KenC

Mobile Phone Industry in Denial About Economy

Of course, any consumer has to look at his budget and decide what is essential and what isn't. Is that landline essential, when you have an iPhone? Nope. Okay, that saves $40. Are those premium cable channels essential? Nope, okay, some more saved there. Is that sports package necessary? Nah, football season is over. Is the Netflix account necessary? Heck, yeah, I'll just go out to the movies less. And, on and on. What it comes down to is utility. If the smartphone in your pocket is not doing giving you enough bang for your buck, then by all means, can it. The difference between the smartphone and the other items most consumers will consider canning is that most smartphones come with 2-year contracts. The decision to can usually comes at time of renewal, and since that comes in 2-year cycles, one would assume that smartphones as a sector would be relatively cushioned compared to other non-essentials.

Each Time I See Google's Android Pitch I Like It Less and Less

Does Google even have a Customer Service department? I use Grandcentral, which was bought by Google, and there's no way to contact Google if you have a problem. Their forums are virtually useless, and unmonitored. I couldn't update the list of phones I wanted my GC number to call for a week.

On Google's finance forums, the level of spam is horrific. Try searching for some of Sumer's posts. They are vile, and yet, Google keeps letting this person post. I understand 1st Amendment rights, but this person is seriously deranged. Is anyone monitoring Google's finance forums?

Gmail goes offline every once in a while, with little comment from Google.

Does the fact that everything they release is "beta" give them carte blanche to not provide any customer support?

If they take this hands-off approach to Android apps, they are going to have a big problem.