Hasta La Gadget!

So as you probably know, today’s the day that Verizon comes clean with all the details on the commercial launch of its LTE network, having scheduled a press conference for noon Eastern Time. We already know many of the details, but we’re crossing our fingers for some juicy extras in the event, namely any hints of information on when we’ll see LTE-enabled handsets in the marketplace like the rumored HTC Mecha and that unnamed LG. Oh… and some solid plan pricing details would be nice, too. Follow the break for our liveblog!

Continue reading Verizon’s LTE network announcement event live at 12:00 ET!

Verizon’s LTE network announcement event live at 12:00 ET! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 11:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sure, Verizon’s holding a press conference tomorrow, but unless they’ve got a secret LTE smartphone or tablet (we can only hope) we’ve got a fairly good idea what the company will say. We’re hearing Verizon will flip the switch on its LTE network on December 5th, unveil a pair of hot new USB modems to take advantage of those supposedly stellar speeds, and launch the SIM cards required to make LTE function in the first place. The gadgets include the LG VL600 thumbstick we’ve seen before, but also this marvelous-looking Pantech UML290 key, which has not only a slick swiveling case but also a dual-jointed USB port beneath. We doubt we’re going to have any trouble getting this one plugged into even the slimmest of port-abhorring slimline computing machines. See where one of the SIM cards goes in the gallery below.

Update: The populace has spoken, and “sexy” is no more. Shall we call them “transforming” modems, then? They most certainly are.

[Thanks, Anonymous and JT]

Verizon launching LTE on December 5th, two transforming 4G USB modems hitch a wild ride originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 20:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Man, Motorola’s not going to be pleased about this! The Droid X is justifiably one of Verizon’s marquee devices for this holiday season and takes pride of place on the carrier’s Cyber Monday offers page, but wait… why does its screen display the iPhone version of Google Maps? Oops!

[Thanks, Chris]

Verizon sucks at Photoshop: confuses the Droid X for an iPhone originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 07:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Here’s something you don’t see every day: Verizon just put out a press release titled “Congress Needs to Update the Nation’s Antiquated and Anti-Competitive Telecom Rules.” Yeah, no tip-toeing around here — Verizon public policy VP Tom Tauke straight-up says that the government should completely rewrite the Telecommunications Act, and give a single federal agency “clear jurisdiction” to enforce the law on a case-by-case basis. That’s a direct shot at the FCC, which lost the Comcast BitTorrent case when the court ruled it didn’t have the power to enforce net neutrality, and then provoked the ire of both industry and Congress alike when it tried to reclassify internet communications in a way that gave it the power it needed. That’s also way beyond the joint Google / Verizon net neutrality proposal from August — Verizon’s gone from suggesting that the FCC make some policy tweaks to demanding that Congress start over with the law that governs the FCC itself, which is something like the difference between a screwdriver and a sledgehammer.

Now, Congress actually started to consider a revamp of telecom law in May after the FCC’s net neutrality plan backfired, and while we haven’t heard much about it, we’re certain Verizon’s emphatic support (and lobbying dollars) are sure to inject some momentum into the process. Truth be told, we’d actually welcome a wholesale rewrite of the current Telecom Act, which was last seriously revised in 1996 and in large part dates back to 1934. But why listen to us when we’ve got a pithy quote from Verizon? “The grinding you hear are the gears churning as policymakers try to fit fast-changing technologies and competitive markets into regulatory boxes built for analog technologies and monopoly markets.” Yeah, this one’s going to get good. Full PR after the break.

P.S.- Still unclear on what net neutrality is and why it’s important? Check out our Engadget Show interview with Columbia professor Tim Wu and get up to speed.

Continue reading Verizon proposes wholesale rewrite of US telecom law

Verizon proposes wholesale rewrite of US telecom law originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 20:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You know, we’re pretty stoked for the folks who just so happen to reside within Verizon’s relatively minuscule FiOS service footprint, but rather than hooking up those who’ve already been adequately hooked, why not spread that fiber cheer over to a few extra states? Alas, it looks as if the FiOS rollout is on an indefinite hold, but those lucky enough to have access will soon have the ability to upgrade their existing internet service to this: a 150/35Mbps option. That’s 150Mbps down and 35Mbps up, and as far as consumer-grade services in America go, it’s pretty much as good as it gets. Verizon is claiming that it’ll be available to order by consumers at the end of this year, with small businesses seeing the option shortly thereafter. ‘Course, no pricing details are mentioned, but it’s not like it matters — you’ll cash in whatever Yuletide gifts you have to in order to get this, right?

Update, Verizon pinged us with a few points — for starters new speed is available today to the majority of our FiOS customers in 12 states and the District of Columbia, with more and more to get it in due time. As for pricing? The 150/35 Mbps residential offer will be available to the majority of FiOS-eligible households, and sold as a stand-alone service starting at $194.99 a month when purchased with a one-year service agreement and Verizon wireline voice service. Not exactly a “bargain,” but like we said, you’re still finding a way to make this happen.

Continue reading Verizon bringing 150 / 35Mbps internet to FiOS customers, enraging customers of all other ISPs

Verizon bringing 150 / 35Mbps internet to FiOS customers, enraging customers of all other ISPs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 12:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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