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HTC Imagio with WinMo 6.5 out October 6 on Verizon?


As you know, Verizon is one of the carriers participating in the worldwide WinMo 6.5 rollout extravaganza bonanza on October 6, and that Microsoft has said they'll be ramping up to thirty smartphones for the OS by year's end, so the chance is pretty good that the HTC Imagio XV6975 is one of the new handsets we'll be seeing early next month. As reported by PhoneArena, this one is by all accounts Leo's little brother -- a CDMA / GSM device that sports a 3.6-inch WVGA display, 528MHz processor, Wi-Fi, Opera browser, 5 megapixel autofocus camera, microSD slot, and all the TouchFLO 3D lovin' you can handle. In addition, it will also be the first Verizon Smartphone to sport VCast MobileTV -- you know, if that's what you're into. No word on pricing or release date, but you'll know as soon as we do.

V CAST Video comes to Verizon's BlackBerry Storm

If you want to watch live hockey games played by NHL teams not owned by RIM's Jim Balsillie -- that would be all of them, by the way -- you need look no further than the warm glow of your Storm's display now that Verizon has brought its V CAST Video service to the device. Starting today, users will be able to download a dedicated VCAST Video application to their Storms, bringing a host of feature-length and live programming that makes us thank our lucky stars for high-limit data plans. Sure, it'll set you back $10 a month and kill productivity -- but isn't wasting money and time what life is really all about?

ABC / ESPN content lands on Verizon's V CAST


Statistics don't lie, but they aren't stopping Verizon Wireless from inking a new deal with Disney / ABC Television Group and ESPN in order to bring more watchable content to its V CAST service. Starting today, a so-called "comprehensive portfolio of news, entertainment and sports video programming, including full-length episodes of shows from ABC Entertainment, ABC News and Disney Channel, as well as content from ESPN, will be available to Verizon Wireless V CAST Video and Mobile Web customers." The agreement covers mobile distribution of on-demand, full-length episodes to V CAST Video, and if you're looking for a taste of what you can expect, try Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, Lost and The Suite Life on Deck. So, interested in V CAST Video now? No? Okay.

Verizon fattens VCAST service, offers full-length episodes of The Office, CSI, and more


What's better than kicking back and watching your favorite shows from the comfort of home? Well, TV on your phone ain't, in fact, it's only remotely close because of the novelty factor, which fades in a day or two. Though Verizon, undaunted, has seen fit to beef up its VCAST service with plenty of new titles to keep somebody happy. Full episodes of 30 Rock, The Office, CSI, Numb3rs, The Hills are yours If you're willing to drop $3 for a 24 hr timeslice or $15 for a monthly V Cast VPak package. Follow the link for the rest of the info.

Rhapsody ditches (some) DRM, selling MP3s with Verizon and Yahoo


Rhapsody, the digital love-child of Real Networks and MTV, is best known for its DRM'd subscription music service. As such, the globe's population of sheep-white-earbudded, sidewalk zombies have been completely off limits to its charms. Until today. While its DRM'd subscription deals remain in place, Rhapsody is now offering unprotected MP3 downloads via its Rhapsody MP3 store and via partners including Verizon's VCAST over-the-air service and Yahoo. We're talking 5 million DRM-free tracks (generally priced at $0.99 per song, $9.99 per album) from Indies and the four majors. Uniquely, all tracks can be previewed in full before downloading. Rhapsody VP, Neil Smith said, "We're no longer competing with the iPod, we're embracing it." Perhaps, but Rhapsody's planned $50 million marketing assault on iTunes with the help of MTV's TV networks doesn't exactly make them best of friends. We're not DRM-free across the industry yet (in fact, far from it), but things are certainly moving in that direction.

Update: Signup now with the Rhapsody MP3 store and get a $10 credit which can be applied to your first album.

[Via Reuters]

Watch the 24 most obscure NCAA bowl games on Verizon's V Cast


Are you ready for some football? How about full-length, live coverage of 24 NCAA bowl games. Sounds good, right? Just forget about big screen HDTV though, this is MediaFLO on your itty bitty cellphone display. Fanatics (in every sense of the word) will have access to games provided by ESPN Mobile TV, CBS Mobile and FOX Mobile through Verizon's V CAST Mobile TV. Unfortunately, none of the BCS Championship games will be available on the service. You will however have access to Roady's Humanitarian Bowl, Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl, the Meinke Car Care Bowl, and Papa John's.com bowl to name just a few. "Must see" games Verizon -- really?

Specifications of Verizon's LG Voyager outed


Counting down the hours until the Voyager makes an appearance on Verizon? If so, here's something sure to tide you over. Apparently, the handset's datasheet has made its way onto the intarweb, and it's got just about every detail you could ever want -- save for a price and pinpointed release date, of course. Highlights include a 2.81-inch external touchscreen, VibeTouch tactile feedback support, V CAST Mobile TV, dual integrated speakers, a two-megapixel camera, microSD expansion slot and VZ Navigator preloaded. If you've undoubtedly got this one on your must-have list, hit the read link and eat your heart out.

