Do you want a dual-sliding phone like the Helio Ocean, but don't want to sign up with Helio and prefer Windows Mobile to Helio's great OS? Do you also want to sign up with AT&T? Uh… OK. Good news for you: AT&T is getting the Pantech Duo (i.e. the Pantech C180), a sleek-looking dual-slider that zips along on their 3G HSDPA network. It runs Windows Mobile 6, has a 1.3-megapixel camera, and can do push email. Look for it to drop at the end of the month for $250 with 2-year soul-selling agreement. [Boy Genius]
DISCUSSION
I'm not sure about it being comparable in size to the RAZR. I have one, and it's all of about a centimeter thick (when closed). If it is, though, awesome, as I'm eagerly awaiting something to exchange this silver dinosaur for.
I got interested in the C810 when I read about it after trying and returning (still waiting for these idiots to charge back my money) the Helio Ocean, also made by Pantech.
I think this form factor is awesome. It looks cool, sure, but that's not the big deal - it's really friendly to be able to snap back and forth entering contacts and such.
Really, my only issue with the Helio Ocean was the lack of wifi and the numerous major OS shortcomings like no multi-tasking and various bugs that kept crashing the device. Actually, I also had an issue with the company, an MVNO for Srpint — they provide a phone with 3G and bluetooth support, and then cripple it by not allowing laptop tethering. So I was stuck fiddling with Helio's incompetent web browser.
I digress. The Ocean as a device was very solid, so I'm excited to see what Pantech will do with the form factor under AT&T and Windows Mobile.