Verizon to offer Samsung Galaxy Tab

Less than a week after Verizon Wireless announced that it would begin selling the iPad on October 28, the company announced Wednesday that it will also be offering iPad’s rival, the Samsung Galaxy Tab, on November 11.  The tablet, which will run on Google’s Android 2.2 mobile OS (also known as “Froyo”), will retail for $599, $30 less than its iPad equivalent and $100 more than the basic WiFi-only iPad.

The data plan will include $20 a month for 1GB and will be contract-free, much like AT&T’s data plan, which offers 2GB for $25 a month.

The Tab features a 7-inch screen, which Steve Jobs ridiculed in his recent anti-Android tirade at Apple’s earnings call on Monday.  He called the tablets “dead on arrival” and insisted that the idea of a 7-inch tablet did not justify an upgrade from a smartphone.  Spoken like a man in fear for his livelihood.  No, that’s a total over-statement, but it does make you wonder: why would Jobs even bother to address the Android tablet unless he saw it as legitimate competition?  If it really is dead on arrival, who cares?

Perhaps the competition comes from a couple of key Tab features that have a leg-up on the iPad.  For one thing, the Galaxy Tab boasts 512MB of memory, which is twice that of the iPad.  Additionally, the Tab includes a rear-facing 3 megapixel camera with auto-focus and flash, as well as a front-facing 1.3 megapixel camera for video calls.  The iPad, on the other hand, has no cameras. 

Back in September, Samsung product executive Hankil Yoon told the Wall Street Journal that the company expects to sell 10 million units by the end of the third quarter of 2011, claiming a whole third of the tablet market.  Them’s fightin’ words.  By comparison, Apple sold three million iPad units in three months, according to the company’s third quarter earnings report.

Of course, at the time that Yoon estimated that 10 million units would sell by the fourth quarter of 2011, he also estimated that the tablet would retail for some $200 to $300.

Sprint will also carry the Galaxy Tab, but will likely offer a different pricing scheme.  Sprint is expected to offer the Galaxy Tab for $399 with a two-year contract and $599 without.

Starting next week, Verizon will begin carrying the iPad WiFi version, bundled with a Mifi mobile modem that users can tuck into their pockets or a carrying case designed to hold both the modem and the tablet.  The bundle will cost $630.

Verizon Wireless announces Droid R2-D2

So we know that the entire Star Wars saga is going to come in fill 3D glory from 2012 onwards, and for those whose favorite episodes are in the latter part of the space opera would be disappointed to know that George Lucas will be releasing his movies in sequence – which means you might have to wait until 2017 if Return of the Jedi is your favorite. Having said that, you can get a piece of Star Wars action from tomorrow onwards in the form of the Droid R2-D2 smartphone from Verizon Wireless, where this limited edition smartphone will feature a graphic design that resembles the iconic Astromech Droid from the Star Wars saga. This Motorola-manufactured smartphone will also look great in the box itself, where it will feature a custom box that resembles carbonite while featuring a Star Wars media dock and wired stereo headset. Of course, as with many other limited edition smartphones, this one will also feature exclusive content such as R2-D2 notification sounds and ringtones, a quartet of live wallpapers, a R2-D2 Clock Widget and “The Best of R2-D2″ video with the original Cantina music. Oh yeah, did we mention it will also feature an exclusive Binoculars App as well?

As for the rest of the populace (who are loyal subscribers to Verizon Wireless, of course), you can always get on the Star Wars action with the Star Wars Mobile App. Available to those who own Android 2.1-powered phones, the Empire Strikes Back app will be available from the Android Market, where customers will be able to access premium Star Wars content for a one-time charge of $2.99. Inside this mobile app, you will be able to find features and content such as :-

• Bounty Hunt Visual ID: Find and capture images around the Star Wars universe to unlock hidden content
• Sound and Photo Gallery
• Live Wallpapers: Blast the Probe Droid, Luke Balancing Yoda, Navigating the Asteroid Field, Watch Bespin’s Cloud City
• Trivia Challenge: Answer trivia questions about The Empire Strikes Back
• Widgets

How much for that droid, you ask? Well, the Droid R2-D2 by Motorola will retail for $249 after a $100 mail-in rebate, as long as you agree to a spanking new two-year customer agreement. Apart from that, you will also need to subscribe to a Nationwide Talk plan or a Nationwide Talk & Text plan (monthly access starts from $39.99 onwards) as well as an Email and Web for

Unlimited and 25MB Data Plans Available at Verizon Wireless Now

This is great news for pre-paid Verizon Wireless customers, with the carrier introducing unlimited and 25MB data options for their SIMs. Available from today in-store (or online on September 28th), the plans will only work with (most of their) 3G smartphones—which makes sense, really. The unlimited plan comes in at $30 per month, and for the 25MB plan, it's a tenner a month. [MobileBurn via MobileCrunch]

Droid's Android 2.1 update going to 'a small number' of users tomorrow

Possibly confirming those leaks suggesting that the first volley of Droid updates to Android 2.1 would be limited to just a quarter million folks, Verizon just shot out a statement to let everyone know that the over-the-air push is "being deployed to a small number of Verizon Wireless test users tomorrow afternoon." Beyond that, no dates are given for the rest of us to get in on the action -- probably because Verizon and Motorola need to see how the first group manages before sending out the remainder -- so for the moment, just hope that you're one of these incredibly blessed "test users" and stay tuned.

