The Hippest Phones » VerizonWireless http://hippestphone.com The place to see the latest trendy cell phones Fri, 25 May 2012 12:30:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Droid X vs. iPhone 4… hang out! http://hippestphone.com/droid-x-vs-iphone-4-hang-out/ http://hippestphone.com/droid-x-vs-iphone-4-hang-out/#comments Wed, 23 Jun 2010 23:20:00 +0000 Paul Miller http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/23/droid-x-vs-iphone-4-hang-out/ So, these aren't exactly the most similar phones ever. The Droid X has Android, a high res 4.3-inch screen, Verizon, and a hump in back. The iPhone 4 has iOS, a higher res 3.5-inch screen, and some of the slimmest smartphone dimensions ever. Sure, they're both flagship handsets for their respective teams, but we'd really rather live in a world where Droid X and iPhone 4 hang out after work for drinks than one where they stab each other in their silicon hearts. Sure, there'd be a bit of banter, but isn't there always between friends?

Droid X vs. iPhone 4... hang out! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://hippestphone.com/droid-x-vs-iphone-4-hang-out/feed/ 0 Motorola Droid X first (official) hands-on and unboxing! Update: video! http://hippestphone.com/motorola-droid-x-first-official-hands-on-and-unboxing-update-video/ http://hippestphone.com/motorola-droid-x-first-official-hands-on-and-unboxing-update-video/#comments Wed, 23 Jun 2010 21:19:00 +0000 Paul Miller http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/23/motorola-droid-x-first-official-hands-on-and-unboxing/ Yeah, we kind of already saw this phone, but if you don't tell Motorola and Verizon, we won't. We just got our hands on an official, final Droid X at the NY launch event, and it tastes just as sweet. Here are a few notes:
  • It's built of basically the same material as the Droid, but there's something almost kind of "taut" about the phone, where when you thwack it with a finger it resounds like a drum. The phone vibration seems to work on this same principle, giving it much less of the typical buzz (in the funky, cheap sense) you expect.
  • There are three mics, and in video mode you can select between "scenes" based on which mic you want to use: outward facing for regular shoots, inward facing for narration. The third mic is up top for noise cancellation during calls.
  • Yeah, there's not kickstand, but the EVO 4G really does seem chunky up against the Droid X, and the camera bulge on the latter is not annoying at all.
  • PHYSICAL BUTTONS.
  • You get your choice between Swype and Motorola's multitouch keyboard, which is really pretty great. We were typing at speed within a few seconds of using it.
  • You can tell that the processor is fast, but the UI still has a jerky quality to it -- it's not totally fluid. We'd say that's more of an Android thing, though.
  • The new version of Motoblur is much, much more attractive than before -- the widgets are sleeker, smaller, and less in your face. You can also resize them, and they rearrange themselves somewhat intelligently.
Update: Video after the break!

Continue reading Motorola Droid X first (official) hands-on and unboxing! Update: video!

Motorola Droid X first (official) hands-on and unboxing! Update: video! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://hippestphone.com/motorola-droid-x-first-official-hands-on-and-unboxing-update-video/feed/ 0 Motorola Droid X for Verizon official: July 15 for $200 http://hippestphone.com/motorola-droid-x-for-verizon-official-july-15-for-200/ http://hippestphone.com/motorola-droid-x-for-verizon-official-july-15-for-200/#comments Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:44:00 +0000 Chris Ziegler http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/23/motorola-droid-x-for-verizon-official-july-15-for-200/ There was little about the mighty Droid X that we hadn't already known -- but for what it's worth, Verizon and Motorola have teamed up today to expose everything we want to know about the next Android beast for Big Red. The 4.3-inch 854 x 480 handset features Android 2.1 with an all-new UI skin, a TI OMAP3640 processor galloping along at 1GHz, HDMI out, 8 megapixel camera with dual LED flash and 720p video capture, and 8GB of onboard storage with expansion of up to 32GB (you get a 16GB card in the box) all stuffed in a package 9.9mm thick. Software wise, you've also got an integrated mobile hotspot with support for up to 5 devices connected over WiFi, DLNA support, and a legit multitouch keyboard with Swype built-in. It won't launch with Froyo, but that'll come later in the Summer as an upgrade along with Flash 10.1 support; the phone will be available on July 15 for $199.99 on contract after rebate, while the mobile hotspot service will run $20 extra a month with a 2GB cap and 5 cent per MB overage (data consumed on the phone itself is unlimited). Mirroring AT&T's move with the iPhone 4, all Verizon customers with upgrade dates in 2010 will be pulled up so they're eligible for the Droid X as soon as it's available. Follow the break for the full press release.

