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Samsung Continuum gets software update, V CAST Apps along for the ride
Seriously, Continuum owners, you couldn't have possibly thought you dodged this bullet, right? Big Red's pushing an update today that's kind of a double-edged sword; on the one hand, you get a boatload of bug fixes to visual voicemail, messaging, WeatherBug, and more. But on the other hand, the update will automatically install V CAST Apps, Verizon's app store, whether you like it or not. We'd like the option of choosing an update either with or without additional software on carrier-branded phones these days -- but we suppose we can understand the complexities of forking updates like that. At any rate, this one's over the air, so expect a notification from Verizon on your phone shortly.
Droid Incredible update starts rolling out, packs fixes and V CAST Apps
As expected, Droid Incredible users are now starting to receive an over the air update that packs a number of fixes and additions. The biggest of those additions, of course, is the V CAST Apps store, which will let you purchase apps and bill them straight to your Verizon account. Otherwise, you can expect to get an updated Slacker application, a Flash update with some security improvements, some Visual Voice Mail fixes, and the ability to email attachments larger than 5MB. Look for the update to hit your device within the next few days if it hasn't already.
Droid Incredible getting V CAST Apps next week, whether you like it or not
Verizon has just announced that its lovely HTC Droid Incredible will be getting a fresh software update pushed over-the-air starting next week, and among the "software enhancements" will be the automatic installation of the carrier's V CAST Apps app store. Since this doesn't mean the Android Market is going away, we suppose it's not the end of the world -- and Verizon is quick to note that V CAST Apps supports carrier billing -- but the benefit of having two app stores on a phone is still anyone's guess. Here's Verizon's full statement: "Verizon Wireless will begin pushing a software update to the DROID Incredible next week. The update includes software enhancements that will pre-install V CAST Apps on the phone. We said earlier this year that we'd be expanding V CAST Apps to the Android platform, and the DROID Incredible is the first Android phone with the store. Developers continue to submit apps, and as a reminder, V CAST Apps allows carrier billing, so customers who purchase applications through our store will see those charges on their monthly bill. For more information about the update customers can go to www.verizonwireless.com/droidincrediblesupport."
Verizon gearing up for Android V Cast App store?
We're guessing Verizon has been pretty happy with the results of its V Cast App store for BlackBerry, as it looks like the carrier's now accepting submissions in the Android category for software that'll propagate its eventual marketplace on that mobile platform. According to a purported letter obtained by Android and Me, Big Red has been sending out letters to developers extolling the virtues of using its store in lieu of Google's: no testing fee, 14-day turnaround, carrier billing (with the promise of an eventual subscription billing option), 70 / 30 split favoring the developer, etc. Froyo is the flavor of choice, and the only version of Android that'll be supported from the onset -- so that includes both flagship Droids, Droid Incredible, and Droid X. Verizon's Developer Community Conference is the end of this month (21st and 22nd, to be exact), and we imagine the skinny will be gotten by then. [Thanks, Ryan]
Verizon's V Cast Apps store is a go, first on BlackBerry Storm2
Right on cue (sort of), Verizon Wireless' branded V Cast Apps market has finally seen the light of day. We've actually heard about the store since last summer, but it wasn't until the carrier's LTE forum at CTIA that we had a confirmed date. As noted then, the first device to get the portal is the BlackBerry Storm2, with other RIM devices (and hopefully other mobile platforms) in the coming months. It's not taking the place of BlackBerry App World, so now that we've got two coexisting markets on one device, it's time to see just how strong that V Cast branding is... [Thanks, Cameron]
Verizon launching V Cast Apps on March 29th, RIM devices get first dibs
We're here at Verizon Wireless' LTE forum at CTIA 2010, and a higher-up speaking about application development just let a sweet little nugget of information slip: the long-awaited V Cast Apps market will launch on March 29th (that's the new target, anyway). If you'll recall, we've been hearing about this portal ever since last summer, but we're guessing that a bona fide launch was put on pause in order to tweak things for Verizon's eventual LTE release (a bit we'll touch on here later). Initially, the BlackBerry Storm2 will be supported, with other RIM devices coming onboard shortly thereafter. The rollout will continue over the coming weeks and months, hopefully to a few other mobile operating systems. Responding to a few questions, Verizon insists that its own storefront won't take away from "other markets," namely the Android Marketplace. Instead, they're "perpetuating the ecosystem," with the app store simply being a vessel of distribution. In other words, app devs are stoked that their software could be found in multiple stores.
