Here it is. What we’ve all been waiting for. Today is the day Verizon Wireless chose to make the announcement on pricing and availability of the new BlackBerry Z30 phone we’ve been hearing so much about. This makes VZW the first carrier in the US to confirm it’s support of the new BlackBerry phone and affirm it’s position to think BlackBerry may still have what it takes to make it. It seems like Verizon is really pumped about the big screen and having something that can potentially compete against the “phablets” while providing a bit more substance and diversity in the market. Keep reading for the announcement from Verizon:Coming in November, the BlackBerry Z30 smartphone with 5-inch HD display will be available online at www.verizonwireless.com for $199.99 with new two-year activation. Verizon Edge is also available for eligible customers who want to upgrade for $22.91 per month for 24 months.
Big screens on smartphones mean less squinting when reading emails or editing documents, easier typing on a larger keyboard, and more sharing videos with friends sitting next to you. The newest smartphone from BlackBerry will make that all possible.
Gamers will appreciate the HD screen for mobile gaming on the go, but the BlackBerry Z30 also supports Miracast to wirelessly connect to a compatible HDTV and mirror exactly what’s on the smartphone to the HDTV’s larger display. Business professionals, for example, can walk into a boardroom with only their smartphone and show their presentation on an HDTV to colleagues or supervisors.
Besides the big HD screen, BlackBerry Z30 includes the BlackBerry Hub, a single place on the smartphone where users can access all their conversations. BBMs, Twitter @ replies, emails, text messages, Facebook event invites and more can be found in one place without launching each app individually. And within BlackBerry Hub is the Priority Hub, which learns what conversations are important to the user, helping them stay even more organized and focused.
Watching a video or editing a document requires attention until suddenly a message arrives and the tough dilemma arises – do you continue focusing on watching or editing, or do you leave the app to check and reply to the message? BBM on the BlackBerry Z30 eliminates that dilemma with BBM Now. It gives users a preview of any BBM as it arrives and lets them either dismiss or reply without leaving the app they’re currently using. BBM is now also available on Android and iOS so BlackBerry fans can BBM with friends on those devices.
The BlackBerry Z30 also comes with a 2880mAh battery that can last an entire day (25 hours with mixed usage) and includes support for wireless charging, so users can easily charge it by setting it on a wireless charger – no wires or plugging in necessary.
I’m pumped for the news. I can’t wait to ditch my Z10 for the Z30 and give it a go once it hits the states. If you’re thinking about getting a Z30, let us know in the comments below!