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Verizon Video service fading to black, final screenings air on December 15th
After a near seven year run, Verizon will be pulling the plug on its mobile video service on December 15th. The decision to shelve its in-house media platform lines up with the company's recent decision to deep-six its app store at the beginning of next year -- due to the recent influx of modern third-party software solutions. Hoping to fill the void for V Cast Video castaways, Verizon will continue to push its Viewdini platform, which sniffs out content across multiple services, such as Hulu Plus, ABC, Netflix and mSpot. For those of you looking to maintain your mobile football fix, Big Red will provide coverage through its NFL Mobile service at a cost of $5 per month. The soon to be defunct video service is currently a part of the carrier's paid smartphone App Pack bundle, which will continue operating after the program's demise. For more information about Verizon's post-V Cast plans, visit the source link below.
Sci-fi MMO Star Legends launches on the Android OS
Spacetime Studios, creator of the mobile MMO Pocket Legends, stepped into the science fiction realm with the launch of its latest MMO Star Legends: The Blackstar Chronicles. Feeding off the frenzy of the mobile platform, Star Legends debuted on the Android OS first and can be downloaded at the Android Market or VCAST. Chief Vision Officer Cinco Barnes commented on why the publisher chose to launch on Android first in a recent press release: "When we launched Pocket Legends on Android we were blown away by the response from the community. Android has since become the leading revenue driver and our primary focus. It is so easy to publish apps on their Market that it became a no-brainer for us to flip the standard mobile game strategy on its head and launch on Android before any other OS." Star Legends boasts hours of gameplay -- via wi-fi, Edge, 3G, or 4G connections on Android 2.0 and above mobile devices -- with three customizable classes, character progression, guilds, and chat. These items, Spacetime says, are usually reserved for PC MMOs. Screenshots of this innovative game are displayed below, and the brief trailer for the game is tucked behind the break! %Gallery-23010%
Droid Incredible 2 review
It wasn't that long ago that we were jonesing for a Nexus One on Verizon. What HTC gave us instead was the Droid Incredible, with the same 1GHz Snapdragon CPU and gorgeous 3.7-inch AMOLED display -- not to mention a better camera (8 megapixel vs. five), 8GB of built-in flash storage, an optical trackpad, HTC's Sense UI on top of Eclair, and a dash of funky industrial design. The Incredible was an impressive phone with a lovely camera, marred only by questionable battery life and lack of supply, forcing HTC to build a Super LCD-equipped model to satisfy demand. Judging by the popularity of the Incredible, it came as no surprise that following HTC's announcement at MWC, the Incredible S eventually became Verizon's Droid Incredible 2. With a 4-inch Super LCD display, global CDMA / GSM radio, front-facing camera, updated internals (including 768 MB of RAM), trick capacitive buttons, and a Froyo-flavored serving of Sense, the Incredible 2 seems like a worthy successor to last year's Incredible. Does it live up to our expectations or is it just another fish in the crowded sea of Android? Does it significantly improve upon the original formula or is it merely a refresh? Hit the break for our review. %Gallery-124397%
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.
Verizon's Galaxy Tab won't have Skype, NFL Mobile, or V Cast video apps at launch
Looks like that plan to bring NFL content Verizon tablets is on hold, at least for now -- we just got Big Red's employee training materials for the Samsung Galaxy Tab, and they explicitly say that Skype Mobile, NFL Mobile, and V Cast Video won't be available on the seven-inch tablet at launch. That's disappointing for a variety of reasons -- particularly the loss of Skype, which would have made up for the lack of voice calling ability -- but we're hoping the holdup is mostly due to app-compatibility issues and not corporate politics. We'll find out, we suppose. Hit the gallery for the rest of the training docs.%Gallery-105942%
Verizon, Disney deal means ESPN on tablets, ESPN 3D and Goal Line channel for FiOS
Verizon FiOS subscribers can expect a few new channels in the lineup now that it's reached an agreement with Disney for ESPN content across a variety of channels and even devices. While ESPN 3D isn't scheduled for launch until 2011 (maybe in time for the BCS National Championship game, but too late to catch LeBron, Dwyane, Chris and those other guys take on the Knicks) ESPN Goal Line will go live on the 9th for Extreme HD and Ultimate HD package subscribers (except for D.C. and Harrisburg, PA) giving live look ins at all the college football games on Saturday. Playing further into Verizon's tablet plans, the agreement also means customers can watch ESPN live channels directly on PCs or other authenticated devices, mirroring an earlier agreement between ESPN and Time Warner. Beyond that there's a new Disney Junior channel on the way in 2010 plus Disney XD and ABC Family content coming to V Cast but we pretty much tuned out once we got past the sports part. Check the entire press release out after the break.
