Verizon was the first major carrier in the US to launch a 4G LTE network, and ever since then, they’ve been on a warpath to stay ahead of the rest of the pack. Their most recent LTE expansions include a bunch of new markets across New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. I’ll be honest, I haven’t heard of most of these places, but that just means Verizon is determined to bring LTE coverage to every nook and cranny across the US. Here’s the full list:

• Henniker, New Hampshire
• Canton, Ohio
• Youngstown And Warren, Ohio
• Northern Cambria County, Pennsylvania
• Erie, Pennsylvania
• Somerset, Pennsylvania
• New Castle; Pennsylvania
• Oil City, Pennsylvania
• Franklin, Pennsylvania
• Clarion, Pennsylvania
• Barnesboro, Pennsylvania
• Bucyrus, Ohio
• Lima, Ohio
• Defiance, Ohio
• Toledo, Ohio
• Ashtabula, Ohio
• Mansfield, Ohio
• Lunenburg, Massachusetts

Any of our readers in one of these markets and happy to now have LTE in your area?

Update: Looks like they’ve added a few towns in Virginia as well, including: Fredericksburg, Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Martinsville.

[via Droid Life]

On Monday, Verizon and HTC announced the Droid Incredible 4G LTE. With Verizon moving away from 3G smartphones, an LTE-enabled version of the Incredible line is only a natural progression. The Incredible 4G LTE is now what we would consider a baby phone with only a 4 inch screen, but that’s plenty for most people. Pretty much all the other specs are a slight bump from the Incredible 2:

• 4-inch super LCD qHD display
• Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich with HTC Sense 4.0
• 8 megapixel rear-facing camera with autofocus, LED flash, BSI, f/2.2 and 28 mm lens
• Front-facing camera
• 1.2 GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor
• Support for up to 32 GB microSD memory card
• 1,700 mAh lithium ion removable battery
• Verizon 4G LTE connectivity
• NFC and Beats Audio

Of course, Verizon hasn’t been too specific with a release date, they did say the Incredible 4G LTE would be available in the coming weeks. They also didn’t indicate a price, but we would guess $199 with a two year contract.

[Press Release]

The latest update for the Motorola Droid 3 might be a huge one, version number 5.7.905.XT862 clocks in at around 230MB, which is huge for an update. However, it’s not Android 4.0, but instead just an update for Gingerbread. This huge update brings a bug fix for pretty much anything imaginable that might be a problem on the Droid 3. Here’s the full change log:

Device Features

• A Google Security Patch has been added to improve the security level.
• Fixed issue where the device may power ON without user interaction.
• Avoid device interruption when accessing an application prior to the storage being fully mounted on the device.
• Improvements in device stability help avoid device power cycles.
• When connected to a Bluetooth® headset or HDMI cable, the device will no longer lock up and power cycle.
• Improvements to the camera’s auto focus will reduce the shutter response time and enhance the quality of captured imagery.
• Device is enabled with the Wireless Alerting System.

Call Features

• Use a wired headset without the interruption of a high pitched tone.
• Plus code dialing has been enhanced, improving the experience while traveling.

Applications & Widgets

• Playback media can be heard while using a Bluetooth headset.
• Place a call to the appropriate recipient using the contact widget.
• When moving applications to the SD card, shortcuts to these Apps will remain.
• After updating the contact database from the Messaging App, the Messaging UI will display the latest contact information.
• Successfully post and play videos on Facebook.
• Purchased ringtones are now able to be downloaded, saved and used where appropriate.
• Contact pictures display properly in Google Voice.
• VZ Navigator® 3D City is now preloaded.
• Resolved excessive data usage and continuous downloading for VZ Navigator 3D City downloads.

While owners of the HTC Rezound are patiently waiting for Verizon to give the green light on the Ice Cream Sandwich update, there are some people that just can’t wait. For those impatient among us, there’s a new leaked ROM out, build number 3.13.605.7 with is Android 4.0.3 with Sense 3.6 and new radios.

This is most likely still a testing version, and not the final release, but it’s still the latest version available. Installing it will wipe your phone completely, so proceed with caution. Also, if your bootloader is unlocked via HTC Dev, this will not work, so you must be locked running the latest stock firmware.

[Download Link] [Mirror]

Install instructions:

• After downloading the file, rename it to “PH98IMG.zip” (no quotes)
• Place the renamed file onto the root of the SD Card
• Power down your device
• Reboot into the bootloader by holding VOL DOWN + Power
• The flashing process should begin automatically

[via Android Police]

The latest Ice Cream Sandwich builds for the Motorola Droid RAZR and RAZR MAXX have been leaked out. Build number 6.14.84 is the version number, and it’s most likely not a final release, just another incremental testing version. A few bugs still remain and we’re expecting more changes before Verizon approves a final build.

