Verizon launches Samsung Zeal, Motorola Droid 2 Global; AT&T halves price of BlackBerry Torch

Quick news from across the Web

@FierceWireless: RT @electronistaweb: Dell Venue Pro already on sale at Microsoft stores. Article | Follow @FierceWireless

> Verizon Wireless introduced Samsung's dual-hinge Zeal. Release

> AT&T Mobility is now selling the Motorola Bravo and Flipside. Article

> Ericsson scored a managed services deal with China Unicom. Article (sub. req.)

> Nokia hired temporary workers at its Finnish plant. Article

> Rural operator Bluegrass Cellular revealed that it has entered into an agreement with Verizon Wireless to bring LTE into central Kentucky. Article

> DragonWave reduced its revenue expectations. Article

> AT&T cut the price of Research In Motion's BlackBerry Torch in half. Article

> Google Chrome is sponsoring free in-flight WiFi. Post

> Sprint Nextel will use TMNG's SmartXchange solution, which the company said is a "proactive mobile device recapture service for the communications industry." Release

> KeyOn announced it acquired Onawave Wireless. Release

> Sprint Nextel announced a paperless billing deal with doxo. Release

> Motorola's Droid 2 Global launched on Verizon Wireless. Article

> An investor firm downgraded Research In Motion on competition from the likes of Android and Apple. Article

Mobile Content News

> GroupMe reportedly raised a $9 million round. Article

> Google extended its signature mobile search application to Microsoft's fledgling Windows Phone 7 operating system. Article

> AT&T introduced Smart Controls, a new online tool giving subscribers access to their mobile, TV, Internet and home phone services. Article

> Opera Software introduced the Opera Mobile 10.1 beta browser for Android smartphones. Article

> Amazon.com will increase royalty payments to magazine and newspaper publishers offering their content via the online retail giant's Kindle ereader platform. Article

Mobile Developer News

> Google's Android likely will dominate application development next year. Commentary

> Google introduced Recent Changes, a new Android Market feature giving developers greater flexibility to alert consumers of application updates and enhancements. Article

> Microsoft executives confirm the new Windows Phone 7 operating system incorporates a kill switch. Article

And finally... Verizon Wireless' iPad commercial. Video