Verizon’s Casio Exilim C721 confirmed in the middle of a steamy shower scene

Wanted our attention, Casio? Well, good, because you’ve definitely got it. This isn’t necessarily full disclosure of the phone’s existence, but for all practical purposes, this… uh, “promotional video” finally fesses up that the Exilim C721 is coming to Verizon (you can catch a glimpse of the carrier’s logo if you look closely — no, not that closely, you sicko). As you might have gathered, our ladyfriend here is using the phone’s 5 megapixel cam to snap some naughty shots for her sweetheart, all from the comfort of a warm shower — thanks in no small part to the phone’s water-resistant characteristics. Still no word on pricing, availability, or a full rundown of specs, so in the meantime we’re going to be… you know, looping this looking for details. Catch the video after the break.

[Via Gearlog]

Continue reading Verizon’s Casio Exilim C721 confirmed in the middle of a steamy shower scene

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Verizon’s Casio Exilim C721 confirmed in the middle of a steamy shower scene originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 23:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC Touch Diamond lands tomorrow on Verizon: $299.99 on contract

It seems the rumblings and rumors were true — every last one of them. HTC’s now-aged Touch Diamond is indeed hitting Verizon Wireless this month, bringing with it the same 2.76-inch touchscreen, 3.2 megapixel camera, TouchFLO interface and Windows Mobile 6.1 OS that we’ve seen ad nauseum on carriers around the world (though it does boast a microSD card slot). We’re pretty baffled by the immensely large $299.99 on-contract sticker (after $70 mail-in rebate), and honestly, we just don’t see VZW moving too many of these before a price drop. In fact, are you even giving this a second thought?

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HTC Touch Diamond lands tomorrow on Verizon: $299.99 on contract originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sierra Wireless intros USB 598 modem through Verizon’s open network initiative

Generally when you think of a CDMA data card — well, any data card, for that matter — you think of a branded product that you purchase through your carrier at some seemingly random price that lies somewhere between “free” and “too much” after you’ve agreed to spend the next two years of your life dealing with 5GB caps, bankruptcy-inducing global roaming charges, and the occasional ill-timed failure during a liveblog (okay, maybe that last part is just us). Verizon promised great things through the opening of its network to all comers, though, and Sierra Wireless is taking full advantage with the introduction of its USB 598 stick fully certified for use on Verizon’s spectrum. Because the device isn’t offered through Verizon, you’re welcome to purchase it through any number of retailers (including Sierra Wireless’ own online store) without having a single contract document presented to you, and when you get it activated, you’ll be enjoying EV-DO Rev. A speeds just like everybody else. It retails for $199 — just remember not to bother looking for it in your local Big Red shop.

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Sierra Wireless intros USB 598 modem through Verizon’s open network initiative originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 04:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T, Verizon looking to join e-book reader market?

As far as business relationships go, Amazon and Sprint’s Kindle lovechild has proven to be a fruitful endeavor. So it’s with little surprise that other manufacturers have been seeking out that same feeling of carrier companionship. According to Verizon Wireless VP of open development Tony Lewis, there are five e-book readers in the works from various companies that are looking to be certified for use on the network, possibly in the same way Kindle uses its connectivity to download books on the fly. While he wouldn’t provide any names, he did hint they were looking at segments of the market Kindle isn’t currently catering to, such as college textbooks. We’ve also got word that AT&T’s looking to hop on the bandwagon, with head of emerging devices Glenn Lurie chiming in that they want to be a part of that market. If that Whispernet connectivity is the feature that’s been tempting you to go Kindle, looks like you’ll have a few more options on the horizon, if you’re patient.

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AT&T, Verizon looking to join e-book reader market? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 03:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motion brings Verizon WWAN, SSD, other upgrades to C5 and F5 tablet PCs

It’s been a solid tick since Motion Computing overhauled its F5 Slate PC, but all that’s changing (seriously) today. As you can tell, the device now sports a freshened look with a black exterior to “better withstand dirty and dusty mobile work environments.” Additionally, the C5 tablet is joining in for the rest of the upgrades, which include inbuilt support for Verizon Wireless’ EV-DO network, Intel’s WiFi Link 5300 series 802.11a/g/n, Core 2 Duo CPU options, improved battery life, a 64GB SSD option and an external battery charger for hardcore field users. The Motion F5 gets going at $2,699, while the C5 starts up at $500 less; both machines are shipping now to the company’s network of resellers and distributors, and the release can be peeked in full just after the break.

