Basking Ridge, N.J. – Verizon
Wireless is adding to its selection of 3G smartphones capable of operating
around the world in 3G mode.
The carrier’s LG-made
touchscreen-equipped Fathom, a Windows Mobile 6.5.3 smartphone with slide-from-the-side
QWERTY keyboard, operates in 3G
mode in North American CDMA 1x EV-DO (Rev. A) 800/1900MHz networks and in 3G
mode in overseas 2.1GHz networks in W-CDMA HSDPA mode. Users will be able to
make voice calls in more than 220 countries and access 3G data in 110
countries, Verizon said. Data can be accessed at slower 2.5G EDGE speed in 90
additional countries.
The device, which features 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, will be
available through the carrier’s business channels May 27, Verizon
Wireless Communications Stores,
and indirect retailers starting June 3 at $149. The
price in Verizon’s direct channels is after a $100 mail-in rebate, which takes
the form of a debit card, and with new two-year contract. Purchasers must
subscribe to a minimum $39.99/month Nationwide Talk plan and sign up for a
$29.99/month unlimited email and Web access plan.
The phone’s 3.2-inch display
features resistive touchscreen technology for use with included stylus. Other
features include MicroSD slot supporting 16GB cards, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n,
MP3/WMA music player, WMV/ MP4/3GP-format video playback, USB mass storage
capability, voice dialing, and Bluetooth 2.1 supporting such profiles as
stereo, phone book access, basic printing, basic imaging, object push and file
transfer.
The phone also supports the
carrier’s VZ Navigator turn-by-turn navigation service in more than 20
countries, including Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain,
Sweden and the United Kingdom.
The launch follows Verizon’s recent
launch of another LG smartphone, the
,
which is LG’s first U.S.-market Android phone.
The Ally features slide-from-the side QWERTY keyboard and touchscreen
and became available May 20 at $99.99.
