Why does VerizonWireless Dumb-Down the UI? - Inquiry to LG

I recently shot off this note to LG. I don't expect an answer from
them but I just wanted to vent my disgust with how VerizonWireless
takes the innovation out of every manufacturers' cellphone.

Re :VX8300

On my previous LG Phones (VX4500 and VX4650) there was a 'MEMO' field
in the 'CONTACT LIST'. I thought this was a great feature as it gave
me the ability to keep notes about each contact. In combination with
Voice Memo's and notes, the phone could be used in the fashion of a
PDA. (I must confess the calculator was too elementary.) Those
features and the great speaker phone eliminated all the competition.
I was equally impressed when you issued a firmware upgrade to the 4500
that enhanced the VOICE mode features.

I am now looking for a replacement for my 4650. (I put it in the
washing machine by accident, one too many times!) I am an Electrical
Engineer and Amateur Radio Operator who actively repairs transmitters
and receivers. I disassembled it and thoroughly dried it out. I was
truly impressed with the construction of the phone. Unfortunately, I
could not get the phone to function.)

I have been looking at the LG phones at the Verizon Wireless store. I
read the LG VX8300 review in PC Magazine. They are very critical
about how a phone performs and they appeared to be impressed with your
phone. The fact that you revised the software was a bonus. To me,
this is an indication that your company reacts to constructive
criticism.

However, after getting the phone in my hand I was terribly
disappointed. What happened to the 'MEMO' field in the CONTACT list?
Is there a hidden feature that can restore/enable MEMO field? The
staff at Verizon is clueless. They only know the current UI and they
think I am confusing the MEMO field with NOTES. When I am looking up
a contact it is very important that I see the memo field. (Yes, I can
use one of the email address fields.)

I think the UI that Verizon provides is horrendous. It requires too
many key-clicks and the combination of forms and font limit the amount
of information displayed on a screen. The font is very small and
challenging to us baby boomers! The contact list is presented in a
'fill in the box' format that limits the number of fields displayed on
the screen. This combination makes it very tedious and tiresome to
navigate.

I looked at some of your newer phones and think they are very
innovative. However, in my opinion the UI should be equally rich in
features and presentation. Are you constrained to 'dumb-down' the UI
because of restrictions imposed by Verizon? If this is the case,
could you recommend a carrier that doesn't limit the creative features
you have crafted into your products?

Thank you,
Fred Jacobowitz

On Aug 16, 6:57 pm, Pegleg <Peg...@usnavyret.mil> wrote:
> On Thu, 16 Aug 2007 13:25:07 -0700, "Fred J."
>
> <swim.instruc...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >I recently shot off this note to LG. I don't expect an answer from
> >them but I just wanted to vent my disgust with how VerizonWireless
> >takes the innovation out of every manufacturers' cellphone.
>
> Pointless...the crippling is done according to Verizon specs and in
> order to "get the contract" LG produces the phones to those specs.
>
> The contract is more important to the phone manufacturer than the issues
> the consumer is confronted with in dealing with the carrier. Those
> issues are between the consumer and the carrier...the manufacturer has
> done their part by delivering the product according to the carrier's
> specs.
>
> You have the option to buy that phone under a contract with the carrier
> after you do your due diligence on the phones features or to go to
> another carrier that provides what you want.
>
> No one forces you to use Verizon. Yes their approach sucks for the
> consumer who doesn't educate themselves. I deplore their approach but
> it is a good business practice from their end. Until consumers stop
> signing with them because they cripple their phones (which isn't gonna
> happen) nothing will change.

Don't get me wrong, I totally agree with you. I am hoping that
'threads' along this line might empower user's to demand more from
VerizonWireless. To their credit, it seems Verizon offers the best
coverage. I remember having to leave my house and drive a couple of
blocks away to get service when I was with SPRINT. Also, their
nationwide coverage certainly is handy when you have children
attending university in Indiana, Ohio and Texas!

Fred J.