Sharp FX Goes to AT&T with Mobile TV Service

AT&T just announced that it will start offering the Sharp FX, a quick messaging device that will also feature Mobile TV capability. The device is set to be launched on 25th July and it seems to be the first Sharp phone from AT&T's lineup. The device looks very much like the older T-Mobile Sidekick, which were manufactured by the Japanese company.

Sharp FX features a touchscreen and a full slide-out QWERTY keyboard for quick access to messaging, Instant Messaging, email and social networking services. The phone also features an MP3 player, 2-megapixel digital camera with camcorder and Bluetooth 2.1.

Other available features include: AT&T Address Book, which syncs contacts to an online address book so customers can access and manage their mobile contacts from their handset — or their PC. The proprietary AT&T mobile browser that supports full HTML surfing and also makes it easy for customers to customize their home page, navigate quickly to popular content and find local information. AT&T Navigator, which provides turn-by-turn directions, traffic alerts with one-touch rerouting, 3D moving maps, integrated speech recognition and more. AT&T Social Net, which lets customers access multiple social networking sites from one application. The ability to send photos and videos captured on their mobile phone to an Online Locker where customers can easily store, manage and share all their media.

Sharp also comes with AT&T's Mobile TV services. Subscribers of the service will be able to enjoy access to full-length live and time-shifted programming from FLO TV, including content from ABC Mobile, Adult Swim Mobile, CBS Mobile, CNBC, CNN Mobile, COMEDY CENTRAL, Disney Channel, ESPN Mobile TV, FOX Mobile, msnbc, MTV, NBC 2Go, Nickelodeon and the movie channel Crackle. Subscribers of the service will have to pay $9.99 per month, but they will receive the first seven days of their subscription for free.

The Sharp FX will be available at AT&T retail stores and online for $99.99. Customers can pay $149.99 and after mail-in rebate receive $50 AT&T Promotion Card. The offer includes a two year service agreement and a minimum $20 messaging or combination of messaging and data plans required.