Cingular to bring video calling, with the LG CU500v

LG CU500

(Credit: CNET Networks)

You'll probably see more about this as CES 2007 progresses, but Cingular (or is it AT&T?) announced a new video calling service, which makes it the first carrier in the U.S. to offer live mobile video calls. The video calls are one-way for now, however, meaning only one party can stream the video while the other party watches. The first phone to feature it is the LG CU500v, which is a slightly upgraded version of the HSDPA-capable LG CU500. I received confirmation from an LG representative that existing LG CU500 users can simply upgrade the software on the phone in order to get the video-calling feature, although I'm not sure if the newer LG CU500v models will cost more. Cingular/AT&T will have a demo of the product at its booth at the show, and the service is expected to debut early this year.