Hasta La Gadget!

Verizon’s landline-slaying (read: self-slaying) Hub will be getting a $50 price cut on a two-year contract come this Friday, which brings the grand total down to $149.99; alternatively, you’ll now be able to get it for $219.99 on a one-year commitment or $299.99 completely devoid of the legal paperwork. According to the shot we have, Verizon is “reinventing” the price, but let’s be honest — either this thing isn’t selling worth a damn or they’d like to move some inventory in preparation for the Hub 2 launch. Either way, it’s an exciting time to be in the market.

Filed under: Household

Verizon Hub getting price cut Friday — Hub 2 drawing near? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In a refreshingly open, straight-shooting interview with the Wall Street Journal, Verizon boss Ivan Seidenberg — who has a reputation for being candid — talked about virtually every hot-button topic facing its business today, starting with the love-hate relationship it shares with fellow partner Vodafone in its Verizon Wireless joint venture. Seidenberg reiterated that he’d love to take Vodafone’s 45 percent off its hands, but admits that the prospects are unlikely in the short term; he goes on to say, though, that he’s convinced they’ll be willing to dump it once the wireless industry cools off. The next target of his ire is archrival Sprint, which he says will “self-destruct” by failing to meet capacity demand following the launch of the blowout $50 unlimited deal on its iDEN-based Boost subsidiary — fightin’ words from a guy whose ad campaign has revolved around a smug dork in a jumpsuit touting network reliability for half a decade. Finally — and this is kind of juicy — Ivan talks up the iPhone, saying that Apple had never seriously considered a CDMA version, but that he thinks the company will be much more receptive to talks once Big Red moves to LTE and everyone gets on the same page technologically. Of course, if AT&T has anything to say about it, it won’t happen — but it’ll be a fun drama to watch unfold.

[Via Phone Scoop, image via I Can Has Cheezburger?]

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Verizon chief talks LTE iPhones, hates on rival: “I don’t know what Sprint thinks it is” originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:41:00 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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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.

Filed under: Wireless

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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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.

Filed under: Cellphones

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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