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iPhone sales still strong for Verizon
It's the week before Apple's 3Q2012 earnings call, and already we're getting signs that point to yet another banner quarter for our favorite company. The latest comes from Verizon, which reported today that it had sold 2.7 million iPhones during the quarter ending June 30, 2012 compared to 2.5 million 4G Android phones. As noted on GigaOM, this appears to contradict William Blair analyst Anil Doradla's claim that the Motorola Droid Razr was outselling the iPhone 4S at Verizon. The only way the claim could be right is if most Verizon customers were purchasing the iPhone 4 instead of the 4S, or if most of Verizon's Android fans purchased the Razr Maxx. The iPhone sales show a 17 percent increase year over year for Verizon. Sales are down from the first quarter of 2012, when Verizon sold 3.2 million iPhones, but the iPhone 4S was still fairly new at that time. There's also a chance that speculation about a new iPhone this fall is starting to affect sales of the device. Verizon also noted that 18 percent of Verizon's smartphone customers are now on its 4G LTE network. At this point, the iPhone is still not a 4G LTE device, unlike the third-generation iPad.
Verizon issues Q2 earnings, touts $15.8 billion service revenues in Wireless
Big red is reporting some green, green earnings. Verizon today posted its second quarter financials, and it seems pretty happy about the whole thing, thanks to $28.6 billion in total operating revenues -- a 3.7 percent increase over this time last year. The carrier's consolidated operating income, meanwhile, hit $5.7 billion for the quarter, up from $4.9 billion in Q2 2011. In Wireless, the company racked up $15.8 billion in service revenues (up 7.3 percent from last year) and $6.9 billion in data revenues (up 18.5 percent). The second quarter saw the addition of 1.2 million retail net customers, for a total of 94.2 million by the end of the financial period. Also, according to the numbers, smartphones now make up half of the carrier's postpaid customer phone base -- that's up three percent from last quarter.
Mobile Miscellany: week of July 9th, 2012
Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, Motorola debuted the RAZR V in Canada and the Sony Xperia Ion was spotted at Rogers -- curiously, the phone has yet to be formally announced for the carrier. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of July 9th, 2012.
PSA: Verizon's Samsung Galaxy S III finally arriving in stores today
Despite some lucky folks claiming they'd received their GS3 order a bit earlier than expected (and others still patiently waiting for delivery), a good chunk of Big Red customers were eagerly looking forward to this past Tuesday, only to be brought down by an unexpected delay. Thankfully for them, though, it looks like today's the day the Verizon faithful can finally snag one of Samsung's chart-busting Galaxy S IIIs. As you may or may not know, the network's offering both the Marble White and Pebble Blue flavors of the device, with the 16GB running at $200 and the spacier 32GB selling for $250 -- naturally, this will require a fresh two-year deal. If all that sounds good, then head over to your nearest retail store to get in on the human-centric experience -- or you could always take the easier route and snatch one up straight from Verizon's site.
Wilson Electronics' Sleek 4G-V Verizon flavored signal booster reports for service
If you're often finding that your super-duper 4G service is more LT-Eh?, than LTE, then you might have been curious about Wilson Electronics' Sleek 4G-V cellphone signal booster. If you were, it's time to stop waving your hand in the air looking for bars, and stick it in your pocket in search of some sheets, as it's now available in stores. Of course, it's Verizon customers who'll benefit the most, with the Sleek 4G-V being designed with the big red's 700MHz service in mind. That said good old 2- and 3G services are still given a leg up. The MSRP remains $129 for the standard "in-vehicle" model, with an optional accessory kit for indoor use (no price at this time). If this message kept dropping out, head over to the window past the break for the PR.
BlackBerry Curve 9310 makes a straight line to Verizon, July 12th
RIM's BlackBerry Curve 9310 hasn't exactly been shy. It's already made a cameo over at the FCC and got some Boost Mobile face time, and now the QWERTY keyboard-packing smartphone will be hitting Verizon, arriving on the carrier this week. The curvy package includes BlackBerry 7.1, a 3.2 megapixel camera, a microSD slot and a dedicated BBM key on that aforementioned physical keyboard. The business-friendly handset arrives on VZW July 12th for $50 (after a mail-in rebate for the same amount). More info can be found in the press release post-break.
