Crastinate

As I wait for my iPhone order to be filled (my local AT&T store says it will be anywhere from 10 to 21 days), I am researching the large number of iPhone apps I will have access to very soon. I’ve noticed that there seems to be many quality apps that cost money but also many quality apps that are free. What is the future of iPhone apps?

I’ll tell you. All the good iPhone apps will eventually be free. Furthermore (you heard it here first people), Apple is going to develop an iPhone ad network. I know what you’re thinking. I’m crazy. Why would Apple, a company that specializes in hardware and software, dive into the crowded advertising network market? Let’s discuss it further.

Good iPhone Apps Will Be Free

The real useful iPhone apps are ones that connect us with the rest of the world. While Super Monkey Ball might be fun, it’s just a game. Games get old fast. The best apps are the ones that connect us with our already existing web applications (like Pandora, Facebook, and AIM). Almost all, if not all, of these applications are free. That’s because these apps aren’t there to make money. They’re there to build the user base for those companies. The only monetizing that might come from these apps is advertising based.

So while in the present time you have every amateur entrepreneur trying to scrape some extra dollars from the iPhone folk, the public will get smart and stop paying for most of those apps after a while. And unless it’s a revolutionary app, some developer will code up a duplicate on a sleepless weekend and give it away for free. So let’s go to the next point.

Apple will develop an iPhone ad network

Thousands of apps have been downloaded from the app store. Many of them were paid for. The app store is a very large potential revenue stream for Apple. The problem is that most of the apps will be free (see above). That means there won’t be another money tree in the Apple garden…or will there? As more apps become free and lean towards advertising for revenue, Apple will get jealous. And you will eventually see the Apple iPhone Advertising Network.

This network will allow application developers to focus on building great applications and receive revenue from ads on the top or bottom of the screen as their app is displayed. Apple will take a cut from this revenue. Whether Apple teams up with an advertising leader for this (Google most likely) or build it on their own from scratch, you will see an Apple advertising network in the next 12-18 months. Just watch.

Uncategorized Apple, AT&T, iPhone, joseph shmulewitz

For all those who are looking to get out of your Verizon contract without paying an early termination fee (ETF), please see my video tutorial. I have been getting a lot of questions about how to go about this process and still keep your phone number. Here is a simple step-by-step process to help you port your number while still canceling without paying an ETF. After you convince Verizon (per your rights in the contract) to allow you to leave without paying the ETF, here is what you do:

1. Set up cancellation for a future date

Give yourself at least two weeks if you’re planning on getting an iPhone. The customer rep will put a note in your account that when you cancel, you won’t have to pay the ETF. Get the rep’s contact information so you can call him/her back later.

2. Call back to confirm the note in your account

Speak to a totally new rep and don’t explain anything. Just ask whether the note about not paying the ETF is there. You can never be too careful.

3. Sign up with your new carrier and port over the number

Verizon has to allow the porting of your number to a new carrier. Once this happens, your account will instantly be deactivated and you WILL be charged the ETF.

4. Call Verizon and get your ETF back

Call up the original Verizon rep and get refunded for the ETF based on the note in your account. If you didn’t get the number of the original rep, call up a new one. The note is in your account so you should be OK.

That’s it. It’s simple in theory but some people run into some bumps in the road. It’s usually due to uneducated service reps. That is why it’s good to get the number of the person you speak to who put the note in your account. Good luck and let me know how it goes in the comments.

Uncategorized joseph shmulewitz

I’ve gotten a lot of great feedback on my previous posts about successfully canceling my Verizon contract without paying an early termination fee. Based on the requests of many of my readers, I have made a video tutorial on exactly how to go about this process.

Send this post around to all your friends who have Verizon. Maybe some will want to consider getting out while they still can.

Uncategorized joseph shmulewitz, Verizon

After many attempts, I have finally been able to cancel my Verizon contract without an early termination fee. I got a call back from Rob, a Verizon manager, and he explained how, after further review, they will be able to follow through with my request. Now I’ve got to spread the word.

Uncategorized joseph shmulewitz, Verizon

I have previously discussed my trial and travails with trying to get out of my Verizon contract without an early termination fee. Here is an update.

I received a call from Rob who is apparently some sort of manager at Verizon. He seemed like a nice guy who honestly wanted to help (unlike those call center people who just sounded like they wanted to get me off the phone). Rob was clear to point out the paragraph in the contract that states Verizon is not responsible for a rise in taxes and government charges. I was quick to point that the charge that recently went up (FUSC charge) is listed in the paragraph “Charges and Fees We Set”. So much for that argument. He asked for time to review that paragraph and call me back. Apparently I know the customer agreement better than the managers at Verizon.

Rob called me back and told me that he consulted with the legal department, and according to them, since they are offering me a $10 credit to compensate for my “material adverse effect”, this negates the effect and therefore, cannot allow me to cancel without an early termination fee (ETF). This is how the conversation went.

Rob: Since we offered you the credit, we are negating any material adverse effect, and you cannot cancel without an ETF.
Me: Aren’t you proving my point? By offering me a credit to negate an effect, than you are admitting that the effect took place.

Rob: Yes. The effect definitely happened.
Ely: Okay, so I choose not to accept the credit. So now, I have a material adverse effect, and would like to exercise my right to cancel without an ETF.
Rob: I’m sorry, but my legal department told me that the credit is good enough to negate the effect.
Ely: Rob, let’s say I have a contract with the bank to pay off my mortgage. And in that contract, if I don’t pay on time every month, they could take away my house. Then, one month, I’m late. If I go back and offer them the money I owed plus some more to cover the interest they would have made on my money, does the bank still have a right to take my house?
Rob: Mr. Rosenstock, this is what legal told me.
Ely: Yes! Because once I’m late, the contract gives the bank the option of taking my house. I can’t change the rules of the contract after we already signed. That’s what Verizon is trying to do here Rob. You know I’m right. I understand your position. Verizon is trying to keep customers. But I’m not an idiot. I read what I sign. I’m following your customer agreement. What can I do here? Who can I talk to?
Rob: <long silence>

After trying to convince me to write a letter to Executive Appeals (probably the paper shredding department at Verizon), Rob told me he has someone else he wants me to talk to but he’s not in today. So I’ve got Rob’s number and am expecting a call from the head of North American Call Centers on Tuesday. I’ll keep you posted. Do you believe this!!??

Uncategorized joseph shmulewitz, Verizon