Verizon

Just a day after the device became available on the Google Store, the LG Watch Urbane is now available for purchase from both AT&T and Verizon. Both of the carriers list the device as available for $349, which is the same as the Google Store.

Two major carriers opt out of Microsoft’s deal w/ Samsung to pre-install apps on the Galaxy S6

Zac Hall Apr 16 2015 - 8:21 am PT

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You may recall last month that Microsoft announced a major partnership with Samsung to include a number of mobile apps on the flagship Galaxy S6 out-of-the-box. While bundled apps may be considered bloatware for many consumers, the deal meant Microsoft’s Android apps would gain a lot of exposure for adopters of arguably the best 2015 Android smartphone. The results of that deal may vary, though, as two major carriers have introduced roadblocks to some of Microsoft’s apps for their versions of the Galaxy S6…
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Verizon’s LG G3 now receiving Android Lollipop

Stephen Hall Apr 13 2015 - 8:10 am PT

Lollipop is continuing its stampede, and today it looks like the Verizon LG G3 is next in line. The carrier has posted update documentation on its website, so we can expect a rollout imminently—if it’s not already happening.

Verizon Wireless is pleased to announce an operating system update to Android 5.0 Lollipop. This version brings Android beyond smartphones and tablets, allowing access to apps and Android services on other connected screens like TV’s, cars and wearables. The new material design offers complex animations and 3-D views, 64-bit ABI support and improved runtime.

Verizon is one of the last carriers to bring Lollipop to the LG G3, preceded by the update hitting both the AT&T version and the Sprint variant of the device in February. The update first started hitting Europe in November.

Android 5.0 Lollipop w/ VoLTE support now rolling out to Galaxy Note 4 on Verizon

Chance Miller Apr 2 2015 - 3:08 pm PT

Verizon has announced this evening that it is now rolling out Android 5.0 Lollipop to its Galaxy Note 4 variant. The update carries the build number VRU1BOAF and comes in two parts for Note 4 users. AT&T and Sprint have already updated their Note 4 variants to Android 5.0 Lollipop. The update initially started rolling out in Poland first, back in February.

Lollipop for LG G2 starts rolling out in phases

Zac Hall Mar 30 2015 - 11:58 am PT

Just as the specs for the LG G4 appear to have been caught in benchmark results, owners of the older LG G2 may be seeing new life put into their devices shortly… at least if you own the Verizon version of the company’s 2013 flagship handset.

LG confirmed last year that the G2 would indeed be updated to Android 5.0 following the rollout to the newer G3 device, and Verizon today shared that a phased rollout of Lollipop was underway for LG G2 owners. The upcoming LG G4, of course, is expected to ship with the Android 5.1 out of the box.
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PSA: Verizon’s Galaxy S6 preorders begin on April 1st

Stephen Hall Mar 26 2015 - 8:33 am PT

While T-Mobile and AT&T both have preorders opening up for both the HTC One M9 and the Galaxy S6 tomorrow, March 27th, other carriers seem to be launching them a few days behind. One of those is Verizon, which as we told you earlier this month, which will be opening up their preorders for the Galaxy s6 on April 1st.

https://twitter.com/VZWnews/status/573881526800244736

As you wait for the device to be available, be sure to check out our video comparing both of Samsung’s new flagships. You can also watch our comparison of the S6 to the S5, and a quick video comparing the device to Apple’s iPhone 6. If you’re on AT&T or Verizon, get your wallets ready, as preorders are starting tomorrow for those carriers.

T-Mobile, AT&T will offer HTC One M9 presale for $0 down, ship device ahead of April 10 launch

Jordan Kahn Mar 26 2015 - 7:13 am PT

While the new HTC M9 goes on sale tonight unsubsidized for $650, T-Mobile and AT&T have just announced plans to kick off a presale of the device starting tomorrow for $0 down on their usual financing plans.
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T-Mobile promises rates won’t rise, now paying Verizon Edge & AT&T Next bills for switchers, more

Jordan Kahn Mar 18 2015 - 11:37 am PT

Today during its latest Un-carrier event, T-Mobile announced new initiatives including brand new plans and pricing for businesses and a promise to all of its customers that it won’t increase prices. It’s also paying off bills for those locked into leasing plans on other carriers if they switch to T-Mobile.

