Verizon tidbits: Versa, Touch Diamond, Pearl 8230, and more
by Chris Ziegler 
posted Feb 11th 2009 at 9:30AM
We've got a handful of juicy morsels coming out of Verizon today -- actually, that sounds a little unpleasant, but you know what we mean -- and we wanted to pass along what we've heard. Follow the break for all the action!- The LG VX9600 Versa and HTC Touch Diamond are slated for launch sometime in early to mid-March.
- The CDMA version of the BlackBerry Pearl flip -- the 8230 -- will have WiFi when it launches on Verizon. As CDMA BlackBerrys go, that's pretty friggin' rare. Unfortunately, we don't have a launch date for this one just yet.
- The carrier is promising to launch a device "unlike anything anyone has seen before" this year, but beyond that, we don't know what it could possibly be -- your guess is as good as ours.
- The Omnia will be reduced to $99 on contract in mid-March, though we don't know whether this is a temporary discount or a permanent cut. Either way, it seems like a really good deal considering what you're getting.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
cl347bv @ Feb 11th 2009 10:42AM
WWWWWWIIIIIIIIFFFFFFFFIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
all the more reason to want a pearl flip!
codeyh82 @ Feb 11th 2009 9:42AM
A CDMA Blackberry with WiFi
Oh Engadget, don't tease me.
Derek @ Feb 11th 2009 10:26AM
Going by that, it shouldn't have GPS than (it used to be either WiFi OR GPS), which I can't imagine because of how VZW pushes VZNav. So it has to have both or no WiFi. There is no way they would launch the 8230 without GPS
Jason @ Feb 11th 2009 9:56AM
I'd like the Touch Diamond, if it's not as crippled as what the Sprint document showed.
tande @ Feb 11th 2009 10:25AM
I bet you "like nothing ever seen" is that silly pantec swivel phone. At this point I find it hard to believe that any phone isn't going to be uncovered at some point before it gets released and I can't think of any thing else unusual coming out of VZW.
Justin @ Feb 11th 2009 10:26AM
I just want my damned job back.
fan_of_fanboys @ Feb 11th 2009 10:27AM
There is also a Nokia 7205 (Intrigue) coming which will be Rev-A and a new PTT Rev-A called CDM 8975. No release date though both are on approved device list already.
Not sure if you have mentioned this before Engadget but the Versa will be Rev-0
skabone @ Feb 11th 2009 10:40AM
Unless they release an android phone, then I won't care about the "unlike anything anyone has seen before" phone. Step up your game Verizon, offer some better phones. Give me a reason to stay.
Darkest Daze @ Feb 13th 2009 2:17AM
Even if it's something running on Palm's WebOS?
senor phone reviewer guy @ Feb 11th 2009 10:44AM
the versa is sick....played with it a few times...works rather nicely
the 8975 had more buttons than any flip phone should on the outside of it... 9...yes 9 different exterior buttons
the blackberry will have wifi...but...you still are required to have a data plan....sorry all you hopefuls
speaking of data plans....expect the versa to require it too....i know....i know...
Poke4Christ @ Feb 11th 2009 10:47AM
The Damn iPhone has created so many carriers wanting to get a major "exclusive device" so that they can pull everone into their services. Yeah, it's good for the carriers, but it really bad for the consumer. You got AT&T getting exclusive with the iPhone, T-Mobile getting exclusive with Android/G1 (though that may be more by happen stance than design), Sprint getting exclusive with the Palm Pre pretty soon, and now this with Verizon. Man do I look forward to the day when phones and phone service is sold seperately. Someday! I still believe!!!
oakie @ Feb 11th 2009 12:19PM
this has been going on long before the iPhone existed. i'd say the first phone to really start this trend was the RAZR and its exclusivity with Cingular at launch.
and it's playing out the same way the RAZR did. everyone is now rushing out an "exclusive", iPhone-esque touchscreen phone just like how everyone rushed out with a thin, flip phone to try and compete with the RAZR.
tande @ Feb 11th 2009 12:20PM
What does "now this" mean?
None of those are really hottly anticipated "exclusives". Maybe the Versa but I wouldn't really put that in the same category as the others you mentioned.
Poke4Christ @ Feb 11th 2009 4:15PM
tande,
It was a response to this item...
The carrier is promising to launch a device "unlike anything anyone has seen before" this year, but beyond that, we don't know what it could possibly be -- your guess is as good as ours.
