Verizon Intros Samsung SCH-i760 Smartphone

Verizon has announced the Samsung SCH-i760 smartphone, featuring Windows Mobile 6, a full QWERTY keyboard, multimedia support, and a 1.3 megapixel camera.

Verizon Wireless has announced it will begin offering the Samsug SCH-i760 smartphone early next month. The i760 is designed to appeal to business and professional users who not only want a powerful phone, but also need mobile messaging and productivity functions…and a little entertainment on the side to make the expense all seem worthwhile.

"The SCH-i760 is an exciting handset for Samsung because it features a full QWERTY keypad in a horizontal slider," said Samsung senior VP Peter Skarzynski, in a statement. "This is the next generation in smartphones and features the total business package."

The i760 sports a 2.8-inch 320 by 240-pixel LCD touchscreen display, a full slide-out QWERTY keyboard for email and messaging, a video-capable 1.3 megapixel camera, speakerphone, stereo Bluetooth, and integrated Wi-Fi connectivity. The phone runs Windows Mobile 6, so it features mobile versions of Microsoft’s Office productivity suite, Outlook email, Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, and the capability to tap into Windows Life Messenger. And, of course, the phone can tap into Verizon’s V Cast mobile media services.

Verizon is offering the i760 online starting today, whereas the units will hit stores November 2. With a two-year service agreement, the i760 is priced at $349.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate.

Along with the i760, Verizon has announced other pending entries in its smartphone lineup, including the Verizon Wireless XV6800 and Verizon Wireless SMT5800, both of which run Windows Mobile, offer a 2 megapixel cameras, come with onboard Wi-Fi, and feature a slide-out QWERTY keyboards. Verizon also plans to offer the Palm Treo 755p, which runs the Palm OS. Verizon hasn’t announced pricing or availability information for these three smartphones, but the Palm Treo 755p currently carries a $199 retail price.