Continue reading Motorola Droid X for Verizon official: July 15 for $200

Motorola Droid X for Verizon official: July 15 for $200 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://hippestphone.com/motorola-droid-x-for-verizon-official-july-15-for-200/feed/ 0 Live from Verizon’s Motorola Droid X event! http://hippestphone.com/live-from-verizons-motorola-droid-x-event/ http://hippestphone.com/live-from-verizons-motorola-droid-x-event/#comments Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:58:00 +0000 Nilay Patel http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/23/live-from-verizons-motorola-droid-x-event/
Today's the big day: Motorola's getting back into the high-end Android game in a big way with the launch of the Droid X on Verizon, and we're here for the official announcement. Read on for the juicy details in real time!

Continue reading Live from Verizon's Motorola Droid X event!

Live from Verizon's Motorola Droid X event! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://hippestphone.com/live-from-verizons-motorola-droid-x-event/feed/ 0 AT&T seals deal on Verizon’s divested Alltel markets http://hippestphone.com/att-seals-deal-on-verizons-divested-alltel-markets/ http://hippestphone.com/att-seals-deal-on-verizons-divested-alltel-markets/#comments Wed, 23 Jun 2010 08:47:00 +0000 Chris Ziegler http://mobile.engadget.com/2010/06/23/atandt-seals-deal-on-verizons-divested-alltel-markets/ It took a good, long while, but AT&T has finally closed on its acquisition of the markets Verizon was required to divest in order to get the government to agree to its purchase of Alltel early last year. For most customers, the move has no practical impact -- the markets are mostly rural -- but for affected folks, it means that they'll be able to "select a device comparable to their existing device at no additional cost" as markets get upgraded over the course of the next 12 months. Interestingly, all of the markets will be getting the 3G treatment, a sharp departure from AT&T's typical strategy of keeping unpopulated areas on EDGE -- but it probably makes sense to get them up and running on 3G since the network's got to be built up from scratch anyhow. Follow the break for the full press release.

Continue reading AT&T seals deal on Verizon's divested Alltel markets

AT&T seals deal on Verizon's divested Alltel markets originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 03:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://hippestphone.com/att-seals-deal-on-verizons-divested-alltel-markets/feed/ 0 Verizon’s Droid Eris goes on permanent vacation http://hippestphone.com/verizons-droid-eris-goes-on-permanent-vacation/ http://hippestphone.com/verizons-droid-eris-goes-on-permanent-vacation/#comments Wed, 23 Jun 2010 02:50:00 +0000 Chris Ziegler http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/22/verizons-droid-eris-goes-on-permanent-vacation/ You might have figured that the recent update to Android 2.1 would've given Verizon's Droid Eris a few months of additional shelf life, but alas, it was not to be; the phone is no longer available from Verizon's online store, and we'd assume that any remaining inventory in the field will dwindle to nothingness in the coming weeks. If anything, it seems like the device -- basically a tweaked Hero -- would be able to effectively soldier on indefinitely for $50 or so on contract, but maybe the carrier's intent on keeping Android a higher-end affair for the time being. And hey, with the Droid X and Droid 2 coming any week now, we suppose it's getting pretty crowded anyhow. Ultra-cheap original Droid, anyone?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Verizon's Droid Eris goes on permanent vacation originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://hippestphone.com/verizons-droid-eris-goes-on-permanent-vacation/feed/ 0 Hell freezes over: Verizon CTO Dick Lynch joins GSMA’s board http://hippestphone.com/hell-freezes-over-verizon-cto-dick-lynch-joins-gsmas-board/ http://hippestphone.com/hell-freezes-over-verizon-cto-dick-lynch-joins-gsmas-board/#comments Mon, 21 Jun 2010 21:38:00 +0000 Chris Ziegler http://mobile.engadget.com/2010/06/21/hell-freezes-over-verizon-cto-dick-lynch-joins-gsmas-board/ Of course, seeing how Verizon was one of the earliest and most staunch supporters of LTE in the mobile operator world, it comes as no huge shocker that Big Red has earned itself a seat on the GSM Association's 26 member- and 13 carrier-strong board of directors -- especially now that it's a full, card-carrying member of the GSMA as a whole -- but still, feels a bit weird, doesn't it? From a PR perspective, we're figuring Verizon wanted to have this wrapped up before it stages its first commercial 4G launches later this year, but at any rate, it's official: you're now welcome to call Verizon "a GSM carrier. What about you, Sprint? Follow the break for the full press release.

