AT&T to launch new Nokia smartphone

AT&T Mobility will launch a new Nokia smartphone, giving the world's top handset maker another boost in the North American market.

Nokia SurgeThe phone, called the Surge, will run the Symbian S60 OS and will sport a full, slide-out Qwerty keyboard. In addition to a 2-megapixel camera and support for AT&T Navigator, the phone supports an application called "JuiceCaster" that the companies said allows users to shares pictures and videos from the phone on popular social networking websites such as Facebook, Flicker, Twitter and YouTube.

The announcement of the new phone is the latest sign of support AT&T has given to Nokia. AT&T launched the Nokia E71x in March, and the carrier said it would make Nokia's Ovi Store available to its customers later this year. Nokia also has reportedly shopped its N97 smartphone to AT&T (the company currently is selling the device directly to end users, without carrier support).

Nokia's North American market share stood at 7.9 percent in the first quarter of this year, according to Strategy Analytics, up from 6.5 percent in the same quarter a year ago.

AT&T said the Surge will be available online and in AT&T stores beginning July 19. The phone will be available for $79.99 with a two-year service contract and after a $50 mail-in rebate.

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