HTC Trophy – Windows Phone 7 Device Coming to Verizon In Early 2011

Looks like a pretty sweet Windows Phone 7 device will be hitting the shelves at Verizon in early 2011. The HTC Trophy should appear on Big Red’s CDMA network in the early part of 2011. Many people were hoping Verizon would get the HTC 7 Pro and this is yet to be decided. What we do know is the following:

It’s unclear whether Verizon will ever get HTC’s 7 Pro, but it’s a lock that Big Red will eventually have some manner of Windows Phone 7 gear in its lineup — and now we’ve got one in the flesh. Looks like HTC will be remixing the Trophy for use on CDMA networks, featuring a 3.8-inch WVGA display, 5 megapixel cam, 16GB of storage, and 802.11n, and Verizon is circulating a brochure for Microsoft employees saying they’ll be able to buy the Trophy in “early 2011″ for $199.99 at launch when they renew their contracts now (they’ll also get a leather case and a car charger for free, but hey, they’re Microsofties). Oh, and that’s not the best part: the Trophy is also identified as being a “quad band global phone,” meaning you’ll be able to roam on GSM networks when you leave the US behind — a feature Verizon seems to be pushing pretty hard across its smartphone lineup now. Follow the break for a bigger version of the pamphlet.

Source: Engadget

With Android heavily embedded in Verizon stores and rumors of a Verizon iPhone, it’s nice to hear that Microsoft and Windows Phone 7 are receiving the love as well. What do you think? Enticed to pickup a Windows Phone 7 device on Verizon? Hit us up in the comments with your reaction.

Verizon Q4 Roadmap Leaked

Good Friday morning!  Verizon fan/customer?  We have some good information for you!  The team at PPCGeeks.com have come across the roadmap for Verizon for this 4th quarter of 2010.  As we are halfway through Q4, some of this information has already come to light, but maybe some speculation can be laid to rest on what devices will and will not be out this last quarter of the year.  What I get most from this PDF is the information that the sales people use to target and sell each of the phones.  It is pretty interesting to see sales strategies and whether or not I agree with them.

From the PDF:
Singles/Couples/Young Adults will be interested in –

• Samsung Continuum (Super-AMOLED, Android 2.2, 5MP, 1Ghz processor)
• LG Vortex (Messaging, browsing, social networking, email, 3G hotspot)
• Motorola Citrus (Messaging, browsing, social networking, BACKTRACKtm pad, 3G hotspot)

Singles/Couples/Young Adults/Small-Medium Business/Enterprise users will be interested in -

• Palm Pre 2 (1Ghz processor, HP webOS2.0, Flash 10.1, 3G hotspot)
• Motorola DROID 2 Global (1.2Ghz processor, full QWERTY, Flash 10.1, 3G hotspot, Enterprise)
• Motorola DROID PRO (QWERTY, VPN integration, 3G hotspot, Android 2.2, Flash 10.1)

Young Adults/Teens will be interested in –

• LG Octane (Messaging, mobile email, Social Beat, bubble pop-up notifications for misses messages)
• Pantech Crux (External music controls, messaging, mobile email, Social Beat)
• Samsung Zeal (Messaging, mobile email, Social Beat, VCAST Videos)
• LG Cosmos Touch (Touch screen, full QWERTY, messaging, mobile email, Social Beat)
• KIN ONEm and KIN TWOm (Email, messaging, calendar, Zune Music, 5MP/4GB onboard memory (KIN ONEm), 8MP/8GB onboard memory/records HD video (KIN TWOm))

Well, that was a lot of info!  A few interesting points I take away from this:

• The Continuum is being billed as a higher quality device because they are pulling out specific specifications, whereas the Vortex and Citrus are left with soft “Key Features”
• The focus is on the DROID series phones, solid OS, full feature, and the DROID PRO is angling hard for BlackBerry users
• The “Feature” phones are a mishmash of lack-of-feature phones, but I guess they are a good starting point for some people who don’t want to be overwhelmed with all the bells and whistles of richer smartphones

Thoughts?  Anything pop out at you that you didn’t know before?  Again, what I like to see the most is the information about the target customer and assumed primary use.

Have a good Friday everyone!  The weekend is upon us!

