Verizon gets official with Visual Voicemail service

There aren't exactly all that many details left to announce, but Verizon has just gotten official with its late to the party Visual Voicemail service which, for the time being at least, is only available on the LG Voyager. As we had heard previously, the service will run you an extra $2.99 per month on top of your usual bill, and you'll be able to store up to 40 messages for 40 days, with an option to create up to 10 greetings and 20 distribution lists. Unfortunately, Verizon didn't take the opportunity to announce any firm plans for a roll-out to any of the other phones supposedly in line to get the service, with it only going so far as to say that additional devices will be getting it in the "coming months."

[Kamokazi @ Aug 11th 2008 12:37PM]

I really wonder why it took so long to get this on phones in the first place? This is not high-tech, they have been capable of this for years.

[Shadow08 @ Aug 11th 2008 12:54PM]

It's because of things like this that I'm glad we have Apple. If the iPhone didn't have this, who knows how much longer (or even more expensive) this feature would be. Same thing with touch screen phones.

[High Ranks make you sterile @ Aug 11th 2008 1:01PM]

While you speak the truth, prepare yourself for the wrath of the Apple-haters.

[Matt @ Aug 11th 2008 1:06PM]

Yeah, good thing the iPhone came along and introduced the world to touchscreen phones, Shadow.

Wait, hang on, I have a call coming in on my Treo from 2002.

[Zak @ Aug 11th 2008 1:12PM]

Matt, are you stupid or just pathetic? I can't tell. Both, maybe? Did anybody say Apple was the first company to use a touchscreen on a phone? Did Apple say it? Did anybody here say it?

Apple WAS the fist company to implement working visual voicemail into a mobile phone. AT&T even had to re-work their infrastructure to support it. But I'm sure that Verizon is copycatting them over a year later because.... because what? They're "innovative"?

Oh and let's not forget that Verizon specifically DECLINED Apple's offer to let them sell the iPhone originally because they didn't want to change their infrastructure to support visual voicemail.

OH THE IRONY. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Am I right?

[Quix @ Aug 11th 2008 1:24PM]

@ Shadow08:

Uh oh, you said "iPhone." UNLEASH THE APPLE-HATING HORDE!

I swear, Engadget must be the new home for all the Apple-bashing trolls from Digg. Or is it just more orchestrated astroturfing from Redmond? We will never know.

@ Matt:

What in the world does "Visual Voicemail" have to do with "touchscreens" aside from an excuse for you to knock Apple?

Nothing. Nothing at all.

@ Apple-bashing trolls:

Replace typical "iPhone & AT&T plans are overpriced" whining with "Wow, only $2.99/month extra for Visual Voicemail? Good deal!" accolades.

[Mike10010100 @ Aug 11th 2008 1:34PM]

Hey Zak! Long time no crazy! It helps me to visualize someone from a mental institution read aloud all of your posts. Or the main character of "The Telltale Heart".

Anyhoooo.

Yeah, if you look at Shadow08's comment, he says "If the iPhone didn't have this, who knows how much longer (or even more expensive) this feature would be. Same thing with touch screen phones." This is both a true and untrue statement. It is true that thanks to the iPhone, we now have more use of the capacitative touch screen technology and more phones are coming out that use that touch screen/ no keyboard design.
However, it is not true that the iPhone was the first to use touchscreen on a phone.

Saying that the iPhone isn't an important stepping stone in touchscreen tech is just kidding themselves. This in no way gives it the right, however, of being the holy grail of touchscreenness.

[UnixSystemsEngineer @ Aug 11th 2008 1:40PM]

If this is on the Voyager, why does the screen cap show a joystick style control legend at the bottom of the screen?

[Phoenix @ Aug 11th 2008 1:43PM]

READ people!

"It's because of things like this that I'm glad we have Apple. If the iPhone didn't have this, who knows how much longer (or even more expensive) this feature would be. Same thing with touch screen phones."

That DEFINITELY mentions a touchscreen. he's saying or at the least implying that the iPhone was first with visual voicemail and touchscreen. Bullshit

[Just-uh-Thought @ Aug 11th 2008 2:34PM]

Zak,
Apparently you ARE stupid AND pathetic, Matt didn't say "Apple said they were the first to make a touch screen phone". It's called Sarcasm dumb fuck! The poster before him alluded to the world not noticing Touch Screen etc etc before Apple did a 'trend-setter' product.


Before you start spazzing out calling names check your own first, most likely you'll find you're calling someone else by your own.

