Wireless New Product & Services Blog

High-speed Web browsing, voice-activated search, customizable large screen, access to thousands of Android applications and hundreds of widgets and the best 3G mobile network in the country:

DROID by Motorola arrives on Nov. 6.

DROID by Motorola, the first smartphone powered by Android™ 2.0. DROID by Motorola features the brainpower and breakneck speed of a modern smartphone, designed to outperform where other smartphones fall short. DROID by Motorola has a solid exterior, intelligent interior and is one of the thinnest full-QWERTY slider phones available. It is a no-fuss, high-tech, location-aware, voice-recognizing, over-the-air updating, multi-tasking machine – and it is available just in time for holiday wish lists.

With DROID by Motorola, you can:

• Zip through the Web: Access the Internet at 3G speeds via the nation’s largest and most reliable 3G network or from any Wi-Fi hotspot. The multi-window HTML browser with a massive processor delivers the Web the way you expect.

• See it all in cinema-style: View the Web, e-mail, Google Maps™, videos and more in widescreen on a brilliant 3.7” high-resolution screen. Boasting a width of 854 pixels to reduce the need for side-to-side panning and more than 400,000 pixels total, DROID has more than twice that of the leading competitor.

• Run multiple applications at once: Customize your DROID with thousands of applications and hundreds of widgets available on Android Market™. Toggle back and forth between up to six applications at a time to juggle the universe and your apps.

• Perform Google Search™ at the speed of sound: Simply tell DROID what you’re looking for using voice-activated search, and it will serve up Google search results based on your location. If you want more, simply type what you’re looking for into the search bar on the home screen and DROID will also search content on your phone, such as apps and contacts, and the Web.

• Capture moments: Snap digital camera-quality photos with a 5 megapixel camera loaded with the works, such as a dual-LED flash, AutoFocus and image stabilization, or capture your friend’s antics in 16 million colors with DVD-quality video capture and playback. Store it all on the included 16 GB memory card, so you always have it on hand.

• Multi-task like a master: Keep tabs on all your messages with integrated Gmail™ and Exchange e-mail pushed directly to you, but don’t let them get in your way. With the handy Android notification panel, go straight to the message or simply ignore it, and get back to the task at hand. And, a smart dictionary learns as you type and automatically includes your contacts.

• Get where you need to go with Google Maps Navigation (Beta): DROID is the first device with Google Maps Navigation, providing turn-by-turn voice guidance as a free feature of Google Maps. It’s powered by Google and connected to the Internet. Use voice shortcuts and simply say “Navigate to [your destination],” and you’ll be on your way. See live traffic, use Street View or satellite imagery to view your route, and get access to the most recent maps and business information from Google Maps without ever needing to update your device.

The BlackBerry® Storm2™ smartphone will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications stores, online at www.verizonwireless.com, and through business sales channels beginning Oct. 28. The BlackBerry Storm2 with BlackBerry® OS 5.0 evolves the BlackBerry® touchscreen platform with hundreds of hardware and software enhancements – including new SurePress™ “clickable” display technology and built-in Wi-Fi® – delivering the exceptional multimedia experience and communications capabilities customers have come to expect from their BlackBerry smartphones.

Key Features:

• Smooth design and premium finish with sloped edges, chrome accents, glass lens and stainless steel backplate
• Large (3.25”), dazzling high-resolution 480 x 360 display at 184 ppi
• Capacitive touchscreen with integrated functions (Send, End, Menu, Escape) and new SurePress technology that makes clicking the display practically effortless
• 3G and global connectivity support for making phone calls in more than 220 countries and accessing data in more than 185 countries (with more than 80 destinations in 3G)
• Network Connectivity: EV-DO Revision A; UMTS/HSPA (2100 MHz); and quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM networks
• Supports Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
• 256 MB of Flash memory
• 2 GB of onboard media storage and a microSD™/SDHD memory card slot with a 16 GB card included

Verizon Wireless today announced the availability of two new HP netbooks – the HP Mini 311-1037NR and the HP Mini 110-1046NR – on the nation’s largest and most reliable 3G network.

