Verizon and HTC unveil the DROID Incredible at 99% Conference

The last 24 hours have been an incredible ride for the new DROID Incredible.  First we see the official splash page go up, and then it’s updated with the new handset name.  After a while the page becomes password protected and then this morning, Verizon puts up the official spec page of the phone.  I’m sure there may have been a few missed steps along the way from the web team over at Verizon, but it’s also conceivable that they have us running in circles, reporting news, all in the hopes of creating some excitement.  After all that, Verizon and HTC have finally made the official announcement!

The two companies unveiled the Verizon DROID Incredible by HTC at the 99% Conference. 

Today at the 99% Conference HTC and Verizon Wireless have announced the Droid Incredible by HTC, a sleek new smartphone  with a revved up engine. An ultra slim design featuring red accents and a topographic back cover houses the powerful Android 2.1 operating system with HTC Sense. Sporting a 3.7 inch AMOLED touchscreen, optical joystick, and dedicated capacitive navigation buttons; navigating through the day’s activities is as easy as a Sunday drive. Plus, additional features such as HTC’s Friend Stream, an 8 megapixel camera, and digital compass all come standard.

As we already announced, the DROID Incredible will be available on April 29^th and will be priced at $199.99 after $100 main-in rebate with a new two year contract.  No new surprises from what we reported earlier this morning, but according to the press release, Android Market now has over 30,000 applications.  After launch, DROID Incredible customers will also be able to download to of Verizon’s exclusive apps (Skype Mobile and NFL Mobile).

If you’re not too familiar with what the Verizon DROID Incredible by HTC (that name is a bit too long for my taste) or simply want to drool a little more, check out the specs and full press release below.  Oh, and we thought we’d also let you know that the Veirzon DROID Incredible splash page is up and running again.

It’s a Droid, It’s Incredible, It’s on the Nation’s LARGEST And Most Reliable 3G Network

DROID Incredible™ by HTC Combines Power of Android™, Usability of HTC Sense™, Exclusively from Verizon Wireless

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and NEW YORK – Verizon Wireless today announced DROID Incredible by HTC, the newest Android device on the nation’s most reliable wireless 3G network, will be available beginning April 29.       

Featuring a “topographic” design that demonstrates the powerful engineering just beneath the surface, DROID Incredible by HTC is designed with craftsmanship and precision while making it easier than ever to stay connected.

DROID Incredible by HTC features the newest version of the HTC Sense experience, a seven-panel home screen with a wide selection of interactive widgets so the most important content is immediately available at a touch.  Customers will enjoy seamless integration with Exchange ActiveSync®, quick and easy access to Flickr for sharing and viewing pictures, video, and Android Market™ with more than 30,000 Google applications.  DROID Incredible by HTC is the first Verizon Wireless phone that takes advantage of Qualcomm’s 1GHz superfast Snapdragon processor, and it’s the first available phone from Verizon Wireless to include an          8 megapixel camera. 

Shortly after the phone becomes available, customers will be able to enjoy two of the latest exclusive apps from Verizon Wireless – NFL Mobile and Skype mobile™.

Additional Key features:       

• Android 2.1 with HTC Sense experience
• 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon™ processor for maximum responsiveness
• Friend Stream for unified Flickr, Facebook and Twitter updates
• “Leap” view for quick access to all seven home screen panels
• 8 megapixel camera with dual LED flash for crisp, detailed images
• Razor-sharp 3.7 inch WVGA (480×800) AMOLED capacitive touch display
• Optical joystick for smooth navigation
• Dedicated, touch-sensitive Home, Menu, Back and Search keys
• Proximity sensor, light sensor and digital compass
• Integrated GPS
• Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
• 3.5 mm headset jack

Price and availability:

DROID Incredible will be available for pre-order online at www.verizonwireless.com beginning on April 19 and it will be in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores on April 29.  Pricing will be $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.  Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.

DROID Incredible customers will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan.  Nationwide Talk plans begin at $39.99 monthly access.  Email and Web for Smartphone plans start at $29.99 for unlimited monthly access.

For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.