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Verizon blocking MP3's?? Anyone??

SteveHRocks

Jan 9, 2006, 5:19 AM
I found this on another board and thought it was interesting. Anyone have any thoughts on this??

from: http://engadget.com/2006/01/07/micro...reless -phones/

Microsoft blocking MP3s on Verizon Wireless phones?
Posted Jan 7th 2006 11:27AM by Barb Dybwad
Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Audio

So there seems to be some fallout from Verizon's music download service -- users who choose to "upgrade" their handsets to support the Verizon Wireless music store are doing so at a tradeoff: you'll no longer be able to play MP3s on your phone. The new phone software prevents you from playing MP3s on the phone as a result of an agreement Verizon Wireless made with Microsoft, the latter of whom stipulated that if the Verizon Wireless music store...
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user101

Jan 9, 2006, 8:22 AM
That is incorrect, the new VZW music service WILL play Mp3's and WMA format songs, what it wont play is AAC or whatever the heck "I tunes" format is.
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Celling_it

Jan 9, 2006, 8:27 AM
Sorry dude once the phone is flashed with the new software it will only play wma files, but mp3 files will be automatically converted to wma when you use the usb cable and windows media10 to load the songs on the phone. So it is really a non issue as far as that goes. No reason for people to get worked up about it.
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Mary424

Jan 9, 2006, 9:31 AM
Just curios, you have to use a data cable to put them on the card? You can't drag and drop like before? Also, if a cable has to be used, can this also be done with a USB Bluetooth adapter instead?
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SForsyth01

Jan 9, 2006, 11:27 AM
Celling_it said:
Sorry dude once the phone is flashed with the new software it will only play wma files, but mp3 files will be automatically converted to wma when you use the usb cable and windows media10 to load the songs on the phone. So it is really a non issue as far as that goes. No reason for people to get worked up about it.

No reason to get worked up? You are telling me that I can no longer drag and drop MP3's to my transflash card and play them on my phone. I need to send them to my phone using a USB cable that Verizon does not sell???? Sounds like something to get worked up about to me. Verizon strikes again. 🙄
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bigmoneymike

Jan 9, 2006, 1:57 PM
I agree with SForsyth01, this is absolutely egregious behavior on VZW's part. This is yet another step in the long line of bad faith, ill-made misbegotten descions by executives who do not "get it". This is why I left VZW after many years. Don't even get me started about the bluetooth crippling, what a joke. I was in the store once doing a NE2 upgarde, and a guy came in with FIVE phones and said "Why cant I sync these phones via Bluetooth like everybody else?" The rep said, and I am not kidding, "Sir, its a Security issue and VZW will not compromise your security." What bull****.

I don't know why this crap does not get more media coverage.
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SteveHRocks

Jan 9, 2006, 2:26 PM
Well I agree Verizon seems like the old USSR when it comes to things they do. However, I cant complain about their coverage, best out there and I have had them all (still have Cingular too.)

The Bluetooth thing doesnt bother me that much at all because I doubt i will ever use this technology. I just think the whole issue with the MP3's is like taking 2 steps back after they made 1 step forward. Definately NOT a good move.

I will be keeping version 4. (No need to upgrade as Verizon has YET to have EV-DO available in Nashville...yet Tennessee's much smaller markets have it already.)
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kvazzz

Jan 9, 2006, 3:00 PM
I have unlocked OBEX on my E815! Hmm... I've used it only once, it's so much faster just to use the memory card...
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vzwgal21

Jan 10, 2006, 10:45 PM
I think the thing that a lot of people don't understand is that Verizon is a corporation...not a free-for-all public service organization. They are in the business to make profits, not to give everybody everything they want all the time. You wanna harp about egregious behavior? Read into Wal-Mart and how they treat Chinese workers...seriously, there are more important things in the world to worry about than bluetooth capabilities. 😳
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Celling_it

Jan 9, 2006, 4:23 PM
Do you really think that they will not be selling the USB cables with the launch of vcast. A cable is cheaper than a memory card anyway. Everyone gets all worked up about little things. How many tmes have I heard why doesn't VZW let me sink info into my phone with a usb?? Why do I have to buy apps from get it now? Now VZW is allowing you to do this and you are complaining about that too!!! It is a no win situaton for VZW.
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SForsyth01

Jan 9, 2006, 4:28 PM
Celling_it said:
Do you really think that they will not be selling the USB cables with the launch of vcast. A cable is cheaper than a memory card anyway. Everyone gets all worked up about little things. How many tmes have I heard why doesn't VZW let me sink info into my phone with a usb?? Why do I have to buy apps from get it now? Now VZW is allowing you to do this and you are complaining about that too!!! It is a no win situaton for VZW.

