14 DAY TRIAL // Leaked earlier today, Samsung Zeal is officially making its way to Verizon Wireless. The device will be available online and at the carrier's stores starting on November 11th for $79.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and with a new two-year customer agreement.
The dual-hinge messaging phone offers users a new typing experience thanks to the included E-Ink keyboard, which can quickly turn from a traditional numeric keypad into an alpha-only keypad if the phone is opened in portrait mode.
In landscape mode, the phone features a QWERTY keypad that can change to numeric with symbols.
Besides its dual-hinge form factor and innovative keypad, Samsung Zeal comes with the Social Beat Widget, which offers users one-click access to social networking sites such as Facebook Twitter and MySpace, as well as more than 50 news, sports and entertainment feeds.
The flip phone features corporate email support for Microsoft Exchange, so users can sync their email, contacts and calendars from their office email.
Samsung Zeal sports a 2.0 megapixel camera with night and panorama shot, auto focus and video recording capabilities.
The feature-phone is VZ Navigator capable, so users can receive audible turn-by-turn directions to points of interest.
Other key features of the mobile phone include: Media Center, which offers access to downloadable games, ringtones, wallpapers, location-based services and more, Mobile Web capabilities, Skype mobile, Mobile IM, Mobile Chat, Mobile Email and Mobile Web Email.
It also packs a microSD card slot for memory expansion with support for up to 32 GB, but does not come with an external memory card in the sale package.
Customers willing to pay $79.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate should take note that they will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card. Of course, upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.