Continue reading Hell freezes over: Verizon CTO Dick Lynch joins GSMA's board

Hell freezes over: Verizon CTO Dick Lynch joins GSMA's board originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://hippestphone.com/hell-freezes-over-verizon-cto-dick-lynch-joins-gsmas-board/feed/ 0 Droid X commercial reveals a few specs — if you look very, very closely http://hippestphone.com/droid-x-commercial-reveals-a-few-specs-if-you-look-very-very-closely/ http://hippestphone.com/droid-x-commercial-reveals-a-few-specs-if-you-look-very-very-closely/#comments Mon, 21 Jun 2010 20:02:00 +0000 Chris Ziegler http://mobile.engadget.com/2010/06/21/droid-x-commercial-reveals-a-few-specs-if-you-look-very-very/ Verizon's got a teaser ad running for the upcoming Droid X now, but if you see it on TV and you don't have a DVR that can slow down the action, you're going to miss all the good stuff -- in fact, all you really see at full speed is a scary eye that slowly transforms into the lifeless, blood-red vision sensor of a killer robot. If you pull some freeze frames, you can make out a few specs in the reflection of the eye -- HDMI output, 8 megapixel camera, and a 4.3-inch WVGA display -- plus a reference to DROIDLanding, which turns out to be some sort of viral Twitter account. Obviously, analyzing an eyeball this closely can really have a lasting traumatic effect on an individual -- but if you insist on having a look for yourself, the full video's after the break.

Continue reading Droid X commercial reveals a few specs -- if you look very, very closely

Droid X commercial reveals a few specs -- if you look very, very closely originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://hippestphone.com/droid-x-commercial-reveals-a-few-specs-if-you-look-very-very-closely/feed/ 0 Droid 2 (or whatever it’s called) for Verizon breaks cover once again http://hippestphone.com/droid-2-or-whatever-its-called-for-verizon-breaks-cover-once-again/ http://hippestphone.com/droid-2-or-whatever-its-called-for-verizon-breaks-cover-once-again/#comments Fri, 18 Jun 2010 04:42:00 +0000 Chris Ziegler http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/17/droid-2-breaks-cover-once-again/ Nothing new here, but at this point, Motorola's delicious duo of fresh Android phones for Verizon is leaking like... well, like a leaky faucet, we suppose. We've already got the full scoop on the keyboardless 4.3-inch Droid X -- a beast ready to take on sworn enemies from HTC like the EVO 4G and the Droid Incredible -- and we've seen plenty of details on the so-called Droid 2, too. The latter appears destined to replace the original Droid with a better keyboard layout and ever-so-gently refined ergonomics, but the latest leak from a Gizmodo tipster confirms that the cam's still 5 megapixels and it's currently running Android 2.1 atop Moto's new-look Blur (interestingly, the "Droid 2" name couldn't be confirmed). Apparently it's set for release in the "next few weeks," which would line up with rumors we've heard in the past of a launch windows somewhere between July and August -- so here's the real question: X or 2?

Droid 2 (or whatever it's called) for Verizon breaks cover once again originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 23:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://hippestphone.com/droid-2-or-whatever-its-called-for-verizon-breaks-cover-once-again/feed/ 0 Apple CDMA iPhone 4 rumor given new wings http://hippestphone.com/apple-cdma-iphone-4-rumor-given-new-wings/ http://hippestphone.com/apple-cdma-iphone-4-rumor-given-new-wings/#comments Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:41:00 +0000 Thomas Ricker http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/17/apple-cdma-iphone-4-rumor-given-new-wings/ With the iPad unicorn now slain, what other beast can DigiTimes shackle its rumor mongering machine to? How about Pegasus, the winged horse of Greek mythology (and inspiration for the ASUS company name), galloping forth with promises of a CDMA iPhone. According to the Taiwanese rumor rag, Pegatron (ASUStek's OEM manufacturing arm) will begin shipping a CDMA version of the iPhone 4 from its Shanghai plants to Apple in Q4. Right, just in time for the holiday shopping season and perfectly alligned with Apple's annual September iPod event... you know, should Apple want to announce a deal with Verizon.

Apple CDMA iPhone 4 rumor given new wings originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 07:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://hippestphone.com/apple-cdma-iphone-4-rumor-given-new-wings/feed/ 0 Exclusive: Motorola Droid X preview http://hippestphone.com/exclusive-motorola-droid-x-preview/ http://hippestphone.com/exclusive-motorola-droid-x-preview/#comments Tue, 15 Jun 2010 21:59:00 +0000 Joanna Stern http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/15/exclusive-motorola-droid-x-preview/ digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gadgets/Exclusive_Motorola_Droid_X_preview'; Not interested in waiting until the 23rd for Verizon's big announcement? Don't worry, we've got you covered right now! The Motorola Droid X has probably been one of the worst kept smartphone secrets in recent memory, but after spending two hours with the phone we sort of see why. In short, it's pretty awesome. Call it a superphone or a mega-smartphone, but the 4.4-inch handset is absolutely Verizon / Motorola's answer to the HTC EVO 4G, and makes the Droid Incredible look like a bench warmer. What do we mean? We'll let you see for yourself just after the break in a breakdown of exactly what this phone is all about -- and in a video or three of it in action. Oh, and on your way down, make sure to feast your eyes on the gallery, too.

