Welcome To Iconocast |
How to add a URL link from your web site to the Iconocast web sites |
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||
Leaked Document Shows Verizon's Psyops Anti-iPhone Propaganda
Oh, deary deary me... Verizon's tactics to combat the JesusPhone 3G now include briefing its employees about the iPhone's failings, so they can answer customer questions about why it doesn't carry the device. There are four big "myths" about the cellphone apparently, ranging from "twice as fast" to "iPhone data plan covers all data," there's even a dig about the lack of audible turn-by-turn GPS navigation. Hasn't Verizon worked out that that's just an app, and is a facility that may yet be added in the future? My fave "mythbusting" point has to be that the iPhone 3G "will be twice as fast only where AT&T has 3G coverage!" No shit... like, you can only run trains on train tracks? OK, so it's really a dig at AT&T's 3G coverage, but you get my point. This has apparently been distributed within Verizon, and though there's the possibility that it's not quite legit, it certainly seems the real deal to me. What do you think, chaps? [Thanks, Harris!] Mon Aug 25 2008  |
Comments
Didn't they do this last time too? It just reeks of desperation. When (if) the iPhone comes to Verizon, they will be glad to have it.
PSYOPS. Not Psi ops. Anyway, people will get the iPhone even if it ran on souls of kittens and small children. Verizon can whine all it wants but they had their shot at the beginning, and promptly blew it. But this does not surprise me at all. They have to do something besides release iPhone wannabes.
This is pretty stupid on Verizon's part.
People don't want the iPhone because of anything written on any spec sheet or feature list.
Damn sure that some anti-list will have zero effect.
It's like trying to explain to someone the scientific reasons why they shouldn't be in love.
Ever tried THAT? -Good luck if so.
I was under a lot of pressure to be in the Psi Corps.
I am confused... but isn't "Visual VM" aka "Visual Voice Mail" a trademark/copyright/patented thingy from Apple? How can Verizon advertise (if this is real) that they have Visual VM as well?
of course I might be way wrong on the matter. :/
As both an iPhone 3G owner, and a former Verizon salesman, I can assure you: this is as legit as it gets. Gave me a great many lulz when it came across my desk.
There was another version of this, with a bullet-point list of the iPhone's 'failings' on the opposite side. Stuff like 'no cut-and-paste' (duh), 'no camera flash' (duh), and 'no turn-by-turn'. Really, the only legitimate gripe they had was the flash; everything else was software.
Sorry, Verizon, should've given in to Apple's demands in the first place..
@iPilya: because when Verizon originally printed this flyer, they hadn't officially announced their Visual VM yet. The sales force is always the second-to-last to know about anything; usually about five minutes before the customer, if that early.
I don't get the big deal. I'm sure ALOT of average joes ask about the iphone when they go into verizon to get their next phone. They don't really know what it is, and they probably don't know that verizon doesn't carry it.
It seems like common sense would dictate that verizon needs to prep their sales teams to combat the iphone. And stuff like this works. How many of you with iphones have heard from someone not-in-the-know (average joe) who finds out you have an iphone and goes on to tell you about all of it's shortcomings and how "I heard it's having tons of problems!" etc etc.
On top of all that, all four of these points are actually valid, IMO. AT&T's coverage IS pretty poor, especially with 3G, the cost IS more, there ISN'T turn by turn nav OR mms, both of which are important to alot of cellphone owners, and no messages are included, another important feature to alot of customers, which in turn further drives the price up.
As a happy iphone owner, I can point to a dozen other features that I love, but I still don't think there is anything wrong with what verizon did here. In fact, all of those points that they've made I would make to any friend who is considering an iphone, just so they know what they are getting into.
These kind of tactics only work if your Apple. :)
I agree. Verizon seems a little desperate. When is the last time you've seen a wireless carrier go after a specific phone?
They are scared. Very scared.
Verizon: good network, crap equipment.
I tried to stick around with Verizon, but the "LG Dare" was the last straw. What a colossal piece of sh*t. Add to that there is not a new smartphone release imminent, and the fact the XV6800 took so long to release, and it was an easy port for me.
Damn they're pretty direct thid time around. Kinda reminds me of the biased comparisions between the Instinct and the iPhone, not to mention Sandisk's iSheep stunt.
