Joint Mobile Payment Venture To Be Announced

Looks like some of the top US wireless carriers have joined up to pick a General Electric Co. executive to run a joint venture allowing people to make payments with their mobile phones. Verizon Wireless, AT&T and T-Mobile are all eager to get this venture moving and may announce their collaboration on this as early as today.

The carriers are eager to move into mobile transactions because it represents a new revenue stream and another feature that gets subscribers spending more time on their phone.

It appears that Barclays PLC and credit-card company Discover Financial Services are also jumping on board to get this moving as soon as possible.

There is already SO much you CAN do with your mobile device, this is just another thing that companies can cross off the list. Will we see a paper-free environment in our lifetime? Time will tell.

source: WSJ

Fact Or Fiction – Verizon Wireless Employee Lifts The Veil On Some Secrets

 

Where to start? Looks like there are loose lips within the ranks of Verizon Wireless this week. Whether or not this information is spot on or not is another story, only time will tell. It’s newsworthy enough to report to you guys though, so here goes.

Verizon Wireless employee, @V3RDICT has reported a few things:

• HTC Merge (AKA HTC Lexicon) which was supposed to launch in early November has now been pushed out due to VZW putting an LTE radio in it.

HTC Merge is pushed back because they are putting an LTE radio in it. But it's still coming. RT! #android #HTC—
Jeremiah Nelson (@V3RDICT) November 10, 2010

• Incredible HD is launching first of the year, 2011

Incredible HD is launching first of the year. HTC Merge is supposed to be the first VZW LTE device. #android #HTC—
Jeremiah (@V3RDICT) November 10, 2010

• Verizon Plans on launching a new Android device each quarter in 2011

Incredible HD is launching first of the year. HTC Merge is supposed to be the first VZW LTE device. #android #HTC—
Jeremiah (@V3RDICT) November 10, 2010

Those are just a few of the items that @V3RDICT touched upon over the last 24 hours, be sure to follow him to stay up to date on what else he feels like leaking.

Again….. fact or fiction…. you decide. We won’t know for SURE until more concrete info comes out.

 

source BGR (photo) // TechCrunch

Verizon Wireless Announces Availability Of Motorola DROID PRO – $179.99

Here’s something that I know many people have eagerly been waiting for, the official announcement by Verizon Wireless regarding the launch of the new Motorola DROID PRO, and as of this morning, that announcement has been made!

The DROID PRO is the first Android based smartphone geared towards business customers, and even better…. it’s global-ready.

The DROID PRO will be available as a pre-sale in stores and online beginning November 9th and for purchase in stores starting NOvember 18th. What will it set you back? A mere $179.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate (with a new 2 year contract).

Here’s the full press release:

BASKING RIDGE, NJ, and LIBERTYVILLE, IL — Verizon Wireless, the company with the nation’s largest and most reliable wireless 3G network, and Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT), today announced that DROID PRO, the first Android™-based smartphone optimized for business use, will be available as a pre-sale order at select Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com starting Nov. 9 and for purchase in stores starting Nov. 18. The DROID PRO will be available for $179.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.

DROID PRO, a global-ready Android smartphone, allows customers to enjoy wireless voice service in more than 220 countries and data coverage in more than 200 countries, with more than 120 with 3G speeds. Powered by Android 2.2, DROID PRO is packed with features that meet both business and personal needs such as pre-loaded Quickoffice Mobile Suite, 3G Mobile HotSpot capabilities, and a QWERTY keyboard designed for speed and convenience.

Verizon Wireless customers who purchase DROID PRO will receive the mail-in rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted. DROID PRO customers will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan (beginning at $39.99 monthly access) and a 3G Smartphone Plan.

For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

To learn more about DROID PRO, visit http://news.vzw.com/news/2010/10/pr2010-10-05.html.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Media can access high-resolution images of DROID PRO in the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at http://verizonwireless.mediaseed.tv/Story.aspx?story=37588.)

Source – VZW PR email

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

DROID Incredible To Get Update

Thanks to the folks over at Droid-Life for this tip, looks like the DROID Incredible will be getting a bit of an update soon. Yes, I said a “bit” of an update. Not MUCH to see here (we’ll get to the MUCH in another post), mostly bug fixes.

Here are some of the enhancements:

Improvements:  (3.26.605.1/Baseband Version: 2.15.00.07.28)
* Updated Flash® player includes security enhancements.
* Visual Voice Mail Wi-Fi improvements include removal of incorrect service messages and post-call notifications.
* Enhanced support for Yahoo!® IMAP email.
* Updated Slacker application.
* Attach files larger than 5 MB.
* Updated COX POP3 email settings.
* Play YouTube videos in YouTube application.
* Seamlessly switch between portrait and landscape views in Google Maps.™
* Updated Comcast POP3 email settings.
* Search key and other buttons displayed in correct order.

