Verizon, Gadgets | featured news

Ultrafast smartphones, tablets galore (and a Verizon iPad, maybe?), and the death of 3D TV among trends to watch at 2011 Consumer Electronics Show.

Verizon Wireless, AT&T and T-Mobile formed a joint venture to allow their customers to pay for goods and services with their cellphones. Google's CEO said the next version of Android would allow phones to work as digital wallets.

Customers interested in Samsung's Android-based Galaxy Tab can now purchase one from Verizon Wireless for $600.

Sprint said it plans to sell Samsung's Galaxy Tab tablet for $400, or a third less than Verizon Wireless, though Sprint will require a two-year service contract.

Samsung's Galaxy Tab, one of the first tablets to rival Apple's iPad, will hit Verizon Wireless stores Nov. 11 and cost $599.99.

Verizon Wireless will begin selling Apple's iPad at its 2,000 retail stores nationwide on Oct. 28, the companies announced Thursday.

There have been so many rumors of a CDMA iPhone headed to Verizon over the past few years that at this point it could be really tough to believe that it may actually be happening.

Apple is expected to build its first 3 million Verizon-compatible CDMA iPhones in December 2010, contacts in the company's overseas supply chain reportedly indicated.

iPad watch out: Samsung is gunning to take over the tablet market. The company announced during a press conference late Thursday that the recently announced Galaxy Tab would be launching on all four major US cellular networks—Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, and T-Mobile—and a WiFi-only option will be available soon. There won't be any 4G-capable devices at launch, however (only 3G), and Samsung is remaining mum on pricing.

Samsung will partner with Verizon Wireless on its upcoming Android-based Galaxy Tab tablet, according to reports. Samsung will reportedly partner with Verizon Wireless on its recently announced Android-based Galaxy Tab tablet.