*This
They should probably focus and getting better phones. How long did the iPhone take to develop? I think my old Motorola was put together from the scrap bin over a long lunch.
I am no IHater, but its pretty common for a compnay to do a side by side comparison against its strongst competitors and break it down for sales people who often are not as tech smart as their customers. I do these sides by sides all the time and I am not in telecomm. Compare and contrast is a great way to get a point across.
Looks real but then it could have easily have been faked. But it makes sense to me. It's capitalism. And I don't have sympathy for Apple on this one, considering some of the shady stuff they pulled when marketing the iPhone 3G. I own one and I love it - it's as remarkable as people said it was (and I'm not a fanboy and not normally an Apple user). But it sure has some shortcomings. And who cares if it's software not hardware - a feature isn't there until it is. If having TBT, free SMS, video recording, browser Flash support, or copy-paste was a requirement for me I may have opted for one of the alternatives out there. I sure wouldn't have thought "hmm... this is just software so I'll wait." Like I said - I'm not a fanboy.
I thought it was funny to see the "Gizmodo presented by Verizon" tag line at the top of the webpage and then this article was the first one underneath it. Anybody else catch that?
I don't understand the attitude, Kit Eaton. You think every company doesn't do this? Do you really think Apple doesn't distribute a similar document to it's "geniuses" listing the faults of the Windows PC?
Verizon just did what any responsible company would do. But all they actually really need to point out is that Verizon's network is better than AT&Ts network. If you want a phone that makes you look cool but which you can't make phone calls on (even though they release a new buggy firmware update every week) go to AT&T. If you want a phone that makes phone calls, go to Verizon.
(And I like my Dare)
Verizon should pray Apple/AT&T doesn't make a list of what VERIZON phones WON'T DO. Like watch A Clockwork Orange or Once Upon a Time in the West on a gorgeous screen with brilliant sound, for example.
The iTunes store has like 2,300 Apps now, how many Apps can you use on Verizon phones???
Yeah, AT&T's coverage isn't great, but the Verizon Exec's truly must be dinosaurs to turn down the iPhone. What good is the best network if you have phones no one wants? All of my Verizon friends are switching over.
This is what capitalism is all about.
The iPhone should be challenging Verizon to demand that Samsung and Nokia make better phones. In turn, Apple should keep improving its phone to keep ahead of Nokia and Samsung.
To quote Austin Powers: "Yay Capitalism."
what's so bad about that? it's all true.
@iPilya: No, Apple does not hold a patent or anything on visual voicemail. They simply licensed the tech...I beleive sprint, along with verizon offers VVM
Poor Verizon.. while I was in line for the 3G, I was surrounded by current / ex Moto Q users switching from Verizon. They just don't get it - "let's churn out 30 touch screen phones because that's what people want!!" How about a decent browser? If iPhone sales ever dip, they should have a "try it for the weekend" program.. I guarantee people who have their mail, browser, etc etc at their fingertips for just a weekend would never go back. (Ps. This is my first Apple product - I'm hardly a fanboy)
While all the iPhone fanboys here talk about Verizon's desperation and how much they suck, some people really do care about price and a cost analysis like this might sway some potential iPhone buyers.
@strider_mt2k: I think I just vomited. Did you truly compare deciding whether or not to buy an iPhone to deciding whether or not love exists?
Why wouldn't Verizon do this? The facts turned me away from buying an iPhone. Now I'm rollin on the cheap with my LG Voyager with sick messaging (that's SMS baby! Try doing that with your JesusPhizzle) and saving mad $$ every month that I'd be throwing away on some crappy phone internet.
I have two laptops, two desktops, and only in car rides am I not able to get onto the internet. But I can still text my buddy what the hell is the capital of Bolivia.
Point is you saps will cuddle with your apple gadgets even when the facts show that clearly you are getting screwed. So I guess you are right.
@Samifumi: Yeah I was gonna say the same thing. They have an awesome network, but they are locked to tight that they are 1-2 years behind the latest phones.
hey iLemmings, forgotten I'm a Mac/I'm a PC, have we?
In your brainwahsed minds it is perfectly OK to slander to opposition but just dont touch the apple of your eyes...
Truth hurts, especially when your little religion is exposed.
I really don't see anything wrong with this...they're trying to fight the iPhone and just trying to get more business.