Continue reading Exclusive: Motorola Droid X preview

Exclusive: Motorola Droid X preview originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://hippestphone.com/exclusive-motorola-droid-x-preview/feed/ 0 Motorola, Verizon announcing ‘next generation of Droid’ on June 23 http://hippestphone.com/motorola-verizon-announcing-next-generation-of-droid-on-june-23/ http://hippestphone.com/motorola-verizon-announcing-next-generation-of-droid-on-june-23/#comments Tue, 15 Jun 2010 21:18:00 +0000 Chris Ziegler http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/15/motorola-verizon-announcing-next-generation-of-droid-on-june/ We don't know whether this is going to be the Droid 2, the Droid X, or both, but Motorola, Google, Verizon, and Adobe -- yes, Adobe -- are all getting on stage out in New York on the 23rd of the month to announce some new Android gear. Should be exciting, so keep it locked -- because naturally, we'll be on-hand for all the festivities.

Motorola, Verizon announcing 'next generation of Droid' on June 23 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://hippestphone.com/motorola-verizon-announcing-next-generation-of-droid-on-june-23/feed/ 0 Motorola Droid X purportedly hitting Verizon on July 19th http://hippestphone.com/motorola-droid-x-purportedly-hitting-verizon-on-july-19th/ http://hippestphone.com/motorola-droid-x-purportedly-hitting-verizon-on-july-19th/#comments Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:26:00 +0000 Darren Murph http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/15/motorola-droid-x-purportedly-hitting-verizon-on-july-19th/ Take this with a mouthful of NaCl, but Droid-Life has it on authority that Motorola's Droid X is gearing up to make the Droid Incredible seem a bit less Incredible next month. The big-screened unicorn-of-a-smartphone is purportedly set for a July 19th launch on America's most subscribed-to carrier, with ads to start popping up on the 18th. We're expecting to hear something official out of VZW next week, but till then, we'd suggest talking your current Android phone down from that ledge. Broken egos can lead to desperate measure, homie.

Motorola Droid X purportedly hitting Verizon on July 19th originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://hippestphone.com/motorola-droid-x-purportedly-hitting-verizon-on-july-19th/feed/ 0 Verizon MiFi surgically implanted in iPad to create world’s first bionic tablet http://hippestphone.com/verizon-mifi-surgically-implanted-in-ipad-to-create-worlds-first-bionic-tablet/ http://hippestphone.com/verizon-mifi-surgically-implanted-in-ipad-to-create-worlds-first-bionic-tablet/#comments Tue, 15 Jun 2010 02:22:00 +0000 Chris Ziegler http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/14/verizon-mifi-surgically-implanted-in-ipad-to-create-worlds-firs/ Sometimes, hackers hack without any constructive purpose -- they do it just because they can. This, however, decidedly isn't such a case; in fact, it's one of the more enviable hackjobs we've seen in recent weeks. Basically, a dude split open his 3G iPad, removed the AT&T modem, and installed the circuit board out of a Verizon MiFi, providing power from the iPad's battery and hooking in the borrowed AT&T antenna for hotspot range. The hack wasn't without its trials and tribulations -- the MiFi's green LED initially shone through the back of the iPad's display, for instance -- but ultimately, the proud owner ended up with a fully functional iPad that doubles as a Verizon WiFi hotspot. It's not exactly turnkey enough to recommend to lay folk, but at least Verizon customers can take heart knowing this kind of craziness is possible if you've got the stones for it.

[Thanks, Peter]

Verizon MiFi surgically implanted in iPad to create world's first bionic tablet originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 21:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://hippestphone.com/verizon-mifi-surgically-implanted-in-ipad-to-create-worlds-first-bionic-tablet/feed/ 0 How would you change HTC’s Droid Incredible? http://hippestphone.com/how-would-you-change-htcs-droid-incredible/ http://hippestphone.com/how-would-you-change-htcs-droid-incredible/#comments Sat, 12 Jun 2010 05:37:00 +0000 Darren Murph http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/12/how-would-you-change-htcs-droid-incredible/ Yeah, we called it the best Android device in America during our review back in April, and even today it's somewhat difficult to track down, but that's not to suggest that HTC's Droid Incredible is free of flaws. The Sense-enabled smartphone is the current flagship in VZW's stable, and while the EVO 4G may offer faster connections (in select locales) and a larger display, the Droid Incredible still has its fair share of proponents. This space, however, is where we all take a deep breath, a step back and quick sip of a strong drink. After that, we'd invite you to hit up comments below and tell us how you'd tweak this here smartphone if you suddenly found your way into HTC's headquarters. Would you have stretched the display a centimeter or two? Changed the hardware design somewhat? Made it available with a GSM radio? The options are pretty limitless, so head on down and publish your $0.02. Seriously, what are you waiting for?

How would you change HTC's Droid Incredible? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 Jun 2010 00:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://hippestphone.com/how-would-you-change-htcs-droid-incredible/feed/ 0 Verizon down in Southern California? (update: Ohio, too?) http://hippestphone.com/verizon-down-in-southern-california-update-ohio-too/ http://hippestphone.com/verizon-down-in-southern-california-update-ohio-too/#comments Fri, 11 Jun 2010 04:41:00 +0000 Sean Hollister http://mobile.engadget.com/2010/06/10/verizon-down-in-southern-california/ "Preparation is key to building the most reliable network," says Verizon's last tweet, but we hear the company wasn't prepared in Southern California -- reports are trickling in about a multi-county voice outage. Since that new Droid's not so Incredible when it can't make calls, here's hoping Verizon fixes the issue soon. We'd hate to have to call out a different carrier's name the next time someone botches a phone demo.

Update: Several Verizon customers in Ohio are complaining, too, but we also hear that So. Cal's outage might possibly / temporarily be over.

Filed under:

Verizon down in Southern California? (update: Ohio, too?) originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 23:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://hippestphone.com/verizon-down-in-southern-california-update-ohio-too/feed/ 0 Motorola Droid 2 fully exposed? http://hippestphone.com/motorola-droid-2-fully-exposed/ http://hippestphone.com/motorola-droid-2-fully-exposed/#comments Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:03:00 +0000 Chris Ziegler http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/10/motorola-droid-2-fully-exposed/ And finally, the puzzle pieces are coming together. There's been a lot of confusion the past few weeks about these two new models for Verizon in Motorola's pipeline, but by all accounts, this seems to be the A955 Droid 2 in its entirety -- the true successor to the original Droid, of course, and a distinctly different product than the more slate-like Xtreme. It looks like Moto has killed off the Droid's major pain points, giving the new model a more tactile keyboard and eliminating the nearly useless d-pad; the shiny bezel around the top half is a matter of personal opinion, but we don't think we mind it from the blurry shots we've seen.

As specs go, we're looking at a faster 750MHz OMAP core -- probably similar to the 720MHz silicon quoted in the XT720's data -- along with a 3.7-inch display, 8GB of internal storage paired with an 8GB microSD card in the box, and a 5 megapixel camera. What's missing is an HDMI port and Froyo -- current test units are said to be running 2.1, so hopefully we'll see a 2.2 upgrade in the near term. So, Droid owners: is this the golden ticket to get you to shell out another couple hundred dollars? As a bonus, follow the break for alleged video of the Droid 2's boot sequence, which shows a reworked version of the scary red droid eye we're accustomed to.

Continue reading Motorola Droid 2 fully exposed?

Motorola Droid 2 fully exposed? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://hippestphone.com/motorola-droid-2-fully-exposed/feed/ 0 Motorola A955 Droid 2 teased, definitely different from the Xtreme http://hippestphone.com/motorola-a955-droid-2-teased-definitely-different-from-the-xtreme/ http://hippestphone.com/motorola-a955-droid-2-teased-definitely-different-from-the-xtreme/#comments Wed, 09 Jun 2010 02:39:00 +0000 Chris Ziegler http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/08/motorola-a955-droid-2-teased-definitely-different-from-the-xtre/ Telling the blurry spy shots apart and keeping the codenames straight as we lead up to this Android duo from Motorola for Verizon next month has been next to impossible, but we think we're getting the hang of it here. What you're looking at above is apparently the A955 Droid 2, a phone whose keyboard we saw a little while back. That's opposed to the Xtreme -- which may or may not also be known as the Shadow -- that's been leaked a handful of times in the past couple weeks and clearly looks different than the A955 from the front. If anything, the Droid 2 looks like a streamlined, possibly chromed version of the original Droid, which would make a lot of sense seeing how it's being called... well, the Droid 2. Verizon, would you please step in here, make some announcements, and clear up all this confusion?

Motorola A955 Droid 2 teased, definitely different from the Xtreme originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Jun 2010 21:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://hippestphone.com/motorola-a955-droid-2-teased-definitely-different-from-the-xtreme/feed/ 0 iPhone 4 vs. the smartphone elite: EVO 4G, N8, Pre Plus, and HD2 http://hippestphone.com/iphone-4-vs-the-smartphone-elite-evo-4g-n8-pre-plus-and-hd2/ http://hippestphone.com/iphone-4-vs-the-smartphone-elite-evo-4g-n8-pre-plus-and-hd2/#comments Mon, 07 Jun 2010 22:34:00 +0000 Chris Ziegler http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/07/iphone-4-vs-the-smartphone-elite-evo-4g-n8-pre-plus-and-hd2/ We know how the iPhone 4 sizes up against the aging 3GS -- but how does it fare against its fiercest competitors from all the major platforms? We wish we had some production Windows Phone 7 kit to check out here, but in the meantime, take a look at the results against the gruesome foursome of the EVO 4G, N8, Pre Plus, and HD2. You might be surprised by some of the results -- and sorry, RIM, you don't get to play until you bring some fresh, media-heavy hardware to the table. Nothing personal!

