If you use the stock browser on the Sprint Samsung Galaxy S4, you may notice the strange button in the corner. That, ladies and gentlemen, is the Lumen Toolbar. It shipped on the S4, but Sprint is just now detailing it as part of the carrier's Pinsight Media+ mobile advertising program. You know those obnoxious toolbars that programs are always trying to cram on your PC? This is the same thing, but your carrier is doing it to you.
Just a quick tap, and the Lumen Toolbar provides "rich, unparalleled opportunities for brand advertisers to engage Sprint customers." Emphasis added. The toolbar contains various shortcuts for sharing and searches – basically the kind of stuff your phone already does quite well without some toolbar taking up space. Don't be fooled by the carefully crafted PR-speak – these buttons are ads (and why one of them is an old Android Market icon, I cannot say). The video introduction points out advertisers can pay to get premium placement in the toolbar, or in the added services list, or even buy a banner ad in the toolbar.
This thing seems like a totally shameless money grab, and Sprint customers should be upset. As if this wasn't enough, the Lumen Toolbar is coming to more Android devices throughout 2013. Note that Sprint isn't making the toolbar, it just partners with Pinsight Media, which does make it.
Sprint's positive attitude about this addition might be the most annoying part. I rolled my eyes so hard while watching the video I thought they were going to fall out. There were already plenty of reasons to use a different browser, and this is just one more. Full (smarmy) PR below.
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