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We’d reported before our belief that the rumored Droid Pro is nothing more than the dual-mode version of the Droid 2 , but the question remained: knowing that the Droid 2 has a model code of A955, what the heck is the difference between the model codes A956 and A957 that have been showing up in Verizon’s systems? Looks like we might have some clarification on that question this afternoon thanks to a new shot clearly calling out the A957 as the R2-D2 version of the Droid 2 that’s launching late next month. What does that mean? Well, it means that if the Droid Pro is a separate product with insane specs, it hasn’t shown up in any screen shots and we don’t have a model code for it. Our original tipster was pretty insistent that Verizon didn’t have any product on its 2010 phone roadmap with crazier specs than the Droid X — and besting it inside of six months would seem like an awful business move anyway — so now, the only question seems to be whether Big Red will go with the “Droid 2 World Edition” or “Droid Pro” branding when this thing launches in the coming weeks. [Thanks, anonymous tipster] Droid Pro is the global Droid 2: the evidence grows originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Judging from some documents we’ve received, Big Red is looking to clear out a lot of inventory right about now — presumably to make room for some upcoming models, some of which we’ve already heard about through the grapevine. Specifically, the Pre Plus along with the BlackBerry Storm2 and Curve 8530 are apparently marked “Phase Out”; in the case of the Pre Plus, we know Verizon’s site has had it marked out of stock for a little while now , while rumors of a Storm3 and Curve 9330 have been floating around for some time. Also on the chopping block are a couple netbooks, a USB modem, and the MiFi , a device we’ve heard would be replaced with the ZTE-sourced, dual-mode Fivespot in the near future. All makes sense, doesn’t it? Follow the break for a second shot. [Thanks, Wildkat] Continue reading Right on time: Verizon phasing out Pre Plus, Storm2, Curve 8530, others? Right on time: Verizon phasing out Pre Plus, Storm2, Curve 8530, others? originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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We’re being fed some information on Verizon’s launch strategy for its first commercial 4G markets today; the bad news is that it’s looking like you’ll have to wait until the holiday shopping season, but the good news is that they should have a surprisingly decent footprint at launch. Specifically, we’re hearing that two data cards (presumably including that LG VL600 USB stick ) will kick things off on November 15 with over 30 markets around the country — including biggies like New York, LA, Chicago, and Philadelphia — alongside ten airports, perfect for you globetrotters on layovers. It was nice little exclusive period there, wasn’t it, Sprint? [Thanks, RBF] Verizon’s LTE network launching November 15 with two data cards and over 30 markets? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
We’re being told that Verizon has a pair of devices that it’s identifying as “e-readers” on the roadmap for September of this year, but what’s really interesting is that they’re called “Entourage.” It’s possible there’s no association to the company of the same name , but we’re kind of thinking that the carrier has hooked up with the makers of the oddball Edge for these devices — especially since we know they both share an affinity for Android. We don’t know the specifics of the units other than the fact that they’ll be 7- and 10-inch tablets — presumably sans the Edge’s crazy dual-display design, though we can’t say for sure. Verizon has yet to play the e-reader game the same way Sprint and AT&T have with the Kindle and Nook — and of course, we’ve no doubt they’d love a viable iPad competitor. Who’s buying? [Thanks, RBF] Verizon getting two e-readers / tablets from Entourage in September? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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We just got word back from Verizon regarding those flickering Droid X screens , and sure enough, the ghastly images are not a side effect of your assimilation into the Droid collective. Verizon and Motorola have owned up to a genuine problem with a small number of Droid X displays, approximately one-tenth of one percent. If your screen starts acting up you’d best contact the authorities immediately. And by authorities, we mean tech support, not the FBI — the omnipresent glowing red eyeball is completely normal. It told us so. Here’s Verizon’s full statement on the matter: “Verizon Wireless and Motorola are aware of a very small number of DROID X units that have experienced a flickering or banding display. Motorola has resolved the issue and is continuing to ship the phones. Any consumer who experiences a flickering or banding display should contact a Motorola customer support center or Verizon Wireless.” Verizon confirms Droid X screen issues, but says they’re not widespread originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 21:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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You might imagine that we’re getting a pretty wild variety of EVO 4G -related tips today, seeing how it’s launch day and all — but a couple really stood out for us: Sprint’s activation system is apparently buckling under the pressure, an issue that’s giving us nightmarish flashbacks to iPhone launches of days gone by . We’ve even heard reports of poor shoppers being “turned away” when reps are stymied by the situation. A wildly successful product is both a blessing and curse, is it not? One corporate store clerk says Sprint’s system is now entirely down, and employees are being forced to write receipts by hand. “We have sold out (and pretty fast at that), but can’t do anything at this point, not even a bill pay,” he adds. We’ve gotten multiple tips saying that Radio Shack now lists a $400 early termination fee in its contract for the iPhone on Verizon and Sprint. Our guess is that this is just some generic verbiage, not a sign of an impending CDMA launch, but you never know. One tipster said his EVO came with a Samsung microSD card, rather than a SanDisk. We don’t know what to make of that, as it was far too late for HTC to head off storage bugs at the pass. Keep us updated with your launch day travails, folks! [Thanks to everyone who sent these in] EVO 4G launch day antics: Sprint’s computers overwhelmed, Radio Shack listing CDMA iPhones? