Hewlett-Packard will return to the U.S. smartphone market with a 3G worldphone that will be available on the AT&T network in the coming weeks.
The HP iPAQ Glisten, based on Microsoft’s Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system, features AMOLED touchscreen and full QWERTY keyboard at $179. The price is after a $50 rebate in the form of a promotion card and with two-year data-plan contract. AT&T did not announce the date of availability.
The device, AT&T’s first smartphone with AMOLED display, is targeted to mobile professionals and will be available through AT&T business services, HP corporate sales, AT&T and HP Web sites targeted to small and medium businesses and consumers, and third-party e-commerce sites. Sales through AT&T-owned stores and brick-and-mortar retailers aren’t included in the announced distribution plans.
The 3G HSPA phone also features a Web browser with flash support, GPS and Wi-Fi, including automatic access to more than 20,000 AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots included with select smartphone data plans.
Other features include integrated inbox that summarizes recent emails, calls and texts. Voice Commander voice-recognition software reads text messages, emails and appointment details and enables voice prompts to begin messages and dial contacts.
The device also comes with a Facebook application and 3.1-megapixel camera.