Verizon To Release V710 Bluetooth Phone - Officially

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.motorola.com/mediacenter/news/detail/0,,4455_3786_23,00.html' target='_blank'>http://www.motorola.com/mediacenter...3786_23,00.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT), a global leader in wireless communications, and Verizon Wireless, the leading wireless service provider in the U.S., today announced that the much sought after Motorola V710 is now shipping and will be available at Verizon Wireless stores nationwide in August. As the first handset in the US to deliver a 1.23 megapixel camera and Bluetooth connectivity, the Motorola V710 delivers what mobile consumers want."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20040721-MotoV710.jpg" /><br /><br />Woohoo! Given the combination of 1xRTT and Bluetooth, this phone might be my e805's best companion -- a Smartphone would be nicer, but I'm not complaining. :) And it's slated to be only $249! I'm still afraid that Verizon might cripple the phone or charge a lot for data, but I'm willing to wait and check it out.

[gorkon280]

ABOUT FRICKIN TIME! GEESH! Ok...so what is your unlimited data plan like...hmm? still 79 bucks? I am still going to go to T-mobile unless this changes pronto. In any case, it's nice to see that Verizon is joining the 21st century!

[CoreyJF]

Finally

[gorkon280]

Trying to find out how much the plan is but apparantly Verizon is updating their site.....wonder if this phone is why?

[Janak Parekh]

Trying to find out how much the plan is but apparantly Verizon is updating their site.....wonder if this phone is why?
It's a fantastic question, right?

Historically, Verizon 1xRTT unlimited has been $79.99/month unless you were using it for a "Smartphone" (i.e., Kyo 7135/Treo 600/i600/i700), in which case you could get a $44.95/month plan (which is what I have). I hope that, somehow, I could keep that plan with this phone. I'm not optimistic, but it's time to wait and watch and cross my fingers. It is much more expensive than GPRS on T-Mobile, but it is so much faster that the two are incomparable. I can actually sit in a 60mph train going home and check my email, read my RSS feeds, and surf the web with decent performance while using 1xRTT. And, given Verizon's coverage here, I hardly drop a connection. :)

--janak

[gorkon280]

It's a fantastic question, right?

Historically, Verizon 1xRTT unlimited has been $79.99/month unless you were using it for a "Smartphone" (i.e., Kyo 7135/Treo 600/i600/i700), in which case you could get a $44.95/month plan (which is what I have). I hope that, somehow, I could keep that plan with this phone. I'm not optimistic, but it's time to wait and watch and cross my fingers. It is much more expensive than GPRS on T-Mobile, but it is so much faster that the two are incomparable. I can actually sit in a 60mph train going home and check my email, read my RSS feeds, and surf the web with decent performance while using 1xRTT. And, given Verizon's coverage here, I hardly drop a connection. :)

--janak


Yes it is as this news release is DATED today, just hit the page here and now Verizon Wireless's web page is down....HMMM! :D If this comes out and the data plan goes lower and I can get a cheaper phone (with a USB cable) for my wife's non BT laptop, I will buy this and a cheaper less feature filled phone for my wife (so long as it can be dialed with a USB cable for 1XRTT). I like Verizon's coverage area better then T-Mobile, but the handsets are SUCKING! As it stands now, I have a t-mobile accoutn just for a data card and I want this to go away...far away.

[Bob Anderson]

This has got to be the best news I've seen from Verizon, ever!

If this phone can act as a "modem" for my notebook and PPC, and access the 1XRTT network, then it will set off a chain of events in my computer world that will be unprecedented:

1) Sell my sierra wireless Aircard 555
2) Sell my Dual PC Card Expansion pack for my iPaq 5455 (Don't need two slots if bluetooth can get me connected to the internet, via the phone)
3) Buy bluetooth headset
4) Enjoy wireless nirvana

I want to be first in line for this new phone. I don't care about the camera (although I'll probably be able to make some use of it) but am very eager to get my hands on a bluetooth CDMA phone.

[ntractv]

WOOO HOOOO :alfdance:

'bout friggin time

[ctmagnus]

God, I hope Telus decides to pick this up! It'll get me off of a month-to-month plan with them if they do.

[Stake]

According to a source who told Gizmodo, it seems like BT is crippled:

http://www.gizmodo.com/archives/verizon-announces-motorola-v710-in-stores-august-017915.php

"Word on the street, though, is that the Bluetooth connectivity is crippled and can only be used with a few wireless earpieces and Verizon Wireless's proprietary syncing software. Now that sounds more like the Verizon we know."

I looked through the GSM version of the draft manual and didn't see much on the line for data connections via BT. Just BT headset and data syncing.

In any case, I hope they're wrong and perhaps this may be a wakeup call for Sprint! It seems like a great phone so far though I don't know if I'm enthusiastic about using yet another memory card format.

