-
After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.
Does Rob Jackson own www.htcpassion.com
- Thread starter Karuk
- Start date
Phases
NO LONGER ADMIN
Actually the thread was moved here so we WOULD see it.
There are only a few forums in here I subscribe to as a favorite - as to see every post made in them - and this is one of them.
I've seen it (as well as approved your comment on Phandroid) and gave Rob a heads up.
I would've answered this question myself as it's rather.. obvious.. but for something of this delicacy (due to the androidandme article) - he should answer it himself.
Hang tight, he will address the issue in a bit - either as a reply here or in a Phandroid article.
There are only a few forums in here I subscribe to as a favorite - as to see every post made in them - and this is one of them.
I've seen it (as well as approved your comment on Phandroid) and gave Rob a heads up.
I would've answered this question myself as it's rather.. obvious.. but for something of this delicacy (due to the androidandme article) - he should answer it himself.
Hang tight, he will address the issue in a bit - either as a reply here or in a Phandroid article.
I love phones. TWO years ago the FIRST website I really ever created was a site about the LG Voyager for Verizon at VerizonVoyager.org. The site quickly became very popular (even featured on Forbes.com) but before we knew it... the phone became obsolete and the site was virtually dead.
Pretty soon I realized that making a site that was more BROAD and sweeping was a better idea... like Phandroid and AndroidForums... so that the scope of the website could change with the times. It's worked great for the most part.
But If you're an everyday consumer looking for information about a phone you've heard about, chances are that Phandroid/AF are over your head. If you don't already know much about Android you could easily become lost - especially if you're not all that computer savvy. For that reason, we've bought some domains to create "fan pages" when we think big/popular Android related phones are slated to launch - HTCpassion.com being one of them.
When the HTC Passion was first leaked I wrote the following story:
HTC Passion: 3rd Verizon Android In 2009? | Android Phone Fans
As you can easily see, NOWHERE in that article do I EVER mention HTCpassion.com. Instead we put up a quick "placeholder" on that domain with the hope of updating it when concrete information came out. Rumored as Verizon's first Android Phone we were pretty sure a huge influx of everyday consumers would be looking for more information and we were eager to help them learn what was what.
But concrete information never arrived. Phone names, form factors, specs, carriers... they all just blurred. So we left the site alone, waiting in the wings to be updated when/if appropriate.
We NEVER linked to the domain.
We NEVER told anyone about the domain.
We NEVER used it to fuel a rumor.
We NEVER made mention of it to anyone.
And then at the end of November, Taylor Wimberly of AndroidAndMe made a post about HTCpassion.com suggesting it was proof that Verizon would get the phone:
HTC Passion coming to VZW this Christmas? – Android and Me
I never knew ANYTHING about this article. Until Taylor asked me a few days ago if I owned the domain and I told him I did. He mentioned the article he wrote but I never bothered to look it up - HTCpassion.com seems pretty obviously unofficial if you ask me.
In any case, I was inundated with Emails today of people TOTALLY flipping out on me. Saying they're boycotting Phandroid, calling me all sorts of names, pretty much slandering me and threatening me because of the following article:
No HTC Passion for Verizon this Christmas – Android and Me
If you had something negative/nasty to say I think you're absolutely 100% missing the point/intentions and perhaps you should have inquired before going overboard. The purpose of having that site - like any other site I own/operate - is to help inform the public and gather enthusiasts at a destination where they can learn and share. This is exactly what I was hoping to do with HTCpassion.com if the phone was ever released.
Unfortunately as the rumor pool got muddier and muddier the opportunity never arose. On top of that, we've become so overwhelmed with Phan/AF that we don't have time for anything else anyways!
But be my guest - peek around and see if AF/Phan has in any way tried to promote or benefit from that site? We haven't. There was never a Phandroid article using that information to create a news story and benefit from self-created traffic or invented rumors. It just flat out didn't happen.
Sure, we would have linked back to Phan/AF in hopes people might become part of our larger family, but accusations that we somehow intended to deceive or acted maliciously are categorically false. If anyone was accidentally misled I sincerely apologize - it was never the intention and we should have labeled it as a "fan site" as we normally do.