Continue reading iPhone 4 vs. the smartphone elite: EVO 4G, N8, Pre Plus, and HD2

iPhone 4 vs. the smartphone elite: EVO 4G, N8, Pre Plus, and HD2 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Jun 2010 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://hippestphone.com/iphone-4-vs-the-smartphone-elite-evo-4g-n8-pre-plus-and-hd2/feed/ 0 Verizon’s V CAST Video for Android now available, runs $10 a month http://hippestphone.com/verizons-v-cast-video-for-android-now-available-runs-10-a-month/ http://hippestphone.com/verizons-v-cast-video-for-android-now-available-runs-10-a-month/#comments Mon, 07 Jun 2010 13:00:00 +0000 Chris Ziegler http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/07/verizons-v-cast-video-for-android-now-available-runs-10-a-mon/ 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.

Continue reading Verizon's V CAST Video for Android now available, runs $10 a month

Verizon's V CAST Video for Android now available, runs $10 a month originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://hippestphone.com/verizons-v-cast-video-for-android-now-available-runs-10-a-month/feed/ 0 Motorola Droid Xtreme pictured yet again, still not announced http://hippestphone.com/motorola-droid-xtreme-pictured-yet-again-still-not-announced/ http://hippestphone.com/motorola-droid-xtreme-pictured-yet-again-still-not-announced/#comments Sat, 05 Jun 2010 01:10:00 +0000 Chris Ziegler http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/motorola-droid-xtreme-pictured-yet-again-still-not-announced/ Quickly becoming the most well-leaked handsets since the next iPhone, Motorola's fine little piece of kit informally known so far as the Droid Shadow / Xtreme has shown up yet again -- and this time, we're getting a great view of that bulbous posterior. The 8 megapixel cam, HD video capture, and dual LED flash are all confirmed, which takes just a little edge off the EVO 4G's reign, we'd say. Competition is grand, ain't it?

Motorola Droid Xtreme pictured yet again, still not announced originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Jun 2010 20:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://hippestphone.com/motorola-droid-xtreme-pictured-yet-again-still-not-announced/feed/ 0 EVO 4G launch day antics: Sprint’s computers overwhelmed, Radio Shack listing CDMA iPhones? http://hippestphone.com/evo-4g-launch-day-antics-sprints-computers-overwhelmed-radio-shack-listing-cdma-iphones/ http://hippestphone.com/evo-4g-launch-day-antics-sprints-computers-overwhelmed-radio-shack-listing-cdma-iphones/#comments Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:03:00 +0000 Chris Ziegler http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/evo-4g-launch-day-antics-sprints-computers-overwhelmed-radio/ You might imagine that we're getting a pretty wild variety of EVO 4G-related tips today, seeing how it's launch day and all -- but a couple really stood out for us:
  • Sprint's activation system is apparently buckling under the pressure, an issue that's giving us nightmarish flashbacks to iPhone launches of days gone by. We've even heard reports of poor shoppers being "turned away" when reps are stymied by the situation. A wildly successful product is both a blessing and curse, is it not?
  • We've gotten multiple tips saying that Radio Shack now lists a $400 early termination fee in its contract for the iPhone on Verizon and Sprint. Our guess is that this is just some generic verbiage, not a sign of an impending CDMA launch, but you never know.
Keep us updated with your launch day travails, folks!

[Thanks to everyone who sent these in]

EVO 4G launch day antics: Sprint's computers overwhelmed, Radio Shack listing CDMA iPhones? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Jun 2010 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://hippestphone.com/evo-4g-launch-day-antics-sprints-computers-overwhelmed-radio-shack-listing-cdma-iphones/feed/ 0 Motorola Droid Shadow / Xtreme pictured again, powered by Ninjablur? http://hippestphone.com/motorola-droid-shadow-xtreme-pictured-again-powered-by-ninjablur/ http://hippestphone.com/motorola-droid-shadow-xtreme-pictured-again-powered-by-ninjablur/#comments Wed, 02 Jun 2010 20:59:00 +0000 Ross Miller http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/02/motorola-droid-shadow-xtreme-pictured-again-powered-by-ninjab/ Because we can't seem to get enough Motorola Droid Shadow / Xtreme teasers in our lives, here's a few more with which to tide you over. First on the docket is a pair of pics from Droid Life, with the screen-saving film intact (and a still-visible Verizon logo underneath) and a cleaner side shot of its bulbous derriere. If that wasn't enough, the clue-dropper wnrussell of HowardForums -- who gave us the vast majority of the previous leaks -- is back showing off a 1500mAh battery and claiming a name for that monochrome Motoblur-esque skin we saw earlier. In his words, "Ninja Blur is Blur running without the user knowing. For those who don't like Blur." Translation: it's an Android skin that does very little but make aesthetic differentiators and probably slows down the processing speed a bit. Any chance the ninja can go into hiding in lieu of a vanilla robot experience?

