Verizon Wireless has quietly launched the long-delayed HTC Merge dual-mode CDMA/GSM Android smartphone as a third-party dealer exclusive after months of delays and rumors. Originally meant to launch as far back as last summer with ROM leaks, the HTC Merge was meant to slot into Verizon’s Android lineup as its variant of the HTC G2/Magic without Droid branding. Delay after delay forced the device into relative obscurity until it resurfaced last January for Alltel as one of its last official post Verizon merger offerings, with pictures surfacing online.

Not long after those pictures leaked, the phone was delayed yet again earlier this year due to initial reports that Verizon was going to add LTE support to the smartphone in January, which turned out to be false. Now with the quiet soft launch of the phone via third-party dealers, it seems that Verizon wants to forget about the phone and move on, as the latest internal documentation suggests that the phone will only be offered via third-party dealers and will not receive a wider retail launch via Verizon retail stores, telesales or online.

The Merge features Android 2.2, a 3.8 inch WVGA resolution capacitive touch display, sliding QWERTY keyboard, Scorpion processor, 2GB of flash memory with 512MB of RAM, 5.0 megapixel camera with autofocus, flash and 720p video capture, microSD slot, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS support.

The remainder of Alltel Wireless not absorbed by Verizon or spun off by AT&T has announced the launch of the Samsung Gem mid-range Android smartphone. The phone features a 3.2 inch capacitive touch display at WQVGA resolution with scratch/smudge resistance, 850/1900MHz CDMA support, GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios. The Gem also features an 800MHz processor, a 3.2 megapixel camera, speakerphone, and a microSDHC slot.

The phone will be sold by the now regional carrier for $49.99 before an additional $50 mail-in rebate bringing the total to free.

The long delayed and anticipated HTC Merge once expected for Verizon may have been canceled by the carrier and instead handed off to Alltel, judging by the screenshot.

The HTC Merge is the CDMA variant of the Desire Z with a 3.7-inch screen, 512MB RAM/4GB internal Flash, Qualcomm 7630 Scorpion processor at 800MHz, sliding hardware QWERTY keyboard and a 5.0 megapixel camera.

It was once thought to have been delayed from its original Q4 2010 launch date by Verizon for the addition of an LTE radio in preparation for an official announcement and unveiling during CES, but the HTC Thunderbolt 4G took its place instead, leading to increased chatter that it was canceled outright.

There is currently no word on pricing, with availability set for next month provided it can pass final testing.

In a new recently posted support page, Sprint has addressed the native coverage loss in areas of North Dakota, Wyoming and Montana as a result of the divested former Alltel markets being purchased by AT&T and subsequently converted.

As a result of the change, what was once native voice and data coverage is now roaming coverage and subject to Sprint’s roaming rules limiting voice to 800 minutes and data to 300MB, with the change severly affecting those customers currently under contract and living in those areas.

Alltel has announced that it has launched the HTC Desire and Wildfire Android smartphones in the remainder of the markets controlled by the ATNI/AWCC venture that now operates the remainder of the Alltel CDMA network.

The HTC Wildfire smartphone features a 5 megapixel camera with auto focus and flash, a large 3.2 inch touch display and optical joystick, Wi-Fi, compass and GPS support along with a microSDHC slot.  The HTC Desire features Android 2.1 with HTC Sense, 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 3.7 inch capacitive SLCD display, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, 5.0 megapixel camera with video capture and flash, microSDHC expansion slot and Wi-Fi radio.

Pricing for the Wildfire is set at $29.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year agreement. The HTC Desire smartphone is also available for $149.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with activation of a two-year service agreement.

Following up on a previous report, Alltel has launched the Motorola Milestone (nee Droid) in select markets operated by the ATNI/AWCC conglomerate.  The device features Android 2.1, EVDO Rev A, Wi-Fi radio, and is otherwise identical to the Verizon version.  Pricing its set at $299.99 after new agreement before an additional $100 mail-in rebate, bringing the total to $199.99.

In the wake of the transition from Alltel to AT&T in select markets, the carrier is set to launch two new handsets this week in select Allied Wireless/Atlantic TeleNetwork operated markets in the LG 8370 and Motorola Milestone, with more handsets being launched by the end of the year.  Hit the Read More link for the complete list of devices that have completed testing and are in the pipeline, along with the relevant infograph, denoting which markets will launch the phones in the new list.

The markets denoted in yellow owned by AtlanticTeleNetwork under the AWCC/Alltel brand will have the new handset launches listed below:

-Blackberry 9330 Curve III (no further info currently)
-Blackberry Oxford (no further info currently)
Models that are testing or already tested
(soon to be released models)
-Samsung M4 (r580) (full feature phone with a slide out QWERTY keyboard)(entering testing phase soon)
-HTC Desire (Just finished testing)
-HTC Bee (just finished testing)
-Moto Milestone Droid (most likely being released 09.23.10)
-Samsung R250 (just finished testing)
-LG 8370 (most likely being released 09.23.10)
Alltel’s goal is to have 5 android phones in the lineup before x-mas:
-HTC HERO (currently offered)
-Moto Milestone
-HTC DESIRE
-HTC BEE
-LG AXIS

The markets listed in green will not be launching the above mentioned handsets as they will be transitioned to AT&T, with the completion expected in January.

Update: Alltel has announced that it will launch the Milestone with a splashpage on its portal when entering a zipcode from one of the ATN/AWCC markets, such as 59505.

The remnants of Alltel Wireless will offer remaining customers the opportunity to purchase Microsoft’s Kin social network oriented multimedia devices when they are launched in late May simultaneously with Verizon Wireless.

In related news Microsoft director of social networking John Starkweather elaborated on technical specifactions for the line with 600MHz Tegra processors, EV-DO Rev. A as well as light and proximity sensors, Bluetooth remote and headset profiles alongside Microsoft Exchange support and support for H.264, MPEG-4 and Windows Media video.

HTC has quietly issued a bugfix update designed to address an SMS timestamp issue with the Sprint and Alltel Touch Pro as a result of the most recent firmware update.

Alltel has launched a new entry-level clamshell in the AX310 for those customers in divested markets.

The AX310 features features voice-activated calling, speakerphone Bluetooth, speaker-independent voice control and 1.3 megapixel camera with zoom.

The LG AX310 is available for $59.99 before an additional $30 mail-in rebate with activation of a 1-year service contract on a qualifying rate plan, bringing the total to $29.99.