Verizon Simplifies DSL-Based Broadband Pricing, Eliminates Contracts

New Verizon broadband access customers now can buy copper-based service without a contract, and the packaging is a standard offer, not a promotion. The simplified new approach features just two double-play pricing tiers. Note that the offers require buying Verizon's voice service as well.

The first tier offers speeds between 500 kbps to 1 Mbps.  The second tier features the highest optimized speeds that customers qualify for. Those speeds will range between 1.1 Mbps and 15 Mbps, depending on distance from a DSL access multiplexer and the condition of the access wire.

Verizon’s "Enhanced High Speed Internet" bundle costs $59.99 per month.

The "basic HSI bundle" costs $34.99 per month. Verizon offers triple play offers with both access options. The DirecTV portion of the triple play does require a two-year contract, but comes with discounted service for the first year.

Consumers who order a bundle online will save $5 per month and receive a free wireless router.  Consumers who order stand-alone HSI service online can also save $5 per month, lowering the basic HSI offer to $14.99 per month with a qualifying voice package, Verizon says.

All bundles feature up to four gigabytes of online storage, nine email accounts per household, 10 megabytes of personal Web space to accommodate a blog or a web page.

Additionally, customers who order an Enhanced HSI bundle have access to Verizon Wi-Fi at no additional charge, allowing them to connect to Wi-Fi hot spots offering access in airports, hotels, bookstores, coffee shops and more.

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White iPhone 4 Spotted In Verizon's Systems, Launch Imminent

9 to 5 Mac has just reported something pretty good if you're still waiting for the white iPhone 4 from Apple. Apparently, the photo above was taken of the Verizon inventory system and it shows said smartphone in there. MC679LL/A is the one you're looking at and that's just one-digit higher than the black iPhone models (MC678LL/A). Not much left to tell you here but the launch could actually be soon - after quite a lengthy wait.

[TUAW]

HTC "Mazaa" Leaks, Could Be Sprint's Trophy and a World Phone

Does the phone above look familiar? Well, it should. It's the HTC Trophy that runs Windows Phone 7 and, apparently, Verizon won't be the only carrier that will have the phone. Apparently, Sprint could be launching it as well and it'll be a world phone - just like the Verizon model is rumoured to be. This is unconfirmed right now but rumours are saying that this phone is codenamed the "Mazaa".

[PocketNow]

Verizon Employees Training For the Samsung DROID Charge

Verizon employees may be happy or sad right now because it looks like their training for the Samsung DROID Charge right now. Unfortunately, we still don't know when it'll be available but at least we know that it should be in the next few weeks. Furthermore, this handset will reportedly support up to 10 devices with its WiFi hotspot capabilities. Make sure you have about $299 handy though, because that's the rumoured price for this one.

[Droid-Life]

HTC DROID Incredible 2 To Hit Verizon On April 28th

At this point we already know that Verizon intends to launch the HTC DROID Incredible S in the US as the DROID Incredible 2. This handset is actually a pretty good one but you have to keep in mind that Verizon already has a bunch of other desirable handsets in the pipe - as well as ones with LTE (4G) support. According to the image above, from DroidDog, this handset could be available on April 28th - where it should cost $199.

[Android Central]

Motorola XT862 Gets Bluetooth Certificate, Could Be the DROID 3

This one's a rumour right now but the Motorola DROID 3 may have just gotten its Bluetooth certificate. The DROID 3 may or may not be the XT862 so at this point it's just educated guesses going around. The word is coming from Droid-Life who trusts that their tipster is telling them the truth.

At this point, the rumoured specs for the DROID 3 include a qHD display, an improved slide-out QWERTY keyboard, a dual-core (OMAP4) CPU, and the Android OS with the Blur UI.

[Droid-Life]

Motorola DROID X 2 To Be $199, LG Revolution At $249?

According to the image that DroidLife snagged above, two new devices for Verizon have been priced. The Motorola DROID X 2 and the LG Revolution could be available soon for $199.99 and $249.99, respectively, on a 2-year contract. It shouldn't be a surprise that the DROID Incredible 2 will be launching for $199, while the DROID Charge will be priced at $299 which seems a bit high. Unfortunately, release dates are still unknown.