Verizon

Nexus One shipments headed to Verizon, Vodafone soon?

Not much here in the way of verifiable detail but we're hearing that a CDMAified Nexus One is en route to Verizon (or Google's warehouses, anyway) from HTC's factories. The Economic Daily News (EDN) adds that Verizon will begin to "market" Google's superphone this month or in April at the earliest which lends some credibility to that March 23rd date tossed about previously. As for the Vodafone branded handset; EDN says HTC will ship it "soon" -- something we've been hearing since January.

DigiTimes

Eternal optimist Verizon calls iPad launch 'an opportunity' to sell some data plans

That's the "glass is half full" attitude we like, Verizon -- always looking for a way to sign a few more of those lucrative data contracts, no matter the circumstances! Turns out Big Red is tipping off its staffers on how it can encourage customers to go with the WiFi-only version of the iPad and pair it up with a device like the MiFi rather than shelling out $130 more for integrated AT&T 3G and waiting a few extra weeks. As usual, Verizon's keen on playing up the anti-AT&T sentiment it's cultivated in its recent ad campaign by openly calling its biggest competitor's 3G network "overloaded," but we see one big hangup: 5GB of data on a Verizon MiFi is going to run you $60 a month, twice as much as AT&T will be charging for its dedicated, unlimited iPad plan. Then again, AT&T's own boss thinks WiFi's a bigger deal than 3G for this thing, so who knows -- maybe this is a zero-sum game for both of these guys.

[Thanks, Mark]

Verizon Wireless ups data charges to raise revenue

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Verizon Wireless said on Friday that the company is raising its prices for data services like mobile Web surfing to increase revenue and profits.

The venture of Verizon Communications Inc and Vodafone Group Plc said that instead of a $19.99 service plan for 75 megabytes of data downloads, it will now offer a $9.99 per month plan which caps data use at 25 megabytes of downloads.

The company also announced an unlimited talking and text, video and picture messaging plan for $89.99 a month.

The move comes as Verizon and its rivals look for ways to ease pressure on their data networks as the growing popularity of Internet capable phones increases demands on data services.

(Reporting by Sinead Carew, editing by Gerald E. McCormick

Verizon Wireless Rolls-Out New USB Wireless Modem

By Jayashree Adkoli

Verizon Wireless reportedly has reportedly unveiled a new USB wireless modem, UMW190, which is ideal for business travelers and others who need to access the Internet and e-mail while on-the-go.
Developed by Personal Communications Devices, LLC, the Verizon (News - Alert) Wireless’ latest offering has 3G capabilities and offers high-speed Internet connectivity across the globe through a combination of latest wireless technologies, such as dual-band CDMA revision A (Rev. A), tri-band (850/1900/2100 MHz UMTS/HSPA) and quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (900/1800, 850/1900) capabilities.

Featuring a compact black design with sliding cover, the UMW190 USB wireless modem is provided with a pre-installed SIM card.

Officials at Verizon Wireless said that the UMW190 can be paired with company's easy-to-use VZAccess Manager Software. This paring will help users with simple "plug and play" installation and configuration. The modem can be connected conveniently via USB port.

In addition, the new wireless USB modem also features built-in text messaging. It is compatible with operating systems such as Windows 2000, XP and Vista. A visual status indicator is also provided for user convenience. An USB modem extension cable is also provided along with the product.

Available at the Verizon Wireless Communications Stores later this month, the new product can also purchased at company's business sales channels.

Officials at Verizon said that the new UMW190 is priced at $49.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card. Upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere.

Personal Communications Devices Holdings, LLC, which developed UMW190 for Verizon Wireless, mainly develops handsets, PocketPCs, smartphones, messaging devices and wireless broadband modems.

Last year, PCD completed its acquisition of assets of UTStarcom’s (News - Alert) Personal Communications Division. As part of the acquisition, the former UTStarcom Personal Communications Division was renamed as Personal Communications Devices, LLC. The company continues to design and manufacture with strategic partners in Japan, Korea and China, thereby bringing unique products to wireless carriers in North and South America.

Jayashree Adkoli is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Jayashree's articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Amy Tierney

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