HTC Ozone coming to Verizon

  I saw this today and was pretty excited to see it.  Not only do I like the phone but the price makes it very appealing for someone that wants to experience Windows Mobile at an impressive price.

Verizon Wireless and HTC today introduce the Verizon Wireless HTC Ozone. This easy-to-use smartphone combines a simple design with a host of connectivity options that include the nation’s largest wireless 3G network, global roaming and Wi-Fi, making it a smart option and, at $49.99*, a great value for first-time smartphone users or savvy business professionals.

Available color: Black

Key features:

• Ergonomically-designed QWERTY keyboard for fast and easy typing
• Flexible connectivity options with Verizon Wireless’ 3G network, global roaming capabilities and support for Wi-Fi
• 1500 mAh battery delivers extended operating time
• Includes international charging adapters to stay powered up while abroad

Lifestyle features:

• VZ Navigator – get audible turn-by-turn directions to more than 15 million points of interest and share the directions with others
• Visual Voice Mail – view, delete, reply, listen to and forward voice mail messages without having to listen to prior messages or voice instructions
• Mobile IM – connect with friends on AOL Instant Messenger, Windows Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger
• Mobile Email – access to popular e-mail services such as Yahoo!, Hotmail, AOL and Windows Live Seamless Microsoft Exchange synchronization with Microsoft Office Mobile for maximum productivity
• Access to most frequently used features with a simplified “sliding panel” user interface
• One-touch messaging key for quick connection to friends and family

* Price and availability:

• The HTC Ozone will be $49.99 after a $70 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.
• VZ Navigator is available for $9.99 monthly access, and Visual Voice Mail is available for $2.99 monthly access.
• Customers can purchase the HTC Ozone beginning June 29 online at www.verizonwireless.com, by calling 1-800-2 JOIN IN, or through business sales channels. It will be in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores on July 13. For additional 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.

Press Release

           

Verizon to unlock Touch Pro’s GPS

The folks at WMExperts caught an item  of interest for owners of the Verizon HTC Touch Pro.  It appears as if you will be able to unlock the GPS on your smartphones …. finally!

The new ROM opens up the GPS for use in Google Maps as well as Live Search for Mobile and they indicated that the GPS even works in airplane mode. The update also gives visual voicemail and a new voice codec.

So if you want the update then you need to head over to PhoneNews since they have the only link to the update.

           

Samsung Omnia Review

Hey Mobilitysite, here is a long running review of Verizon’s Samsung Omnia. It’s better late than never right? I used the Omnia on and off for about a month and it was a love hate situation. Well, hate is such an ugly word, more like love dislike relationship. Don’t let that discourage you initially though.  I really don’t dislike the Omnia at all. There are some things about the Omnia that I don’t like, but there is more good than bad here.

This review is being written several months after it’s initial release and many devices have come onto the scene since it was made available by Verizon. Right now, the Omnia is a steal at Verizon for $99 with a contact, but there are more phones out there now that are just as good, if not better than the Omnia. When the Omnia was released, it was arguably the best Windows Mobile phone to date. Without a hardware keyboard, I couldn’t agree, but that’s what many were saying at that time.

Here is what Verizon has to say about this little beast…

The Samsung Omnia is the all–in–one mobile device that helps keep even the busiest life in balance. This advanced, touch screen smartphone offers the very best in features and functionality – all accessed through a full–sized, customizable touch display with drag and drop Widgets. The Omnia is like a PC in your pocket, fully loaded with Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional and Opera Mobile – a full HTML Web browser. It’s also part entertainment manager with a 5MP camera, a music player with FM radio and much more, all wrapped up in one sleek phone. It even has 8GB of internal memory available and support for up to a 16GB microSD card. VZ Navigator, VZAppZone and Mobile Broadband Connect round out the impressive list of services.

So, step in and lets take a look at this Windows Mobile phone from Verizon.

[Read more]

           

Verizon MiFi 2200 review

Thinking about the MiFi 2200 from Verizon?  Not sure if it is for you?  The folks at Engadget Mobile have a Verizon MiFi 2200 review posted and it is worth the read if this is something that you are considering.  In the final analysis, they said:

Put simply, our hats go off to Novatel and Verizon on this one. The MiFi is drop-dead awesome in basically every meaningful way, and we’d be shocked if every top-tier carrier in the world wasn’t actively looking into adding it — or a device very similar to it — into their lineup. Unless you have a very specific, compelling reason that you require an ExpressCard or a USB stick style modem, the MiFi’s simplicity, flexibility, tethering capability, and no-compromise performance make it the way to go for your mobile data needs.

It sure makes you think about it but is the cost worth it to you?

           

Samsung Alias2 - Slick Keypad Design

Hey, it’s NOT Windows Mobile but it sure has a slick keypad design that intrigued me.  JenJen, a user from Howard Forums got the Alias2 a few days early from its official release and shared her thoughts as she tried it the first time.  This was her “first” YouTube video and she did a heck of a good job!

 

Got the Alias2 4 days before release, so I’m doing an overview for the folks at Howard Forums. This is my first video, so please pardon the nervousness and “amateurity”. :)  Please see this thread for more info; I already found a few things I forgot to include in the video.

