Velocity Mobile, the new smartphone manufacturer backed by laptop heavyweight Inventec, seems to think that the key to selling their new smartphones, like the Velocty Mobile 103 touchscreen Windows Mobile phone, will be the slight interface tweaks they have performed on Microsoft's mobile OS. While the additions make the OS more friendly to touch, and certainly a bit simpler and more organized, they really aren't very deep, not on the level of HTC's Neo interface on the T-Mobile Shadow. Instead, what has us interested in the 103 is the VGA screen, which is a favorite new feature of ours on handhelds, as well as the trackball navigation. The device is slim and slick looking, very polished, and has all the right options for connectivity, including 3G networking, as well as Wi-Fi and GPS for navigation. So far, pricing is called "competitive," and retailer deals haven't been announced, but Velocity Mobile has an odd policy of only announcing phones that are 12 weeks or less from shelves, so we should know more soon. Release: September 2008. Price: $500.
Pros: VGA screen looks luscious on handheld. Trackball? With touch? Wi-Fi and GPS.
Cons: Interface tweaks will get better over time, but are pretty basic now. Could be pricey without carrier subsidies.
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