RIM LAUNCHES TRADE-IN PROGRAM

Research In Motion quietly introduced a new Trade Up program for BlackBerry smartphones. The new program will allow current BlackBerry owners to trade in their old handset for up to $120 off a new RIM smartphone. Users will be allowed to upgrade to one of six BlackBerry models from various carriers and must be turning in one of five devices on RIMs list. Head on over to the Blackberry website to check out the lists.

CELL PHONE TRADE-IN PROGRAM COMING TO AT&T JANUARY 23RD

Starting on Monday, January 23rd, AT&T will begin a cell phone trade-in program. All devices, whether AT&T or from another carrier, will be eligible for this program.

AT&T will allow the user to take a credit on toward a new purchase from AT&T, a check or have AT&T make a donation in the trade-in amount to a charity in the users name. There are no details on the buy back price of devices at this time, we don't expect it to be very much.

TRADE-IN SERVICE LAUNCHED BY VERIZON

Verizon has launched a new service that will allow users to trade-in their old phones for a Verizon Wireless gift card.  Users can go to www.trade-in.vzw.com and select the type of device they have, it doesn't have to be a Verizon device either.  A series of questions about the device are then displayed for answers by the user concerning the condition of the device.  An appraisal is then displayed for your device with an offer to send a pre-paid box to be shipped to you.  The gift cards can be used towards purchases for Verizon Wireless goods and services. [BGR]