The Gadget

Verizon's HTC Imagio is a touchscreen Windows Mobile 6.5 handset, or "Windows Phone," with a healthy, if expected, spec set, iiiiinnncluding!: a 3.6-inch WVGA screen, Wi-Fi, GPS, a 5-megapixel camera, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and microSD storage expansion (but sadly, no included card). It's also the first smartphone with V CAST Mobile TV, which is a Flo TV-based live streaming TV service that looks and feels a bit like digital cable, phone-ified. Accordingly, it has an adorable kickstand.

The Price

$200 on contract with Verizon, after a $100 rebate

The Hardware

HTC is the Taco Bell of the handset world—they've only got a few ingredients that they put into their long menu of products, but the results are consistently pretty good, if not spectacular. Of the bulging ranks of 528MHz-Qualcomm-based touchscreen handsets, this is one of my favorite permutations. For its size, the Imagio is respectably thin—about as thick as an iPhone, but with a noticeably larger screen—and pleasantly rounded in the rear, with a subdued two-tone backplate accented with a shiny camera bezel and a chrome kickstand.

The front of the device is framed by a perforated grille, which looks and feels pleasantly knobbly, giving the handset a little friction, and a secure feeling in your hand. The bottom row of buttons—call, V CAST, Windows Start Menu, back and end call—are placed a little low to be comfortable to press, but anyone who's used to HTC handset designs won't have any trouble getting around this piece.

Performance is adequate, but since this is the same Qualcomm processor we've been complaining about for months now, and the 256MB of RAM isn't overly generous, it's nothing better than what we've already seen in the likes of the HTC Touch Pro2. HTC's done plenty of work to make TouchFLO run nice'n'smooth, sure, but it really wouldn't hurt to not just make a handset with speedier hardware, but to actually release it in the US.

The Software

I was pretty hard on Windows Mobile 6.5 in my review, but guess what? HTC likes it even less. TouchFLO 3D reaches deeper into the operating system than ever before, to the point that during casual use you can't even tell you're using a Windows Mobile phone.

The Titanium homescreen? Replaced. The new, larger contextual menus? How about prettier HTC versions instead? Mobile Internet Explorer 6? Replaced with Opera Mobile. Virtually every other piece of software that HTC had time to revamp or cover up? Out of sight, out of mind. And for one final kick in the nuts, the new Start Menu, which Microsoft even went so far as to require 6.5 phones to have a dedicated button for? Replaced with a slightly better HTC variant. That, right there, is a better review of Windows Mobile 6.5 than anyone could ever write.

V CAST TV

Based on Flo TV, which probably doesn't mean much to most people, V CAST is a categorically impressive technology. The best way to describe it is that it's like having a digital cable box, complete with live broadcasts of familiar basic cable stations (Comedy Central, CNN, the like), and a familiar program guide interface. Video quality is fair, but definitely watchable, and the experience of flipping through live channels is pretty novel.

As interesting as the underlying technology is, there are a few serious problems. Watching TV is neat and all, but on a mobile device, video on demand would be infinitely more useful. And at $12 or $15 a month, I don't think people will be satisfied with the somewhat anemic channel selection (full listings here).

Moreover, I don't really understand how Verizon expects people to use this. You can't use it on a plane or a subway, so what, trains? During your lunch break at work? There center part in the Venn diagram of times where you might want to watch video content but don't have a computer or TV and times when you can realistically use V CAST is small, as far as I can tell. But if live, basic-cable-esque TV on your phone is something you can see yourself using, this implementation is actually pretty good.

The (Mild) Tragedy

This has been the story for a few years now, and it doesn't look like it's going to change with Windows Mobile 6.5: Handset manufacturers will continue to make the OS bearable to use, and carrier will occasionally grant handsets interesting—if not always useful—services to keep customers' attention. That's exactly what the Imagio does, bonding pleasant hardware design with a heroic salvaging of the phone's interface. At $200 after rebate, it's not a best value by a long shot, but in Verizon's sickly smartphone line, it's not a horrible choice.

