• blackberry,  blackberry os,  rim,  verizon

    BlackBerry Storm 2 Coming to Verizon

    October 26, 2009 /

    Verizon Wireless today, along with Research In Motion, has started sending out emails to customers letting them know that the new BlackBerry Storm 2 will be going on sale at retail location, online, and through Verizon business sales channels on Wednesday, October 28, 2009. Starting today, BlackBerry Storm customers will be able to upgrade their handsets to BlackBerry OS 5.0 over the air, via the BlackBerry Desktop Manager, or as a download from the Verizon Wireless website.

    The BlackBerry Storm2 with BlackBerry® OS 5.0 evolves the BlackBerry® touchscreen platform with hundreds of hardware and software enhancements – including new SurePress™ “clickable” display technology and built-in Wi-Fi® – delivering the exceptional multimedia experience and communications capabilities customers have come to expect from their BlackBerry smartphones.

    Key Features:

    • Smooth design and premium finish with sloped edges, chrome accents, glass lens and stainless steel backplate
    • Large (3.25”), dazzling high-resolution 480 x 360 display
    • Capacitive touchscreen with integrated functions (Send, End, Menu, Escape) and new SurePress technology that makes clicking the display practically effortless
    • 3G and global connectivity support for making phone calls in more than 220 countries and accessing data in more than 185 countries (with more than 80 destinations in 3G)
    • Network Connectivity: EV-DO Revision A; UMTS/HSPA (2100 MHz); and quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM networks
    • Supports Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
    • 256 MB of Flash memory
    • 2 GB of onboard media storage and a microSD™/SDHD memory card slot with a 16 GB card included

    Pricing and Availability

    The BlackBerry Storm2 smartphone is available beginning Oct. 28 for $179.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement on a voice plan with an Email and Web feature or an Email and Web for BlackBerry plan. Customers will receive the mail-in rebate in the form of a debit card. plans for the BlackBerry Storm2 smartphone begin at $29.99 when added to any Nationwide voice plan. Existing BlackBerry Storm customers will be able to update their handsets to the new BlackBerry OS 5.0 software via Web software load (www.blackberry.com/update), BlackBerry Desktop Manager, or from Verizon Wireless’ download site (www.verizonwireless.com/storm). The software update is available today.

    You can read the full press release on the Verizon Wireless website.

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  • pre,  verizon

    Yes. No. Maybe. VZW Says The Pre is Coming in Early 2010

    September 26, 2009 /

    Remember back when the Pre was launched on Sprint back in June? There was a war of words between Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon about who would be getting the Pre and when. Then, TheStreet.com broke a story stating that they heard a rumor that Verzion was going to pass up on the new Palm Pre all together. Fear not Palm fans, a Verizon official has stated that the Palm Pre is coming to Verizon in January.

    E-Commerce News seems to have a new angle on the story.

    “Verizon denied rumors that it had decided not to carry the Pre. Jim Gerace, executive director of media relations at Verizon, told the E-Commerce Times that the wireless provider will offer the smartphone in January as planned.”

    Palm did not respond to requests for comment by press time.

    Negotiations between carriers and device makers often hinge on how much the carrier should subsidize a handset and what it can expect in return.

    The two may be locking horns over app stores, Allen Nogee, a principal analyst at In-Stat, told the E-Commerce Times. “Verizon has been talking about its VCast Store, and Palm is setting up its own app store, so that could be the problem,” he said. “It’s possible that Verizon wants to keep the number of app stores available to subscribers to a minimum.”

    I would like to see Palm and Verizon whatever issues they have on the table ironed out and dealt with. The Pre, or any other webOS that may be on the way, would be a win-win for Palm, Verizon, and their customers.

    Read the full E-Commerce News article…

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  • verizon,  windows mobile

    HTC Touch Pro2 Available on Verizon

    September 11, 2009 /

    Earlier today, Verizon Wireless issued a press release stating that together with HTC, the Touch Pro2 Windows Mobile powered smartphone will go on sale starting tomorrow.

    When we add Verizon to the mix, Apple, Palm, T-Mobile, and Big Red all announced or will begin selling new hardware this week!

