I was reading through my feeds this morning, and I came across posts on talkandroid.com and Phone Arena regarding Verizon’s Third Android handset.  This hand set, according to Unstrung.com, will be available in early 2010 and will include a surprising new feature.  That feature is full MiFi support built into the phone.  This is a shock, to me, coming from Verizon.  I remember back when I first had a phone with Bluetooth, it was impossible to tether across Bluetooth unless you hacked your phone.

This also is to be the first hand set developed under Verizon’s Open Development program.

The Open Development program is supposed to make it quick, cheap, and easy to get devices onto the Verizon Wireless CDMA network. As part of the program, vendors must conform to a set of standard features, including phone location capabilities that can meet the E911 emergency standard, over-the-air activation capabilities, and support for SMS text messaging. – Via Unstrung.com

This is a huge change of heart for Verizon in my opinion.  If this works out, Verizon may soon be a contender for my next cell phone provider.