Verizon's V CAST Media Manager -- you guessed it -- manages media

Verizon has hooked up with Smith Micro to offer a branded version of its QuickLink suite as V CAST Media Manager, a tool to corral music, videos, and pictures between Windows PCs and compatible phones. It integrates with Verizon's music store -- a business we're pretty sure everyone wishes carriers would steer clear of -- and imports playlists from other unnamed music management apps; as photos go, it apparently has some rudimentary integrated editing capabilities and lets you create slideshows on the fly. Maybe the funniest part of the whole ordeal is that of the 19 phones currently supported, one -- just one -- is a smartphone: the original BlackBerry Storm 9530. Yeah, your guess is just as good as ours on that one.

[Ted S Posted Dec 17th 2009 5:29AM]

Indeed the funny part is that the Verizon Droid, Eris, and HTC are NOT compatible.

In fact, although the user pays a $29.99 "Data Feature" surcharge, the Droid and Eris are DENIED access to V Cast and Vz Navigator.

So much for the idea of choice, openness, and getting what you pay for. .

[JaneQ Posted Dec 17th 2009 5:54PM]

@Ted S

I guess all of a sudden, the Verizon reps and fanboys have nothing to say on this matter.

It's amazing how Verizon gouges the customer for a extra $30 data feature fee and at the same time takes away features from the plan.

According to the Verizon reps I spoke to about not getting VZ Navigator and VCast on my Droid, they all told me:

"Why pay for something you could get for free"

"There are thousands of apps where you could get Navigation and Televised programming for free on your Droid."

I replied with "Name 5 programs" and "Why disable Apps on Android phones" and got nothing but SILENCE before being hastily transferred to another rep.

And to think, THIS is the customer service I'm paying for?

[SoCoolCurt Posted Dec 18th 2009 12:44AM]

@JaneQ

wait, wait. so you are complaining about free apps that are better than the paid apps? i personally applaud Verizon for not completely gouging our pockets for a change.