HTC Vivida - CDMA Smartphone for Verizon Wireless?

[Kris Kumar]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://phonearena.com/htmls/readnews.php?id=587' target='_blank'>http://phonearena.com/htmls/readnews.php?id=587</a><br /><br /></div><i>"HTC is getting a lot of attention from Verizon Wireless these days. As we have already reported, the #1 US carrier will presumable carry the HTC Harrier – a PDA like device with Bluetooth, VGA camera and EV-DO hyper-fast data capabilities. Little information was available about second device from HTC for Verizon Wireless (tentative) – the Vivida. Now we bring you exclusive detailed information about it. The sliding style handset is jam-packed with features like large 176 x 220 pixels display, VGA camera, IMAP4/POP3 emails, MMC/SD memory extension slots, Bluetooth, HTML and WAP browsing, SyncMC and Radio. The price and the exact date of availability are not certain, but expect to see it around Q4 of 2004."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Vivida-1.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br />Verizon Wireless + Smartphone 2003 device = :rock on dude!: <br /><br />This news has taken me by surprise. Even more surprising is that the launch is expected to be around Q4 of 2004. Check out the other photos and the specifications of this device over <a href="http://phonearena.com/htmls/details.php?id=931">here.</a> HTC is coming out with Smartphones with impressive styling. And this one with the slide out casing is sure to get Smartphone lovers drooling.<br /><!> <br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Vivida-0.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Vivida.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br />I have posted only 3 of the 7 photos that have been published on the PhoneArena.com, so click on this <a href="http://phonearena.com/htmls/details.php?id=931">link</a> and check out the rest. :drool:

[Kris Kumar]

Looks like the pictures are from a prototype model, product looks a little rough/dull. Regardless I am still :drool:

Now I will have to think about getting the MPx220 and staying with T-Mobile, or switching over to Verizon. :?

[Mike T]

This phone looks really REALLY small. I love the slide on it to. It looks so innocent at first, until it's expanded and the keypad is displayed.

[aristoBrat]

Now I will have to think about getting the MPx220 and staying with T-Mobile, or switching over to Verizon. :?
I was in the same boat when the i600 came out.

$550 for the phone (that's with a 2 year contract) +
$40/month for 400 anytime minutes +
$45/month for unlimited data =
tooooooooooooooooo much! :(

With as many customers as they have, you'd think that they could make things a little bit more affordable?!

[HailStorm]

On the i600 pricepoint...I'm hoping that had more to do with Samsung than VZW. I have a feeling with the VIVIDA (with a name like that, it deserves to be shouted hehe) we'll get a very different runup experience than we did with the i600. HTC has been pretty vocal and forthcoming about all of their products. They seem far more committed to the Smartphone market. The i600 seems like a bit of a stepchild to Samsung.

eBay will be full of i600s once this sucker hits the market. ;-)

We'll see. I'm optimistic. = ]

[Kris Kumar]

With as many customers as they have, you'd think that they could make things a little bit more affordable?!

That is what I would expect it too. Instead of earning big bucks from few folks for internet. Why not adopt the T-Mobile model and earn small bucks from LOTS of folks and reap BIGGER profits. The latter business models makes perfect sense to me.

I have been thinking. I will stick around on T-Mobile/GSM. Better choices on phones and service plans.

Not to forget, our reader rbrome mentioned in the R-UIM thread that Verizon will not be implementing R-UIM card mechanism for this phone. They currently have Nokia phones on their network that have this feature, but they have chosen not to use it. It just seems to me that Verizon is not customer friendly or focused.