Verizon Developer Community Conference On Tuesday In Las Vegas : Webcast Live!

http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/


09/09/2011

WHO:
Verizon Wireless, provider of the nation’s fastest, most advanced 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network and largest, most reliable 3G network.

WHAT:
The opening session of the Verizon Developer Community (VDC) Conference will be webcast live at http://bit.ly/VDCWebcast.

Speakers during the opening session include:

• Marni Walden, vice president and chief marketing officer, Verizon Wireless
• Scott Ellison, vice president, mobile and consumer connected platforms, IDC
• Executives from Chomp, Mobile Deluxe, Gameloft, VideoSurf and others

WHERE:
To register for the webcast, visit http://bit.ly/VDCWebcast.

Developers can also get the latest updates throughout the conference by following Verizon Wireless on Twitter, @VZWnews, and join in live tweeting from the conference using #VDC2011.

WHEN:
The VDC Conference webcast will begin at 9:30 a.m. PDT/12:30 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011, live from the ARIA Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

BACKGROUND:
The VDC Conference will be held Sept. 13 – 14 in Las Vegas and will provide mobile application developers with an update on Verizon Wireless’ overall strategy around the application ecosystem and the developer portal. The conference will include in-depth sessions on mobile commerce, connected devices, application programming interfaces (APIs) and other network enablers and opportunities for developers in vertical markets. Special sessions devoted to the company’s recently opened LTE Innovation Center in Waltham, Mass., and Application Innovation Center in San Francisco will also be offered. Verizon Wireless leaders and other partners will also talk about marketing, merchandising and technical resources available to members of the VDC.

How To Remove Skype Mobile From Android (Verizon HTC Droid)

Uninstall Skype Mobile VZW_Skype.apk From Android http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
If you got an Android phone with Skype Mobile preinstalled, you may have found it is hard to remove. In fact all the information I have seen are pointing you to root my Android sites.
Various reports points to that on phones like HTC Droid Incredible on Verizon, eating the precious battery life and occupying vast chunks of phone's memory, plus storage.
So how do we remove this pesky app?
Looks like you do not have to go rooting your Android.
Information And Instructions;

App name on Verizon phones : VZW_Skype.apk
Instructions;
Get the root explorer app from Android Market, once launched, go to systems>apps and click on the Mount r/w button on the top, find the "VZW_Skype.apk" and delete it.

You are done. Some people are using Titanium also to remove apps like this and of course it is your choice.
If you need to uninstall Skype from any other OS, please visit our Uninstalling Skype Page.

(sorry folks if you love Skype and enjoy it this is not a bash on Skype as it used to be. We don't love it but we use it on various platforms and from time to time, there comes the need to remove Skype or Uninstall Skype, perhaps only to reinstall.

Verizon's New Profit Center, Data Plans? Verizon Confirms New Data Plans.

Verizon Data Plans http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
Verizon has confirmed the pricing changes to their data plans as of July 7th. New data plans will ditch unlimited plans and offer users with four tiers;

$10 for 75 MB per month,
$30 for 2 GB,
$50 for 5 GB
$80 for 10 GB.
There will be an overage charge of $10 per GB of data

(In contrast, AT&T offers $15 for 200 MB and $25 for 2GB.) Current unlimited users will be grand fathered in and they can upgrade or get new phone and keep the unlimited plan.

The unlimited and free LTE hotspot service will also go away and will be replaced with $30 a month for unlimited hotspot service. (May be this and 2GB plan will provide and oppertunity for the wise to have unlimited data for $60 a month!)

So now we only have the Sprint with usage based smartphone data plans. Hope it will stay the same.

Via DSLReports

No More Unlimited Data Plans From Verizon! , Tiered Pricing Coming This Summer.