Probably over blow though. It just gave me an opportunity to rant.
suicycle.com @ Feb 11th 2009 4:27PM
Don't forget VZW's BlackBerry Storm. On your last point, though, I totally agree. Consumers having the ability to choose their phones and service independently would force the carriers to compete on network quality and customer service. That would allow the consumer to get the best phone for them with the service that works best for them.
(We would see some carriers die very quick deaths.)
P.S. Just to show everyone that I am thorough in my analysis, I recognize that the carriers provide the customers with subsidies on the devices. That does not have to stop. The phones can still be sold by the manufacturers to the carriers. We just would be able to choose. This does, however, put some burden on manufacturers to make multiple versions of the same phone. That happens frequently already, but would need to increase in order for each phone to be available from each carrier.
Azeron @ Feb 11th 2009 8:26PM
I look forward to that day as well. LTE will make that happen. Phones will be full retail with no carrier willing to subsidize them.
uncjigga @ Feb 11th 2009 11:05AM
The Pearl 8230 will probably be aGPS-only (i.e. not unlocked GPS like on the Storm).
The Versa is pretty sweet--and I think the data plan is worth it (I hear it has a native Opera web browser?)
Andrew @ Feb 11th 2009 1:40PM
Any idea on if any pics exist of the 8975 PTT phone? Or if any other new PTT devices are coming down the pike?
fan_of_fanboys @ Feb 11th 2009 12:00PM
Andrew,
I havent found any pics yet but it is on approved device list so I imagine they will be leaking soon.
cl347bv @ Feb 11th 2009 1:23PM
we have a dummy one, and its chester cheezy.
Gabriel @ Feb 11th 2009 12:13PM
I'm not a Verizon user, but I think it's cool that they get the new RIM 82xx series Pearl Flip.
To be honest, I'm not totally sold on the form factor, but hey many people do like it. You can get a great smartphone with all the features you need in a form factor you love. Not bad. I'm not sure why there are so many haters out there. Good thing for variety right?
Digging the WiFi part too. It's about time you guys get a BB with WiFi. My sister has the 8130 from Verizon and although 3G is cool, signal is weak indoors so having WiFi will help at least for web browsing speeds. The silver color looks good too.
I just got the 8900 from T-Mobile which I'm personally loving.
Elsa @ Feb 11th 2009 12:19PM
@ Gabriel: Do you like the 8900? I'm thinking about that one too.
All the carriers seem to work well except at&t where I live so I was either going to port back to T-Mobile (who I know works well out here) or go to Verizon for this new 8230. Decisions. I'm sure I'll love both but right now it comes down to pricing plans. I really don't talk a lot and don't know too many people with Verizon or T-Mobile so M2M won't do me that good.
I'm pretty shocked though. VZW gets two BlackBerry's that at&t doesn't have. I guess being top dog has its privliges.
Brett @ Feb 11th 2009 4:14PM
no bold! im gettin fed up with verizons phones...they all....STINK
suicycle.com @ Feb 11th 2009 4:29PM
That Omnia deal is really good. I consider it to be VZW's best phone. Perhaps VZW is preparing to offer the T*Omnia and is selling off its Omnia inventory.
VZW @ Feb 11th 2009 4:51PM
The Verizon Bold will have full GPS, WiFi, EVDO Rev A, and World Travle Access.
It will be out in May.
Count Chocula @ Feb 11th 2009 5:13PM
So the other day my Verizon rep for Wal-mart mention that Verizon was going to be launching a new, exclusive phone sometime between August and October and that it is going to be the best thing yet. He won't give me any details though, but I'm sure I can pry it out of him. I will update this when IF and WHEN I find something out although BGR will probably receive info before I do...
M @ Feb 11th 2009 6:38PM
any word on the bold/niagara
VZW @ Feb 11th 2009 10:21PM
I said May, haha.
Azeron @ Feb 11th 2009 9:27PM
Why would carriers subsidize a handset without a contract? They would not. When consumers begin buying unlocked handsets directly from the manufacturer there will be no 'deal' to get them to sign up. They can go directly to the carrier of their choice and sign up for month-to-month service.
TelusUsr @ Feb 12th 2009 1:11PM
I was talking to a Telus employee who had the new CDMA Pearl Flip in his hands that day. Now this doesn't confirm anything for VZW but the phones are identical 99% of the time. Telus is essentiall Verizon's Canadian mirror of sorts. Anyways, he told me unfortunately it doesn't have WiFi. Something to do with the CDMA chip in the phone being monsterous compared to the GSM. Don't know if that's the reason, but he did say it was stripped of its WiFi.