droidStory

So Verizon is sticking with the “Droid” branding for its most anticipated Android phone yet – the HTC Incredible, now officially confirmed to be released on April 29th.

The Verizon web-staging site revealed for a short time (now password protected) what should make it to the live website very soon.

Update: Pre-ordering starts online on Monday April 19th.

There is no doubt, we are only days away from the release of this phone on the Verizon network. Here’s another hint – the spec sheet from the Verizon equipment guide:

via BGR

The long wait for the new Android phones coming to Verizon is excruciating. Both Google’s Nexus One and the new HTC Incredible were expected to be here by now, with the last rumored release date being sometime during the International CTIA Wireless Expo in Las Vegas in March. Well, March has come and gone and Spring is here – where are the N1 and the Incredible?

The rumor mill keeps spinning and the HTC Incredible is showing up in different places at Verizon, implying that a release should be imminent, but WHEN?!

HTC Incredible Shows Up in Verizon Warehouse

HTC Incredible Shows Up in CelleBrite Application

VZW Offers Teaser on Twitter

The long-awaited on-again/off-again Android 2.1 update is on its way to Verizon Droid users, according to an internal memo at Verizon. The Verizon website still says “Coming Soon” though.

The first batch of only 1,000 handsets should receive the update today, followed by another small batch tomorrow. Pending any unexpected issues, the OTA update should make it to the rest of the Droid base later this week. Although, don’t expect to get it right away, as the roll-out still occurs in phases to prevent a network overload.

Here’s what to look forward to:

Enhancements:

• Pinch-to-zoom is now available when using the browser, Gallery, and Google Maps.™
• New Weather and News application plus widget.
• New support for voice-to-text entry.
• New Gallery application with 3D layout. View and share photos taken with your phone and images from your online Picasa Web albums.
• Live Wallpapers offer richer animated, interactive backgrounds on the home screen.

Improvements:

• Free Yahoo!® Mail is now supported—simply sign in with your Yahoo! email address and password
• Google Maps update
• Improved pattern-lock functionality.
• Improved handset audio when disconnecting a wired headset.

Users of Droid’s European cousin, the Motorola Milestone, are receiving their 2.1 OTA Update now.

So what is holding up Verizon’s release of the update?

via engadget

Verizon officially launched Skype for most of their Smartphones today, including all of their current Android handsets – the Motorola Droid, HTC Eris and Motorola Devour.

This is a very important move for Big Red, basically acknowledging that the future of mobile networks is in providing high-speed IP connectivity for all network applications, even the ones that compete with the providers traditional voice business.  Verizon is finally getting with the times by abandoning some of their past customer unfriendly business practices.  Blackberry users may still remember when their GPS capable phones had their hardware disabled by Verizon, rendering Google Maps useless, unless you paid an extra $12/month for VZ-Navigator. Of course there were also all the other bogus surcharges for tethering and BES Enterprise use.

The arrival of the Droid and now Skype seem to usher in a new era for Verizon. Let’s hope the bureaucrats at the company are not trying to turn back the clock for the sake of the bottom line.

UPDATE: Skype doesn’t work on Wi-Fi! Come again!?
Not sure if this is Verizon meddling with phone/application functionality again, but why?