Verizon Data Plans http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
I think most knew this was coming even though Verizon kept the unlimited data plans open to lure some AT&T customers over with initial iPhone offering. So the unlimited data plans will be replaced by more tiered pricing, perhaps based on speed (now that they got LTE) and usage. Verizon is also thinking of offering bucket of data family plans for families to share across phones and tablets.
"We had individual minutes for individual users. Then we eventually got to what we call family share where everyone in the family shares the same minutes, I think it's safe to assume that at some point you are going to have mega-plans (for data) and people are going to share that mega-plan based on the number of devices within their family. That's just a logical progression," Chief Financial Officer of Verizon, Fran Shammo, told Reuters  but failed provide a time frame for such mega-plans
What ever the case, Verizon does not look to making a client out of me, I have been looking for 4G, LTE carrier and simply based on pricing, it is not going to be Verizon, $10 a GB is not that attractive. And these indecisive packaging of data plans makes Verizon even less attractive. And if one to read the DSLReports forum comments, there might me a bunch of people leaving Verizon, when it snuffs unlimited data plans.

Reuters via DSLReports

Sprint, Verizon At Top While Customer satisfaction with AT&T, T-Mobile drops.

SPRINT has happiest customers http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
Sprint which used to be the last in customer satisfaction among the Big 4 national wireless carriers, has come a long way to join long-time leader Verizon Wireless, in equal ranks, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) survey.
ACSI also shows declines in customer satisfaction at AT&T Inc. and T-Mobile USA. Perhaps the effects of AT&T has agreed to buy T-Mobile USA for $39 billion in a deal that could close next year.

Customer satisfaction with wireless telephone service drops 1.4% to an ACSI score of 71, but remains much stronger than it was prior to 2010. Customer satisfaction with the cell phone devices themselves also dips slightly, down 1.3% to 75, with Motorola (+1% to 77) outpacing last-place Nokia (-4% to 73), whose U.S. market share has contracted.

The aggregate of smaller wireless providers, such as TracFone and U.S. Cellular, continues to lead the category, up 1% to an ACSI score of 77. Among the big providers, Verizon Wireless dips 1% for a second straight year, falling to 72 to tie Sprint Nextel, which continues its upward trend, rising 3% following consecutive double-digit gains. In just three years, Sprint has emerged from 15 points below even the second worst in the category to claim a share of the industry lead.

In the wake of their proposed merger, AT&T and T-Mobile show a large deterioration in customer satisfaction and in customer service. T-Mobile falls 4% to an ACSI score of 70, matching a 5-year low, while AT&T descends by 4% to 66, its worst score since 2006—the year before the launch of the iPhone.

“It is common to find a reduction in customer satisfaction after mergers, but it is rare for customer satisfaction to drop ahead of a merger,” said Fornell. “Assuming the deal is approved, it remains to be seen if a much larger AT&T can regain the strength of its customer relationships.”
In addition to Wireless Telephone Services, the ACSI survey also covers Fixed-Line Telephone Service,Subscription TV Service, Computer Software and Information and Entertainment Media. Complete press release below.
ACSI Survey

