Verizon Gets a Phone That Isn't a DROID, Curve2 On Its Way

Verizon, Verizon, Verizon. It seems you've been dominating the news lately with all of your fancy releases. No, it isn't all of the looming Android releases we'll be talking about today.

The network wants to give it's BlackBerry lovers a gift with the Nov. 20 release of the Curve2. We knew Verizon would get the device, we just didn't know when. The Curve2 is a pretty solid device and the loved, yet hated trackball has been replaced with an optical trackpad. Good news is the device can be yours for $99 after the standard 2-year contract and $100 mail-in-rebate and comes in either Black or Smokey Violet for the ladies.

Posted by Nathan at 5:33 PM 0 comments

Motorola Droid Eris gets unboxed

I know we’re all counting down, so I don’t have to remind you Verizon Wireless is releasing two highly anticipated Android devices from Motorola Friday. The DROID may have overshadowed the Motorola Droid Eris, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve some drool-worthy attention. Photos of the new Android device being unboxed have surfaced over on BGR. Like we said before, this device may look like Sprint’s HTC Hero but this device is thinner and lighter. Oh, and it's $80 cheaper! Said to be the best Android device on the market aside from cousin DROID, I’d say this little baby is a steal.

Posted by Whitney at 4:58 PM 0 comments

Sony Ericsson announces XPERIA X10 Android device

Sony Ericsson announced its flagship Android device, XPERIA X10, today with a press release and a flurry of images and videos. Sony Ericsson's first Android device will run Android 1.6 (cupcake) with its own branded "Rachael" user interface. The XPERIA X10 features an "infinite button" which allows you to aggregate all interactions with one person into one view. Yet another device that aims to integrate your social media experiences on platforms such as Facebook and Twitter with your everyday phone use.

The XPERIA X10 has a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 8.1-megapixel camera with autofocus, GPS with Google Maps, 3.5mm audio jack, WiFi and a 4-inch 480 x 854 WVGA scratch-resistant screen. There's only 1GB of built-in memory, but the device comes boxed with an 8GB microSD card for memory expansion. The XPERIA will come in Sensuous Black and Lustre White, and we're guessing will make its way to either T-Mobile or AT&T - although release date, pricing and carrier support were left out of the release. It looks like this is the year of the Android, everyone. We're just glad our Privus Mobile Caller ID application will work on all of the new upcoming Android devices!

Posted by Whitney at 10:44 PM 1 comments

Sprint Android Talk

Sprint executive David Owens conducted a live chat with Sprint customers last Thursday and laid down somewhat of a roadmap for the remainder of this year and on into 2010. Owens stated the carrier would be selling multiple HTC Android devices in the coming year and also confirmed that both the HTC Hero and Samsung Moment will receive Android updates. HTC also confirmed yesterday that the manufacturer is working on a 2.0 update for the Hero, although both Sprint and HTC won’t give specifics as to when this update will be ready. Owens told customers that Windows Mobile 6.5 is currently being tested for the TouchPro2, but again did not confirm a date for the update.

Sprint is set to release Wi-Fi enabled Blackberries, including a Wi-Fi-capable version of the Tour. According to Owens, Android phones on Sprint’s network will become less expensive “as we see volume across the industry.” Well, all I’ll say is Sprint better hope Verizon isn’t really planning on introducing the HTC Droid Eris next week for $99! The carrier already lost a little over 800,000 customers to competing networks during the quarter, which is actually down from over a million in the second quarter of this year. Sprint CEO Dan Hess says he expects customer retention to be prettier in the final quarter of 2009. It seems the carrier is putting a lot of eggs in its Android basket, and with stiff competition coming its way via Verizon, I’m a little skeptical of that.

Posted by Whitney at 11:27 PM 0 comments

Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless made it clear they plan to become the leading network for Android users, but according to the Boy Genius Report’s sources, it sounds like the carrier plans to become the leading network for smartphones period. Apparently if Verizon can’t have the iPhone, the carrier plans to dethrone AT&T by carrying everything but Apple’s wonder device.

Curious as to which devices will join the big red in this “Best network, best smartphone” campaign? Either the BlackBerry Curve2 or the HTC Passion (aka Dragon) will launch on Black Friday, with the second launching in mid-December. The Motorola Calgary is also said to be a device joining the ranks along with a “couple BlackBerrys” and some unannounced devices. Counting the BlackBerry Storm, Verizon aims to release 15 new phones by year’s end. When you take into account the highly anticipated Motorola DROID and Droid Eris (which is now confirmed to be a mere $99) launching this Friday, I’d say the carrier has a fair shot. What I’d like to know is how many of you are planning to jump ship in order to pick up one of Verizon’s new Android devices?

Posted by Whitney at 12:17 PM 0 comments