Google Play Store carrier billing for Verizon is live

If you’re a Verizon Wireless customer who has been waiting for Google Play Store carrier billing, the wait is over, as the feature is now live.
While other carriers have had this feature available for some time, Verizon was slower to catch up. We mentioned earlier this month that carrier billing for Play Store purchases was on the way for Verizon customers and, as of today, they can now use this payment method.
You don’t need to do anything special to start using this new payment option. Simply select the “Bill my Verizon Wireless account” option as your payment method for Play Store purchases.
Whether or not Verizon customers will actually want to use this feature depends on their own preferences. Some users prefer to pay for their Play Store purchases immediately, while others would rather receive one monthly bill that encompasses all their wireless-related expenses.
Those on family plans may want to set up a PIN on some phones. This can restrict purchases to keep family members from running up to large a bill. Those who would rather turn off the carrier billing feature can do so through their Verizon account.
This may not be necessary, as we’re hearing that there is a $25 limit on purchases within each billing cycle, but whether this is true and how it would apply to those on family plans remains to be seen. Apparently some Verizon customers aren’t seeing the new payment option in the Google Play Store, so don’t worry if you’re not seeing it yet; be assured that it is on the way.
Are you a Verizon customer who has been waiting for Google Play Store carrier billing? Are you a fan of carrier billing in general, or do you prefer another method for Play Store purchases?

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Verizon support page reveals HTC Droid DNA before its announcement

Verizon’s upcoming 5-inch 1080p device named HTC Droid DNA has been published as a registered device on its support page before the official announcement.
The screenshot above reveals that the ADR6435 will be known as HTC Droid DNA, a name that was revealed in a MAP listing a week ago. The same leak suggested the device will be sold starting at $199 in the near future. However, such MAP lists are known to change constantly and won’t always offer reliable information. And while Verizon’s support page does list the device, the Droid DNA is still not officially announced.
The device is rumoured to be announced mid-November and feature a quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro Processor, 16GB of internal storage, 2GB RAM, an 8MP camera, and run Jelly Bean.
As expected, the HTC Droid DNA is most likely going to be Verizon’s HTC J Butterfly version, which happens to be HTC’s most recently launched device. Waiting for the 5-inch HTC handset to hit Verizon, we have already compared the HTC J Butterfly with the Galaxy Note 2. Which one would you rather buy?

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LG Spectrum 2 officially announced for Verizon Wireless, available online from October 30

Verizon Wireless has officially announced their latest Android smartphone. Sadly it is another that happens to be running Ice Cream Sandwich, however that bit aside, the specs and pricing seem fair otherwise. Anyway, without any further adieu, the handset is the LG Spectrum 2 and it is available as of today.
Well, technically speaking, the handset is available online today. The in-store retail availability will follow sometime “in the coming weeks.” Verizon has the Spectrum 2 priced at $99.99, which comes after a $50 mail-in rebate and along with a two-year agreement.
With the pricing and release date out of the way, lets get into the specs. The LG Spectrum 2 features include a 4.7-inch (1280 x 720) True HD Advanced AH IPS display, Corning Gorilla Glass, dual-core 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Krait processor and 16GB of internal storage. Other goodies include the following;

• 4G LTE connectivity
• microSD card slot
• 1GB of RAM
• 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera
• 8 megapixel rear-facing camera with LED flash
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
• Bluetooth 4.0
• 2150 mAh battery
• Wireless charging courtesy of the included battery cover

Finally, the Spectrum 2 also has NFC and will ship with a few reprogrammable LG Tag+ stickers so you can adjust your settings with a single tap between the device and the sticker.

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Verizon may launch the Galaxy Note 2 only on November 29

While you can already pre-order the Galaxy Note 2 on Verizon right now, with an expected delivery date of November 27, the carrier has been pretty slow in revealing when it’s going to launch the device. A leaked internal document now reveals what we’ve pretty much come to expect.
According to the screenshot, as posted on Droid-Life, Verizon will only be stocking the Galaxy Note 2 (Titanium Grey and Marble White) on its stores on November 29, which makes Big Red the last major carrier in the States to officially launch the Note 2.

Sprint and T-Mobile are already selling the Note 2 online and in their brick-and-mortar stores, while AT&T is expected to follow suit on November 9. Would it be right to assume that Verizon needs those extra days so that it can ruin the device’s home button with its logo?

If you can’t wait for a month to get the Galaxy Note 2 and its S Pen, and are toying with the idea of scoring it elsewhere, you may want to check out our Note 2′s availability roundup post from a few days back.
What’s it going to be — stay with Verizon and bear the long wait or jump ship to another carrier?

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Verizon selling 16GB Galaxy Nexus for $50 with contract, also comes in refurbished flavor for $230 off-contract

As it approaches its one-year anniversary, the Galaxy Nexus is still going strong and hasn’t lost its shine among Android enthusiasts. We’re not sure if that fully applies to the Verizon variant, but for those who are looking to venture into the world of the Nexus, Big Red has some sweet deals on the pure Google phone.
Seemingly coming out of nowhere, Verizon is now offering a brand new 16GB Galaxy Nexus for only $50 with a two-year contract. If you don’t want to be tied into a contract, you can purchase said phone off-contract for $499. You may be paying more up front, but you’ll probably save more dough in the end.

If you’re not too keen on the idea of splashing out almost half a grand for a phone that’s about to give up its throne to its successor in the coming days, Verizon is also selling a certified pre-owned 16GB Galaxy Nexus. The refurbished unit is being offered off-contract for $230.
Whether or not it’s a wise move to buy a “used” phone is yours to decide. But Verizon said that the pre-owned device has been “thoroughly inspected and reconditioned to like-new condition”. Fortunately, it also comes with a full 1-year warranty.
The LG Nexus 4, the next Nexus phone, may be just a week away from being announced, but we don’t know for sure if it’s going to come to Verizon right away. Are you tempted to snag the deals above?

 

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