ACSI: Customer Satisfaction Turns Positive Despite Drop for Information Services

Few Information Providers Improve Their Customer Relationships; Large Drops for AT&T, T-Mobile, Nokia, and DISH Network
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (May 17, 2011)—After two quarters of negative change, customer satisfaction as measured by the ACSI turns positive this quarter, but only because gains in the utilities and health care sectors, released in April, more than offset a drop for the information sector. For the first quarter of 2011, the Index rises 0.4% to 75.6 on the ACSI’s 0-100 scale.
“For an economic recovery to take hold and generate long-term profit potential, which would be necessary in order to make a significant dent in unemployment, repeat business is going to be critical. And, for that to occur, customer satisfaction is important,” said Claes Fornell, founder of the ACSI and author of The Satisfied Customer: Winners and Losers in the Battle for Buyer Preference. “However, in view of the lack of overall strength in aggregate customer satisfaction, it is difficult to envision much of an increase in consumer spending in the near future, except from inflation in gasoline, commodity, and food prices.”
Even though customer satisfaction in the aggregate rises, the news for the information sector is mixed. The sector as a whole drops 0.7% to 72.3, second lowest in ACSI next to government services, and many more companies decline than improve. For this release, ACSI covers customer satisfaction with information services, including cell phones, computer software, fixed-line and wireless telephone service, motion pictures, newspapers, subscription TV service, and TV news.
Wireless Telephone Service
Customer satisfaction with wireless telephone service drops 1.4% to an ACSI score of 71, but remains much stronger than it was prior to 2010. Customer satisfaction with the cell phone devices themselves also dips slightly, down 1.3% to 75, with Motorola (+1% to 77) outpacing last-place Nokia (-4% to 73), whose U.S. market share has contracted.
The aggregate of smaller wireless providers, such as TracFone and U.S. Cellular, continues to lead the category, up 1% to an ACSI score of 77. Among the big providers, Verizon Wireless dips 1% for a second straight year, falling to 72 to tie Sprint Nextel, which continues its upward trend, rising 3% following consecutive double-digit gains. In just three years, Sprint has emerged from 15 points below even the second worst in the category to claim a share of the industry lead.
In the wake of their proposed merger, AT&T and T-Mobile show a large deterioration in customer satisfaction and in customer service. T-Mobile falls 4% to an ACSI score of 70, matching a 5-year low, while AT&T descends by 4% to 66, its worst score since 2006—the year before the launch of the iPhone.
“It is common to find a reduction in customer satisfaction after mergers, but it is rare for customer satisfaction to drop ahead of a merger,” said Fornell. “Assuming the deal is approved, it remains to be seen if a much larger AT&T can regain the strength of its customer relationships.”
Fixed-Line Telephone Service
As telecommunications companies devote fewer resources to the shrinking fixed-line telephone business, customer satisfaction falls by 2.7% to an ACSI score of 73. The aggregate of smaller local and long distance providers such as Vonage and Frontier also falls 3% to a score of 76, but remains ahead of the top two larger companies: Qwest at 73 (+1%) and Cox Communications at 72 (-3%).
Other major fixed-line providers either decline or are statistically unchanged. AT&T drops 5% to 71, erasing the gain it earned one year ago and tying Verizon (down 3%). CenturyLink is unchanged at 70. Comcast advances for a second straight year, up 1% to 69, but remaining at the bottom of the industry.
Subscription TV Service
Customer satisfaction with subscription TV service is unchanged at an ACSI score of 66, a year after surging 4.8% to an all-time high. Quality, especially from fiber-optic and satellite, has improved in recent years, but higher fees are significantly dampening customer satisfaction, more so than in other industries.
“Bundling of services such as phone and Internet access may have been both a blessing and a curse for the industry,” said Fornell. “A couple of years ago, a variety of bundling promotions boosted what people saw as value for money; but now, as many of these promotions have ended, subscribers with bundled services are becoming less satisfied and more concerned about price.”
Verizon’s fiber-optic service, FiOS, holds the top ACSI spot for a second straight year even though its ACSI score drops slightly by 1% to 72. DIRECTV is next at 69 (+1%), recapturing the satellite lead from DISH Network, which falls 6% to 67. AT&T’s U-verse, Verizon’s fiber-optic competitor, drops 6% to 68. Customer complaints about picture quality, particularly for HD channels, have increased, as AT&T grapples with bandwidth challenges across several of its telecommunications services.
Cox Communications remains the highest-scoring cable provider (unchanged at 67), well above the other three cable companies. Comcast (-3%), Time Warner (-3%), and Charter Communications (-2%) are all tied at the bottom of the industry with ACSI scores of 59.
Computer Software
Customer satisfaction with software surpasses all other information-related categories, rising 2.6% to an all-time high ACSI score of 78. Smaller software companies like Adobe, Intuit, and Symantec lead, up 3% to 79, with Microsoft close behind after a 3% improvement to 78. This year marks a third straight year of ACSI gains for Microsoft. Nevertheless, recent sales of Windows software have declined as a result of a similar drop-off in PC shipments. Customers are more satisfied with Microsoft software, but, for now, the company is selling less of it.
Information and Entertainment Media
Reader satisfaction with the waning newspaper industry is unchanged at a very weak score of 65—the lowest of all ACSI categories. Both TV news and motion pictures do better, but they are moving in opposite directions. Network and cable TV news programs improve 4% to 77, while motion pictures retreat 4% to 73.
About ACSI
The American Customer Satisfaction Index is a national economic indicator of customer evaluations of the quality of products and services available to household consumers in the United States. ACSI releases results for various sectors of the economy on a monthly basis to provide up-to-the-moment coverage over the entire calendar year. The national index is updated each quarter and factors in scores from more than 225 companies in 47 industries and from government agencies over the previous four quarters. The Index was founded at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business and is produced by ACSI LLC.