[Droid-Life]

Testers Now Getting the LG Revolution, Launch Imminent?

It looks like some testers are now getting their hands on the LG Revolution which is set to be another 4G (LTE) smartphone for Verizon in the US. Coming from Android Central is the photo above which is, sort of, signalling that the release is close. We still don't know exactly when it'll be available but it should be here before the end of Q2.

[Unwired View]

Verizon Launches New Mobile Streaming Platform

Verizon is unveiling new "content-to-consumer" delivery capabilities, allowing content owners to distribute live and on-demand, personalized video content to users of smart phones and tablets. Verizon Digital Media Services automates manual workflow processes associated with formatting, managing and delivering digital media to virtually any device or platform on a large scale.

Verizon Digital Media Services will ultimately enable high-quality and reliable "unicast" (individualized video streams), though initially it is multicast content that the service will support.



http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/verizon-unveils-advanced-digital-media-management-and-distribution-platform-for-entertainment-industry-to-capitalize-on-new-content-to-consumer-experiences-119578669.html

Verizon's DROID Incredible 2 and DROID X 2 Smile For the Camera Again

Android Central has picked up more photos of the upcoming HTC DROID Incredible 2 and the Motorola DROID X 2 that's headed to Verizon in the near future. The Incredible 2 is, unsurprisingly, looking just like the Incredible S and it packs an 8MP camera on the back with a dual-LED flash. This one's also rocking Android 2.2 with the Sense UI and it's looking like it'll launch with that OS as well. Check out more photos on their website if you're interested.

The other smartphone that has been caught on camera again is the upcoming DROID X 2 from Motorola. This one's also headed to Verizon, possibly with just Android 2.2 as well. On the back there's an 8MP camera and there's also an HDMI and microUSB port on the side of the device. Of course, if you want to check out more photos, just head over to the website.

HTC DROID Incredible 2 Photos Leak: Android Central
Motorola DROID X 2 Photos Leak: Android Central

Official Verizon HTC Merge Press Photos Leak

Coming from PocketNow is the photo you see above. Yes, they're press photos of the HTC Merge that'll be hitting Verizon soon (finally). Price and exact release details are still unknown right now but the full spec sheet is already known thus far.

The Merge features a 3.7-inch WVGA touchscreen display, a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, a microSD card slot, a 3.5mm headphone jack, WiFi b/g/n / Bluetooth 2.1 support, a 5MP AF camera with an LED flash and 720p HD video recording, and Android with the Sense UI. Will you wait for it?

[Unwired View]

Tests Show Motorola DROID X2 To Feature qHD Display and Tegra 2

We know that Verizon is going to launch the Android-based Motorola DROID X2 and we still don't know when it will get official. According to the latest tests, the smartphone should feature a qHD (960 x 540 resolution) display along with a speedy Tegra 2 CPU. Those are all the specs we have right now but it should be a pretty powerful smartphone - we don't know if it'll have 4G (LTE) right now.

[Android Central]

HP "Stingray" Leaks, WebOS Smartphone Without a Keyboard; Pre 3 Spotted For Verizon

Coming from PreCentral is two new pieces of information regarding upcoming smartphones from Palm. The first one (here) is regarding what you see above which is reportedly the "Stingray". This one is sporting a display slightly larger than the Pre 3 and has no slide-out QWERTY keyboard so this one's a basic touchscreen device. Specs are unknown right now but they should be fairly good since the launch isn't scheduled for another couple of months.

The other piece of news is here and it's about another leaked photo below. From right to left you have the HP Veer, the Pre 2, and the Pre 3. What's that red circle for? Well, if you squint, you'll notice that the Pre 3 is running on Verizon's network in the US so there'll definitely be a CDMA model (as well as a GSM model). Great news from Palm today!

[Engadget]

Verizon Branded Samsung Gem Showing Up At Retailers, Launch Imminent

Coming from Chris Ziegler is a few photos of a Samsung Gem with Verizon branding. Yeah, we've been seeing this one for a while but apparently third-party retailers are receiving these right now so the launch is really close. The price is still unknown right now but considering the Android line-up that the carrier already has, this phone should be pretty inexpensive since it's a mid-end one.

