Verizon is signed up for an LG Chocolate 4 -- but is it anything like the BL40?

We've just received word from a trusted source that Verizon has started the process of ordering dummy phones for an LG Chocolate 4, the latest in the carrier's long-running line of reasonably successful music-oriented dumbphones. That in itself isn't terribly interesting; what we really want to know is whether the new model will take a cue from the Black Label-branded BL40, one of the few phones in recent memory that seems to have unified and captivated phone fans from every walk of life. The thought of a domestic US launch of anything approaching the BL40's cool is a tantalizing one, indeed -- tempered only by the reality that no LG can escape Verizon's launch gauntlet untainted by evil firmware. If we had to guess, the Chocolate 4's going to be a far less revolutionary phone, but it's something to keep an eye on.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 15th 2009 9:38PM]

I'm guessing no.

I'd be amazed to see LG producing a CDMA version of this phone before its available to the rest of the world under its black label uh label.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 19th 2009 8:21PM]

http://www.phonearena.com/htmls/New-Verizon-phones-due-out-by-the-end-of-the-year-article-a_6086.html

Check out the New Verizon phones due out.

[ThatGuy Posted Jul 15th 2009 9:53PM]

still waiting on that launch date for the Omnia II Verizon...

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 15th 2009 10:08PM]

Let me guess... This will go to AT&T just like all the good phones are going to this crappy network. If this does go to Verizon, I am definitely getting it!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 15th 2009 11:39PM]

This isnt going to AT&T. Verizon has had all Chocolate phones. So, it will be going to VZW.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 15th 2009 11:30PM]

It is slated as the chocolate touch or lg -vx8575

[TendoMan Posted Jul 15th 2009 11:36PM]

So are we going to be seeing the same horrid VZW UI on it, or are they going to be keeping the sexy Flash UI? Any word on price on your end of things?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 15th 2009 11:51PM]

Take a look at the fourth picture in this forum Rob dug up in an older Engadget post:

http://www.telefon-treff.de/showthread.php?postid=3728125#post3728125

In my opinion, the phone seems like a more suitable phone to fit the bill as an LG Chocolate 4, with the possibility of them returning to touch-controls? Just throwing that out there, I'm most likely wrong (and hope to be) wrong and that the Chocolate 4 will be some iteration of the BL40

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 15th 2009 11:51PM]

Some other notable launches I will mention that are being prepared for Q3

BIG launch of new Push to Talk phones....

Casio "Rock" (I am hoping they will change this name!) - Model # C731
Casio "Brigade" - Model # C741
Samsung "Convoy" - Model # U640
Motorola v860 - no name yet

A few others include....

Samsung 450 - Which I just found out will be a juke like device - hooray! and I have seen colors of Black and Teal

Samsung 440 - entry level phone to replace the 430

Samsung Omnia II - Model # i920 - this will be out for christmas!

Motorola "Entice" - Model # Motorola w766 - replacing 755

Samsung Rogue - Model # SCHU960 -replacement to Glyde

Treo 800w - Probably not until February

Nokia "Shade" - Model Nokia 2705 - basic replacement to 2605

Nokia "Twist" - Model Nokia 7705

And early reports of the Storm II are true and will be released approximately around the same time as last year. I was told by my superiors that the reasoning for this was that they want to ensure that those folks with the Storm I will be eligible for an early upgrade. Any new info and I will let everyone know!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 15th 2009 11:57PM]

Thanks for the speedy and informative response!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2009 9:41AM]

Is the Nokia Twist the swiveling QWERTY Nokia that we have been hearing about?

Also, does it include the S40 interface?

Thanks for all the info!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 20th 2009 12:16AM]

Austin,

the Nokia twist is the swiveling keyboard that has been talked about. I havent used the N40 interface so I cant say for sure if they are the same. Currently the keyboard will swivel similar to the Sidekick but we are working with Nokia to design the most condusive option for durability as well convenience.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 15th 2009 11:59PM]

I will say that this is 100% exclusive to Verizon within the US. Now to respond to Tendo's comments.....the phone will run flash, have wifi and so far I have seen far less firmware than most dumbphones (though it is pretty much in the infant stages in that sense). It is guarenteed to have firmware for aGPS only. As I spend more time with the phone I will write a more in depth review.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2009 8:29AM]

Very interesting, do you know any more specs and a release date? I really want this Chocolate 4!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2009 8:41AM]

Hey Verizon Tester, can you email me please at [e-mail]

I would love to know more about your job and the phones...

I want to be a phone tester and want to know what I need to get into the field.

Please email me Thanks!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2009 5:37AM]

"Evil firmware"

I used to take consumer customer service calls @ VZW for years, and I never, EVER received an escalated call about a customer's firmware. Ever.