Verizon MiFi 4510L Delivering Beyond The Promise.

Verizon MiFi 4510L http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
I love MiFi and that is the reason I got my XOOM, WiFi only. My MiFi is of yesteryear and only serves 3G while new MiFi's with 4G capability are popping up every where. I need to get one and enjoy the fruits like Kevin Tofel at GigaOM does.
I / We like to take road trips, a lot, and National and State parks are always in the list. Visiting these are always fun and we love photography. What we used to do was to carry a GPS and our cameras. But now we have upgraded to tablets, GPS, MiFi and of course cameras with various capabilities, making these trips a marvelous experience.
After reading the review of Verizon's MiFi 4510L, I am sure the experience will be really good, of course provided that you are in the 4G coverage area. 16MB download and 5MB upload allows on to do away with so many camera memory cards that we carry. (This depends on the limit of data usage, as it is, all my memory cards are bigger than the Verizon's monthly limit of 5GB)
The Verizon MiFi 4510L has following features,
    * 4G LTE – customers can expect download speeds of 5 to 12 Mbps and upload speeds of 2 to 5 Mbps in 4G Mobile Broadband coverage areas
    * Backward compatible with the Verizon Wireless 3G network
    * Simple one-touch connectivity
    * Intuitive eInk® display with status indicators
    * Security: WEP/WPA/WPA2 and VPN pass-through support
    * Supports Windows, Macintosh and Linux operating systems
    * Advanced integrated antenna technology
    * Battery: up to 5 hours usage
    * WiFi connectivity: 802.11b/g/n
    * Dimensions: 3.74”(H) x 2.36”(W) x 0.53”(D)
The device is available for $99 with a two year commitment and the data plan will cost you $50 a month for 5GB.
You find the GigaOM review here and the Verizon press release here.

We Are Happy With Motorola Mobility's XOOM, ATRIX, Verizon AT&T

We Are Happy With Motorola Mobility's XOOM, ATRIX, http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
Responding to various analysts and critics of the Motorola Mobility's flagship Android products, XOOM a tablet and ATRIX 4G a smart, smartphone. Naysayers have cries both the devices to be duds but both the carriers, Verizon (XOOM) "We are pleased with customer response to the Xoom." and AT&T (ATRIX) "Our customers are very satisfied with the Atrix, and we are equally as pleased with the results to date." are very satisfied with the devices according to ComputerWorld.
Neither carriers revealed the sales figures.We stayed out of 3G XOOM but gladly picked up two WiFI only XOOMs last week. As of now, I am sure only ATRIX could replace my AT&T iPhone if I decided to stay with the carrier. I doubt it as continue to discover dead zones in my neighborhood in the bay are while my colleagues on Verizon and Sprint happily surf and talk.

Verizon Overcharges 133000 Customers With A Phantom $7 LateFee In Florida, Texas and California

Verizon Overcharges 133000 Customers http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
Verizon customers in Florida, Texas and California, 133000 of them, were over billed by the company because of an operator error.
 An operator or someone of of same capability from North Carolina billing center programmed the computers with wrong instructions to bill customers with a phantom late fee of $7 or 1.5 percent of most users' bills (whichever was greater). This brought in closer to a million dollars from state of Florida alone.

Someone in a Durham, N.C., billing center entered the wrong instructions into a computer that generated the bills for customers in Florida, California and Texas, said Bob Elek, a Verizon spokesman. Verizon says customers should get a credit for the fee on one of their next two bills.

 Last October Verizon agreed to pay closer to $90 million in refunds for unauthorized $1.99 data charge billed to customers.
It pays to check your bills regularly.
St. Petersburg Times, via DSLreports

New Verizon Fiber, FIOS Ad, I wonder!

