Its that time of year for folks to go goo-goo over new tech toys, and especially new phones.  But be careful that your purchase doesn’t bite you back.

Verizon has kept to its word and raised their early termination fees from $175 to $350.

The ETF will apply to advanced devices,   Advanced devices are smartphones, but also devices that have HTML capabilities, cameras, WiFi, and operating systems like Palm, Windows Mobile, Blackberry and Android.

It would also cover netbooks that have Verizon’s mobile broadband  service, though modems will retain the existing $175 ETF.

The ETF will be applied to consumer and business customers who purchase a one- or two-year contract. The fee will decrease by $10 for each month of service completed.

So, make sure you REALLY want to leave Verizon for greener mobile pastures.

Thanks to Engadget for the news!

The latest Verizon attack ad on the iPhone takes a new tact… rather than attack the iPhone it actually well… it actually puts out the welcome mat.

In it the Island of Misfit Toys welcomes its newest resident… the iPhone.

“Hey check out the new guy” says one misfit toy.
“What are you doing here? You can download apps and browse the web.” Says another.
“People will love you!” A third says!

Then things go south… a map of AT&T’s coverage pops up and everyone moans.

So let’s think about it for a second… praise for the iPhone (”everyone will love you!) but disdain for AT&T.

Kinda sounds like Verizon is putting out the welcome mat doesn’t it?

Full disclosure.  I haven’t touched a Droid yet.  I have an iPod Touch and use a Palm Pre as my everyday device.

Here is my humble opinion.

The Motorola Droid will sell well.  Not awesome, but well.  There is a lot of pent up demand from those locked into Verizon who wanted a serious smart phone, and they definitely get it here.

I see very few people dumping an iPhone to switch to this.  Sure it has a few benefits, but it also has a fair number of weaknesses when compared, and nobody is switching carriers over the differences. Continue Reading

I was chatting with a friend on Google IM about the Droid, and out of the corner of my eye I saw a message come through Twitter from @jbqueru (@jbqueru is an Android developer with Google) regarding the Saygus V1.  The V1 promises a lot of what the Droid does … plus video calling!  It also is equipped with a 5 megapixel camera and a slide out keyboard similar to the Droid; it even looks a lot like the Droid. Continue Reading

To say the DROID’s release is highly anticipated would be an understatement.  Marketing has gone into overdrive for this handset, making us wonder why there’s no big love for the Eris (yes, they’ll appeal to different users — and the Eris is running Android 1.5, at least for now, but the Eris looks just as capable for anyone who prefers the Sense UI versus the DROID’s Android 2.0 interface).    So Verizon customers looking to finally wield a smartphone that won’t shame them when they’re out and about with their iPhone-toting friends have tomorrow marked and ready.  Heck, even the impatient could have pre-ordered it already from Best Buy (and, if you really, REALLY, want a DROID but just don’t feel like hoofing it over to your local Verizon store in the morning you can order one straight from Wirefly beginning at midnight tonight).

But what about the corporate user?  Should you (and your IT department) be putting the DROID on your company network?  Sure, Android 2.0  now natively supports MS Exchange.  Oh, but before you run out to pick up your very own DROID, and then expect to be using it for work you may want to take note of a few things.  Unfortunately, everything is not puppy dogs, fluffy clouds and rainbows…

Continue Reading

The new HTC Droid Eris is a jam-packed mobile phone featuring some pretty amazing specifications, namely: a 3.2 inch capacitive touch screen and trackball interface, a 5.0 megapixel auto focus camera, expandable memory with pre-installed 8 GB microSD™ card (up to 16 GB supported), Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi and 3.5 mm headset connectivity, integrated GPS and a digital compass with a sensor that enables the phone to know what direction it is facing … and many more. Priced at a budget friendly $99.99 (after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer plan), the Droid will go on sale both online and in stores Friday, November 6th.

So how about it? Will you be bringing home a Droid?

