Hasta La Gadget!

We had a chance to sit down and play with Verizon’s next iteration of its Hub (already guys?), and while it wasn’t a mind-blowing affair, they do seem to making some moves in the right direction. Firstly, the new version is detached from the handset completely — right now at least — making it much more of a “fourth screen” internet device, and less of what you’d think of as a standard landline… er, VoIPline. The redesigned unit is considerably more contemporary in industrial design as well, making it look something like a big iPhone — which is probably what they’re hoping for. We were told the screen is still resistive touch, though it seemed a little more responsive than the original unit we toyed around with.

Additionally, Verizon is working on further updating the software, adding new functionality like internet radio, a Webkit browser (which is kind of a no-brainer here), and yes — an app store (or as they call it, the App Mart). The idea seems to be about moving the Hub more towards a role as another connected device for a kitchen or living room, and less about trying to sell it as a fancy phone, and that’s definitely a step in the right direction. Verizon is still tweaking the box and adding features, but what we saw is very promising indeed. Now, if they just throw in some Bluetooth support, a speakerphone option, and lose that dated looking handset altogether (all suggestions we made when we met with them), we might be seeing the start of something magical.

Filed under: Household

Verizon’s iPhone-like Hub 2 hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This rumor’s got more holes than swiss, but stranger things have happened, so it’ll be an interesting scoop to keep an eye on nonetheless. A tipster to Boy Genius Report claims that Nokia is working on a “swiveling E71-type handset” for — get this — Verizon, of all carriers, featuring a full QWERTY keyboard and running Series 40. Judging from the mockup here, that sorta puts it in the same vein as the Sidekick — a form factor most carriers and manufacturers (especially Nokia) have avoided. Given that Espoo’s still basically dipping its toes in the CDMA waters — and the fact that a Verizon device running Series 40 proper seems implausible at best — we’re going to be shocked if this thing sees the light of day. Pleasantly surprised, yes, but still shocked.

Update: Since originally running this story, we’ve been contacted by a number of individuals who claim to have seen this phone in person; Boy Genius Report also emphatically defends the rumors legitimacy, so we’re more inclined to think it’s real. (Of course, that doesn’t make it any less crazy.)

Filed under: Cellphones

Nokia making a crazy Sidekick-esque phone for Verizon? (Update: looks like!) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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

Filed under: Cellphones

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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Everyone else is doing it, so why not Barnes & Noble too? That’s the talk following last week’s CTIA at least, where mysterious “insiders” were reportedly abuzz about the possibility of a B&N e-book reader that, like the Kindle, would supposedly be tied to a cellular carrier for some Whispernet-like connectivity. According to one of those insiders, Barnes & Noble had apparently first been in talks with Verizon about a partnership, but those seem to have fallen apart for one reason or another, and it now looks like Sprint (Amazon’s partner, coincidentally) is the top contender. Some “observers” apparently still aren’t ruling out AT&T as a possibility, however, especially in light of its recent expression of interest about getting into the e-book reader game. No word about the actual device itself just yet, but there’s no shortage of ready-made options out there (like Plastic Logic’s e-reader above) should B&N decide to go that route.

[Thanks, Tim]

Filed under: Handhelds

Barnes & Noble working on an e-book reader of its own? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When we came across this post at Brand New, it was pretty clear from the outset that it was fake (the “April Fools” in the headline didn’t hurt). Still, it got all the editors at Engadget thinking, and talking, about how badly Verizon does need some kind of makeover. Across the board, it seems that the reaction to the big V’s logo and branding is like-minded: it stinks. That cheap looking italicized Helvetica, the gaudy gradient on the check… the check itself. The whole thing looks like it was done by a first-year art student with a cracked copy of CorelDRAW. Meanwhile, in a few hours, the cats at BN managed to mock something up that not only looks clever and inviting, but almost totally washes away the bad taste the current logo leaves in our mouths.

Look, we’re not saying you should go the cloud direction here — it might not be the right fit — but maybe it’s time to reconsider your drab, staid design, and start to paint yourself in a different light. There’s one more pic after the break — a device with the “new” logo… just imagine it.

Continue reading Verizon rebranding: an April Fools’ prank that should be real

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Verizon rebranding: an April Fools’ prank that should be real originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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