According to the leaked screenshots of Verizon’s software release schedule, the RAZR and MAXX are in firmware testing till May 17th, with the final upgrade due on May 21st. But if you don’t think you can wait that long, hit up the source link for downloads and instructions for updating the the latest available build.

UPDATE: The download links have been pulled since many users are reporting they are not able to flash back to the previous stable firmware.

Source: Droid RZR forums

Anxious to know when your Verizon device is getting its next update? Well look no further, because the software update schedule has been leaked for many devices.

We start off with the HTC Rezound, Motorola RAZR/MAXX and Motorola XOOM, all poised to get Ice Cream Sandwich very soon. Assuming the testing phase goes well, the Rezound OTA should start on May 9th and the RAZR/MAXX on May 23rd. Meanwhile the XOOM 3G/4G update has finished testing and is ready to be pushed out straight from Google, date unknown at least to Verizon.

We’re not sure if Verizon has ICS updates for the other devices, since they’re listed in a separate section they’re most likely just maintenance updates. Also the size of the update files is a bit too small to be Android 4.0. Updates for the Commando, Droid 4, Rhyme and others are already on the way. And for the Bionic, Thunderbolt, Revolution, Galaxy Tab 10.1, and Xperia Play are still in testing.

[via Droid Life]

Verizon has recently posted a changelog for the latest update for the Casio G’zOne Commando. The new software version is C771M110 and brings a handful of bug fixes and feature updates including fixed to GPS, changes to email and messaging, mass storage improvements and more. Commando owners can expect to see the OTA update notification any day now.

[Verizon Support]

Verizon has just published details of the latest update now ready for the Motorola Droid RAZR and RAZR MAXX handsets. After the roller coaster of hearing Best Buy leak that Ice Cream Sandwich was coming a couple weeks ago, then it wasn’t coming, then we heard another update was coming. That update is finally here. While it’s not Android 4.0, it does bring some fixes and useful improvements to the RAZR family. Here’s the full rundown of changes:

Device Features:

• Improved device stability.
• Optimized device performance to extend battery life.
• Added easy access to preloaded VZW bookmarks through quick key access.
• Corrected loud call end and connect tones over Bluetooth.®
• Enhanced device security preventing unauthorized access of telephony database by third parties.
• Device is now updated with IPv6.
• As new Internet addresses are introduced, you will be able to continue to browse and view web pages with this latest Internet enhancement.

Network Connectivity:

• 4G coverage indicator accurately displays data connectivity.
• Improved Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity when utilizing WPS security.

Email, Messaging & Data:

• Improved text message delivery.

Applications & Widgets:

• Improved Visual Voice Mail performance with data disabled and visual voicemail notification delivery.
• Enhanced security in Verizon Apps.

MotoCast™ Updates:

• Included a new MotoCast widget to enable easier access and discoverability of MotoCast services.
• Modified the storage settings screen to make it easier to understand total storage versus available storage.
• Implemented a number of MotoCast performance improvements.

Verizon has published the list of changes as coming soon, so be on the lookout for an OTA update notification on your RAZR or RAZR MAXX some time this week or next. The new update is Version.6.12.181.XT912.Verizon.en.US and runs about 17MB in size.

[Verizon Support]

Along with the Droid 2, the HTC Rhyme is also getting a maintenance update. Again, it’s not Ice Cream Sandwich, but both HTC and Verizon have confirmed the Rhyme will eventually get the Android 4.0 update. This fairly minor update of 67.8MB brings your version number to 2.20.605.3 and includes bug-fixes, changes to the signal strength meter and docking feature changes. HTC Rhyme owners should be seeing an OTA update notification soon as the update is now rolling out.

[Verizon Support via Droid-Life]

Owners of the Motorola Droid 2 on Verizon should be getting an OTA update notification soon, as Verizon is now pushing out the update. You weren’t thinking it was Ice Cream Sandwich, were you? Well it’s not, it’s just a simple maintenance update. The update clocks in at around 14MB and will bump your software version to 4.5.621 as well as delivering the following changes:

Device Features

• Device is enabled with the Wireless Alerting System.
• A Google Security Patch has been added to improve security level.
• Fixed issue where the device may power ON without user interaction.
• Adjusted camera settings will be saved, even after the device is powered down.
• Resolved possible device resets while playing music.
• Reduced Out of Memory errors.

Email, Messaging & Data

•  Improved ability to access and receive Gmail messages when the  Mobile Hotspot is turned on.
• Addressed error that replicated thumbnails in message threads.

Applications & Widgets

• WAV files can be played from Visual Voice Mail.
• Purchased ringtones are now able to be downloaded, saved and used where appropriate.

If you haven’t already gotten a notification, you can go to Settings > About Phone > System Updates to manually check.