In a report published by the Wall Street Journal it appears as if mobile network provider Verizon Wireless is definitely going to be getting the iPhone Unlocked Phone. Apple is expected to begin producing a new iPhone that could allow US phone carriers other than AT&T to sell the mobile device. The new iPhone would work on a wireless network called CDMA which is used by Verizon Wireless as well as Sprint.

With Apple set to develop a new version of the iPhone that is compatible with this CDMA technology it appears that their exclusive arrangement with AT&T appears to be coming to an end. While it looks as if Apple is set to release the iPhone on the Verizon network they are also expected to release an updated version for the AT&T network this June. This new AT&T model is expected to be thinner and have a faster processor.
AT&T’s exclusive deal with Apple has been a crucial element in the carrier’s emergence as the US leader in the smartphone market. For several quarters AT&T has seen most of their growth come from the Unlocked iPhone both in forms of new customers and existing customers switching over to the iPhone. These smartphone customers are important to AT&T as these users generally pay higher monthly bills for the various data and text messaging plans that are required for the iPhone.
With Apple set to strike a deal to develop iPhones that are compatible with the Verizon network AT&T is looking to take a big hit in the smartphone market. More consumers will have other network options if they want to purchase the iPhone and will not be forced to sign a contract with AT&T. For many iPhone users this will be welcomed news as lots of iPhone users on the AT&T network have experienced connectivity issues in some of the country’s larger markets.

It appears that Toshiba is firmly in the Windows camp as they are set to announce the release of yet another Windows Mobile based cell phone in Japan. Last year Toshiba released the “iPhone killer TG01” which was on the Windows Mobile 6.5 OS. This year Toshiba is set to release the K01 which is going to be utilizing Windows Mobile version 6.5.3. This new mobile device is set to be released in June and will have these main features:

• Snapdragon processor (1GHz)
• 4.1-inch AMOLED capacitive touchscreen (480×800 resolution)
• 3G CDMA module
• slider QWERTY keyboard
• RAM 384MB
• ROM 512MB
• 3.2MP CMOS camera
• IEEE802.11b/g Wifi
• Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
• weight: 158g
• size: 66×123×12.9mm (Toshiba says it’s the slimmest QWERTY slider out there)

While many of the newest mobile devices are latching on to the Android platform there are still some nice phones out there that use the Windows Mobile operating system. The K01 is going to be no different. With a list of impressive features such as the K01 will sport it is no wonder that this device is primed to be one of the most popular on the market.

By using the newest version of Windows Mobile, version 6.5.3, the K01 by Toshiba set to be one of the most powerful smartphones on the market. Along with the QWERTY keyboard and sleek design the K01 is likely to appeal to a large audience of power users that like their mobile phones to be small in stature but large in capabilities. I for one can not wait to get my hands on one of these devices when they are set to be released this June.

As you may be aware there are hacked Pre firmware releases that have come out recently for the 1.3.5.1 and 1.4 versions. While these hacked versions have been tested and the results have been relatively good Palm isn’t exactly excited that users have been releasing these hacked firmware releases. Even with users having documented minimal heat gains and battery losses Palm has been issuing warnings that running these hacked versions may affect your current warranty.

While we appreciate the effort the webOS community has put forth to try and help us along that path, the use of this application is neither endorsed nor recommended by Palm Unlocked Phone and will likely result in a voided warranty.

It is obvious to see why Palm would not be thrilled about users enhancing the clock multiplier on their phones and why you can not fault them for voiding warranties of the users who do decide to beef up their phones. While the users who do perform these hacks and issue the firmware releases are safe users who are not releasing these updates with malicious intent I am sure that Unlocked Palm Phones would much rather prefer they did not do so.

In recent news BlackBerry development firm Viigo has been acquired by BlackBerry maker Research In Motion. Viigo, whose self titled app is one of the most popular for BlackBerry Unlocked Phones, made the announcement Friday. Once solely a RSS reader Viigo made a big splash back in 2008 when they started introducing new features such as the ability to track sports scores, weather, movie times, stock performance, flight information and podcasts. Viigo has historically developed solely for Windows Mobile but it is unclear whether or not this will continue after the news of this announcement.

This acquisition was a logical move for Research In Motion as Viigo is the most popular app for the BlackBerry Unlocked phones. It makes sense for them to want to purchase this company and utilize their WindowsMobile application development expertise. By bringing Viigo on board it will allow for BlackBerry to build apps that are tailored for their specific user base. Viigo will be able to develop specific applications for the BlackBerry devices that will continue to be very appealing for the BlackBerry consumer.

