The Force of DROID™ is Strong for Star Wars™ Fans at DROID R2-D2™ Smartphone Launch, Costume Events in Florida

TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- To give the most loyal alliance of Star Wars and DROID smartphone fans a sneak peek and chance to win or buy the limited edition DROID R2-D2 smartphone, Verizon Wireless is hosting a Star Wars costume contest/party September 29 in four select Florida locations just before the phone goes on sale online across the country.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100928/FL72814 )

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100928/FL72814 )

About 150 to 200 phones will be available for purchase at each event (first come, first-served with a limit of two per person, one of which must be activated on a new two-year contract).  Other fans also will win phones in a Star Wars costume contest, trivia games, raffles and other activities. Special Star Wars prizes and giveaways, refreshments, special offers and other entertainment also will be featured.

The phone and the events are generating great amounts of buzz with Star Wars enthusiasts.  Full-costumed members of the 501st Battalion and Rebel Legion fan groups will be appearing at all Florida events, which begin at 9:30 p.m.  Online sales begin at midnight.

"We created these events because there was so much interest and anticipation by Star Wars and DROID fans who love to display their allegiance," said Pam Tope, Florida region president of Verizon Wireless.  "We're glad to give them this opportunity with the special sneak peek, and also with a fantastic new phone."

The special edition DROID R2-D2 by Motorola will feature all the latest specifications and capabilities of the Motorola DROID 2, plus special Star Wars markings, start-up sequence, wallpapers and displays, applications and widgets, exclusive content and more. The collector's edition phone is a collaboration of Verizon Wireless, Motorola and Lucasfilm, the creator of the Star Wars series.

The DROID R2-D2 will be available for $249 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.  Customers will need to subscribe to a Nationwide Talk plan or a Nationwide Talk & Text plan (beginning at $39.99 monthly access) and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan (beginning at $29.99 for unlimited monthly access). Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.

For more information, go to www.droiddoes.com/r2d2 or www.verizonwireless.com.  

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 92 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 79,000 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.

Lucasfilm, STAR WARS™ and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd.  All rights reserved.  All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless