Phandroid
Verizon to start giving back with Smart Rewards
Verizon’s name is typically associated with the carrier’s tendency to bill and charge you for anything and everything they can. They’re often considered the most expensive wireless carrier to do business with. But it looks like they want to change that perception with a new rewards program they’ve announced.
Dubbed Verizon Smart Rewards, the program will allow you to earn points for doing what you already do with your Verizon account today. Whether that’s signing into your My Verizon account and paying a bill or signing up for paperless billing, points can be earned without you having to jump through hoops.
Points are useless without anything to spend them on, though, so what are they offering? Nothing out of the ordinary, really. They’ll have discounts for goods and services from over 200 well-known brands, travel discounts at over 26,000 hotels, and offers on local shopping and dining, all of which are redeemable from your smartphone (likely through either MyVerizon or a standalone app).
You’ll also have opportunities to win NFL game tickets (Verizon being their official carrier sponsor, and all) as well as discounts on Verizon Wireless gift cards and access to exclusive sales and auctions. Sounds like a pretty good deal if you’re the type who likes to get a little something back for all the hard-earned money you spend with them.
The program launches July 24th and folks needn’t look further than the MyVerizon site to get started with the signup process. You’ll be given 10,000 points to start off with, and while we’re not sure just how much you’ll be able to take advantage of with that amount it sounds like you’ll be able to get some of the smallest rewards right away without much work.
The caveat to all this? Verizon warns some users may have to sign up for Verizon Selects, a program that allows them to use location, web browsing and apps usage information to get insight into their demographics. They might also use said information to serve up targeted ads in their apps, on the web, via text message or via email. Not OK with that? Simply refuse to sign up for rewards. Otherwise, enjoy the new benefits!
[via Verizon]
Sony Xperia Z2 (D6503) now available in the US direct from Sony, supports AT&T and T-Mobile networks
Call it a sign of the times, but for some diehard Android enthusiasts, this year’s current crop of flagships has been rather lackluster one area or another. Perhaps the only exception was Sony who was first out the gate with their 2014 flagship, the Sony Xperia Z2, introduced back during Mobile World Congress in February.
The phone packed many of the specs we thought would come standard in this year’s flagships: Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB of RAM, beefy 3,100mAh battery, and a high-res 20.7MP camera. What more could you ask for? Unfortunately for those of us in the US, we’ve been stuck in limbo awaiting any word on availability ’round these parts.
According to the most recent wave of leaks, it now appears the Sony Xperia Z2 could be headed to the states as a Verizon exclusive — not exactly the best news for those of us on networks like AT&T or T-Mobile. But we now have a way out. The GSM compatible Sony Xperia Z2 (D6503) is now officially available for purchase online (sort of, it’s backordered) direct from Sony. While it’s true the phone has been available for quite some time via 3rd party retailers, this marks the first time it’s finally available from Sony.
Pay no mind to the listing of a Snapdragon 800 processor on the device’s Sony listing, we’re sure it’s only a slip up. As for the rest of the specs, you’ll find the device has everything it needs to operate on both AT&T and T-Mobile networks, LTE included: UMTS HSPA+ 850 (Band V), 900 (Band VIII), 1700 (Band IV), 1900 (Band II), 2100 (Band I) MHz GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 20).
Of course for many, a $700 smartphone isn’t something they can justify to the wife after seeing next month’s statement. Guess it’s the best we can do until the phone is officially available for purchase from other carriers, whether subsidized or through early upgrade offers. That’s if it ever launches outside of Verizon. We’ll continue keeping our fingers crossed. In the meantime, I have some buying to do…
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