Business Insider has a post up in which they criticize Verizon for forcing the Verizon App Store on HTC Android phones. BI's argument is that such practices further fragment the Android App marketplace and subscribers have no choice but to accept the Verizon App Store. BI is echoing Steve Job's remarks, which are here.
I am not particularly a fan of Verizon and their App Store. Their app store is pretty anemic but their network and customer service are very good..and customer service is why I disagree with BI. The typical Verizon subscriber needs the occasional support of a customer service call not just for voice but for apps. By offering the App Store Verizon can provide complete customer service for the average customer. Verizon customers are not concerned by the theoretical issue of Android market fragmentation and forced downloads are so common these days that again BI is worried about an issue that only a geek might care about.
Now if Verizon would expand the range of the apps I might find something I need.
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