Hasta La Gadget!

We won’t lie: we’ve been pretty skeptical of the rumors so far that the HTC Thunderbolt would have support for simultaneous voice and data over EV-DO — SVDO, as it’s known — turned on. Perhaps more than any other US carrier, Verizon has a reputation for testing the living daylights out of devices and locking out hardware that doesn’t meet its reliability standards, and so we were a little leery of some supposedly leaked internal communication not long ago letting reps know that although it’ll be enabled, it shouldn’t be discussed because it doesn’t offer an “experience… consistent with [their] brand.” Well, we’ve just been fed a second document that features the same wording, so it looks like this might be real after all — and what’s more, it’s got updated verbiage stating that mobile hotspot capability will be available at launch, contrary to other leaks floating around today. This particular document is dated today, so we’re feeling good that the information is current — and if anything, it should get potential Thunderbolt buyers more excited than ever.

[Thanks, David]

HTC Thunderbolt might be getting simultaneous voice and data on 3G after all originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 13:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The grapevine did already hint at the timing of the Verizon iPhone 4 pre-orders, but now, to be absolutely sure nobody misses them, we have a countdown! Eager iPhone bandwagon jumpers will have to stay up till 3AM EST on February 3rd to get their orders in from a “reserved quantity” of handsets, which will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis — presumably to be delivered on that February 10th launch date everyone’s been anticipating for so long. Sadly for Verizon newcomers, a contract with the network will be a prerequisite for signing up when the countdown expires.

[Thanks, Jarrett and Anthony]

Continue reading Verizon turns on iPhone 4 pre-order countdown, existing customers can order on February 3rd at 3AM

Verizon turns on iPhone 4 pre-order countdown, existing customers can order on February 3rd at 3AM originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 29 Jan 2011 01:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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To add even more AT&T iPhone customers to the already large amount of people switching phone services to Verizon in order to get the iPhone 4, Verizon is letting some AT&T customers trade in their iPhones for credit when they buy a new Verizon iPhone 4 and sign up for a two-year contract. It may seem like a good idea, but WalletPop.com’s Aaron Crowe points out that the trade-in value isn’t as much as the amount the same phone could sell for on the secondary market.

Crowe said in the article that various iPhones in excellent condition could be sold at Gazelle.com, for example, for $15 to $80 more than the credit that Verizon is offering towards a new phone. So, ultimately, you have to decide whether you’re willing to go through the hassle to sell your phone on a secondary market and get more for it, or just take the easy route and have AT&T throw you some credit towards your new phone.

Either way, if you’re dropping AT&T you’re going to have to pay the $325 early termination fee, and there’s no way around that.

WalletPop lists the trade-in prices Verizon is offering, followed by the latest price at Gazelle.com for the same phone in excellent condition:

• iPhone 2G 16GB: $60 at Verizon; $80 at Gazelle
• iPhone 3G 16GB: $105 at Verizon; $120 at Gazelle 
• iPhone 3Gs 32GB: $160 at Verizon; $180 at Gazelle
• iPhone 4 16GB: $280 at Verizon; $360 at Gazelle
• iPhone 4 32GB: $360 at Verizon; $420 at Gazelle

So, the choice is yours. Ultimately, you’re loosing money by breaking your AT&T contract. The question is, do you want to loose more money, or slightly less money?

Paying a monthly fee — or any fee, for that matter — for turn-by-turn navigation on Android devices has felt pretty unpalatable ever since Google Maps Navigation happened, but Verizon’s still trying to make things interesting with the latest version of its VZ Navigator product. A quick feature rundown of its new “Version X” is up on YouTube right now, and we’ll admit, we’re a little intrigued by some of this stuff: realistic 3D buildings in major cities (unlike the nondescript boxes in Google Maps, we imagine), some form of dead reckoning capability for those times that you don’t have GPS reception, satellite maps, overhead street signs, social integration for letting folks know where you are, and a whole bunch of views for customizing the experience. We’re assuming service is the same $9.99 a month that Big Red charges currently, but there’ll also be a free version — VZ Navigator Maps — that dispenses of some of the crazier features. We’re hearing this might be officially announced in a few hours, so more details will presumably be in tow; in the meantime, follow the break for the teaser video.

[Thanks, Misty]

Update: It’s official. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading VZ Navigator Version X breaks cover, adds ‘virtual city’ maps, social features, and more

VZ Navigator Version X breaks cover, adds ‘virtual city’ maps, social features, and more originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Verizon iPhone is due in stores soon, but AT&T customers aching to switch face one nasty hurdle: the early-termination fee.

Many AT&T customers who bought an iPhone are still stuck in two-year contracts, and they’d have to pay a hefty price to get out. AT&T increased the early-termination fee last June from $175 to $325. (The ETF is reduced by $10 for each month you’re on contract.)

So that means switching to a Verizon iPhone would require buying a new phone and paying the termination fee, which would set you back at least $500. Yeowch.

Pre-orders for the Verizon iPhone 4 begin Feb. 3, and if you just can’t stand the thought of sticking with AT&T any longer, here are a few simple ways to help subsidize the switch.

Sell Your iPhone on Gazelle

I’ve sold a number of devices on Gazelle, an electronics trader, with no issues. Hop over to Gazelle, type in iPhone 4 and answer a few questions about the condition of the phone. Right now Gazelle is quoting a perfect-condition iPhone 4 for $360. Not bad at all — that covers more than the termination fee.

After you opt to sell your iPhone 4 to Gazelle, you enter your information in the site, and then Gazelle will send you a free box with a shipping label to stuff your iPhone 4 into. Drop it off at your nearest FedEx location, and wait a few weeks for the money to roll in. You can choose to receive payment in the form of check, PayPal payment or Amazon gift card.

I like this option, because you can get a quote first and mail your iPhone to Gazelle after buying a new one, so you won’t be left phoneless for a few days.

Sell on Craigslist

This solution is obvious: Put your iPhone 4 on Craigslist and wait for the fish to bite. There’s a good chance you’ll get more money than you would from Gazelle, if you’re willing to put up with often-flaky Craigslist buyers. Some iPhone 4 listings on Craigslist are going as high as $600.

If you take this route, we recommend erasing all data from the device and removing your SIM card before handing it off to a stranger.

Trade It In to Verizon

Verizon has a trade-in program, where you can swap your AT&T iPhone for a Verizon Wireless gift card, which can go toward your purchase of a Verizon iPhone. To get a quote, visit Verizon’s trade-in program website, and enter your iPhone model.

If you choose to sell the device, Verizon will mail you a self-addressed prepaid envelope. Drop it off at a mailing center and wait for that gift card. Verizon is currently quoting the 16-GB AT&T iPhone 4 at $212.

Photo: Sam Gustin/Wired.com