Verizon FIOS http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/

Which Data Plan For iPAD2? Which Carrier? AT&T Or Verizon?

Which Data Plan For iPAD2? http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/

Yes with the new iPad 2 emergence, there are many more questions than before, when the original iPad came out. People just decided to 3G or not and the memory capacity they wanted and those who decided on 3G signed up with AT&T and made the carrier rule their lives for next two years!.

But now the playing field is different now. There are two carriers with different data plans, multitude of memory options. As far as connection to the net goes, people with iPhone or Android phones that can tether and then there are MiFi devices with 3G, 4G connectivity and pay as you go plans are good options as well. So connectivity becomes a major issues with iPad 2.

Aside from bogus coverage maps that are overlaid with non 3G coverage, you need to check the coverage, again, properly, if you are a travelling type. Then there is 3G and There is 3G, meaning all 3Gs are not the same. Right now, AT&T 3G (when available) seems to be faster than Verizon's.

The maps that show coverage, AT&T map does not clearly show 3G coverage, it is lumped up with EDGE as data coverage, But Verizon is a bit more clear. So you might be paying for 3G and getting EDGEd by AT&T. At that point the speed difference between the two carriers become a non issue.

The data plan contracts are also different now. Both the carriers are trying not to choke you with standard two year contracts and offering month to month plans. Then again, AT&T offers postpaid and prepaid plans where Verizon is not.

Either case you and turn the data plan on and off but the two versions of iPad 2's are not interchangeable, as far as I know and if you chose one carrier, you got to stay with that carrier.

AT&T postpaid and prepaid plans seem to be a bit complicat

ed, Post paid customers will pay $10 per addition 1GB data they use over the limit and Prepaid 2G customers will have to pay $25 for extra 2G data, meaning you will be billed $25, the moment you jump over your alloted limit. Prepaid 250MB customers! No idea AT&T is not clear about it, here is the link.

In that sense, AT&T rates might not be as cheap (are they?) as they appear. And sign up for higher rate, if you planing to do more than occasionally checking email, or and browsing.

As far as the range of possibilities, Verizon gives you 1. 3, 5 and even 10GB options. But 10GB on AT&T is only $65 where Verizon charges $80.

So you really need to calculate your data usage, and with lowest pla

n of both the carriers seem to be expensive but Verizon at least give you 1GB of data. So if you are aiming for the lowest data usage, Verizon is a better choice.
If you are on AT&T follow this link to learn how to use iPhone Micro SIM with iPad 3G.

So here is a chart put on by Macworld, Make your decision right. Happy iPadding.

Verizon On iPhone, We Were Made For Each Other! iPhone LTE Will Be Even Better

Verizon On iPhone http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
Verizon Wireless CEO Dan Mead is very pleased about the iPhone sales and the short lines in stores were result of staggered sales maneuver Verizon pun in place to avoid any unpleasant customer experiences, acquiring an iPhone. 
iPhone was first offered by Verizon as  pre-orders of the phone to existing customers on Feb. 3, and then began selling it in stores one week later. Mr. Mead said the staggered the launch of the Apple Inc. device in phases so that customers would have a smooth purchasing experience. "It was a conscious decision to spread the launch over three phases," said Mr. Mead.

According to Mr. Mead more than 60% of iPhones were sold online, which translated into short or no lines on launch day "If we had not done online, you would have seen a much different flow in the pictures," Mr. Mead added that his company will double the number of stores that sell  iPhones, going from 4,000 to 8,000.
Among many other things, he also mentioned about iPhone LTE, "You'll see more coming from Apple on LTE, They understand the value proposition of LTE and I feel very confident that they are going to be a part of it."
WSJ

Did Verizon And MetroPCS Jumped The Gun With Net Neutrality Lawsuits?

