Unlimited Data Usage - as we know it

Are data plans for mobile internet-based devices changing for the worse?  Heck, are plans from Internet Service Providers going to see change?

With more and more services switching to cloud based services, it's hard to imagine an ISP of any kind (mobile or not) limiting the amount of data for smart post-PC devices. 

Even though Netflix STILL isn't available for Android-based devices (who'd have thought it'd be available on Microsoft-based devices first... I guess with Silverlight...), the amount of data streamed for the average smart-phone user would easily exceed imposed data limits.  Do you ever use Pandora? YouTube?  MMS?  Of the few remaining mobile ISP's, ATT is the most ludicrous. The ISP responsible for introducing the heavily regailed iPad?!?  A device that almost REQUIRES data access (not to mention the outrageous pricing for their 2GB plans)?  I fear for T-Mobile users.

If I were Sprint, I'd be excited to think about the possibilities of seizing market share for those markets. 

Media is getting bigger.  Documents are getting bigger.  Operating systems are getting bigger.  Heck, even the Post-PC devices are getting bigger.  5 MegaPixel photos; the new Evo supports 1080 (full HD) video, I can't imagine how the greedy ISP's will be affected by the direction of the market.  Will they line their pockets with gold?  Will they lose customers to the unlimited providers (Sprint)?

Consumers will continue to purchase iPads and iPhones, but every time they hit their data usage limits, four letter words will fly. 

It's too bad a company can't develop a model similar to that of Google for phone/data usage.  Do you remember when you first were invited to Gmail?   "What?!?" "They're going to give me how much storage!?!" At the time, mailbox size WAS a factor; most Exchange based accounts (depending on the config) were limited to a mere 256MB, and Outlook's own datafile (.PST) was limited to 2GB.  Cripes, it's hard to believe how recently that was the case.

Get real ISP's!  As a business owner, I'm glad we decided to go with Sprint.  I don't have to do much thinking regarding usage.  As long as the bill looks good, I'm good.

Sprint Goes Windows

I guess that I was a bit off by stating that sprint decided to go with just the green robot...

I'm excited to see the new Windows Phone they'll be rolling out.

But...

Why are they married to their physical keyboards?!?! I can't figure it out. Do they think they have the physical keyboard niche? Guess what; I bet the majority of the cell phone market-space could care less (sounds of the executives at TMobile and ATT laughing in their sleeves to be inserted here). Apple is evidence of that. Granted, I'm sure there are people out there that like them, but what would a slide out keyboard look like on the iPhone? How would that affect the sales of the iPhone? I doubt they'd gain much MORE market share?

If it's the niche thing... spend MORE on rolling out 4G.  I understand there's a cost difference, but it seems as though there has been very little focus on the importance of 4G; which, to me seems ridiculous.  I have an Epic, but having 4G means almost nothing; even though I live in the city.

To demonstrate how significant the potential market-space for 4G is, look at the Apple iPad 2...  3G!??  Seriously!??  On a device that screams for high speed and portability!??  If I were a carrier, I'd want all of those eggs in my basket.

They must be afraid of bandwidth usage or something... I'm very confused.  It seems to me that Sprint has a chance to gain a significant market share.