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 Video for Android now available, runs $10 a month
Android owners on Verizon now have a new (albeit pricey) way to bide their time as they wait in grocery store checkout lines, doctors' offices, traffic jams, DMVs, and Engadget Show entrance gates, because Big Red is flipping the switch today on its V CAST Video offering for every Google-powered handset to hit its network so far. The Droid, Droid Eris, Devour, Droid Incredible, and Ally are all equipped to take advantage of the app, which claims to offer over 230 full-length shows spanning over 40 programming providers -- but the downside is that it'll cost you $10 a month on top of your data plan, the same that V CAST Video On Demand runs on Verizon's other phones. If you're willing to take the plunge, look for it in the Market right away.
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.
EPIX brings movie streaming to mobiles courtesy of Adobe's Open Screen Project
Already offering video to your TV and computer, EPIX is ready to unveil the third part of its "Big On Any Screen" service when it demonstrates a mobile version of the channel today at MWC 2010. It's teamed up with Adobe and the Open Screen Project for a Flash Player 10.1 implementation that it claims offers "highest mobile viewing quality available on mobile devices today," if it can match up with the Flash player available on PCs then it has a chance. The ability to pause a movie on the TV or PC and pick up later on your handheld is in the works as well. No word on where we'll see this launch or if your cell carrier will need to be tied to your TV service for access, but we'd figure Verizon's VCast will be near the top of the list.
Verizon's V CAST Media Manager -- you guessed it -- manages media
Verizon has hooked up with Smith Micro to offer a branded version of its QuickLink suite as V CAST Media Manager, a tool to corral music, videos, and pictures between Windows PCs and compatible phones. It integrates with Verizon's music store -- a business we're pretty sure everyone wishes carriers would steer clear of -- and imports playlists from other unnamed music management apps; as photos go, it apparently has some rudimentary integrated editing capabilities and lets you create slideshows on the fly. Maybe the funniest part of the whole ordeal is that of the 19 phones currently supported, one -- just one -- is a smartphone: the original BlackBerry Storm 9530. Yeah, your guess is just as good as ours on that one.
Epix HD queues up Iron Man, Madonna and Eddie Izzard for online & FiOS launch October 30
Epix HD has locked down a launch date and lineup, confirmed for Verion FiOS subscribers so far, the festivities will kick off October 30th with television and online premieres of Iron Man, Madonna "Sticky & Sweet: Live from Buenos Aires," and Eddie Izzard: Live From Wembley. Other titles set for launch weekend are The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Madea Goes to Jail, Pink Panther 2, the Indiana Jones movie that sucked, Cloverfield, The Duchess and more. Epix has previously stated a goal to build the largest stable of movies online with a planned 3,000 titles available in the Epix Megaplex, you'll see if this whole new way of delivering a premium movie experience is all it's appeared to be very soon.Update: Epix just passed along the launch weekend schedule so check after the break for all the times (EST)
HTC Imagio with WinMo 6.5 out October 6 on Verizon?
As you know, Verizon is one of the carriers participating in the worldwide WinMo 6.5 rollout extravaganza bonanza on October 6, and that Microsoft has said they'll be ramping up to thirty smartphones for the OS by year's end, so the chance is pretty good that the HTC Imagio XV6975 is one of the new handsets we'll be seeing early next month. As reported by PhoneArena, this one is by all accounts Leo's little brother -- a CDMA / GSM device that sports a 3.6-inch WVGA display, 528MHz processor, Wi-Fi, Opera browser, 5 megapixel autofocus camera, microSD slot, and all the TouchFLO 3D lovin' you can handle. In addition, it will also be the first Verizon Smartphone to sport VCast MobileTV -- you know, if that's what you're into. No word on pricing or release date, but you'll know as soon as we do.
