A few days ago, Verizon Wireless released the XV6900 and PhoneArena has gotten some quality time with the device. The XV6900 is the same device as the Touch, which Sprint and Alltel has carried since last year, but has gotten a white makeover for Verizon. Early rumors said that the device was slimmer, and Verizon themselves originally said it would launch with GPS and EVDO Rev. A, but none of those turned out to be true. Save for a few software customizations and the whitewash the XV6900 and Touch are identical devices. HTC’s TouchFLO interface and the phone’s size is still the key differentiation between other smartphone on the market. It should also be noted that the XV6900 does not offer any of Verizon’s multimedia services, unlike the Sprint Touch.
The Verizon Wireless XV6900 leverages the functionality and capabilities of Windows Mobile 6 Professional with access to Outlook Mobile for email integration, Office Mobile and the ability to run third-party applications. Verizon Wireless users will also have the ability to surf the Web through Internet Explorer Mobile, send and receive emails or chat on popular Messenger services including AIM, MSN and Yahoo!.
Whether customers are accessing local weather reports, navigating to the Internet, flipping through photos, or one-touch dialing of loved ones, users can interact the XV6900's features with just a flick of their fingers. Additional features of the XV6900 include:
- Built-in speakerphone
- Bluetooth 2.0 with support for stereo, handsfree, and headset profiles
- microSD memory card slot with support up to 8 GB
- 2.0-megapixel camera with video capture
- 256 MB ROM / 128 MB RAM
- 2.8" TFT-LCD touch-screen with LED backlight
- 3.98" x 2.35" x 0.56"
- Support for Office Outlook Mobile and Microsoft Exchange with Direct Push
Specifications: OS provided: Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0; Installed RAM: 128 MB; Band / mode: CDMA 800/1900;
Overall, we were disappointed in Verizon’s offering when placed next to the Sprint's version. We still love the hardware, build quality and size, just like we did back when reviewing the Sprint unit, but it has taken Verizon over five months to launch a device that was ultimately the same as the competition and in the process they managed to cheapen it. Except, of course, for the price.
