Samsung Unveils High-Speed Windows Phone

Verizon and Samsung on Thursday announced the first commercially available Windows Mobile device to support high-speed EV-DO technology. The Samsung SCH-i730 will become widely available next month exclusively through Verizon, and features a slide design that hides a built-in keyboard when not in use.

The i730 also includes Bluetooth capabilities and built in Wi-Fi, as well as an SD expansion slot for added memory. 64MB of RAM and 128MB of Flash memory will come standard with the device.

Also included are a speakerphone for voice calls, voice recognition, and messaging and multimedia features through mobile versions of MSN Messenger and Windows Media Player.

At a size of 5.2 by 2.8 inches and just over a half-inch thick, the device is slightly smaller than current PDAs. However, the larger size and 5.5-ounce weight was necessary to accommodate a 2.8-inch color screen that operates at 240x320 resolution.

This is far larger than most Windows Smartphones, which are only capable of a 160x120 resolution.

"The i730 combines the familiarity of Windows Mobile software with the innovative design of Samsung that will be a popular choice for mobile professionals," said Suzan DelBene, vice president of marketing for the Mobile and Embedded Devices Division at Microsoft.

While the phone is mainly targeted at business, some tech-savvy consumers may find the device appealing for its network capabilities and larger screen. The i730 fits into a market segment established by PalmOne's Treo, which has garnered rave reviews and moderate marketplace success.

Samsung's i730 will retail for $599.99 -- $200 more than the Treo 650 -- and is now available to Verizon's larger business customers. The company has set a date of July 7 to make the Windows Mobile device available to consumers.