V CAST Video comes to Verizon's BlackBerry Storm
If you want to watch live hockey games played by NHL teams not owned by RIM's Jim Balsillie -- that would be all of them, by the way -- you need look no further than the warm glow of your Storm's display now that Verizon has brought its V CAST Video service to the device. Starting today, users will be able to download a dedicated VCAST Video application to their Storms, bringing a host of feature-length and live programming that makes us thank our lucky stars for high-limit data plans. Sure, it'll set you back $10 a month and kill productivity -- but isn't wasting money and time what life is really all about?
Verizon to offer Epix movie channel / streaming service on FiOS, VCast
TV channel / online service combo Epix has finally locked up its first distribution partner, Verizon's FiOS TV. Not a lot of details are available yet, but Viacom CEO Phillippe Dauman says it can offer the service a la carte, in bundles with broadband, and even plans a mobile VCast offering. We've already had a peek at the in-beta HD streams and saw a lot to like, with planned access on three screens and flicks from MGM, Lionsgate and Paramount locked up for years to come Epix is shaping up as a very formidable offering prior to its planned October launch.Update: Epix hit us off with the official PR (posted after the break) but here's the most important details - in the coming weeks, Verizon customers will be able to access a preview of the network, either through their VOD menu on the FiOS set-top box, or by visiting EpixHD.com and entering their account info.
ABC / ESPN content lands on Verizon's V CAST
Statistics don't lie, but they aren't stopping Verizon Wireless from inking a new deal with Disney / ABC Television Group and ESPN in order to bring more watchable content to its V CAST service. Starting today, a so-called "comprehensive portfolio of news, entertainment and sports video programming, including full-length episodes of shows from ABC Entertainment, ABC News and Disney Channel, as well as content from ESPN, will be available to Verizon Wireless V CAST Video and Mobile Web customers." The agreement covers mobile distribution of on-demand, full-length episodes to V CAST Video, and if you're looking for a taste of what you can expect, try Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, Lost and The Suite Life on Deck. So, interested in V CAST Video now? No? Okay.
Verizon fattens VCAST service, offers full-length episodes of The Office, CSI, and more
What's better than kicking back and watching your favorite shows from the comfort of home? Well, TV on your phone ain't, in fact, it's only remotely close because of the novelty factor, which fades in a day or two. Though Verizon, undaunted, has seen fit to beef up its VCAST service with plenty of new titles to keep somebody happy. Full episodes of 30 Rock, The Office, CSI, Numb3rs, The Hills are yours If you're willing to drop $3 for a 24 hr timeslice or $15 for a monthly V Cast VPak package. Follow the link for the rest of the info.
Rhapsody ditches (some) DRM, selling MP3s with Verizon and Yahoo
Rhapsody, the digital love-child of Real Networks and MTV, is best known for its DRM'd subscription music service. As such, the globe's population of sheep-white-earbudded, sidewalk zombies have been completely off limits to its charms. Until today. While its DRM'd subscription deals remain in place, Rhapsody is now offering unprotected MP3 downloads via its Rhapsody MP3 store and via partners including Verizon's VCAST over-the-air service and Yahoo. We're talking 5 million DRM-free tracks (generally priced at $0.99 per song, $9.99 per album) from Indies and the four majors. Uniquely, all tracks can be previewed in full before downloading. Rhapsody VP, Neil Smith said, "We're no longer competing with the iPod, we're embracing it." Perhaps, but Rhapsody's planned $50 million marketing assault on iTunes with the help of MTV's TV networks doesn't exactly make them best of friends. We're not DRM-free across the industry yet (in fact, far from it), but things are certainly moving in that direction.Update: Signup now with the Rhapsody MP3 store and get a $10 credit which can be applied to your first album.[Via Reuters]
Watch the 24 most obscure NCAA bowl games on Verizon's V Cast
Are you ready for some football? How about full-length, live coverage of 24 NCAA bowl games. Sounds good, right? Just forget about big screen HDTV though, this is MediaFLO on your itty bitty cellphone display. Fanatics (in every sense of the word) will have access to games provided by ESPN Mobile TV, CBS Mobile and FOX Mobile through Verizon's V CAST Mobile TV. Unfortunately, none of the BCS Championship games will be available on the service. You will however have access to Roady's Humanitarian Bowl, Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl, the Meinke Car Care Bowl, and Papa John's.com bowl to name just a few. "Must see" games Verizon -- really?