Also, by purchasing application developer Viigo BlackBerry will gain more control on what types of apps are released for their mobile devices. Having the ability to create these apps in house will allow BlackBerry to build a suite of apps that their consumers are sure to enjoy and will bring rave reviews for the many BlackBerry devices. It is well known that users love the various apps that are available on today’s smartphones and being able to have one of the best application makers in house will allow BlackBerry to remain a leader in the mobile device community.

It is being reported that the Dell Aero will be following in the footsteps of the Unlocked Motorola BACKFLIP Phone by prohibiting the installation of unsigned applications. If this rumor turns out to be true then applications for the Aero can only be purchased through the Android Market. The reason for this decisions has not been disclosed but it appears as if this will be a companywide policy for any Android device on the AT&T network.

Because of this decision to only allow applications to be installed on the phone if they have purchased from the Android Market the new Dell Aero will not have the “With Google” branding that is associated with the other Android phones currently on the market. Since this branding will be non existent AT&T may be free to swap out Yahoo for Google and put its custom software on the Aero like it did for the BACKFLIP Unlocked Phone.

This is just another damaging blow to the already less than popular Dell Aero that is set to hit the shelves in the coming months. With its lack of features and true smartphone powers the Dell Aero has not been highly anticipated like many of the Android phones that have and will hit the market. This announcement of not being able to load any applications onto your Aero unless they have been purchased from the Android Market is a real let down by AT&T. One of the major benefits of having an Android phone is to utilize all of the open source apps that can be put onto the phone. I expect that many Android fans will be staying away from purchasing an Android phone, either the Aero or any other model, on the AT&T market. It does not seem to be worth your time or money to buy an Android phone if you are going to use the AT&T market. It would be a much better idea to look for one from Sprint or T-Mobile so that you can get as many apps for your new phone as possible.

Cricket Wireless is one of the smaller cellular networks out there and has long been criticized for their lack of quality phones. Now it appears as if those critics might be forced to take notice of Cricket wireless and their very affordable mobile phone plans. Cricket’s 2010 device lineup has been leaked and there appear to be some very nice, quality phones that are set to hit the market for this wireless network. Here are a few of the highlights that you can expect to be available in the coming months.

• Kyocera/Sanyo ZIO (M6000)
o Target July 2010
o MSRP $299.99
o Android-powered touchscreen handset with 3.5 inch WVGA TFT display, Wi-Fi, 3.2 MP camera with video
• RIM BlackBerry Curve (8530)
o Target August 2010
o MSRP $349.99
o BlackBerry handset with WiFi, 2MP camera with video, QWERTY keyboard, EV-DO, A2DP
• Samsung r710
o Target Q4 2010
o MSRP $249.99
o Touchscreen feature phone with EV-DO, 3 inch 400×240 display, 3MP camera with video, full HTML browser, A2DP
• Huawei MiFi (EC5808)
o Target September 2010
o MSRP TBD
o EV-DO connectivity

For a small but growing wireless carrier this is a pretty impressive lineup of phones to be adding to their network. Including in the list for 2010 are the BlackBerry Curve Unlocked Phone and Android powered Kyocera/Sanyo ZIO. With the addition of these two phones to their list of phones Cricket is offering the ability for their users to join in on the smartphone craze for a very affordable price. While the various data and text messages plans associated with these new smartphones have not been released they are expected to follow Cricket’s current pricing model and appeal to a wide range of mobile device consumers and provide a very cost effect alternative to the major cellular networks such as AT&T and Verizon.

During the CTIA convention it was rumored that Google is going to be taking some serious steps in limiting the amount of platform fragmentation that is commonly associated with the Android. This OS fragmentation has been pretty annoying to most consumers as many people have had to run four distinct versions of the browser based on an arbitrary formula of hardware, carrier, region, software customization, and manufacturers' ability to push updates in a timely fashion.

The first steps in dealing with this troublesome fragmentation issues are expected to be addressed with the next few updates starting with Froyo and continuing through Gingerbread. Unlocked Google phone is expected to combat this problem by removing many of the standard applications and components from the platform’s core and making them downloadable in the market much as the same as what they have already done with Maps.
The best part of Google handling updates this way through the market place is that when Google rolls out a new browser does not mean that you will have to wait for HTC, Samsung or whoever made your phone to roll it into a firmware update and for your carrier to approve it. Almost all of the user facing stuff will happen through the market place and be much easier to get a hold of and loaded onto your phone.
Another aspect of this proposed plan by Google Unlocked Phone to stop these fragmentation issues is that Google is expected to slow their breakneck speed of developing Android’s core and focus more on application development. By not constantly updating the core of the OS Google will make it much easier for one universal version of Android to be deployed and used worldwide. Also, by focusing more on apps and features Google will be ensuring that they provide their consumers with the best possible mobile device.