Both netbooks offer customers the value of a compact, lightweight device with the added benefit of Verizon Wireless’ Mobile Broadband network built in. Customers can also use the HP Mini netbooks to browse the Web or access e-mail in more than 185 destinations worldwide when coupled with a Verizon Wireless GlobalAccess service plan.

Key Features and Specifications of the HP Mini 311-1037NR:

• Operating system: Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium
  • 11.6”-diagonal HD LED BrightView widescreen display (1366 x 768)
  • 16:9 aspect ratio for full-screen HD content playback
  • Audio: Altec Lansing speakers
  • Graphics Card: NVIDIA ION for Windows 7
• Processor: Intel® Atom™ Processor N270
• Processor speed: 1.60 GHz
• System memory: 2 GB RAM
• Storage hard drive: 160 GB
• Radio/frequency bands: CDMA/1X/EV-DO Revision A: 800/1900 MHz; UMTS/HSPA: 850/1900/2100 MHz; GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
• Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n

Key Features and Specifications of the HP Mini 110-1046NR:

• Operating system: Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition
• Offers customers the perfect mobile companion with:
  • 10.1”-diagonal SD LED anti-glare widescreen display (1024 x 576)
  • Windows Media Player 11
  • Audio: HD audio, stereo speakers and integrated microphone
• Processor: Intel Atom Processor N270
• Processor speed: 1.60 GHz
• System memory: 1 GB RAM
• Storage hard drive: 160 GB
• Radio/frequency bands: CDMA/1X/EV-DO Revision A: 800/1900 MHz; UMTS/HSPA: 850/1900/2100 MHz; GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
• Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake. On October 17, 2009, Verizon Wireless will participate in the Bay Area’s Big Rumble, a weeklong series of events designed to connect our communities with preparedness resources to make it an everyday part of our lives.

Earthquakes and other natural disasters can strike at any time. Preparedness is key for individuals, families and businesses. In preparation for Big Rumble, Verizon Wireless offers the following cell phone tips in the event of earthquakes:

1. Know how to use call forwarding at home. If you have to evacuate, forward your home phone calls to your cell phone.
2. Conserve battery power and free-up wireless networks for emergency response agencies by limiting non-emergency calls.
3. Keep a car-charger in your vehicle in case you must evacuate.
4. Save emergency phone numbers in your cell phone for one-touch dialing.
5. Store back-up batteries for electronic devices, including your cell phone.
6. Consider using text messages to communicate.
7. Understand your cell phone’s capabilities: e-mail, weather updates and news reports are all tools that can help after a disaster.
8. Small business owners can help employees stay connected to the Internet, e-mail and company databases with high-speed data services for laptops.

To learn more, visit the Verizon Wireless booth on the Marina Green during the Big Rumble Preparedness Fair in San Francisco from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2009.

For more tips on preparing an emergency communications plan, please visit the Verizon Wireless Emergency Information Center http://news.vzw.com/criticalevents/index.html. For more information on the Big Rumble, visit http://www.thebigrumble.org/.

Verizon Wireless currently offers more than 140 programs from leading broadcast and cable networks as full-length episodes, with new series premiering each month, and more than 50 series making their debuts this year. Long-form programming on V CAST Video means viewers have another option to catch the latest episodes of their favorite shows, including kids’ shows, sports updates and comedy, along with top-rated network shows, whenever they want, all on demand.

Verizon has worked with its content partners to bring several live television programs to V CAST Video, helping customers stay current with what’s happening even if they were away from a television or a computer. These live events included professional hockey playoff games, a slate of college football games, the Dew Tour, and news coverage of Michael Jackson’s funeral proceedings. The company expects to have nearly 100 live sporting events on V CAST Video before the end of the year.

Use VZ Navigator(SM) to find your way around town or around the world, or to search for the nearest restaurant, movie theater or gas station.

More than 65 percent of VZ Navigator customers use the service more than three times a week, making VZ Navigator their favorite way to discover things around them and decide what to do and how to get there.  VZ Navigator also helps drivers get the latest on traffic incidents and congestion, making their trips smoother and faster.