The problem is that they allow this feature by disabling another. It is complete BS. They should allow the USB connectivity AS WELL AS the file transfer via the memory card. It's ridiculous. They are pure communists. And this is from a loyal Verizon customer.
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Celling_it

Jan 9, 2006, 4:35 PM
Have you ever heard of give and take. It is compromise. Why is everyone always so greedy and want everthing. No wonder this great nation is in such a decline as far as world rank. "We" are very selfish and greedy in the USA.
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bigmoneymike

Jan 9, 2006, 4:40 PM
That, in my opinion, is a really off-base commentary. I don't think that my T-Mobile service with a Nokia N90 which has USB AND Bluetooth makes me Greedy and Selfish. In fact, its really easy and convenient to move my files around. Its so liberating coming from the VZW bull****.
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SForsyth01

Jan 9, 2006, 5:02 PM
There should be no comprimise. They sold me a phone with a capability. I should in no way have to give up that capability at a later date simply to get another issue fixed with my phone. It's deception at its finest and it's also illegal in my state. There will more than likely be a lawsuit.
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Want_New_Phone

Jan 9, 2006, 7:34 PM
That is the stupidest comment I've seen on this forum. If the U.S. economy has lost any of it's standing, it is because of overbloated bureaucratic corporations refusing to provide the consumer what they want. This is how Detroit lost it's dominance in the 70's and 80's, the Japanese car companies gave the consumer what they wanted.

Verizon's clear cut lead in network coverage will not last forever. They are doing precious little to build customer loyalty and IMO will start losing market share as the other networks catch up in terms of coverage.

Only an irrational fanboy could rationalize that VZW's behavior regarding the MP3 issue is anything less than underhanded on Verizon's part.
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vzwinagent

Jan 10, 2006, 11:00 PM
They will be selling the cables. There is a whole kit that you'll be able to buy for the music service that will include the cable.

I also saw another article that the MP3 player funtionality from the phone would be added back later in another update. They didn't want to confuse people with two different interfaces. Later the MP3 capability will work from within the same music player. It's also been noted that on the 8100 you can go in to the internal menu's and turn the MP3 player back on.
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VzwRsR

Jan 9, 2006, 5:54 PM
sforsyth01.. for a loyal customer your sure do come off as malcontent. Given that the flash other than to allow you to a optional content does not fix any issues with the phone I don't see how it is illegal.

Also to settle speculation there will be means to transfer Wma to your phone. I'm absolutly confounded by the lack of real information on this topic since the rollout is not till Jan 16th. Its all speculation and direct reps like myself are not allowed to give out any non public info. Also to settle another previous post I do not have any memo saying that we will fru out phones with old software ..selectron will be informing custs that choose to get this optional upgrade about the lack of direct Mp3 compatiablity.
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vzwinagent

Jan 10, 2006, 11:06 PM
Very good point. I just took part of the training on this product today. It specifically states that all customers are to be told about the changes and that MP3's can no longer be used directly without being converted to WMA by media player first.
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SteveHRocks

Jan 10, 2006, 12:01 PM
Now according to reports (from Verizon's own tehnology news on its VZW website) says that the absense of the ability to play MP3's is only temporary while they work out some technical and legal issues, and that future versions of the software will re-enable the MP3 feature.

We shall see.
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DKVZW

Jan 11, 2006, 1:55 AM
It's Microsoft, DMCA and RIAA - Verizon is only a pony boy in this one (Contracts and All). 😁

Windows Media 10 has very good DRM,
DRM is "Keeping Honest People Honest"
DRM is "Keeping RIAA Happy"
WMA instead of MP3 == Keeping MS Happy (Licenses Sold for anything and Everything "Windows Media" verion x.xx)

WMA is a sub-par format (with a mirriad of unknown codecs) to MP3 since it's completely closed, hack-prone, etc.

So is ADTRAC(1/2/5) (ala SONY MINI DISC/Sonic Stage/Mega Drive). (Also has DRM stong DRM)
So is AAC (ala Apple iPOD).

This goes right along with their Meida Center PC initiatives - stuff and all other.

The only way VZW stepped into this "pile of..."
is because their equipment uses Microsoft Operating Sys...
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