VZW, Alltel, AT&T: Portfolio push as Black Friday nears

Samsung Omnia, Motorola Hint on tap

November 25 2008 - 1:56 pm ET | Phil Carson | RCR Wireless News

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The new Samsung Omnia touchscreen smartphone lands at Verizon Wireless for $250, after a $70 mail-in rebate, with a two-year service contract.

Carriers are putting the finishing touches on their portfolios this week as the traditionally hottest shopping day of the year draws close. That’s Black Friday, this Friday.

The new Samsung Omnia touchscreen smartphone will land at Verizon Wireless on Wednesday at $250, after a $70 mail-in rebate, with a two-year service contract.

The Omnia runs Windows Mobile 6.1, offers a virtual QWERTY keypad and customizable user interface. The device includes the Opera 9.5 mobile browser, a 5-megapixel camera, messaging options, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and access to Verizon’s data services.

Verizon Wireless also has added the $350 HTC Touch Pro device to its arsenal (it launched earlier this month at Sprint Nextel Corp. for $300) at a price point at the very high-end of most carrier-based portfolios.

Not to be outdone, AT&T Mobility has discounted two messaging devices to spark consumer interest. The Samsung Propel and Pantech Matrix, typically $80 apiece, can both be had in a two-for-one deal.

Motorola Inc. announced the launch of its Hint device, a “social messaging slider” with a QWERTY keyboard, which will go through Alltel Communications L.L.C. for $100 after a mail-in rebate, starting Nov. 28.

Meanwhile, Verizon Wireless’ BlackBerry Storm is so popular at $200 — or supplies so limited — that the carrier’s Web site announced “limited availability” for the device, promising customers that new online orders will ship by Dec. 8. Stores on the East Coast are also sold out of the device, according to news reports.