That “Un-contract” guarantee that prices won’t increase goes for all of its Simple Choice plans (including Simple Choice promotional plans) as long as you remain a T-Mobile customer with a qualifying plan. However, the carrier will only offer the guarantee to those with unlimited 4G LTE data for two years. The guarantee will automatically start for all existing customers on March 22nd.
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Verizon Nexus 6 orders begin to arrive for pre-order customers

Chance Miller Mar 16 2015 - 2:59 pm PT

After officially becoming available last Thursday, Verizon’s Nexus 6 variant has started arriving on customer doorsteps today. The device was originally slated to ship or arrive on March 18th for customers who pre-ordered. Many customers report that their phone’s tracking initially showed an arrival date of the 17th, so today’s arrival is a nice surprise for many (via Droid Life).

Both the Nexus 6 and the Moto E (2nd generation) have launched on Verizon

Stephen Hall Mar 12 2015 - 7:37 am PT

The Verizon Nexus 6 has been a long time coming, and today the Big Red has finally launched Google’s flagship handset (at least via online outlets). But today also brings the launch of another Android device on Verizon: Morotola’s recently launched 2nd generation Moto E.

Verizon finally offers Nexus 6 starting tomorrow – almost a half year late

Seth Weintraub Mar 11 2015 - 8:55 am PT

Remember the Nexus 6 launch waaaay back before the holiday shopping season last year? That’s when everyone except Verizon started carrying the Nexus 6 in the US. Shamefully, today, they are officially launching the phone almost 6 months after it launched on its competitors. It will be available to buy (After lots of rumors and delays) starting tomorrow and in Verizon Stores on March 19th for $250 on a 2 year Verizon plan or$27.08/month x24 on Verizon Edge (ouch – comparatively the $650 iPhone 6 is $199 subsidized).

A small bonus, it will ship with Android 5.1 and will come with 6 months of Google Play All Access – which will expire right about the time the next Nexus phone is launched. Verizon clearly has some catching up to do in the area of keeping modern and playing fair.

People have purchased the Nexus 6 from Google Play or other venues for $650 have had no issues putting in a Verizon SIM and at a $250 subsidized price, there is no reason to stop now. There is certainly some very bad blood between Google and Verizon – perhaps related to the latter’s MVNO ambitions. Verizon and Motorola continue to be good partners on their Droid lineup.

Press release follows:
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Everything points to a March 12th launch date for the Verizon Nexus 6

Stephen Hall Mar 9 2015 - 8:24 am PT

It’s been a long time coming for the Verizon Nexus 6, but several new pieces of information that popped up this morning and over the weekend (including a quote straight from a Verizon customer service representative) suggest that the device should be seeing a public launch—at least via Internet sales channels—on March 12th. We now have some information on pricing as well, and it looks like the device might just be shipping with Android 5.1 on the Big Red…
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Verizon says pre-orders for Galaxy S6 and S6 edge will begin April 1

Chance Miller Mar 6 2015 - 9:47 am PT

Samsung unveiled the Galxay S6 and S6 Edge earlier this week at Mobile World Congress, and immediately all major United States carriers announced plans to offer both devices, but without any pre-order or launch information. Today, however, Verizon has announced that it will open pre-orders for the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge on April 1st.

Android 5.0 Lollipop now rolling out to HTC One M8 on Verizon

Chance Miller Mar 3 2015 - 6:03 pm PT

Verizon this evening has revealed that it is starting to rollout Android 5.0 Lollipop to its HTC One M8 variant. The update packs all of the features we’ve come to know and love with Android 5.0, as well as a few new tweaks and enhancements exclusive to the M8 on Verizon.

