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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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Posted: 2003-09-03 08:09:16
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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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Posted: 2003-09-03 09:40:06
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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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Posted: 2003-09-03 09:53:12
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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!
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Posted: 2003-09-03 10:04:43
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Quote:
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!
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.
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Posted: 2003-09-03 10:18:52
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Forget the A920, it will soon fade away in our memories.
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Posted: 2003-09-03 10:27:50
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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.
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Posted: 2003-09-03 10:29:50
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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
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Posted: 2003-09-03 16:29:19
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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!
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Posted: 2003-09-03 22:12:53
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Suckers......
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Posted: 2003-09-03 23:16:19
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