The Verizon Wireless Wrap-up

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/index.jsp' target='_blank'>http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/index.jsp</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20060105-VerizonLogo.gif" /><br /><br />Wasn't Verizon a little gung-ho today, releasing three new Windows Mobile-based phones and all? To make things easier for you, here's a wrap-up on device availability and pricing.<br /><br /><b><u>Palm Treo 700w</u></b><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20060105-Verizon01.jpg" /><br /><br />• <b>Classification:</b> Palm smartphone running Windows Mobile 5.0.<br />• <b>Availability and Pricing:</b> Available on January 5 for $399.99, after a $100 instant rebate with a two-year service agreement, when accompanied by a voice plan of $39.99 or higher and an unlimited PDA/smartphone data plan. Purchase it at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores, Circuit City, or online at <a href="http://www.verizonwireless.com/">Verizon Wireless</a> and <a href="http://www.palm.com/">Palm</a>.<br />• <b>Link:</b> <a href="http://news.vzw.com/news/2006/01/pr2006-01-04c.html">Press Release</a><br /><br /><b><u>Samsung SCH-i830</u></b><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20060105-Verizon02.jpg" /><br /><br />• <b>Classification:</b> Pocket PC Phone Edition running Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition.<br />• <b>Availability and Pricing:</b> Available to enterprise customers through Verizon Wireless' business sales channels on January 10. Also available for order at Verizon Wireless stores for $599.99 with a two-year customer agreement on January 24.<br />• <b>Link:</b> <a href="http://news.vzw.com/news/2006/01/pr2006-01-04a.html">Press Release</a><br /><br /><b><u>UTStarcom XV6700 (also known as the HTC Apache)</u></b><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20060105-Verizon03.jpg" /><br /><br />• <b>Classification:</b> Pocket PC Phone Edition running Windows Mobile 5.0.<br />• <b>Availability and Pricing:</b> Available today to enterprise customers through Verizon Wireless' business sales channels. Also available on January 19 for $299.99, after a $100 rebate with a two-year customer agreement and qualifying data plan. Purchase it at Verizon Wireless stores and at Circuit City.<br />• <b>Link:</b> <a href="http://news.vzw.com/news/2006/01/pr2006-01-04b.html">Press Release</a><br /><br />Three new phones. One big gadget lust. Pick your poison. 8)

[jngold_me]

David Pogue in the NYT is reporting that Verizon pulled a "Verizon" and crippled the BT in the Treo 700.

Can we get a confirmation of this?

[Sven Johannsen]

Their (Verizon's) press release says Integrated Bluetooth® 1.2 wireless technology for communicating with compatible headsets, car kits, computers and printers equipped with Bluetooth technology; so I wonder what it does and what was expected. Do you have a link for what was said?

[pagemore]

Now that Verizon is releasing the I830, do you think that the I730 will go down in price? An I730 would be more than good enough for me.

[powder2000]

To me, it seems the treo hype has left it with a large price tag. I know, the palm treo is the same price or more, it is still overpriced. The starcomm model is the best imho.

[MG]

Now that Verizon is releasing the I830, do you think that the I730 will go down in price? An I730 would be more than good enough for me.

The i730 dropped in price last week. It is $499 w/2 yr contract. I would not expect any further reduction this year. I have the i730 and it's pretty nice. I may consider "trading" it in on the xv6700 or 700w to get a camera, but other than that, I'm happy.

Mark

[jngold_me]

Their (Verizon's) press release says Integrated Bluetooth® 1.2 wireless technology for communicating with compatible headsets, car kits, computers and printers equipped with Bluetooth technology; so I wonder what it does and what was expected. Do you have a link for what was said?

The link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/05/technology/circuits/05pogue.html

If you are not a subscriber:

Yet Verizon Wireless is partly responsible for the 700W's crippled Bluetooth (short-range wireless) features. For example, Verizon has turned off the feature that lets your laptop get online using the Treo as a wireless antenna. You can use a wireless headset, but the phone works only with some Bluetooth-equipped cars; the Toyota Prius, for example, isn't on the list. (If history is any guide, these features will be available from other carriers when they get the Treo 700W later this year.)

[KAMware]

So I pay $x hundreds for a Phone/Pocket PC then $100+ a month to connect to Verizon so I can get high speed data connection to my phone?

Sorry not for me. I need it for my laptop and I do have a Verizion PCMCIA card and data connection for it. So I have a seperate voice phone (not a Pocket PC) and a high speed wireless data connection to my laptop for the same price as just the above phones.

Now if the phones can pass the data connection to the Laptop then I would be for it.

8)

[Janak Parekh]

David Pogue in the NYT is reporting that Verizon pulled a "Verizon" and crippled the BT in the Treo 700. Can we get a confirmation of this?
I would be very surprised if they did not. The XV6700's press release had the following, and I'd expect almost the same from the 700w:

Built-in Bluetooth® technology -- supports the following Bluetooth profiles: wireless headset, hands-free accessories, file transfer and synchronization with compatible PCs. It does not support all object exchange (OBEX) profiles

--janak

[T-Will]

I think I'm going to wait until the Treo comes to T-Mobile, Verizon's voice plans are really expensive compared to T-Mobile.

[PPCMD]

I will call our B2B rep he offered me the tethering option for the Treo 700w like they offer on the blackberry, I didn't need it but still it begs the question, is it really available?

[jngold_me]

I will call our B2B rep he offered me the tethering option for the Treo 700w like they offer on the blackberry, I didn't need it but still it begs the question, is it really available?

From PDA Review...

Quote (PDA Review) -- "And they will have a tethering add-on plan which will be reasonably priced (est. $15/month) so you can use your Treo as a modem for your notebook."


This is why I can't stand Verizon and its plans that rape the consumer for every last penny.

[blazingwolf]

I will call our B2B rep he offered me the tethering option for the Treo 700w like they offer on the blackberry, I didn't need it but still it begs the question, is it really available?

Yes, it is really available. You will also be able to do this with the X6700.