Leak: Verizon Wireless 2010/2011 Roadmap
Boy Genius Report has gotten its hands on some really great info concerning upcoming devices from Verizon Wireless. This information includes details of Big Red's plans for the rest of this year, next year, and even some information about possible 2012 launches. So what can you expect to see in the months and year ahead? Look for Android tablets, LTE MiFI units, Android 3.0, video conferencing capabilities, and much more.
In the leaked information, we learn that Motorola plans to launch another Droid handset called the Motorola Droid Pro. This will be in addition to the already launched Droid X and Droid 2 smartphones. The Droid Pro will reportedly have a 1.3GHz CPU, 4-inch screen, and global roaming capabilities. Right now, this phone is targeted for November of this year.
Motorola is also reportedly working with Verizon Wireless on a slab form factor device that will resemble the Motorola Q smartphone of days past. However, this phone will have a full touchscreens as well as global roaming capabilities and will run Android 2.2.
Android is certainly making a big splash, and Verizon Wireless has other Android devices in the works as well, including global Android devices from both Samsung and HTC. As far as tablets are concerned, Samsung reportedly has a 7-inch Android tablet with a front-facing camera in the works. Motorola is also working on an Android tablet which will feature a 10-inch screen, a 1GHz or 1.3GHz CPU, front-facing camera, and will run Android 3.0. This latter tablet will likely be held up by the Android 3.0 release, meaning it won't be available until the February 2011 timeframe.
The 4G revolution will also be a big focus for Verizon Wireless. The carrier plans to have at least 75% of the country covered by LTE by April 2012. Going along with this coverage, look for a Novatel LTE MiFi device as early as January or February. This device will supposedly support up to 10 simultaneous Wi-Fi users. Finally, reports are claiming that LTE data will cost about $60 per month for data cards, though we don't know if there will be data limits on this plan.
Although Verizon Wireless iPhone rumors are certainly hot right now, there was no mention of an upcoming iPhone for the carrier. Regardless, Android is certainly making a big splash, and Verizon Wireless obviously plans to continue to push Google's mobile OS. With LTE in the works as well as a number of very appealing handsets and other devices, it certainly seems that Verizon Wireless is keeping itself well positioned for success in the wireless market. Stay tuned for more details as they're confirmed in the months ahead.
