EnvTouch
Latest
Exclusive: Droid Pro is the global version of the Droid 2, LG enV Touch 2 will be Android-powered
We've learned from a source close to the situation that the rumored global version of the Droid 2 with GSM and CDMA radios is actually the same phone as the also-rumored Droid Pro -- although Verizon apparently has a tendency to fiddle with branding right up until the last minute, so the retail name could still change. It's identical to the current Droid 2 in every way except for the fact that it houses a GSM / HSPA radio for global roaming, though we're not able to confirm previous rumors that it'll be available in a white version; presumably, you'll pay a bit more than the Droid 2's $200 on contract for the privilege of being able to take your buddy overseas. Barring any last-minute delays, we should see it launch within weeks. If you're sick and tired of Motorolas, let's switch gears a bit and talk about the follow-up to LG's enV Touch. Interestingly, LG will be switching from a proprietary featurephone platform to Android for this one -- called the enV Touch 2 -- and will give it dual touchscreens: one on the outside, and another on the inside for when you flip open the clamshell. As you might expect for an enV-branded device, there's also a full QWERTY keyboard. It's currently running Android 2.1, though it's not clear whether that'll be upgraded to 2.2 by the time we see a release toward the holidays. It's said to be pretty big and heavy, which could be a disadvantage for some -- but on the flipside, it's apparently a global device, so that's a plus. enVs historically haven't been the most exciting things in Verizon's stable, but we'll admit, we're curious to see this one get fleshed out. Update: A tipster has written in to point out that the Droid 2 and Droid Pro are showing as two different devices in Verizon's inventory system, model numbers A956 and A957, respectively; our original source is adamant, though, that they're the same device, so we'll need to wait to see how this pans out. As we mentioned, Droid Pro isn't necessarily the go-to-market name for the phone, but it is the name being tossed around internally right now for the device that we know as the Droid 2 with global roaming.
Verizon announces LG Glance, enV 3, and enV Touch
Three widely-expected models from LG have now gotten fully, completely, and utterly official for Verizon this morning. Starting at the bottom rung, the Glance is a low-end but surprisingly handsome candybar -- a form factor we don't frequently see from LG for Big Red -- with a 1.3 megapixel camera, a "woven metal" battery cover, and a QVGA display; it'll be available on June 5 for $49.99 on contract after rebate. Next up, the env3 replaces (you guessed it) the env2 with that now well-known landscape clamshell design featuring dual displays, dual keypads, and full QWERTY on the inside. It's got EV-DO, QVGA internal and 160 x 96 external displays, a 3 megapixel cam with video recording and flash, and visual voicemail support. It's just a smidge more expensive than the Glance, running $129.99 after rebate and it's in stores tomorrow. Finally, the big kahuna: the enV Touch succeeds the Voyager with a full touchscreen on the outside and an enV-esque QWERTY interior, rocking a 3.2 megapixel autofocus shooter, two -- yes, two -- wide VGA displays, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The Touch drops in alongside the Glance come June 5 for $149.99 on contract after rebate.
LG enV Touch set for June 5 Verizon debut
The enV3 not your style? That's fine -- maybe you want to step up to the VX11000 enV Touch, then, which should be launching just a few days after its lightweight sibling to replace the aging Voyager on June 5 for $219.99 on contract with a $70 rebate. The lack of VCAST TV is a bummer, but on the flipside, you've got a 3.2 megapixel autofocus cam, 3-inch external touchscreen with a matching 3-incher on the inside, HTML browsing, and the... uh, envy of every enV owner.[Thanks, anonymous tipster]
LG enV3 and enV Touch spotted once again, still not released
Okay, we see how it is -- this is one of those times when Verizon isn't going to have much of anything new to show by the time the official announcement comes around. We guess we're okay with that, although we imagine there are plenty of good folks out there who are dying to know exactly when that announcement will be; no new intel on that front, unfortunately, so these new pictures will have to do. Here we have the front of the maroon version of the VX9200 enV3, which -- surprise, surprise -- will succeed the enV2 (whenever Verizon finally decides to release it) with a 3 megapixel camera and QVGA internal display. The VX11000 enV Touch rests a little higher on the totem pole, replacing the Voyager with an alleged pair of wide VGA displays; interestingly, Verizon's MediaFLO-based VCAST TV service has gone missing, which leads us to question Verizon's commitment to the service. Subscription mobile TV hasn't been a stellar performer in any American or European market, and it's entirely possible that Verizon would consider letting its data network shoulder the video burden going forward -- especially as LTE comes to fruition. Anyhow, back to the matter at hand -- when are these things hitting retail?
Verizon tidbits: Storm firmware saga continues, Niagara is the Tour, and more
We're getting a few tasty little morsels seeping out of the Verizon camp this morning, and we just wanted to pass them along -- nothing Earth-shattering here, but Niagara fans are definitely going to want to learn a new term: The BlackBerry 9630 Niagara will definitely be known as the Tour. (Boy Genius Report now has it pegged for July at $199, which certainly seems plausible.) The next BlackBerry Storm firmware will be released in May (we're still expecting this to be 113 until we hear otherwise). Update: 4.7.0.141 is circulating within the company now, so that might be our golden build! The Voyager's replacement -- the VX11000 -- will be known as the enV Touch. The carrier is "investigating" raising the 5GB cap on its data plan with the LTE rollout, since subscribers will presumably be consuming more.