Popular searches on VZ Navigator this year include:

• Traffic: Searches for traffic updates and detours around traffic congestion hit more than 8.5 million per month
• Fuel: VZ Navigator mobile consumers ran more than 480,000 searches to find gas stations with inexpensive fuel prices
• Showtimes: Searches for movie theaters were more than 1 million a month, sending viewers quickly toward the latest show
• Weather: VZ Navigator searches for customers who wanted to know whether or not to grab an umbrella or a scarf were up to more than a million per month

VZ Navigator is a cost-effective solution for people looking for information delivered quickly and easily directly to their wireless phones. Verizon Wireless’ VZ Navigator service is a GPS-enabled application that transforms a wireless handset into a powerful navigation device and gives users visual and audible directions to a destination, helps them locate businesses or get maps of a location, and even share locations with others. VZ Navigator customers also have the ability to use www.vznavigator.com to map, to get turn-by-turn directions, to add destinations to favorites, to perform local searches, and to sync with a their phones.

Verizon Wireless and Google™ today announced a strategic partnership that will leverage the Verizon Wireless network and the best of the Android™ open platform to deliver leading-edge mobile applications, services and devices. Both companies view this agreement as an opportunity to offer consumers an array of products that combine the speed of the nation’s largest and most reliable 3G network with the flexibility of the Android mobile platform.

Integral to this agreement is a commitment by the companies to devote substantial resources to accelerate delivery of leading-edge innovation that will put unique applications in the hands of consumers quickly. The two industry leaders will create, market and distribute products and services, with Verizon Wireless also contributing the breadth of its nationwide distribution channels. Consumers will be able to purchase products resulting from the collaboration in Verizon Wireless retail and online stores.

Verizon Wireless and Google plan to co-develop several Android-based devices that will be pre-loaded with innovative applications from both parties as well as third-party developers. The family of Android phones on the Verizon Wireless network will come from leading handset manufacturers.

“The nation’s best wireless broadband network is a perfect complement to the innovation of Android-powered services and devices,” said Lowell McAdam, chief executive officer of Verizon Wireless. “Together, we’ll work to deliver a compelling new experience to our customers.”

“The Android platform allows Verizon Wireless customers to experience faster and easier access to the web from any location,” said Eric Schmidt, chairman and chief executive officer for Google. “Through this partnership, we hope to deliver greater innovation in the mobile space to consumers across the U.S.”

The agreement will come to fruition within the next few weeks as Verizon Wireless introduces Android-based handsets.

Verizon Wireless and HTC introduce the HTC Imagio™, a stylish multimedia smartphone that combines an intuitive user interface with global roaming capabilities for data access in more than 185 destinations. Verizon Wireless’ first smartphone to support V CAST Mobile TV, the Imagio brings news, sports and entertainment from popular broadcast channels to life on its extra-large 3.6” color display. The HTC Imagio’s mobile productivity is made possible by Windows Mobile® 6.5. It is a Windows® phone that is engineered to keep customers connected to both entertainment and work.

Key features:

• Global roaming capabilities with data access in more than 185 destinations
• High-speed connectivity in the United States over Verizon Wireless’ Mobile Broadband network
• Support for Wi-Fi
• Large 3.6” LCD touch-sensitive screen with 480 x 800 WVGA resolution
• On-screen QWERTY keyboard for fast and easy typing
• 1500 mAh battery delivers extended operating time
• Fully-customizable home screen with ability to add applications of interest
• Integrated communications and seamless access to social networks
• Intuitive HTC TouchFLO™ 3D interface to allow for easy navigation between menus
• 5.0 megapixel camera with auto focus to capture memories with friends and family

Price and availability:

• The HTC Imagio will be available online at www.verizonwireless.com beginning Oct. 6 and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores beginning Oct. 20 for $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers will receive the mail-in rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.
• Monthly access package for V CAST Mobile TV is $15 per month.

