Verizon Wireless and HTC announced on Thursday the introduction of the new Verizon Wireless HTC Ozone. The mobile phone comes to the carrier's offering with a simple design and a wide range of connectivity options, such as support for the operator's 3G network, global roaming and Wi-Fi. Moreover, the device comes in black with a price tag of $49.99, making it a great option for first-time smartphone users or savvy business professionals.

Among the features that the new handset comes with we can count an ergonomically-designed QWERTY keyboard, a 1500 mAh battery that provides extended operating time, a 2-megapixel photo snapper, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and the Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 operating system. Unfortunately, it seems that the Ozone, which is none other than the HTC Snap/Dash 3G/XV6175, will not include the maker's Inner Circle, which is present on all the other versions of the phone.

On the other hand, the device comes with support for a variety of Verizon services and applications, including VZ Navigator (with audible turn-by-turn directions and a database of more than 15 million points of interest) and Visual Voice Mail (allowing users to view, delete, reply, listen to and forward voice mail messages without listening to them).

In addition, the HTC Ozone also includes support for Mobile IM (AOL Instant Messenger, Windows Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger) and Mobile Email (Yahoo!, Hotmail, AOL and Windows Live Seamless Microsoft Exchange synchronization with Microsoft Office Mobile), as well as one-touch messaging key and a simplified “sliding panel” user interface for fast access to the most used features.

The fresh Verizon Wireless HTC Ozone will become available for purchase on June 29 via the carrier's business sales channels, online at its website, and via telesales. Moreover, the handset will be available through Verizon Wireless Communications Stores starting with July 13. Its price has been set at $49.99 upon the signing of a two-year agreement with the carrier and after a $70 mail-in rebate. The VZ Navigator comes with a $9.99 monthly access fee, while Visual Voice Mail with $2.99 monthly access fee.