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Samsung u620, VCAST TV details go up on Verizon's site
As expected, Verizon has launched its MediaFLO-capable SCH-U620 slider from Samsung today, the first device to support its VCAST TV mobile television service (the arguably cooler LG VX9400 is still waiting in the wings). Besides the productivity-sapping teevee, the diminutive slider offers up Bluetooth, EV-DO (naturally), microSD expansion, 1.3 megapixel cam, and QVGA display (gotta have some clarity while you're watching MTV, right?). Launch markets (see the u620's product page for the full listing) can get their hands on the phone today for $150 after contract and discounts.
Verizon's V CAST Mobile TV going live March 1st
Nah, Verizon Wireless isn't snapping up Alltel just yet or anything, but the carrier is formally announcing its plans to launch its much-anticipated V CAST Mobile TV service right on schedule. The March 1st date that's been floating around is purportedly true, meaning there won't be any unforeseen delays in enjoying the mobile TV abilities of your forthcoming SCH-U620 or VX9400 -- if you're in a launch market, that is. Currently, the exact whereabouts of launch capabilities is a bit ambiguous, and curiously omitted are major markets such as "New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Diego and Las Vegas," but the provider reportedly plans to have a good deal of these "major markets" covered by the "end of Q1," or March 31st. The service will utilize Qualcomm's MediaFLO mobile TV network, which AT&T also plans on eventually using, and will offer up programming from CBS, Comedy Central, Fox, MTV, NBC News, NBC Entertainment, and Nickelodeon. Unfortunately, we're still in the dark in regard to an official pricing structure, but with only T-minus two days 'til kickoff, the remaining minutiae should surface soon enough.
Verizon slips pricing details for Samsung U620
The VCAST TV launch is so close now, we can almost taste the FLO bits streaming relentlessly down to our U620s. Oh yes, about that U620 -- it's not out yet, but it will be soon; the service for which it's designed allegedly hits the ground running March 1, after all, and the U620 slider from Samsung is lined up to be Verizon's one and only handset to support it at launch. Word has it the U620 has now hit Testman, a historically accurate harbinger for handsets dropping in the very near term, so that March 1 date could very well still be a go. Pricing is set for $150 on a two-year agreement, making the barrier of entry to mobile TV nirvana fairly reasonable.
Hands-on with the Samsung SCH-U620 for Verizon
Yeah, MediaFLO support is cool and all, but the SCH-U620 definitely felt like the "me-too" handset at today's Verizon press event; it just couldn't hold a candle to the LG VX9400's drop-dead good looks. 'Course, it was quite a bit smaller than the LG, and folks partial to the conventional slider form factor will feel more at home on this one. As with the VX9400 (and the service itself), pricing and availability are to be announced at a later date. Click on for some more shots.