[buzzard]

I've been waiting for this phone for months and it's almost here...can finally Bluetooth with my Ipaq. But....wait a minute 1xRTT speed ??? What about EV-DO speed ? 8O

I can't see Verizon dropping the $80/month 1xRTT charge until EV-DO comes out. EV-DO also means waiting for the LG8000 later this year.
What am I gonna do now ???

[foldedspace]

The press release from Motorola specifically mentions connecting with a laptop through bluetooth. I doubt a user looking for a BT phone would bother with a crippled version....headsets ain't where it's at.

[maximus]

mpx220, v710, a630 ... so many hot new models.

I guess motorola is finally back into the game ?

[Janak Parekh]

I guess motorola is finally back into the game ?
Yes. Between Motorola and Samsung, Nokia is hurting very badly. Their stubbornness with respect to form factor and features has finally come back to bite them. About time, I say. ;) Motorola is to be commended for waking up their once-stagnant lineup. Now, if the CDMA carriers only wake up... :|

--janak

[jake080]

any word on other new Verizon additions?

[Janak Parekh]

any word on other new Verizon additions?
The Treo 600 was released yesterday, along with Wireless Sync push email.

Haven't heard of any other major releases as of this moment. The VX7000 came out a while ago. Certainly nothing else with Bluetooth, nor Pocket PC Phones nor Smartphones.

--janak

[maximus]

I guess motorola is finally back into the game ?
Yes. Between Motorola and Samsung, Nokia is hurting very badly. Their stubbornness with respect to form factor and features has finally come back to bite them. About time, I say. ;) Motorola is to be commended for waking up their once-stagnant lineup. Now, if the CDMA carriers only wake up... :|

--janak

Yep, about time. Now, if the mpx220 can be released before monthend ...

[DiGiTYZED]

what about SprintPCS? Do they have a bluetooth phone yet or in the works?

[Janak Parekh]

what about SprintPCS? Do they have a bluetooth phone yet or in the works?
Currently, only the Sony Ericsson T608 -- and Sprint tries to limit its use. This may change (perhaps with a Sprint release of the XDA III PPCPE), but nothing is yet confirmed.

--janak

[DiGiTYZED]

also why would you need the verizon $79 data plan with that bluetooth phone? can't you connect via verizon's 3g network for higher speed net access (like sprintpcs' vision)?

[DiGiTYZED]

Currently, only the Sony Ericsson T608 -- and Sprint tries to limit its use. This may change (perhaps with a Sprint release of the XDA III PPCPE), but nothing is yet confirmed.

--janak

what u mean by 'limit its use'? in what ways?

can I browse the internet via my PPC with the phone?

wait... is the phone even available for consumer purchase and use on the SprintPCS network??? cause I don't see it to buy on Sprint's online store.

[DiGiTYZED]

after a lil' research I see only 10,000 was made. when was this phone released???

[rbrome]

Janak,

Question: Is there any particular reason you chose to use old photos from phonescoop.com (without permission, a link, or credit) instead of using the official hi-res photos from motorola.com?

[maximus]

BTW, anyone has a spec for the motorola E680 ? Looks nice too.

http://sg.motorola.com/pcs/phones.ASP?

Motorola singapore marked the MPX and MPX220 as "coming soon" ...
woo hoo!!

[oodude69]

This has got to be the best news I've seen from Verizon, ever!

If this phone can act as a "modem" for my notebook and PPC, and access the 1XRTT network, then it will set off a chain of events in my computer world that will be unprecedented:



That's the big question in my mind. Will I be able to use 1XRTT via BT from my PocketPC and laptop or has Verizon crippled BT to prevent this.

[Underwater Mike]

The speed on my LG5050 was between 70-100K, but the cable was a royal pain. Even though Gomadic makes great cables, I couldn't have the keyboard and the cable attached to my Axim at the same time. So, that meant no keyboard use for IM or email while connected, which is definitely trouble for me. (It did work just fine with a laptop, but I try to avoid lugging one of those when possible.)

So, after 8 years with Sprint I just switched to Cingular and a SE T637. GPRS is giving me about half the speed that I got with 1xRTT, but the greater ease of use of BT means that I can actually use the data feature when I need to, as opposed to worrying about bringing all my cables and stuff along on every trip.

DiGiTYZED, that phone was originally released almost a year ago and went on sale only via the customer service number last winter, with no discount. It was next to impossible to get the thing activated for unlimited data use unless you switched over to a regular data plan, with the accompanying ridiculous surcharge on voice minutes. I know that Eitel has a 608 that he's using with SPCS, but I could never get them to activate one for me on the unlimited Vision plan, even though I was a longtime customer and not under a current contract (i.e., the threat of switching didn't help). AFAIK, the only place you can get the T608 now is on eBay.

Seriously, I'd be surprised if either Sprint or Verizon ever offer a BT phone for general release without port or other data restrictions. Both companies have great technology, but their marketing people seem to be dramatically out of touch with what their highest-margin customers are interested in.