I would've liked to end this review on that happy note, but while I was writing it Verizon sabotaged my plan, those scoundrels: Two Android phones will be announced for the network "within weeks," which means that unless you're bound to Windows Mobile either by software, your employer, or, er, extreme loyalty, you'd be best advised to wait a little while. [Verizon]

It's got an appealing design, large screen and minimal branding

Kickstand! Ha!

HTC's done a hell of a job sprucing up Windows Mobile, as always

V CAST TV is technologically interesting, but it's expensive and I'm not really sure how people will use it

Windows Mobile 6.5, y'all

Specs could use a bump; namely the aging 528MHz processor and included storage

$200 isn't a great bargain, and Verizon' got some Android handsets coming down the pike.

The basic model resembles Apple's app store except that rather than requiring users to set up accounts or enter credit card information, the Vcast app store will use Verizon's existing billing system and slap the charges onto users' monthly bills.

Verizon says that it hopes to have an application approval turn around time of under 14 days, but what I'd like to know is whether there'll be a Google Voice app among the bunch or if it'll be rejected. [CNET]

You won't get charged for data use if you are downloading songs from V Cast Music Store, or sending and receiving picture or video messages, though they still cost 25 cents a piece. Ditto for 15-cent text messages. Subscribers to V Cast video service (starting at $15 per month) will get unlimited data use for Mobile Web, as you would hope.

New add-ons to Nationwide include $20 for unlimited text messages and $40 for the full meal deal: monthly subscriptions and unlimited megabyte usage for Mobile Web, Get It Now, V CAST Video, VZ Navigator and Mobile E-mail. That is one "I HEART Verizon" plan.

Word is, some of this will also apply to the new BlackBerry plans, but I don't have details on that just yet, so stay tuned.

It's not a whoo-hoo, thrilling plan revision meant to save you loads of money, but it does show that Verizon is no longer clinging to this antiquated concept of airtime in a data-based world. I have confirmed that if you do want to ditch your old America's Choice plan and swap into a Nationwide one, you will be able do to so without renewing your contract, just like we told you. [Verizon Wireless]

Verizon Wireless Introduces the Ultimate Consumer Entertainment Source: The MOTORIZR Z6tv

The MOTORIZR Z6tv is Motorola's First Device to Premiere V CAST Mobile TV

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. and SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ — Verizon Wireless, the leading wireless company with the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, and Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) today announced the availability of the MOTORIZR(TM) Z6tv on October 5. This sleek phone comes with a hot slider design and is equipped with V CAST Mobile TV, V CAST Music and Video, making it the ultimate in entertainment.

The MOTORIZR Z6tv provides entertainment lovers 24-hour access to broadcast-quality full-length TV shows through V CAST Mobile TV from Verizon Wireless. V CAST Mobile TV offers programming for TV viewers of all ages and interests including the "Late Show with David Letterman," "24" and "Dora the Explorer." The service offers live shows and mobile television content from CBS Mobile, Comedy Central, ESPN Mobile TV, Fox Mobile, MTV, NBC 2GO, NBC News2GO, and Nickelodeon. V CAST Mobile TV customers can enjoy fast channel surfing, view upcoming programs on the easy-to-use program guide and access parental control features.

Beyond V CAST Mobile TV, the MOTORIZR Z6tv can access Get It Now(R) applications, such as VZ Navigator(SM) which helps customers access location information to more than 14 million points of interest. For customers who are musically inclined, V CAST Music is sure to keep customers connected to their favorite music while on-the-go, allowing them to enjoy over-the-air full-track downloads from a library of more than 2.1 million songs. The MOTORIZR Z6tv is also equipped with Bluetooth(R) stereo headset support for music, creating a truly wireless mobile music experience. Other features of the MOTORIZR Z6tv include:

— Integrated digital audio player and support of .mp3 and .wma music
files
— 2.0 megapixel camera
— Video capture and playback
— Landscape and portrait modes available for TV, video or camera capture
— Location-based services-capable
— Text, picture and video messaging capabilities
— Display: 2.0" 240 x 320 TFT (65k colors)
— Memory: Over 50 MB internal and optional external microSD(TM) expansion
slot
— 2.5mm headset jack
— Weight: 3.7 ounces
— Battery: 940 mAh

V CAST Mobile TV from Verizon Wireless is powered on the FLO TV(TM) service from MediaFLO USA Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of QUALCOMM Incorporated. Because MediaFLO USA operates a dedicated multicast network that delivers programming in a linear format, Verizon Wireless can offer customers the latest in mobile entertainment without impacting its award- winning voice and data services.

