The Saga is a smartphone.
(Credit: Samsung)Samsung continues its new phone onslaught with two handsets for Verizon Wireless, the Samsung Saga and the Samsung Renown. The two models rest at opposite ends of the feature spectrum so mobile users of all stripes should find something for them.
The Samsung Saga (aka the SCH-i770) is a Windows Mobile 6.1 smartphone with a full QWERTY keyboard and a 2.55-inch touch screen. It reminds us vaguely of the Samsung Blackjack, but it sports a blue color scheme, a curvier bottom, and redesigned controls. The dual-mode CDMA/GSM device supports a full range of Microsoft application, such as Office Mobile Suite, Active Sync 4.5, and Mobile Device Center for Vista OS. Other features include stereo Bluetooth, a 2-megapixel camera, a micoSD card slot, voice commands, a speakerphone, organizer options, Windows Media Player Mobile, Wi-Fi (yay!), and an optical mouse. It is $199.99 with a contract.
The Renown is a 3G phone.
(Credit: Samsung)The Renown (aka the SCH-U810) is a standard flip phone design in a chocolate brown color scheme. It also is dual-mode for CDMA and GSM networks. The 3G handset offers a 2-megapixel camera, visual voice mail, external music controls, stereo Bluetooth, support for Verizon V Cast streaming video, V Cast Music with Rhapsody, a microSD card slot, organizer features, and a speakerphone. The Renown will be available December 1 for $179.99 with a service agreement. Business users can get the renown starting November 19.
On Sale Now: $29.99
View the latest prices for Samsung Renown (Verizon Wireless)
On Sale Now: $9.99
View the latest prices for Samsung Saga (Verizon Wireless)
Rumors are afoot that Verizon Wireless will announce new cell phones based on the LiMo Foundation's mobile Linux operating system. Unstrung did not reveal its source, but the publication reported Friday that the nation's second largest carrier could make an announcement by this Monday.
Verizon has yet to even suggest that it would adopt LiMo devices, but the LiMo gossip does make sense. After years of exercising almost total control of its devices, the carrier stunned the cell phone world last November when it announced that it would start allowing unlocked devices on its CDMA network. Then last March, it hinted that unlocked devices could be available by the middle of this month.
Though Google's Android platform continues to generate buzz, LiMo already has several devices on the market including the Motorola U9, the Motorola Z6w, the Motorola Rarz2 V8, and the Motorola Rokr E8. What's more, LiMo announced its Platform Release 1 at CTIA last month. Verizon is supporting Google's platform as well, but we won't see an Android-enabled phone in the United States until the end of the year.
Like the Open Handset Alliance, the LiMo Foundation came together last year to create an open, hardware-independent operating system for mobile phones. Currently, it is composed of 30 member companies including Motorola, NEC, Samsung, Vodafone, Orange, LG, and NTT DoCoMo.
Rest assured, we'll be watching the wires over the next few days to see what it happens. If the news breaks, we'll bring you the details.
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