After you check out her first video, she did a follow up video with just a couple of things she didn’t go over in her first video that you want to check out as well. 

 

           

Apple and Verizon Sitting in a Tree?

K I S S I N G? Maybe says the USA Today. Wasn’t Verizon very critical of Apple earlier? In fact, wasn’t there a rumor with wings that said that Verizon rejected Apple initially? Oh well.  I don’t use Verizon, but I do think it would be great for Apple to get into the CDMA users hands too.

Verizon and Apple are discussing the possible development of an iPhone for Verizon, with the goal of introducing it next year, people familiar with the situation say.

It would mark the first time Apple has produced a version of the iPhone for a CDMA wireless network, which is different from AT&T’s GSM technology. Vodafone, co-owner of Verizon Wireless, already sells the iPhone in Europe.

The New York-based telecom entered into “high-level” discussions with Apple management a few months ago, when CEO Steve Jobs was overseeing day-to-day business, these sources say. They declined to be named because they aren’t authorized to speak publicly.

What do you think? I think ultimately, it would be great for consumers and Apple to allow all the carriers to have an iPhone version once their exclusive with AT&T is up.

Source: USA Today (via)

           

HTC Touch Diamond is NOW on Verizon

For those of you that are on the Verizon Network and have been wanting the Touch Diamond, it is officially there giving you all of the TouchFlo 3D goodness.

The new HTC Touch Diamond™ combines all the performance and functionality of Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional with high–tech, innovative TouchFLO™ 3D Technology on its hi–res touchscreen. View, create, and edit documents in Word and Excel®, view PowerPoint® and PDF files, filter your Inbox, and stay connected – securely – with your office via ActiveSync® or Wireless Sync. Take advantage of Wi–Fi connectivity, Bluetooth® Wireless Technology and its 3.2 MP camera with flash and video capture. Use it as a tethered modem with Mobile Broadband Connect (previously named BroadbandAccess Connect), find your way with VZ Navigator and stay entertained and up to date with Windows Media Player and Visual Voice Mail.

(More features after the break)

[Read more]

           

Verizon Windows Mobile Deals

If you are a Verizon customer and want to get your hands on a slightly dated, Window Mobile Phone, here are some deals for you…

• Samsung SCH-i760 - $150 while supplies last.
• Verizon XV6900 - $70 while supplies last
• Samsung Omnia - $99 but this one isn’t old, it’s fairly new and pretty nice!

Jack reviewed the SCH-i760 last year and I got some time with it too. Other than the goofy offcenter Dpad, it was an awesome phone. Grabbing one for $150 is a steal even today. If it were GSM I’d throw my Woot Off Money towards it.

Source: Verizon Wireless via Brighthand

           

Widgets? Love them or hate them?

Ok, I have just started evaluating the Samsung Omnia. I have the Verizon, CDMA version with 3G support. I have had the chance encounter with the Omnia a couple times already, but now I have one to test myself. So far, I love the phone, but there are 2 things I don’t care for already. The 1st is the optical mouse. I turned it off and made it act like a 4 way dpad. I just don’t like the mouse thing. Didn’t like it on the Epix and I didn’t like it on the iPAQ HX4700. The other thing I don’t like thus far is the default “Today Screen”. It came basically with the “Samsung Widget” Today plug in enabled. While the widgets are kind of neat, It’s not my cup of tea. You can turn this off by going into the Today Screen settings and disabling this plug in. You need to enable the default plugs or use your own program like SPB Mobile Shell, etc. What I chose to do was use the other Samsung plugin that came on the Omnia, the “Samsung Today” plugin (Pictured to the right). It matches all the other custom menus that Samsung has done with the Windows Mobile Shell. The widget idea is cool, but kind of gimmicky if you ask me.

Well, if you don’t have an Omnia and want some widgets, Gil has posted about a program you can grab to give your WinMo phone widgets too. FEWidgetsLite is a Windows Mobile freeware which allows the creation of visual widgets. It brings a similar look and feel as Samsung’s TouchWiz UI.

Read on for a video and where to get this program…

[Read more]

           

Verizon Drops the Omnia’s Price Already!

According to Engadget, Verizon has come down on the price of their Samsung Omnia by $70 already. Many are speculating that the Omnia just doesn’t have what it takes to compete with the iPhone, the G1, and others. I know I would love to have a GSM version for $199.

           

Verizon and Samsung Mobile Announce The Omnia

We all knew it was coming, all that was left was for the official word, and here it is. Priced at $249 with contract, the Omnia should do fine for those that don’t want to mess with the Storm. Personally, I would rather get the Touch Pro (very similar to the AT&T Fuze) that Verizon recently announced though. Read on to the Press Release posted for full specs.

VERIZON WIRELESS ADDS SAMSUNG OMNIA TO ITS TOUCH SCREEN LINEUP

Advanced Touch Screen Smartphone Features Samsung’s Innovative TouchWiz™ Technology and the Power of Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional

Just in time for the holidays, Verizon Wireless and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile)¹ announced the Samsung Omnia™ will be available for order online at www.verizonwireless.com and in business sales channels beginning Nov. 26. The Samsung Omnia’s advanced touch screen, customizable user interface and Windows Mobile 6.1 capabilities are powered by the nation’s most reliable wireless network ensuring that customers can browse the Web and access their e-mails quickly and reliably. It will be available through all sales channels including Verizon Wireless Communications Stores on Dec. 8. 

