Pre-paid mobile phone manufacturers pushing bill to outlaw installing software on handsets
How about a nice dose of stupidity and ridiculousness for this fine Tuesday morning? If you haven’t heard of the “Wireless Prepaid Access Device Enforcement Act of 2009, you may want to pay attention as it is really an assault against consumer freedoms. You all have seen at some point Trac Phone’s of some sort or brand sitting in end caps across various retail outlets in various locations. Some people purchase these phones and install their own modified firmware on the devices so they can use them with other networks/services. Personally, since they’re pre-paid, I don’t see the problem. I mean, the manufacturer subsidizing phones that can be easily used with other networks and services is a pretty stupid move. Either don’t subsidize the phone or close your business. Preserving a “business model” by locking in people and eliminating choice doesn’t exactly make happy, loyal customers.
Naturally, Trac Phone has a small problem with people modifying their own phones and is pushing the bill mentioned above (Wireless Prepaid Access Device Enforcement Act of 2009) which would make it illegal. Stupid? Yes. Unneeded? Another winning answer. When will these manufacturers learn that they do not own us or their device once the sale has been made?
Author: Mike Norris
visit my websiteGadget lover, smartphone collector, and beer connoisseur. I've been writing about gadgets for three years now and loving every minute of it. Outside of the digital landscape, I enjoy being active outdoors. I'm always up for a good conversation, so feel free to drop me a line!
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