Verizon Tech Tour - Fall and winter lineup

Verizon Tech Tour - Fall and winter lineup

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Published on: 13 November, 2008 by PhoneArena Team

Verizon Tech Tour - Fall and winter lineup This article contains unofficial information.

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Click to see a large image.
Samsung OMNIA
We received some news about Verizon's Tech Tour, which was held in the east coast. Vendors such as Palm, Nokia, Samsung, Motorola, HTC, LG, and RIM were on sight previewing their fall and winter lineups.

Fans of Samsung's OMNIA smartphone can rejoice, knowing that Big Red is speculated to release the fantastic Windows Mobile handset some time around December 15. The company representative showed off the OMNIA with Verizon's logo on it to on lookers passing by their booth. The audience was amazed with the animation they used for flipping the screen from a portrait to landscape position. Typing e-mails and text messages seemed relatively easy thanks to the virtual QWERTY keyboard. Overall, the i910 retains the design elements found on the original OMNIA. U.S. consumers can now look forward to see this phone out in time by the holidays!

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Knowing that the Samsung is poised to bring out their latest premier Windows Mobile phone for Verizon, the representative from PCD/HTC informed everyone that the Verizon Touch Pro should be available as early as November 14, which comes in contrast to our previous information for November 24th release. When asked about the existing VX6900, the rep stated that the CDMA Touch Diamond should be released some time around January to replace it. Seems quite odd to see that the Pro will beat out the Diamond in terms of release dates, but we are glad nonetheless to know HTC will be upgrading their lineup for Verizon.

Click to see a large image.
Click to see a large image.
BlackBerry Storm
Neither Motorola, nor LG showed any upcoming models. It seems that during the holidays, consumers will be stuck with their current offering, but that’s not so bad, having in mind the Dare and the Krave.

Traditionally Nokia's presence in the U.S. Market has been lacking. The Nokia rep stated that a "high end" Nokia 2605 aka Mirage will be released some time in the near future. No details were revealed about this upcoming phone though except for the fact that it will be a clamshell.

Palm featured the Centro for everyone with no new phones being released by the manufacturer this holiday season. Some people asked if Verizon would get the new Palm Treo Pro, but the representative stated that nothing was coming out in the near future. Luckily though, they did mention that Palm will be coming out with a refreshed version of the Palm OS soon. Let's hope it can provide the WOW factor needed to win back some smart phone customers.

RIM grabbed most of the attention with their demo of the Storm and new updates for the BlackBerry operating system. The company clearly made their presence known with over three kiosks dedicated to them with the Storm stealing the show. A rep was demonstrating some of the features of the new smartphone and how it will have the latest OS with Rhapsody and visual voicemail support. VZ Navigator will also be included with the new 4.2.5 software. The rep did not reveal what new features will be included with this version but said that the Storm will be the only phone to have it. Although it will include only 1GB of internal memory, an additional 8GB microSD card will be included. Now this clearly will make fans happy to know that RIM is doing everything they can to steal the thunder away from Apple. Durability of the phone looks to be top notch thanks to its stainless steel back covering. The rep detached the battery cover and informed the audience that the battery was removable and protected quite well.

One new accessory displayed with the phone was a dock for the Storm which looked to emulate an alarm clock. The phone would be placed horizontally on the dock and would go into park mode where the digital clock takes screen. Today Verizon Wireless announced that the Storm will be available for $200 after a $50 MIR, begginning November 21. With a lot of buzz, RIM definitely has something big brewing in the next few weeks and we can't wait for it.

If you want to know when Verizon is expected to launch its next device, keep an eye on our Upcoming phones section.



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0
1.
WOW! CANT WAIT TO GET ONE.
Reply to this comment
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2.
Finally! Hope its worth the wait! I just hate that Verizon nickel and dimes you on everything. If Verizon had a simply everything plan like Sprint then it would truly make the Storm the must have item for the Holidays!
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4.
I like how you jump on the bandwagon and complain that Verizon nickel and dimes you ... newsflash for you, though. Verizon and AT&T pricing are the same for the most part.

VZNavigator - $10; AT&T Navigator - $10
Unlimited Text VZW - $20 individual/$30 family; Unlimited Text AT&T - $20 individual/$30 family
Data VZW - $30 personal/$45 enterprise; Data AT&T - $30 personal/$45 enterprise
Tethering VZW - $30 on personal/$15 on enterprise (total $60); Tethering AT&T - $30 on personal/$15 on enterprise (total $60)

Oh my God... the prices are all the same! *GASP*

The only reason Sprint is as cheap as they are is they're losing customers rapidly. And they don't have the coverage to back up their service, especially in areas that aren't big cities. And T-Mobile... yeah they're a joke in the U.S.