[Read more]

           

HTC Touch Pro Arrives at Verizon

Decisions … Decisions … Decisions

I’ve pretty much decided on what my next device will be and the question now is where do I want to get my service from.  Now that Verizon has added the Touch Pro to it stable of devices, the decision has become harder.  Having the performance and functionality of a device with Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional coupled with the a slide–out QWERTY keyboard, a 5–way navigation key and the extras that HTC adds with the Touch Flo interface, this is pretty much as close to a perfect device for my needs.

Having the advantage of Wi–Fi connectivity, Bluetooth, the ability to tether as well as enjoy my music and videos along with the myriad of “must have” applications I use everyday will be thoroughly enjoyed with the Touch Pro and with the strong Verizon network …. this could be the one!

[Read more]

           

Blackberry Storm Reviews Everywhere…

I don’t follow Blackberry developments closely, but I was quite aware of the calm before the Storm. Ok, yes… I know, cheesy intro. Sorry. Anyhow, last night sometime, an apparent embargo was lifted on the Blackberry Storm for Verizon. That or 1/2 the blogosphere decided to post their reviews at the same time. Even though we don’t cover Blackberry much, I know we have many readers that follow Blackberry and even use Blackberries. If we had a writer with Blackberry ties, we’d cover it a bit more, but we don’t.

So, let me direct your attention to a plethora of links related to the Blackberry Storm…

• BlackBerry Storm review - Engadget
• BlackBerry Storm Review (Verdict: Not Quite a Perfect Storm)
• Review: BlackBerry Storm : Is It Your Type? (Phone Scoop)
• Mossberg Video Review
• Hands-on with BlackBerry Storm (Phone Arena)
• BlackBerry Storm review (Verizon Wireless) - infoSync Reviews
• CrunchGear Review: BlackBerry Storm for Verizon Wireless
• BlackBerry Storm 9530 Preliminary Review (Brighthand)
• Blackberry Storm, (JKontheRun)
• Verizon BlackBerry Storm review : Boy Genius Report
• BlackBerry Storm for Verizon Review Part 1 - SlashGear
• RIM’s First Touchscreen Device Almost Eclipses the iPhone (Wired)
• ZiffDavis Gadget Review
• Review: BlackBerry Storm from Verizon - Gadgets

So you are thinking right now, “WOW! That’s a lot of reviews” right? That’s just 1/2 of them, I ran out of room. There are more out there! Congrats RIM on what appears to be a winner!

           

Verizon Formally Releases the Samsung Saga

Just a couple days after leaked internal documents blew the Samsung Saga right into existence, Verizon formally announces the Saga. Just as the leaks validated, the release date is November 19th for online business users and December 1st for stores for $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement after a $70 mail-in rebate.

Samsung Saga
The Saga is a smartphone that features a 2.55” advanced touch screen and a full QWERTY keyboard that provides business professionals with an easy way to send e-mail, text and instant messages. This productivity powerhouse is equipped with Quad Band GSM/GPRS capability, an optical mouse, Wi-Fi access (802.11 b/g), Opera mobile browser and Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional to keep customers connected to their offices when they are at home and abroad. Windows Mobile includes the Microsoft Office Mobile Suite so that customers can create and edit Word and Excel documents and view PowerPoint documents, as well as Microsoft Active Sync® 4.5 and Windows Mobile Device Center for Vista OS. Other features include a 2.0 megapixel camera with NightShot, microSD™ card slot for up to 16 GB of external memory (sold separately), and Bluetooth® stereo headset support.

Additional features of the Saga include:

• Built-in stereo Bluetooth® wireless technology – supports profiles: mono and stereo headset, hands free (car kits), serial port, object push (vCard only), file transfer, basic print, phonebook access and human interface device
• Microsoft’s Voice Command technology for speech recognition
• Customizable user interface
• Voice Memo
• Windows Media Player Mobile
• Organizer – alarm, calculator, calendar, notes, task list and today screen
• TTY-capable
• Dimensions: 2.44” x 4.88” x .53”
• Weight: 4.59 ounces
• Display: 320 x 320 pixel, 65K TFT, 2.55” active screen area and touch-sensitive LCD display

Source

           

Blackberry Storm - Official Release Date and Prices

 Cnet had the scoop this morning when I woke up. It’s game time for Verizon with their release of the Blackberry Storm. According to Cnet, we should see this on Verizon on November 21st and the price is only $199 with Contract. That’s pretty good!

The highly anticipated Storm will be available in Verizon stores and online on November 21 and here’s the part that got me: it will go for $199.99 with a two-year contract and after a $50 mail-in rebate. I know there were rumors about the $200 price point, but I really thought the touch-screen smartphone would be more in the $249.99 range. Hey, good on Verizon for proving me wrong.

For more info, hit Verizon’s Storm landing page.