Motorola Inc. and Verizon Wireless said the Motorola V710 1.23-megapixel camera phone is now shipping and will be available nationwide next month. Earlier this year, a Verizon spokeswoman confirmed that the carrier was testing the phone, but at the time said Verizon had not yet decided to sell it.
The phone is notable for several reasons. First, it is Motorola’s first camera phone for Verizon, an offering that has been delayed since before the holiday shopping season. It is also one of the first North American Bluetooth devices for CDMA networks.
In addition to Bluetooth connectivity, the CDMA phone has multimedia features, and voice and speaker functionality. With the device, users can capture high-resolution photos and video to be featured on the phone’s 2.2-inch color display, sent and printed.
“This product is the best of CDMA from Motorola to date. Based on pre-launch interest, we believe consumers agree,” said Tim Cawley, senior vice president and general manger of Motorola’s CDMA product group. “The model V710 gives Verizon Wireless users the ideal balance between efficient productivity and mobile fun.”
The phone is expected to cost $250 after a $70 rebate to customers who sign a two-year service plan. It will be available in Verizon Wireless stores.
The V710 will be the second megapixel device available in the United States. Audiovox Corp. and Sprint Corp. launched the first, the 1.3-megapixel Sprint PCS Vision Picture Phone PM-8920, last week.
In June, Motorola said it teamed with Hollywood director Scott Sanders to develop an online “advertainment” film promoting the V710.