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Jun 2010 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
If the whole “smoke -> fire” adage proves true once more, it’s looking like Verizon loyalists can expect to see a Shadow at least a few milliseconds before a CDMA iPhone . Following up on months of leaks and rumors, we’ve got yet another snippet of evidence pointing towards a VZW release of the so-called Motorola Shadow . Spotted here in the carrier’s inventory database, the MB810 moniker aligns perfectly with that WiFi certification we saw earlier in the month. Combine that with the fact that this is definitely some sort of Motorola smartphone, and you’ve got everything you need to start pinching those pennies for a June / July debut . Oh, you already threw down a Benjamin for Memorial Day grub? Good luck with that return policy . [Thanks, tuan tran] Motorola Shadow slithers into Verizon’s inventory database as MB810 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 29 May 2010 12:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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We’d not-so-secretly hoped that carriers would be looking to dispense with those troublesome 5GB caps on so-called “unlimited” 3G data plans, but there’s a big problem with that: spectrum is still limited, and even though 4G technologies help use it more efficiently, it’s still a constraint that the FCC is going to need many years to solve. We’re not sure how much the spectrum crunch really factors in here, but in addition to his comments on Droid Incredible inventory problems , Verizon Wireless boss Lowell McAdam mentioned at a Barclays Capital conference this week that he hopes to move away from unlimited plans altogether for the company’s LTE network, instead charging for “buckets” of megabytes, just like in the olden days — despite the fact that it’ll cost it a half to a third of what it costs today to transmit the same amount of data. On a happier note, McAdam said that the company expects to be using its LTE network for voice by 2012, which comes just after its first volley of LTE-capable handsets in early 2011. He also mentioned that at least some of those devices will be shown off at CES 2011, and naturally, we’ll be there — not just to check out the phones, but to raise some hell at the notion that unlimited data is a thing of the past. At this rate, how are we ever going to run the Engadget servers on a wireless connection? Verizon looking at non-unlimited plans for 4G data, will use LTE for voice by 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 May 2010 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Being completely unable to keep a popular device in stock is a great problem to have, we suppose — but considering that Verizon Wireless’ Lowell McAdam believes he could sell “twice” the number of Droid Incredibles that he has available, that’s got to be a bit of a bummer if you’re one of the company’s bean counters (or a would-be buyer, for that matter). In a talk at a Barclays Capital conference today, McAdam made it clear that component shortages were to blame for the high-end Android handset’s general unavailability — specifically the Samsung-sourced AMOLED display, which is seeing duty in more phones all the time and will likely be in short supply for a while yet . At the present, new buyers need to wait until at least mid-June to get their Droid Incredible if they order online, and the Nexus One’s brief inventory situation is very likely related; since Samsung is using a ton of AMOLED displays in its own devices, doesn’t this all seem like a conflict of interest? Droid Incredible confirmed to be suffering from AMOLED shortage originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 May 2010 16:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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We know, Tour owners — you’re so ready for a little WiFi in your life that you could quite literally scream. Go ahead, let it out! There, doesn’t that feel better? No? Well, maybe this will: new shots out of The BlackBerry Zone suggest that Verizon sales reps are being actively trained on the Bold 9650 , adding to a trail of evidence over the past month from a variety of sites that the phone is coming shortly. It certainly should, considering the relative importance of BlackBerrys in Verizon’s lineup and the fact that Sprint now has it at retail , and it’s still possible that documentation on CrackBerry last month pointing to a May 27 release — that’s this Thursday, for the record — is accurate. We’ll know soon enough, but in the meantime, treat those old trackballs with care, alright? [Thanks, Steve] Verizon’s BlackBerry Bold 9650 seems like it’s coming soon (this week?) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 May 2010 22:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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