Those of you that absolutely must have the new Motorola DROID next Friday will want to head over to Best Buy now to pre-order the handset. Best Buy will be selling the DROID for $199.99 along with a new two year agreement from Verizon Wireless.

Why buy from Best Buy you ask?

If you purchase from Verizon Wireless directly, you’ll have to mail in a rebate form for the $100 dollar credit which means the checkout cost will initially be $299.99. Buy the phone from Best Buy and Best Buy will instantly credit you the $100 dollars at the point of sale. No forms or checks to deal with. Sounds like a good deal to me.

Technorati Tags: Best Buy, Motorola DROID, Verizon Wireless

After a week or so of teaser announcements, Verizon Wireless officially unveiled the new DROID smartphone by Motorola – the first smartphone powered by the new Android 2.0 OS (which Google just recently released the SDK for). So let’s get down to the features shall we? According to VW, here’s what you’ll be able to do with the DROID:

• Multi-window browser
• Large touch-screen display  (3.7 inches) with an incredible resolution of 854 x 480
• Access thousands of apps over at the Android Market
• Voice-activated search delivered via Google
• The first device to feature Google Maps Navigation (Beta) which provides turn-by-turn voice guidance as a free feature of Google Maps. Use voice shortcuts and simply say “Navigate to [destination]” and you’ll be on your way. You can see live traffic, street view, or satellite imagery to view your route
• Built-in apps include Google Maps, Gmail, YouTube, Google Talk, Android Market, Calendar, Amazon MP3 store, and Verizon Wireless Visual Voice Mail.

The specs to the DROID are as follows (and according to BGR, this is absolutely the fastest Droid-powered handset yet!):

• Arm Cortex A8 processor 550 mHz
• 3.7″; WVGA (480 x 854 pixels); 16:9 widescreen
• 5 megapixel camera with 4x digital zoom, dual LED flash and auto focus
• Built-in music player with support for AAC, H.263, H.264, MP3, MPEG-4, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, OGG, AMR WB, AMR NB, AAC+, MIDI file formats
• Audio/video streaming support
• Video capture at DVD quality (720×480 resolution) up to 24 fps capture; up to 30 fps playback
• 1400 mAh Li-Ion battery with 385 minute usage time  and up to 270 hour standby time
• Email support – Corporate (Exchange 2003 and 2007), Gmail, IMAP, POP3, Attachment and browser document viewer (Microsoft Office and pdf)
• MMSG, SMS, IM, voicemail
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR support with HFP, HSP, A2DP, AVRCP, PBAP, and OPP profile support)
• Synchronization support for Corporate calendar, email and contacts (Exchange 2003 and 2007), Google contacts, calendar and Gmail, Facebook contacts
• 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi
• microUSB connector
• aGPS along with Google Maps, Google Maps Navigation Beta, Google Latitude, Google Maps Street View, eCompass
• Built-in web browser
• 3.5 mm headset jack
• Speakerphone
• Advanced speech recognition, Automatic redial, conference calling, emergency dial, noise reduction, speed dial, vibracall, voice dialing, phone book
• Haptic feedback
• Light-responsive display
• QWERTY keyboard
• Measures 2.4 x 4.6 x .5 inches
• Weighs 6 oz
• Built-in accelerometer
• Network support includes: CDMA 1X 800/1900, EVDO rev A
• 16 GB microSD pre-installed; supports up to 32 GB microSD expandable
• Sensors include Proximity, ambient light and eCompass

OK.. enough about features and specs – what about pricing and availability?

The DROID will be available starting next Friday November 6th in the U.S. exclusively at Verizon Wireless Stores and online for $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement after a $100 mail-in rebate. Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card which they can use as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.

Customers will need to subscribe to a Nationwide voice plan and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan. Nationwide voice plans begin at $39.99 for monthly access for 450 minutes and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan is $29.99 for monthly access.

Finally, if you want to see a preview of the DROID handset, makes sure to head over to the Boy Genius Report where they’ve got an excellent preview of the handset. Those of you waiting for a solid iPhone competitor to arrive for Verizon Wireless might finally have their handset.