Samsung Galaxy S III for Verizon Wireless review
More Info Galaxy S III (I9300) review Galaxy S III review shootout: AT&T vs. Sprint Galaxy S III for T-Mobile review Your girlfriend might be three times a lady, but the Samsung Galaxy S III is four times a smartphone -- at least when it comes to the US. Indeed, the manufacturer's latest flagship device has managed to hit the cellular equivalent of a grand slam stateside, as each of the four national carriers are adding it to their respective smartphone lineups. For the first time since the original Galaxy S series made its debut two years ago, customers won't have to bother switching carriers just for the privilege of using one of the best devices on the planet. But there was a rather significant asterisk associated with the original Galaxy S's reign on American soil: even though all four major networks offered it, none of the carrier-branded iterations used the same name or design as the original model that inspired them. Fast-forward two years to 2012, and it's a completely different ballgame -- the Galaxy S III on each mobile operator bears the same name and design. Hold an AT&T-branded model next to its T-Mobile counterpart, for instance, and you'll have a rather difficult time telling the two apart. Same with Sprint and Verizon; aside from the logos on the back and a couple other tiny differences, you're seeing the same exact phone across the board. Not only has Verizon been waiting in the dugout for its time to step up to the plate, but an untold number of customers undoubtedly have been, too. Given its brand recognition and top-of-the-line features, the Galaxy S III has a shot at becoming the all-star in Big Red's lineup. So how does Samsung's new darling hold up on the country's biggest network? Join us after the seventh inning stretch to find out.%Gallery-159908%
Verizon support blames Samsung for locked bootloader in Galaxy S III (updated)
Verizon cleared up its stance on locking the bootloaders in phones using its network earlier this year. In short: it encourages OEMs to do so, to keep its network humming along as Big Red feels it should. Well, it seems that VZW Support is telling a different story, as it's laid blame for the Galaxy S III's closed bootloader squarely at Samsung's feet, claiming that it's locked "per the Manufacturer." Now, that doesn't explicitly state that VZW had no part to play in denying users access, but it surely seems like this is a game of PR pass the buck to us. Of course, as we reported earlier, there's a workaround to be had by rooting the GSIII, which revealed a vulnerability allowing non-stock ROMs to be flashed to the device. But it's only a partial workaround, as the kernel's signed and implementing a full custom ROM experience is neither for the unskilled nor the faint of heart. We reached out to both Verizon and Samsung for comment on the matter, but have yet to hear back. While you wait for official word, feel free to check out the ongoing conversation at the source link below. [Thanks, @supercurio] Update: Seems that Verizon's still singing the same tune it was back in February, claiming that unauthorized software brought by open bootloaders could harm the overall network user experience: Verizon Wireless has established a standard of excellence in customer experience with our branded devices and customer service. There is an expectation that if a customer has a question, they can call Verizon Wireless for answers that help them maximize their enjoyment and use of their wireless phone. Depending on the device, an open bootloader could prevent Verizon Wireless from providing the same level of customer experience and support because it would allow users to change the phone or otherwise modify the software and, potentially, negatively impact how the phone connects with the network. The addition of unapproved software could also negatively impact the wireless experience for other customers. It is always a delicate balance for any company to manage the technology choices we make for our branded devices and the requests of a few who may want a different device experience. We always review our technology choices to ensure that we provide the best solution for as many customers as possible.
Verizon website pushes Galaxy S III availability back two days, still shipping pre-orders
Looking forward to picking up a Galaxy S III from Verizon this Tuesday? You'd better reschedule. According to the carrier's website, Samsung's latest Galaxy smartphone won't be available until July 12th, contradicting the previously stated July 10th shelf date. Don't get frustrated just yet though, we're hearing reports from readers that their phone has already shipped, or in some cases already arrived, suggesting that pre-orders are sticking to Verizon's original schedule. Stuck waiting? Look on the bright side, you have two extra days to read up on circumventing that Verizon-exclusive locked bootloader, right? [Thanks, John]
Mobile Miscellany: week of July 2nd, 2012
Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, the HTC One V marked its debut at US Cellular and Verizon announced a dumb phone with a surprisingly handy feature. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of July 2nd, 2012.