Enhancements:
* Preinstalled V CAST Apps lets users purchase applications directly from their devices and bill them to a Verizon Wireless account.

Who’s looking forward to this update?

source – Droid-Life

iPad Coming To Verizon Wireless On October 28th

Well, here we go….the start of a beautiful marriage, I hope. As rumors of a VZW iPhone swirl around, Verizon Wireless announces today that they will begin offering the Apple iPad in their stores nationwide beginning on October 28th. Just in time for the holidays!

Here’s what we know so far:

* $629.99 for iPad WiFi 16GB + MiFi
* $729.99 for iPad WiFi 32GB + MiFi
* $829.99 for iPad WiFi 64GB + MiFi

Customers will be looking at about $20/month for up to 1GB of data for access. However, Verizon Wireless says that they will also be offering all three iPad WiFi models on a stand-alone basis.

Who is looking forward to this? Anyone have this on their holiday list? Looking to pick one up for anyone else? I’m thinking this will be on many Christmas lists this season!

Here’s the full press release put out by VZW this morning:

10/14/2010

BASKING RIDGE, NJ, and CUPERTINO, CA — Verizon Wireless and Apple® today announced that iPad™ will be available at over 2,000 Verizon Wireless Stores nationwide beginning Friday, October 28. Verizon Wireless will offer three bundles, all featuring an iPad Wi-Fi model and a Verizon MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot, for a suggested retail price of $629.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 16GB + MiFi, $729.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 32GB + MiFi and $829.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 64GB + MiFi. Verizon Wireless is offering a monthly access plan to iPad customers of up to 1GB of data for just $20 a month. In addition, Verizon Wireless will also offer all three iPad Wi-Fi models on a stand-alone basis.

“This is the perfect pairing for holiday travels,” said John Stratton, chief operating officer for Verizon Wireless. “iPad together with the nation’s largest and most reliable 3G data network allows customers to easily connect on the go wherever they are.”

“We’re thrilled to be working with Verizon Wireless to get iPad into the hands of even more customers this holiday season,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s COO. “iPad allows users to connect with their apps and content in a more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before, and together with Verizon Wireless we’re offering an easy way to stay connected wherever you go.”

iPad allows users to browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more, all using iPad’s revolutionary Multi-Touch™ user interface. iPad Wi-Fi models are just 0.5 inches thick and weigh just 1.5 pounds – thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook – and deliver up to 10 hours of battery life.*

Apple’s App Store(SM) offers iPad users access to the world’s largest catalog of apps with over 280,000 apps and more than 30,000 iPad specific apps in 20 categories, including games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel. With Apple’s iBookstore(SM), the best way to browse, buy and read books on a mobile device, iPad users have access to more than 100,000 books from major and independent publishers.

MiFi 2200 is small enough to fit in a pocket and allows customers to create a personal Wi-Fi cloud capable of sharing the high-speed Internet connectivity of the Verizon Wireless 3G Mobile Broadband network with up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices. The MiFi 2200’s rechargeable battery provides up to four hours of active use and 40 hours of standby time on a single charge.

Customers can sign up for more information on Apple’s iPad together with Verizon Wireless’ MiFi 2200 at www.verizonwireless.com/iPad, at any Verizon Wireless Communications Store or by calling 1-800-2 JOIN IN.

*Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.

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.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork, and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple is reinventing the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced its magical iPad which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.

source – VZW PR – http://news.vzw.com/news/2010/10/pr2010-10-14.html

Verizon Wireless And Motorola Unveil Motorola CITRUS

Annnnnnnnnnnnd here we go…. Verizon Wireless has also OFFICIALLY announced the Motorola CITRUS. Let’s see what the specs are on this one, here’s the official press release:

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — From CTIA Enterprise & Applications™ 2010, Verizon Wireless, the company with the nation’s largest and most reliable wireless 3Gnetwork, and Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) today unveiled Motorola CITRUS™. Powered by Android™ 2.1, Motorola CITRUS delivers an affordable, entry-level, customizable smartphone experience in a compact design that is easy on both the eyes and the earth. Key features and specifications: Curved design Easy-to-use, on-screen QWERTY keyboard (available in landscape and portrait modes) for quick messaging Full HTML Web browser – Preloaded with Bing Search and Bing Maps and delivers a PC-like Web browsing experience with quick access to Web apps and services such as Facebook®; Google services such as Gmail™, Google Talk™ and YouTube™ Equipped with BACKTRACK™, a touch panel located on the back of the device that enables users to navigate and scroll through websites, home screens, e-mails, music and more without obstructing the display Full capacitive touch screen display delivers fluid flick, swipe and pinch-to-zoom navigation Seven home screen panels that can be tailored with an array of available shortcuts; applications; and pre-loaded widgets such as sticky notes, weather, messages and calendar Android Market™ – Choose from thousands of downloadable apps, many of which are free CITRUS has a housing made from 25 percent post-consumer recycled plastic, is certified CarbonFree® through an alliance with Carbonfund.org, and is PVC and BFR free. The packaging is made from 80 percent post-consumer recycled paper, and the user manual is made using 100 percent recycled paper and soy-based ink. Pricing and availability: Motorola CITRUS will be available at www.verizonwireless.com and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in Q4 2010. For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

So….. what do you think about the Motorola CITRUS? Planning on picking one up? Not for you? Let us know!