Verizon, MetroPCS, Net Neutrality Lawsuit, FCC http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
Looks like  Verizon and MetroPCS lawsuits / appeals regarding Net Neutrality are "fatally premature and must be dismissed," according to response from FCC.
Verizon says FCC was wrong and it "goes well beyond any authority provided by Congress, and creates uncertainty for the communications industry, innovators, investors and consumers." and filed a suit on January 20th. MetroPCS followed the suit with their own, sighting the same.
FCC told the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Friday to dismiss the cases from Verizon and MetroPCS, based on the fact that its December net neutrality Order was not even published in the Federal Register, which makes the order official. These are governed by United States code, Section 47 § 405(a) (If you have time read it)
But all these legal mambo jumbo it is interesting to see these carriers are trying to take the case, (now if they succeed) before the same panel of judges, who threw out FCC's sanctions against Comcast for P2P throttling. Interesting.
All of sudden AT&T iPhones seem to be better! :)
Read more and comments at ARSTechnica

Verizon iPhone Pre Order Countdown Live Now.

Verizon iPhone Pre Order http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
Looks like existing Verizon customers are getting the first go at the new Verizon iPhone. The countdown to iPhone pre order site asks existing customers to come back on Feb.3, 2011 at  3 a.m. ET, to claim their rightful hype machine before any of us.
Verizon 

AT&T And Verizon In A Joint AD! Yes Emerging From Under An iPhone!

#AT&T And #Verizon In A Joint #iPhone AD http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
Well if you though that will never happen, don't worry, Apple has shattered another barrier, AT&T and Verizon are both in the following AD!. Hope those AT&T Verizon law suits will be things in the past! Specially those lawsuits involving coverage maps.

AT&T Is The Worst Cell Phone Carrier According To Consumer Reports!

#ATT Is The Worst Cell Phone Carrier http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
AT&T is the worst cell-phone carrier in the U.S., according to a satisfaction survey of 58,000 ConsumerReports.org readers. Among all the carriers rated, AT&T was the only one to drop significantly in overall satisfaction.
More than 50% of the survey respondents who used AT&T as a carrier were using a version of the iPhone, from Apple which is exclusive to AT&T. Consumer Reports data, reflecting iphone versions ranging from earliest to the newest, found that iPhone owners were much less satisfied with AT&T and rated data service (Web and e-mail) lower than smart phones owners on other carriers that, like the iPhone, have internet access and apps that use data a lot.
“Our survey suggests that an iPhone from Verizon Wireless, which is rumored, could indeed be good news for iPhone fans,” said Paul Reynolds, Electronics Editor for Consumer Reports.

U.S. Cellular serving 26 states, mostly in the South and Midwest—beat out Verizon Wireless as the top-rated provider for contract service. Sprint has pulled even in overall satisfaction with Verizon. Verizon was the top provider in ConsumerReports.org Ratings in most years since 2003. Sprint even scored better than Verizon in some aspects of customer service.
The servey was a part of annual comprehensive cell-phone package evaluation, which will be provided as a part of the January issue of Consumer Reports.
It will also be online at CRO tomorrow morning. Subscribers will be able to get full Ratings and all the details on the story, including city-by-city Ratings for 23 metro areas.
ConsumerReports.org

"Largest 4G Network" Ads From T-Mobile Pokes Fun At AT&T and ITU

"Largest 4G Network" Ads From #T-Mobile Pokes Fun At #AT&T and #ITU http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
Even after ITU declared "only WiMax 2 (802.16m, or WirelessMAN-Advance 2) and LTE-Advanced can technically be declared "4G"", T=Mobile is not backing down, at least on it's ads.
Just like the Verizon's "there is a map for that" dispute with Verizon on America's Largest 3G Network, last year, AT&T is getting pressure from T-Mobiles Largest 4G network, again from Ads like "T-Mobile myTouch 4G "New Ride"".