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Motion brings Verizon WWAN, SSD, other upgrades to C5 and F5 tablet PCs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung’s Alias2 in live shots, still not looking awesome

Don’t get us wrong, the concept of a truly dynamic keypad on a phone is awesome, and we’re sure that the concept is going to be going places in the next few years — we just don’t think that a handset that looks like this is going to be the one to light the fire. Pictures of the Alias2 from Samsung have filtered in after yesterday’s user manual leak, giving us a better idea of what the phone looks like; we still can’t put our finger on what technology the keypad is using, but given that we’ve heard that it’ll retain its layout with the battery out, we’re starting to think that it might be segmented E Ink. Active matrix E Ink would’ve been ten times cooler, but we imagine it’s not quite at the price point yet where it makes sense for a product in this range. Keep on keepin’ on with the innovative stuff, though, guys — just make sure it spends a little more time in the design department next time.

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Samsung’s Alias2 in live shots, still not looking awesome originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon Launches Service for the Visually Impaired

Motorola_Q9c_Verizon.jpgVerizon has unveiled TALKS for Verizon Wireless, a new service that gives blind and visually impaired customers audio feedback for messaging, dialing, and other tasks. Initially, it will be available for the MOTO Q9c smartphone beginning on March 15th.

The service essentially offers voice-to-text translation powered by Nuance, the company that owns Dragon NaturallySpeaking, but with an increased emphasis on audio clarity for cell phones. In addition to sending and receiving text and e-mail messages, TALKS also aids with caller ID, dialing contacts, adding and editing contact entries, writing documents in the mobile versions of Word and Excel, composing multimedia (MMS) messages, and browsing the Internet with Internet Explorer Mobile.

Users can also adjust speech volume and—interestingly—the rate of speech. Verizon Wireless is selling the MOTO Q9c as a package with TALKS for $249.99 with a two-year contract and after rebates. Existing MOTO Q9c customers who want to add TALKS should call Verizon Wireless Customer Service at 800-922-0204.

How Do You Opt Out of Verizons Information Sharing Plan?

Is Verizon Wireless sharing your personal information?

The mobile carrier re-iterated on Monday that it does not share your data with third-parties. Unless you opt out, however, that info will be passed along to other Verizon companies.

Since 2007, Verizon has sent pamphlets to new customers explaining this policy, and telling them they have 45 days to opt out. For those who actually notice the insert, however, opting out can apparently be somewhat of an arduous process.

Verizon addressed the issue in a blog post two years ago. But the issue came up again this weekend after several bloggers who were new to Verizon Wireless posted about the pamphlets they received, as well as the difficulties they had opting out or finding information about the process on the Verizon Web site.

Verizon responded by saying this procedure is nothing new.

“Some attention to CPNI appeared over the weekend, which echoed similar buzz back in 2007,” spokesman Jim Gerace wrote in a blog post. “My comment and explanation then still applies today. But I wish to add: nothing has changed; all new customers get this mailing.”

How do you opt out? BoingBoing Gadgets took some screen shots and walks you through the opt-out process.

Playing both sides: Nokia says its 4G position ‘has not changed’

Coupled with the discontinuation of the N810 WiMAX, Nokia’s intention to get LTE devices into the marketplace by next year had many folks thinking that the company was starting to sour on WiMAX altogether, but — at least officially — it turns out that’s not the case. Nokia has contacted us today to let us know that its positions on the battling 4G technologies have not changed, emphasizing that the N810 WiMAX’s departure “does not apply to other WiMAX business development efforts that Nokia is involved in.” Considering the growing belief that both of these technologies are here to stay — that is, it’s not looking like an HD DVD vs. Blu-ray-style battle of attrition — it’s a shrewd attitude for Nokia to take.

It gets juicier, though: Nokia is also refuting claims that it has entered into an exclusive agreement to develop a touchscreen LTE device with Verizon: “While we have not entered into any exclusive agreement for 4G touch screen device development as is being reported, we will continue to follow and pursue developments as a normal course of business.” In other words, “we’re not opposed to the idea, but we haven’t yet.” Sorry to leave you hanging, Verizon subscribers, but the good news is that we’re pretty confident these two giants are in bed together for the long haul in one capacity or another.

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Playing both sides: Nokia says its 4G position ‘has not changed’ originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon’s Touch Diamond in the wild

“Better late than never,” so they say. Perhaps — but with Sprint’s version of this in the rear view mirror for half a year now, just how relevant is a Touch Diamond on Verizon these days? Odds are we’ll find out next month — or, at least, that’s where the latest rumors have it lined up for launch — but in the meantime, we’ve got one floating around in the wilds looking pretty much like any other Touch Diamond you’ve seen in the past. Like its Touch Pro, it seems Verizon went ahead and nerfed the Diamond’s memory down to 128MB of RAM and 256MB of ROM (why is anybody’s guess), which only serves to reinforce our concerns that this thing is being launched months too late. We love you HTC, seriously — but with the Omnia at $99 on contract right now, we’re not exactly seeing the line starting to form at 8PM the night before release, if you know what we’re saying.

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Verizon’s Touch Diamond in the wild originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 08 Mar 2009 03:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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