AT&T and Verizon plan LTE for 700 Mhz spectrum
Added on 2008-04-04 14:01:00
by Alfredo Padilla
 Now that the 700 Mhz spectrum is actually complete people can talk about their plans. Unsurprisingly both AT&T and Verizon plant to use their respective shares of the spectrum to deploy a high speed Long Term Evolution (LTE) network nationally. LTE is the next stage for GSM networks and can properly be considered a 4G technology, with throughputs estimated to hit 100 Mbps. Another interesting tidbit was that Google confirmed that they were bidding in the 700 Mhz auction to ensure that the open access provisions would be met. For those looking forward to LTE speeds you may not want to hold your breath as we're looking at a 2010 - 2012 launch.
[Via: Ars Technica]
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Samsung Alias Video Preview
Added on 2008-04-03 17:55:00
by Alfredo Padilla
 Not much to say here, the Alias is just an updated version of the U740, and the updates are minor, to say the least. They changed the color of the phone and changed the coloring on the keypad slightly. We have two things to say here: first, couldn't you have at least put a nicer camera on the thing and two, why not throw Windows Mobile or some other smart phone interface in while you're at it, it's got a freaking QWERTY? Video after the break.
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BlackBerry Curve 8330 announced for Verizon
Added on 2008-03-31 08:18:00
by Mark Brezinski
 Today Verizon and RIM have announced their bouncing baby 8330 to the world. This new version of the curve will have no wi-fi capabilities, but will feature GPS via VZ Navigator. Other than this itty-bitty switch-p, the 8330 is basically the same as the 8320. It has the same dimensions, the same 2.0-Megapixel camera, and the same look. The only uncertainty is the degree to which Verizon will white-wash the BlackBerry OS with bright red VZ-branded garbage. The phone will cost $269.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate, and an additional $100 will get knocked off provided you sign up with a specific plan.
If you want to see more specs, head to the press release and scroll down to the bulleted list.
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PhoneScoop reviews Samsung u550
Added on 2008-03-31 06:35:00
by Emily Price
 PhoneScoop has a review up of the Samsung u550. The u550 is a clamshell made for Verizon wireless. Overall they thought the u550 was a “workhorse of a phone” but lacked a bit in styling and any defining features. Check out the full review of the handset here.
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Verizon announces Spring lineup of handsets
Added on 2008-03-31 04:37:00
by Emily Price
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 Verizon has announced it’s Spring Lineup of handsets. Those making the list include the BlackBerry Curve 8330, LG enV2, WV6900, Motorola Q9c, and the Samsung Alias.
[via PhoneScoop]
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LG VX8560 and LG VX9700 pictured
Added on 2008-03-31 03:58:00
by Emily Price
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 The guys over at PhoneArena have gotten their hands on the LG VX8560 and LG VX9700 for Verizon. The 9700 is a Prada-like handset with a 3.2megapixel camera, microUSB port, and microSD expansion. Little is currently known about the 8560. Check out the pics here.
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Verizon and MTV Networks launch mobile websites
Added on 2008-03-31 03:47:00
by Emily Price
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 Verizon and MTV Networks have launched mobile websites for MTV, VH1, Comedy central, Nickelodeon, and CMT. The mobile websites will include content from each stations respective webpage including the “Best week Ever” blog, MTV news updates, and Comedy centrals “Joke of the Day”
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Verizon adds two new channels to VCAST TV
Added on 2008-03-28 04:34:00
by Emily Price
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 Verizon has added two new channels to its VCAST TV lineup. ESPN Radio will be the first radio station to hit the service, MTV Tr3s a latin-themed music channel was also added to the service.
[via EngadgetMobile]
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Casio G'zOne Type-S in Black and Silver
Added on 2008-03-28 02:16:00
by Tanya Palta
 The Casio G'zOne Type-S is now available on Verizon Wireless in shades of black and silver. The ruggedized phone supports push to talk and comes equipped with a VGA camera.
[Via Engadget Mobile]
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Verizon sued over games
Added on 2008-03-28 02:11:00
by Emily Price
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 Verizon has been used for some of their game show contests. The suit says contests that took place during the shows Deal or No Deal and Sole Survivor violated the standard lottery rule by requiring players to pay a 99 cent entry fee for entering via text.
[via textually]
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Motorola VU30 pictured
Added on 2008-03-24 02:45:00
by Emily Price
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 PhoneArena has scored a few shots of the upcoming Motorola VU30 for Verizon. All we really know right now about the handset is that it’s a small clamshell with oval buttons. Check out Phone Arena’s pics of the device here.
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Dial 0 for Opinion: What's the fallout of the 700Mhz auction?
Added on 2008-03-21 11:55:00
by Alfredo Padilla
The FCC this week announced the winners of the 700Mhz auction, giving top prizes for the much sought after C block of the spectrum to Verizon Wireless and AT&T. The two carriers used a strategy of bidding for and winning regional and local licenses instead of bidding on the block as a whole. The question now is, what will the result mean for consumers and the wireless industry?
