Pantech Aladdin for AT&T: QWERTY when you need it, numeric when you don't

Between the Matrix and Matrix Pro, Pantech seems to be carving out a curious niche for itself on AT&T with multi-keypad devices, and the trend looks like it could continue if the "Aladdin" ends up coming to market. The HSDPA-capable dumbphone starts life as a chubby candybar with a numeric pad, but a flick of the finger brings out full QWERTY for when the SMS conversations (threaded, no less!) start to get heated. It's got a meager 1.3 megapixel cam -- proof that it's a lower-end device -- along with AGPS, stereo Bluetooth, Video Share, and support for Windows Media DRM. According to our documentation, AT&T wants this one out in August, but it's unclear if they'll meet that date -- assuming it successfully makes it through carrier certification. Follow the break for a couple closeup shots of the phone.

[derX Posted May 25th 2009 2:47PM]

Wow, that's pretty damn innovative. At least I've never seen a phone with that form factor.

Now if only the screen weren't so punk ass small.

[(Unverified) Posted May 25th 2009 2:57PM]

Who cares?! Show us the 3g microcell slide!

[(Unverified) Posted May 25th 2009 3:40PM]

where the hell are all these new phones popping out from .
but this is a very innovated phone design .

[(Unverified) Posted May 25th 2009 4:39PM]

Cool idea, but like the other Pantechs, hideous.

[(Unverified) Posted May 25th 2009 7:58PM]

no, just hideous.

[EpsilonNot Posted May 25th 2009 7:02PM]

I don't really understand why you'd want the numeric keypad at all... certainly I don't miss one on my Centro.