    Verizon Wireless and HTC Corporation introduce the HTC Touch Pro2™, a global-capable smartphone designed for the busiest professionals and world travelers. The HTC Touch Pro2 features an extra-large 3.6-inch touch screen that tilts to an optimal viewing angle, an ergonomic slide-out QWERTY keyboard, and an advanced speakerphone with asymmetric speakers and advanced noise suppression to deliver customers a robust productivity experience. Created with the intuitive TouchFLO 3D user interface, data on the HTC Touch Pro2 can be easily accessed with just the touch of a finger.

    The Touch Pro2 will include the following key features:

    • High-speed connectivity over Verizon Wireless’ Mobile Broadband network (1x/EV-DO Revision A 800/1900 MHz)
    • Global connectivity to allow customers to access e-mail and data and use the phone for voice calling in more than 220 destinations (GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz WCDMA/HSPA 2100 MHz)
    • Wi-Fi capabilities (802.11 b/g)
    • 3.6 inch WVGA resolution (480 x 800) tilting touch screen
    • Advanced speakerphone with noise-cancelling technology
    • 3.2 megapixel auto-focus camera with video capture
    • Touch-sensitive zoom bar
    • Seamless connectivity with Microsoft® Exchange, Outlook and Office applications with Windows Mobile® 6.1 Professional
    • Bluetooth® 2.1 with EDR and A2DP stereo
    • Processor: Qualcomm MSM 7600A, 528 MHz
    • Memory: 512 MB ROM, 288 MB RAM
    • Dimensions: 4.57” x 2.33” x .68” (length x width x height)
    • Weight: 6.3 ounces (with standard battery)
    • Extended 1500 mAh battery for longer operation times
    • Up to 5.3 hours of talk time (CDMA) or up to 13.5 days of standby time (CDMA)

    Pricing and Availability

    Beginning Friday the HTC Touch Pro2 will be available for $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement on a voice plan with an e-mail feature or e-mail plan. Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card. Customers can order the HTC Touch Pro2 online at www.verizonwireless.com, in business sales channels and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores.

    The full press release for the HTC Touch Pro2 can be read on the Verizon Wireless website.

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  • rumors,  sprint,  verizon

    Rumor: Palm Working on New Smartphones for Verizon, Sprint

    August 31, 2009 /

    I’m still catching up on the week’s news after having spent most of last week on vacation. PreCentral.net has two screen shots posted that indicate that Palm is working on new devices headed for Verizon and Sprint.

    Speculation is that Verizon and Palm could be working on bringing both the Pre and the Eos (aka: Pixie).

    “What’s important to you is that there are two Palm devices listed in this inventory system. Yes, two: the Palm P101VZW and Palm P121VZW. Considering that we know the Sprint Pre to be the P100, it seems reasonable to assume that the P101 is the Pre for Verizon, though we have no clue if the number bump means that the hardware has been changed. And P121? There’s only one other upcoming Palm device that we’ve heard of, and that’s the Eos, presumably the P121 indeed will be the smaller slate-style webOS phone.”

    On the Sprint front, the screen shot shows three devices: the P100 (the currently shipping Pre), the P120, and the C40. Popular opinion is that P120 is either a hardware refresh of the current Pre (more memory anyone?) or is the Eos candy bar webOS device that will take hardware queues from the Centro and the Treo Pro.

    What the C40 might be is anyone’s guess. It could be a new Windows Mobile phone. It could be a new webOS phone. Or, dare I even mention it, the C40 could be something else entirely with an EVDO radio built in to it. (cough Foleo II cough netbook cough)

    One thing is for sure; we will have our answers one way or another in due time.

    [Via PreCentral.net…]

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  • blackberry,  rim,  verizon

    BlackBerry Bold OS 4.7 Leaked

    November 30, 2008 /

    Blogger Don Nguyen has posted a leaked BlackBerry Storm 4.7 OS upgrade package. On his site, Mr. Nguyen writes:

    “After so many requests and the OK from my source, I am officially leaking the new Blackberry Storm OS.”

