verizon

The new Verizon Escapade is a low-end dual-mode global handset made by Pantech. It lacks support for EV-DO, UMTS, and even EDGE data networks, instead offering you voice and text services in "220 destinations worldwide". Besides that it has a 2Mpix camera, support for voice commands, Bluetooth, and VZ Navigator.

All that for just $29.99 on contract after rebate. Look it up online and in Verizon stores if you're interested.

FCC has recently approved the new HTC Whitestone, a presumed Diamond2 variant for Verizon with a 3.6" WVGA display, 5Mpix camera, and support for CDMA / EV-DO networks. It looks like GSM / EDGE are also supported, but apparently these are non-US bands.

This is just a rumor, but according to BGR the next OS release for Verizon’s BlackBerry Tour will be OS 4.7.1.42. Apparently the new build will resolve some performance issues and will address bugs, but that's all we know about it.

A new pic and specs for the Verizon's upcoming HTC Whitestone (read: Touch Diamond2). It is a dual-mode CDMA / GSM phone with a 3.6" WVGA display, Windows Mobile 6.1 on board, 528MHz Qualcomm processor, and 256MB of RAM.

The HTC Mega, which has also leaked out yesterday doesn't differ much with its WinMo 6.5 OS, new version of TouchFLO 2D, 2.

Best Buy Mobile will start selling a slew of new handsets for each taste on August 23rd. Here's a list of devices and their carriers posted on BGR site:

• Samsung Gravity 2 (berry) - T-Mobile;
• Samsung Solstice - AT&T;
• LG Xenon (red) - AT&T;
• Global AirCard (G2) - Verizon;
• Samsung Rogue - Verizon;
• LG BL40 Chocolate Touch - Veri

According to the recent report by The BlackBerry Zone, the upcoming BlackBerry 9550 Storm 2 is set to launch on Vodafone UK in October, while a Verizon release is scheduled for November. Sounds reasonable, since the holiday season is a perfect time to launch a new and already popular handset.

The FCC has approved the Casio Brigade C741 for Verizon. According to the documents on the site the phone comes with Bluetooth, MP3 player, and MediaFLO interface. Stay tuned for more details.

Verizon subscribers can now get almost any smartphone offered by VZW (except Samsung Saga) for just $99 on a 2-year contract. That includes both HTC's Touch Pro and Touch Diamond. What does it mean? That Touch Pro 2 and Touch Diamond 2 are on their way, I guess.

Verizon is likely to release a new QWERTY slider on August 15th. The Samsung u960 "Rogue" is a replacement for the Glyde model, and will be available at an "attractive and competitive" price, according to the source. Well, it looks good, packs a decent set of features - what else could you want?