P.S.
You can't justify the visual voicemail thing because the only phone with that on AT&T is the iPhone.
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6.
Nickel and dime you? Sprint is most likely going to go under for giving everything away. They can't afford to lose any more customers, yet at the same time they can't afford to be giving everything away.
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9.
Will the Storm or the OMNIA have Visual Voicemail? That'd be sweet.

On a side note, any benefits fro WinMo over Blacbkerry OS? Vice versa?
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #6 ( Show )
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14.
I don't know about the OMNIA, but the Storm definitely has Visual Voicemail. As for the benefits of Blackberry OS vs Windows Mobile, it's all about what you're using it for. E-mail is without a doubt far superior on the Blackberry. Windows Mobile is less stable, drains battery faster, and often times is just clunky. I've been using Windows Mobile phones for a while now, and though I love the HTC made phones, they just don't like lasting for more than a day battery wise. I had a Blackberry 8830 for a while, and it held a charge for more than 2 days. I'm upgrading my line to the Blackberry Storm from my current XV6900.

It's all based on personal preferences, though. It's hard to come up with a major benefit, but like I said - E-mail is without a doubt far superior on the Blackberry.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #9 ( Show )
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27.
who uses voice mail anymore?
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #14 ( Show )
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32.
http://www.phonearena.com/htmls/Q3-results-Sprint-loses-326-million-article-a_3437.html

thats why sprint is cheap hahaha
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #4 ( Show )
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39.
ahah sounds like a vzw employee to me! Perfectly said if I might say! *GASP* hahaha
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #4 ( Show )
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40.
Do you think the Omnia will have another crappy windows mobile software on it? If it is 6.1 it should be ok... but to this day.. bberry hands down makes the best software known to man! RIM RULES!
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #14 ( Show )
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46.
Thanks for the input. I've never owned a WinMo phone and currently have the BB Curve. Just curious is all. I'm still weary of the touch screen though. I love the physical keyboard on my Curve. Especially when compared to my iPod Touch (sorry for bringing it up, I'm not trying to start a debate). I guess its just personal preference is all and probably depends on how often you do messaging.

Last question, I promise...Anyone heard whether the BB media player will get an upgrade? The player in OS 4.5 is a bit cumbersome in my opinion. But then again, maybe its just the trackball I don't like.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #14 ( Show )
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52.
Sprint has similar coverage to Verizon with the help of roaming agreements (Sprint's native network actually covers more people vs. Verizon who covers more ground). Both CDMA carriers offer coverage superior to AT&T; however, there will be areas where one doesn't work so well vs. the others.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #4 ( Show )
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53.
Windows Mobile offers a superior e-mail experience since it supports HTML e-mail a hell of a lot better than BlackBerry, on top of the customizing capabilities and flexibility of the OS. BlackBerry offers a much more streamlined experience and stability that is somewhat lacking on WM.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #14 ( Show )
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61.
Actually, I'm not a VZW employee. I'm actually an AT&T employee. There goes your argument.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #39 ( Show )
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64.
You state a great point. Most people jump on the bandwagon and start complaining about price. Most times, I tell people if you want good service, you have pay for it. If you compare Verizon with ATT, you'll realize that it's worth paying a little more to get better coverage. That is the case for people that choose tmobile over Verizon because of the cheap price, but than start complaining about the coverage. Once again, most times it better to pay more to get better service.

LoLo
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #4 ( Show )
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81.
sorry but as far as stability the blackberry will be much better. the other huge detail everyone is leaving out is that blackberry uses a pgp encrypted ssh for its enterprise email.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #53 ( Show )
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82.
wha? pgp encry.. what? sshh
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #81 ( Show )
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3.
the only reason sprint has the simply everything plan is because there service is bad and they need to do what htey can to not go out of business
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62.
exactly
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5.
The HTC Diamond will not be out till January because of a problem with material used for the housing. Apparently it was not disapating the heat efficiently enough and the phone was getting very warm in the hand. probably not a HUGE deal, but all parties want to avoid any possible litigation.
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37.
the diamond has been out for sprint for about a month now. i haven't heard of any problems there. is verizon gonna make the diamond look lke garbage just like they decided to remove all traces of htc from the touch and rename it to the xv6900 AND make it the most hideos color for a phone.

