Verizon Samsung Omnia SCH-i910 announced for $249.99

Verizon Wireless have announced the CDMA version of the Samsung Omnia, the SCH-i910, complete with a 3.2-inch touchscreen display, 5-megapixel camera with flash, and WiFi b/g.  The Windows Mobile 6.1 Pro handset has Samsung's TouchWiz GUI overlay, offering customizable widgets that work with the Omnia's haptic feedback.  There's also an optical mouse.

Other specs include stereo Bluetooth A2DP, Exchange push-email support and VZAppZone access for software downloads.  Verizon will load their own VZ Navigator software for GPS use, as well as a multi-format IM client supporting AIM, MSN and Yahoo! messengers.  Internal memory is 8GB.

We reviewed the GSM version of the Omnia i900 back in August, and came away relatively impressed.  However Samsung omitted US-spec 3G bands from the smartphone, and as such it was never officially picked up by any of the US carriers.  The Verizon Omnia will be available from Wednesday November 26th, priced at $249.99 after a $70 mail-in rebate, and begin showing up in stores from December 8th.

Press Release:

VERIZON WIRELESS ADDS SAMSUNG OMNIA™ TO ITS TOUCH SCREEN LINEUP

Advanced Touch Screen Smartphone Features Samsung's Innovative TouchWiz™ Technology and the Power of Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and DALLAS – Just in time for the holidays, Verizon Wireless and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile)1 announced the Samsung Omnia™ will be available for order online at www.verizonwireless.com and in business sales channels beginning Nov. 26. The Samsung Omnia's advanced touch screen, customizable user interface and Windows Mobile 6.1 capabilities are powered by the nation's most reliable wireless network ensuring that customers can browse the Web and access their e-mails quickly and reliably. It will be available through all sales channels including Verizon Wireless Communications Stores on Dec. 8.

The Samsung Omnia is an all-in-one smartphone with state-of-the-art features, including Samsung's innovative TouchWiz™ user interface which has specially designed widgets to customize and personalize the way customers use the phone. These bright and colorful icons provide a one-touch access point to customers' favorite and most commonly used applications and features. The Samsung Omnia also features a full on-screen QWERTY keyboard for fast text messaging, mobile IM and e-mail messages. The haptic feedback on the touch screen provides subtle vibrations to confirm selections; and an optical mouse provides easy navigation with the swipe of a finger. The Samsung Omnia supports Opera 9.5 Mobile Browser for a smooth Web browsing experience.

With Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, customers have access to a powerful personal computing experience in a slim, compact device. Microsoft Outlook Mobile keeps customers connected to e-mail, schedules and contacts; and Office Mobile enhances productivity with the ability to manage Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents – all while on-the-go.

The Samsung Omnia is enhanced by a high-quality 5.0 megapixel camera with digital zoom and power LED flash, camcorder, stereo Bluetooth® wireless technology and Wi-Fi technology that helps customers capture special moments and stay connected to friends and family anytime, anywhere.

Key features and capabilities of the Samsung Omnia from Verizon Wireless include:

Full HTML Web browser with touch navigation

Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional

Access to multiple e-mail accounts with Microsoft Direct Push for corporate users

Over-the-air synchronization of contacts, calendars and task lists with Microsoft Exchange Server

Supports Microsoft's System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 that provides customers with software distribution capabilities and security-enhanced access to company data while they are away from the office

Access to VZAppZone – downloadable games, ringtones, wallpapers and more

Playback of MP3 files

VZ NavigatorSM capability – get visual and audible directions to thousands of destinations, locate businesses and other points of interest, get maps of a location and share directions with others

Text, picture and video messaging

Mobile IM using AIM®, MSN®, Yahoo!®

Bluetooth profiles supported: headset – mono and stereo, hands-free (car kits), object push for vCard, basic imaging and phonebook access profiles

5.0 megapixel camera and camcorder with flash and zoom

Face Detection – centers on a face when taking a picture

Panorama, split shot and anti-shake camera settings

SmileShot – enables the camera to detect when a person is smiling and automatically takes a picture when in the SmileShot mode

Wi-Fi technology (802.11 b/g)

Support for Divx and Xvid movie files

Personal organizer with calculator, calendar, alarm clock, world clock, stop watch and notepad

Dimensions: 4.41" (l) x 2.24" (w) x 0.52" (d) with standard battery

Weight: approximately 4.34 ounces

Display: 3.2" display

Usage time: up to 346 minutes with standard battery or

Standby time: up to 464 hours with standard battery (subject to environmental and other factors)

Verizon Wireless has priced the Samsung Omnia for $249.99 after a $70 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.

For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, customers can visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or visit www.verizonwireless.com. Business customers should call 1-800-VZW-4BIZ or contact their Verizon Wireless Business Sales Representative.