Verizon Talks the Openness Talk, Doesn't Walk the Openness Walk

[Commentary] Verizon Wireless, nearly two years after saying it would offer its network to "any apps, any device," is moving toward openness with all the haste of a 12-year-old headed to the dentist. The company said today it's certified fewer than five dozen devices for its 3G network, most of which are "specialized M2M units" — in other words, not the kind of thing you're going to pick up at Best Buy. The carrier also announced the imminent launch of Vcast Apps, an initiative designed to allow developers to distribute their wares to Verizon's customers. While the talk of openness makes for good public relations, of course, and helps satisfy the requirements set forth by the FCC when Verizon won a chunk of 700 MHz spectrum at auction last year. But today's press release makes Verizon's priorities clear: It's the network, stupid.