    I’m not sure who he has gotten the “OK” from, so if you plan on loading this update on your brand spankin’ new Verizon BlackBerry Storm, you do so at your own risk. The directions for applying the update can be found over on CrackBerry.com forums.

    [Via CrackBerry.com…]

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  • att,  centro,  sprint,  verizon,  windows mobile

    Briefly Noted: Palm Smartphone Changes

    November 4, 2008 /

    Kris Keilhack over at PalmInfoCenter.com is reporting two Palm product chances.

    Treo 750 Nearing End of Life?

    The first is that it appears that Palm and AT&T are moving to end-of-life (EOL) the Palm Treo 750. Of the Treo 750, Mr. Keilhack writes:

    “Aside from the evergreen Treo 700wx on Verizon, the 750 remains Palm’s oldest current smartphone. Replacing the 750 with the new Treo Pro would appear to be a logical move but to date nothing more than rumors have indicated that Palm’s flagship device will be appearing in subsidized form on any domestic GSM carrier.

    Originally launched in September 2006 with Windows Mobile 5.2, the Treo 750 is now well over two years old. So despite the presence of the WM6 update released last fall, it is beginning to look a bit long in the tooth relative to not only competing handsets but even its newer Windows Mobile-powered Treo sister devices, the Treo 800w and Treo Pro.”

    Verizon Centro ROM Upgrade

    Palm and Verizon have made a free ROM maintenace upgrade available to customers using Verizon-branded Centro smartphones. Writing for PalmInfoCenter, Mr. Keilhack writes:

    “Palm is being rather vague on the specific improvements in this update, claiming only: “This software update is a minor tune-up that may improve device usability in certain situations.”

    Palm customers who are using Verizon branded Centros can learn more about and download the latest ROM update here. Sprint customers received a similar update back in July.

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  • centro,  verizon

    Rumor: Verizon Centro on June 13th

    June 7, 2008 /

    EngadgetMobile has posted a rumor that the Verizon edition of the Palm Centro will go on sale on June 13th. That should be good news for Verizon customers who want to jump on the Centro bandwagon.

    However, everyone seems to be scratching their head about the rumored price of the Verizon Centro with a two-year commitment: 269.99!

    I hope that the $269 price is incorrect. Palm has stated on several occasions now that the two reasons why the Centro has been popular on Sprint and AT&T was due in part of the ease of use of the Palm OS and the low $99 price point.

    Read the full EngadgetMobile article…

    [Thanks to miles4000 for the tip.]

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  • rumors,  treo,  verizon

    Rumor: Palm Treo 800w Specs

    June 3, 2008 /

    Earlier today EngadgetMobile spilled the beans on the specs for Palm’s upcoming and often rumored Treo 800w for the Verizon Wireless network. The specs for the CDMA Treo 800w are:

    • 1xEvDO Rev A
    • 256MB Flash, 128MB RAM
    • Windows Mobile 6 Professional (likely 6.1)
    • 802.11b/g Wi-Fi
    • Bluetooth 2.0 with BBAC Bluetooth and cable support
    • micro-SD card slot
    • 1.3MP digital camera
    • Stereo Bluetooth support (A2DP)

    These specs are very similar to those of the Treo 850 that also leaked our recently. No pricing information was listed, however, the Verizon Wireless slide had a launch date of “3Q 2008.”

    Full details at EngadgetMobile.com…

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  • centro,  rumors,  verizon

    Rumor: Centro Coming To Verizon “Soon”?

    June 2, 2008 /

    While reading the Brighthand forums, I stumbled across the following post by member dwb1:

    “I was in a Verizon store Saturday (5/31) upgrading my sons phone and looking at the Touch and there was a dummy version of the Centro on the counter. I was told they should have it in the store soon (1-2 wks). They said it was unusual to have the dummy and not have it in the system. It looks really nice, dark blue case. They guessed the price point to be a little lower than the Touch, maybe $100 after NE2.”

    Could the Centro finally be coming to Verizon? I hope so. Otherwise Verizon will see some defections to AT&T when the Apple iPhone 2.0 is released later this month.

    Read the full Brighthand thread here…

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