While I forgot the site existed it seems there was a team of hounds trying to dig up whatever dirt they could on the domain. In the end it led to me, which I'm happy to admit since it wasn't something I was ever trying to hide in the first place. But the fact that they had to "dig" in the first place immediately fueled assumptions that I had planned and plotted some hoax with which I would benefit from Dr. Evil style.
Believe what you want to, say what you want to, hurl insults, etc... be my guest. But if you REALLY did the proper research you:
(1) Would have realized the site was unofficial a couple minutes after doing some simple fact checking. How this ever became an article on a news source I'm not sure. I just got a news tip about HTCbravo.com but guess what? You won't find an article about that on Phandroid. It took all of 11 seconds to see it is not official - this stuff should be more forum fodder than anything else.
(2) Would have realized Phan/AF had no part/role in suggesting this site was real or, in reality, even mentioning it existed. If you were told this site could be the missing "official link" than you were led astray... and at no effort of our own. We made that landing page when the Passion WAS thought to be headed to Verizon the first day it leaked and simply forgot it existed.
(3) Long time readers know that I try to look out for the best interests of of our community. For the past 2 years I've worked my tail off to bring you news, opinion, reviews and all other kinds of info. Those of you that may feel like you "know" me also understand that while I can be opinionated, I also fess up when I mess up. I didn't "mess up" here... trust me my intentions were pure.
Again, if you got the wrong idea from all this I apologize that the unforeseeable chain of events sucked you in. Sure, I could have taken precautions to ensure this wouldn't happen and I will in the future... but at the time it never crossed my mind. Hindsight is 20/20.
I'm happy to answer any other questions you may have!
Pretty soon I realized that making a site that was more BROAD and sweeping was a better idea... like Phandroid and AndroidForums... so that the scope of the website could change with the times. It's worked great for the most part.
But If you're an everyday consumer looking for information about a phone you've heard about, chances are that Phandroid/AF are over your head. If you don't already know much about Android you could easily become lost - especially if you're not all that computer savvy. For that reason, we've bought some domains to create "fan pages" when we think big/popular Android related phones are slated to launch - HTCpassion.com being one of them.
When the HTC Passion was first leaked I wrote the following story:
HTC Passion: 3rd Verizon Android In 2009? | Android Phone Fans
As you can easily see, NOWHERE in that article do I EVER mention HTCpassion.com. Instead we put up a quick "placeholder" on that domain with the hope of updating it when concrete information came out. Rumored as Verizon's first Android Phone we were pretty sure a huge influx of everyday consumers would be looking for more information and we were eager to help them learn what was what.
But concrete information never arrived. Phone names, form factors, specs, carriers... they all just blurred. So we left the site alone, waiting in the wings to be updated when/if appropriate.
We NEVER linked to the domain.
We NEVER told anyone about the domain.
We NEVER used it to fuel a rumor.
We NEVER made mention of it to anyone.
And then at the end of November, Taylor Wimberly of AndroidAndMe made a post about HTCpassion.com suggesting it was proof that Verizon would get the phone:
HTC Passion coming to VZW this Christmas? – Android and Me
I never knew ANYTHING about this article. Until Taylor asked me a few days ago if I owned the domain and I told him I did. He mentioned the article he wrote but I never bothered to look it up - HTCpassion.com seems pretty obviously unofficial if you ask me.
In any case, I was inundated with Emails today of people TOTALLY flipping out on me. Saying they're boycotting Phandroid, calling me all sorts of names, pretty much slandering me and threatening me because of the following article:
No HTC Passion for Verizon this Christmas – Android and Me
If you had something negative/nasty to say I think you're absolutely 100% missing the point/intentions and perhaps you should have inquired before going overboard. The purpose of having that site - like any other site I own/operate - is to help inform the public and gather enthusiasts at a destination where they can learn and share. This is exactly what I was hoping to do with HTCpassion.com if the phone was ever released.
