{"id":6134,"date":"2007-11-30T18:13:14","date_gmt":"2007-11-30T18:13:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.tmcnet.com\/blog\/rich-tehrani\/e-commerce\/xv6800-why-verizon-wireless-opened-up.html"},"modified":"2007-11-30T18:13:14","modified_gmt":"2007-11-30T18:13:14","slug":"xv6800-why-verizon-wireless-opened-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tmcnet.com\/blog\/rich-tehrani\/technology\/xv6800-why-verizon-wireless-opened-up.html","title":{"rendered":"XV6800: Why Verizon Wireless Opened Up"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
There could not be a happier person on the face of the earth than I regarding Verizon Wireless opening up<\/a> its network. And while I thought I pegged some of the reasons <\/a>for Verizon making this decision in a recent blog post<\/a>, the actual reason is probably a great deal simpler.<\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
My take? The XV6800 <\/a>handset.<\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
You see, the XV6700 <\/a>handset while rife with problems such as slowdowns and freezes was a great product for its time. The comfortable mobile keyboard, the widescreen 320×240 view and the Microsoft Office compatible applications made this device a winner. Now, about 2 years later, Verizon and HTC, the company behind this device have come up with the 6800, a phone with so few new features over the 6700, it isn’t really even worth writing about.<\/div>\n
\"\"
 <\/div>\n
Regardless, I started to jot down the new features of the 6800 but it quickly became more interesting to write about paint drying or erosion.<\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
It is obvious with the release of this new smartphone that Verizon execs had a meeting and said in unison, “We give up.” They continued, “If we can’t produce a real upgrade on a flagship handset in two years, it is time to throw in the towel. Let’s open up the network” \ud83d\ude42<\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
While I am kidding ( a little anyway) this is especially true in light of the fact Apple came out of nowhere and designed a phone that blows away everything currently in the Verizon store.<\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
I mean is it so difficult to make a bigger screen? I understand part of the problem here is the Microsoft OS but I don’t care. Why does this phone need to have an inferior browsing experience compared to an iPhone? It has been two years. What takes so long?<\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
So in short, if you want to know why Verizon Wireless opened up their network, just look to the 6800… The lack of incremental improvements is enough to make anyone want to give up.<\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
The saddest part about this story is my Verizon Wireless contract is up and the 6800 is probably the best replacement for the 6700 which I currently use. But how on earth, I must reiterate the question — was the company not able to come up with a bigger screen?<\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
This phone is sad… Really sad. HTC should look at the Nokia 8100<\/a> for ideas.<\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
Another option to consider is the Verizon Voyager “iPhone Killer<\/a>” but so far the specs are not so impressive. The screen resolution is a bit bigger than the 6800 so perhaps this is a good interim solution until something better comes out.<\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
I will keep you posted on the decision for sure so check back often. And as always, your comments are appreciated.<\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n
See also:<\/div>\n
 <\/div>\n