Verizon Wireless and Motorola have recently announced that the Motorola DEVOUR is currently available for purchase both online and in Verizon Wireless stores for $149.99 after a $100 mail in rebate and a new two year contract.  The DEVOUR is the second Android powered smartphone from Motorola to run on Verizon’s 3G network.

The DEVOUR comes equipped with MOTOBLUR, which is Motorola’s unique content delivery service created to make wireless phones more personal and customizable.  While DEVOUR customers will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk or Nationwide Talk & Text plan as well as an Email and Web for Smartphone plan there are several different plans from which to choose.  Also, the rebate will come in the form of a debit card and can be used anywhere debit cards are accepted and can be treated as cash.

Here are some of the key features that will almost certainly make the Motorola DEVOUR one of the hottest smartphones on the market.

Touch-sensitive navigation pad
3.1” capacitive touch screen
Pre-loaded applications such as Gmail, Google Talk™, YouTube™, Google Search™ and Google Maps™ with Google Maps Navigation.
Android Market™ gives users access to more than 20,000 applications.
Happenings Widget – MOTOBLUR automatically pushes status updates, wall posts and photo updates from popular social networking sites to the Happenings Widget on the home screen. Customers can flick through the latest updates and fire back responses using the slide-out full QWERTY keyboard.
Universal Inbox – MOTOBLUR gathers texts, social network messages and e-mails into one home screen widget for quick response.
Back-Up and Security – Contacts, log-in information, home screen customizations, e-mail and social network messages are backed up automatically on the secure MOTOBLUR portal. The portal also allows customers to use the phone’s fully integrated aGPS to help locate the phone if misplaced. Remote wipe easily clears information from a lost device.
8 GB microSD™ card pre-installed
Bluetooth® profiles supported: A2DP, HID, HSP, HFP, AVRCP and GAP

By the looks of the Motorola DEVOUR is set to become one of the best Android phones on the market to date and should be quite popular amongst mobile device consumers.

Verizon Wireless recently announced that it will open its own mobile phone applications store on March 29th.  The announcement was made this week at the CTIA Wireless convention in Las Vegas.  This is an interesting move by Verizon as they are entering an already well established market.  Rival companies such as Apple and Google currently already operate their own versions of app stores for the iPhone and various Android based phones.

The aspect of the Verizon app store that is going to be different and hopefully will differentiate Verizon from their competitors is the ability to pay for apps using your cell phone bill instead of having to create a new account for the app store.  Currently the way the other app stores works is that a consumer will need to set up an entirely new account to use with the app store and are billed separately.  With Verizon’s new store users will be able to make purchases as they please and will just see the charges appear on their monthly cell phone bill which will make paying for the new apps a breeze from your unlocked cell phone.
With big name brands already entrenched in the mobile app store market it will be interesting to see how Verizon makes their initial splash.  I will be interested to see how the ability to pay for the apps with your monthly cell phone bill will be received by current Verizon consumers.  It certainly does seem to make it much easier to browse the app store and make purchases when all you need to do is confirm your purchase.  However, after an initial account set up this is how the other app stores work so there will not be that much difference between the three big app stores.

One of the more exciting booths at the recent CTIA Wireless convention in Las Vegas was the booth set up by AT&T.  AT&T took advantage of the CTIA Wireless convention to showcase the new U-Verse mobile service and the corresponding app.  The app that is set for release on the Apple iPhone will allow customers to watch content from their U-Verse DVR home setup directly on their mobile device.  Customers will also be able to browse television schedules and set recordings for their home DVR.  Then those videos can then be streamed to either a mobile phone or a connected laptop.

AT&T has long allowed customers to remotely program their DVR but not the carrier is showcasing the streaming capabilities of the U-Verse Mobile service.  While pricing and specific availability for the new U-Verse app have not been released AT&T has made it clear that the app will not be exclusive to the iPhone.  This service is expected to be released later this year and is sure to be a hit with all of AT&T’s U-Verse subscribers.

AT&T’s new U-Verse app is just another example of the fantastic advancements we are making with our mobile devices.  It should be pretty amazing to have the capabilities to record your favorite television shows or movies in your home and be able to take those programs with you wherever you go with your mobile device.  This can be the perfect app for those of us who are regularly on the go and do not have time to sit around and watch television.  We can just record the shows that we would like to see and watch them whenever we want wherever we want on our unlocked mobile devices.  This is one of the newest apps that I am really looking forward to its release.