I can tell you as a Verizon Wireless employee that the majority of our customers couldn't care LESS about the freakin' firmware. Only self-important a-holes like 1/2 of all cell phone/tech bloggers and their readers, who insist that their phones be able to fly them to the moon/provide hovercraft service/act as mind-reading devices for $50 on a max 1 yr contract give a rat's ass about the phone's firmware. If it makes/receives calls and sends/receives messages, people are happy.

Most of you, Engadget authors included, have absolutely zero perspective on this. Take a step out of your little nerd boxes and look at the other over 80 million customers - YOU ALL ARE IN THE MINORITY. The severe, severe minoritiy.

So how about stop taking so many pot shots at VZW for features that the general public has never and will never care about?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2009 10:03AM]

thanks for your single contribution to engadget... inspiring

[ThatGuy Posted Jul 16th 2009 11:12AM]

@ VZW Employee

Duh, this is not news. We dont care about the average user. So go back to your hole now.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2009 5:18PM]

You took the calls, but I actually sold the phones in a store.

I too worked at Verizon, and I can tell you the reasons large number of people returned their phones was the UI. They never SAID "Hey this UI SUCKS IM RETURNING IT." but after discussing their reasons it always came down to them not liking some dumbed down aspect of the phone. Hardware was not as much of an issue as the software. But you're right, most customers dont isolate problems as firmware related.

More often than not they would also ask me in their uninformed roundabout way if we had any phones that DIDNT operate like that.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 16th 2009 2:35PM]

@ Ryan; Your 20 contributions to Engadget...... mindblowing!

[daseff Posted Jul 16th 2009 8:26PM]

I really, really hope Verizon's next chocolate is something like the BL40. This phone looks insane! Something new and unique; I really like it. I feel like they would rather just introduce another slider than go with something new, though. Oh well. I'm looking forward to it. Tentative release timeframe, VerizonTester? Hopefully you're legit, but it seems like you are :)

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 17th 2009 1:45PM]

I dont really know a time frame on this. I can confirm the claim that mock or "dummy" units have been purchased for the displays in retail locations and that the design has been firmly set. This is LG's first CDMA phone with flash software so I can tell you that it we have been working through many bugs in that regard. This is only an educated guess but I would put the Sunday before Black Friday (we typically launch all of our new phones on Sunday or Friday)

[daseff Posted Jul 18th 2009 6:01AM]

Is Verizon only releasing a Chocolate Touch (BL40-like device), or will they also be releasing a new chocolate slider (BL42-like device)?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 19th 2009 9:25AM]

Hey there Verizon Tester, I'm curious about both Casio models, any info on both of these? I know the Rock is supposed to replace the Boulder, and I never heard of the Brigade, but if you could shed some light upon what both the Rock and Brigade are going to be like I'd be interested to find out more. Thanks for ya help....

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 20th 2009 12:16AM]

To be completely honest, the BL-42 is something I have yet to get my hands on (or anything similiar to that variation). I can tell you that it makes a lot of sense for them to have chocolate 4 available with the chocolate touch similar to the way they just launched the Env3 and Env Touch. The BL-42 screams Chocolate 4. I will peek around and talk to some coworkers and see if I can get any details. Steve, the Rock is going to be a very similar phone to the Boulder with resolutions to the issues the Boulder had (tinny sound on speaker, battery life, etc.). The Brigade is shaping up to be in the mold of the Exilim (minus the swivel) because of its upgraded camera. But it will be much sleeker looking than the Exilim. It will continue to retain its military specs for shock, water, and dust. All the new PTT phones will be launched at the same time.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 20th 2009 3:30PM]

Good point Verizon Tester, I never did think of the possibility that both phones could come to Verizon as another duo like the recent Env 3 and Env Touch. I really hope this happens to be the case!

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 31st 2009 8:22PM]

Heyy I'm really excited about chocolate 4 by owning the 2 and loveing the first even though I never owned it I personaly think that verizon and lg took a HUGE step back in design withthe chocolate 3 by switching to the clamshell flip design I really love to see them revert to the slideing design maybe even a sliding QWERTY would be nice I hope the don't make a candybar touchscreen and doubt the would because it wouldn't even be like a chocolate anymore if u know a suspected launch date please email me becuase I'm thinking Im going to upgrade to the moto rival but would LOVE to see a chocolAte 4 and if u know what colors this phone is expected to come in that would be great please email me at [e-mail] please and thank you :)

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 31st 2009 8:58PM]

Oh and the reason verizon came out with the env3 and env touch at the same time is because the env touch is the successer to the voyager but another company already had the name voyager so they had to change the name to env touch