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Motorola A920 marketing blunder |
invaders
Joined: Jul 22, 2002
Posts: 63
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A920 (P800 competitor running Symbian/UIQ) could run all apps written for the P800, but Hutchinson have decided to lock it completely so nothing can be installed. Incredibly stupid decision, I'm nominating it for my Marketing Failure of the Year Award. One big incentive for switching to the A920 is the built-in GPS, but if I can't install my Wayfinder navigation software, why would I switch? No games, no Handyday, nothing ! Read this and laugh out loud:
"The Hutchison 3G UK Holdings Ltd has locked down the new Motorola-built smart phone for its "3" service, seemingly in an effort to stop the device being used for nefarious purposes. However, the plan denies users of the device access to applications written for the similar Symbian-based handset from Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB.
Symbian Ltd confirmed to ComputerWire last week that the A920 featured a "closed" version of its operating system, but 3 has only just confirmed what this means in practice. A spokesperson for the operator told ComputerWire that the device was being treated as a "walled garden" with users only able to install 3-approved applications on the device.
By doing so, Hutchison is preventing users and developers from taking advantage of the basic similarities between the A920 and Sony Ericsson's established P800. With both phones using the same fundamental systems software - Symbian OS v7.0 and the UIQ pen-based interface - the A920 could have come to market with a host of ready-made third-party applications. Symbian confirmed that P800 applications should, in theory, work with the A920.
Hutchison's stance, while potentially irritating to users and developers, has some basis in common sense. The A920 is one of the most sophisticated mobile devices yet brought to market, combining the Symbian OS, high-speed 3G access and assisted global positioning system in one package.
While there is little evidence yet of phone functionality being hijacked by hackers or rogue application writers, the A920's capabilities offer some of the best opportunities yet for exploitation.
Hutchison's decision to lock down the A920 is similar to that used by Orange SA with its Microsoft-powered SPV smart phone, which for some months after launch could only run Orange-certified software. However, Orange eventually relented, albeit in the guise of a "temporary" workaround to give developers access to the device for testing purposes.
Hutchison appears likely to follow suit in due course. The spokesperson said the device would become more open going forward, although no time line was placed on this development. The operator has previously taken a similar approach to content, although it is now starting to bring in partner sites. |
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Vlammetje
Joined: Mar 01, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Den Haag
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This should make quite a few ppl hold off on buying that phone thru 3 now... especially ppl that already have a P800...
Interesting decision.
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Ru
Joined: Sep 01, 2003
Posts: 80
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May be 'cos Motorola have decided to 'abandon' symbian...
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/68/32594.html
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SonySandy
Joined: Aug 07, 2003
Posts: 267
From: Sunny Scotland
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You wouldn't think they'd get away with locking down the phone in such a way, look at the way Microsoft get their knuckes wrapped whenever they hold anything back from 3rd party developers!
Well i can safely say i won't be buying one of those phones! |
epscilon
Joined: Apr 02, 2003
Posts: 337
From: UK
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Quote:
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On 2003-09-03 10:04:43, SonySandy wrote:
You wouldn't think they'd get away with locking down the phone in such a way, look at the way Microsoft get their knuckes wrapped whenever they hold anything back from 3rd party developers!
Well i can safely say i won't be buying one of those phones!
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That is a slightly different situation Sandy. They don't have a monopoly like Microsoft. If Motorolla phones took more than a 90% share in the market place there would rightly be uproar but as there is a lot of choice in the mobile phone market unlike the OS market it's not really an issue.
Back on topic I can see why they are doing this as 3g is pretty new technology but it wil surely turn people off as they have not got as much scope to do things as with the p800.
There can only be one|eno eb ylno nac erehT
Ebuyer Blue Acrylic Xion Case - 400w PSU
MSI Nforce K7N2 Delta-ILSR Motherboard |
oferlaor
Joined: Feb 22, 2003
Posts: 280
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Forget the A920, it will soon fade away in our memories. |
epscilon
Joined: Apr 02, 2003
Posts: 337
From: UK
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Hehe, Yeah I guess it will. Though on the surface it does look like a great phone. What would be good would be a phone comparable to the p800 on the 3g network.
There can only be one|eno eb ylno nac erehT
Ebuyer Blue Acrylic Xion Case - 400w PSU
MSI Nforce K7N2 Delta-ILSR Motherboard |
mannequin
Joined: Apr 17, 2003
Posts: 60
From: london
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i think they decided to lock the fone cos of gps mayb? some1 could develop a program to track other users fones? just my 2 pence as it were  |
Jah
Joined: Jun 22, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: UK
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As 3 does not support high spped data the A920 cannot be used to collect email or surf the web. Sounds like 3 have decided to provide even fewer services that current 2.5G networks! |
KoKayne
Joined: Jun 13, 2003
Posts: 55
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Suckers...... |
Jah
Joined: Jun 22, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: UK
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You can sign a petition on the restrictions on the A920 here
http://www.petitiononline.com/a920/petition.html
Add your vote! |
Gnuig
Joined: Apr 16, 2002
Posts: 73
From: Denmark
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Just signed
Was very close to sign with 3, as they launch moday here in Denmark.
But my interested has since dropped completely, as I have read up on the A920 stats. Nice phone, but too bad the lock it.
For my next phone I want to be able to install 3rd party software, as there is a lot of nice add-ons for symbian out there.
Still waitning for the SX1 (should be here any day now??)... nicer would be the p900 though, but I'm afraid it will take a while before in stores (not even officially launched by  yet)
Cheers. |
dobi
Joined: Sep 17, 2003
Posts: 48
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is it true that the A920 doesnt have infrared and bluetooth? smartphone, my a5s! |
Jaw_B
Joined: Nov 28, 2001
Posts: 11
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Well, I believe its possible to run software on the a920 now... (link from another forum)
http://www.uk-net.org/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=93 |
GodzRekordz
Joined: Jun 11, 2003
Posts: 46
From: The Cold Cold North
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Its already been cracked by the ozzies go thru mobileburn for the link and a review
This message was posted from a T68i |
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Posted: 2003-09-03 08:09