[Cam @ Aug 11th 2008 3:21PM]

All you people suck. So just shut it. It's just a stupid application for a phone. Get off your bandwagon bashing and just be happy that Verizon now has this feature. Then go back to school and learn how to have an intelligent conversation/dialogue/debate about something.

[Zak @ Aug 11th 2008 4:01PM]

Mike - so... you're saying you're back to being crazy? Thanks for the update.

"It is true that thanks to the iPhone, we now have more use of the capacitative touch screen technology"

You can stop right there, because that was obviously what shadow08 meant. And then Matt said "Yeah, good thing the iPhone came along and introduced the world to touchscreen phones".

So who's misunderstanding what here now? Matt obviously didn't get it, which is why I responded to him the way I did. Are you all clear on that now?

"This in no way gives it the right, however, of being the holy grail of touchscreenness."

Oh please do show me another phone that makes better use of the touchscreen. You know there's a good reason that Apple spent three full years developing the iPhone, right?

Oh and to "Just-uh-Thought ", nice name by the way - yeah, you should probably pay a bit more attention to what's going on. Read this post again for example, you may find it enlightening. Also, I thought this was just hysterical:

"dumb fuck!"

followed by:

"Before you start spazzing out calling names check your own first, most likely you'll find you're calling someone else by your own."

Oh man! hahaha. Pot kettle black, glass houses, hoisted on your own petard, etc. Thanks for the laugh though!

[o rly @ Aug 11th 2008 8:07PM]

Visual Voicemail for BlackBerry announced in 2005:
http://www.blackberry.com/news/press/2005/pr-15_02_2005-01.shtml

[riggs @ Aug 11th 2008 12:39PM]

smh @ added fees, this should come standard on most phones why must everything get milked :(

[Shadow08 @ Aug 11th 2008 1:04PM]

Agreed, but this is Verizon we're talking about.. or even any mobile carrier. They wouldn't actually give us a little something for nothing, would they?

[Neeko @ Aug 11th 2008 12:40PM]

Cmon SPRINT i wanna join. even tho i really never check voicemails.. I guess its a novelty thing for me.

OK i dont need it.

[Pablo @ Aug 11th 2008 12:42PM]

Sprint has visual voice mail on the Samsung Instinct.... hope they put it on their soon to be released phones like the touch diamond or pro!!!!

[Phoenix @ Aug 11th 2008 12:41PM]

Before anyone says it, this is NOT ripping off the iPhone. It was doable before then and apple themselves licensed the tech

[chris joseph @ Aug 11th 2008 12:43PM]

Hmmm... this service shouldn't cost anything extra. It's inclusive with the Apple/ATT plans, isn't it?

[chris joseph @ Aug 11th 2008 12:46PM]

In other words, do I want this on my Verizon work phone... YES
Am I going to expect either myself or company to pay extra for it? No. Bite me, Verizon.

[Phoenix @ Aug 11th 2008 12:49PM]

Yes, but they're more expensive than "normal" plans, the cost'll be there.

[Aman Patel @ Aug 11th 2008 1:30PM]

Phoenix,

Actually, the plans are not more expensive than normal plans. The prices are just the normal voice plan pricing plus the normal data plan pricing.

[Josef @ Aug 11th 2008 1:37PM]

"It's inclusive with the Apple/ATT plans, isn't it?"

What, you mean the AT&T iPhone with its MANDATORY DATA PLAN. Yes, VVM is included.

At least Verizon gives you a choice of whether you want o pay for this feature or not.

[Phoenix @ Aug 11th 2008 1:44PM]

Seen the Brittish ones? pah.

[Phoenix @ Aug 11th 2008 1:44PM]

last comment @ Aman Patel

[Aman Patel @ Aug 11th 2008 1:56PM]

Sorry, Phoenix, I was thinking about the AT&T plans. I didn't even think about the rest of the world. How much worse are the iPhone plans in the UK compared to the normal plans?

[AJC @ Aug 11th 2008 2:06PM]

"At least Verizon gives you a choice of whether you want o pay for this feature or not."

Oh come on! What in Gods name would people do with the iPhone if it didn't have internet?? Thats just the most ignorant post today ...and thats a steep hurddle my friend. Who cares if you don't have a choice. You shouldn't! You shouldn't with blackberry, HTC or palm either(well maybe Palm, Blazer sucks!). But seriously, Apple built you a sweet iPod touch if you wanna be cheap.

