Verizon Duo Sings With DRM-Free Music

By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 10/7/2008

Basking Ridge, N.J. — Two of three new phones introduced by Verizon Wireless expand the carrier’s selection of phones compatible with the V CAST Music with Rhapsody service, which enables subscribers to download more than 5 million songs over the air in unprotected MP3 format.

One of the Rhapsody-enabled models, the Samsung-made Sway slider, retails for $69.99. The other is the

Motorola’s Rapture is one of two new phones that access Verizon’s Rhapsody music-download service over the air.

Motorola-made Rapture at $129. A third phone, the Motorola-made VU204 at $29.99, isn’t compatible with the Rhapsody service. All prices are after a $50 mail-in rebate and require a new two-year subscription.

All three will be available for purchase in all of the carrier’s sales channels on Oct. 14. The Sway and Rapture are already available for preorder on the carrier’s Web site and its company-owned outlets.

The 3.4-ounce Rapture features external touch-sensitive display to control music playback and take pictures without opening the phone. Features include stereo Bluetooth, 2-megapixel camera/camcorder with dedicated shutter button, 2.5mm headphone jack and mMicroSD card slot supporting up to 8GB of memory. It also supports VZ Navigator, which delivers turn-by-turn driving instructions.

The 3.4-ounce Motorola VU204 features VGA camera, dedicated camera key, hands-free Bluetooth, VZ Navigator, mobile instant messaging and email.

Both Motorola models are CDMA 1x EV-DO units operating in the 800/1900MHz bands.

Samsung’s Sway features stereo Bluetooth, a 2-megapixel camera with NightShot to capture pictures in low light, camcorder, MicroSD card slot supporting up to 8GB memory and M4 hearing-aid compatibility. The 3.56-inch by 4.15-inch by 1.96-inch by 0.47-inch phone delivers up to 4.5 hours of talktime or up to 13 days of standby time.