Empowerment, digital style
Walt Mossberg reminds us that one of the last digital hold-outs to consumer empowerment is the cell phone hegemony. The cell companies control the technology on the phones, their contracts are still largely onerous and rigged to keep you in place beyond their technology’s viability …
Mossberg’s video podcast lays all this out and reminds us that when it comes to “the phone company,” this is hardly new behavior. Let’s hope we’ll break through this barrier too.
In my opinion, it appears cell phone service and selection is very similar to choosing a cable television provider … few choices, contracts, inconsistent service and really no consumer power to do anything about the problems. And as cell phones become more and more a necessity (mine already is) … it’s frightening to think what could happen down the road.
(Take note of the decor in Walt’s office … the etch-a-sketch, tandy word processor, old Apple II - a nice collection of the evolution of american technology!)
Posted by Jack Burris on 10.24.07.