Unfortunately as the rumor pool got muddier and muddier the opportunity never arose. On top of that, we've become so overwhelmed with Phan/AF that we don't have time for anything else anyways!
But be my guest - peek around and see if AF/Phan has in any way tried to promote or benefit from that site? We haven't. There was never a Phandroid article using that information to create a news story and benefit from self-created traffic or invented rumors. It just flat out didn't happen.
Sure, we would have linked back to Phan/AF in hopes people might become part of our larger family, but accusations that we somehow intended to deceive or acted maliciously are categorically false. If anyone was accidentally misled I sincerely apologize - it was never the intention and we should have labeled it as a "fan site" as we normally do.
While I forgot the site existed it seems there was a team of hounds trying to dig up whatever dirt they could on the domain. In the end it led to me, which I'm happy to admit since it wasn't something I was ever trying to hide in the first place. But the fact that they had to "dig" in the first place immediately fueled assumptions that I had planned and plotted some hoax with which I would benefit from Dr. Evil style.
Believe what you want to, say what you want to, hurl insults, etc... be my guest. But if you REALLY did the proper research you:
(1) Would have realized the site was unofficial a couple minutes after doing some simple fact checking. How this ever became an article on a news source I'm not sure. I just got a news tip about HTCbravo.com but guess what? You won't find an article about that on Phandroid. It took all of 11 seconds to see it is not official - this stuff should be more forum fodder than anything else.
(2) Would have realized Phan/AF had no part/role in suggesting this site was real or, in reality, even mentioning it existed. If you were told this site could be the missing "official link" than you were led astray... and at no effort of our own. We made that landing page when the Passion WAS thought to be headed to Verizon the first day it leaked and simply forgot it existed.
(3) Long time readers know that I try to look out for the best interests of of our community. For the past 2 years I've worked my tail off to bring you news, opinion, reviews and all other kinds of info. Those of you that may feel like you "know" me also understand that while I can be opinionated, I also fess up when I mess up. I didn't "mess up" here... trust me my intentions were pure.
Again, if you got the wrong idea from all this I apologize that the unforeseeable chain of events sucked you in. Sure, I could have taken precautions to ensure this wouldn't happen and I will in the future... but at the time it never crossed my mind. Hindsight is 20/20.
I'm happy to answer any other questions you may have!
Caddyman
Android Expert
i don't see a problem at all, just a bunch of people looking to be mad....about something, anything, to fill a void in their lives.
hell i would do the same thing if i was into phones like that....people act like Rob spent 1000's of dollars for some elaborate scam, it would cost roughly $10 (including the domain purchase) to put a placeholder like that up....get over it people.
hell i would do the same thing if i was into phones like that....people act like Rob spent 1000's of dollars for some elaborate scam, it would cost roughly $10 (including the domain purchase) to put a placeholder like that up....get over it people.
This certainly won't stop me from coming to Androidforums (or Phandroid, for that matter), but this is very odd...
No HTC Passion for Verizon this Christmas – Android and Me
No HTC Passion for Verizon this Christmas – Android and Me
Caddyman
Android Expert
I would say Phandroid is enjoying the drama, drama creates a buzz, and a buzz translates into visits.
I am sure it wasn't Rob's intentions for this mess to take place like it did but it is good for the site...
Back when I was big into iDen/nextel phones, modding, etc, I ran many related forums with some friends and we would start site wars all the time to cross promote the sites, worked great.
I am sure it wasn't Rob's intentions for this mess to take place like it did but it is good for the site...
Back when I was big into iDen/nextel phones, modding, etc, I ran many related forums with some friends and we would start site wars all the time to cross promote the sites, worked great.
D
Deleted User
Guest
Why? What sort of comment are you looking for?
It looks to me like Rob has simply registered a domain/ site name (many actually), which is something that anyone, you and me included, can do. Cheaply.
TheNorthernForest
Android Enthusiast
This has already been discussed before, and I'll move it to the exact section that it's already in. 
wonderbread
Android Enthusiast
FireRunner
Member
Last time I checked anyone is free to purchase any domain name they want. What's the big deal? Some folks here have too much time in on their hands?
