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Report: Verizon to launch Samsung Droid Prime in October

New Samsung Android phone could be the first to run "Ice Cream Sandwich" and go up against a new iPhone.

Eric Mack Contributing Editor
Eric Mack has been a CNET contributor since 2011. Eric and his family live 100% energy and water independent on his off-grid compound in the New Mexico desert. Eric uses his passion for writing about energy, renewables, science and climate to bring educational content to life on topics around the solar panel and deregulated energy industries. Eric helps consumers by demystifying solar, battery, renewable energy, energy choice concepts, and also reviews solar installers. Previously, Eric covered space, science, climate change and all things futuristic. His encrypted email for tips is ericcmack@protonmail.com.
Expertise Solar, solar storage, space, science, climate change, deregulated energy, DIY solar panels, DIY off-grid life projects. CNET's "Living off the Grid" series. https://www.cnet.com/feature/home/energy-and-utilities/living-off-the-grid/ Credentials
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Eric Mack
Verizon's love for the Galaxy S now seems to be far, far away...

We may have the name of the Samsung phone Verizon has scorned the Galaxy S II in favor of.

Boy Genius Report says the carrier will exclusively launch the Droid Prime in October instead. Apparently, Verizon worries that the Galaxy S II won't be able to compete with the iPhone 5 when it finally drops, and is opting to throw its weight behind a new Android flagship phone, likely to be one of the first running Android 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich."

If all rumors are true, it could set up a holiday shopping season showdown between the latest, most updated devices running both iOS and Android.

Samsung is also launching its own new instant-messaging service, available not only on Samsung Android phones like the Prime--or whichever model is tapped to go head-to-head with the new iPhone--but also as a download for iOS and Blackberry.

Verizon did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNET.