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Verizon's FiOS TV expansions: October 18, 2008
Don't anyone say that Verizon wasn't busy in the FiOS TV department this week, 'cause it absolutely was. For starters, the provider launched a new wave of interactive features for subscribers in Rhode Island, New York and Massachusetts, while four south-central Pennsylvania counties (Cumberland, Dauphin, Lebanon and York) were able to acquire the service for the first time. It was also busy bringing new slates of high-def channels to customers in California, Pittsburgh and Fort Wayne. Finally, two more towns in Massachusetts (Grafton and Weston) granted Verizon a cable franchise for future FiOS TV deployment. We'll see you next week -- here's to hoping your neck of the woods gets covered within the next seven days.Read - Rhode Island interactive featuresRead - Massachusetts interactive featuresRead - New York interactive featuresRead - Pennsylvania expansionRead - Massachusetts expansionRead - Pittsburgh HD channelsRead - California HD channelsRead - Fort Wayne HD channels
Verizon tours America with hands-on BlackBerry Storm events
Are you eager to get your paws around one of Verizon's much ballyhooed BlackBerry Storms? No, we mean are you really eager? If so, you can hit the read link (or just look at the image above, on second thought) and find the locale nearest you, pencil in a vacation day and get ready for the best few hours of your entire life. VZW will apparently be hitting the road in late October and into November in order to showcase its soon-to-be-flagship touchscreen phone, and it's even luring you harder with food and drinks on the house. Mmm, cookies and push e-mail.[Via BlackBerry Sync]
Motorola Krave ZN4 review roundup
We had a feeling we'd get a mixed bag of reviews as soon as we first saw the Motorola Krave ZN4 -- it's one of those love it or hate it type things, you know? In some cases, reviewers chose to focus on the positives, noting that it was cute, unique, a good music player and a phone that would last and last without a recharge. Another batch of critics couldn't hold back the whip, pointing out that it lacked WiFi, packed a lackluster browser, included yawn-worthy software and offered a keyboard that was "straight-up awkward." As expected, overall ratings hovered between just below average to just above average, and it seems this phone will be exactly what you make it out to be. Moto fans will likely have plenty to cheer about, but those without a dog in the fight may want to give the writeups below a more thorough glance before dropping $149.99 and agreeing to a super-sized 2-year commitment.Read - PC MagazineRead - PhoneScoopRead - Laptop MagRead - DigitalTrendsRead - CNET
Motorola Krave ZN4 officially launches on Verizon for $149.99
Color us as unsurprised as ever, but Motorola's unique, if not fancy, Krave ZN4 just got official. The touchscreen-based flip phone is launching today on Verizon Wireless, bringing with it two layers of touch -- one on the interactive clear flip outside and another with the full 2.8-inch touchscreen inside. You'll also find support for V CAST Mobile TV, V CAST Video, V CAST Music with Rhapsody and VZ Navigator, not to mention the 2-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, HTML browser and visual voicemail capabilities. It's in stores today for a buck fifty after signing away your cellular soul for two years and waiting ages for a $50 mail-in rebate to arrive in your mailbox.%Gallery-34452%
Verizon's CTO speaks on DTV transition, FiOS TV and IPTV migration
Verizon has been expanding its FiOS TV footprint at a pretty regular clip, but that's not all the telco has up its sleeve for the future. In a recent interview with Telephony, the outfit's CTO, Mark Wegleitner, explained that Verizon was looking to add more SD and HD channels as the transition to digital TV continued. Granted, that's no different than most every other programming provider out there, but it's good to know Verizon has additional HD on the brain. Speaking about IPTV migration, he explained that the company was "moving toward IPTV in the interactive VOD world and digital QAM in the broadcast world." Sure, the subject matter here is pretty technical, but if you're geeked out by what you've already heard, hit the read link for lots more where this came from.