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Samsung Glyde photo gallery
Added on 2008-03-20 12:31:00
by Emily Price
 The Samsung Glyde for Verizon hasn’t officially hit the streets yet but the guys over at Engadget Mobile have create a gallery of pictures of the handset so you’ll know exactly what it looks like when it does. Check out the gallery here.
[via EngadgetMobile]
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Parting Shots: Verizon SMT5800
Added on 2008-03-18 14:27:00
by Alfredo Padilla
 After having spent the last week with Verizon's SMT5800 Windows Mobile Standard device we found any positive thoughts we had about the device overwhelmed by one major drawback: battery life. Like any Windows Mobile device the SMT5800 provides users with a powerful set of tools that will let you use it as both a cell phone, PDA and email device. The latter is helped by the slightly cramped, but still very usable, slide out QWERTY keyboard. The Standard version of Windows Mobile does have a few drawbacks, but these can always be addressed with third party software if you want.
Throw in some professional good looks and solid build quality and we were on our way to what looked like a positive review on a solid device. Unfortunately this trajectory was upset when we started running battery tests. Quite simply the SMT5800 put up some of the worst battery scores we've ever seen from a phone. In fact it's talk time of two hours eighteen minutes is the worst we've seen from any device and music playback and browsing times were barely better. Given that any smart phone is inevitably going to be put to more use than regular phones this drawback means anyone looking at the SMT5800 as their all-in-one device better be ready to invest in chargers everywhere and a selection of backup batteries, or maybe just look elsewhere.
Read the full SMT5800 review here.
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Samsung U740 Is Now Verizon Alias
Added on 2008-03-07 03:18:00
by Tanya Palta
Verizon Wireless continues to play the Name Game! The latest phone to be rechristened by Verizon is the Samsung U740, which now will go by the name of Verizon Alias.
[Via Mobile Mag]
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Verizon to offer cheaper data plans
Added on 2008-02-28 18:01:00
by Emily Price
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 March 2nd Verizon is going to start offering a cheaper data plan. The current plan gives users unlimited data for $59.99. The new plan will run $39.99 a month and include 50MB of data, the $59.99 plan will now be limited to 5GB. Both plans have overage charges at $.99/MB and $.49/MB respectively.
[via MobileBurn]
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First Call: HTC SMT5800
Added on 2008-02-26 10:43:00
by Mark Brezinski
 The SMT5800 is the latest Windows Mobile smart phone from HTC to be rebranded by Verizon. The SMT5800 is a sliding QWERTY that has a small keypad and d-pad array on the front. The face of the phone is 4.1" by 2.0", an average size, so its almost 2.4" screen looks huge. The phone is a bit husky compared to Razr-type phones, at 0.7" thick. Relative to other smart phones, however, the SMT5800 is average sized and slightly more attractive as well.
If this snippit has piqued your interest, then read on (and check out more pictures) after the jump.
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Everyone says me too to unlimited plans
Added on 2008-02-19 17:13:00
by Alfredo Padilla
 In what has to be the most gratuitous example of "me too!" it seems like almost everyone announced that they will be offering various flavors of unlimited calling plans today. Verizon's announcement (via Engadget) was expected, but now AT&T (via Phonescoop) and T-Mobile (via Gizmodo) have thrown their hats in the ring as well. All the plans start at $99 a month for unlimited calls with various additional charges for unlimited data and text messages. Of course they're all johnny-come-latelies since Sprint got there first and Helio's been there for awhile too. We can only say that we hope the real competition gets started now. How about unlimited everything for twenty bucks a month? We can only hope.
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Verizon to offer unlimited calling
Added on 2008-02-17 10:07:00
by Emily Price
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 It looks like Verizon may be launching an unlimited calling plan starting the 19th. Many people reported seeing an ad this weekend on USA Today’s website advertising the program, which would offer users unlimited calling to anyone in the US for $99.
[via BoyGenius]
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T-Mobile and Verizon number 1 in customer service
Added on 2008-02-04 02:44:00
by Emily Price
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 T-Mobile and Verizon took top honors in a customer service survey done by Vocal Laboratories. The “SectorPlus” survey gave both carriers an A in call completion and call satisfaction. Call completion referring to customer services ability to resolve an issue in the first phone call.
[via EngadgetMobile]
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Blackberry 8830 in red
Added on 2008-02-02 09:07:00
by Emily Price
 Verizon Wireless is now offering the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition in red. The world edition Blackberry 8830 allows customers to send and receive calls in Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and parts of Africa. The handset has Bluetooth, expandable memory, built-in navigation, and a media player. Verizon customers can pick one up now for $299.99 with a 2-year agreement.
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Samsung Gleam in purple
Added on 2008-01-15 04:38:00
by Emily Price
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 The Samsung Gleam will soon be available in a new color: purple. Verizon will be offering a purple version of the Gleam on the 27th of this month for $99 with contract. The Gleam has a 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth stereo support, and V CAST Music and Video.
