On the contrary, I think that Bluetooth headsets are becoming more and more popular because of the passing of laws (such as here in Chicago) that require you to use a hands-free device with your cell phone when you are driving. Now that most mobile phones have Bluetooth built in, I see more and more people wearing the Bluetooth headsets.
The iDEN network (Nextel's) and the CDMA network (Sprint's) are two completely different kinds of technology, you're right in saying that your Nextel phone isn't going to work on Sprint's network. For that reason I don't think that they are going to implement a network merger of any kind, Sprint's PTT is not nearly as good (or as popular) as Nextel's. And since PTT is what draws Nextel's customer base, for them to scrap that in favor of Sprint's technology would be financial suicide.
The author's problems with Verizon shouldn't be extended to complaining about Motorola. In case he's forgotten, they're in business to make money as well, which in this case means putting on Verizon's phones what Verizon wants. Locking and unlocking of features on a phone is in a software flex file that is specific to each carrier.
Motorola's one customer? Um, no. You can get a Moto phone at Cingular, AT&T, T-Mobile and even Sprint now. Clearly the Bluetooth issue is no fault of Motorola's, as the BT technology on their GSM phones works just fine. And if you're talking about a monopoly, keep in mind that Nokia is still holding a larger market share than Motorola right now.
Slashdot Mirror
On the contrary, I think that Bluetooth headsets are becoming more and more popular because of the passing of laws (such as here in Chicago) that require you to use a hands-free device with your cell phone when you are driving. Now that most mobile phones have Bluetooth built in, I see more and more people wearing the Bluetooth headsets.
The iDEN network (Nextel's) and the CDMA network (Sprint's) are two completely different kinds of technology, you're right in saying that your Nextel phone isn't going to work on Sprint's network. For that reason I don't think that they are going to implement a network merger of any kind, Sprint's PTT is not nearly as good (or as popular) as Nextel's. And since PTT is what draws Nextel's customer base, for them to scrap that in favor of Sprint's technology would be financial suicide.
The author's problems with Verizon shouldn't be extended to complaining about Motorola. In case he's forgotten, they're in business to make money as well, which in this case means putting on Verizon's phones what Verizon wants. Locking and unlocking of features on a phone is in a software flex file that is specific to each carrier. Motorola's one customer? Um, no. You can get a Moto phone at Cingular, AT&T, T-Mobile and even Sprint now. Clearly the Bluetooth issue is no fault of Motorola's, as the BT technology on their GSM phones works just fine. And if you're talking about a monopoly, keep in mind that Nokia is still holding a larger market share than Motorola right now.