anyway... im gonna get the xv6900 when the price goes down, but it seems like it aint gonna happen for a while now cus the diamond isnt comin out for over a month!!!!!!!!
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Reply to Sunphoneguy Hide 1 replies to this comment
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7.
Still, has anyone heard if VZW might be picking up the Touch HD. I read something a few weeks ago. I KNOW that HTC has agreed to release it in the US (more than likely next year), but as to who or when....that info was up in the air.... Has anyone else heard anything?
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17.
htc is NOT releasing the touch hd in the states... thats what you read a few weeks ago... htc is already working on other devices for next year...
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33.
I agree with you. HTC will not release the Touch HD in the states. But it's all good cause we have the storm coming soon and that's all that matters right now!
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #17 ( Show )
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47.
Yeah, what #17 and #33 said is correct, Touch HD will not be released in the States. HTC confirmed this about a month ago. They did allude to another device being made that "1-up's" the HD, however, no other knews has been released about it.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #33 ( Show )
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8.
the storm is going to have Vcast music with Rhapsody? i hope so.
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22.
Looks that way. Crackberry.com had a training document that said so.
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76.
Yes, the blackberry will have Vcast music w/Rhapsody, as well as VZ Nav, at launch.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #22 ( Show )
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10.
i cant wait to get rid of my crappy voyager for the storm!!!
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11.
Now remember all you Storm seekers.....there will be a $29.99/month data plan REQUIRED for the Storm. NO IF AND OR BUTS! Sucks to be you, nickel and dimers! LOL
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12.
Uh you're a complete moron. EVERY BLACKBERRY ON VZW HAS REQUIRED A $30+ DATA PLAN! And you know what? Oh, get this... AT&T you have to pay more for the phones if you don't get a data package (You don't get the rebate). But, why the hell are you buying the phone if you're not going to be using it for its intended use? If you can't afford that $30 a month for the web and email, then buy your regular non-smartphones. You don't need a Windows Mobile or Blackberry Device if you're not using it for the e-mails or for the web.

tl;dr Quit your bitching.
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18.
Dude! Calm the hell down! I work for Verizon. I'm talking to the other morons that think they can pick up this "phone" to use it as a "calculator." """""""NOTE THE SARCASIM???????""""""" Shut up and know your role.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #12 ( Show )
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24.
"know your role" what is it 1999 again...last time i checked that phrase went out with the rock.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #18 ( Show )
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35.
Hey Verizon employee, do you know when the Dare is going to be reduced to $150 this month?? I want one!
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #18 ( Show )
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43.
I work for VZW too!!! I am going to lock this site down for you if you keep posting!!! LOL!!
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #18 ( Show )
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44.
If it were going to be reduced we could not tell you.. it is ummm... code of conduct... Hey for the fun of it.. I think its going to be $79.99!!! Merry Christmas!! ahahahhahah Just wait like everyone else!!!
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #35 ( Show )
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45.
the new one is "know your rank" lol but's that's going to die out soon also
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #24 ( Show )
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63.
Wow, now VWZ fanboys are at each others throats... how exciting! What a bunch of idiots you all are!
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #45 ( Show )
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13.
Does anyone know if a normal voice and date plan will work for the Omnia? I have an old LG flip phone with unlimited data but since the Omnia is a smart phone, does that change things?
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20.
You most likey have vcast which is 15 a month and a smart phone adds an additional 15 to that to bring the total for the data to 29.99
Reply to this comment
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25.
vcast is not compatible for pda's and smart phones...the data plan is 29.99 a month but that price is just the base price for email and web access. that price is not a combination of two features
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #20 ( Show )
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60.
Omnia will require at least the 29.99 data plan. No more pay-as-you-go or data block on smartphones.
Reply to this comment
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65.
will you be able to buy the xv 6850 without the data plan
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #60 ( Show )
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69.
I need to vent here.. I think that it is absolute CRAP (putting it nicely) that you are required to have the data plan for the new PDA phones. I have Wi-Fi at home and at work, I don't need the freaking data plan!
This is just another example of pure GREED coming from Verizon and it ticks me off big time!
One would think that with the economy the way it is, Verizon would realise that making the data plan manditory is just plain stupid and an unnecessary expense on it's customers.
Verizon, if you're reading this, you can go and F&*% yourselves once my contract is over!
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #60 ( Show )
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15.
Does anyone know if the Omnia will be able to stream radio?
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19.
The rumor is yes. But I have an application that's free to download called Flycast on my Curve and they say it will work on the Storm. There is a 15 min delay but hey....it's better than nothing
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23.
I'm #15. I'm pretty sure that the Storm will stream radio out of the box. I am just trying to decide between the Storm and Omnia.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #19 ( Show )
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41.
All Day long the Storm! Windows Mobile Blows.. RIM ROCKS!
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #23 ( Show )
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42.
what is flycast? Can you pin me the link? my pin is 3046871C

Thanks!
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #19 ( Show )
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50.
when is Pandora coming out for BB?
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #42 ( Show )
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54.
I got to play w/ a storm today and came away very impressed. One of my co-workers played hands on w/ both and said he was impressed w/ both. Ha said he liked the omnia a lot would get it except for the fact he doesnt like WM. Again I only played w/ storm but he seemed impressed w/ omnia
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