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Verizon's VCAST TV service expands to three new markets
FLO had promised that it would waste no time rolling out new markets just as soon as old analog TV spectrum started to free up, and sure enough, that's exactly what they're doing. Verizon -- whose VCAST TV service runs on FLO's backbone -- has officially announced expansion into the San Francisco, Cleveland, and Milwaukee markets, meaning the select few with a VCAST TV-capable phone (read: not the enV Touch) can start enjoying a handful of made-for-mobile boob tube channels in the new regions immediately -- provided they plunk down for the monthly fee ranging from $13 to $25. Just how badly do you wanna see Late Night from the warm glow of your phone, eh?
Verizon announces Motorola Z6tv for October 5 launch
Verizon's finally ready to expand its two-strong VCAST TV lineup -- currently composed of the Samsung u620 and LG VX9400 -- to a third device, the Z6tv from Motorola. Supporting Verizon's MediaFLO-based mobile TV service, the Z6tv takes on a simple slider form factor like its u620 stablemate and features a 2 megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth, support fo VZ Navigator, roughly 50MB of onboard storage (mere scraps, if you ask us) plus microSD expansion, and support for landscape viewing of television, video clips, and the camera viewfinder. Look for it to launch a week from today, October 5, for a penny shy of $180 after $50 rebate.
Sprint BlackBerry Pearl to support Sprint TV?
It appears that Sprint has let the bag again and allowing some clever readers to comb through the same spec sheet. It looks like Sprint will launch the BlackBerry 8130 supporting both their Mobile TV and Music Store services. Nothing sounds more enticing than streaming audio and video via EV-DO on our BlackBerry. Now only if Sprint can get their mobile TV offerings in line with VCAST TV or maybe Verizon will follow suit and enable another Smartphone for their music service.[Via Boy Genius Report]
VCAST TV adds temporary channel for X Games
If you thought Verizon's launch lineup for VCAST TV was a bit thin, don't fret -- MediaFLO's got bandwidth to spare -- but you might get extra channels spoon-fed to you one special at a time. Subscribers may have already noticed that EXPN has already showed up on that tiny screen of theirs, offering up all the X Games 13 coverage they can handle from July 22 through August 7. The extra channel supplements X Games coverage on ESPN Mobile TV (one of VCAST TV's permanent channels), so between the two, mobile warriors shouldn't miss a minute of the action.[Via mocoNews]
Japanese carriers losing out on handset subsidies
In the fierce world of wireless competition, companies fight tooth-and-nail for customers in a desperate attempt to raise ARPU (Average Revenue Per User). Customers are naturally looking for the best deal, and with multiple carriers selling the same or similar handsets, the consumer's decision carries a lot of weight. The same problem that exists here in the States is even more prevalent in Japan where the country's largest carrier, NTT DoCoMo, attempts to pack cell phones with such features as bar code scanners, TV receivers and gaming devices. All those goodies cause manufacturing costs to soar in excess of $600, requiring the carrier to discount the handset heavily to prevent customers from getting spooked at the store. Sounds like a steal, right? Not so much. All these subsidies end up costing the companies around $16 billion a year which in turn leads to higher plan prices to recoup the blown revenue from the devices. All in all, it's a vicious circle -- but hey, at least it's a technology-laden one.[Via textually.org]
LG VX9400 unboxed
Well, looky here -- we've come a long way since CES when we scored those up close and personal shots with LG's VX9400, now haven't we? Luckily for us, our friendly parcel carrier dropped off one of these newly released beauties and we wanted to share the (joyful) unboxing experience with y'all. Just to give a quick refresher of the features, here they are: dual band 1X / EV-DO radio, VCAST TV support, Bluetooth with A2DP, expandable memory via microSD, and a 1.3 megapixel shooter. Finally, lets not forget about the 262,000 color, 320 x 240 swiveling display (which, by the by, is quite purty when opened). Check out the gallery for more pics and be sure to keep a look out for our mobile TV shootout! LG VX9400 unboxed
Verizon rolls out LG VX9400, second VCAST TV phone
Sure, Samsung's u620 was the first on the scene when Verizon's MediaFLO-based VCAST TV service launched earlier this month, but the fashionably late VX9400 from LG seems to be the real prize. At least that's the impression we got when we had the opportunity to mess around with both side by side at CES in January, and starting today, Verizon customers can start buying and critiquing VX9400s of their very own (in VCAST TV markets, anyway). Your hard-earned $200 -- plus the standard issue two-year agreement, of course -- will net you the Chocolate-esqe handset with a swivel screen, 1.3 megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth, microSD expansion, and naturally, EV-DO data. We wouldn't mind a few more teevee channels, but beggars can't be choosers when it comes to the mobile TV landscape here in the US -- and besides, it's a pretty nifty lookin' handset anyway, right?[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Verizon to get LG VX9400 on March 23?