LG VX8360 gets pictured catalog-style, looks round
Last we'd heard, this bad boy is coming in just a couple weeks' time, so it's good to see some promotional materials floating around making mention of it, right? The VX8360 is said to feature a 1.3-megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth, EV-DO, microSD expansion, and if we had to venture an educated guess, we'd say a color secondary display with external music controls. Nothing to write home about, granted -- but we'd be willing to bet Verizon is gonna part with these for a song.[Thanks, Thomas S.]
Verizon brings new features to Interactive Media Guide in MD / VA
Verizon's Interactive Media Guide has been on the rollout path since July of last year, but now customers in Maryland and Virginia can look forward to even more of that delicious interactivity. Beginning this very moment, FiOS TV users in the aforementioned states will have access to a "fantasy sports application, free casual games, purchasing power via remote control, more widgets that provide on-demand access to information and entertainment, and other exciting options." More specifically, you'll be able to stream HD recordings to six other TV sets throughout the home, create two separate lists of favorite channels and interface with your ESPN Fantasy Football right on your TV screen. Not bad for free, huh?
Verizon could charge content aggregators 3-cents per text message
Whoa, boy, this could get ugly. A few days back, a notice was revealed to the public that explained Verizon Wireless' new $0.03 fee that would be charged to all content aggregators who sent out mobile terminated messages on its network. After the expected backlash hit, the carrier then issued another statement informing us all that the note was simply an internal memo that was meant for internal discussions alone, but that doesn't change the fact that it's at least considering the plan. Of course, it would only affect for-profit aggregators, but still, imposing such a fee could certainly shake the foundation of that sector -- particularly if other carriers follow suit. And you know how other carriers love to follow suit, now don't you?Read - Original memoRead - Response to memo
Engadget Podcast 113 - 10.13.2008: The Engadget Podcast returns!
You read that right -- the Engadget Podcast is back... with a vengeance. Recently we've been getting a ton of emails and comments suggesting we bring back the show, and since we're all as much a fan of it as you are, that's just what we did. We've been dying to get the podcast back in action -- especially with the holidays, CES, and Macworld on the very near horizon -- so now seemed like the ideal time. We've just wrapped the official reintroduction, and you can listen in via the links below. This week we cover quite a few exciting developments in the world of gadgetry, including (but certainly not limited to) RIM's new Storm, the upcoming Apple laptop event, and Nintendo's unveiling of the DSi. We hope you enjoy, and stay tuned for more! Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Paul Miller, and Nilay Patel Guest: Ryan Block (gdgt) Producer: Trent Wolbe Music: Professor Murder -- Dutch Hex (Brothers) 01:02 - BlackBerry Storm 9500 hands-on 14:06 - T-Mobile G1 launch day roundup 20:10 - Nokia 5800 XpressMusic hands-on 26:58 - Apple "notebook" event is on, October 14th! 48:21 - Nintendo announces DSi with dual cameras, "DSi Shop" content store (updated) LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) We're working on getting the proper iTunes / Zune / AAC / OGG feeds up and running -- hopefully they'll be ready for next week's show! [RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. Contact the podcast: 1-888-ENGADGET or podcast (at) engadget (dot) com
New Verizon rebate form lists Samsung Omnia, i770 "Saga"
And now a little bit of news out of our "straight out of left field" department: Verizon's apparently getting the Omnia. We've spent so long trying to will a North American HSDPA-equipped version of Samsung's WinMo superphone into existence that we totally failed to consider the possibility of an EV-DO-equipped version materializing first, and sure enough, Verizon's latest rebate form lists an Omnia. We suppose it's possible that this'll somehow be watered down from its international equivalent, but we hope both Samsung and Big Red are smart enough to launch an unfettered, honest-to-goodness CDMA translation of the mighty 5-megapixel original.Separately, we noticed a Samsung Saga listed on there, did a little Googling, and Wirefly seems convinced that the long-rumored global WinMo QWERTY i770 is going to be called the "Saga." So yeah, that settles that.[Thanks, Donald H.]
Verizon's FiOS TV expansions: October 11, 2008
Verizon's making up for lost time this week. Last Saturday, we realized it had gone the entire week without stretching its FiOS TV footprint any further, but the same can't be said today. In addition to bringing its fiber-based services to apartment buildings in Yonkers, NY, the outfit has either gone live with or nailed down cable franchises in a smattering of new locales. For starters, FiOS TV is now available to even more communities in Los Angeles and Orange County (CA), while the villages of Cove Neck and Brightwaters on Long Island (NY) granted the provider the all-important franchise agreement. Expansion efforts were also seen in six new New Jersey cities; Hudson, Massachusetts; Bel Air, Maryland; and Chesapeake / Portsmouth / Virginia Beach, Virginia. We'll see you next week -- here's to hoping your neck of the woods gets covered within the next seven days.Read - California expansionRead - Long Island, NY expansionRead - New Jersey expansionRead - Massachusetts expansionRead - Maryland expansionRead - Virginia expansion
Verizon's FiOS TV coming to Yonkers apartment buildings
Around this time last year, we heard that the FCC was looking to facilitate programming competition for apartments, and apparently, it has succeeded. Just this week, Verizon proudly announced that its FiOS TV programming service was on the way to residents in 2,029 Yonkers public housing apartments. In total, 18 buildings will get gifted with the fiber-based services (TV and high-speed internet), and the carrier has already begun the build-out of the necessary fiber network. There's no word on when or if a similar agreement could take other apartment complexes by storm, but it appears the biggest hurdle has been lifted.
BlackBerry Storm 9500 hands-on
RIM's a little late to the touchscreen party, but comes bearing goodies. The BlackBerry Storm is a beast of a phone in more ways than one. Fronted by a meaty, high-resolution touchscreen with an innovative clicking mechanism, the phone is easily the prettiest by RIM to date. There's a brushed metal back, a beautiful new OS interface, and enough radios to give your grandkids cancer (EV-DO Rev. A, quad-band GSM, Europe-friendly HSPA, GPS, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, though sadly no WiFi). But the real test of a phone is usability, not flash. Check out our impressions after the break.%Gallery-33245%
BlackBerry Storm bows, comes next month to Verizon and Vodafone
A storm's arrival typically isn't something to celebrate, but we're going to make a notable exception here seeing how the BlackBerry Storm is less of a destructive weather pattern and more of an incredibly hot smartphone -- arguably RIM's hottest to date. Fit to its business-savvy roots, the long-rumored handset comes equipped with the most comprehensive global roaming capabilities of virtually any wireless device you'll find anywhere, featuring EV-DO Rev. A, quadband EDGE, and 2100MHz HSPA for Europe. Beyond that, the Storm becomes RIM's very first touchscreen phone, mounting a 3.26-inch 480 x 360 glass display on a unique clickable surface so that the entire thing can be pressed downwards -- just like a real button -- for tactile feedback when making selections. It includes a full HTML finger-navigable browser, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint editing capabilities, Bluetooth 2.0, 1GB of on-board storage with an 8GB microSD card bundled in the box, 3.5mm headphone jack, automatic orientation and ambient lighting sensors, and a 3.2-megapixel autofocus cam with dedicated flash, making it a legitimate jack-of-all-trades that seems likely to be able to handle even the most chaotic personal and professional lives users can throw its way. It'll allegedly do 15 days of standby or 5.5 hours of talk time on either GSM or CDMA networks. No word on pricing yet -- we're told all will be revealed "in the coming weeks" -- but it'll launch on both Verizon and Vodafone in November.%Gallery-33946%
First Blackberry Storm commercials air on CBS