[Janak Parekh]

Question: Is there any particular reason you chose to use old photos from phonescoop.com (without permission, a link, or credit) instead of using the official hi-res photos from motorola.com?
My mistake. I recycled the picture from my previous V710 post (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=24476), when we linked directly to you. I'll replace them now. Apologies -- I simply forgot their source.

--janak

[capitalG]

The Sprint sony ericsson t608 (bluetooth) can be purchased directly through Sprint for the time being by calling them, even though they don't post it on their site. Some of them being sold on Ebay don't have a proper ESN w/ sprint.

Then if you have the Sprint PCS vision plan, you can use unlimited data, through your PDA, even though they frown upon that.

They say the T608 has a cap in the amount of data you can use, but everyone I have talked to that is using it, says they don't inforce the cap.

[Underwater Mike]

FYI, I tried three times to get them to activate it on my voice plan with unlimited Vision service, but they would not do it. My guess is that you need to get a rep who is more interested in making quota than ensuring adherence to the company line -- and I couldn't get one. :cry:


The Sprint sony ericsson t608 (bluetooth) can be purchased directly through Sprint for the time being by calling them, even though they don't post it on their site. Some of them being sold on Ebay don't have a proper ESN w/ sprint.

Then if you have the Sprint PCS vision plan, you can use unlimited data, through your PDA, even though they frown upon that.

They say the T608 has a cap in the amount of data you can use, but everyone I have talked to that is using it, says they don't inforce the cap.

[capitalG]

I was going to get the t608, and try everything out, but I just decided to keep my sanyo 8100.

Works well with supplynet cables. (http://www.thesupplynet.com/)

:)

[rbrome]

My mistake. I recycled the picture from my previous V710 post (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=24476), when we linked directly to you. I'll replace them now. Apologies -- I simply forgot their source.

I figured it was something like that. Thanks for fixing it.

[Stake]

It's officical, BT is restricted on the v710.

http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?s=99fe7b5d7e008972457a56b467c83552&threadid=417707

What I am surprised is that many Verizon customers are actually "defending" VZ move to limit BT on the v710. It's very strange.

[JimV]

Verizon Wireless Customer Support just told me that the release of this phone has been delayed for more testing. I doubt they will ever release it.

[JimV]

I double checked with another Verizon Wireless Customer Service agent and this one said that the release is still on for August. Not sure which one to believe now, although the second agent did check with Tech Support.

[buzzard]

I was really looking forward to this phone....no more. I have absolutely no use for it now because it doesn't offer anything new from Verizon....their Bluetooth is Blahtooth !!!!

[that_kid]

I was going to get the t608, and try everything out, but I just decided to keep my sanyo 8100.

I've been using the T608 from sprint since christmas and it works ok. The bluetooth implementation is no where near that of the T610 but I can get online and use my BT 250 headset. My T608 is on an unlimited vision plan and I use it much everyday. Last time I checked I was using about 10 megs or so a day. I also have sprints compact flash data/voice card on an unlimited data plan which works well too.

[Janak Parekh]

It's officical, BT is restricted on the v710.
Weirdly, though: "headsets, car kits and as a modem".

What I am surprised is that many Verizon customers are actually "defending" VZ move to limit BT on the v710. It's very strange.
I think it's more that consumers are being pragmatic. The vast majority want headset functionality, and a subset want modem functionality, and they'll be happy with that. File exchange, etc. is less important to them. To me, it comes down to modem and syncing functionality; I'm not sure I can go to a phone that doesn't offer contact sync anymore. Perhaps they're doing this so they wouldn't lose purchases of ringtones and game downloads. :roll:

--janak

[Stake]

Weirdly, though: "headsets, car kits and as a modem".

I did mean to say that it's "restricted" as far as the other features of BT like file transfer/sync is concerned. It's just a shame that they would do that, though I'm not surprised.

I think it's more that consumers are being pragmatic. The vast majority want headset functionality, and a subset want modem functionality, and they'll be happy with that. File exchange, etc. is less important to them. To me, it comes down to modem and syncing functionality; I'm not sure I can go to a phone that doesn't offer contact sync anymore. Perhaps they're doing this so they wouldn't lose purchases of ringtones and game downloads. :roll:

--janak

I also see your point about trying to protect their profit areas in ringtones and downloads.

I'm a Sprint user so I should be used to restrictions but it still irritates me that VZ would do that. If I were in the market for a new phone (barring moving to another carrier) modem, file transfer/sync are the important aspects. I don't think the headset alone would sway my decision.

[Janak Parekh]

I'm a Sprint user so I should be used to data restriction but it still irritates me that VZ would do that. If I were in the market for a new phone (barring moving to another carrier) modem, file transfer/sync are the important aspects. I don't think the headset alone would sway my decision.
Well, for me, it's modem -- I want to be able to use it from my laptop without cables. But yes, I agree it's absolutely irritating. If Verizon didn't have by far the best service for me I'd have switched some time ago.

--janak

[makic]

I suspect that someone will figure how to hack the phone's BT to enable file transfers. While you may be required to buy a cable to accomplish the hack, that should be a short term problem.