Phone Scoop

Verizon Wireless today began offering a prepaid data package for use on 3G capable phones, including a wide range of smartphones and 3G feature phones. Customers will get unlimited data for $30 a month on smartphones and multimedia phones, or multimedia phone buyers can choose a $10 monthly plan that includes 25 MB of data, with a $0.20 per MB overage fee. The new data packages is available in stores today, and will be sold online at Verizon's Web site starting September 28. The featured phones include BlackBerry models like the Curve 8530, both Storm models and the Bold 9650; the Palm Pre Plus and Pixi Plus; and the full Verizon Droid lineup, including the Droid 2 and Droid Incredible, among numerous others. Supported feature phones include the LG enV Touch and enV 3 models, the LG Chocolate Touch, and the Samsung Alias 2, among a few others.

BlackBerry owners can now use a new Starbucks Card Mobile App to manage a Starbucks card and even make mobile payments at select stores. The app lets Starbucks Card holders check their balance, reload their card and also make payments at more than 1,000 U.S. Target stores and in Starbucks locations participating in a trial in Seattle and Northern California. The app also lets users check their My Starbucks Rewards status and find local shops. The app is available now for download on Starbucks' site.

Adobe confirmed to Phone Scoop in a call that though Android 2.2 is required for Flash Player Mobile 10.1 to work, that doesn't mean that all Android 2.2 devices will be able to access and run Flash Player Mobile. According to Adobe, smartphones need to have a minimum set of specifications in order to run Flash PLlayer Mobile, including a fast enough processor and graphics support. Adobe's web site notes that devices with a VGA screen need to have at least a 550Mhz processor in addition to hardware vector FPU support. Devices with WVGA displays need to have a dedicated Cortex A8 800MHz processor or higher, with the same hardware vector FPU support. Adobe said that the Google Nexus One, HTC EVO 4G, HTC Desire, and Motorola Droid, Droid 2 and Droid X are all certified to run Flash. Adobe noted that it knows of several Android handsets that will be released later this year that won't meet the minimum spec requirements to support Flash, though Adobe couldn't name them because they haven't been announced by the manufacturer/carrier.

T-Mobile is offering BlackBerry OS 5.0.0.822 to its BlackBerry Curve 8900 and 8520 devices. The software can be downloaded over the air directly to the handset. T-Mobile recommends that users of the 8900 and 8520 update their system software.

Google has settled a lawsuit against it over its Buzz social networking service. When it launched in February, Google automatically used Gmail customers' Google Contacts to build a set of followers. Many complained that this was done without their permission and gave away their email addresses to strangers. Google changed the privacy settings quickly, but the failed launch was enough for some to sue. Rather than pay any claimants, Google is setting aside $8.5 million to be used for attorney's fees and donations to organizations that help aid in keeping user data private on the internet. Google will also make it clearer to users of the Buzz service how their privacy is handled. Buzz is built into the browser-based version of Gmail, and also has dedicated mobile tools, such as a widget for the Android platform.

According to the Wall Street Journal, T-Mobile USA is in talks with Huawei about the Chinese company's new IDEOS Android smartphone. A source cited by the Journal said that a deal isn't in place yet, but one could be forged within four to six weeks. Huawei developed the Tap touch phone, which was branded and sold by T-Mobile. Huawei has yet to strike a major win with U.S. network operators, and the company confirmed that it is talking to the carriers about distribution deals. The Journal believes the device will be available before the holidays for about $100 on contract. The IDEOS runs Android 2.2, has a 2.8-inch touch screen, camera, Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth.

Sony Ericsson fields an 8.1 megapixel shooter with S60 5th Edition under the hood. Despite its potential, the Vivaz has problems.
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