Get ready, Blackberry fans. After weeks of leaks and goofy internal videos, it looks like the Storm's finally a-comin' -- the first ads for the RIM's touchscreen wonder aired on CBS tonight. We're on the lookout for a better video, but even at this low res we can't help but notice how chunky this thing looks -- but we're totally willing to trade some heft for some sweet, sweet copy / paste action. Video after the break.[Thanks, Jerry and deltajam]
Verizon gets official with Motorola VU204, Rapture, and Samsung Sway
As expected, Motorola's VU204 and VU30 flips have teamed up with Samsung's Sway slider for announcement on Verizon today, bringing an interesting range of new hardware from the low to the upper midrange. Unfortunately, this is a case where "interesting" isn't necessarily a good thing; for example, we find it "interesting" that the Sway (pictured right) runs a cool 70 bucks on contract after rebate yet doesn't feature EV-DO, a feature we'd assume was now standard in a handset of this price. At any rate, it's got a 2-megapixel cam and a media player with microSD expansion, so we'll cut it some slack. On the Moto side, the VU204's an ultra-basic piece that "meets everyday, on-the-go needs" (that's code for "ultra-basic," by the way) with a VGA cam and Bluetooth; it runs just $29.99 on activation. The Rapture VU30 (pictured left) does a 2-megapixel camera, touch-sensitive external display, and EV-DO, running a stiffer $129.99 on contract. The Sway and VU30 are available now, while the VU204 follows on come October 14.Read - Samsung SwayRead - Motorola Rapture VU30
Motorola VU204 drops by Verizon on October 14
If you've been dying for the full rundown on Motorola's upcoming low-end VU204 flip for Verizon -- well, first of all, bless your heart. Secondly, here you are. Key features include a VGA cam, Bluetooth, GPS, 220 x 176 primary and 96 x 80 secondary displays, and styling that'll make passers-by think you opted for the pricier VU30. After rebate and a signature on the dotted line, it'll run $29.99 ($199.99 commitment-free) when it launches on October 14.
Confirmed: Motorola Krave ZN4 comes to Verizon October 14
We're calling it -- the closest thing we yanks have to a MING is gracing Verizon on October 14 for $149.99 on a two-year contract after $50 rebate. Full retail for the Krave ZN4 will run $349.99, for those so inclined. Entertain yourself with a little press photography in the meantime, won't you?%Gallery-33508%
Verizon prices Motorola Krave ZN4 at $149.99
For those of you who firmly believe that Verizon plus Motorola plus touchscreen equals pure, unadulterated bliss, heads up: we have a bit of information that might be of interest to you. phoneArena has scored a screen shot of what appears to be some promotional material for Moto's upcoming MING-esque doohickey, the Krave ZN4 -- and it looks like we'll be shelling out about $150 on a two-year contract for the honor of carrying one in our knockoff Louis Vuitton backpacks. Not a bad price for a phone clearly designed to rest toward the upper end of Verizon's non-smartphone lineup, we suppose, and we'll admit that it's looking better in this dolled-up promo shot than it was last time we saw it. Separately, they've landed pricing for the Moto VU204, a basic flip that's probably not going to turn as many heads as the Krave; that one is going to go out the door for $29, and you'll get three free with the purchase of the first for the ultimate four-pack of mediocrity. We don't have a solid line on when these are coming to market, but the Krave's still a possibility for this month.
XOHM WiMAX tested in Baltimore, does work in cars
XOHM is live in Baltimore, and Laptop Magazine has sent a few (slightly dazed-looking) staffers on an impromptu tour of the "Charm City" to get a feel for Sprint's new WiMAX service. Overall, they found performance to be quite good, clocking in at 3.05 Mbps down and 2.4 Mbps up. That compares very favorably to Verizon's EV-DO network, which delivered 1.43 Mbps down and 0.54 Mbps up in the same locations. Sprint's network also beats Clearwire's WiMAX down in Reno both in speed and in connectivity; testers in the Biggest Little City in the World couldn't get a signal while in a car, but those in Baltimore could, albeit at half the speed as when stationary. So, it certainly sounds like a good solution for those who need a high-speed connection on the go -- so long as they're only going to places within Baltimore, of course.
