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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.
Engadget's recession antidote: win a LG enV3 for Verizon Wireless
This whole global economic crisis, and its resulting massive loss of jobs got us thinking. We here at Engadget didn't want to stand helplessly by, announcing every new round of misery without giving anything back -- so we decided to take the opportunity to spread a little positivity. We'll be handing out a new gadget every day to lucky readers until we run out of stuff / companies stop sending things. Today we've got eight (8) LG enV3's (in blue and maroon) for Verizon Wireless up for grabs. Read the rules below (no skimming -- we're omniscient and can tell when you've skimmed) and get commenting! Hooray for free stuff! Special thanks to LG for providing the gear!The rules: Leave a comment below. Any comment will do, but if you want to share your proposal for "fixing" the world economy, that'd be sweet too. You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine. Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad. Winner will be chosen randomly. Eight (8) winner will receive one (1) maroon or blue LG enV3 for Verizon Wireless. Approximate retail value is $299.99. (Color will be chosen randomly.) If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. Entries can be submitted until Saturday, July 11th, at 11:59PM ET. Good luck! Full rules can be found here.
Verizon enV3 spotted by Mssr. Blurrycam
Doesn't look like LG and Verizon are taking any radical steps with the next generation of the popular enV line -- these snaps of the enV3 just leaked out, and at first glance it looks basically the same as the enV2. There are some differences, though: the numeric keypad is a bit more stylish, the QWERTY layout's been tweaked, and the camera's been bumped up to 3 megapixels. That's all we can spot here -- we'll see if there are any other deep surprises if and when this puppy's announced. One more pic after the break. [Via PhoneArena]
Dashboard Devices to debut ENV line of in-car computers at CES
While we can't quite decide whether the carputer is a dying breed or simply a niche that never really took off, Dashboard Devices is hoping to revive it either way come January. The outfit will reportedly debut its ENV (Entertainment and Navigation for Vehicles) line as a two-part system. First comes the ENV-XC, which houses the main processor, graphics unit and other basic functionality; said brain can be paired with a choice of head units, including the double-DIN ENV-100 or the single-DIN ENV-50. Word has it that the double-DIN package will ring up at a staggeringly high $2,700, but we're also hearing that it'll offer "true dual zone" control, meaning that your robustious youngsters can have their own set of preferences in the rear while the grown-ups keep things comfortable up front. It'll also pack a WiFi module, voice activated functions, navigation, DVD playback, a 160GB hard drive, iPod compatibility, satellite radio support, Windows XP, a 7-inch touchscreen and optional WWAN. We'll be keeping an eye out for this one at CES -- but for $2,700, we're totally not going to be satisfied without a bona fide autopilot system.[Via Yahoo! Tech]
Hands-on with LG's enV(2) for Verizon
Okay, our excitement about this one was just tempered a little bit. From the front, it's still a really cool (dare we say attractive) device when closed, but it seems to suggest a side profile that just isn't there. On the contrary, the enV(2) is pretty thick and ugly when glanced from its side -- by necessity, we suppose -- and the interior is pretty reminiscent of enVs and Voyagers of yore. Don't get us wrong, we think Verizon's going to sell a million of these -- we just came into it hoping for a little more industrial design beyond the wild new face.%Gallery-19591%
Verizon surprises no one with XV6900, Motorola Q9c, and LG enV(2)
Well, here are three that we didn't see coming or anything -- Verizon has officially announced the Motorola Q9c, LG enV(2), and HTC-sourced XV6900 today, all for April availability. The Moto Q9c is a more business-savvy version of the consumer-focused Q9m that was launched on Verizon late last year, with the carrier playing up the new model's VZ Navigator support, Windows Mobile 6 Standard load (yippee?), and -- unfortunately for those whose companies distrust photography -- a 1.3 megapixel camera. This one will launch for $249.99 after rebate on a two-year plan.Next up we have the enV(2) -- a phone we mistakenly identified previously as the enV2 because we just never could've seen those bonus parenthesis coming -- which succeeds the wildly popular enV and injects a fresh dose of industrial design. Features include a 2 megapixel cam, 2.4 inch internal display accompanied by a smaller screen up front that's just big enough for doing calling duty, microSD slot, and the flip-up QWERTY keyboard the enV series is famous for. It'll run $129.99 after rebate on contract when it launches next month.Finally, the XV6900 brings Verizon in line with Sprint's Touch, though in a far paler shade. It features the full host of Windows Mobile 6 Professional goodies alongside a 2 megapixel camera, microSD slot, 256MB of ROM, 128MB of RAM, Bluetooth, and HTC's TouchFLO interface. Like the others, it's slated for April availability and will run $349.99 on contract after $50 rebate.Read - Motorola Q9cRead - LG enV(2)Read - Verizon XV6900
