By 
I first heard about the HTC Merge last fall when someone leaked some pics of the phone on Verizon’s network. Since then, you can find the Merge on just about every carrier these days. Alltell wireless is taking pre-orders and Cellular South plans to release it soon. Don’t even get me started on Verizon, who has been sitting on this phone apparently for months.
Well, now you can add US Cellular to the bunch. Engadget received a screenshot from a US Cellular internal email showing they plan to release the phone this Friday, April 29th.
Just as a refresher, the Merge is one of HTC’s world phones compatible with both CDMA and GSM frequencies. It features a 3.8 inch screen, a solid 4-row QWERTY keyboard and Android 2.2 with HTC’s Sense UI for a topping. Looks like this phone could complete a solid Android lineup for QWERTY lovers no matter which carrier decides to snatch it up. Verizon, where you at?
[Via Engadget]
Does anyone care anymore? This phone is horridly outdated.
Yeah, but some people DEMAND a qwerty phone. Maybe this is for them?
Outdated how? Has 2.2 on it, 3.8 inc screen, 5MP camera w/ flash, 800mhz processor, 512mb ram and FM Radio. Sure it’s no Thunderbolt or dual core. But it is a better than average mid range phone.
Probably due to Verizon putting some “really great software tweaks” on there.
BURRRRRN! =D
At this point, I really doubt that we are ever actually going to see it on Verizon. I think that it missed its release window, Nov’10 – Jan’11, and it’s dated hardware now. It’s my belief that VZW delayed its release to avoid cannibalizing Droid2/D2G sales, and now cares very little about QWERTY smartphones – It’s been rumored for quite some time that was the case due to some research polling, which indicated that people weren’t interested in QWERTYs. I beg to differ with that poll, but I don’t think Verizon cares… I think they’ve bought into the research firm analyst mantra of everyone wants an iPhone (or the closest thing the consumer can get to it). Of course, I’m also pretty sure just about every “analyst” must own Apple stock – when’s the last time you’ve heard one of them actually put an iDevice down.
It would be beautiful if Verizon were holding it back because HTC was making a 4G version for Verizon, to make it like the Evo Shift.
*wakes up from daydream*
Yeah, or it’s just Verizon being Verizon too.
with verizon dropping the price on retail this or the droid 3 will be my next buy unless vzw comes with a compelling qwerty device. then next year when LTE is running well and they provide the users options with maybe a 4G Droid with qwerty i’ll sign on….its a shame other carriers are getting 4G qwerty devices but verizon is focused on slab style devices…
i own an original droid( you think the merge is out dated?!?!?) and i tried using the virtual keyboard for a day. It drove me crazy not having keys. And i for one have been waiting for this Phone for verizon. Also, since it has the same gpu as the thinderbolt (adreno205) if yoou overclocked it to 1ghz it would be close to it in performance.
Alltel had the Merge over a month ago. Why don’t they get the spotlight?