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BlackBerry Customers First to Get Apps through Verizon Wireless' New Mobile Apps Storefront BASKING RIDGE, N.J., July 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless said today that V CAST Apps, its mobile applications storefront, is now available on select BlackBerry(R) smartphones. V CAST Apps gives customers a one-click process to purchase a wide array of apps with the ease and convenience of direct billing; apps purchased are invoiced on customers' monthly account billing statements. "Consumers want to do more with their wireless phones, and V CAST Apps is another way Verizon Wireless is bringing the most desirable applications to the nation's most reliable network," said Ryan Hughes, vice president, business development and partner management for Verizon Wireless. "The rollout of V CAST Apps provides proof that the company is focused on delivering the most innovative services and applications that will entertain, educate and make their lives a little more fun." V CAST Apps is currently available on the BlackBerry Bold(TM) 9650, Storm2(TM) 9550, Curve(TM) 8530 and Tour(TM) 9630 and will be coming in the next couple weeks to the Storm(TM) 9530 and Curve 8330. Verizon Wireless will send all BlackBerry smartphones that use BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) an icon that links to V CAST Apps, giving customers access to hundreds of productivity, navigation and education apps as well as games and entertainment. Business customers using BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) will need to contact their business specialists for information about how to download V CAST Apps. Verizon Wireless offers a V CAST Apps BLOCK feature for customers who do not want access to the apps in the storefront. The V CAST Apps BLOCK feature can be managed through My Verizon (for consumers) and My Business or Verizon Enterprise Center (VEC) accounts (for businesses). Verizon Developer Community Continues to Grow Since its launch a year ago, the Verizon Developer Community has attracted more than 5,000 participants interested in creating and bringing innovative apps to Verizon Wireless customers. To date, developers have submitted app concepts, ranging from games to productivity tools to books, to apps that focus on information and other resources. Verizon Wireless is working to make it fast and easy for developers to launch apps on V CAST Apps. In addition, apps may go from concept submission to the virtual shelves of V CAST Apps in as few as two weeks, giving developers the ability to quickly reach millions of Verizon Wireless customers. For more information about V CAST Apps and the Verizon Developer Community, visit http://developer.verizon.com. For more information about Verizon Wireless, visit www.verizonwireless.com. About Verizon Wireless Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving nearly 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 81,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia. SOURCE Verizon Wireless /CONTACT: Debra Lewis, Verizon Wireless, +1-908-559-7512, Debra.Lewis@verizonwireless.com /Web site: http://www.verizonwireless.com Order free Annual Report for Vodafone Group PLC Visit http://djnweurope.ar.wilink.com/?ticker=GB00B16GWD56 or call +44 (0)208 391 6028 (END) Dow Jones Newswires July 19, 2010 09:00 ET (13:00 GMT)