Hasta La Gadget!

Fancy the idea of having Big Brother track your handset if it goes missing, but aren’t so keen on owning an iPhone, ponying up for MobileMe and signing a deal with AT&T? Fret not, fretful one, as Verizon Wireless has just launched an extension of its Total Equipment Coverage program that essentially provides the same services, but for VZW-branded BlackBerry, webOS and Android phones. The full list of compatible phones is down there in the source, and the best news is that the Mobile Recovery app is offered free of charge to those already ponying up $10 per month for TEC. When enabled, it will allow users to remotely lock the device, sound an alarm (solving the infamous “couch cushion” dilemma) and wipe contacts from the phone. If a recovery proves unsuccessful, the carrier will supposedly provide you with a next-day replacement, but we’ve got an idea that there are quite a few lines of fine print to read beforehand. At any rate, it’s a lovely option to have — particularly if you’re already paying for TEC — and it’s available to download and activate as we speak.

Continue reading Verizon’s Mobile Recovery: like ‘Find my iPhone,’ but for VZW Android, webOS and BlackBerry handsets

Verizon’s Mobile Recovery: like ‘Find my iPhone,’ but for VZW Android, webOS and BlackBerry handsets originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 02:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We told you so. The Wall Street Journal has updated its recent article detailing disclosures from Verizon Wireless chief Ivan Seidenberg, and the latest news is as bad as it is predictable: VZW plans to consign unlimited data plans to the annals of history over the next four to six months, to be replaced by tiered, consumption-based pricing. Seidenberg says Verizon’s prices will surely differ from what AT&T recently introduced, noting that his company values data differently to the competition — though he wouldn’t say whether that means costs will be higher or lower. Either way, Droidsters, enjoy your last few months in the unlimited sun.

[Thanks, Tyler]

Verizon CEO confirms plans for tiered data pricing originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 05:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon’s holding its developer conference (VDC, for those in the know) this week where it courts software and hardware developers alike to make stuff that works on its airwaves, and one of the bigger pieces of news to come out of it so far has been from Bug Labs. Now, Bug’s not exactly a company we’d expect to be working with Big Red, as CEO Peter Semmelhack notes in his blog post on the matter: “it may come as a surprise to you that a company that is so often vilified for being closed is teaming up with Bug Labs, a company that is defined by its openness.” What changed? Basically, Bug modules are going to serve as pre-certified building blocks for developers, saving little guys with limited budgets the time and expense of going through Verizon’s certification process — you just integrate Bug’s hardware and you automatically inherit its approval. No word yet on when the new modules will be ready or how much they’ll cost, though (we’re still waiting on the new BUGBase to launch). Follow the break for the full press release.

Continue reading Bug Labs to offer pre-certified modules for Verizon’s network

Bug Labs to offer pre-certified modules for Verizon’s network originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 21:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It might be a little early to cue the “vortex of suck” jokes, but this spy shot definitely says it all: the phone — claimed to be called Vortex — is decidedly on the lower end of Verizon’s Android spectrum. The Droid Guy, source of the photo, says that the specs include a 600MHz core, 3.2-inch display, FM radio, and Froyo; that basically matches up with the recently-announced Optimus One’s spec sheet, and considering the similarity in industrial design, it’s reasonable to follow the site’s conclusion that this little more than a CDMA port of the device. To be fair, the Android handsets in Verizon’s present-day lineup are definitely weighted toward the pricey side, so phones like this and the Motorola WX445 should help balance things out a smidge when (and if) they ultimately end up launching.

LG Vortex for Verizon in the wild? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 15:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The plot thickens! You might recall that alleged Storm3 shot from a few hours back — didn’t look half bad, right? Well, remember how we also postulated that it could be a Photoshop job? It’s still too early to call it one way or the other, but BGR is reporting that the real Storm3 is more of a Storm2 clone that’s slimmed down a bit, lost a tad of weight, and matches up with specs we’d seen in the past, even daring to carry on with the clicky SurePress display that the Torch ditched. Why Verizon would release a phone at the end of 2010 so close in design to an existing device that has accumulated virtually zero buzz is unclear; furthermore, we’re more confused than ever whether the shot we saw earlier was a fake or yet another RIM device unrelated to the Storm line. For now, we’re going to chalk it all up to SurfBook mania until we get it sorted out, so hang tight.

BlackBerry Storm3 is actually a warmed-over Storm2? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 22:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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