Motorola Droid Shadow / Xtreme pictured again, powered by Ninjablur? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://hippestphone.com/motorola-droid-shadow-xtreme-pictured-again-powered-by-ninjablur/feed/ 0 Verizon looking to partner up for rural LTE deployments http://hippestphone.com/verizon-looking-to-partner-up-for-rural-lte-deployments/ http://hippestphone.com/verizon-looking-to-partner-up-for-rural-lte-deployments/#comments Wed, 02 Jun 2010 20:36:00 +0000 Chris Ziegler http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/02/verizon-looking-to-partner-up-for-rural-lte-deployments/ If you're wondering why T-Mobile doesn't have 3G in the middle of the Mojave, the answer's pretty simple: it's hard for any of the Big Four to justify spending millions of dollars on infrastructure in sparsely-populated areas. Rather than ignore it and leave the spectrum blank, though, Verizon's asking other companies to step in and share the responsibilities -- sort of -- by letting partners do most of the hard work (build towers and operate backhaul) while Big Red chips in its 700MHz spectrum holdings and "core LTE equipment." Presumably, Verizon will help itself to a share of the proceeds, which from their perspective, makes it look like a win-win scenario: they're helping to bring 4G technology to underserved areas, doing less work and spending less capital than they'd have to otherwise, and profiting off the spirit of an initiative that FCC chief Julius Genachowski is pushing very, very hard at the moment. And hey, we bet you'll be getting some insane throughput when you're rocking the LTE modem in the middle of nowhere.

Verizon looking to partner up for rural LTE deployments originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://hippestphone.com/verizon-looking-to-partner-up-for-rural-lte-deployments/feed/ 0 BlackBerry Bold 9650 hits Verizon tomorrow for $150 after contract http://hippestphone.com/blackberry-bold-9650-hits-verizon-tomorrow-for-150-after-contract/ http://hippestphone.com/blackberry-bold-9650-hits-verizon-tomorrow-for-150-after-contract/#comments Wed, 02 Jun 2010 14:10:00 +0000 Joseph L. Flatley http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/02/blackberry-bold-9650-hits-verizon-tomorrow-for-150-after-contra/ ...and it's official! The BlackBerry Bold 9650 will be available for online ordering from Verizon beginning June 3rd (that's tomorrow) and in Verizon stores starting on June 10th. This is the provider's first global handset with GlobalAccess Connect tethering, and in keeping with the "global" theme transnational road warriors can look forward to worldwide VZ Navigator (including Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and of course ol' Blighty). Expect to pay $150 after $100 rebate and a two-year contract. PR after the break.

Continue reading BlackBerry Bold 9650 hits Verizon tomorrow for $150 after contract

BlackBerry Bold 9650 hits Verizon tomorrow for $150 after contract originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 09:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://hippestphone.com/blackberry-bold-9650-hits-verizon-tomorrow-for-150-after-contract/feed/ 0 BlackBerry Bold 9650 sales kicking off on Verizon this week? http://hippestphone.com/blackberry-bold-9650-sales-kicking-off-on-verizon-this-week/ http://hippestphone.com/blackberry-bold-9650-sales-kicking-off-on-verizon-this-week/#comments Tue, 01 Jun 2010 02:12:00 +0000 Chris Ziegler http://mobile.engadget.com/2010/05/31/blackberry-bold-9650-sales-kicking-off-on-verizon-this-week/ We can't vouch for the authenticity here, but a shot over Berry Reporter alleges that Big Red will finally start taking orders for the Bold 9650 via direct fulfillment this week -- on June 3, to be exact. Considering Verizon's time-honored tradition of being all over RIM's latest CDMA releases on the double (probably because their development is funded largely by Verizon's orders), we're actually kind of surprised it's not on shelves already; it's possible that Sprint negotiated a short, sweet exclusivity period for itself just to get a little bit of a head start, we suppose. Anyhow, if you don't want to mail-order this thing, the shot goes on to say that you'll be able to check it out and buy it in stores on the 10th of the month, so hold tight.

[Thanks, Christopher K.]

BlackBerry Bold 9650 sales kicking off on Verizon this week? originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Mon, 31 May 2010 21:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://hippestphone.com/blackberry-bold-9650-sales-kicking-off-on-verizon-this-week/feed/ 0 Motorola Shadow slithers into Verizon’s inventory database as MB810 http://hippestphone.com/motorola-shadow-slithers-into-verizons-inventory-database-as-mb810/ http://hippestphone.com/motorola-shadow-slithers-into-verizons-inventory-database-as-mb810/#comments Sat, 29 May 2010 17:49:00 +0000 Darren Murph http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/29/motorola-shadow-makes-cameo-appearance-in-verizons-inventory-da/ If the whole "smoke -> fire" adage proves true once more, it's looking like Verizon loyalists can expect to see a Shadow at least a few milliseconds before a CDMA iPhone. Following up on months of leaks and rumors, we've got yet another snippet of evidence pointing towards a VZW release of the so-called Motorola Shadow. Spotted here in the carrier's inventory database, the MB810 moniker aligns perfectly with that WiFi certification we saw earlier in the month. Combine that with the fact that this is definitely some sort of Motorola smartphone, and you've got everything you need to start pinching those pennies for a June / July debut. Oh, you already threw down a Benjamin for Memorial Day grub? Good luck with that return policy.

