Verizon To Launch iPhone Look-Alike

New Phone Will One-Up Apple's Model With Hardware Keyboard And Faster Data Network

(AP)  In time for the holidays, Verizon Wireless is launching a cell phone that looks a lot like the hottest phone so far this year: Apple Inc.'s iPhone.

Like the iPhone, the LG Voyager features a large touch screen, a camera and extensive multimedia, Web browsing and e-mail capabilities.

However, it one-ups the iPhone by folding open lengthwise to reveal a QWERTY keyboard and a second, non-touch sensitive screen. The lack of a hardware keyboard has been one of the main complaints about the iPhone.

The Voyager will connect to Verizon Wireless' latest data network, providing speeds much higher than the AT&T network the iPhone uses. The Voyager also has direct access to Verizon Wireless' online music store.

However, the Voyager will not come with a large built-in memory for songs and video, offering instead a slot for memory cards up to 8 gigabytes. Nor are its screens as large as the iPhone's.

It's an open question whether the Voyager can encroach on the iPhone's cachet or match its ease of use. Apple has sold more than 1 million units since the phone-cum-iPod hit the market June 29.

In announcing its holiday lineup Wednesday, Verizon Wireless did not say how much the Voyager or three other new phones would cost. It also didn't give a specific launch date, saying only that they would be in stores before Thanksgiving.

Verizon also showed off an LG phone called the Venus. It has two screens on its face, of which the smaller is touch sensitive, with controls for the phone's music player and camera. The phone slides open to reveal a numeric keypad.

Verizon Wireless is also bringing out a version of the BlackBerry Pearl, with fast data network access. The slim e-mail oriented phone is already available on the slower networks of AT&T and T-Mobile USA. (Like Verizon, AT&T has a third-generation cellular broadband network, but it's not used by the AT&T Pearl.)

The fourth phone in the lineup is the Juke, by Samsung. A small unit that flips open like a jackknife, it features an iPod-like wheel to control the music player.

Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications Inc. of New York and Vodafone Group PLC of Britain.

[sjw1253]

brianbwb:

I also have to chime in on Dan_Shields'' post saying Verizon is #1 and always will be.

My biggest lesson in life is to NEVER say the words "Never" and "Always"...

When anyone thinks that something will always be the same (by which those 2 words imply - in that saying that it will always be or never will change) - they lose sight of the uncertainties of the future.

In particular - if the company takes that attitude - they surely will be brought down.

Now - I am a Verizon customer - but always keep my eyes open to evaluage their competition as I have learned - in particular, when companies make changes to their management - they do not remain loyal to their long-term employees nor their long-term customers.

As in anything in this world - we have to look out for us - #1... The day when someone could be loyal to a company and the company would reciprocate that loyalty has long gone...

Don''t ever forget that!!!

[brianbwb-2009]

Verizon is #1 and always will be
Posted by Dan_Shields

Be careful of what you wish for. Also if you are older than 15, you might remember a time when IBM ruled the world, what was good for GM was good for America, and when Zenith and Motorola made TVs for the world.

[dan_shields-2009]

ahh LG and Verizon do it again, im so getting this Voyager it looks pretty badass and we all know that AT&T doesnt stand a chance against Verizon now, Verizon is #1 and always will be

[hypnotoad72]

I''ll stick to T-Mobile, thanks. My past experiences with Verizon and how they locked down phones'' multimedia (putting in my own wallpaper, my own custom ringtone, et al) capabilities doesn''t give me much incentive to move back.

[quiltfanatic1]

I bought the Iphone, unaware that I would not be able to change my own battery. As soon as that news hit the presses, I promptly took it back to the store and got my money back (minus a $60 shelving fee) those pikers. The cell is my only phone so I couldn''t live without it for a week while Apple changes a battery and mails it back to me.

[ivandrago]

Well at least you''ll be able to change your own dang battery. It''s something thats kept me from considering an iPhone or iPod.