Pricing and Availability

The MOTORIZR Z6tv will be available on Friday, October 5 for $179.99 after a $50 mail-rebate and new two-year customer agreement. Customers may purchase the new MOTORIZR Z6tv at more than 2,300 Verizon Wireless Communications Stores, including those in Circuit City, and online at http://www.verizonwireless.com/.

Monthly access packages for V CAST Mobile TV range from $13 to $25 per month. For the latest information on V CAST Mobile TV from Verizon Wireless, including programs, handsets, pricing and availability, visit the V CAST Mobile TV Web site at http://www.verizonwireless.com/mobiletv.

For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or visit http://www.verizonwireless.com/.

Rip-Off Of The office milieu, complete with goofy coworkers, borrows from Sierra Mist's mildly funny "combover" ad, as well as the likes of Dilbert et al. The very literal interpretation of rock-and-roll fandom, meanwhile, is woefully unimaginative, nicked from those "wacky" Entertainment Tonight segments shot at sci-fi conventions. Note to Verizon: The Angus Young costume gag was funny the first 900 times someone used it for Halloween; 901 broke the camel's back.

The Spin Finally getting AC/DC to sell digital music is, granted, something of a coup; the band has long resisted iTunes entreaties, holding out for a sweetheart deal befitting its broad appeal. (As one of my classic-rocker pals once sagely pointed out, AC/DC had produced some of history's most unobjectionable party music.) Getting AC/DC on VCast, then, is a point in the service's favor, as it strives to become a reason for consumers to switch to Verizon. Sure, we're talking about a band whose glory days were 30 years (and one singer) ago, but can't knock those Back in Black sales—440,000 copies of that classic were purchased last year, all in hard media form.

Counterspin So many sins of omission in this ad. Start with the fact, previously noted on Gizmodo, that only one AC/DC song ("You Shook Me All Night Long") will actually be available for over-the-air download. Aside from that, you can only download full albums (rather than single tracks) to your PC, using the VCast store—yeah, I didn't know it existed either. On top of that, this is a limited-time offer, expiring in March of next year. After that, there's a chance that AC/DC could bolt and sell its back catalog to an even higher bidder—while you've still got months to go on your contract, sucker. But the worst part is the walled garden-ness of it all—just as the internet is becoming truly mobile, Verizon wants to pull us back to a controlled yesteryear? How short-sighted.

Takeaway Does Verizon really believe that exclusive deals like this will lure new customers? I'll wager that 98 percent of the consumers who bought Back in Black in '06 were teenagers, a demographic that either lets their folks pick the cell plan, or just go for pre-paid deals. Beyond that, the advantages here are meager—the albums still cost $12, whether you're getting a classic or one of the newer, dreckier ones. (Stiff Upper Lip is every bit as disappointing as it sounds.) Okay, so there will be some exclusive concert clips and the like. But at this point in AC/DC's evolution, I'd like to think that anyone who really cares 'bout such things gets their video fixes from the web; AC/DC is musical comfort food, not a band that folks are just dying to keep tabs on 24/7. Verizon would be well-advised to start thinking about how to partner with existing digimusic services, like AT&T has done with eMusic. I just can't see VCast being the future, no matter how much the online store gets beefed up.

Hype-O-Meter 2 (out of 10). This ad avoids a lower rating simply because, hey, I like AC/DC's early work (i.e. before Bon Scott's untimely demise; High Voltage is particularly awesome). But otherwise, this commercial's a cheap and deceptive stab at propping up a dying approach to technology.