Here’s a video of the DROID handset courtesy of Verizon Wireless:

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Verizon Wireless, Motorola DROID,

Get ready for the second coming of the Storm and this time, it might actually be a real storm rather than a tropical disturbance. Verizon Wireless and Research in Motion have announced the next-generation BlackBerry Storm2 will be available starting on October 28th. The Storm2 with BlackBerry OS 5.0 adds hundreds of hardware and software enhancements including a new “SurePress” clickable display and built-in Wi-Fi.

Key features of the BlackBerry Storm2 (model 9550) include:

• 3.25 inch 480 x 360 resolution display at 184 dpi
• Capacitive touch-screen with integrated functions (Send, End, Menu, Escape), and new SurePress technology
• 3G and global connectivity support
• Network Connectivity: EV-DO Revision A; UMTS/HSPA (2100 MHz); and quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM networks
• 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi connectivity
• 256MB of flash memory
• 2GB of on-board memory
• microSD/SDHC memory card slot with 16GB card included
• 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus, Image Stabilization (IS), flash and video recording capabilities
• Premium and easy-to-access phone features, background noise suppression technology, loud distortion-free speakerphone and face detection (proximity sensor) that prevents accidental clicks and blanks the screen while the customer is on the phone
• Media player for videos, pictures and music, plus support for BlackBerry Desktop Manager for both PCs and Macs, and BlackBerry® Media Sync, for easily syncing Windows Media® Player music with the smartphone
• 3.5 mm stereo headset jack and dedicated volume controls
• Bluetooth 2.1
• Built-in GPS
• Support for VZ Navigator, V CAST Music with Rhapsody
• Support for Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband Connect tethering service
• Comes with BlackBerry OS 5.0 which includes typing accuracy and selection improvements, as well as usability and visual enhancements such as inertial scrolling, spin boxes that make it easier to set dates and times, gradient shading on buttons, and more use of animation
• BlackBerry Browser with faster JavaScript and CSS processing  and support for Gears and BlackBerry widgets
• Customers running BlackBerry® Enterprise Server 5.0 will gain the ability to set follow-up flags, manage e-mail folders, access remote files (Windows Shares), forward appointments, view calendar attachments, and more
• Removable, rechargeable 1400 mAhr battery that provides up to 5.5 hours of talk time or up to 11.2 days of standby time

The Storm2 will be available for $179.99 after a $100 dollar mail-in rebate and a new two-year customer agreement on a voice plan with an Email and Web feature or an Email and Web for BlackBerry plan.

And in case you missed it, PC Magazine posted a review of the Storm2 here on their website stating:

“The second time’s the charm for RIM’s innovative click-screen smartphone; the Storm2 cures almost all of the original’s ills.”

Technorati Tags: Verizon Wireless, BlackBerry Storm2, Research In Motion

If you were watching the baseball playoff games this past weekend you probably noticed an interesting new commercial clearly poking fun at the Apple iPhone. The commercial starts with a series of statements emblazoned across a white screen (playing prodding at the stereotypical iPhone commercial) complete with cutesy music in the background.

“iDon’t have a real keyboard

iDon’t run simultaneous apps

iDon’t take night shots

iDon’t allow open development

iDon’t customize

iDon’t run widgets

iDon’t interchangeable batteries”

Everything iDon’t”

There’s a quick fade fade to black (along with some funky transition effects that look like they came out of a Transformers movie) and then you see:

I have to admit.. I was salivating to a certain extent at this point. I mean.. holy cow.. this is the first time I actually was excited about an Android-based smartphone – and guess what? It’s coming to Verizon Wireless.

Yes my hatred for AT&T is so vast that I’m quite willing to ditch my iPhone for something that is somewhat comparable.

If you head on over to DroidDoes.com (which redirects you to http://phones.verizonwireless.com/motorola/droid/?cmp=OTC-Droid-redirect1), you’ll see a web version of the commercial along with a list of features for the handset which include:

• Directions
• Videos
• Tunes
• 10K+ apps
• Multitasking
• High-speed
• Hi-res
• 5 megapixels
• Android 2.0
• Speech recognition
• Notification panel

Sweet huh? Want some more sweet stuff?

