Microsoft has just unveiled a new feature in Bing that will help Windows Phone 7 users find new apps for their smartphones.  The new feature, a part of Bing Visual Search, shows users in the United States and UK Windows Phone 7 apps sorted by top rated, newest free, newest paid and most downloaded.  You can also view all Windows Phone apps, which number 2383 as of this posting.

To get the full benefits of the new search tool, you’ll need the Zune software installed on your PC (if it isn’t already).

Check out the apps search page on Bing.

Microsoft has just unveiled a new feature in Bing that will help Windows Phone 7 users find new apps for their smartphones.  The new feature, a part of Bing Visual Search, shows users in the United States and UK Windows Phone 7 apps sorted by top rated, newest free, newest paid and most downloaded.  You can also view all Windows Phone apps, which number 2383 as of this posting.

To get the full benefits of the new search tool, you’ll need the Zune software installed on your PC (if it isn’t already).

Check out the apps search page on Bing.

Engadget has gotten hold of a “special offer” advertisement for Microsoft employees that confirms that the HTC Trophy is coming to Verizon Wireless.

Although it is not thought that the Trophy – or any other Windows Phone 7 smartphone – will be available to the public from Verizon until 2011, this at least shows that it may not be too long after New Year’s that Big Red will be rocking at least one WP7 handsets.

The document shows the Trophy as having a 3.8-inch touchscreen, a 5MP camera, 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.1.  There is no mention of a microSD memory card slot. 

The price listed is $199.

Although it’s been up for order for some days via third-parties, the LG Quantum Windows Phone is now officially on the shelves of AT&T Mobility stores. 

The LG Quantum is the fourth Windows Phone 7 powered smartphone available in the US, and the second with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard.  It also has the smallest touchscreen of any of the first crop of Windows Phones at 3.5-inches. There’s no microSD memory expansion, but the Quantum has 16GB of onboard storage, and the rest of the features are pretty much Windows Phone standard: 1GHz CPU, 5MP camera, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS.

AT&T’s out-the-door price for the LG Quantum is $199 with a two-year contract, but you can grab the phone at Amazon for $0.01 (until midnight)or LetsTalk.com for $99.

Verizon Wireless will launch another Android smartphone on November 18th, the LG Vortex.  The Vortex (also known as the Optimus One) is a budget Android-powered phone with a 600MHz CPU, a 3.2-inch touchscreen display and a 3MP camera with flash.  

Other features include 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1, a microSDHC memory card slot, and a removable 1500mAh Li-Ion battery.  Unfortunately, it looks like Bing will replace Google on the Vortex, à la the Samsung Fascinate [Review].

The LG Vortex will ship with Android OS v2.2 ‘Froyo’ and sell for $79 with a two-year service agreement (after a $100 mail-in rebate debit card).  Third party retailers will likely sell the handset for less shortly after launch.

Check out the full press release after the jump.

VERIZON WIRELESS AND LG MOBILE PHONES CREATE A WHIRLWIND OF POSSIBILITIES WITH THE LG VORTEX

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and SAN DIEGO – Verizon Wireless and LG Mobile Phones today announced the LG Vortex(tm) will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com on Nov. 18. The LG Vortex empowers first-time smartphone users to join and explore the growing Android world with 3G connectivity over the nation’s largest and most reliable wireless 3G network. With its sleek design, LG Vortex gives consumers easy-to-use access to a variety of applications that make life simple and keep customers at the center of their social universe.

Colors: Black and Violet

Key features:
* Powered by Android 2.2 – Offers customers support for Google Mobile Services, including Gmail(tm), YouTube(tm), Google Talk, Google Voice and access to Android Market(tm)
* Preloaded with Bing Search and Bing Maps
* 3.2" touchscreen with tactile feedback for fast and accurate touch vibration response
* Wi-Fi Connectivity
* 3G Mobile HotSpot capable
* Virtual QWERTY keyboard with Swype technology installed
* Bluetooth(r) 2.1 capabilities with support for Bluetooth Profiles Supported: Headset, Hands-Free, Dial-Up Networking, Object Push, Advanced Audio Distribution (stereo), Audio/Video Remote Control, Phone Book Access, and File Transfer
* microSD(tm) card slot with expandable memory up to 32 GB
Additional features:
* Customizable home screens with shortcuts to text messages, e-mail, apps, favorite social networking sites and widgets
* Customizable to 5 or 7 home screens
* Proximity sensor instantly locks touchscreen while talking on the phone
* Pre-installed LG Apps, including My Status with Twitter(tm) for LG and Facebook(r) for LG
* Visual Voice Mail capable
* Skype mobile(tm) capable
* Android Market – Choose from thousands of downloadable apps
* Full suite of messaging options – Text, picture, video and voice messaging; corporate and personal e-mail accounts supported
* VZ Navigator(r) capabilities – Access for customers to receive audible turn-by-turn directions to millions of points of interest and share the directions with others
* 3.2-megapixel autofocus camera and camcorder with flash that includes:
* Five different camera resolutions and three different video resolutions
* Macro Mode for detailed, up close pictures
* Image editor with zoom, rotate, resize, crop, added frames and stamps
* Customize brightness, white balance, shutter sounds, color effects and use self-timer
* Optimize video quality with normal, fine or super camcorder settings
* Video recording time up to 16 GB
Pricing and availability:
* The LG Vortex will be $79.99 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.
* LG Vortex customers will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan 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 $15 monthly access for 150 MB. Customers can track their data usage by downloading the My Verizon app available on Android Market or by logging on to their My Verizon accounts online at www.verizonwireless.com/myverizon.