LG begins worldwide rollout of new LG G Flex 2

Jordan Kahn Feb 25 2015 - 5:55 am PT

LG announced today that it’s beginning the global rollout of its new LG G Flex 2 smartphone that it first unveiled early this year at CES 2015.
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Sprint says its new $90/month 12GB Family Share plan offers best value among US carriers

Jordan Kahn Feb 20 2015 - 9:00 am PT

Just one day after T-Mobile CEO John Legere announced the wireless provider surpassed Sprint to become the number three carrier in the country, Sprint today announced a new aggressive shared data plan that it says offers better value compared to T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon.
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Verizon Nexus 6 purportedly launching on February 26, will sport carrier branding on its backside

Stephen Hall Feb 6 2015 - 10:46 am PT

It’s been a long time coming for the Nexus 6 on Verizon. Earlier this week, it was discovered that the carrier had updated one of the pages on their website with a banner saying that the device would be “coming soon,” and now we have a bit of confirmation that “soon” might mean “before the end of February.” A new image that has surfaced this morning (via Android Police) shows purported release dates for both the Nexus 6 and the Galaxy Core Prime.

Verizon reducing plan rates by $10/month & adding new data tiers in latest promotion

Zac Hall Feb 4 2015 - 10:52 am PT

Verizon is following its More Everything holiday promotion today with a new limited time promo for its customers, the carrier announced today. Starting tomorrow, Verizon will begin offering customers data plans at new price points from 1GB up to 20GB with most price tiers being reduced by $10/month compared to their previous rates.

With the new plans, customers can take advantage of plans with the same data amount at a cheaper rate, or pay the same price and receive a data increase. Additionally, Verizon will introduce more data tiers with 12GB, 14GB, and 16GB options.
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Verizon to become last Nexus 6 carrier, announces handset ‘coming soon’

Mike Beasley Feb 3 2015 - 4:08 pm PT

The Nexus 6 is finally coming to Verizon Wireless, making it the last carrier to get the device. The availability date is currently unknown, but according to a new banner on the carrier’s site, the phone is “coming soon.”

Users can sign up for updates through Verizon’s website for updates on the availability of the Nexus 6. The Motorola-built device became available late last year. In our review, 9to5Google’s Dom Esposito said the phone “set a new standard for Android devices.”

Android Lollipop rolling out to Samsung Galaxy S5 on Verizon

Stephen Hall Feb 2 2015 - 10:34 am PT

Verizon has always been one of the slower carriers to update their devices to the latest and greatest firmware, but today it seems that the company is breaking that tradition. The Android 5.0 Lollipop update for the Samsung Galaxy S5 started rolling out in some small international countries in December, but this is the first we’ve heard of an American carrier pushing the update.

Verizon Wireless is pleased to announce an operating system update to Android 5.0 Lollipop. This version brings Android beyond smartphones and tablets, allowing access to apps and Android services on other connected screens like TV’s, cars and wearables. The new material design offers complex animations, 3-D views and improved runtime.

You can find the announcement PDF for the update on Verizon’s website. In-mid-January, it was reported that Samsung was rolling out the update to the Galaxy S5 in the United Kingdom, following its tiered rollout in Poland, Spain, Russia, and Malaysia. This update, notably, is Android 5.0, not Google’s latest official build, which is 5.0.2.

(via Android Police)

Sprint targeting T-Mobile customers w/ $200 min. trade-in offer for switchers

Zac Hall Jan 23 2015 - 7:44 am PT

Just one day after T-Mobile unveiled its Smartphone Equality program letting loyal customers avoid credit checks, Sprint has announced a new promotion specifically targeting T-Mobile customers with an offer to make switching carriers easier. Sprint’s latest buyback and trade-in offer joins the carrier’s existing ‘Cut Your Bill in Half’ promo which encourages AT&T and Verizon customers to switch; T-Mobile was notably missing from that offer. Here’s how Sprint details the new promotion for T-Mobile customers:
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How to watch NBC’s Super Bowl XLIX live stream on desktop & tablets, Verizon’s stream to smartphones

Jordan Kahn Jan 20 2015 - 11:55 am PT