Liking VCAST TV but that Samsung u620 -- the only supported handset at the moment -- isn't doing anything for you with its submicronic display? We can't blame you, especially after we laid eyes on that rather comely VX9400 from crosstown rival LG at CES a couple months back. A tipster is reporting that the pivot display VX9400, which was originally thought to be scheduled to launch alongside the u620, will end up dropping on the 23rd of this month in VCAST TV markets. Not too painful of a delay, eh? Pricing should come in at $350 full retail, $250 on a one-year contract after rebate, or $200 if you like that mobile TV action enough to sign up for two full years. Launching the same day should be the Samsung u540 at $80 after rebates on a two-year agreement (we'll take the VX9400, please).[Thanks, anonymous tipster]
Verizon VCAST TV coverage roundup
Just in case you missed it, Verizon launched its VCAST TV mobile television service today. We've had a pretty good idea March 1st was the special day for a couple weeks now, and while those coverage maps leaked yesterday sort of spoiled any remaining suspense you might've had about the launch, we just thought we'd give you one last reminder that you can start getting your MediaFLO on starting now -- if you're willing to fork over $13+ a month, and are lucky enough to live within the minimal coverage area, of course. Previous posts on the topic are below, just in case you missed 'em. Samsung u620, VCAST TV details go up on Verizon's site Verizon's VCAST TV launch maps, pricing Verizon's V CAST Mobile TV going live March 1st Verizon slips pricing details for Samsung U620 VCAST TV launch tentatively set for March 1 MobileESPN lives... on Verizon Verizon's VCAST TV launch in detail Verizon Samsung U620 loaded up with MediaFLO mobile TV
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 VCAST TV launch maps, pricing
Yeah, we guess Verizon is technically holding true to its March 1 launch date of its VCAST TV mobile television service, but the coverage leaves... shall we say, something to be desired. A tipster has managed to forward on rather detailed maps of the areas that'll be blanketed in tiny-screen entertainment as of tomorrow, and the list of launch cities reads something like this: Dallas-Fort Worth, Seattle-Tacoma, Salt Lake City, Spokane, Omaha, Las Vegas-Laughlin, Albuquerque-Santa Fe, Portland, Jacksonville, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Wichita, Kansas City (Missouri), Denver-Boulder, Tucson, and Colorado Springs. As expected, the service will come in three flavors ranging from the $13 / month "Limited" plan to $25 for the "Select" hookup. "Planned future coverage areas" include Los Angeles, Atlanta, New Orleans, New York City, St. Louis, and Norfolk-Richmond, though no exact date is given; it's possible that Verizon and Qualcomm are hoping to iron out any bugs with smaller markets before jumping to the big dogs. VCAST TV Launch Maps
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.
VCAST TV launch tentatively set for March 1
It looks like the wait's just about over for mobile TV this side of the pond -- if you're in one of Verizon's seemingly randomly-selected launch cities, that is. According to a super-secret screenshot we've been leaked from deep within Big Red's hallowed halls, the Limited, Basic, and Select flavors of its VCAST TV service seem to be tentatively set for March 1. Our tipster points out that the chosen date gives them wiggle room to slip a week or two and still stay well within their Q1 launch target, so let's not clear our calendars on March 1 to run down to the corporate store just yet -- but the news is encouraging, is it not?[Thanks, anonymous tipster]
MobileESPN lives... on Verizon
MobileESPN is back from the dead sheriff, only this time as a zombied version of its former self. No longer an MVNO, the service for sportos is now limited exclusively to Verizon Wireless subscribers under a new multi-year deal. According to the AP, the deal is not yet finalized but should be announced sometime today with a service launch in "the coming months." And it's free for those of you already ponyed up for VZW's VCAST service and compatible phone. Verizon is also expected to announce later today that the ESPN channel on their MediaFLO-based VCAST TV service will feature much of the same programming you're already familiar with -- albeit, presumably in bite-sized chunks more suitable to TV on the go. This must be what the execs at Verizon had in mind when they passed on the iPhone. Braaaaains, give us your brains![Thanks, unfuccwittable]
Verizon's VCAST TV launch in detail
As we rumble and stumble toward a sometime-in-Q1 release of Verizon's MediaFLO-based VCAST TV service, details are starting to filter in regarding the three most important questions: "what," "where," and "how much." First up, it looks like VCAST TV will be offered in three flavors: Limited for $13 monthly, Basic for $15, and Select at $25. Limited will include CBS Mobile, NBC Mobile, NBC News, and Fox Mobile, while Basic (anyone a little confused with the naming convention here?) adds Comedy Central, ESPN, MTV Mobile, and Nickelodeon. Select, meanwhile, is nothing more than a bundle of Basic plus traditional VCAST and mobile web for a princely $5 discount over the unbundled price. Launch cities should include Jacksonville, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Omaha, Wichita, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Colorado springs, Denver, Dallas, Las Vegas, Portland, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Tucson, Atlanta, Richmond, New Orleans, New York, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Long Island, Philadelphia and St. Louis -- whew -- not bad, though we're kinda hoping more get added post haste. And while you're at it adding cities, beef up that channel lineup, will ya, Verizon?[Thanks, anonymous tipster]
Boy Genius exclusive with the Motorola MAXX Ve
First we were teased with the marketing photos, then there was the instruction manual, now our good friend Boy Genius gives us a hands-on with the Motorola MAXX Ve for Verizon Wireless. From the pics of the larger outside display to the redesigned keypad, it's looking so svelte. Let's not forget the lovely Verizon UI and the 2 megapixel shooter with auto focus. Too bad The Network and Motorola left out VCAST TV because we'd love to watch it on this QVGA!
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.
Hands on with the LG VX9400 for Verizon
It may not be Chocolate -- but in terms of style, the VX9400 isn't very far off. From the pictures, we'd thought that this was going to be one heavy, wide, unusable disaster of a handset, but we were dead wrong on every count. The phone can be used against the ear whether open or closed (obviously crucial for easy access to the keypad and quick taking of a call while watching TV), the pivot is smooth, and the glossy black top contrasts nicely with the silver bottom. The MediaFLO-based VCAST TV service, announced during the press conference today, is fully functional on the phone; we caught wind that Vegas and Seattle are fully live (among other markets) so it seems reasonable for Verizon to meet its goal of launching before the quarter's out. The video was smooth and quick to load, and the interactive guide (which loads via the FLO link) seemed well laid out. Click on for more pictures!
