14 DAY TRIAL // One of the mobile phones that should land soon at Verizon Wireless with Google's Android operating system on board would be the HTC Merge, and some more confirmation of its near landing emerged.
The same as it happened with the HTC Thunderbolt last month, the emergence of this application shows that Verizon is set to make an official announcement on this device in the very near future, though it remains to be seen when exactly that might happen.
VZ Navigator for HTC Merge is available for download from the Android Market only for this device, and is free. However, the use of Verizon's service comes with a monthly fee attached to it.
Here's what the description of VZ Navigator reads in the app portal:
“Merge only. -Cost $9.99/mo or use Maps for no service fee- Search for "VZ Nav" to find this app for other devices.
Get more from your GPS than just the basics - premium voice navigation and 3D maps with traffic-aware routing and spoken incident alerts. PLUS: movie & event info, gas prices, local and voice search”
Provided that the emergence of this application in the Android Market is not the result of an error, the Merge should surface shortly.
Previous rumors suggested that Verizon might launch it sometime in early April, and it seems that the carrier is on tract to make the move.
The Merge is also on its way to Alltel in the United States, and previous reports suggested that Cellular South might launch it next month as well. HTC already announced plans to bring the phone to North America, but no other details were offered.
Merge should come to Verizon as the carrier's own flavor of the already available HTC Desire Z, though it would certainly include a series of changes, aside from the CDMA radios.
Until more info on the matter emerges, you can have a look at the VZ Navigator application in the Android Market here.