LG Voyager unboxing
Well, it's finally here: meet the LG Voyager, successor to the enV and arguably one of the best QWERTY handsets on Verizon to date. Pretty much everyone walks away with a feature or two here that they're gonna love: EV-DO, VCAST TV, a 2 megapixel camera, two amazingly large displays, expandable memory via microSD, touchscreen exterior display and a full keyboard all make the cut. But hey, enough of the small talk -- head off to the gallery, check it out, and stay tuned for our full review!%Gallery-10419%
Verizon gets official with green enV, exclusive to Circuit City
Yep, it's real! In case orange or the original gray scheme weren't to your liking, the LG enV on Verizon can now be had in a "hot new green color" (their words, not ours) -- but only at your friendly local Circuit City location. It seems this particular version has been designated as a Circuit City exclusive for the time being, fetching $149.99 after a $50 rebate on contract. The spec sheet remains the same, so unless something about this color really speaks to you, we wouldn't worry about it.[Via PhoneMag]Update: Verizon's now revised the price down to $79.99 after rebate. Sounds a lot better than the original price, yeah?
LG enV gets tough in olive drab
So much for any color approaching normalcy, apparently! Following the original pedestrian scheme of silver and black and its wacky, wild bright orange cousin, Verizon and LG are apparently prepping a dark green VX9900 enV that looks fit to take on a textual sortie or two. No word on a release date yet, but frankly, we're not too worked up about it.
Sprint event showcases CDMA Touch, LG Rumor, and more
If you've been patiently awaiting details about, well, a whole slew of handsets, chances are that a recent Sprint event held the answers to a-many of those very questions. First up was the Palm Centro (also coined Gandolf and Treo 800), which you've already seen plenty of earlier today. Moving on, the Sprint Touch (read: CDMA) was said to be rockin' a potent 400MHz CPU, and it also touted EV-DO, 128MB of RAM, a two-megapixel camera, built-in GPS "to be activated in a Rev A upgrade," and a likely launch date in November. Furthermore, an EV-DO BlackBerry Pearl was on display along with a "petite candybar" from Sanyo, the sliding LG Rumor, and the Sprint Airave home cell site (once known as the Samsung Ubicell). We know you're craving the dirt on all of the aforementioned gizmos, so be sure and hit the read link for the full skinny.
LG enV, now in orange
As expected, LG's hip lil' QWERTY number, the VX9900 enV, has re-dropped in orange. The feature list is pretty much the same as the original, they've just gone ahead and gutted the phone's stiff, businesslike black and replaced it with a decidedly brighter hue. Get it online -- it's an online exclusive for the moment -- for $150 on contract.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Up close with the Motorola W385, LG orange enV for Verizon
We've known these two were in the pipe, but there's something about big, pretty pictures that really drives the point home. First up is the Motorola W385, an entry-level flip that borrows some design cues from its KRZR stablemate while deleting the external music controls and "ooh, shiny" finish. The orange VX9900 enV is... well, orange -- a color probably well-suited for the phone's decidedly funky attitude and target demo. Check the gallery for more footage![Thanks, anonymous tipster]%Gallery-3626%
Verizon and LG to add more colors, this time it's for the VX9900
Leave it to LG to come up with an idea to reinvent the same hot, trendy QWERTY phone for The Network and release it in a different color. Enter Verizon's enV (aka VX9900) in a new color scheme that closely resembles a color normally reserved for Crayola's Crayons (think burnt sienna). With no "official" word on pricing or a release date from Verizon, we doubt this will stay under wraps for much longer. Stay tuned for more info![Thanks, Roc A Fella]
Morgan Pozgar wins texting championship for cheaters
Last time we checked, the true challenge in speedy texting was overcoming the numeric keypad. Just ask Ben Cook or Ang Chuang Yang -- two of the world's quickest -- about what it's like to belt out a meaningless sequence of 160 characters without even the benefit of predictive text entry to ease the task. Alas, for LG, it's hard to pimp your QWERTY-equipped VX9900 enV in a contest that requires the use of the digit keys alone -- so it bent the rules for its $25,000 texting championship held in New York City this weekend, requiring that entrants do their thing on the enV's generous (relatively speaking) full keyboard. Morgan Pozgar, a 13 year old Pennsylvanian, bested 21 year old Eli Tirosh in the final round to walk away with the crown and the $25,000 booty by accurately texting "Supercalifragilisticexpialidoucious! Even though the sound of it is something quite atrocious. If you say it loud enough you'll always sound precocious," something Tirosh failed to do. How does it feel to have an asterisk permanently affixed next to your "World's Fastest Texter" title, Ms. Pozgar? Shall we give sprinters roller skates in the Olympics next year, too?