Source:  www.PPCGeeks.com

 

 

Verizon Wireless Testing $70, 450 Min Plan Similar To Sprint

Looks like America’s largest and most reliable 3G network is testing their new Talk and Text Plus Data plan. Starting at $69.99 here’s what you’ll get:

Unlimited text – including picture and video messaging!

Unlimited data on the nation’s largest and most reliable 3G network, allowing you
to use data applications in more places than other carriers.

Unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling to more than 80 million Verizon Wireless customers
— more than any other wireless carrier.
Plus, you can add Friends and Family to eligible plans at no additional cost and get unlimited calling
to the numbers you call most in the U.S. on any network, even landlines.
Call today to learn more about how this special promotion can help you save on the text, talk and
data you need. 1 year contract renewal required.
Limited time offer! Only available by calling:

CALL 877.873.3278

The aforementioned data plan will allot users 450 monthly minutes, unlimited messaging, unlimited data, and unlimited Verizon mobile-to-mobile minutes. A family share plan (for 2 lines) will retail for $139.99 and provide 1400 anytime minutes, unlimited messaging, unlimited data, and unlimited Verizon mobile-to-mobile minutes; additional lines can be added for $19.99. Both plans require a 1-year contract renewal and you can only take advantage of the promotion by calling the number listed in the email.

Sprint still has a proverbial leg-up on Verizon as their Everything Data plans all include unlimited, carrier agnostic, mobile-to-mobile calling minutes.

Still, if you’re a Big Red customer, and purchased all this new plan offers independently, it would retail for roughly $90 — $39.99 for 450 minutes, $19.99 for unlimited text messaging, and $29.99 for smartphone data.

Sound like a good deal for you Verizon customers out there? Pricing wars are always welcomed to drive down prices for the average customer. Sound off in the comments on your reaction.

Sources: Verizon Wireless – BGR

V Cast App Store Included In DROID Incredible Update

 

As reported earlier, the HTC DROID Incredible will be getting a slight update, and one of the new enhancements is the all new V Cast App Store, brought to us by Verizon Wireless. It appears that the Incredible will be the first device to receive this new enhancement, and it’s slated to drop sometime next week.

Here’s the official announcement by Verizon:

“Verizon Wireless will begin pushing a software update to the DROID Incredible next week. The update includes software enhancements that will pre-install V CAST Apps on the phone. We said earlier this year that we’d be expanding V CAST Apps to the Android platform, and the DROID Incredible is the first Android phone with the store. Developers continue to submit apps, and as a reminder, V CAST Apps allows carrier billing, so customers who purchase applications through our store will see those charges on their monthly bill. For more information about the update customers can go to www.verizonwireless.com/droidincrediblesupport.”

Not sure how I feel about this, saw a few tweets from people who have already seen this and they’re not TOO blown away by it. Time will tell, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Looking forward to checking it out, anyway!

 

source – PhoneNews

Motorola Droid Pro Pricing Revealed – $179.99 with contract and rebate

Well, it looks like we finally have confirmation of pricing for the Motorola Droid Pro upcoming on the Verizon network. I believe $179.99 after a $100 rebate on a 2-year contract is pretty fair. Heck, $249.99 would almost be more enticing on a 1-year deal for those who like to upgrade fairly often. Anybody grabbing the Droid Pro on Big Red? You diggin’ that physical QWERTY keyboard combined with Android goodness? Hit us up in the comments with your reaction.

Remember how we brought you the Motorola Droid Pro launch date but were left wondering what it would cost? Wonder no more. Your cost, after two-year contract and $100 rebate, will be $179.99. A one-year deal will be $249.99 when all is said and done, and off-contract will be $479.99. All in all, not bad for a phone with a 1GHz processor, full QWERTY keyboard and the ability to work overseas.

Source: Android Central

Verizon Announces Launch Of 4G LTE In 10 West Virginia Metropolitan Areas

Looks like Verizon Wireless isn’t wasting any time in getting their 4G LTE system up and running. Here’s the official scoop from Verizon:

10/21/2010

WHO:
Senator Jay Rockefeller, Governor Joe Manchin and Tony Melone, senior vice president and chief technology officer for Verizon Wireless

WHAT:
Senator Rockefeller, Governor Manchin and Mr. Melone will announce Verizon’s plans to deploy its 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless network in 10 West Virginia cities.

