Verizon’s ‘dirty little secret’
p2p news / p2pnet: While everyone’s been covering Verizon’s new VCast music service, PCS Intel says it’s been investigating, "some of the things Verizon may be brushing under the rug".
Like?
Like, "The VCast Music Store is an extension of Microsoft’s PlayForSure system. VCast Music phones connect to Windows Media Player 10, and transfer DRM music as well as a customer’s existing music library. Purchased music is $1/song (when purchased on the PC and sent to the phone), or, can be purchased on the handset and later transferred back to the PC for $2/song.
"However, the ‘dirty little secret’ is that MP3 support is gone from these devices, VCast Music phones will not play MP3 files, regardless if in memory or on a memory card."
PCS Intel says it figures Bill and the Boyz agreed, :"to engineer VCast Music phones as WMA-only devices, in order to lock out iTunes and other competition from most interaction with the device that does not involve burning, ripping, and integrating into Windows Media Player.
"This type of monopolist tatic is something that iTunes has avoided, but Windows Media Player embraces."
But, the story goes on, "It appears Verizon knows internally that this is a liability. In a leaked internal memo from Verizon’s corporate intranet, Verizon states that customers that want MP3 support should be issued a refurbished VX-8100 with V04 firmware. However, the average consumer is to not be informed that there is a difference between what VX-8100s support formats, and customers are encouraged without prior warning that MP3 support will be lost with the V06 update. Presumably a Mac or Linux customer could be downgraded to V04 firmware."
In an update post, "Many are sending in a Verizon claim that MP3s are supported," says PCS Intel, adding:
"However, you need to read the statement carefully. The statement says that MP3s are supported provided you use Windows Media Player 10. What is actually happening is WMP10 is converting the MP3s to WMA, much like WMA files are converted to MP3 when sent to the iPod via iTunes. However, unlike the iPod and iTunes, there is no such solution for VCast Music phones on Mac or Linux.
"In addition, viewers are also sending in Verizon press releases which promote the Samsung SCH-A950 and LG VX-8100 as having built-in MP3 player support via the memory card. Removing this feature via software update can easily be considered false advertising."
(Thanks, Masha)
Also See:
PCS Intel – Verizon VCast Music & Its Dirty Little Secret, January 6, 2005
January 8th, 2006 at 10:52 pm
Duh!
I did “read the statement carefully” and it says exactly what the leaked memo says – no mp3 support.
My laptop doesn’t have a PS/2 socket, so I run my mouse through a USB adaptor. That doesn’t mean my laptop “has PS/2 support” – it means I have to use a dirty work-around to get the functionality I want.
Unfortunatly for tech companies, there is only so mch spin you can put on something. If the technology can’t do something, no amount of saying it can will help.
January 9th, 2006 at 5:29 pm
me thinks the idea is the ipod plays mp3’s; so apple has indeed avoided this …. for now, until they let someone else take the heat for it first. after that, hen it becomes standard practice, who knows.
January 10th, 2006 at 1:10 am
“If the technology can’t do something…”
There is no reason in the world this phone does not include MP3 support apart from pure monopolistic greed. MP3 support in a device like this is a pure software issue. If it’s hardware can support WMA playback it has the ability to support MP3. Don’t confuse what this product WON’T do vs. what it CAN’T do.
January 10th, 2006 at 1:27 am
I’ve been asking this question for years now. How long before we start seeing music playback devices (and software players) that EXCLUDE MP3 support? The manufacturers selling them will include some half assed “ripping” software so the sheeple can convert the CDs they own (that don’t have copy protection to prohibit it) to whatever DRM crippled format so they can dodge the claim that you can’t play the music you “legally own” (except for iTunes…). Since (so far) there is no practial way to include DRM in MP3 files “content providers” have always looked at them as a threat. If they can sell players that do not support your current music collection, THEY WILL. If you do not have the CD you will just have to buy the songs again. It will happen.