The V8 is a 500 Mhz, Linux-running powerhouse with two gorgeous screens. I know application developers who would love to write software for it. But as with all of their feature phones, T-Mobile forbids any third party Java applications from being installed on the device. They're basically trying to sell it as an overpriced voice phone, which is like buying a Voodoo PC to run Microsoft Word, or getting a car with a V12 to drive to the store. It makes no sense. (I gave it an Editor's Choice anyway, for the voice quality. Go figure.)

T-Mobile's idiotic, incomprehensible and self-defeating policy only gets stupider with time. I get it: they can't build a 3G network, so they're going to pretend data services don't exist. But the lack of 3G hasn't stopped the iPhone from taking over the multimedia universe, and T-Mobile has a far better position in Wi-Fi than AT&T does. If T-Mobile stopped arbitrarily barring third party applications from feature phones it wouldn't make them a data leader, but heck, it'd be a start.

Much more ranting below.

Okay, so how does this tie T-Mobile's and Motorola's woes together? Here we go: neither of them can figure out how to sell high end products, and a lot of that comes down to data and multimedia services. Look at the RAZR2 line in general. Yes, they're my Editor's Choices across the board, largely for their awe-inspiring voice quality. But their software generally falls short of the hardware. Where Motorola laid in powerful processors and beautiful screens, they plopped on the same-old, same-old user interfaces (including a dull music player) and watched both Verizon and T-Mobile slam down heavy restrictions on software development. Contrast that to Nokia's N-series devices, which can run thousands of different programs, or the iPhone, with its revolutionary user interface.

T-Mobile, meanwhile, just keeps coming back to voice and basic messaging. This would be a successful strategy if they had the best voice network in the country, which they don't. Verizon whomps them on coverage, and both CDMA2000 and UMTS networks have an advantage over T-Mobile's GSM system when it comes to sound quality. (I'm making a gross generalization there, I know, and GSM has an advantage on battery life.) So their business plan ends up being an attempt to undercut Verizon and AT&T on price. They even managed to turn Wi-Fi into a voice network via Hotspot@Home. That's a brilliant way to get indoor coverage and fill in gaps in their network, but it's ultimately a backward-looking, not a forward-looking strategy.

I was bummed out when T-Mobile changed their slogan from the exciting "get more," with its implication of a million open possibilities, to the conservative "stick together," with its implication of circling the wagons and looking inward. It's sad to see they still don't get the message that open platforms benefit everyone.

(Note: Since we've been through this whole thing before, here's my T-Mobile Idiotic Apps Policy FAQ. 1) T-Mobile has installed firmware blocks on most T-Mobile branded feature phones to prevent third party apps from accessing the Internet. 2) This does not apply to smart phones, such as Blackberries. 3) Or unlocked phones, like that Nokia N95 you bought from the Nokia store. 4) It's also not dependent on your data plan. They have other issues involving data plans, but if you have a RAZR2, it doesn't matter if you have a $9600/month data plan, you still can't install Opera Mini. 5) I've spoken to T-Mobile and they can give no sensible reason for this.)