It's not like those "myths" are not true...
@Cupajo: "You think every company doesn't do this? Do you really think Apple doesn't distribute a similar document to it's "geniuses" listing the faults of the Windows PC?"
Apple does it every day in their Mac vs. PC ads. When Verizon goes *that* low, then I'll say they're behaving poorly.
if this is desperation, then what would you call the mac vs pc commercials that run every 3 minutes on every network channel?
People aren't saying it's wrong to do what Verizon is doing.
It just seems like an act of desperation on Verizon's part. They've literally singled out the iPhone because why... it's stealing customers away!?!?
true, but as a marketing effort... they get to attack ATTs mystic pricing, 3G coverage and the iphone in one go. why would they let it pass. especially with all the attention att got this summer with the iphone, getting branded as the nation's fastest 3g carrier and the bold is around the corner.
i am an att customer, but i love competition... FTW
Yes it's real. And there is nothing unique about this. A similar "selling against" sheet is released for every high profile competitor phone, plan, or feature. And I can guarantee VZW ain't the only ones doing it. Any company with a shred of sense will prep it's sales and customer service employees for questions about the competition. I am just blown away by the people who respond to this like it's a surprise that VZW wants to prevent people from switching for the iphone. I am an Apple fanboy, I would love an iPhone, but I also realize that every one of these companies exists solely to make money. I am not under the delusion that Apple has created this device to bring joy into the hearts of mankind, it is a means to an end. Also, please note that the typical customer walking into a VZW (or any other carrier) store ISN'T a Gizmodo reading, Howard Forums posting, "I want free ringtones" whining, "can't wait to hack this thing" geek. And that's not a insult, because it describe me too. The point is that these are legitimate things a potential customer will ask about. VZW isn't standing on a street corner trying to pry your iphones from your hands, their having this discussion with the soccer mom who walked in and said "Meridith Viera mentioned the iphone, do you have something similar?". Also, as far as this being low or unfair, throughout the article and these comments I see a lot of "duh you have to have service" but no one actually disputing these arguments.
Flame on.
I joined the Psi Ops. Then they shipped me out on the Von Braun and everything got pretty crazy.
It's fun that the article appears now that the homepage of Giz has a nice "Verizon" look all over it...
At least it shows that Gizmodo is independent...
I think that comparison is nice, much less "bashing" the others because you implicitly admit they are "cool and hip". Personally I favour a more subtle approach. One in which you highlight the features that the competitor cannot match, without naming it but making it clear whom you are referring to.
But that's just me. Maybe the uninformed customer, from Verizon's perspective, need to be told clearly which advantages Verizon thinks it's phone have compared to the iPhone.
But this only gives more attention to your competitor, as people talk about whether you conclusions are true or not...
I live outside the US but I can say that Verizon should have their own business and long term strategy, and not focus on one competitor (and manufacturer).
These where my two cents (of Swiss Franc).
I don't think this will deter anyone that is looking to buy an iPhone. They will already know the shortcomings and either don't care about them or hope that they will be taken care of at a future date.
But I do think it's good for another company to shine a light on some of the issues that could make a break a sale for someone on the fence. It will only cause AT&T to rethink pricing and Apple to rethink it's stance on software (latest was no turn by turn GPS software allowed).
Verizon's got one thing right. The iPhone was and still is old technology. It was funny how everyone talked about it like it was brand new when phones have been doing it for awhile. Most do it better and for less money now.
"My fave "mythbusting" point has to be that the iPhone 3G "will be twice as fast only where AT&T has 3G coverage!" No shit... like, you can only run trains on train tracks? OK, so it's really a dig at AT&T's 3G coverage, but you get my point."
Sure is a dig at AT&T, a very relivant point too, considering the "NEW" iPhone is only "NEW" because it has 3G, available in 5% of America, sometimes.
Also noticed the "Gizmodo, presented by Verizon" at the top of the page....at least you iGizmodo's are consistent.
Also also agree whole-heartedly with a couple of other commenters mentioning the exact same tactic being used much more openly and publicly by the very company Gizmodo is trying to paint as the victim...
i know this is just a blog, but the bias of every 3rd post on this sight makes my stomach churn.
@dleins:
No whining going on here. The only whining going on is by Verizon. Why?
