Samsung Glydes out 3G Touch Screen Slider

Samsung's new Glyde for Verizon features an external touch screen with slide-out QWERTY keyboard, along with a high-res camera and GPS.

If the last year of cell phone development seems to have taught manufacturers anything, it’s this: Touchscreens are great for simple navigation, but when it comes to typing and texting, nothing beats a full QWERTY keyboard. So goes the logic, we think, behind Samsung’s latest slider for Verizon, the SCH-U940 Glyde. Like the LG Voyager and upcoming Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1, the Glyde combines a large exterior touch screen with a full slide-out QWERTY keyboard in an attempt to offer the best of both worlds.

Besides the 2.8-inch color touch screen adorning its face, the iPhone-shaped Glyde has a 2.0-megapixel camera, GPS sensor for use with VZ Navigator, Bluetooth support, and room for up to 8GB of external memory. There’s also 3G Internet access and a full HTML browser to make use of it.

Verizon will offer the Glyde for $249.99 after a $50 rebate for a two-year contract, starting Friday. Verizon’s Nationwide Premium plan, which provides the Glyde unlimited data and messaging, runs for $79.99 a month.