V CAST Mobile TV
As Verizon Wireless’ first smartphone to support V CAST Mobile TV, HTC Imagio customers can enjoy the best of broadcast and cable television programming – including live shows and other mobile television content – 24 hours a day from many of the best-known entertainment brands including Bravo, CBS, CBS College Sports, CBS News, CNBC, Comedy Central, ESPN, ESPNEWS, ESPN Radio, FOX, FOX News, FOX Sports, MSNBC, MTV, MTV Tr3́s, NBC, NBC Sports, NBC News, and Nickelodeon. The live mobile TV service is provided by FLO TV Incorporated. For the latest information on V CAST Mobile TV from Verizon Wireless, including programs, handsets, pricing and availability, visit the V CAST Mobile TV Web site at www.verizonwireless.com/mobiletv.  

Just in time for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) is launching its third annual fall HopeLine® phone collection drive at chapter locations nationwide. In addition to chapter members, the general public is encouraged to participate throughout October and November. All collected phones will be donated to Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine program to benefit domestic violence victims.

Wireless customers who would like to participate in the NOBLE phone collection can visit the Verizon Wireless Domestic Violence Awareness Month Information Center at http://aboutus.vzw.com/communityservice/DVAM2009.html and contact their local chapter. Consumers can also contact the main NOBLE number at 703-658-1529 to obtain local chapter information.

HopeLine accepts wireless phones and accessories in any condition from any carrier for reuse and recycling at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores nationwide or by mail using the postage-paid label available at www.verizonwireless.com/hopelinemailinglabel. Phones given to HopeLine that can be refurbished are sold for reuse, and those without value are disposed of in an environmentally sound way. Proceeds from the HopeLine program are used to provide wireless phones and cash grants to local advocacy organizations that focus on domestic violence prevention and awareness.

The Motorola Entice W766 provides one-touch access to popular features such as a music player, camera and speakerphone, this feature-packed phone offers a classic flip design that will keep customers entertained and connected while on the go.

Features:

• External touch sensors for easy access to popular features such as the music player and speakerphone
• Flip design with large and bright displays for easy reading
• Built-in 2.0 megapixel camera and camcorder
• Support for up to 8 GB of optional removable memory (microSD™ card sold separately)
• Bluetooth® capabilities supporting A2DP, HSP and HFP profiles
• Supports a wired USB 2.0 connection
• Motorola Entice W766 is available online today for $39.99 after a $50 rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.

Verizon Wireless customers can be the first to play Rock Band on their wireless phones. This is the first time the award-winning music game is available on the mobile platform, giving Verizon Wireless customers the chance to rock out to 25 legendary songs from great artists, including Smashing Pumpkins, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and the Beastie Boys, with MP3-quality sound.

• Master all four ways to play, including lead guitar, bass, drums and vocals, while rocking out to songs from great artists like 30 Seconds To Mars, Blink-182, and Foo Fighters. 
• Hit the road solo or form a band and play with friends. 
• Select “Quick Play” mode or travel the rock and roll highway in “Tour” mode, and start by playing in empty dives and making your way to packed arenas, all while collecting rewards and working up the leader boards. 

Families with busy lifestyles, changing schedules and concerns for safety often need ways to stay connected and safe.  Verizon Family Locator, available now from Verizon Wireless, helps them do that and more.  Family Locator, which updates and replaces Verizon Wireless’ Chaperone® service, can help find a family member’s location for peace of mind, safety, scheduling or other reasons.  Family Locator offers customers improved features and functionality to stay connected with loved ones of all ages, as well as simplified ways of purchasing and using the service, including:

• Self-Serve through My Verizon:  Customers registered at My Verizon can now sign up for Family Locator online (http://vzw.com/familylocator or www.myverizon.com) quickly and easily using an Activation Wizard, without visiting a store or calling customer service.

• Increased options for smartphones:  Customers can now use virtually any of Verizon Wireless’ smartphones on their Family SharePlans® as “locator” phones and can access Family Locator features from those devices, including locating their loved ones and changing their profiles from the mobile browser.

• Enhanced Web experience:  Customers will find an improved Family Locator Web experience, including viewing locations in 3-D bird’s eye, standard or aerial views; seeing scheduled location updates, which now provide the nearest address; and using a set-up wizard to create automated arrival and departure notifications, among other features.

