Verizon Archive

Google has apparently released a brand new smartphone called the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. This device has the new Android 4.0 software on it which is codenamed Ice Cream Sandwich. It runs on the Verizon network and has the ability to use the LTE network which is the fastest I’ve heard. I would have been interested in reviewing the Galaxy Nexus as most of you know that I am still using my Samsung Ace Windows Mobile Phone version 6 but alas I was told back at Google IO that I am not on Google’s press list. No worries and my Ace is still happy to be warming my pocket.

For decades now I’ve always liked Samsung’s build quality and design and assume this phone continues this pattern. There are lots of reviews out there for the device in which all seem to indicate it’s awesome. I am guessing over the next few days we will see lots of photos on Google Plus of the devices as people receive them around the country.

You can buy the phone direct from Verizon for $299 with a two-year contract (Greg notes in the comments that an upgrade is $249). But you know that I won’t allow that – so here are some other options for ordering the Galaxy Nexus smartphone while saving some money to buy apps and music to use on your new device.

LetsTalk – this appears to be the best price out there – the deal will start at midnight Pacific time and will be offered for $155 for a new line of service or $175 for an upgrade on an existing contract. You will need to enter the code ‘$75VZN’ to get the special pricing.

UPDATE! As I expected, Amazon has dropped the price of the Nexus to $149 for new line and $249 for an upgrade. It shows backordered but you should still assume it will ship soon.

Amazon – currently Amazon shows the smartphone at $199 for a new line of service and $249 for an upgrade. The phone is listed with an 8-day backorder but this may change tomorrow. There is chatter that Amazon may actually reduce their price for the device as they have been heavily price matching this holiday season.

You should always read all of the terms of the contract carefully when you purchase a smartphone as each merchant may have special restrictions. Now I am off to play solitaire on my Ace.

My best advice is if you want one of these phones, you wait a few days before ordering as I am sure we will see more deals on Sunday for the device. I will continue to update this post as I find more deals for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus smartphone.
Continue reading “Best Prices for the Google Galaxy Nexus Smartphone” »

Even though AT&T is working on acquiring T-Mobile, if you live in Seattle you will want to continue reading this post. This weekend, T-Mobile stores in the Seattle area are going to hold a speed contest. If you own an Apple iPhone on either Verizon or AT&T, you can win a quick $1,000. It’s a brilliant marketing strategy because it gets customers of competing carriers to open the door to T-Mobile and to have a look at the latest Android 4G phones. It will be interesting to see if T-Mobile can convert anyone who owns an iPhone over to an Android device since we know that speed isn’t the only reason consumers select one device over another.

To win the cash, your Apple iPhone needs to beat the T-Mobile Galaxy S smartphone on the T-Mobile 4G network. The rules clearly state you can’t use the WiFi option on the iPhone, it must be on the 3G network. Additionally, the rules state, “Speed challenge consists of three tests of the Galaxy S 4G versus the iPhone based solely on download speeds as measured by the Application; participants will be eligible to receive $1,000 if their iPhones are faster in two out of the three tests.”

I am sure some of the gadget blogs will create some good 3G routines which you can use to get your iPhone ready for the competition!

I wonder what odds Vegas gives to a 3G phone beating a 4G phone in terms of download speed.

Continue reading “Grab $1000 if Your 3G Apple iPhone is Faster Than T-Mobile’s 4G Network” »

I remember when the new Air Jordan sneakers came out — everyone wanted the new style, no one wanted last year’s model. You could get huge discounts on the “old” version of the sneakers — sometimes more than 50% off the original price.

Earlier this month we saw Apple reduce the price of their refurbished iPad devices by about $150. And just a week ago Josh Lowensohn at CNET reported that AT&T reduced the price of the AT&T 3G version of the original iPad by $100. AT&T is still offering their iPad deal — a 16GB AT&T 3G original iPad is selling for $429.

Today I am reading on multiple deal boards with several confirmations that Verizon is selling the 16GB WiFi original iPad for $299. This model does not come with the 3G service only WiFi and the deal appears to be available only in Verizon stores. Confirmations have come in from across the country.