As we told you last month, Netflix has been hiring developers for Android in an effort to bring their streaming video service to Google’s mobile platform. At the time we speculated that a Netflix app would hit the Android Marketplace in early 2011.

And, we were right… sort of.

Yesterday, Netflix confirmed that early 2011 is, indeed, their target Android release timeframe. But the company also regretfully reported that the release won’t be pretty.

VP of Product Development Greg Peters posted on the Netflix Blog that they’ll have a streaming app for “select Android devices … early next year.”  Why not all Android devices, you ask?  Shockingly, it’s because of the most unlikely of culprits… DRM.

As Peters writes, content owners – i.e. studios – require DRM (Digital Rights Management) to be in place on a target device in order for Netflix to be allowed to stream their videos to it.  But no such “generic and complete platform security and content protection mechanism” is currently available across all Android smartphones and tablets.  Put another way: No satisfactory OS-level DRM, no streaming video.

So, Netflix will “work with the Android community, handset manufacturers, carriers, and other service providers to develop a standard, platform-wide solution” that would pacify the studios and allow Netflix to do what they do.  We suppose this means that, at least at first, Netflix will only be available on a few Android devices, or perhaps devices from one or two device makers or carriers.

We know it’s difficult to believe that ironhanded DRM requirements could result in delays, incompatibilities, user headaches or service denial, but we fear – at least in this case – it’s true.  And we were so looking forward to using our phones to pirate video (Attention MPAA: that was sarcasm).

Now through Monday, November 15, Amazon is offering just about every AT&T smartphone (other than the iPhone, of course) for $0.01 with a new two-year service contract. 

The offer includes many popular handsets like the Samsung Captivate, HTC Aria and Motorola Bravo Android smartphones, along with two new AT&T Windows Phones, the LG Quantum and the HTC Surround.

You’ll also get free two-day shipping.

A couple of online retailers are now offering the T-Mobile HTC HD7 Windows Phone for $149 with a new two-year service contract.  But one is selling the new smartphone for $99: WireFly.

WireFly has the HTC HD7 for $99 at checkout with free shipping and no after-sale rebates. This requires a new T-Mobile account; if you’re upgrading, the price is $119.

The T-Mobile direct price for the HTC HD7 is $249 out the door with service, but also has a $50 mail in rebate. 

Updated November 12, 2010 9AM CST

The Pocket PC Central Accessories Center has been updated and now includes accessories for the HTC HD7 Windows Phone. There you can find cases, sync cables, and other accessories for the T-Mobile smartphone.

The T-Mobile HTC HD7 Accessories Center will continue to be updated over the coming weeks as more products become available for this new phone.

Learn more about the T-Mobile HTC HD7 Windows Phone…

• T-Mobile HTC HD7 Car Accessories

• T-Mobile HTC HD7 Batteries & Extenders

• T-Mobile HTC HD7 Chargers

• T-Mobile HTC HD7 Sync & Charging Cables

There’s a new Samsung Galaxy S Android phone coming to Verizon Wireless later this month: the Samsung Continuum.  What sets the Continuum apart is that it features two displays, a primary 3.4-inch AMOLED touchscreen with a smaller 1.8-inch “ticker display” below.

What is a ticker display?  It’s a small strip designed to display data customized to the user’s preferences.  Examples of information users can choose to display on this second screen include “news, social networking, sports and entertainment feeds.”

Other features include Android OS 2.1 – like the other current Galaxy S smartphones – a 1GHz Samsung Hummingbird CPU, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a 5MP camera with HD video recording, and a microSDHC memory card slot compatible with memory cards up to 32GB.

The Samsung Continuum will be available for pre-order on November 11 and will ship a week later.  The direct price will be $299 with a two-year contract, but a mail-in rebate will bring the final price down to $199.

Read the full press release after the jump.

VERIZON WIRELESS AND SAMSUNG MOBILE DEBUT WORLD’S FIRST DEDICATED MOBILE PHONE TICKER DISPLAY ON THE SAMSUNG CONTINUUM(tm), A GALAXY S(tm) SMARTPHONE

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and DALLAS – Verizon Wireless, the nation’s largest and most reliable wireless voice and 3G data network, and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the number one mobile phone provider in the United States(1), today announced the upcoming availability of the Samsung Continuum(tm), a Galaxy S(tm) smartphone. The Continuum is the world’s first smartphone designed with a dedicated ticker display, which provides users with up-to-the-minute news, sports, finance and social networking updates for maximized multitasking.

