We knew it was coming , and now we have a concrete date. Starting this Thursday, March 25th, Verizon Wireless customers with one of nine select smartphones (Motorola Droid and Devour, HTC Droid Eris, various BlackBerrys) and data plan will be able to use Skype over the 3G network. As we heard before, Skype-to-Skype calls will not affect your VZW minutes, and now you’ve got the option to use the app for cheaper international dialing using the mobile app. Full list of compatible devices after the break, a list we’re hoping gets expanded in the not-so-distant future . Continue reading Skype mobile heading to Verizon smartphones on March 25th Skype mobile heading to Verizon smartphones on March 25th originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds

For the first time ever, every major carrier in the US actually has smartphones worth buying, meaning you don’t have to break up to get a good phone. Here’s the best phones on each one, along with the best deals. If you hate the gallery format, click here . All pricing shown is with a new 2-year contract, and some deals may be temporary. AT&T iPhone 3GS The iPhone 3GS is the best overall smartphone you can buy. It’s really that simple

Listen, we feel your pain, we know you’ve been dying to find another use for your REDFLY Mobile Companion, and while we’re not sure this is it, at least you’ve got another thing you can tell your friends when justifying the purchase. Celio Corp’s announced it’ll be bringing BlackBerry support to the Companion C8N and C7 as a free update in mid-Q4 of this year. It works via either physical cable or Bluetooth, and at this point supports Bold 9000, Curve 8900, and Tour 9630, with more phones promised as they’re released. Crackberry’s managed to obtain a video demonstration, which is after the break if you’re interested. It’s okay if you’re not, we understand. Read - Press release Read - First look Continue reading Video: BlackBerry support coming to REDFLY Mobile Companion, adds only marginal appeal Filed under: Cellphones , Laptops Video: BlackBerry support coming to REDFLY Mobile Companion, adds only marginal appeal originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:48:00 EST

Here’s ( Update : a mockup of) the BlackBerry Essex —basically a Tour tarted up with Wi-Fi and the Curve 8520’s trackpad that’s gonna creep across the line. So it’s better . How you feel about that, Tour owners? [ CrackBerry ]

We’ve already given you our thoughts on RIM’s BlackBerry Tour , but our warm hearts just wouldn’t let us take the crowbar to it. Thankfully, the tool-wielding fiends over at GSM Phone Unlocking are a bit more calloused, as they’ve decided to dissect and reassemble the aforementioned smartphone in a nail-biting 5 minute, 38 second YouTube clip. Head on past the break if you’re interested in seeing the innards of Verizon’s newest ‘Berry, but unless you’re ready to rock, we’d recommend nailing the mute button first. [Thanks, Omnifox] Continue reading Video: RIM’s BlackBerry Tour respectfully torn to bits, reassembled Filed under: Cellphones Video: RIM’s BlackBerry Tour respectfully torn to bits, reassembled originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Jul 2009 21:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read

As promised , the BlackBerry Tour went on sale today at Sprint and Verizon for $199, with contract. The wonderful lack of carrier exclusivity surrounding a smartphone launch feels good. [ Sprint , Verizon ]

While announcing the company’s intention to release an updated version of the BlackBerry Tour with WiFi next year, a Sprint spokesman let slip that WiFi will also be present “in all its major devices going forward.” Big win! We’re still annoyed with current-gen or even last-gen smartphones that are lacking WiFi (which leads to a general annoyance with Verizon), so we’re glad to hear a major player is embracing it for the foreseeable future. Said the spokesman, “It is now a requirement for all our PDA equipment suppliers to include WiFi,” which is a pretty firm commitment. What do you think, readers? Is WiFi a dealbreaker in a smartphone purchase? [ Fierce Wireless via Engadget ]

It’s here, folks. The BlackBerry Tour has been unboxed , and now that we’ve had a few days to mess around with it, we’re able to tell you how we truly and deeply feel. There have been countless leaks and unofficial reviews circulating for the past few months, but now that it’s finally legit we can give this sexy piece of tech a proper shakedown. It’s been roughly described as a CDMA Bold , but does it surpass its GSM counterpart? Be sure to head over to Engadget Mobile for the full review! Filed under: Cellphones , Handhelds Verizon BlackBerry Tour 9630 review originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:30:00 EST.

It’s your holiday weekend America — how are you going to spend it? We’ll tell you how: by listening to Engadget Podcast 153 over, and over, and over. What better way to utilize your extra day off and barbecue-packed good times than by putting Josh, Paul, and Nilay on repeat for you (and your friends’) enjoyment? Check out the ‘cast this week as the boys explore the ups and downs of the Olympus E-P1, Dell’s MID plans, and field a handful of questions from our handsome, intelligent, and just basically awesome listeners. You won’t be disappointed. Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel, Paul Miller Producer: Trent Wolbe Song: Virt - Katamari on the Rock Hear the podcast 00:02:10 - Olympus E-P1 hands-on, test shots, and mini-review 00:10:26 - Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 gets officially detailed, priced for US market 00:14:22 - Wii MotionPlus impressions: it works, but so far the games aren’t worth the fuss 00:24:45 - Dell working on iPod touch-esque Android MID, says WSJ 00:32:08 - Android 1.5 gets official SDK for native development 00:38:10 - Video: Mobinnova

Behold, the power of bad press! Verizon is now set to offer pre-orders of the upcoming BlackBerry Tour to existing customers in the very near future. While yesterday had Verizon reps telling us that the Tour would only be available to new customers or Verizon customers at the end of their contracts , the site has since been updated: Existing customers will be able to upgrade or purchase the BlackBerry Tour on this site very soon. Please check back with us tomorrow. There we go, that makes a lot more sense. [ Verizon via Boy Genius Report ]