AT&T is exclusively offering the Pantech Duo smartphone, combining Windows Mobile 6 functionality with a slim profile and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard for mobile messaging needs. AT&T characterizes the Duo as a “new breed of mobile handset,” meeting both business and lifestyle mobile needs. The phone is also one of AT&T’s first Windows Mobile 6 devices, although the carrier has a large stable of products running earlier mobile Windows platforms.
“Pantech has hit a home run with the Pantech duo’s trend-setting dual-sliding keyboards and other outstanding features that raise the bar in terms of looks and functionality,” said president of AT&T’s business markets group Kent Mathy, in a statement. “AT&T business and consumer customers alike now have a device that matches their form-factor preference—whether it’s a phone keypad or QWERTY keyboard—while providing an outstanding voice and data experience whether they are on the other side of town, across the country, or halfway around the world.”
The UMTS/HSDPA-enabled Pantech Duo offers Windows Mobile 6—which means it comes with mobile versions of Microsoft’s Office productivity applications, Outlook email client, and Internet Explorer Web browser, along with media playback capability—and offers up to 3 hours talk time and 10 days of standby time on a single battery charge. The units sports 64 MB of on-board memory, microSD storage expansion, a 1.3 megapixel camera, and a 2.2-inch QVGA display. Wireless fans will be happy to see the unit also offers Bluetooth capability, albeit Bluetooth 1.2 with A2DP.
The Pantech Duo is available now for an introductory price of $199.99 with a two-year contract and a mail-in rebate. AT&T offers unlimited data plans that include corporate email from $44.99 a month, and personal data plans for $29.99 a month.