Head on over to the Boy Genius Report then. The awesome folks at BGR have published a hands-on with the new Droid phone (it’s from Motorola BTW) along with plenty of pictures.. and man.. I’ve got full-on drool going on here now.

Here are some comments in the hands-on:

• “It’s thin. Just slightly thicker than an iPhone 3GS and the thinnest QWERTY-slider we’ve ever seen.”
• “It is the fastest Android device we’ve ever used.”
• “Have we mentioned this phone flies? It’s the Android device to beat, and easily the most impressive.”

Yeah I’m excited.. (the lil kid inside of me is jumping for joy right now at the sheer thought of moving back to VW)…

Ok.. enough.. go check out the Boy Genius Report and know that VW will be giving more info about the phone at the end of the month. Below are some pictures from BGR.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Motorola Droid, Verizon Wireless, Android Smartphone

First off – this is just a rumor. It’s not at all confirmed by Verizon Wireless but it certainly is interesting. The folks at PhoneArena have compiled a list of new phones that are supposedly due to come out over the next few months from Verizon Wireless. Without further ado:

• LG Chocolate Touch VX8575 – 4th generation Chocolate phone with a full touch-screen interface
• BlackBerry Storm 2 9550 due out in Oct to Nov
• Nokia Shade 2705 – the replacement to the Mirage 2605
• Nokia Twist 7705
• Palm Treo 800W – may not be coming out till February of 2010
• Motorola Entice (or Harmony) W766 – replaces the W755
• Samsung Rogue U960 – replaces the Glyde U940 due out in August
• Samsung U450
• Samsung Strut U440 – features a compact QWERTY keyboard
• Samsung Omnia II i920 due out by Christmas
• Motorola V860
• Samsung Convoy U640
• Casio Rock C731
• Casio Brigade C741

Again – these are just rumors.

[Check it out via Boy Genius Report]

Technorati Tags: Verizon Wireless mobile phones

Those of you interested in the new BlackBerry Tour (model 9630)mobile handset should check out PC Magazine’s latest review of the phone. Giving it their “Editor’s Choice” award, PC Magazine had this to say about the Tour:

“The BlackBerry Tour is the best choice for a smartphone on Verizon Wireless—even though the unit we got was a little buggy.”

If I only was back with Verizon..

[Check it out]

UPDATE: Here’s another review of the BlackBerry Tour – this time by the folks at LaptopMag. They took give the Tour their “Editor’s Choice” award saying:

“The BlackBerry Tour is easily the best smart phone on Verizon Wireless, and we actually prefer it’s compact design to the beefier BlackBerry Bold. We would have liked integrated Wi-Fi, and perhaps access to V Cast TV, but overall the Tour is a winner. You get a very good keyboard, a zippy processor, excellent call quality, and strong data performance, not to mention RIM’s trademark push e-mail goodness. BlackBerry fans looking to upgrade will be happy with this device.”

Technorati Tags: Verizon Wireless, BlackBerry Tour PC Magazine Review

It’s official. The new BlackBerry Tour will go on sale to Verizon Wireless customers starting on July 12th. The Tour will be available for $199.99 along with a new 2 year contract.

Here’s a quick refresher to the Tour:

• Measures 112 x 62 x 14.2 mm and weighs 130 grams
• Full QWERTY keyboard
• 2.44 inch 480 x 360 resolution display with 245 ppi – highest resolution available on a BlackBerry smartphone
• 3.2 MP camera with flash, variable zoom, image stabilization, autofocus and video recording
• Full HTML web browser, including support for streaming audio and video (RTSP)
• Advanced media player for videos, pictures and music
• 3.5 mm stereo headset jack
• 256MB Flash memory
• microSD/SDHC memory card slot
• Built-in GPS with support for geotagging, BlackBerry Maps and other location based applications and services
• BlackBerry Media Sync allows customers to quickly and easily synch music from iTunes and Windows Media Player with the smartphone
• Voice activated dialing, enhanced background noise cancellation, a low-distortion speakerphone, and Bluetooth (2.0) support for hands-free use with headsets, car kits, stereo headsets and other Bluetooth peripherals
• Removable and rechargeable 1400 mAhr battery for 5 hours of talk time and 14 days of standby time

Again – the Tour will be available for purchase online and in-stores starting on July 12th. You can pre-order the Tour now by going to http://estore.vzwshop.com/bbtour/.