Source – VZW PR email

DROID Does Business: DROID PRO By Motorola Designed For Work And Play

Right on the heels of our last post, Verizon Wireless OFFICIALLY announces the DROID Pro…. here is the official press release, giving us some highly anticipated specs:

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — From CTIA Enterprise & Applications™ 2010, Verizon Wireless, the company with the nation’s largest and most reliable wireless 3G network, and Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) today unveiled DROID PRO, a new, powerful, stronger and faster solution designed to meet both business and personal needs. The first Android™-based smartphone optimized for business use, DROID PRO is also a global-ready Android smartphone from Verizon Wireless, allowing customers to enjoy wireless voice service in more than 220 countries and data coverage in more than 200 countries.

DROID PRO meets employers’ and employees’ needs by addressing the productivity tools businesses require, including corporate connectivity and security; full push corporate e-mail with corporate level security; unified calendar with additional work features; pre-loaded Quickoffice Mobile Suite, a powerful 1 GHz processor; 4 GB of memory (2 GB internal; and 2 GB removable) and a QWERTY keyboard designed for speed and convenience.

“DROID PRO combines the feature-packed, high-level user experience that customers look for in an Android smartphone plus the security that enterprises require, all with the reliability of Verizon Wireless’ 3G network,” said Mike Lanman, president – Enterprise and Government Markets for Verizon Wireless. “DROID PRO builds on our commitment to deliver the best Android experience to the marketplace as well as to our enterprise customers.”

“The DROID PRO is an advanced business-ready solution that provides users with the full smartphone experience, redefined by delivering the power of a DROID,” said Sanjay Jha, chief executive officer of Motorola Mobility. “The DROID PRO consolidates users’ work and personal needs. This is just another reason the DROID PRO is setting a new standard for enterprise, allowing users to enjoy all the benefits of a smartphone with full push delivery of corporate e-mail and corporate level security.”

Key features and specifications:

• Support for both Exchange e-mail and Gmail™ for business
• Corporate directory look-up, unified calendar for Enterprise and sync with Google Calendar™
• PC-like browsing with Adobe® Flash® Player 10.1 on a full, multi-touch, 3.1-inch brilliant display built on Android 2.2
• View, edit and share documents, including Microsoft Excel® spreadsheets, PowerPoint® presentations and Word® documents
• Built-in security features, including AuthenTec IPSec multi-headed VPN integration, remote wipe of device and SD card, and complex password support. Device and SD card encryption will be available in early 2011
• 3G Mobile HotSpot capabilities – Allows customers to connect up to five other Wi-Fi®-enabled devices and laptops
• Live widgets that stream e-mail messages to the home screen; customers can filter the widgets to separate work and home e-mail
• 5-megapixel camera with auto focus and dual LED flash as well as DVD-quality video
• 3G diversity antennae provides customers with enhanced data speeds and range
• Wi-Fi®-enabled DNLA® connectivity
• Android Market™ – Provides customers with access to more than 80,000 applications
• My Verizon and Backup Assistant(SM) support – Allows customers to manage their wireless accounts or their contacts from their phones

Pricing and availability:

• DROID PRO will be available at www.verizonwireless.com and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in the coming weeks. Pricing will be announced closer to launch.
• For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

So…. now that its officially been announced…. what do you think of the specs? Anyone going to pick this up when it drops? Let us know in the comments below!

source – VZW PR

BOGO Deal Active At Verizon Wireless For DROID Incredible

Been waiting to order a DROID Incredible but they’ve been out of stock? Well, rest assured….. the shelves are fully stocked now and not only can you pick one up for yourself, but you can pick up any phone for FREE once you do!

Right now you can pick up a DROID Incredible at Verizon Wireless for just $199.99 with a two year contract, after rebate!

So what do you think? Anyone still waiting to pick one of these up?

source – Droid-Life

Motorola R2-D2 Dummy Units Start Showing Their Faces

The Motorola R2-D2 DROID has begun popping up in Verizon Wireless stores around the country. BGR got this shot of the device and the “launch kit” packaging today.

Who’s planning on picking one of these up? C’mon….. I know there are some Star Wars fans out there just itching to grab one of these! Stand up and be counted!

source – BGR