Brendan I. Koerner is a contributing editor at Wired and a columnist for both The New York Times and Slate. His Hype Sheet column appears every Thursday on Gizmodo.

Read more Hype Sheet

First, they appeared on YouTube. Today, Verizon Wireless announced Local TV Video, news, sport and weather from assorted local affiliates from New York, NY to Parkersburg, WV, on its V Cast mobile video service. My guess is that you don't have to be in the vicinity to enjoy it either—now you can catch the cat fashion show or those Little League highlights you've been missing right on that tiny screen on your cellphone. Jump for the list, to see if your local blow-dry boys made the cut. – Wilson Rothman

VERIZON WIRELESS V CAST CUSTOMERS CAN GET LOCAL TELEVISION STATION NEWS, WEATHER AND SPORTS VIDEO CLIPS FROM LOCAL WIRELESS® TV FROM LSN

ATLANTA and BASKING RIDGE, N.J. - Partnering with local TV affiliates in cities across the country, Atlanta, Ga.-based local content provider, Local Solutions Network, Inc. (LSN) and Verizon Wireless, the leading wireless company with the most reliable voice and data network, announced today that Verizon Wireless customers in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta and nearly 50 markets across the country now have access to the very latest in local news, weather and sports video - right on their V CAST-enabled phones.

The new V CAST Video channel, Local TV Video, offers Verizon Wireless' customers with select V CAST-enabled phones easy access to news, weather and sports video stories from local television station affiliates. Local TV Video is the perfect resource for the on-the-go customer looking for immediate access to local information. For example, V CAST customers too busy to catch the evening news can stay abreast of the day's local news headlines directly from their wireless phones.

Local TV Video is available today from Verizon Wireless on newer V CAST-capable handsets with news from local stations in nearly 50 markets from coast to coast. V CAST is the first true wireless broadband consumer multimedia service in the country and gives customers access to video content on-demand, including news, weather and sports updates, clips from popular TV programs, music videos, movie trailers, 3D games and more. Verizon Wireless customers can find Local TV Video in the News section on select V CAST-enabled phones, including MOTORAZR V3c and V3m, MOTOSLVR L7c and MOTOKRZR K1m; Chocolate by LG, The enV by LG, LG VX8300, VX8600, VX8700 and VX9400; and Samsung SCH-a990 and SCH-u540.

To get V CAST, customers with select V CAST-enabled phones can check out V CAST whenever they want for just $3.00 for 24-hour use or by signing up for the $15.00 V CAST VPak monthly subscription. Customers get unlimited basic video - including Local TV Video - but application download fees apply for 3D games and premium video. There are no airtime charges to download, stream or watch V CAST content.

For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

Local TV Video on V CAST from Verizon Wireless is available in the following markets (sized larger to smaller) on newer V CAST-enabled phones:

