My phone is a Nokia 6133…not top-of-the-line nor a smart-phone but has been good for my purposes. In trying to install Opera Mini on my phone I found that while I could download it, I couldn’t install it. The application access option on my menu that would allow me to install was grayed out. This is a feature Nokia provided as a factory setting. However, in T-Mobile’s “branding” process they deactivated it. They “don’t support third-party applications.” Huh?

I’m sure Dell, HP, Apple and every computer company would say the same thing but they at least give you the option and opportunity to screw up your system should a third-party application go awry. I signed up for “unlimited web access” so I could surf using my mobile, but I can’t even make it a pleasant experience?

Do other cell phone providers “brand” their mobile devices to make them barely functional also? While I can’t afford to go all out with a Blackberry Curve with unlimited surfing and unlimited text, kids and house ya know, I’m more than willing to make do with what I’ve got…plus a little bit of application help.

Eight months to go before the contract is up and the research into other carriers has begun…