DSLReports
ITU on 4G

Samsung Continuum™, A Galaxy S™ Smartphone At Verizon With A Dedicated Ticker Display

Samsung Continuum™, A Galaxy S™ Smartphone  At Verizon

#Samsung #Continuum™, A #GalaxyS™ Smartphone  At Verizon http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
BASKING RIDGE, NJ, and DALLAS, TX — Verizon Wireless, the nation’s largest and most reliable wireless voice and 3G data network, and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the number one mobile phone provider in the United States*, today announced the upcoming availability of the Samsung Continuum™, a Galaxy S™ smartphone. The Continuum is the world’s first smartphone designed with a dedicated ticker display, which provides users with up-to-the-minute news, sports, finance and social networking updates for maximized multitasking.
The Continuum features two separate but integrated displays: a 3.4-inch touch screen Super AMOLED™ main display and a customizable 1.8-inch Super AMOLED dedicated ticker display that streams customized information in real time. Additionally, the Continuum is powered by Android™ 2.1, with support for Google Mobile Services, including Gmail™, YouTube™, Android Market™ and more. The Continuum also includes a 1GHz Hummingbird Application Processor, 5-megapixel camera, and multiple entertainment and social networking features.
Color: Mirror Black
Key features and specifications:

• 3.4-inch Super AMOLED Main Touch Screen Display – Main display provides user-customizable homescreens and widgets in a brilliant screen display
• 1.8-inch Interactive Super AMOLED Ticker Display – Dedicated ticker display enables zero-click access to news, social networking, sports and entertainment feeds; users can select what content they want on the ticker by selecting from menu on display
• Grip Sensor – By touching the bottom sides of the device, the ticker display lights up to give users real-time weather, social networking services (SNS), message, IM and e-mail notification updates
• Super AMOLED Screen Technology – Brilliant screen makes watching movies, viewing videos and playing games come to life like never before, even in bright light and outdoor environments
• Android 2.1 platform – With support for Google Mobile Services, including Gmail, YouTube, Google Talk and Android Market
• Preloaded with Bing Maps and Bing Search
• Full HTML Web browsing capabilities
• 3G Mobile HotSpot capabilities – Allows customers to transform their phone into a wireless modem for up to five compatible Wi-Fi-enabled devices
• Advanced touchscreen gestures capabilities, including multi-touch pinch to zoom, double tap to zoom and horizontal swiping, which provides easier and quicker access to many applications, including location-based services, Web browsing and digital photos or videos
• Multiple file formats supported, including DivX and Xvid support
• Samsung 1GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird Application Processor – Produces amazing graphics, faster upload and download times, and HD-like multimedia content
• Six-axis sensor that works with the smartphone’s accelerometer to provide a smooth, fluid gaming experience when the user is tilting the device up or down or panning the phone to the left or right
• Virtual QWERTY Keyboard Featuring Swype Technology – Input text faster and in a more intuitive way with one continuous finger motion across the screen keyboard
• Full suite of messaging options – Text, picture, video and voice messaging; corporate and personal e-mail accounts supported
• 5.0-megapixel camera/camcorder – Auto-focus and LED flash with HD video recording and playback capabilities to capture photos and videos for playback on your HD television; playback (720p) on the screen display
• Wi-Fi Connectivity (802.11 b/g/n)
• Stereo Bluetooth® Technology – Support for headset, hands-free, stereo, phonebook access, and object push for vCard and vCalendar
• Corporate Email – Supports Android Éclair Exchange ActiveSync e-mail to synchronize corporate e-mail, contacts and calendars from office e-mail accounts
• Music player features lock screen, ticker display and quick side panel controls and 3.5-millimeter headphone jack
• 8 GB microSD™ card preinstalled expandable up to 32 GB

Lifestyle features:

