Oh, Verizon Stealing the Thunder from the G1... or Trying to

So much for the anticipation for the G1, which is due to be released tomorrow by T-Mobile. Today's big news, at least on my radar, is that Verizon is removing the long term contract requirement. Verizon now lets new subscribers sing up with just a month-to-month commitment. Even more surprising is that the operator will now accept any un-locked device.

There are obviously conditions for this to take effect. Customers must pay the actual cost of the device, which can amount to more than twice what customers are used to paying. Customers must also sign up for a Nationwide plan.

As expected, there is much speculation as to why Verizon would make this move. I do not buy the possibility that it was to prepare for 4G and the promise to attract AT&T subscribers then. It may be to deflect potential scrutiny from the FCC. One thing is for sure: given the high cost of devices and the fact that the only other CDMA network in the US is Sprint's month-to-month subscribers will have to think twice, and very hard, about bailing on Verizon.

Perhaps Android phones will be the reason. The iPhone on AT&T's slow and unreliable network is far from being it for me.

Snippets from CTIA's "A Generation Unplugged" keynote

Harris Interactive presented the “A Generation Unplugged” study results at a keynote session at CTIA yesterday. For the survey Harris Interactive surveyed 2,089 teens ages 13-19 about their motivations, usage and behaviors towards mobile phones.

Harris hinted at making the presentation available for a price, so I thought I would post the following highlights:

• About half of teens interviewed say they would die without their mobile phone and ability to make calls. Texting was not far behind.

• The two biggest motivators of mobile usage for teens are: 1) staying in touch, and 2) (surprise) feeling safe

• Mobile gaming is not so important to teenagers. Self expression is much more important

• Status is first established by the clothes teens wear, and secondly by the phones they own

• What the phone does is more important than the way it looks

• Teens love ring tones, but they like texting and picture messaging, and more than surfing the web

• Teens like small phones but with a lot of features

• Teens text more than they talk on the phone

• Teens like text because they like that it allows them to multitask, that it's fast, easy, and cheap

• Loyalty for teens is driven by relevance of features, phone diversity, customization - in order of importance.

• Teens want to own multiple devices

• Most teens purchase at carrier brick and mortar
  

• Teens are most influenced by parents, then their friends, then their boyfriend or girlfriend, and last by celebrity endorsements

• When it comes to Games, teens want better selection, experience, and controls. However, overall teens care less about gaming than communication when it comes to mobile

• One in three teens browse the mobile web. Top apps are email and social networking. However, most social networking is taking place on the PC

• The biggest barrier to adoption of mobile video is cost

• Teens don't mind ads on mobile device

• The dream phone: water proof, endless power, scratch proof...

• Teens want from phones: emergency transmitter, translations, 3D, remote control, TV (in order of preference)

• "The phone of the future" according to teens: flexible material, just software, paper thin, appended to your eyes, wearable, projector screen

• Teens want a single device for all or their consumer electronics needs
  

• Teens dislike location applications, but they want GPS