False Alarm: Turns Out Verizon & Microsoft Have No Exclusive Contract

by Jason Norment Sep 10, 2010 9:09 AM – 5 Comments

Yesterday, we wrote an article based off information found on The Droid Guy that Verizon would remove Google Search from all future Verizon phones in replacement of Bing. This uproar of confusion started when Verizon’s new Samsung Galaxy S phone, the Fascinate, was noted to have Google Search removed and in fact “blocked” from users installing the software. In addition, Fascinate users are stuck with the VZW Navigation software by default as well. I’m not sure how Microsoft or Verizon imagined this would go, but the press have not been happy so far.

The same day we found many reliable sources (Engadget for example) that stated Microsoft and Verizon have denied any exclusive contract regarding future Android phones on Verizon. In fact, Verizon has gone far enough to state that:

…that is not true. We have a relationship with Microsoft and Bing is the search engine on our multi-media phones but we have never said it would be exclusive on all of our devices.

I don’t know if anyone else caught it there but the statement that confuses me here is the use of the word “multi-media phones”. I’m not sure I would describe any Android device as a multi-media phone but maybe we shouldn’t panic over their choice of words either. Later in the day, Microsoft backed Verizon’s statement that their is no exclusive contract for all devices to have Bing put as the default search engine. My question is, why did you choose to do that with the Fascinate?

Now for the good news: Android users who have VZW devices that can upgrade to Android 2.2 (Froyo) will be able to get their hands on Google Voice Actions which includes a widget of the ever-popular Google Search. Verizon has also stated that the Fascinate will be upgraded to Froyo but of course, no time frame was given regarding the upgrade. This should relief users from being stuck with Bing as a search engine on their phones. Will the Froyo upgrade also allow Fascinate users to utilize Google Maps as well?

Not surprisingly, there has been a large amount of discussion on the topic with the default Bing search engine and removing (and blocking) Google Maps from an Android device. Many users have switched to Android for the pure reason of choice. The choice to choose what is installed on your device or not. The choice to use Bing or Google as your default search engine. The choice to use Google Maps or VZW Navigator or any other GPS navigation software. It seems carriers are really dictating your choice as of late. Personally, I was okay with the Sprint software loaded onto my HTC Evo. I’m looking forward to using the Sprint Football Live software this season, however, some others are not as excited as I am. Being forced to use Bing, however, just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Tell us what you think of this Verizon/Microsoft relationship. Are you willing to buy a Samsung Fascinate now that your armed with this information? Just remember, Verizon has quite a few other Android devices to choose from: LG Ally, Motorola Devour, Droid X, Droid Incredible, and Droid 2.

Tags: Bing Search, Google Maps, Google Maps Navigation, Google Search, Microsoft, Verizon, VZ Navigator

Categorised in: Apps Blog, News

5 Comments

By cootcoot on September 10, 2010 at 10:57 am:

This is a massive failure. I hope VZW never tries to pull this kind of bullshit again. It is absolutely ludicrous that an Android handset doesn’t have the capability of installing Google Search or Maps. They shouldn’t need to be on 2.2 to have such a basic choice. I think these issues are just going to get worse as carriers strikes deals with third parties and close off choices from end users. It really should stop now. (Also, why does TouchWiz take so much design sensibility from the iPhone UI? It sure does look awful. Such a shame because I think they have definitely sabotaged this more than capable device.)

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By dbareis on September 10, 2010 at 6:50 pm:

I have a problem with carriers or anyone baking in software I don’t want and preventing me from installing whatever I want and then using that as an excuse for not providing updates or being slow about it.

If they want to preinstall software, I don’t care as long as I can simply remove it if I’m not so excited.

I have (amongst other garbage) trial Navigation software installed on my Motorola phone, it can’t be removed and in fact has never worked. Meanwhile I’m removing apps I want to free up memory!

At least Dell computers can be decrapified, I want the same chance on my phone.

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By cheaptoad on September 10, 2010 at 7:35 pm:

I’ve had my Fasinate for 24 Hours and will be exchanging it for a Driod X. I find the fasinate a bit buggy and slower then the X and I hate Bing. It’s not worth it to change only for a little nicer screen.

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By HughJ on September 10, 2010 at 9:05 pm:

VZW really screwed up the Galaxy S royally…… they actually block Google maps as well – this means an app that uses maps won’t work properly b/c all the phone allows is el-crapo Bing maps….

Was this the same VZW chucklehead was stupid enough to tell Steve Jobs ‘No’ sending hi right into the arms of AT&T? Just sayin’

I use an app called iMapMyRide for my cycling routes. on the Fascinate, the app will load my routes, but the maps never load… so I get my route on a grey graphpaper background with a Google logo in the corner.

Do you think VZW is sooo stupid that they didn’t even check to see if appas the require mapping would work?

They have a GREAT network – but TOTAL MORONS in their handset group!

They have rendered this device has been rendered DEFECTIVE – and if they don’t provide FULL REFUNDS to all who ask, it is a class action waiting to happen!

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By Tom Scott on September 29, 2010 at 1:09 am:

They messed up. I suspect more phones will be rooted as a result. However, while there were some hurtles, I was able to use Google maps and I downloaded and use the Google Navigator.

Still have not worked out all the fixes but I’ve only had the unit for a little over a week and actually have to work now and then too…

It rubs to have VZW Navigator on the system and popping up for no reason from time to time. Other applications start up for no cause as well. Most of these applications are the bloatware and not the ones that I downloaded myself.

Bottom line, V misjudged why a significant number of users are interested in purchasing Droid devices, choice and freedom. But, so did Google with their sync hassles, for that matter.

– Tom

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