Verizon Samsung Zeal Official: E Ink Keys, Dual-Hinge And Exchange Support
We spotted Verizon's new E Ink feature-phone, the Samsung Zeal, getting a premature preview earlier today, but the carrier has now come clean on the dual-hinge handset. Like the Alias 2 before it, the Samsung Zeal has a full QWERTY keyboard which uses E Ink keys; that allows the layout to change according to what app is running and which way around the handset is being held.
That latter point is important, since the Zeal can be opened like a traditional clamshell, or folded on its long edge in landscape orientation. While there's no fashionable smartphone OS, you do get Microsoft Exchange email support and a Social Beat widget that pulls in Facebook, Twitter and MySpace information, as well as a 2-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, Skype Mobile and a microSD slot good with cards up to 32GB in size.
On the outside there's a secondary preview display and media control buttons, and the Zeal is VZ Navigator compliant as well. It'll go on sale from November 11 priced at $79.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and assuming a new, two-year agreement.
Press Release:
FEEL THE ZEAL WITH THE SAMSUNG ZEAL™ FROM VERIZON WIRELESSDual-Hinge Messaging Phone Features E Ink Transforming QWERTY Keypad and Social Beat Application
BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and DALLAS – Verizon Wireless and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) today announced that the Samsung Zeal™, a dual-hinge messaging phone in a unique, flip-style format with an E Ink technology transforming the QWERTY keypad, will be available online at www.verizonwireless.com and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores on Nov. 11.
Available color: Black
Key features:
· Dual-hinge form factor with E Ink keyboard that changes based on the user's needs
o Open it vertically as a flip phone and it has a traditional numeric keypad and can change to an alpha-only keypad
o In landscape, the phone features a QWERTY keypad that can change to numeric with symbols
· Corporate Email support for Microsoft Office Exchange so customers can synchronize corporate e-mail, contacts and calendars from their office e-mail
· 2.0 megapixel camera with night and panorama shot, auto focus and camcorder
· Bluetooth® technology with support for headset, hands-free, stereo, phonebook access, basic print, basic imaging, and object push for vCard and vCalendar
Lifestyle features:
Social Beat Widget – Offers a single point for accessing social networking sites, allowing customers to stay connected to Facebook®, Twitter™ and MySpace™ plus more than 50 news, sports and entertainment feeds
VZ Navigator® capable – Receive audible turn-by-turn directions to millions of points of interest and share the directions with others
Media Center – Access downloadable games, ringtones, wallpapers, location-based services and more
Skype mobile™ capable
Mobile Web capable
· Full suite of messaging options, including text, picture, video and voice messaging; Mobile IM; Mobile Chat; Mobile Email; and Mobile Web Email
microSD™ card slot with support for up to 32 GB (card purchased separately)
Personal organizer with calendar, calculator with currency converter, notepad, alarm clock, world clock and stop watch
Price and availability:
The Samsung Zeal will be available on Nov. 11 for $79.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.
Customers can purchase the Samsung Zeal beginning today at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores or online at www.verizonwireless.com. For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.