AT&T launching 3G Nokia flip phone, boosts manufacturer's U.S. presence

AT&T Mobility will launch a new 3G Nokia flip phone, the 6350, in another sign of the deepening relationship between the nation's No. 2 carrier and the world's largest handset maker. The action could help stifle criticism of Nokia's relatively sluggish progress in the U.S. cell phone market.

[1]The HSDPA phone is a basic flip device with dedicated music keys, email support and a 2-megapixel camera. It runs Nokia's Series 40 user interface. The 6350 will be available Oct. 4 for $29.99 with a two-year contract and after a mail-in rebate.

This is the second announcement Nokia has made with a major U.S. carrier this week; yesterday Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest carrier, said it would launch a similar phone, the Shade 2705 flip phone, for $29.99 with a two-year contract. Additionally, in September Verizon launched the 7705 Twist, a square-shaped messaging phone that twists open to reveal a full Qwerty keypad. The Twist sells for $99.99 with a two-year contract and after a $50 mail-in rebate.

Nokia has been quietly boosting its presence at AT&T this year. The carrier launched Nokia's Surge smartphone in July and the E71x in March. AT&T also has said it will make Nokia's Ovi Store available to its customers later this year. While Nokia remains the largest handset vendor globally by market share, it trails rivals such Samsung and LG in the U.S. market.

For more:
- see these pictures and specs [1]
- see this release [2]

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