To purchase Family Locator, customers must be on a Family SharePlan.  The service is available for $9.99 per month for each phone to be located. The monthly subscription includes unlimited messaging and data usage through the Family Locator application, plus arrival and departure updates and use with VZ NavigatorSM from both the mobile and desktop Web sites.  A subscription to VZ Navigator is required for integrated use, and data usage may apply when downloading the applications.

Existing Chaperone customers can continue to use their Chaperone Parent and Child applications.  All of their existing settings will be saved for use with Family Locator.

Family Locator is one of several tools in the Verizon Safeguards suite of products that helps Verizon Wireless customers manage the wireless phones and phone usage on their accounts.   For information on Usage Controls, Content Filters, Spam Controls and more, visit www.verizonwireless.com/safeguards.

For more information on Verizon Family Locator, including a demo of the updated service, visit www.verizonwireless.com/familylocator.

The Samsung Rogue is a sleek messaging phone with a full touch display that provides:

• An optimized messaging experience with a horizontal slide-out

The global 3G BlackBerry® Tour™ from Research In Motion (RIM) has hit Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in late July of this year.  The BlackBerry Tour joins the BlackBerry® Storm™, BlackBerry® Curve™ 8330 (available in either silver or pink), BlackBerry® Pearl™ Flip 8230 and BlackBerry® 8830 World Edition smartphones in the Verizon Wireless portfolio.

The BlackBerry Tour is a 3G world phone, giving customers the option to make phone calls in 220 countries and to access e-mail and Internet in any of the 175 countries where Verizon Wireless provides data roaming services. It is also packed with features customers expect from industry leaders, including:

RIM’s popular push-based mobile solution for e-mail; Messaging (IM, SMS, MMS) and social networking; 3.2 megapixel camera with geo-tagging and video recording; Advanced multimedia capabilities; Built-in GPS; Full HTML Web browsing; Support for Verizon Wireless’ Mobile Broadband Connect tethering service.

It supports Verizon Wireless’ V CAST Music with Rhapsody and VZ Navigator(SM) services. BlackBerry Enterprise customers will find the stylish BlackBerry Tour has all the BlackBerry security profiles that make this an efficient business tool. A model of the BlackBerry Tour without a camera is also available.

Learn more or purchase the Tour at http://www.verizonwireless.com/tour.

Verizon Wireless provides more than just phones.  We also give you the tools to keep your loved ones who use them safe and sound.  Verizon Safeguards includes the following features available to all register My Verizon customers.

Parental Controls

With lots of features that are easy to use, Verizon Wireless' Parental Controls put you in charge of your child's phone activity.  Parental Controls include Content Filters and Usage Controls.

Content Filters		Usage Controls
By using Parental Controls, account owners can safely allow their children to access content available through their Verizon Wireless handsets with confidence that the content will be age-appropriate.   This service is provided to account owners at no additional charge and allows account owners to establish an access setting for each line on their account. There are four age-appropriate filtering settings available to customize the type of content each line can access and is accessible through:   Mobile Web 2.0 Short code-based messaging campaigns V CAST Music V CAST Video		Usage Controls is an easy- to-use service that puts you in control of your child’s cell phone.   Usage Controls enables you to:   Set allowances for voice and messaging usage Designate specific times during the day when your child is not permitted to use certain services on the cell phone Create lists of trusted phone numbers, as well as blocked numbers on your child’s cell phone Customize the settings for each line on your account $4.99 | Monthly Access per line

Spam Controls

Take control over who can contact your cell phone. Block calls, emails and messages from numbers and addresses that you designate at no additional charge.  Verizon Wireless offers two methods of Spam Control:

Call & Message Blocking

Verizon Wireless brings you a comprehensive solution to get rid of nuisance calls and messages.

• Designate problem numbers and stop harassing messages from those numbers

 

Internet Spam Blocking

Keep your phone free of annoying solicitations, unwanted information, and more

• Block up to 15 Internet Spammers
• Block spam generating websites

Learn More about Verizon Safeguards or Sign In to My Verizon to take control.