[Via MobilitySite]

Motorola Z6tv gets detailed and priced by Verizon


After having been through the indignity of an outing by the FCC, a roadmap slip, and subsequent roadmap correction, the Motorola Z6tv finally looks good to go. Verizon has let it slip that the handset will land for $279 on one-year agreement and $229 with two-year -- both feature $50 mail in rebates, to boot. So, there ya have it, look for this handset to be in your local bricks and mortar in the coming weeks, if not sooner. Oh, and hit the read link to pop on over to the Verizon site where all the nitty gritty details are posted for your geeky pleasure.

[Via phoneArena]

Sprint BlackBerry Pearl to support Sprint TV?

It appears that Sprint has let the bag again and allowing some clever readers to comb through the same spec sheet. It looks like Sprint will launch the BlackBerry 8130 supporting both their Mobile TV and Music Store services. Nothing sounds more enticing than streaming audio and video via EV-DO on our BlackBerry. Now only if Sprint can get their mobile TV offerings in line with VCAST TV or maybe Verizon will follow suit and enable another Smartphone for their music service.

[Via Boy Genius Report]

Verizon gets new premium calling plans, mobile email

Verizon Wireless is rolling out some new additions to its lineup of America's Choice calling plans. Dubbed "Premium" plans, the new offerings start at 450 minutes for a smidge under $80 per month and range up to 6,000 minutes for about $240 per month. What does that 'premium' price get you? Try this: unlimited messages and VCAST's VPak, Verizon's GPS Navigator and unlimited mobile email thrown in for good measure. In other words, just about the full suite of Verizon's handset-based offerings outside the smartphone arena. At the same time, Verizon announced its 'Mobile Email' product that connects to Yahoo! Mail, AOL Mail, AIM Mail, Windows Live Hotmail and others right on that mobile screen. Apparently, Verizon figured out that 2007 would be the appropriate time to launch mobile email access. Excellent, guys.

Read - new Verizon Plans
Read - mobile Email launch

Verizon launches Local TV Video on V CAST

So, the Song ID application a bit too frivolous for your attention? If so, Verizon Wireless is hitting V CAST users up with a solid dose of local news, weather, and sports clips via the recently launched Local TV Video channel. Reportedly available to subscribers in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and nearly 50 markets across the country, the channel enables "select V CAST-enabled phones" (read: newer ones) to have easy access to news from local television station affiliates. Of course, we're sure you're eager to know if your handset is capable of tuning in, and moreover, if you're in a market where this is actually available, so be sure and hit the read link for the full skinny on the what's and where's.

[Via mocoNews]

Verizon launches VCAST Song ID


If you're like us and are forever scribbling sticky notes or text notes on your handset when you hear a song you like -- provided you actually get the title from the radio announcer -- Verizon now has you covered with VCAST Song ID. This free download (yeah, free!) for supported VCAST handsets lets you identify a song by clicking a button, holding it up to the speaker, and then viola! The software will automagically tell you the name of the song, the artist, and even the album name. Of course, this is where the cost bit comes in, if you wish, you are then able to download the track to your handset over the air, or, of course, armed with this free info you can zip home and fire up whatever P2P software makes you happy.

[Via mocoNews]

Mobile TV popular in the 25-34 male crowd

That chased-after demographic of 25 to 34 year-old males just found a new fan: mobile TV. ComScore states that 46 percent of current mobile TV subscribers in the U.S. are below the age of 35 and 65 percent are male. To us, that's an obvious conclusion from the research company (who supplied the stats). The research firm concluded that younger males are earlier adopters of newer technologies. Umm, yep -- we had our suspicions. Apparently, that same group is responsible for the spread of newer mobile tech, as comScore added "once the early adopters have had a chance to fully engage with the technology and share their experiences with friends, relatives and colleagues, Mobile TV is substantially more likely to reach a critical mass in the marketplace." Cool. Additionally, the top-recognized "brands" in mobile TV were Verizon's VCAST, MobiTV and Modeo. The research also showed that U.S. consumers wanted a high level of quality on a chosen mobile TV service. We're not sure it's there -- yet.

LG's VX8700 clam launches with Verizon


Prepare to get your shine on VZW customers -- the LG VX8700 is up, pretty, and ready for purchase. As a wink-wink, nudge-nudge in the direction of LG's Shine branding, Verizon calls the new clamshell a "shiny new addition" to their LG lineup. No surprises on the specs: V Cast support, stereo Bluetooth, microSD expansion and 2 megapixel cam. Ink a 2-year deal and she's yours for $179.99 after $50 online discount. Now go get it, the first Shine has arrived Stateside and is exclusive to Verizon.

[Thanks, V-Doc and everyone who sent this in]

Verizon rolls out LG VX9400, second VCAST TV phone


Sure, Samsung's u620 was the first on the scene when Verizon's MediaFLO-based VCAST TV service launched earlier this month, but the fashionably late VX9400 from LG seems to be the real prize. At least that's the impression we got when we had the opportunity to mess around with both side by side at CES in January, and starting today, Verizon customers can start buying and critiquing VX9400s of their very own (in VCAST TV markets, anyway). Your hard-earned $200 -- plus the standard issue two-year agreement, of course -- will net you the Chocolate-esqe handset with a swivel screen, 1.3 megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth, microSD expansion, and naturally, EV-DO data. We wouldn't mind a few more teevee channels, but beggars can't be choosers when it comes to the mobile TV landscape here in the US -- and besides, it's a pretty nifty lookin' handset anyway, right?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]




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