Continue Reading

How often do you hear a phone from Verizon getting play on local media?  The Droid is definitely getting that here in Columbus, Ohio.  WBNS 10 TV is running a story about it on their site.  I find it a little interesting that they say the Droid has thousands of applications, while ignoring the fact that it is actually running Android, and Android has been out for about a year now.  They don’t call it Android OS either; they say it runs Google’s software.

Also worth noting is that Vincent at Slashgear has posted a full review on the Droid.

All in all, the Verizon DROID by Motorola sets the bar for all new Android devices and is arguably the best Android device to date. The natural comparison is always going to be the iPhone 3GS, and while the DROID lacks the Apple handset’s finesse and polish, it’s only a few steps behind. If you’re not entirely content with your iPhone 3GS and AT&T’s service, we’d suggest giving the DROID a try; meanwhile, if you’re looking to dump your current handset or carrier, the DROID should definitely be on your shortlist.

-Vincent at Slashgear

Do you think the Droid will be good enough to beat the iPhone?  I think it will be really close, but that all depends on Verizon.  I think Motorola is officially back thanks to both the Cliq and the Droid, but we’ll have to see how it does in the coming weeks.  Friday is only a couple days away!  Are you getting a Droid?

Billshrink.com just did an analysis comparing the iPhone 3GS on AT&T,  the Palm Pre on Sprint, and Motorola Droid on Verizon.

If you are looking at an unlimited voice and data plan, you will spend $1,250 less over two years.  There are still substantial savings even with more limited plans.  The phones, on paper, have fairly similar specifications and capabilities and in terms of Network quality, speed, coverage ranking I would say Verizon, Sprint, AT&T in that order.

It makes it all the more painful why Sprint had such bad results as discussed earlier today. Sprint really is one of the best valued carriers at the moment.

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Best Buy stores are now accepting pre-orders for November 6 delivery of the recently announced Motorola Droid phone. This will be Verizon’s first Android phone and it’s being hotly anticipated for its faster processor and updated Android 2.0 operating system which includes a new Google Maps turn by turn direction capability. For only $199 with no rebate (but after 2 year contract) you can be one of the cool kids on the block to grab the Droid on release day. Continue Reading

Wayne informed us this morning that the Blackberry Storm 2 is now available.

Verizon Wireless has also released its first commercial for the new device and they couldn’t help but take another shot at AT&T.

Take a look at the ad.

It’s certainly one of the more anticipated and definitely one of the more hyped up phones this fall season.  Details have been released and the Motorola Droid is officially coming to Verizon Wireless on November 6th.

The newest Android Phone and what will be Verizon Wireless’s first, will sell for a contract price of $199.

The phone is jammed packed with all the goodies Android 2.0 has to offer including a 3.7″ display, visual voice mail, 5 MP camera with dual LED flash, included 16 gig memory card, Google Maps Navigation, 3G, WiFi, a full keyboard, voice search and more.

The Droid even has this die-hard iPhone user taking notice.

Via Engadget.

Verizon’s BlackBerry Storm 2 has appeared right on schedule on Verizon’s site and for the expected $180 2 year contract price. What’s interesting is there’s also a BOGO (buy one – get one) sale running where you can also get a “free” BlackBerry Tour 9630, Gateway LT2016u Netbook, MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot, UMW190 USB Modem, BlackBerry Curve 8330, BlackBerry 8830, BlackBerry Storm 9530 or Storm2 9550, BlackBerry 8703, BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230, or USB760 wireless modem when you purchase a Storm 2. Naturally the monthly data service and calling plan is extra per line but you already expected that, right?

Verizon BlackBerry Storm 2

BlackBerry Storm users can officially download version 5.0 of their operating system today. New features include improved power/lock button functions, interactive home screen, face detection for dimming screen, popup keys when SurePressing, better cursor and key controls. The download is free and you must cable your monster instead of the typical over the air download.

BlackBerry Storm OS 5.0 and What’s New List (RIM)

Last night, Verizon started airing an ad on major TV networks with a new campaign, iDon’t, for the announcement of the new Verizon  Droid. The Verizon Droid is a highly anticipated Android device, rumored to be manufactured by Motorola and code-named as Sholes/Tao.

Continue Reading

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.