WHERE:
Embassy Suites Hotel
300 Court Street
Salon CD
Charleston, West Virginia 25301

WHEN:
Wednesday, October 27, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

BACKGROUND:
Verizon Wireless is deploying the world’s first large-scale 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network to 38 markets and more than 60 commercial airports across the nation, covering more than 110 million Americans. The company will begin its West Virginia wireless expansion and 4G deployment in Charleston this year and roll out to other metropolitan areas throughout the state by 2013.

While Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network promises much more than speed, the first application gives employees the ability to work at significantly faster speeds and improved latency, increasing productivity and the opportunity to get work done where their business takes them.

EDITORS/REPORTERS: Please RSVP regarding your attendance at this event by contacting Laura Kaster at 513-271-7222 ext. 26 or lkaster@wordsworthweb.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 92 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 79,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

WV seem like a surprise choice for the 4G LTE launch? Hit us up in the comments with your reaction.

Source: Verizon Wireless

Thanks

BigTechTony

Samsung Galaxy Tab Launching On Verizon – Mark 11/11/10 On Your Calendars!!!

Anyone have any plans on November 11, 2010? I bet some of you Verizon folk do now! The Samsung Galaxy Tab with its Android goodness is dropping on Big Red on 11/11/10. Looks like Verizon is definitely settling into the tablet arena nicely with the news that the iPad will be sold in Verizon stores on 10/28/10 as well. The Android 2.2-based tablet, which has dual cameras, a 1GHz processor, and Verizon-branded service on board, will cost $600. Verizon Wireless doesn’t mention if a rebate is involved.

I’ll keep you posted as I hear more information. Who’s excited for this? Looks like my Christmas list will keep seeing revisions with all of this tech madness going on. Lol! Let us know in the comments if you’re going to grab the Samsung Galaxy Tab on the Verizon network.

Source: PhoneScoop

Thanks

BigTechTony

FiOS TV Mobile Remote Widget Now Available On iPods, iPads & iPhones

Have FiOS? Want to control everything from the comfort of your couch, but your remote control is across the room? Gone are the days of having to actually get UP from the couch to walk across the room. We all know that your device is always at arms length, so why not control it through there?

The FiOS TV Mobile Remote Widget solves the age old problem of what to do when you can’t find your TV’s remote control. Simple – you use your mobile phone! The widget gives customers with compatible phones the ability to change the channel, adjust the volume, control the DVR and literally flick photos from their device onto the TV for viewing.

Now the list of compatible devices includes the Apple iPhone along with the iPod and iPad. Any customer with an HD set-top box can use the Mobile Remote Widget. Aside from the Apple devices, the Widget works with all Motorola DROID phones, the HTC Eris, Incredible, Touch Pro2, Imagio, Hero and Evo, the Nexus One and the Samsung Captivate, Vibrant and Galaxy.

What do you think? Have you tried this before? I have and it works like a charm. I can’t see myself doing this ALL the time, but it’s great in a pinch! Have a compatible device? Give it a shot and let us know what you thought of it!

Thanks to an anonymous tipster for the info!

Opera Mini Browser Coming To Verizon Feature Phones

The high-quality Opera Mini Web browser will be coming to feature phones on Verizon Wireless. The Polaris browser was featured in the past but the addition of Opera Mini will be a welcome addition to Big Red. Opera Mini compresses the websites on its own servers, and is optimized for low-bandwidth, low-signal situations, as it serves highly optimized content, which loads quickly. Opera Mini offers bookmarks, tabbed browsing, auto-completion, and other modern browser goodies.

Streaming flash video is still a no-go but the low-level phones wouldn’t be able to render it anyway. Anyone excited about this? Hit us up in the comments.

Source: PCMag

Thanks

BigTechTony

Verizon Wireless Offers Phone Trade-In Service

Verizon Wireless has just kicked off their phone trade-in service that allows you to receive a VZW gift card for the phone you trade-in. It does NOT have to be a Verizon phone. Don’t be looking to get too high of a price on your trade-in but something is better than nothing, right?

Here’s how the service works: you go to www.trade-in.vzw.com and input the type of device you have (it does not have to be a Verizon device), you answer several questions about the devices condition (does it make calls, does the screen work, is the screen cracked), you then get an appraisal of what your device is worth and an option to have a pre-paid box shipped to you. You can also donate the phone to charity which is a nice cause.

I have a couple older phones and I’ll be checking this out for sure. Let us know what you think.

Source: Boy Genius Report

Thanks

BigTechTony