1. iPhone is stealing customers
2. Verizon is the 2nd largest wireless carrier
Regardless of their so called "great network," people are leaving to get the iPhone.
I know it's hard to believe for the type of people who read and post on this site, but there ARE people out there who want their phone to do "phone stuff" like send MMS make phone calls, and umm, generally have service? For these people, the iphone might not be the best choice at the moment. A competing company pointing this out in an effort to keep their customers doesn't seem like too big of a deal to me (when it's the truth). If they were fabricating lies for their employees to distribute, the tone of this article would have made alot more sense.
(This coming again from a happy iphone user. My main purpose for my iphone is convenient internet access, applications, and ipod - not making phone calls, which is why I can safely say I'm happy despite the generally poor service and numerous dropped calls I get on AT&T (vs none of that when I had verizon)).
@dleins:
Yeah I don't know for certain myself but most of their points sound legit. Big deal.
@vadubgeek: I worked in Psi-ops once.
But no one remembers...
PS, Giz, what's up with the comments apparently out of order..?
As a iPhone 3G owner... I dont see anything worng with the flyer... they should print them and scatter them over AT&T stores....
They should have mentioned how buggy the iPhone 3G is.... two major updates under a month of release and still buggy!
Their smear campaign won't work on me. I'm immune to corporate lies. Of course, as such I never liked the iphone in the first place.
...yet all of their points are true. As a Verizon customer, I hate their choices of phones and their stupid branding of everything, but in my area (mid-Michigan, near the capital) Verizon wins hands down. AT&T basic coverage sucks, and there's no 3G even remotely nearby. If I were to get an iPhone, it'd cost more, and I wouldn't even be able to use it to it's full potential. Whats the point?
This article is absolutely asinine. Versizon is stupid for equipping their salesmen with some points to attempt to sway someone who might become an iPhone customer?
Bottom line: propaganda is typically false or at least a stretch of the truth. All these points are very true! The iPhone is not the majestic image of perfection that you fan-boys pretend it is. Yes, I would like an iPhone myself, but if it weren't for some of the TRUE points on the above sheet (particularly the data network coverage and cost) I would get one.
Verizon has a superior network and inferior phones, but what good is an internet-enabled phone if you can't connect to the internet at a decent speed consistently? Have some dignity and PLEASE accept the product's shortcomings.
now that i no longer can access the old analog network,(good, if you spend a lotta time in the sticks). verizon lost one of the network advantages that it used to have. even with the loss, it still has better reception-y goodness than the deathstar. do i wish they had cooler phones? yes, yes i do. when my equipment upgrade comes around, i may get a bold just for fun. if it turns out to be a good phone, for like making calls. cause that's what i use a phone for.
The fact is that even though Verizon has an awesome network, all of their hardware blows. My iPhone loads webpages faster on EDGE than my friend's phone on HSDPA or EVDO. And due to recent evidence from independent testing agencies, it looks like the 3G problems are AT&T's and not Apple's. [www.gp.se]
Also, the price point may be lower on the first gen iPhone, but you can't use discounts on it. The 3G iPhone is a regular subsidized phone, which makes it eligible for a 15% student discount on plans, and a lot of companies get higher discounts. Citibank/Citigroup gets 22%, the armed forces get 19%, Xerox I believe is in the same order. That really makes up for the difference.
All in all, I'm happy to leave Verizon and their crapware for the sleeker iPhone. it may be buggy, sure, but it has NEVER dropped a call for me, and the only complaint I have is video, which is a nonissue if you jailbreak your phone and install Saurik's video recorder. [www.hackthatphone.com]
@sicadastra: You got the right idea, took the words right out of my mouth. I approve this message.
@sicadastra: Not samifumi, I meant sicadastra, lol... apparently I can't click today.
OMG!!@! Gotta pay that ETF and get myself an LG Dare right away! Those thieving buggers at Apple and AT&T won't have me for long.
Oh yeah, Verizon sucks. Never mind. Time to go play some more Dizzy Bee.
I don't know about the word propaganda. Those look like FACTS to me. Maybe you should word it, "Verizon calls out AT&T's Propaganda".
the only reason they didnt have the iphone in their line up is because they were unwilling to give apple any control over the device.
the same could be said about a lot of their own phones.