MobiTV Won’t Connect Via Wi-Fi — Evil Carrier Data Racketeering Scheme?
MobiTV isn’t the first app to refuse to open when connected to a Wi-Fi network (I’m looking at you, Skype with Verizon), but given the video streaming nature of the app it does seem like one that would be a no-brainer for Wi-Fi use. Wait, so video streaming uses a lot of data bandwidth? And data bandwidth usage could mean big money for wireless carriers? OK, now things are becoming clear. At least they are kind enough to include a warning after asking you to shut off your phone’s Wi-Fi connection. “THIS PRODUCT WILL USE A LARGE AMOUNT OF DATA AND YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL DATA CHARGES.” Oh, it will?
MobiTV comes installed on the Samsung Captivate as part of AT&T’s pre-bundled software (read here if you’d like to give AT&T the root and boot from the Captivate), so it would stand that the carrier/software developer/manufacturer/whoever might have seen some promise in trying to up-sell data along with an app that only works on-network. And really, it is just that: a shameless attempt to squeeze more money out of the consumer. Maybe it is a bit extreme to call it racketeering, but it sure feels a bit that way. Of course, you aren’t obligated to use MobiTV on your Captivate — and we’d suggest avoiding it for the aforementioned reasons — but it would be nice to see this sort of thing eradicated. I suppose that is the price we pay for subsidized hardware.
[via MobileCrunch]