• V CAST Music with Rhapsody®, V CAST Video on Demand, V CAST Song ID, Visual Voice Mail, V CAST Tones, VZ Navigator®, Mobile IM, City ID, Bing Search and Maps, and Blockbuster Application
• Dedicated ticker displays up-to-the minute news, weather and SNS updates, as well as music player controls and incoming e-mail, IM, and text messages without interrupting the activity on the main display
• Samsung’s Social Hub – Built around messaging, contacts and calendar sync, which allows users to send and receive information, whether it is e-mail, social network updates or SMS messages
  • Integrated Calendar information from portal calendars, on Exchange, Google Calendar™ and SNS, including Facebook®
  • Integrated Contacts syncs with Exchange, Google, Twitter and Facebook – Facebook contacts display in four categories, including Info, History (previous calls and messages), Activities (status updates and notifications on social networking sites), and Media (Facebook profile photos and photo gallery)
• AllShare™ – Enables inter-device connectivity through Digital Living Network Alliance® (DLNA®), so users can send multimedia content wirelessly to other DLNA Certified®-enabled devices such as TVs and laptops
• Daily Briefing – Instant access to weather, news, stocks and schedules
• Write and Go – Quickly jot down an idea and later decide on a format, such as SMS/ MMS, e-mail, calendar or memo, to send or post to popular SNS sites such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace
• Smart Alarm – Natural alarm sound and display automatically illuminates
• Weather Clock – Displays current time and weather of the selected city (ability to add and select other cities)

Pricing and availability:

• The Samsung Continuum will be available for order starting Nov. 11 in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com for $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement and data package. 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. The device will be available for purchase in stores beginning Nov. 18.
• 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.

Motorola Citrus At Verizon Now. $49 After rebate.

#Motorola #Citrus At Verizon Now. $49 After rebate. http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
The Android phone from Motorola, Motorola Citrus are in Verizon Stores now. The Android 2.1 based smartphone is Bing centered and comes with full HTML web browser, Bing Search, Bing Maps. But you can use the on screen QWERTY keyboard to access Facebook®; Google services such as Gmail™, Google Talk™ and YouTube™; and customize your phone with free and paid apps available from Android Market™.
The Motorola Citrus is made from 25% recycled Plastic and is PVC and BFR free.

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 Motorola CITRUS™ will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com tomorrow for $49.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.
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. The full HTML Web browser comes preloaded with Bing Search and Bing Maps and delivers a PC-like Web browsing experience, while the easy-to-use on-screen QWERTY keyboard or Swype® keyboard allow for quick messaging. Get fast access to Web apps and services such as Facebook®; Google services such as Gmail™, Google Talk™ and YouTube™; and customize your phone with free and paid apps available from Android Market™. Plus, the CITRUS phone housing is made from 25 percent post-consumer recycled plastic, is CarbonFree® Certified 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. Additional features and specifications on the Motorola CITRUS are available at http://news.vzw.com/news/2010/10/pr2010-10-05a.html.
Verizon Wireless customers who purchase Motorola CITRUS 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. Motorola CITRUS customers will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide plan (beginning at $39.99 monthly access) and a Data Package (beginning at $15 monthly access for 150 MB). Customers can track their data usage by downloading the My Verizon app available in Android Market or by logging on to their My Verizon account online at www.verizonwireless.com/myverizon. 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.

Droid Incredible Is Getting A System Upgrade, V CAST App Store Included!

#Droid #Incredible Gets #VCAST App Store Included! http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
Verizon's Droid Incredible is getting a software upgrade over the air (OTA) in a few days bringing V CAST App Store. Yes you will still be able to access the Android Market apps but "WHY" comes to mind.  The difference is you will be able to purchase apps directly and the customers will see these charges in the monthly bill. With the difficulties in selling apps in Android Market, Perhaps developers will find this to be a better way.
Here is what Verizon had to say;

Verizon Wireless is pleased to announce a new software update for your Droid Incredible by HTC. The HTC (3.26.605.1/Baseband Version:2.15.00.07.28) update includes numerous enhancements and improvements.

Enhancements:

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

Improvements:

+ 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.

For step-by-step instructions on how to perform the download, please visit verizonwireless.com/droidincrediblesupport

Samsung SCH-i400 Continuum, With Double Displays.

#Samsung #SCH-i400 #Continuum http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
Engadget has scored a photos and some info on what seems to be Samsung SCH-i400 Continnum! with a secondary display underneath the main display called "Ticker" showing things we always glance at the phone for, Date, time (perhaps weather too with this one). In addition it will also show notifications and feeds.  I like the lock too!
This phone, what looks like a Galaxy S with another set of clothing is going to Verizon.
More photos at engadget.http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/30/exclusive-samsung-continuum-for-verizon-has-double-the-displays/