[Thanks, tuan tran]

Motorola Shadow slithers into Verizon's inventory database as MB810 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 29 May 2010 12:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://hippestphone.com/motorola-shadow-slithers-into-verizons-inventory-database-as-mb810/feed/ 0 Motorola to launch two smartphones on Verizon in July, says WSJ http://hippestphone.com/motorola-to-launch-two-smartphones-on-verizon-in-july-says-wsj/ http://hippestphone.com/motorola-to-launch-two-smartphones-on-verizon-in-july-says-wsj/#comments Fri, 28 May 2010 02:19:00 +0000 Ross Miller http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/motorola-to-launch-two-smartphones-on-verizon-in-july-says-wsj/ Motorola's been making good with Verizon as of late, and according to the Wall Street Journal, the two just signed a deal to "ensure some of its upcoming smartphones will be heavily promoted" by the carrier." The article goes on to say that Motorola is planning to launch a pair of such devices on VZW this year, with the obvious platform choice being Android for both. Our best guess would be the 4.1-inch Shadow / MB810 for one, but as for the smartphone? No clue. Even with great choices like the Incredible and EVO 4G on the market, like we said on last week's Engadget Show, there's never been a better time to wait on a new mobile purchase. Better yet, does this mean we can finally start retiring the original Droid from television? Thanks.

Motorola to launch two smartphones on Verizon in July, says WSJ originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 May 2010 21:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://hippestphone.com/motorola-to-launch-two-smartphones-on-verizon-in-july-says-wsj/feed/ 0 Verizon looking at non-unlimited plans for 4G data, will use LTE for voice by 2012 http://hippestphone.com/verizon-looking-at-non-unlimited-plans-for-4g-data-will-use-lte-for-voice-by-2012/ http://hippestphone.com/verizon-looking-at-non-unlimited-plans-for-4g-data-will-use-lte-for-voice-by-2012/#comments Thu, 27 May 2010 17:28:00 +0000 Chris Ziegler http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/verizon-looking-at-non-unlimited-plans-for-4g-data-will-use-lte/ We'd not-so-secretly hoped that carriers would be looking to dispense with those troublesome 5GB caps on so-called "unlimited" 3G data plans, but there's a big problem with that: spectrum is still limited, and even though 4G technologies help use it more efficiently, it's still a constraint that the FCC is going to need many years to solve. We're not sure how much the spectrum crunch really factors in here, but in addition to his comments on Droid Incredible inventory problems, Verizon Wireless boss Lowell McAdam mentioned at a Barclays Capital conference this week that he hopes to move away from unlimited plans altogether for the company's LTE network, instead charging for "buckets" of megabytes, just like in the olden days -- despite the fact that it'll cost it a half to a third of what it costs today to transmit the same amount of data.

On a happier note, McAdam said that the company expects to be using its LTE network for voice by 2012, which comes just after its first volley of LTE-capable handsets in early 2011. He also mentioned that at least some of those devices will be shown off at CES 2011, and naturally, we'll be there -- not just to check out the phones, but to raise some hell at the notion that unlimited data is a thing of the past. At this rate, how are we ever going to run the Engadget servers on a wireless connection?

Verizon looking at non-unlimited plans for 4G data, will use LTE for voice by 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 May 2010 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]> http://hippestphone.com/verizon-looking-at-non-unlimited-plans-for-4g-data-will-use-lte-for-voice-by-2012/feed/ 0 Droid Incredible confirmed to be suffering from AMOLED shortage http://hippestphone.com/droid-incredible-confirmed-to-be-suffering-from-amoled-shortage/ http://hippestphone.com/droid-incredible-confirmed-to-be-suffering-from-amoled-shortage/#comments Wed, 26 May 2010 21:08:00 +0000 Chris Ziegler http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/26/droid-incredible-confirmed-to-be-suffering-from-amoled-shortage/ Being completely unable to keep a popular device in stock is a great problem to have, we suppose -- but considering that Verizon Wireless' Lowell McAdam believes he could sell "twice" the number of Droid Incredibles that he has available, that's got to be a bit of a bummer if you're one of the company's bean counters (or a would-be buyer, for that matter). In a talk at a Barclays Capital conference today, McAdam made it clear that component shortages were to blame for the high-end Android handset's general unavailability -- specifically the Samsung-sourced AMOLED display, which is seeing duty in more phones all the time and will likely be in short supply for a while yet. At the present, new buyers need to wait until at least mid-June to get their Droid Incredible if they order online, and the Nexus One's brief inventory situation is very likely related; since Samsung is using a ton of AMOLED displays in its own devices, doesn't this all seem like a conflict of interest?

Droid Incredible confirmed to be suffering from AMOLED shortage originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 May 2010 16:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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