[via EngadgetMobile]
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SMT5800 Smartphone now on Verizon
Added on 2008-01-09 05:43:00
by Tanya Palta
 The SMT5800 Windows Mobile phone is now available on the Verizon Wireless. The Windows Mobile 6 Standard smartphone supports Verizon's 3G cellular wireless network and includes a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. The SMT5800 is available for $300 after a $50 mail-in rebate and a new two-year contract.
[Via Brighthand]
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Mobile Guitar Hero III released for Verizon customers
Added on 2007-12-21 06:55:00
by Emily Price
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 Guitar Hero III has been released exclusively for Verizon Wireless subscribers. The game created by Hands-on Mobile Inc is available for Verizon subscribers to download now via the “Get it Now” store. Monthly access to the game is priced at $4.49, with unlimited access coming in at $11.99.
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Use any device on AT&T
Added on 2007-12-07 06:22:00
by Emily Price
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 Verizon recently announced plans to open up its network to other devices sometime next year once they could determine what standards they were going to require those devices to meet. AT&T announced yesterday morning that you can do the same on their network, and you can do it right now…without on a contract The CEO of AT&T Wireless Ralph de la Vega told media “You can use any handset on our network you want…We don't prohibit it, or even police it.” Apparently users have been able to use any GSM device of AT&T’s network for quite some time, but the company hasn’t been advertising it.
[via yahoo]
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LG Chocolate in Blue Ice
Added on 2007-12-02 15:11:00
by Tanya Palta
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Verizon developing 4G
Added on 2007-11-30 07:02:00
by Emily Price
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 Verizon has announced plans to develop 4G mobile broadband in 2008. The plans involve using LTE (Long Term Evolution) which has been tested in Japan with early tests clocking in at speeds of 1GB to 5GB per second. Handset makers expected to be involved in the US 4G trial include Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia, and Nortel with the handsets expected to hit the market in early 2009.
[via BoyGenius]
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Verizon XV6800 now available
Added on 2007-11-29 02:39:00
by Emily Price
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 The Verizon XV6800, also knows as the HTC Titan is officially available for Verizon customers both online, and through phone orders. The handset can be yours for $249 with a 2-year contract after rebates
[via IntoMobile]
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Verizon responds to 30 Rock
Added on 2007-11-28 19:02:00
by Emily Price
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 On an episode of 30 Rock last week characters praised Verizon wireless. Their praise was immediately followed by Tina Fey turning to the camera and saying “Can we have our money now?” While viewers at home probably thought the added comment was funny, one has to wonder what Verizon thought about it. Lou Rossi the director of media and sponsorships for Verizon said “We talk with NBC on a consistent basis about opportunities...We had engaged them to think about some ways we could help increase our presence in the marketplace, and they came back to us with the '30 Rock'-specific opportunity.” What do you think about manufacturs inserting advertising into programming like Verizon did with the ad in 30 Rock?
[via Gizmodo]
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Verizon conference call tidbits
Added on 2007-11-27 09:40:00
by Mark Brezinski
 We're fresh off the phone with Verizon reps in regards to their new "Any Apps, Any Device" business model, and only a little sad they didn't get a chance to answer our hard-hitting questions (other people asked most of them anyway). This blog post aims to clarify a few points and highlight a few others, as this is a rather substantial announcement. If you need to get up to speed on the subject, you can get that perspective from our news article, here.
First of all, Verizon stated this move had two motivations: giving customers a second option, and giving Verizon a competitive advantage. Basically -- and this is somewhat paraphrased version of their actual example -- if someone builds a device on breadboard, brings it to be tested, and pays the "very reasonable" testing fee (he claims it's not the number everyone's thinking that has a bunch of zeroes on the end), then it'll be fine on the network. By network, they mean their entire network, not just some special secluded spectrum of it. As such, the phones need to pass their lab testing. They said these tests would be limited to basic network connectivity tests, along with some minor guidelines. They explained these minor guidelines involved not spreading malware throughout their system, but they wouldn't be poking around applications or interfaces. They claimed these "guidelines" weren't set in stone yet, however. This was an area we really would have liked clarified, as the whole malware issue is most definitely a software-based threat, meaning Verizon's lab tests would have to monitor what software goes in and what stays out to some degree. We hope these guidelines don't become an excuse for software censorship later on.
They stressed that the devices are only limited by the innovation of developers, and that they expect their network to extend to more than just home-brewed phones. Appliances, gaming devices, and miscellaneous gadgets can now all be certified on the Verizon network, assuming they pass the testing. It also benefits the little guys because previously Verizon would've paid them no mind unless the device was a million seller; under this system it won't matter if they sell five or five million.
The reps said things are still solidifying, so details like pricing aren't set yet. As of now, they believe pricing will be usage-based, but it very well could change.
In a bout of totally opinion-based conjecture, we put forth that this move is an answer to Google's Android and the Open Handset Alliance. As you may very well know, Verizon recently dropped their lawsuit against the FCC and the 700 MHz spectrum will be open access. This new business model would put them in a much better position since open access seems to be the direction the industry is moving in.
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