[Check it out via Boy Genius Report]

Technorati Tags: BlackBerry Tour, Verizon Wireless

The HTC Ozone is the latest Windows Mobile smartphone to hit Verizon Wireless. The Ozone features 3G and Wi-Fi networking, a simple design, QWERTY keyboard, and global roaming support. Other specs and features include:

• Ergonomically designed QWERTY keyboard
• Global roaming, 3G network, and Wi-Fi network support
• 1500 mAh battery for extended operating time
• Comes with international charging adapters for travelers
• VZ Navigator for audible turn-by-turn directions
• Visual Voice Mail
• Mobile IM, Mobile Email
• “Sliding Panel” user interface
• One-touch messaging key for quick connections to other users

The Ozone is available for $49.99 after a $70 dollar mail-in rebate and a new two-year agreement. If you’re interested in the Ozone then you’ll be able to get one starting tomorrow over at www.verizonwireless.com. Verizon Wireless stores will get it by July 13th.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: HTC Ozone, Verizon Wireless, Windows Mobile smartphone

Verizon Wireless customers – you’ll soon have three new LG handsets to choose from this summer. Verizon Wireless and LG Mobile Phones announced today that the LG enV3 would be available starting tomorrow and two other phones, the LG enV TOUCH and LG Glance, would be available starting on June 5th. Here’s the low down on the three new handsets.

Common features for all three mobile phones include:

• Text, picture and voice messaging with threaded message feature
• Bluetooth headset capable – headset, hands-free, object-push (for vCard and vCal), and phonebook access
• VZ Navigator
• Mobile Email, Mobile Web, Mobile IM, and Chat
• Chaperone Parent-capable
• Ability to save up to 10 contacts as favorites

LG enV3:

• Full QWERTY keyboard
• HTML Web browsing-capable
• Visual Voice Mail support
• microSD card slot
• Text Instant Reply feature – can automatically start a reply message when you read a message
• Media Center for storing and downloading music from V CAST Music with Rhapsody, games and more

• Internal screen: 2.60” and external screen: 1.56”
• 3.0 megapixel camera/camcorder

LG enV TOUCH:

• Full QWERTY keyboard
• HTML Web browsing-capable
• Visual Voice Mail
• Up to 16 GB microSD™ card optional removable memory
• Text Instant Reply feature – can automatically start a reply message when you read a message
• Media Center for storing and downloading music from V CAST Music with Rhapsody, games and more

• Read documents from any microSD card in several file formats including .doc, .xls, .ppt, and .pdf
• 3” external touch screen / 3” internal screen
• 3.2 megapixel camera/camcorder with autofocus, flash and image editor

LG Glance:

• An ultra-slim design with a “woven” metal back plate
• 1.3 megapixel camera

The LG enV3 will be available for $129.99 after a $50 dollar mail-in rebate and a new two-year agreement. The LG enV TOUCH will be available for $149.99 after a $70 dollar mail-in rebate and a new two-year agreement. The LG Glance will be available for $49.99 after a $50 dollar mail-in rebate and a new two-year agreement.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Verizon Wireless, LG Mobile Phones, LG enV3, LG enV TOUCH, LG Glance

Is the HTC Touch Pro2 coming to Verizon Wireless? If you believe this picture floating around the web, then it certainly appears so. The HTC Touch Pro2 is a side-sliding handset with the following specs:

• Qualcomm MSM7200A 528MHz processor
• Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional OS
• 512MB ROM, 288MB RAM
• 3.6 inch TFT LCD Touch-Screen display with 480 x 800 resolution
• TouchFLO 3D interface
• Slide-out 5 row QWERTY keyboard
• Bluetooth 2.1
• Wi-Fi
• 3.2 megapixel camera with auto-focus
• VGA secondary camera
• microSD slot
• Measures 4.57 X 2.33 X 0.66 inches

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: HTC Touch Pro2, Verizon Wireless