City, State Affiliate Affiliate Mobile Site

New York, N.Y. - WABC 7ToGo
Los Angeles, Calif.- KABC MYABC7
Chicago, Ill. - WLS ABC7ToGO
Philadelphia, Pa. - WPVI 6abctogo
San Francisco, Calif. - KGO ABC7 NEWS TO GO
Atlanta, Ga. - WSB wsbtv.com Mobile
Houston, Texas - KTRK abc13NOW
Seattle, Wash. - KIRO kirotv MOBILE
Orlando, Fla. - WFTV wftv.com mobile
Pittsburgh, Pa. - WPXI WPXI mobile
Charlotte, N.C. - WSOC wsoctv mobile
Raleigh, N.C. - WTVD abc11 toGo
Nashville, Tenn. - WTVF NewsChannel5 Wireless
Salt Lake City, Utah - KSL My KSL
Las Vegas, Nev. - KLAS mynews8
Fresno, Calif. - KFSN myABC30
Little Rock, Ark. - KATV 7NEWS MOBILE
Dayton, Ohio - WHIO NewsCenter 7 mobile
Knoxville, Tenn. - WVLT VOLTV2GO
Lexington, Ky. - WKYT 27togo
Charleston, W.Va. - WSAZ WSAZ Wireless
Flint, Mich. - WJRT abc12 To Go
Wichita, Kan. - KAKE KAKE On Your Cell
Omaha, Neb. - WOWT 6 On Your Cell
Madison, Wis. - WMTV NBC15 Now
South Bend, Ind. - WNDU 16 News Now
Colorado Springs, Colo. - KKTV KKTV To Go
Waco, Texas - KWTX KWTX To Go
Bryan, Texas - KBTX Mobile KBTX
Lincoln, Neb. - KOLN 1011 On The Go
Greenville, N.C. - WITN TV 7 On Your Cell
Tallahassee, Fla. - WCTV WCTV Mobile
Reno, Nev. - KOLD 8 To Go
Lansing, Mich. - WILX WILX10togo
Augusta, Ga. - WRDW 12 On Your Cell
Eau Claire, Wis. - WEAU Mobile 13 Now
Rockford, Ill. - WIFR 23 to GO
Wausau, Wis. - WSAW 7 To Go
Topeka, Kan. - WIBW 13 On Your Cell
Panama City, Fla. - WJHG 7 On Your Cell
Sherman/Ardmore, Texas - KXII KXII2go
Dothan, Ala. - WTVY News 4 On Call
Harrisonburg, Va. - WHSV TV 3 On The Go
Charlottesville, Va. - WSAZ CBS 19 To Go
Bowling Green, Ky. - WBKO WBKO To Go
Meridian, Miss. - WTOK Newscenter11 Mobile
Grand Junction, Colo. - KKCO KKCOmobile
Parkersburg, W.Va. - WTAP WTAP NOW

Off the bat (ha, get it?) the service will work on the LG Chocolate, the LG VX8300, LG VX8600, the Motorola RAZR V3c, V3m or MOTOKRZR K1m (with other handsets supported in the future). It still has the same goods as before (news, stats, editorial content, fantasy, etc), but this time supported by a real carrier. Real carrier or not, ESPN Mobile has never really been the bee's knees. –Wilson Rothman

They thought the video recording with 320x240 resolution at 15fps was decent enough, and the V CAST streaming over EV-DO was good as well. The phone needs to be recharged every other day, which is short for a phone that doesn't offer that much in the way of features. All in all it's a pretty sexy phone that's good for the crowd who cares more about how the phone looks than how many extra features the manufacturer can cram inside. – Jason Chen

LG VX8700 [LaptopMag]

Verizon Goes Unlimited with SMS, MMS, and VCast [Boy Genius Report]

The reception on the other hand, is spotty. It was pretty decent on the grounds of CTIA—no doubt pre-rigged by Verizon—but when we got out among the natives and the gators and the native gators, it was hard to maintain video. We did get enough audio to realize we were "watching" Carlos Mencia and that we should change the channel and burn the phone. – Jason Chen

Thanks to slashgear

The channels are "CBS, Comedy Central, ESPN, Fox, MTV, NBC Entertainment, NBC News, and Nickelodeon." Pricing? $15 a month or $25 with a bundled V-Cast and Mobile Web package. Fantastic news for people who enjoy car accidents; terrible news for pedestrians who don't enjoy getting hit by cars. – Jason Chen

Verizon V CAST Mobile TV Launching Tomorrow [Laptop Mag]

ESPN Mobile to relaunch through Verizon [Via Deadspin]

Samsung is also set to unveil a mobile TV service at their press conference, something I'll be covering in about a half an hour, so stay tuned. –Adam Frucci

CES 2007 [Gizmodo]

This change goes along with the launch of their new LG Chocolate phone, which has a microSD expansion slot for memory. To get the maximum amount of money per subscriber, or to use industry terms, "bilk", Verizon's new plan charges twice the amount of an iTunes song for the convenience of downloading music on the go. To fill up a 1GB microSD card with songs on the go with this plan (at 4MB each) would cost you nearly $500. – Jason Chen

Press Release [Verizon via Mobile Burn]