Tech Thirst  by anuj ahooja

Who would’ve thunk it? The companies that should want smartphones to power through and become a necessity that belongs in each and every citizen’s hands are the exact ones that are slowing down the technology.

Carriers suck. Whether you’re in Canada or the US – carriers are one of the main reasons our mobile technology isn’t lightyears ahead. You want an example? Rogers One Number – one single phone number for all your devices including your computer, tablet etc. Sounds a lot like Google Voice, doesn’t it? Guess what – it’s exactly that with lesser functionality. It’s also exactly why Google Voice doesn’t exist in Canada. This is one in a list of too many evil doings by carriers to horribly throttle tech companies that want to change our lives. The power these companies hold is disgusting. Hate is a strong word, and that’s exactly why I’ll use it – I. Hate. Carriers.

Now let’s chalk up another one for these demons that control our airwaves, whether it be our smartphones, TVs, or internet. Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile have been blocking Google Wallet since it’s inception because they’re banding together to build their own Google Wallet clone – Isis. To stop Google Wallet from penetrating the market any further, they’ve taken every single action they can to stop it including Verizon not allowing Wallet on their horribly branded version of the Galaxy Nexus. As if their ugly logo plastered along the back wasn’t dirty enough. Verizon said it wasn’t “blocking” it, but rather in “commercial discussions”. In other words – pay up, sucker.

Google is now getting to the point where they’re willing to pay carriers a cut of each transaction just so that it has the benefits carriers get out of Isis. Excuse me while I puke. NFC payments are hands-down the most important next step in mobile and carriers are stopping it just so they can get a cut? I literally have no safe words to say for this situation, so I’m going to stop right there.

Hollywood, the music industry, and carriers – the three pillars that are ruining the movement of technology on a daily basis.

I don’t even want to say any more.