Verizon had a data outage earlier today that affected most of the US from connecting to the web on their mobile phones. The issue didn’t prevent NY users from connecting but did stop many other users across the country.

An update from Twitter confirms that all is fixed now though…

According to this official tweet the problem has been resolved: “VZW resolves early AM data issue that involved parts, not all, of eastern US: mix of some out, slower service, many unaffected from 4-8 AM.” So, if you’re still out, the time has come to hit up those customer service agents.

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Alpine have announced plans to partner with Nokia to integrate Ovi Maps in to their in-car head units. The new “connected technology” is being called Terminal Mode and will bring navigation that uses NAVTEQ maps in to cars.

As well as bringing free satellite navigation in to vehicles the new systems also make use of widget-based services that also bring entertainment such as movies and MP3 audio to cars. Other features include weather reports as well as being able to use the phone within as an actual phone to make and receive calls.

The possibilities don’t end there either as the device will have a GPS for tracking purposes along with data connectivity the system will be able to keep track of fuel stations near by allowing you to quickly find the cheapest place to fill up. Also by interfacing the car with the computer the fuel levels and engine status can also be tracked allowing you to have all details of your car in the one location. Other features could see you receiving vouchers for discounts on local stores as you pass by them. [Read more…]

We mentioned earlier that Apple [AAPL] were suing HTC for 20 patent infringements. A statement has been made by HTC saying that they only caught wind of this through the media this morning and that they haven’t looked through the paperwork just yet but that they are… ‘committed to defending [their] own technology innovations.

‘HTC is a mobile technology innovator and patent holder that has been very focused over the past 13 years on creating many of the most innovative smartphones. HTC values patent rights and their enforcement but is also committed to defending its own technology innovations. HTC only learned of Apple’s actions this morning via media reports, and therefore we have not yet had the opportunity to investigate the filings. Until we have had this opportunity, we are unable to comment on the validity of the claims being made against HTC.

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You are probably aware by now that T-Mobile in the US are launching the HTC HD2 this month. It seems like pricing has been leaked showing the phone as selling for $199.99 after a rebate. The rebate amount is unknown at the moment although expected to be either $50 or $100. The contract free phone is also listed as being sold at $449.99.

Other phones listed in the image above (larger version below) are the CLIQ XT that’s listed at $129.99 after a rebate with the contract free version selling for $329.99. [Read more…]

AT&T are about to launch the Motorola Backflip in the next few days. What we are now hearing is that AT&T are going to be dropping Google Search from the Android install replacing it with Yahoo Search. This is the first time we have heard of a Google [GOOG] Android handset not using Google Search by default.

The reason AT&T can do this is because Android is an open platform that allows them to make changes as needed to suit the phones launching on their network. We just didn’t expect that AT&T would drop a core search feature.

We don’t know the full reasons why they would switch the search to Yahoo! and perhaps they are trying to keep Apple [AAPL] happy by keeping google away from their Android phones, but anything right now is just pure speculation. [Read more…]