Verizon Wireless Announces the LG Dare

Today Verizon Wireless announced the LG Dare, a new touch device first revealed by LG a couple of weeks ago. This compact phone has an updated user interface compared to other touch phones on the Verizon network. It is far more intuitive to use. The Dare focuses on providing a solid camera and video experience. It has a 3.2 megapixel camera with flash, face detection, panorama mode, and Schneider-Kreuznach certified lens. There are powerful on-board editing tools. The video camera records up to 120 frames per second, and can playback video in slow motion. The Dare also has Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and supports stereo Bluetooth as well. It has a microSD slot and supports cards up to 8GB in size. Lastly, it has a full HTML web browser and works with Verizon's V CAST services. It will cost $200 after rebate with a new agreement. The phone will be available beginning July 3.

Virgin Mobile USA Offers $80 Unlimited Calling Plan

Virgin Mobile USA announced a new unlimited calling plan. The Totally Unlimited plan, which will be available beginning July 1, will give customers unlimited nationwide calling with no roaming or other fees for $80 per month. Add $10 to also get unlimited text messaging, picture messaging, instant messaging, and email. Virgin does not require annual contracts, and customers can pay with cash and/or debit or credit cards.

T-Mobile Tackles Prorated ETFs

Today T-Mobile announced that it will begin prorating its early termination fees. Rather than deduct a dollar amount each month, T-Mobile has taken a different route. ETFs for both one- and two-year agreements are $200. During the last 3 to 6 months of a contract (91 to 180 days left), the ETF drops to $100. During the last 3 months of a contact (30 days to 90 days), the ETF drops to $50. For customers who choose to cancel a contract with less than 30 days remaining, they will pay either $50 or the amount of the last month of service, whichever is less. This means customers who are in the first 6 months (for 1-year contracts) or first 18 months (for 2-year contracts) of their agreements will still have to pay the full $200 ETF to cancel.
from T-Mobile

T-Mobile Adds to HotSpot @Home Lineup

Today T-Mobile announced two more phones that are compatible with its HotSpot @Home converged cellular/Wi-Fi calling service. HotSpot @Home, first launched a year ago, allows T-Mobile subscribers to make unlimited phone calls via a Wi-Fi hotspot in their homes for a monthly surcharge. The Nokia 6301 and Samsung T339 are both tri-band 850/1800/1900 GSM/EDGE phones with stereo Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. They support T-Mobile's MyFaves calling program and most IM messaging services. Both phones are available online and in retail stores beginning today.
Nokia 6301: This bar-phone comes with a stand-up charger and resembles a home phone. It adds an FM radio, a 2 megapixel camera with video capture and has support for microSD cards up to 4GB.
Samsung T339: This clamshell loses the FM radio and dials the camera down to 1.3 megapixels. It has a slot for microSD cards and supports cards up to 2GB.

Motorola Sheds Light on MOTOZINE ZN5

Today Motorola officially unveiled the MOTOZINE ZN5. The ZN5 is a bar-style phone similar in shape and appearance to the ROKR E8. The phone's stand-out feature is its Kodak-branded 5 megapixel camera. The camera has autofocus, and can focus on images in less than a second, allowing you to take your picture quicker. It has a full flash, as well as Kodak-approved optics. It carries Kodak's Easy Share software, and the user interface for the camera was jointly developed with Motorola and Kodak to ease operation. The software supports a lot of editing features, panorama shooting mode, and easy sharing with social networking sites. All functions related to the camera are color-coded purple, and the keypad morphs when in camera mode to show camera-specific buttons. The ZN5 carries quad-band GSM/EDGE radios, as well as stereo Bluetooth, FM radio and 802.11b/g Wi-Fi. The phone has a slot for a microSD card (supporting cards up to 4GB), 3.5mm headset jack (supporting TV out), a full HTML browser and runs the MOTOMAGX platform. It will be launched in China first, and will be available in the U.S. by the end of 2008. Motorola did not announce its carrier partner for the phone yet.

Sony Ericsson Targets Gamers with F305

This latest slider from Sony Ericsson targets the youth market and is focused on providing an enriched gaming experience. It carries quad-band GSM/EDGE radios, as well as stereo Bluetooth and an FM radio. The F305 has what Sony Ericsson calls Motion Gaming. Similar to the Nintendo Wii, it is sensitive to movement, and will allow users to flick or swing the phone to interact with games, such as bowling or fishing. Sony Ericsson says developers are working on a wide range of 2D and 3D games for the device that will be available later this year. It has dedicated gaming buttons, stereo speakers, and has two different covers to personalize the phone. The F305 also comes with a 2 megapixel camera, supports Memory Stick Micro for storage, and media playback. It will be available in select markets in the fourth quarter.