The Continuum features two separate but integrated displays: a 3.4-inch touch screen Super AMOLED(tm) main display and a customizable 1.8-inch Super AMOLED dedicated ticker display that streams customized information in real time. Additionally, the Continuum is powered by Android(tm) 2.1, with support for Google Mobile Services, including Gmail(tm), YouTube(tm), Android Market(tm) and more. The Continuum also includes a 1GHz Hummingbird Application Processor, 5-megapixel camera, and multiple entertainment and social networking features.

Key features and specifications:

· 3.4-inch Super AMOLED Main Touch Screen Display – Main display provides user-customizable homescreens and widgets in a brilliant screen display
· 1.8-inch Interactive Super AMOLED Ticker Display – Dedicated ticker display enables zero-click access to news, social networking, sports and entertainment feeds; users can select what content they want on the ticker by selecting from menu on display
· Grip Sensor – By touching the bottom sides of the device, the ticker display lights up to give users real-time weather, social networking services (SNS), message, IM and e-mail notification updates
· Super AMOLED Screen Technology – Brilliant screen makes watching movies, viewing videos and playing games come to life like never before, even in bright light and outdoor environments
· Android 2.1 platform – With support for Google Mobile Services, including Gmail, YouTube, Google Talk and Android Market
· Preloaded with Bing Maps and Bing Search
· Full HTML Web browsing capabilities
· 3G Mobile HotSpot capabilities – Allows customers to transform their phone into a wireless modem for up to five compatible Wi-Fi-enabled devices
· Advanced touchscreen gestures capabilities, including multi-touch pinch to zoom, double tap to zoom and horizontal swiping, which provides easier and quicker access to many applications, including location-based services, Web browsing and digital photos or videos
· Multiple file formats supported, including DivX and Xvid support
· Samsung 1GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird Application Processor – Produces amazing graphics, faster upload and download times, and HD-like multimedia content
· Six-axis sensor that works with the smartphone’s accelerometer to provide a smooth, fluid gaming experience when the user is tilting the device up or down or panning the phone to the left or right
· Virtual QWERTY Keyboard Featuring Swype Technology – Input text faster and in a more intuitive way with one continuous finger motion across the screen keyboard
· Full suite of messaging options – Text, picture, video and voice messaging; corporate and personal e-mail accounts supported
· 5.0-megapixel camera/camcorder – Auto-focus and LED flash with HD video recording and playback capabilities to capture photos and videos for playback on your HD television; playback (720p) on the screen display
· Wi-Fi Connectivity (802.11 b/g/n)
· Stereo Bluetooth® Technology – Support for headset, hands-free, stereo, phonebook access, and object push for vCard and vCalendar
· Corporate Email – Supports Android Éclair Exchange ActiveSync e-mail to synchronize corporate e-mail, contacts and calendars from office e-mail accounts
· Music player features lock screen, ticker display and quick side panel controls and 3.5-millimeter headphone jack
· 8 GB microSD(tm) card preinstalled expandable up to 32 GB

Lifestyle features:

· V CAST Music with Rhapsody®, V CAST Video on Demand, V CAST Song ID, Visual Voice Mail, V CAST Tones, VZ Navigator®, Mobile IM, City ID, Bing Search and Maps, and Blockbuster Application
· Dedicated ticker displays up-to-the minute news, weather and SNS updates, as well as music player controls and incoming e-mail, IM, and text messages without interrupting the activity on the main display
· Samsung’s Social Hub – Built around messaging, contacts and calendar sync, which allows users to send and receive information, whether it is e-mail, social network updates or SMS messages
· Integrated Calendar information from portal calendars, on Exchange, Google Calendar(tm) and SNS, including Facebook®
· Integrated Contacts syncs with Exchange, Google, Twitter and Facebook – Facebook contacts display in four categories, including Info, History (previous calls and messages), Activities (status updates and notifications on social networking sites), and Media (Facebook profile photos and photo gallery)
· AllShare(tm) – Enables inter-device connectivity through Digital Living Network Alliance® (DLNA®), so users can send multimedia content wirelessly to other DLNA Certified®-enabled devices such as TVs and laptops
· Daily Briefing – Instant access to weather, news, stocks and schedules
· Write and Go – Quickly jot down an idea and later decide on a format, such as SMS/ MMS, e-mail, calendar or memo, to send or post to popular SNS sites such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace
· Smart Alarm – Natural alarm sound and display automatically illuminates
· Weather Clock – Displays current time and weather of the selected city (ability to add and select other cities)

Pricing and availability:

The Samsung Continuum will be available for order starting Nov. 11 in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com for $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement and data package. 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. The device will be available for purchase in stores beginning Nov. 18.