Droid Incredible 4G LTE review: Verizon gets an excellent smaller-sized Android phone
It's hard to underestimate the value of brand loyalty. Just ask Verizon Wireless. It's with satisfied Incredible and Incredible 2 owners in mind that the carrier is promoting the Droid Incredible 4G LTE, a 4-inch, $149 device that -- as you may have guessed -- rides along VZW's fast LTE network. More Info PSA: HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE lands in Verizon stores, gets us tongue-tied HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE for Verizon hands-on at CTIA 2012 (update: video) Verizon officially announces HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE Interestingly, the Incredible 4G LTE is landing at a time when many consumers might have preferred, say, the HTC One X. In fact, though, Verizon's decision to instead update the Incredible (also made by HTC) introduces a rather enviable proposition to Verizon customers. Remember that in a short matter of time, the Samsung Galaxy S III will soon make its debut at Verizon, at which point, it's expected to become the network's premiere smartphone. Still, its large size will deter many shoppers, and when viewed through this lens, the Droid Incredible 4G LTE begins to make sense. Put simply, it's a compact handset that stands as the antithesis to the assumption that size equals power. While the handset doesn't quite approach the capabilities or elegance of the One X (or the One S, for that matter), the latest Incredible is a worthy successor and deserves consideration as your next smartphone -- regardless of your current provider. Read on to learn why.%Gallery-159718%
Samsung Galaxy S III hits Verizon shelves on July 10
In regards to the Samsung Galaxy S III, Verizon Wireless has been very vague about its "coming weeks" launch window, but it's become much more specific now: July 10, to be exact. The flagship device will be hitting both online and brick-and-mortar stores on that day, though only the 16GB model is going to be in retail stores at first (the 32GB will be available online, but won't get to stores until -- you guessed it -- the "coming weeks"). The phone will come in both white and blue -- the same color selection we've seen on Sprint and T-Mobile. As for pricing, the 16GB version will cost you $200, while the 32GB will be $250. The press release is just below, if you want to check it out.
Confirmed: HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE coming to Verizon July 5th for $150
Just as last week's leaked documents suggested, the HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE will be available on Verizon starting July 5th. The carrier made the official announcement today, and you'll be able to nab the handset this Thursday for $150 on contract -- after a $50 mail-in rebate. To jog your memory, the Incredible 4G LTE packs a 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon CPU and runs Ice Cream Sandwich with HTC's Sense 4 UI on a 4-inch qHD display. There's also Beats Audio on board, along with Android Beam technology for sharing info by tapping two phones together. Head past the break for the full press info.
Refresh Roundup: week of June 25th, 2012
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!
Refresh Roundup: week of June 18th, 2012
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!
Droid RAZR and RAZR Maxx Android 4.0 update incoming: roll-out starts June 22 (update: confirmed)
Looking likely to sneak through in time for Motorola's Q2 deadline, Verizon has published support documents covering an Ice Cream Sandwich update for both the Droid RAZR and Droid RAZR Maxx. This preamble is typically followed by an update just days later and features the same build number that leaked out earlier this week. The refresh adds a four-way lockscreen shortcut, refreshed notifications, global roaming, a smart actions app update and plenty more Android 4.0 holo design riffs. Hit up the source for the documents and a handful of video tours. Update: VZW just confirmed the start of the roll-out on its news page. [Thanks Anonymous]
LG VS930 pops up at the FCC, may be world-roaming Optimus LTE II for Verizon
Verizon may be getting into a regular habit of carrying high-end LG smartphones. If the FCC is anything to go by, the Optimus LTE II could be next to get the Big Red treatment: a filing has just emerged for the VS930, a likely successor to the VS910 (Revolution) and VS920 (Spectrum). While it's been showing up only in bits and pieces through certifications and tests, the more complete picture we're getting now shows a world-ready roaming device. It has the requisite CDMA and Verizon-specific LTE frequencies, but also GSM and HSPA as bonuses -- on AT&T-friendly bands, no less. LG is understandably shy about showing photos or other clues, but anything resembling the Optimus LTE II would flaunt a 4.7-inch 720p screen, a dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 and that all-important 2GB of RAM. To us, the real question is one of timing. Verizon has been making a habit of offering one 4G-equipped LG flagship every year, but early 2013 would be a long time to wait for what's more of an iteration than a... wait for it... revolution.
Refresh Roundup: week of June 11th, 2012
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!
Mobile Miscellany: week of June 11th, 2012
Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, Cricket found a new retail channel at Kmart and we received news that the HTC One S will soon arrive at Cincinnati Bell. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of June 11th, 2012.
Verizon's Share Everything data plans go live June 28th, let you add family (or a tablet) for a little extra
Verizon has been promising shared data plans for awhile, so it's with some relief (and trepidation) we can say they're here. Share Everything, as it's called, starts off with the assumption you'll want unlimited voice and messages and then bolts on shared data along with a maximum of 10 individual devices: a core plan starts at $50 per month for 1GB of data and requires that you tack on $40 a month for every smartphone, $30 for basic phones, $20 for hotspots and $10 for tablets. Of course, Verizon will gladly let you pay for more data if your family loves to stream Netflix on 4G all day, up to $100 for a common pool of 10GB. A stiff price, but it also includes tethering or hotspot creation support on any device in the mix. The new plans will be ready to tempt you away from your unlimited data on June 28th.
