Verizon Wireless released new desktop software on Monday to help its customers better manage the media between their cell phones and computers.
Based on Smith Micro's QuickLink Media Software, V Cast Media Manager is available as a free download and lets you transfer photos, videos, and music from your phone to your PC via USB cable and provides you with tools for organizing, editing, and viewing the content. With the software, you can do such things as touch up photos, create slideshows, and rip and burn CDs. In addition, V Cast Media Manager can help you sync your multimedia library onto a new phone.
Be aware, however, that the software is currently only compatible with a certain number of phones, such as the Samsung Rogue, LG enV 2, LG Dare, and RIM BlackBerry Storm. Verizon said it is working on bringing support to more devices in the coming months, including Android smartphones. To see a full list of compatible phones and to download the software, check out the V Cast Media Manager product page.
Let's be honest. Research In Motion's first foray in the world of the touch-screen smartphones wasn't exactly a smashing success. The RIM BlackBerry Storm was riddled with bugs and performance issues, which were resolved with subsequent software updates, but still, the damage had been done. However, there are high hopes that the RIM BlackBerry Storm 2 will wash away all those bad memories and start afresh.
As of press time, Verizon Wireless did not reveal pricing or an exact release date for the Storm successor, but RIM dropped by our offices and left us a near-final product to check out. Its revamped SurePress touch screen, updated software, and new features definitely make it better than its predecessor, but there were a couple of troublesome performance issues. Also, Verizon has the Samsung Omnia 2 and two Google Android devices coming up, so the smartphone is going to face some stiff competition.
Though specific details weren't released, we expect the RIM BlackBerry Storm 2 to ship in November for around the same price as the original Storm, which was about $200 with a two-year contract. We'll let you know as soon as we have the information, and we'll update the review with a rating after receiving the final product. In the meantime, here's our preview of the RIM BlackBerry Storm 2 and a hands-on photo gallery.
We finally have a release date for the Palm Pre.
(Credit: Palm)Update at Wednesday, May 20 at 10:00 a.m. PST: A few readers have asked about the North America version of the Nokia N97. It should launch June 2.
Though summer is always a busy time for new cell phones releases, so far the summer of 2009 is shaping up to be a doozy. We expect a full load of new handsets over the next three months with June being an especially hectic time for high-profile models. To help you keep track of the news, here's a handy list.
Palm Pre
After months of waiting (and plenty of rumors), we finally learned today that the Palm Pre will go on sale Saturday, June 6 for $200. Palm pushed its "first half of the year" deadline to the very end, but it appears they'll make it.
We're hoping to have a review unit by the time it hits stores so that we can give you the full scoop on this much-anticipated device. Indeed, we're very excited to finally be able to touch it. June 6 was a bit unexpected since Sprint typically releases new devices on a Sunday. But the date does give Palm a two-day jump on what should be the next incarnation of the iPhone.
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This week we discuss the latest news that the T-Mobile G1 may not be the only Android phone for very long. We also talk about the latest BlackBerry Storm update, new Nokia handsets, calendar syncing for the Instinct, a new Bluetooth profile, AT&T femtocells, and the best phones of 2009. And of course we go over the latest reviews and listener questions.
Listen now:
Download today's podcast
News
Sony Ericsson, HTC to release Android phone
Non-G1 Android phone to hit Australia in January
Verizon Wireless officially rolls out BlackBerry Storm firmware update
Nokia 2605 debuts on Verizon
Calendar syncing comes to the Instinct
Nokia E63, 5130 Xpress Music clear FCC
Bluetooth 3.0 to debut next year?
AT&T to start testing out femtocells
Best phones of 2009
Reviews
Nokia 5800 first take
HTC Touch Pro (Verizon Wireless)
Samsung Delve (U.S. Cellular)
Jabra BT530
Jabra SP700
Upcoming reviews
Motorola i576
LG Invision
In case you haven't noticed, touch-screen phones are red hot this season. In this episode of Dialed In, we run through the latest touch-screen phones, including the LG Delve and Samsung Eternity. We also dish on other new handsets including the BlackBerry Storm and the AT&T Quickfire.
Listen now:
Download today's podcast
Rumor of the week
LG Prada 2
News
Samsung Saga, Renown debut for Verizon Wireless
AT&T launches Samsung Eternity
Alltel launches the LG Swift and the Samsung Hue II
HTC Touch Diamond for Alltel
LG Incite is LG's first U.S. smartphone
BlackBerry Storm gets official pricing and release date
RIM Curve 8900 passes FCC
HTC Touch Pro rumored for Verizon
Reviews
Samsung Eternity
Samsung Delve
Technocel T10 Bluetooth headset
Mophie iPhone 3G Juice Pack
Technocel T6000 Bluetooth speakerphone
Nokia 2600
Upcoming reviews
Nokia 6650
Samsung SGH-A777
Samsung Renown
Samsung Gravity
AT&T Quickfire
LG Incite
Samsung Saga
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Bonnie Cha reviews the
latest smart phones, PDAs, and GPS devices, helping CNET readers get
their hands on the latest mobile electronics. 
Kent German is CNET's
cell phone editor and has been following the wireless industry for
seven years. He's embarrassed to admit he can name almost any cell
phone he sees on the street. 
Nicole Lee reviews cell
phones and their accessories for CNET, thus satisfying her love for all
things small, shiny, and digital.
