Verizon Wireless today said that it will start selling the BlackBerry Storm on November 21st to all consumers and corporate customers. The price of the touch screen phone will start from $199.99, which required a 2-year service contract and after a $50 MIR.

Motorola and Verizon today announced the VU30 “Rapture,” and VU204 handsets that should both be available on October 14th.

The VU30 Rapture is a clamshell with a touch-sensitive external display to aid in controlling V CAST Music with Rhapsody supported by Verizon.  The device also features a 2MP camera with a dedicated shutter button, expandable memory of up to 8 GB via microSD, and support for VZ Navigator.

Here are the specs and features of  Motorola Rapture VU30:

• 1X/EV–DO connectivity (800 / 1900 MHz)

• 2.2 inch TFT QVGA internal display 

• 1.6 inch touch-sensitive TFT external display with 120 x 160 pixels

• V CAST Music with Rhapsody and V CAST Videos

• VZ Navigator   

• 2 MP camera with video recording 

• Music player

• 2.5mm headset jack

• Email & Internet browser

• microSD card support, 8GB max.  

• 3.4 ounces

• 3.9 x 1.9 x 0.67 inches 

• 270 minutes of talk-time or up to 470 hours of stand-by time

 Motorola VU30 can be bought for $129.99. Or, you can opt for a month-to-month contract, but that will require $300 sans one cent from you.  MOTO VU204, is not yet available for purchase, but Verizon did mention some of its features:     

• VZ Navigator

• Verizon’s Media Center 

• E-mail, Instant Messaging 

• Stereo Bluetooth

• VGA camera with dedicated key

MOTO VU204 is cheaper than the Rapture VU30, and it will be on sale for only $29.99 with a contract for two years and after a $50 mail-in rebate.

Verizon Wireless says it is moving forward with plans to acquire Alltel Corp. for $28.1 billion, although the country’s financial climate has worsened since the companies reached an agreement four months ago.A major ratings firm (Fitch Ratings) that evaluates a companies financial strength for world credit markets isn’t so sure of the deal… they noted:

“Considering the size of this deal, it would be surprising that Verizon would enter something with such significant risk that it really threatens to preclude this deal from closing…”

All reports have this deal closing in the near future, but the skeptics are out. We’ll have to see how this goes down.

Via: Yahoo! News

The Motorola ZN4 could be landing on Verizon on October 14th. Pricing for the device is set at $349.99 Retail/Month to Month, $269.99 on a 1 year agreement and $199.99 on a 2 year agreement before an additional $50 mail-in rebate for each, bringing the totals to $219.99 and $149.99 respectively.

The device will not feature Linux as its OS but will leverage its CDMA operating system with additions such as a virtual QWERTY keyboard, HTML browser, full access to VCAST services (Music, Video, Mobile TV) GPS support through VZ Navigator, media player, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, 3.5mm headphone jack, Visual Voicemail access, 2.0 megapixel camera with video recorder and zoom, voice control, speakerphone, as well as being only the third device to support FOTA (Firmware Over The Air) updates.

The device will also leverage the flipcover as an interactive display to control the most common functions and will act as a display in its own right depending on functions chosen.

The BlackBerry Storm launch is almost here and we finally get a peek at the hardware. We can only think that these are production models and if the images are accurate, Verizon has a hot, new handheld coming real soon. That is if the touchscreen and OS work well.

Some pictures of Vodafone-branded Blackberry Storm have emerged today. “These are all 100% genuine screen shots of the latest & greatest BlackBerry…” Storm Reviews wrote.

The images show several applications to appear on the Storm, including captures of video, web browsing, a clock and more. Check out the photos for yourself below. (more…)

Verizon Wireless has announced that it is now offering a no-contract monthly service option for those that either already have unactivated equipment and wish to use it again, or for those that do not want to sign a service agreement.The service works by purchasing the desired handset or aircard for full price and customers are given the choice of every applicable Nationwide rate plan available with an activation fee where required. The option is also available online.

The only caveat to this option is that customers under a current 1 or 2 year agreement must finish out their current agreement before moving to the month-to month option.

This option had been rumored for sometime and was speculated as a way to compete with regional flat-rate wireless carriers MetroPCS, Cricket, and others.

Verizon’s BlackBerry Storm launch could take place as early as next week, the company hints in a pre-release campaign sheet. I don’t think “Launch Date” means Device Launch Date, but is pretty excited to hold a Storm in our hands as early as next week. September 22nd is the day marketing will begin to Verizon business customers and October 1st is the day marketing will begin to consumers. Verizon’s Storm site at www.verizonwireless.com/storm is now back up and running, so I guess that fits the bill for the Direct Marketing this doc says will begin on the 17th.

We are still waiting on Verizon’s official launch of the Blackberry Storm, but a guy from howardforums.com show up a list of specs and talking points distributed to store reps about anticipated iPhone rival.The first touch BlackBerry will also have Research in Motion’s highest-resolution screen “ever” and a 3.2-megapixel camera. Verizon will customize the phone with its own Visual Voice Mail system and should support the phone’s GPS for VZ Navigator.

Verizon Wireless and Samsung announced today that the Samsung Knack is available for order online and by calling 1-800-2 JOIN IN. On Oct. 14 the phone will be in stores for purchase.

The Knack boasts a 2.2-inch internal screen with large text and number fonts, a simplified user interface and messaging communication. A large keypad with distinctive tactile contrast allows customers to easily find the correct number on the Knack’s dial pad.

The phone also comes with dedicated keys for quick access to Emergency 911 (E911), speakerphone, voice mail, voice commands and In Case of Emergency (ICE).The Samsung Knack is available for $39.99 with a new two-year customer agreement.

Additional features of the Knack include:

• Directional navigation key for ease-of-use
• Easy-to-use menu with adjustable font size feature
• Advanced speech recognition
• Text messaging
• Hearing aid compatibility = M4/T4
• 32-note polyphonic ringtones
• Any key answer
• Bilingual user interface (English and Spanish)
• Personal organizer: calculator, calendar, alarm clock, world clock, stop watch and notepad
• Directional microphone
• Dimensions: 3.78″ x 2.01″ x .74″
• Weight: 3.63 ounces
• Display: 176 x 220 pixel, 65K TFT, Color internal; 96 x 96 pixel, 4-grey external
• Usage time: up to 270 minutes OR
• Standby time: up to 336 hours