LG sets up $25,000 texting contest -- with a catch
Where we come from, trying to participate in a texting context with a QWERTY device is called "cheating," but we guess LG has some obligation to push the text-tastic capabilities of its V and enV handsets, so we'll cut 'em some slack here. In fact, the V and enV are the only devices LG's allowing in the competition -- with active Verizon service to match, of course -- so we suppose that sorta levels the playing field a bit. It seems LG wants to turn this into a costal battle, too, with the West Coast qualifier going down on the 31st of this month and its eastern counterpart rocking on the 21st of April; the winner from each gets ten grand and a trip to New York City to compete in the $15,000 final. Good luck, cheaters (don't worry, we still love ya).
LG VX9900 "enV" reviewed
With the sheer volume of pre-launch press swirling around it, expectations were naturally running high for the VX9900 "enV," Verizon and LG's update to the deeply-adored VX9800. Does it live up to the hype? MobileBurn put the enV through a gauntlet of tests, and yeah -- it looks like the split-personality candybar is going to make most of its owners very happy people. The QWERTY keyboard apparently isn't the best in the business, but it's still workable; battery life and sound quality are decent, while the 2 megapixel cam is a welcome addition. The UI proved to be a bit on the quirky side, but that's pretty much par for the LG dumbphone course. Newfound VX9900 owners, be sure to give us some real-world perspectives in comments on this one.
Verizon LG enV launches, QWERTY nerds rejoice
Certainly no secret up until now, the VX9900 (aka the enV), successor to the VX9800 (aka the V), predecessor to what will surely be dubbed the VX10K (aka the Flying V), is now officially out -- November 27th, as stated. It can be had for as little as $150 with two year agreement and rebate, and features that fat QWERTY keybord, tiny ass bezel-tastic display, EVDO, 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth 1.2 with A2DP, OBEX, AVRC, microSD slot, WMA support, and all the V CAST support you'd ever want. Online now (big surprise), ready for ordering.[Thanks, Tyler and Michael]
Verizon's LG enV (VX9900) on-line, out for retail?
Well, looky here. The LG enV just popped up on Verizon's "testman" staging site in preps for on-line launch. Flauntin' all the specs we've come to uh, envy, we still expect the pup to pop for full launch on Monday the 27th. Nevertheless, we're already getting reports that at least some retail locations have unleashed LG's VX9900 Communicator beast as of yesterday. So step away from the bird, quietly excuse yourself for a smoke, and get your azz down to the neighborhood VZW shop on the sly. Don't worry, you won't be the only one steaming up the glass with your hot greasy, giblet breathed anticipation.Update: Pictures just rolled in from San Francisco purchased unit -- check after the break.[Thanks, Tyler A. and Martin]
LG VX9900 (enV) to launch on November 27th
We seen spy photo after spy photo. We learned about the incredible feature set. And we waited (and waited) for Verizon Wireless to announce the when and at what cost. Thankfully, our questions have now been answered. Verizon has set full retail pricing at $320.00, one year contract is $200.00, and a two year contract is $149.99, with the one and two year prices reflecting the mail-in rebate. Granted, it ain't gonna launch on Black Wednesday as some of us would've hoped, but "a few days later" still sounds a lot sweeter than "December," does it not? Here's the PDF.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
VZW VX9900 (enV) spec sheet leaked, launch imminent?
It's not like we haven't been teased here at Engadget Mobile with all the spy pics taken of the LG VX9900 lately. And with release dates coming and going, it's begun to wear a bit on our patience. Well, it turns out that a Howard Forums user who shall go unnamed managed to sneak a copy of the spec sheet. A 2.0 megapixel camera, wireless sync for you email junkies, VZNavigator when us men don't want to ask for directions, and Bluetooth 1.2 round out the feature set on this one. Still, when, and for how much? [Warning: PDF link!]