[Phandroid]

Samsung DROID Charge To Be $299 and Incredible 2 For $199, Says Leak

DROID-Life has managed to get their hands on some upcoming prices for future Verizon devices. The most important two are on here are, without a doubt, the Samsung DROID Charge (i510) and the HTC Incredible 2. According to the chart, they'll be available for $299.99 and $199.99, respectively. The former seems a bit high, considering the Thunderbolt launched for $249. The DROID Charge should be launched for that price as well since it's another LTE (4G) device.

[DROID-Life]

Verizon's Roadmap Leaks, Includes 8 Android Phones and a Lone Windows Phone

Phandroid has just gotten quite a big exclusive leak regarding upcoming Verizon phones. The leak above is clearly "subject to change" but it's a fairly good indication of what to expect in the next couple of weeks / months. The first two that Verizon will be launching will apparently be on April 7th where you can expect two Android phones: the waterproof Casio Commando and the Samsung DROID Charge (aka Stealth) which will feature the Touchwiz UI as well as LTE (4G) support.

The week after that the carrier will be launching the PlayStation Certified XPERIA Play which is, of course, made by Sony Ericsson. A day after that will be the HTC Trophy which will be a Windows Phone 7 handset with Global connectivity which is great. Capping off the big month of April will be the DROID Incredible 2 which will be another Global device. The original DROID Incredible is now an EoL (End-of-Life) device so it's pretty clear that the successor is just around the corner.

On May 5th, you might want to mark the LG Revolution on your calendar. This one could be dropping on that day and it'll also have 4G connectivity via LTE. Launches in the rest of May include more 4G devices: Motorola DROID Bionic, DROID X 2, and the Galaxy S II. The Galaxy S II is definitely the one that people might be looking forward to the most - at least I am. Keep in mind that some of these devices could be delayed until June.

[Phandroid]

ZTE Unveils 4.3-inch Smartphone and 10-inch "Honeycomb" Tablet With LTE At CTIA

MSI has unveiled two new products that they intend to launch in the future. The one above is a 4.3-inch smartphone while the one below is their upcoming LTE (4G) tablet, of course, both are running Android. First, the one above was just a mockup and it's said to feature a 4.3-inch display, a VGA front-facing camera, a 5MP rear-facing camera, a 1,350mAh battery, and Android 2.3 "Gingerbread". Those are some pretty good specs so let's hope they can deliver a US launch.

The other device, like I said, is a tablet and it's going to be running Android "Honeycomb" whenever it actually does hit the market. This one reportedly features a 10-inch display with a 1,280 x 800 resolution, a 1.2GHz CPU, dual cameras, LTE (4G) connectivity, and a 6,800mAh battery. I wonder if this one will be hitting Verizon later this year. Unfortunately, launches look like they'll be in the second half of the year.

[Engadget]

Samsung SCH-i510 To Be Verizon's LTE Capable Droid Charge

It looks like the Samsung SCH-i510 smartphone has just gotten a name and it could be the Verizon-bound DROID Charge - rumoured to be the Stealth. This handset should pack 4G (LTE) connectivity as well as an 8MP camera, a front-facing camera, and a Super AMOLED+ display. Other specs are unknown right now but it definitely sounds like a high-end one. Price and release date is still unknown so we'll have to wait for that as well.

[Liliputing]

Back Of the Motorola DROID X 2 Possibly Leaks, Has Verizon 4G

The picture above might be real but it also might be fake. Phandroid posted the image anyway to show that the upcoming DROID X 2 for Verizon might actually be capable of running on the carrier's 4G (LTE) network. The DROID X 2 actually shouldn't launch for a while so by the time it actually launches it should actually run on the faster network. Unfortunately, the image above might not be the real thing. The DROID X 2 will be an upgrade over the last model - that's for sure.

[Phandroid]

Samsung 4G Droid Stealth Pre-Orders Could Start On March 24th, Launch For April 7th; Says Costco

A leak coming from Costco has mentioned that pre-orders for the Samsung 4G Droid Stealth could actually start in just three days - March 24th. Of course, there's no way to confirm this right now so hopefully someone makes it official. The launch date is pegged for April 7th and it'll likely be the carrier's second 4G (LTE) device - after the Thunderbolt from HTC. Price is unknown right now but I'm sure that'll get leaked very soon.

[Android Central]