If you read some of the Apple fanboy blogs, it seems like if you have an iPad 1, you might not want to upgrade to the iPad 2. The fanboys suggest if you are purchasing the iPad for the first time, the iPad 2 is the way to go. Apple describes the iPad 2 as, “faster, lighter, thinner” — I think the big difference is the camera and the “cool” cover (that’s the real gem of the iPad 2 and why the fanboys ran out to buy one so they can make sure everyone knows they got an iPad 2 like the Jordans).

This deal is a $200 savings over the new iPad 2. That’s a lot of apps you can buy. I think this deal will get a lot of people thinking of an iPad before they consider an Android tablet.

I’ve finally started the hunt for the replacement to my Samsung ACE WinMo mobile device. From what I’ve seen, I think an Android device is what will suit my needs best. As a deal hunter level 7, here’s a list of the best deals that I have found to-date on the latest Android devices. Naturally I should have attended Google IO which would have provided me with a free EVO that I would have used unlike the many attendees who got a free $700 gift from Google after they sold their phones on Craigslist.

You can pre-order the HTC EVO 4G at Best Buy or Radio Shack for $199 with no rebates. There appears to be a $10 coupon floating around that can be used at Radio Shack to bring the price down to $189. There’s also talk that if you are a current Sprint customer without a plan (like me) you can get a $70 renewal credit which would bring the price down to $129. It’s important to note that the EVO requires an extra $10 monthly fee for the 4G data service.

The Incredible is also a hot Android device – just check out our Incredible review for all of the device details. The Incredible is available at Wirefly for $149 but is backordered 2-3 weeks. The device is available directly from Verizon for $199 and you might be able to apply the coupon code DEALPRO to save 10%. Verizon is currently showing a ship date of June 16, 2010. If you are on the “new every 2″ plan with Verizon, the Incredible is available for approximately $150.

Continue reading “Deals for Android Devices – EVO and Incredible” »

At the OMMA Mobile conference today, Verizon Wireless (VZ) has announced the launch of the Advertising Development Center. The ADC will help developers select the right advertising option for their apps that are setup in the Verizon Wireless mobile store.

Initially in the Advertising Development Center there will be two advertising options: Microsoft and AdMarvel. Microsoft is the preferred partner and the Bing APIs are available for developers to integrate into their apps. The AdMarvel option will provide more robust advertising options and their analytics APIs will be available to developers to track their campaigns.

“Providing advertising tools that allow developers simple ways to add value and monetize their applications fits seamlessly with the overall mission of the Verizon Developer Community,” said Richard Williams, executive director, digital media for Verizon Wireless.

If you are interested in more details about the ADC, check out the Verizon developer website.

Mobile Marketer is reporting that Verizon Wireless has "decided to levy a 3-cent transaction fee for every outbound SMS message sent to its subscriber base". One of the immediate questions is whether the other carriers will follow suit. For some marketers this charge is double or triple what they are currently paying. The article explains that this will affect a variety of service providers, "The rate increase will affect heavy users of legitimate outbound SMS messaging in the entertainment, retail, sports, news, weather, travel, food and political sectors. But it will also affect the mobile service providers they use to send out messages, such as SMS aggregators, providers and agencies."

Verizon Wireless says this is the first increase since 2003. B. Raney, executive director of corporate communications at Verizon Wireless said of the price increase, "Just like any business, we reassess our charges to make sure they align with our costs for providing the service and sometimes it becomes necessary to make adjustments".

NYC mobile blogger Dean Collins notes, "Basically Verizon have slammed shut the SMS industry in the USA".

My question is will this sms message increase affect Twitter? If it does, how will Twitter react? We know Twitter stopped offering SMS service in the UK because the costs were apparently $1,000/yr for 250 messages per week per user.

AOL is announcing that their Platform-A advertising group will manage the mobile and online advertising for Verizon today. Platform-A will manage all of Verizon’s online advertising and most of the mobile advertising as well.

AOL also notes, "Platform-A will be the only sales organization that can represent Verizon’s inventory in the marketplace and guarantee placement within the Verizon network."

No indication was provided on total number of advertising impressions this deal covers.