhappy users can get out of contracts without paying terminations fees for? If the phone was advertized or shown by salesman to have search choice capability and then that goes away, is it a bait and switch thing to use against their fees?
So what, cancel your contract pay the ETF if you have to, send verizon a message,
If 5 or 10million customers leave paying $30+/mo just for that data package that will send a strong message... 30x10,000,000 customers would be $300,000,000 a MONTH they would lose...
in what two months more than the 500mil for the deal... this way u dont even have to cancel the service just switch to a regular feature phone razr like or what not...
If you can't live without your bb/pda then go buy the Moto Droid or Droid Eris HTC phone with GOOGLE and have whatever services/apps you want!!!
If you pick a locked down Blackberry or WINDOWS MOBILE!!! phone what do you expect?
...that doesn't see the HUUUUGGGGEEE life threatening, end of the universe issue?
1 can you go to
www.google.com?
Yes.
2. Can you add favourites (no Idea as i have no need to receive emails at 3am whilst on holiday, but I would really hope so) ? So add www.google.com to favourites.
IT'S NOT F*****G HARD!
Oh crap my home page is the company intranet, how will I find stuff on the outside world. I'm going to vent my fury in a tweet. That will show them.
Chairman Julius Genachowski,
Commissioner Michael J. Copps,
Commissioner Robert McDowell,
Commissioner Mignon Clyburn,
Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker
RE: Verizon snuffs Google for Microsoft search
(link to article included in original email)
Verizon has unilaterally blocked a Blackberry user's choice of which search service to use on that device by blocking Google's search engine and forcing users to the Microsoft Bing search engine. From the above web link: "The move is part of the five-year search and advertising deal Verizon signed with Microsoft in January for a rumored $500m."
This is a clear example of a service provider, Microsoft, paying for improved access to broadband customers. Not only improved, but exclusive access to Verizon Blackberry customers. Instead of the user's search results covering the entire web, they are forced to accept only what MS/Bing chooses to give them. Microsoft paid $500 Million for this exclusivity; one can only assume that Microsoft will now market it's exclusive search function to advertisers, who will pay Microsoft to be prominently displayed to the captive audience. Moreover, to make this pay off Microsoft will likely suppress advertisers who don't pay. Please remember that Microsoft is a convicted monopolist, as is Verizon in it's former life as part of the old ATT.
As part of the FCC study of Net Neutrality, please consider this a major violation. Verizon is using public frequencies and must provide full internet service to all cell devices without interference; they must allow the end users to select any web service of choice. If this Verizon action is allowed to stand, the next step will be Verizon putting similar restrictions on ALL smart phones on their network. After that it will spread to other cell networks.
Sincerely
RCharles
PS: anyone can send a message to the FCC Commissioners - just Google the FCC and look through the main FCC page or find a link called "How to Contact the Federal Communications", which displays the names and email addresses. This is open government!! (You won't get that level of access to other branches of the federal government.)
Hey everyone! I've set up a website and petition to help get Verizon's attention concerning this issue. It's still a work in progress, but I'd love to have you check it out and let me know what you think...
If you'd like to help get Google (and the other search engine options) back on Verizon, please visit:
http://www.shameonyouverizonwireless.com/
Again, feel free to give me feedback and suggestions! We can do this!
You can also follow the cause at http://twitter.com/shameonyouvzw
Spread the word!
-Jeffrey
__________________
www.jdriel.com
twitter.com/jdriel
facebook.com/jdriel
The Register 
Biting the hand that feeds IT
Copyright. All rights reserved © 1998–2024