[Phoenix @ Aug 11th 2008 2:12PM]

Let's see... Only using o2, (the company with the iPhone), for £30 ($60) I can get double the texts if I have a different phone, (same minutes and internet) plus there are other things available like SIM only plans and cheaper plans

[LinkDJ @ Aug 11th 2008 12:44PM]

They should have this on all phones, for free. I don't think I would even have voicemail if they wanted $3 a month for it. I would just have a message saying "Hey, im not here, if this is important you should text me"

[greatsunjester @ Aug 11th 2008 12:45PM]

Just be glad Verizon does not own highways. Can you imaging the pricing plans for speeds? Base speed is 0 to 45mph at $39.99 per month, with each 10mph increment an additional $9.99 per month. Unlimited off ramp usage for $4.99 per month or $.50 per use. On ramp usage $4.99 per month or $.50 per use. Passing lane $9.99 per month for unlimited usage (up to 500 passes per month, not to exceed your plan's maximum speed) or $1.00 per pass. Emergency towing service charge $10.00, excluding any costs incurred by your towing service.

[LinkDJ @ Aug 11th 2008 12:48PM]

Verizon, or any other cell phone company.

[From My Cube @ Aug 11th 2008 12:58PM]

you put a lot of effort into that

[iofthestorm @ Aug 11th 2008 2:00PM]

@LinkDJ: I think Verizon is the worst of the carriers in terms of ripping you off, but they also have the best network. *grumbles in the general direction of his Verizon phone that won't let him use mp3 files copied onto microSD as ringtones*

[Xenoterranos @ Aug 11th 2008 4:32PM]

You know, if there are an infinite number of universes, then there exists a universe wherein your entire post is fact.

I think i'm going to be sick.

[JJ @ Aug 11th 2008 12:46PM]

Why do the example's friends all have the same initials?

[FuzzyCat @ Aug 11th 2008 12:47PM]

This is different from the iPhone type of visual voicemail which is actually stored on the phone.

http://www.hackthatphone.com/114/iphone_save_voicemail.html

[p3t3b2 @ Aug 12th 2008 2:10AM]

The samsung Instinct has visual voicemail which stores the messages on the phone as well, they do not expire either. Also, Sprint does not charge extra for visual voicemail.

[AJC @ Aug 11th 2008 1:16PM]

Hey phoenix. Get a life man. Your under the breath apple hating isn't necessary. If apple didn't invent VVM, it doesn't matter. They made it popular and also made people want it. They don't invent alot of things, but as stated by someone before me, they make things better, popular and more importatnly; they help to improve other companys by drawing a huge line in the sand.

[Josef @ Aug 11th 2008 1:40PM]

Yes, Apple is very noble. Like how they trumpeted the big price cut in the iPhone 3G but downplayed the fact that the monthly plan would cost you more. That was great.

[Phoenix @ Aug 11th 2008 1:46PM]

I'm not hating apple, it was a good decision and I know a few companies that wouldn't have licensed it, they'd just have stolen it. What I AM hating is the apple fanboys, I was anticipating that there'd be a rush of OMG iPHONE DID IT FIRST comments. maybe there hasn't been as many as I expected, but it's early days for this article

[tweak @ Aug 11th 2008 1:22PM]

$2.99? Seriously. Totally agree with the highway analogy. Fuck that shit Verizon.

[bob sakamano @ Aug 11th 2008 1:29PM]

this guys friends call him and leave voice messages in alphabetical order

[HAZE @ Aug 11th 2008 1:29PM]

www.youmail.com FTW

[grull27 @ Aug 11th 2008 1:34PM]

I am glad I switched from Verizon to AT&T. I use the visual voicemail feature everyday on my iPhone 3G free of charge.

[Josef @ Aug 11th 2008 1:41PM]

No you don't. Once they offer this VVM on the Dare, I'll add it and we'll compare bills.


Oh, and don't forget, you're stuck with the AT&T network.

[UnixSystemsEngineer @ Aug 11th 2008 1:38PM]

Voicemail still sucks.

Visual voicemail just sucks a little less.

[Matthew @ Aug 11th 2008 1:41PM]

HA! I am not going to pay $2.99 for voicemail. Last I checked this is 2008 not 1998. Verizon can keep on thinking that they are keeping up and soon enough the facts will hit them that just adding touch screen phones does not make them cool. Just as, adding some attempt at visual voicemail that costs $2.99 AND DATA is totally not acceptable.

[HalfJoey @ Aug 11th 2008 1:44PM]

lol at monthly fee.

[chav3z @ Aug 11th 2008 1:45PM]

XV6800 + grandcentral = visual VM on my phone...

[HalfJoey @ Aug 11th 2008 1:50PM]

lol at monthly fee.